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As soon as Poe’s eyes landed on the location of his assignment, he was thrilled! Finn and himself had been taking turns making rounds to different planets on important General business. It was the usual things of either reinstating that they could rely on the planets’ leaders or attempting to sway the leaders to the side of the Resistance. It was never anything intense or crazy enough for either of them to handle on their own. The planets were being picked seemingly at random by one of the ensigns as they made their way through a list of every planet they needed to cover. It was pure luck that this particular time, Poe was handed an assignment folder with ”Yavin IV” written at the top.
Poe practically ran back to his quarters, BB8 close at his heels and beeping wildly. His mind was rushing with plans of seeing his home planet, what he would have time to do there, and who he could possibly get to see. He pulled out his comm as he slowed to a fast walk to contact his father to let him know he’d be coming home for a night or two but paused.
“No, I think we’ll surprise him,” he said more to himself than to BB8 who gave a whirl in agreement. He could only laugh in excitement as he pocketed he comm.
The door to his room had only been closed a short while when it opened again and Armitage peaked his head inside. He called a greeting to Poe and smiled brightly as he received one in return. He took a glance around the room, his smile fading a little as he saw the mess of Poe’s nicer clothes tossed onto the bed as they always were before the General had to go on a trip. The now-Lieutenant and General had only been together for six standard months but it pained Armitage every time to see Poe going through his things as he debated what looked “most like a General of the Resistance.” Whatever hint of a smile that was left vanished as he realized the amount of clothes being packed certainly meant an overnight trip. Armitage made his way inside, letting the door slide close behind him, and picked up the folder setting on the desk, scanning it.
“A trip to Yavin IV is longer than simply a day trip?” he questioned aloud, only half expecting Poe to hear him.
“Yeah, well-” Poe stopped himself. He didn’t know how to tell Armitage that he was planning on seeing his father while he was there. The many nights they had spent in each others’ rooms since starting their relationship had allowed Poe to witness just how badly Brendol Hux had hurt his son, either through scars that never truly healed due to lack of bacta or night terrors that left Armitage feeling embarrassed no matter how much Poe tried to reassure him that it was alright. Poe, and everyone really, avoided any topic of fathers around Armitage, never wanting to cause him any more pain related to Brendol than he has already had to endure. He didn’t want to put anything between himself and his boyfriend by bringing up what could potentially be a sensitive topic. He forced a smile and decided one, “It’s just so beautiful there this time of year. I was considering staying a day or two just to enjoy it.” It wasn’t a lie. . . . just not the whole truth.
Armitage nodded slowly, debating if he should ask what he really wanted to. He had overcome a great deal of his Order training since joining the resistance, but asking for something that he wanted, especially something trivial, was still a difficult feat. Yet, he knew he could trust Poe. He knew that Poe cared just as deeply about him as he did for the General. So he took a deep breath and set the folder down. “May I come with you?”
Poe’s heart sank and he hated that it did. He hated that the idea made him upset when it should have thrilled him. Armitage was wanting to spend time with him! It was a rare occurrence for him to initiate anything between them, Poe took charge in most aspects of their relationship after Armitage admitted that he found it difficult to do so himself. Yet here he was. He knew he could tell Armitage no. He could tell him that he wanted some time for himself to recharge mentally and Armitage, the caring guy that Poe fell in love with, would understand. But it wouldn’t be the truth. He wanted his boyfriend to join him, of course. But he also wanted to see his father. Poe couldn’t see how he could have both.
Armitage wanted to see his homeworld. There was something incredibly sweet about that and he couldn’t bring himself to be too upset about it. He couldn’t say no to such a gesture.
“I would love the company,” Poe finally answered.
The plans to meet at the base hanger the next morning passed in a blur and before he knew it, Armitage was leaving his room to go pack his own bag. BB8 beeped sharply at him, bringing his attention back to reality.
Poe shrugged sadly. “At least we didn’t call him. He can’t be disappointed about not seeing us if he never knew we were coming.” He barely registered his droid’s long, sad whirl as he went back to packing.
His father wanted to meet Armitage, he knew. And Poe wanted nothing more than to introduce them. But Kes Dameron was just about as polar opposite of a father from Brendol Hux and Poe worried that his accepting and kind-hearted father would only serve to remind Armitage of how terrible his was.
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Armitage knew something was wrong the second the ship left the hanger. He played back the events of the day before and that morning searching for something that had gone wrong but he truly couldn't think of anything. Poe was difficult to read when he was sad. Angry was something that Armitage could deal with, he knew how to calm him down to the point of being rational. But sadness? He ached to hold him, brushing his fingers through his hair to comfort him, but the fear of said emotion angled towards or caused by him unknowingly prevented him from doing so.
After several minutes in lightspeed, Armitage finally gave in. He reached up and tucked a stray curl back with the rest. He would never admit that he nearly cried as Poe leaned into the touch, humming softly. He kept his hand there until they came out of lightspeed and Poe needed his attention back on the controls to land.
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The assignment went smoothly, as Poe figured it would. He had held many conferences with the people of Yavin IV since joining the Resistance and they always ended with an absolute agreement of alliance.
Only two towns away from home, the couple - with BB8 beeping happily at their heels - made their way back to the ship, intending to collect their belongings before searching for a place to stay for the night. With plenty of daylight left, Poe led Armitage through a marketplace he frequented as a child. He remembered running from vendor to vendor, helping his mother collect ingredients for that night's dinner. He always loved helping her, and loved getting to meet new people in the process. Poe turned towards Armitage, squeezing his hand slightly as he prepared to tell him the memory when his words were cut short before they'd even begun.
"Poe Dameron!"
