Ben Solo

XV

They stayed only three more days before going back.

Ben threw himself back into training.

One day, about two years after the meeting regarding Snoke, Luke told Ben that Han was going to pick as many of the, who wanted to go, to take them to the base.

Ben declined.  His nightmares had become more intense.

When Poe heard that his friend wasn't going, he decided to stay, also.  His mother had sent a message saying that she would visit within the next week, as she was scheduled for a surveillance mission around the Tatoo system.

The three girls went with Luke.

So, it was just Ben and Poe on the base.  They sealed the door against any unsavory characters and decided to go lounge around in the council room for a bit.

The two thirteen-year-olds sat, laughing about one thing or another.

"So, Ben, who do you like?" Poe asked on a whim, jokingly.

Ben glanced over. "What do you mean?"

"Like, like."

"But Jedi aren't allowed to marry."

Poe shrugged. "Doesn't mean you can't like anyone."

Ben thought. Then he blushed.

"You do!" Poe exclaimed.

Ben slugged his friend. "No I don't! I don't have time to, with training and all."

"Is it Onya?"

"No."

"Ilia?"

Ben shook his head.

Poe raised his eyebrows.

"She's too serious!"

"It's me!" Poe joked.

Ben laughed and shook his head.

"So it's Averann."

Ben shook his head, but he blushed, giving it away.

"You like Averann! Ha!"

"No I don't!"

"It's so blatantly obvious, I'm surprised she hasn't noticed."

"Fine. Well, which girl do you like?"

"I don't like any of the girls. Or anyone for that matter."

Ben started to press it, but realized he was telling the truth. "I hate you."

"I know." Poe replied, smiling.

"Can I use your simulator?"

"Alright. Promise not to break it if you get angry?"

"Promise."

Poe ran to get his helmet. Ben followed, slightly slower.

In the training room, Poe fitted the helmet over his friend's head and handed him the hand controls.

"You can't actually operate the switches yourself, but the copilot usually does that for most of them. I'll start you on an A-Wing."

Ben nodded, and waited for the screen to turn on.

He waited for the instructions, and began to fly.