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chapter sixty-three: a proposal
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THE FALCON IS JAM-PACKED with people in the ship's main hold. Indira finds herself crammed into a secluded corner next to Finn and Rey, who'd taken refuge there to talk quietly with one another away from most of the hustle and bustle. Someone bumps into her and she bristles momentarily before realizing that it's just Poe, who'd made his way into their corner as well. "Sorry," he apologizes. "I was just trying to get away from —" a big, meaty hand clamps down on his shoulder and he tenses "— that guy," Poe finishes, mouthing the words to her.
Indira crosses her arms over her chest, glaring unflinchingly into the face of the hulking pilot from Phantom Squadron currently man-handling her ex-boyfriend. "Did you need something?" She asks sharply.
The pilot gives her a smile made of broken teeth. "I am called Sanrec Stronghammer," he announces, squeezing Poe's shoulder in a way that looks painful. "You are very brave, girl. Not many would speak to me the way you did."
She raises a brow at him. "Maybe they should."
His laugh is like thunder. "Ah, I like her spirit!" He tells Poe. "You must be a lucky man, Dameron."
Indira's eyes widen. "Oh, no. We're not —"
"On that, we can agree," Poe interrupts, offering Indira a shit-eating grin that transforms into a wince when Stronghammer claps him on the shoulder again.
"I want you to know that I forgive you, Poe Dameron," Sanrec grumbles. "Just do not think to challenge me when I am in command." He pauses. "Or I will kill you."
Indira turns and shoots Finn an incredulous look that he returns as Poe sweats nervously. "What, exactly, did you say you'd been doing since the Battle of Jakku?"
Stronghammer shrugs. "I was security."
Poe nods slowly before asking, "No flying?" and Indira watches — half impressed and half disbelieving — as he makes a friend out of the man who'd threatened to kill him moments before by discussing different ships and the joys of flying them.
"Pilots," she mutters under her breath.
Stronghammer chuckles at something Poe says. "Ah, give me a U-wing and I will show you how a real pilot operates, Dameron!"
Poe shakes his head. "It's not a competition."
"Are you afraid to try?" Stronghammer challenges.
He scoffs, standing a little taller. "I'm not afraid of anything."
"Is it a bet then?"
"You really think you could outrace me?"
They banter back and forth for a while before agreeing to a race, shaking hands to seal the deal. "I win and you cut your hair like mine, eh?" Stronghammer winks and Indira winces at the glare reflecting off of his pale, bald head.
Poe tenses. "What?"
The older pilot roars with laughter again, smacking Poe on the back none too gently before rejoining the others from Phantom Squadron. As soon as he's gone, Poe turns to look at Indira with wide eyes. "What the hell?"
She scowls, glaring in the direction that Stronghammer had retreated. "You have to beat him," Indira says as soon as he's out of earshot.
"I know," Poe mutters, distressed. "I love my hair."
Indira shakes her head. "The hair is irrelevant — I just want to see you smoke the guy! He deserves to lose."
His lips twitch upward. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," Indira insists, still peeved about the way the man had shouted accusations at Poe earlier. "I don't like the way he spoke to you or the things he said."
The grin on his face widens and her cheeks flush. "Well, I think it's very sweet of you to care so much."
"Don't look too far into it, flyboy. I would have done the same for —"
"Shh," he hushes her, still smiling. "General is talking."
Indira wants to argue further, but Leia takes her place at the center of the room and the conversation dies. "I'm glad you're all here," she says when they fall silent. "I know many of you came at great personal cost and after what I disclosed with you earlier, I wouldn't blame any of you for wanting to return to your homes. But if you stay, I can promise you one thing: I will fight beside you until the end."
There's a moment of silence until Norra Wexley clears her throat. "If I may, General," she begins, waiting for Leia's blessing to speak. "Everyone in this room knows what they signed up for. We've made our choice. This —" she gestures around the Falcon "— is our home now. The Resistance is our family. And just like you, we're ready to die for it."
