Cosmic || Poe Dameron

Chapter Five

AN: Hey, if you're enjoying 'Stardust' so far, I'd really appreciate it if you voted! I'd love to share my story with as many people as possible. Thank you and happy reading ❤ (also, how cute is that gif?!)

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Vera sat peacefully on a large flattened rock, her legs tucked beneath her as she meditated. She had disappeared earlier into the thick of the forest, needing some time alone, away from all the noise. It was late afternoon by now and the sun was beginning to sink below the tree line, a slight breeze whispering through their branches. She felt at peace, as if she were one with the world around her.

Her sensitive ears picked up the oncoming sound of footsteps and she immediately recognized them as Poe's. Vera smiled to herself, her eyes still closed as her mind remained in its meditative state.

Poe broke through the clearing as he searched for Vera, relieved to find her in her usual sanctuary. She sat with her back to him, her hair tied in a loose ponytail and her body perfectly still. With a smirk, Poe walked over to her, careful to keep his footsteps quiet.

He stopped in front of her and held his breath, reaching out to erratically wave his hand in front of her face. She didn't respond, her features remaining unflinchingly peaceful. Poe inched his fingers towards her nose to poke it, yelping in surprise as she caught his wrist, her reflexes lightning fast. Vera began to laugh as she opened her eyes, the startled look on Poe's face sending her into a raging fit of giggles.

"How did you know I was there?" he asked once Vera had settled down, a dark brow raised and his head slightly cocked to the side. Vera grinned.

"Dameron, I heard you coming before you even entered the clearing," she laughed, looking up at him. Poe placed his hand over his heart, gasping loudly.

"Are you saying I walk loud?"

"Absolutely," Vera responded with a serious face, holding back the urge to smile. Poe pouted as he faked hurt, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye. This sent Vera into another laughing fit, one Poe couldn't help but join in with.

"I'm only joking Flyboy," she said with a smile once they settled down, patting the space beside her. "Sit."

"Yes mam," Poe said playfully, saluting her and Vera rolled her eyes.

"Want to learn something cool?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows as she turned her body in his direction, resettling herself into her cross-legged position.

"Always," he said with a smirk, also turning to face her so they sat opposite one another.

"Comfortable?" Vera asked and Poe nodded, blowing a curl out of his eyes.

"Okay, now close your eyes and rest your hands here... like this," she said, her much smaller hands gently holding his as she placed them on his knees. Poe closed his eyes, a faint smile on his lips.

"Good," Vera whispered, "Now let your body relax and your mind slow down. Deepen your breathing." Poe did as he was told, focusing on the soothing tone in Vera's voice and the evening out of his breath. Before long, an intense sense of calm settled over him.

"Now listen," Vera whispered after several minutes had passed. Poe strained his ears, concentrating on the forest around them. He sucked in a sharp intake of breath as sounds he'd never heard so clearly before filled his ears.

The bubbling of the nearby stream seemed louder, as if it were running below their feet. He could hear the slight breeze as it rustled through the leaves of the trees, and the sharp snap of twigs as small creatures thrived in the undergrowth. A bird longingly called for its mate, perched in the highest branches of a tree far across the clearing, its cry sounding so close he could almost touch it.