Chapter Text
As the ship shuttered out of hyperspace, Poe’s stomach clenched. In front of him was the green, backworld planet that he’d been avoiding.
It was one of the Resistance’s most vital outposts, and home to a growing militia of natives who were key to their overall strategy in the outer rim. Yet in the months after Leia’s passing, Poe hadn’t visited this key asset even once. And if he was being honest, it was absurd.
They had been hard months. Losing their General less than a year after the rest of their leadership had been disastrous. And on a personal note, losing Leia had been emotional and demoralizing for everyone. Poe especially.
Still, the Resistance rallied around Poe’s command, and their goal had not changed: liberate the galaxy via scattered guerrilla warfare to chip away at the First Order’s supremacy.
He peered out the viewport at the massive world in front of him. So many planets, and each with millions of sentients-- all crying for their help. How could he ever liberate an entire galaxy when he could barely comprehend the size of it all? He was just a pilot...
“General?” Commander Connix broke him out of his trace, “8 minutes to the rendezvous.”
Poe nodded silently.
“He’ll be there,” Kaydel said confidently, as if to relieve his fear.
“I know, Commander.” He sighed. “That doesn’t make it any easier".
In his periphery, he could have sworn he saw her roll her eyes at him. But that would be very close to insubordination, and of course Kaydel knew better...
******
Planetside, Finn half-registered Rose’s comforting grip on his arm as he squinted into the sky.
He never knew what to expect when it came to the new General. They had an instant connection that seemed to go beyond the camaraderie of soldiers in battle, but Poe was always rushing. And now, after his promotion and Leia… It felt like all the rushing was a way to avoid him.
And Finn didn’t like it one bit.
Still, he had his pride. After he gently let Rose down in aftermath of Crait, everyone had expected him to pursue Rey. But she was a Jedi now, and his love for her was great enough to know she needed space.
So he had thrown himself into the mission: providing military strategy, supplies, and support for the local militia that was active on the planet.
It was thrilling work, and his fire for the Resistance had only grown. Still, he was lonely. His friendship with Rose was fond, but a little strained since his gentle rejection. Nothing compared to his deep devotion to Rey or Poe.
Speak of the bantha. As the U-55 transport shuttle came to a swift landing in front of him, Finn felt like he might jump out of his skin. There Poe stood. Right there.
He legs carried him before his brain caught up.
He was running.
And suddenly, Poe was running too.
They collided on the tarmac, all arms and smiles and “Buddy!”s. And if the hug lingered longer than strictly necessary, no one made any comments.
He smelled good. He felt good. And Finn could barely help himself as his nerves gave way to a burst of enthusiasm.
“Poe! I mean, General! How have you been?? Where have you been??” He tried not to lace that last question with accusation, and (mostly) succeeded.
“Finn! Buddy! You can always call me Poe.”
He grinned at each other like madmen.
“I’ve been busy. The Resistance is spread thin.” Poe said, almost self-consciously. “But I hear you’re doing big things here.”
Before he could answer in the affirmative, Rose was beside them with a somewhat forced looking smile. “General.” she said politely.
Poe didn’t share her reservation— he went in for a hug.
It was brief, but gave Finn time to notice a conspicuous absence.
“Poe?” he started, half afraid of the answer. “Where’s BB-8?”
Poe gave a slight chuckle, but he looked at Finn like he had just given him his firstborn.
“I miss him too. He went off with Rey a few days ago. Top secret mission. They’ve become… very attached.”
Finn smiled at the hint of jealousy in that last part. Him and that damn droid…
“Glad he’s ok. With things the way they are…”
Finn didn’t have the heart to finish.
“He’s fine, pal. I’ll let him know you asked.” He turned to Lieutenant— no, Commander Connix. “Let’s gather high command on the Holonet and set up a check-in.” He glanced back at Finn. “Then, it’s time to celebrate.”
******
The reunion couldn’t have gone better if he’d dreamed it— and by the stars, he had. Poe was elated at seeing his friend again, and was even happier that Finn seemed to miss him just as much.
Still, as he checked in with his recently-established high command, he couldn’t help but double-think the celebration he’d suggested.
So much time. So much socialization. So much potential for it all to go south…
Still, the troops needed a break. They had been working non-stop since they were assigned this planet, with little support from headquarters. They deserved a celebration regardless of Poe’s selfish concerns. And Finn was top of that list.
Over the past three months, Finn had proven himself a capable leader on and off the battlefield. He had gained the absolute trust of the natives here, and had advised them to multiple, high-profile victories.
Which made the next part so difficult.
The success of Finn’s strategies had captured the attention of the First Order— so much so that it threatened to jeopardize the mission.
Few but Poe knew it, but the Resistance was pulling out within the week.
So let them have one night of jubilation, Poe figured, before the shitshow begins. And if he and Finn get to spend a little extra time with the warm glow of reunion still kindled… no one could really fault his intentions.
He leaned back in his seat; his feet subconsciously feeling for a droid that was half a galaxy away. Tonight would be a good night, he decided. After all, Finn would be there.