Leia bows her head, eyes glistening; clearly touched by the sentiment. "And the rest of you? Is that how you all feel?"
"Yes," Poe says immediately and others echo the word around the room.
When she lifts her head again, Leia's eyes are clear. "Then we have work to do. Pryde?"
Wes steps forward, squaring his shoulders as he addresses the room. "My name is Wesley Pryde," he introduces himself. "My father is Allegiant General Enric Pryde of the First Order. Three weeks ago, I defected from their ranks and stole a squadron of child soldiers who were being trained as stormtroopers. In exchange for your general's protection, I have agreed to share information regarding a list belonging to the First Order that contains the whereabouts of known Resistance allies and anyone else who might pose a threat to the First Order."
"Many of you may be wondering where the rest of my allies are," Leia says. "We have reason to believe that this list holds the answer to that question. Rumor has it that the First Order has been rounding up and imprisoning those sympathetic to the Resistance."
"Do we know if the roundup rumors are true?" One of the newcomers — an older man with graying hair — asks. "That's a bold step for a movement with no official government."
Poe leans over to Indira, lips nearly brushing against her ear as he whispers, "That's General Rieekan. He was a leader during the first Rebellion."
She nods, hyperaware of just how close he's standing to her. "Right," Indira says, swallowing hard. "Rebellion era history."
"Thought you might want to know," he replies quietly before taking a step back.
At the front of the room, Wedge Antilles scoffs. "We're talking about the people who destroyed the entirety of the Hosnian system, Rieekan. I think bold isn't a problem for them."
"Of course," General Rieekan amends. "I only meant that they don't have the infrastructure to house prisoners, do they?"
Norra Wexley barks out a laugh. "I think you underestimate how massive they've become."
"Besides, what do they need?" Wedge adds. "A few local governments to look the other way, a few dark holes to lose people in. It's not hard."
"He's right," Wes confirms. "Across the galaxy, the First Order has found havens on various worlds. Planets that have allowed labor camps and prisons and holding facilities to be established on their surfaces in exchange for their own protection. Places to make people disappear."
"This list," Lando Calrissian interrupts, making his presence known. "Can it show us where these people are?"
Wes nods. "Yes, sir. I haven't seen its contents for myself, but Maz Kanata has operatives who have been tirelessly looking for more information."
"Which brings us to our next order of business," Leia continues, addressing the group. "While we wait for Maz to contact us, we need to strategize on how to best rebuild the Resistance. I plan to increase our leadership in the future, but right now I am most concerned with strengthening our forces. Does anyone have any ideas on where to start?"
"Ships," Poe suggests immediately. "We need ships, General."
"Supplies, too," Indira adds, listing things off. "Medical, technical, weaponry, fuel, rations — all of it."
Leia nods her approval. "I agree. So how do we get them?"
"We steal them," Norra says, eyes bright with excitement. "From the First Order."
"How about Bracca?" Shriv — the Duros male from Inferno Squadron — suggests. "It's just a thought."
Poe shakes his head, frowning. "Bracca is a junker planet. We don't need junk. We need good ships. Usable ships."
"I hear what you're saying," Finn says, politely voicing his disagreement, "but Bracca is where the First Order sends any and all claimed New Republic ships to be decommissioned and junked. It's bound to be a treasure trove of the kind of ships we want. Parts, too. Besides, beggars can't be choosers — and let's face it: we're beggars."
"General Organa," Connix interrupts, holding up a datapad. "A message has been received from Maz Kanata. She said that she has something you'll want to see immediately."
"Patch her through," Leia instructs and moments later, a life-size projection of Maz is standing in the center of the ship. The ancient pirate queen scans the crowd with her big, bespectacled eyes as she takes in the sight of all the faces in the room; old and new alike.
"Hello again, Leia," she says when her gaze finally settles on the general. "I see you're doing well with collecting your allies to you."
Leia offers her a wan smile. "I hear you have news for us, Maz."
"About the list," she confirms, nodding her wrinkled head. "I've seen it. Well, parts of it."
"How have you seen it?"
