Chapter Text
Poe Dameron did not expect his usually uneventful, normal walk to work in the morning to become the mess that it had on this particular day.
The last thing he imagined, in fact, was running through the packs of early workers after a puppy that he just so happend to notice among the quick moving feet around him. The little guy just looked so out of place, and it was starting to rain, and Poe decided right then it was his duty to get the puppy to safety.
"Hey, little buddy." Poe called out to the dog. It sat there, wagging its tail, and Poe stepped closer, expecting to just scoop it up. He reached down, only to have the puppy dart off, full speed into the crowd of people. For a moment, Poe thought it was a sign, he wasn't meant to catch it, it'd be just fine. Then he realized they were right by busy intersections, and he couldn't just leave him there.
"Well, shit." Poe grumbled, his feet moving quickly in the direction the little guy had just run off too. His eyes darted around, finally catching sight of the orange and white fluff a few feet ahead of him. He let out a whistle before picking up into a jog. Poe twisted his shoulders, maneuvering around other people with grumbled apologies, keeping his eyes on the dog.
Finally, he got close enough to reach down, scooping up the small puppy in one sigh of relief.
"Hey there, pal, what're you doing out here all alone?"
The puppy immediately melted into his arms, realizing Poe wasn't a threat. Just then, the lift drizzle of rain got heavier, and Poe headed forward towards his original destination. The puppy would just have to come with him until he could find a better solution, he decided.
After a few blocks, both Poe and his new friend were soaked, and they couldn't get into the building fast enough. He pulled the door to the small auto shop open, finally having some relief from his already stressful morning.
"Okay, buddy, you're just gonna have to stick close to me today. This is my shop, nothing fancy, but it's mine.", He turned the puppy in his arms, as if showing him the place. They had a few high shelves, stocked with random bits of auto pieces and tools, oil, the regular. There was a door behind the counter, leading to the paved garage, Poe's favorite part of the place. He put his heart and soul into every car that pulled into this shop.
"Dameron? Who are you talking to, yourself?" Jessika Pava remarked as she turned into the front of the shop, wiping her hands on an oil stained towel. She wore a smirk, finally glancing up at Poe and meeting his eyes with confusion at the small dog in his arms.
"Where'd you get a puppy?" She questioned.
"Uh, I kinda found it. Chased it down the street. It's raining-I couldnt just leave it."
Jess made her way over, scratching the puppies ears. She was smiling and giggling, caught up in how cute the small terrier mix was as it licked her hand.
"What're you gonna do with the little guy? Keeping him?" She asked.
Poe realized he had no idea what he was going to do with a puppy. He couldn't possibly keep it, he thought, he had a full schedule of cars to work on today.
"I don't think that's very plausible, Jess. I'll look online for a rescue number. I'm sure they could find the owners or a new home."
"Yeah, probably a good idea. Make sure you find someone reliable. I like the little guy." Jess said, almost sounding disappointed.
Poe set the puppy down, now safe in the confines of the shop, and pulled out his phone to search for local rescue groups. He called the first few, only to be met with the repetitive answer of 'we have no space' and no further help.
He was coming down to the last couple of numbers as he dialed the one listed as "Resistance Dog Rescue". A man with a deep, but kind, voice greeted him.
"Thank you for calling Resistance Rescue, this is Finn, how can I help you today?", The man answered
"Hi, my names Poe, I kinda took in a stray puppy today. I'm not really sure what to do from here, I'm at work and I can't keep up with the little guy."
"Oh! Thank you for getting the little one to safety!", the man, Finn, said cheerfully. "I can come by and check for a microchip, if that's okay. We should start looking for the owner as soon as possible."
"Yes! That'd be great, thanks!" Poe rambled off the address to his shop, thanking the man again before hanging up. He updated Jess, gave the puppy a scratch on the head, and started his work for the day.
Half an hour passed when Poe heard the door open.
"Um, hi, my name is Finn, from the rescue?", the man announced.
Poe turned around, meeting the mans eyes before letting them swoop across the entirety of him. Shit. He was cute.
"Uh-I-hi! Thank you for coming by! I'm Poe.", he extended his hand, smiling.
"Thanks for picking the puppy up, Poe. Pretty bad rain today."
Poe picked up the puppy from where he sat at his feet, looking at Finn again.
"This is the little trouble maker. Cute though, huh?", Poe moved closer to Finn, offering the puppy into his arms.
"Yeah, super cute.", Finn met his eyes. "I can check for a chip to see if anyone is missing him."
With that, Finn pulled out a small device, running it along the dogs back. It gave a beep when he looked at the screen.
"Nothing," Finn frowned, indicating that the puppy was not in fact microchipped, "and no tags. Poor little guy. I can take some pictures and list him as found online. Maybe an owner will step forward. Until then," he hesitated, meeting Poe's eyes, "are you in a position to foster? Our shelter is so packed."
"Uh, I mean, I don't really have the money for a dog right now, buddy. Plus work.." Poe hesitated.
"The rescue can provide the vet care, kennel, food. You'd just have the give the little one a warm home for a couple of week. He seems content here."
Both the dog and Finn were looking at Poe with puppy eyes. He had already made himself late to work for the little puppy, and chased him down the street. Could a few more days hurt?
"I mean," Finn just looked so optimistic, so cute holding the puppy in his arms, "yeah. He can stay with me for a few weeks."
Finn beamed up at him, and his new companion wagged his tail.