Cosmic || Poe Dameron

Chapter Eight

AN: Hey there, apologies for this chapter - it's a bit clunky 😪 ALSO, THERE WILL BE NO UPDATE NEXT WEEK (Thursday August 16th, Australian Time). I'm really sorry guys, but uni is kicking my ass and I just can't keep on top of everything. Perks of doing a full-time science degree! 😅 I really appreciate your patience and understanding though, you lot are fabulous. Anyway, enjoy this chapter and the blessing of my new favourite quote;

"You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter."

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Vera lay motionless, her body as still as the mirrored surface of a stagnant lake. The white expanse of the hospital sheets cocooned her as she slept, the fabric rising and falling ever so slightly. Her comatose slumber seemed unyielding; her vibrant spirit resting as her battered body healed.

Four days had passed since her return to D'Qar and Poe was going stir crazy without her, each day creeping by unbearably slow. He was beyond exhausted, functioning on sheer stubbornness and no small amount of adrenaline. Despite the flood of warnings from medical droids and staff alike, he'd refused to move an inch from her bedside, only leaving to attend to unavoidable duties as the commander of his squadron.

He currently sat in a lumpy chair to Vera's left, gently playing with her long slender fingers. A slight frown tugged at his lips as he noticed how pale they were against his tan skin, their usual strength temporarily forgotten.

Poe's dark eyes slowly drifted to her face, visually caressing every inch of it. Her thick lashes fluttered against her cheeks every so often, concealing the beauty of her light azure gaze. The delicate dip of her nose perfectly complimented her soft features, as did the fullness of her mouth and the gentle curve of her chin. He found himself wondering how something so beautiful could flourish in a time consumed by relentless conflict and destruction.

Poe's heart leapt with excitement as Vera's eyes began to flutter more rapidly than usual, hope coursing through his veins. A light flush of colour was gradually returning to her cheeks – a promising sign – though her once rosy lips were still stained a dusty pink. He found himself wishing for the hundredth time that day for her return. Though as her eyelids settled once more, he felt a shred of that hope slip away, and he sighed in disappointment.

General Organa stood by the open door, silently observing the young pilot as he interacted with Vera. Her heart softened at his tenderness towards her, though it quickly hardened as she noticed his lack of self-care in her goddaughter's absence. Blackened rings lined the underside of his eyes and the dark scruff of his growing beard clung to his jaw and cheekbones. Poe's wild hair was scruffier than usual and his sweaty clothes clung to his toned body, the fabric crumpled and askew. His normally tanned skin was slightly pasty, as if he hadn't eaten a proper meal or slept for more than an hour or two in the past few days.

"Have you come to order me out, General?" Poe asked quietly, sensing her presence by the door, though his eyes remained fixed on Vera's sleeping face. His body had visibly tensed and Leia could almost feel his stubbornness kick in as she stepped into the room.

"Only if I have to."

Poe shook his head as a deeper frown settled on his face.

"I won't leave her side General, she needs me here," he sighed, running his fingers through the chaos of his tangled curls. His voice sounded drained, though blatant defiance clung to each word, something in which Leia was well prepared for.

"You must care for yourself as well, Dameron. We both know Vera would want that," she told him softly, yet her voice was authoritative and highly indicative. The frown on Poe's lips deepened as his eyes flickered to meet the General's, opening his mouth to argue. She held her hand up to stop him, halting his words as they threatened to spill from his plush lips.