Maz purses her lips. "The First Order has released an encrypted sample on the HoloNet."
A nervous tittering of whispers blows throug the ship. "Why?"
"That's where things get a little more ... complicated," Maz admits, linking her fingers together. "An auction is being held at a party on Corellia. Very high class, invitation-only. The list is one of many items available for purchase. Guests will be able to bid on it and whoever the highest bidder is at the end of the night will be able to see its contents without the encryption."
Indira's brow furrows. "Why would the First Order do something like that?"
Maz fixes her with an unblinking stare. "For money, of course, dear girl."
"Makes sense," Snap admits grudgingly, crossing his arms over his chest. "You offer people enough information to make them think that someone they know is on the list, but with no guarantees."
"They'll pay their last credits for even the possibility of finding their missing loved ones," his mother agrees.
Snap shakes his head. "When it could all be false hope. Foolish people and foolish dreams."
"Nothing foolish about hope," Rey mutters so softly that Indira barely hears it. She glances over her shoulder, having forgotten that Rey was even there. The Jedi had been unusually quiet; to the point of almost disappearing in the crowd.
Leia clears her throat, regaining control of the conversation. "Maz, when and where is this auction taking place?"
"Three days from now," she replies. "In Coronet City."
"You said that it's invitation-only," Leia begins. "Do you think you can —"
Maz waves an impatient hand through the air. "I've already taken care of it. Three invitations secured. One for a handsome but unscrupulous profiteer from Canto Bight and his wife, one for the profiteer's business partner, and one for Lieutenant Pryde."
Wesley's eyes grow wide. "Me?"
"My spies report that the First Order is not aware of your defector status," Maz informs him. "You covered your tracks well when you left. No one suspects you as a traitor which means you will be able to blend back into the Order without scrutiny."
He hesitates. "But the children —"
" — will be well looked after in your absence," Leia promises. "I have people working on establishing a safe haven for refugees, but until then they will be safe under our protection."
Wes shifts uncomfortably, seeming nervous at the prospect despite Leia's reassurances. Before he can reply, Poe interrupts. "Maz, who's the profiteer from Canto Bight?" He asks, brow furrowed. "There's no one like that with the Resistance."
"Well, of course not, Dameron!" She huffs. "I made him up! Pick someone, whoever you like. But —" she smiles wickedly, winking at him "— I was thinking of you when I said he was handsome."
Stronghammer roars with laughter. "The little woman has you there. You are a handsome man."
Indira sees Poe's face flush and the tips of his ears burn red. "Thank you, Maz," Leia interjects, saving him from any further embarrassment. "We accept the invitations."
"Leia, I don't know about any of this," General Rieekan speaks up, his expression weary. "If this list is full of suspected traitors, won't attendees be exposing themselves as enemies of the First Order by betting on it?"
Her aunt's eyes narrow. "You think it might be a trap?"
"I do."
"Who said that?" Maz demands, squinting as she scans the crowd. "Never mind. Of course it's a trap! The First Order makes money off people willing to bankrupt themselves to try to free their loved ones and they find new names to add to their list. More people to make disappear. It's a win-win for them."
"Goodness me!" C-3PO cries, waddling to the front of the room. "Why on earth would we risk doing such a thing?"
"Because trap or not, the only way you will see that list is by attending this auction," she warns. "Otherwise, you can kiss its contents goodbye."
"Blast," Leia swears under her breath and people begin to whisper nervously amongst themselves. The room seems to grow colder as doubt creeps in, settling over them like a heavy fog.
"Leia," Poe calls, his voice rising above the whispers. "If there are people being held unjustly — people who were willing to speak out for what's right — it's our duty to free them."
Norra nods in agreement. "Poe's right. We should help them."
"And we will," Leia assures them. "But Rieekan has a point. Before we commit to this auction, we should know more."
"I have an idea," Shriv announces. "What if we just steal the list?"
Indira frowns. "Is that really the best idea?"
He shrugs nonchalantly. "We're talking about stealing ships, aren't we? What's the difference?"
