Flying Through the Flames || Poe Dameron [The Force Awakens + the Last Jedi]

Petrichor

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I just finished twenty-five pages of essays due tomorrow and the next day. 

I hope you all enjoy this chapter though!

Cheers,

- TAAF_

Rain splattered against the scrappy tin box that was our ship as we broke through the atmosphere of D'Qar and it was dark. I had a weak grasp on the concept of time at that moment, but I knew it was night. Part of me thought I was hallucinating when the lights of the Resistance base camp appeared through the fog. A small noise escaped my lips, and my vision blurred. We were almost there.

I aimed to land, already preparing for the armed onslaught we'd be faced with until anyone saw my face and realized we weren't intruders. I hadn't realized I'd been shaking until then. I was trembling uncontrollably.

The ship hissed as we landed, and I cut the engine, jumping out of the cockpit as quickly as I could. Poe needed help. It didn't matter how tired I was. I had to get him to the medical bay.

The door out of the ship slid open as I adjusted Poe so he was on the edge of the ship floor, and I landed on the tarmac next to him. I made quick work of loading him on my back again, my muscles crying in protest as I stood up.

The rain hit me like a slap in the face, as a memory so powerful struck me with such force I lost my breath.

My back burned and sparks of pain flew with every step Poe took. He tried to be gentle, but the damage was such that I could hardly think around it. I tried to focus on what was real. The smell of the moss in the rain. The breath of the wind through the trees. The thump-thump of Poe's feet.

I gasped, flung back to reality, squinting at the lights of base camp. They weren't far. All I had to do was get there. One foot in front of the other. That was all I had to do.

Pain splintered through me with every step I took and I could barely breathe. My lungs, they were on fire too.

I couldn't stop moving. Poe never did when the situation was reversed. I had to get him to safety. My entire being honed to that truth: I would not stop until he was inside and safe.

I would hold on.

The shouts of alarmed officers erupted around base camp as we drew nearer, bringing their blasters as I moved through the sheets of rain. I should have felt wet and cold but all I could feel was pain and heat. Blistering heat. I let out a tearless cry, my bones groaning as I pushed myself to the brink of destruction.

"It's Lieutenant Tanager!" someone shouted as a crowd surrounded me, followed by the sound of blasters powering down. "Someone get a gurney!"

Had I been able, I would have said they ought not to bother. I did not trust anyone to complete my job. I couldn't even open my mouth, my body was so tense. I was afraid if I attempted speech my body would shatter right then and there.

The group of officers and trainees parted in my wake, clamouring and asking me things, offering to take Poe from me. I didn't answer them. I just kept walking. I'd explain when Poe was safe.

My spine was ablaze. I could taste blood in my mouth and I wasn't sure I was breathing anymore. Just a few more steps. I was so close to the building now. I could see the medical bay inside. The gurney I would put Poe on.

"Nyssa, give him to me," someone else said, reaching for us. On instinct, I Force-pushed them away. I didn't even know who it was. Not hard, but enough for them to get the message. I couldn't turn my head to apologize without screaming from the pain it would have caused.

The gurney was ten paces away now. I could feel my heartbeat turn frantic. I couldn't breathe.

Five. I heard someone call for the doctor.

One foot in front of the other. That was all.

The gurney hit my quads, and I braced a hand on it. I leaned down, back screaming in agony as I set my best friend down, carefully laying his head down last. He was still breathing.

Everything was going to be okay now. We were home. We were safe.

I grabbed Poe's wrist as I tried to straighten, my legs incredibly unsteady, he felt cold. Freezing, even. A person who could've been the doctor, I was too out of it to tell, was by his side instantly.

"Lieutenant?" she murmured, placing a hand on my back and immediately wincing. I didn't stop to think why as I searched the room.

"Nyssa!"

I knew who that was without having to see her run towards me. Leia.

Everything was still burning. I needed water, and to sit down. Both. Things were spinning. I took a step toward Leia and that's when my knees gave out and I hit the floor. An icy relief before the world turned dark.