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Poe wasn’t sure what was harder, fighting a war or rebuilding after it was done. But at least he had his X-Wing to work on to help him relax. And of course he had Finn, his co-general, among other things.
“Finn, can you hand me a power cuplink?” Poe held his open hand out as his head stayed buried in the x-wings booster. Finn looked through the box of equipment until he found something marked “power cuplink” on a piece of tape.
“Here it is.” Finn placed the tool in Poe’s hand. And just at that time, Rose joined them. Finn turned to her gleefully.
“Hi Rose! Thanks again for labeling the tools. It’s made it so much easier for me.”Rose responded with a shy smile. Meanwhile, Poe removed himself from the x-wing and was wiping his hands off as he came to stand by Finn.
“You even labeled some tools I didn’t know I was naming wrong.”
“Well since you’re both feeling so grateful, you won’t mind doing me a favor.” Rose pulled her data pad out of her pants pocket and was activating it.
“Anything you need.” Finn asked, his voice calm and assuring. Rose was still looking through her data pad.
“It’s nothing big. I just need you to tell me when your birthday is.” Poe almost laughed.
“Oh that’s all? 10th day in the 4th Month.” Finn, however, looked puzzled.
“What’s a birthday?”
The looks that both Poe and Rose gave him let Finn know he might as well have just asked if Tatooine was sandy. That tended to happen quite a bit. Luckily everyone, especially Poe and Rose, were very patient and understanding. After a moment of thinking Rose was the first to answer.
“Well. it’s the day you were born. People celebrate on their birthdays and their friends and family bring them gifts and there’s food.”
“More importantly” as if to emphasize his next words, Poe placed his hand on Finns shoulder “What I’m hearing is, you’ve never had a birthday party?”
“I’m not even sure when my birthday is.” Finn had to turn his eyes away, almost shamefully. It seemed like every day there was something else the First Order took from him. As if sensing his pain Poe lovingly squeezed his shoulder and Rose came to him with an embrace.
“It doesn’t need to be the exact day. Poe! Do you know the day Finn helped you escape?”Finn was about to correct Rose that Poe rescued him as much as the other way around. But Poe was too quick to answer.
“Of course I do. It was. actually it’ll be a year in three days.”
Roses eyes filled with excitement as she stepped back.
“That’s plenty of time to plan a party!”
“Oh I don’t know.” Finn wasn’t used to actually being validated and celebrated and wasn’t sure how a whole party just for him would feel.
“Oh no, it’s happening.” Poe spoke adamantly, his hands back on his hips the way he did whenever he was planning something. “Rose if I can get some food, can you get drinks?”
Rose looked at him almost insulted “I’m an engineer, of course I can get drinks.”
Before Finn could try and interject the two of them already had a schedule planned, a menu and were sketching decorations. He had never had anyone put this much effort into showing how much they cared for him. It was a new feeling, and he was sure it was a good feeling.
Three days later Poe was leading Finn through the camp blindfolded. Poe, charming as always, couldn’t resist a remake about the blindfold and its many uses.
“Why are you acting like this is a surprise? You literally planned this right in front of me.” Finn, of course, appreciated the extra effort.
“Just go with it. Besides, we’re already here.”And with that Poe removed the blindfold. Once his eyes readjusted and the subsequent cheering quieted down Finn could make out what was before him. The mess tent had been decorated with make shift streamers made of a hodgepodge of materials and balloons made of cleaning and medical gloves. On a table was a buffet of some of the best and most prized rations, and a bucket of something liquid and amber colored. Rose was the first to personally great him and wish him well, a mug in one hand and a present in the other.
“Happy birthday Finn!” Carefully without spilling her drink she wrapped her arms around him. Finn returned the hug and reached for Poe to join them. He didn’t bother to resist the tears that came. He never felt safer and more loved than when he was with his friends.
Not wanting to miss the party, the three of them broke the hug. While Rose went to find them a table and Poe procured food, Finn patrolled the room, greeting and thanking people.
While conversing with two members of Black Squadron, a fairly unfamiliar voice drew his attention. Finn turned around and found someone in unmistakable Mandalorian armor. From what he knew about Mandalorians, he wasn’t sure if he was about to be challenged to a fight to the death. He couldn’t see their face but their voice was clear.
“So. I hear you don’t have a family?”