Both men turned to the vendor who had called to him and Poe smiled widely. He tugged a little on Armitage's hand and led him towards the booth.
"Mister Bly, how have you been?" Poe greeted him warmly.
Mister Bly shrugged. "The same as always, I suppose." He gave Poe a once over and sighed. "We miss seeing you around. These streets haven't been the same since you left home."
Poe felt Armitage's hand slip from his own, but under the pressure to remain composed in public, Poe couldn't bring himself to retake it. "I'm sure there's another kid running around now who's taken my place." He watched Armitage from the corner of his eye as Mister Bly gave his response. He didn't fully register it, too focused on the man slightly behind him.
"Your father misses you a great deal. I'm sure he's happy to have you home." His words finally pulled Poe out of his trance.
"We actually won't have time to visit him on this trip. I haven't even informed him we'd be on world. Please don't tell him, I don't wish to make him upset."
Mister Bly gave his word and sent the young men and droid off from his booth with the request that Poe visit again soon. Poe waved to him as they departed and reached out to reclaim the hand that had abandoned him minutes before.
"Are you alright?" Poe asked, slowing his stride when his request for Armitage's hand was ignored. "I'm sorry about that, I didn't think anyone from my childhood was still working here, I hadn't thought anyone would recognize me." Poe had assumed that Armitage's issue stemmed from someone they knew catching them holding hands. Although neither felt the need to hide their relationship around the base, or most other places really, Poe could understand if that's where his thoughts were. Armitage made it clear at the start of their relationship that public displays of affection were not his favourite thing.
Armitage took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "This is your home planet." Even he couldn't tell if it was a statement or a question.
Poe chuckled softly. "Uhm, yes?" He registered a moment late that Armitage stopped walking at his words and back tracked towards him.
"You never told me that," Armitage stated simply.
Poe laughed again. "Well, no but…I thought you knew, I thought that was why you wanted to come with me, to see my homeworld."
"I just wanted to spend time with my boyfriend," Armitage admitted. "This is why you've been upset today. You were planning on surprising your father and with me here you couldn't?" He paused for a moment, taking a breath, fighting back tears that began to prick his eyes. “Why? Are you embarrassed? Does he not know?”
"Hey, slow down,” Poe spoke softly, his hand going to Armitage’s cheek, coaxing him to breathe evenly. “I am not embarrassed. I am incredibly proud of you for everything you’ve done to change and I love being able to call you my boyfriend. It isn't that I couldn't go see my father with you here - I didn't think you'd want to."
Armitage sighed, hanging his head slightly, un-gelled hair falling in front of his eyes. "I know that you have a difficult time discussing him with me. And I appreciate your efforts to make me feel more comfortable but my negative feeling towards my father has no impact on how I see yours."
Poe allowed himself a soft smile as he reached out again with his free hand, sighing in relief as Armitage connected their hands once more.
“You didn’t answer one of my questions, though,” Armitage pointed out. “Does he know? That you’re seeing an ex-general of the first order?”
Poe laughed softly. “He knows…that I am seeing the bravest man I’ve ever met. That I’m incredibly happy.” He rested his forehead against Armitage’s. “That I’m completely and totally and undeniably in love.”
Armitage groaned half-heartedly before breaking out into a laugh. “You’re so sappy.”
"'Tage?" He waited for his boyfriend to hum his acknowledgement before continuing. "This is my homeworld. That marketplace is the one I would go to with my mother as a child. Mister Bly and his wife were my sitters when my parents went off world. A few blocks from here is where I went to school. And two towns over is where my childhood home is, where my father still lives. Would you like to meet my father while we're on world?"
Armitage smiled brightly at him. "I would like that very much."
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Armitage held his breath as they walked up to the small house. He wished he could have seen young Poe running around the front yard all those years ago but watching General Dameron walk in front of him up the path, he couldn’t help but smile. He wanted to join him further down the path but he couldn’t seem to will his feet to move past the start of the yard. Poe knocked on the door, knowing if he just entered he’d give his dad a proper scare, and turned to give Armitage a crooked grin.
“Bly, I told you, I don’t need any help with the-”
“Hi, Dad,” was all Poe could get out before being pulled into a tight hug. He managed out a choked “surprise!”
Poe’s quick conversation with his father as soon as their embrace ended left Armitage’s head spinning, finally understanding where Poe got his quick dialogue from. BB8 whirled and bumped himself into Armitage’s ankles, insisting he move and join them. Armitage looked down and smiled, about to inform him that he was just fine where he was when his words were cut off.
“Is this who I think it is?”
Armitage looked up, flashing a nervous smile in the direction of the Dameron men. After a few more bumps to his leg from BB8, he finally moved forward. He cleared his throat as he approached. “Armitage Hux,” he forced out, holding out his hand.
“Kes Dameron.” Kes took Armitage’s hand, only to pull on his arm and bring Armitage into a tight embrace.
Poe tensed for a second, worried for how Armitage-not-big-on-physical-touch-Hux would take his father’s greeting. He almost didn’t catch how Armitage relaxed into the hug but it was impossible to not see the smile he had as they pulled away.
Kes clasped them both on the shoulders and smiled brightly between them. “Alright, you boys come inside. You too, BB8! I want to hear about everything! How’s being a general going? When am I going to get to see my boy in action? Armitage, do you have a favourite meal? I’ll make it for dinner tonight.” His dialogue continued as he turned into the house, leaving Poe and Armitage at the door, his words fading slowly as he walked away.
“You okay with this?” Poe asked cautiously.
“More than okay,” was all he could say, taking Poe’s hand and pulling him into the house, letting BB8 follow behind before closing the door behind them.