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It all comes out in a rush because that’s the only way Poe knows how to live. He’s gone from one point to the next faster than even his own brain can process. It’s how he flies, how he fights, how he loves.
“I love you.” It’s out before he can stop himself because they almost died (again) and they’re about to set off once more into the breach. Thankfully, no one’s around to hear it except R2-D2 who lets out a terse whistle and rolls up the ramp of the Falcon.
Rey stops and turns, there’s a look on her face like maybe she didn’t hear him right. Poe hopes for a second she didn’t. He can play it off like he was saying something else. He does, love her that is, at least he thinks this is what love is supposed to feel like. It’d kill him if anything happened to her. If he could figure out a way he could do the Jedi thing and fight her battles, he would. After this is all over, he wants to take her someplace safe and beautiful. He just wishes he could have been more suave about telling her.
But then she smiles, glows, takes the two steps towards him and squeezes his hand gently. “I know.”
“You… know?” he repeats, now rather dumbfounded.
There’s a small laugh as she releases his hand and tugs lightly on one of the straps on his flight suit. “Stay safe out there, flyboy.”
He nods. She winks. They’ll make it through to the other side because there is so much more to this conversation, their story.