Cosmic || Poe Dameron

Chapter Four

"Did you have to hit me so hard?" Elias grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose to stop it from bleeding. "I think it's broken."

Vera shot him an incredulous look as she walked him through the infirmary doors, rolling her eyes at his theatrics. The pair had been sparring earlier in the training room, practicing their hand-to-hand combat skills to let off some steam.

"Stop your whining. I hardly clipped you," she fired back, tugging him forward to wait for a medical droid or nurse to assist them. Elias muttered a few choice words under his breath and Vera tightened her grip on his hand, crushing it slightly.

"Hey!" Elias hissed as he winced, wrenching his larger hand from her grasp. "I need that!"

"For what, Eli?" Vera made the mistake of asking, one eyebrow cocked. A smirk spread across Elias' face and he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"I have a date tonight." Vera blanched in disgust as she caught on to what he was implying.

"Ugh, you're repulsive!" she spluttered, her face turning red as she became flustered, images she never wished to see entering her mind against her will. Elias let out a loud laugh, flinching slightly as it jolted his busted nose.

"Oh sweetheart, you love me," he teased with a wide grin. Vera shook her head and made a face, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I think I'd rather–"

"Vera?" She whipped around at the sound of her name and her sapphire eyes landed on Poe. He stood in the corridor leading to the nurses' offices, a sweet smile on his face. His right hand was bandaged and small splatters of engine oil were smeared on his cheeks.

"Poe, hi," Vera answered, surprised to see him. She gave him a relieved smile and was thankful the flush in her cheeks was fading. 

"Who's this Vee?" Elias asked, swinging his arm over her shoulders protectively, causing her to roll her eyes. Despite his womanizing tendencies, Vera held a special place in Elias' heart, and he loved her like a sister. He'd be damned if he let some asshat fool her around.

"Get off me, you Hutt," Vera hissed, attempting to push him away, the redness in her cheeks returning, this time from irritation. She sighed in defeat, his much bigger bulk and potential broken nose stopping her from shifting him an inch. Poe watched their exchange with a raised eyebrow and a look Vera couldn't quite place in his eyes.

"Eli, this is Poe, a friend of mine," she started and the two men nodded at each other, Poe offering Elias a cautious smile.

"And Poe, this is Elias, my parasite."

Elias choked at his introduction and Poe stifled a laugh, a smirk teasing his lips. Elias removed his arm from around Vera's shoulders and opened his mouth to protest, but his words were lost on them as a pretty nurse appeared behind Poe in the hallway. Elias closed his mouth with a snap, straightened his jacket and swept his dark purple hair from his eyes, his golden smile gracing his face.

Vera saw her opportunity and took it, pushing him away from her and towards the nurse who offered him a bright smile. As she predicted, Elias switched on the charm, flirtatiously chatting to the nurse as he followed her down the hall.

"Behave!" Vera called after him and he flipped her off behind his back without breaking conversation. She laughed as he disappeared from view and shook her head in amusement, turning to look at Poe with a wide smile. Her eyes drifted over his face. His curled hair was ruffled, as always, and he looked as if he hadn't slept too well the night before. Vera's gaze found his bandaged hand and she frowned, her smile vanishing as she took a step closer to him.