"I'd rather not turn the Resistance into a den of thieves," Leia says with a grimace.
Maz begins to pace the room; each step making her projection flicker. "You'll have to pay the reserve to be allowed into the auction, regardless," she informs them. "After that, it's up to you. But if you get caught with your hand in the biscuit bin, there won't be a nice trial and punishment. These people will kill you."
Leia smiles wanly. "Thank you for the reminder, Maz."
"I think we should see who and what is on this list before committing to any action," Rieekan decides. "Maz, can you share what you have?"
She nods in agreement. "Yes. It will come over encrypted, but I have to go now. Hope to see you in Coronet City. Especially you, Dameron. And wear something nice — this Canto Bight fellow is quite dapper, I hear!" Maz kisses her palm and tosses it in Poe's direction. "Tah!"
The projection flickers and Maz disappears, bringing the connection to an end. Leia turns to Connix. "Did we get the partial list?"
"Transmitting now," the younger woman replies and a few deft keystrokes from Connix later, a new holo flares to life in the center of the room.
The sixteen-rayed sun of First Order glows bright above their heads before abruptly shifting into something else. Indira watches as the word SUBVERSIVES blinks down at them, followed by a list of encrypted names and last known locations.
"Hey Poe," Finn points out. "You're finally on someone's most-wanted."
Indira's eyes widen with alarm. On the list, she can see a name: first name P, last name D, with the rest of the letters scrambled; last known location Yavin IV. She scans the rest of the list and sees half a dozen other names — all with Yavin IV as their last destination — but doesn't see anything that resembles her name: first name I, last name B.
Her brow furrows. Surely, the First Order had to know who she was by now; Ren would have made sure of that. She squints at the list before stopping on first name I, last name S; last known location Yavin IV and — oh. She swallows thickly. Skywalker.
"This is an assassination list," Norra Wexley says sharply. "No wonder we can't find our allies. They're being hunted down, one by one."
Finn scowls. "Well, they're not going to get us."
Connix pulls up the next portion of the list labeled CURRENTLY DETAINED and Indira sees hundreds of names followed by titles like senator, local union leader, business owner, celebrity, doctor and so on. Crimes are attached to the names and Poe whistles lowly before reading some of the convictions aloud: speaking ill of the Supreme Leader, questioning orders from the First Order, loitering in restricted areas. The accusations are almost laughable, but nothing is funny about the reality of the situation. Innocent people were being imprisoned for such minuscule offenses. It makes Indira's blood boil.
"These titles ..." Teza Nasz begins, her voice rasping. "These are people from all walks of life; not just those directly associated with the Resistance. It looks like they've arrested anyone who has ever spoken out against the First Order."
"We've got to help these people," Finn urges the group and Indira nods in agreement.
"Some of these people are being held in Coronet City," she says before turning to Leia. "If we're already going to be there, we should try and free them."
"Agreed," Poe affirms. "And look at some of those titles: senator, diplomat — this could be the leadership we're looking for. What do you think, General?"
Leia remains silent for a few moments as she carefully considers their options, weighing pros and cons in her head before coming to a conclusion. "We go after that list and we rescue those prisoners," she says decisively. "And we send a team to Bacca to get ships."
Poe claps, rubbing his hands together. "Alright," he begins, formulating a plan. "Shriv, will you lead the mission to Bacca?"
"At your service," the Duros pilot confirms. "Ready to go and get us some starfighters."
"Good." He points at himself. "I'll attend the auction and retrieve the list of subversives and prisoners." His eyes flit over to Finn. "Want to be my fake business partner?"
Finn considers the offer. "You want me to go with you to an occupied city and pretend to be a crime lord at an underworld auction so we can steal a list of the First Order's top-secret most wanted?" He clarifies. "A list that a number of unsavory sketchy types would happily kill us for if they knew we had it?"
A flicker of doubt flashes across Poe's face. "What? That doesn't sound like fun to you?"
"Hell yes, that sounds like fun!" Finn laughs, clapping his hands together.
Poe grins. "Glad to hear you're in."
With Finn onboard, Indira assumes that Rey will be the third person to join them, posing as the Canto Bight profiteer's wife, which makes perfect sense. The three of them would be more than capable of taking care of the list together and Indira would get to hear all about their adventure once they got back.
"I'll join you," Wesley tells Poe, taking a deep breath. "One of those invitations is for me. If you two have a First Order officer with you, it'll lessen any suspicion that you might face. You'll blend right in."
Poe offers him a nod. "Good man," he affirms. "But we still need a team to go after the prisoners being held in the city."
"I'll do it," Wedge volunteers. "I know Coronet City."
Norra touches her husband's arm. "Then I'm with you."
"Good," Poe finishes, bringing the meeting to a close. "Get the rest of your teams together and be ready to leave on my word."
THE RUINS OF BATUU come alive with people in the days that follow. With the addition of the new pilots and soldiers to their numbers and the surplus of children underfoot, things start to feel a little more like they did back on D'Qar, where the Resistance had been in its prime. Having a clear mission objective in front of them gives people a sense of purpose and it breathes new life into their ranks. Indira can almost feel the shift in energy; like the way the air sometimes gets heavy before a storm.
All the excitement leaves her needing time to recharge, so she disappears into the bunks of the Falcon for a while with EV-1 to clear her head. The droid had been needing some upgrades, anyways — her repulsors had been stalling — and Indira takes advantage of the opportunity to work on them in solitude.
But, she isn't alone for very long.
Soft shuffling noises drag her out of her thoughts and Indira looks up from her spot on the floor, finding herself watched by a familiar slight figure with curly dark hair and warm brown skin standing in the doorway of the room Indira had taken refuge in. Elsi observes her with big, bespectacled brown eyes and Indira thinks that she might run now that she's been caught staring, but — to her surprise — Elsi doesn't.
"Oh," Indira says, blinking. She supposes that this is what Wes had meant when he said that Elsi would approach her. "Hi."
Elsi doesn't say hi back, but she takes a few steps into the room and offers Indira a shy wave.
"I'm Indi," she says warmly and pats a spot on the floor next to her that isn't covered in parts or tools. "Want to sit with me?"
The girl hesitates before nodding. She takes a few more cautious steps and crosses the room, lowering herself to the ground at Indira's side. Her eyes follow Indira's every move as her hands deftly disassemble EV-1's old repulsors.
"What's up?" Indira asks lightly, not looking away from her work in case the direct eye contact might scare Elsi off.
"Lots of people outside," Elsi finally mumbles. "Too loud."
Indira pauses before nodding. "I know," she agrees. "They're all very nice —" at least, most of them are nice, her internal monologue corrects, thinking of Teza Nasz and Sanrec Stronghammer "— but it can be a lot sometimes. That's why I'm hiding in here. You can hide with me, if you want."
Elsi doesn't reply to that.
Indira risks a glance at her face and finds the little girl's eyes trained on EV-1's unmoving form and the disassembled parts on the ground. She looks worried, bottom lip beginning to tremble, and Indira realizes her mistake.
"Is Evie okay?" Elsi asks, sounding near tears.
"Yes," Indira says hastily. "Yes, yes, sweetheart. I just powered her off to do some repairs. She's okay, I promise!"
Her little brow furrows and she sniffles. "Okay."
"You want to help me fix her?" Indira asks. Elsi nods enthusiastically and she smiles. "Cool. You know how to use a screwdriver?"
The two of them spend the next two hours replacing old parts with new ones as Indira teaches Elsi about different tools and their functions. It takes much longer than it would have if Indira had been working alone, but what her junior partner had lacked in skill, she made up for in enthusiasm; eager to learn as much as she could and latching onto every small word of encouragement or praise that Indira sent her way and it was worth it to see the toothy grin lighting up her face.
"Let's see how we did, huh?" Indira asks once they've finished reassembling the last of EV's pieces.
Elsi flicks a switch to power the droid back on and EV-1 hums to life, rising into the air with a curious trill of beeps before zooming around the room excitedly.
Indira turns to Elsi and sticks out a hand for a high-five. "Good work, kiddo," she says. "You did a great job."
Elsi ducks her head shyly and hugs her arms around her torso. "Thank you."
The two of them sit back and watch as EV does all sorts of acrobatics in the air above their heads, flying in figure-eights and corkscrew loops. Every so often, Elsi giggles and the sound is bright and warm. It makes Indira's heart ache and she wants nothing more than to burn the First Order to the ground.
When she looks over at Elsi again, Indira finds her watching her intently. "You were sad," the little girl says solemnly and without warning.
Indira blinks, caught off-guard. "When?"
"With Finn," Elsi informs her almost matter of factly.
"I — yeah, I was," Indira admits with a frown. "I didn't know you saw that."
Elsi shrugs and looks down at the floor. "I don't sleep that good," she confesses, tracing the metal ridges on the ground. "Sometimes I wake up at night."
Indira nods slowly. "Right."
"Why were you sad?" Elsi asks.
A deep breath escapes Indira's lips and she exhales slowly before breaching the topic of conversation that she dreads most. "Because my dad died," she tells her honestly.
Elsi's brow furrows. "I don't have a dad."
"I didn't either," Indira replies. "Not for a long time. And then I did have one for a little bit. And then he was gone."
"What was he like?"
The familiar sadness starts to stir in her chest before Indira purses her lips and lets out another deep exhale, forcing herself to remain calm. "Warm," she finally says. "Kind. He did his best to protect me. I felt safe when I was with him."
Elsi considers this thoughtfully. "Like Wes?" She asks and it makes Indira smile.
"Yeah," she agrees. "Like Wes."
Her companion grows very quiet for a moment before she says, "I would be sad, too, if Wes died."
Indira isn't sure what to say to that. Just swallows past the lump in her throat. "Well, let's hope that doesn't happen for a very long time," she says lightly. "Not till Wes is an old man with lots of gray hairs growing out of his ears and nose."
"Gross," Elsi says before she starts to giggle and the sound echoes throughout the almost-empty ship.
"I'm really glad you came to talk to me today," Indira says when things grow quiet again. "You can any time you want, okay?"
Elsi hesitates before she nods. "Okay," she agrees shyly, sitting up on her knees and putting her arms around Indira in a fleeting hug that she barely manages to return before Elsi pulls away.
Someone knocks softly on the doorframe, knuckles rapping on the metal surface. It startles them both and Indira glances over quickly to find Poe standing just outside the room. His eyes are warm and soft as he watches the two of them before he shakes his head, clearing his throat. "Sorry to interrupt," he apologizes, running a hand through his hair. "But Indira, I need to talk to you."
Indira rises from the ground quickly, careful not to step on any of the tools littering the floor and Elsi follows her example; becoming Indira's shadow once more as she hides behind her. "Sure." She glances over her shoulder. "Elsi, this is Poe. He's friends with me and Finn."
"Hey Elsi," Poe introduces himself, voice low and warm and friendly as he crouches down to the ground and makes himself a little less intimidating. "I'm Poe. Nice to meet you."
Elsi says nothing; just hides her face in Indira's back, clinging to the fabric of her uniform. Indira touches her head reassuringly before mouthing to Poe, "Gets scared around strangers."
He nods in understanding. "Got it," he mouths back.
"Elsi was just helping me fix Evie up," Indira continues loudly so the little girl can hear them talking again. "She did a really good job. I definitely couldn't have done it without her!"
"Wow," Poe exclaims, his voice full of gentle enthusiasm. "You did that?" He points up at EV-1 buzzing around their heads.
Elsi risks sneaking a peek to see what he's pointing at before she nods jerkily.
"That's so cool," he tells her with a smile. "I wish I knew how to fix things that good."
"Elsi, kiddo, how about you and Evie go find Wes so you can show him what a good job you did today?" Indira suggests, smoothing her hand over the thick curls atop the girl's head.
Elsi nods obediently. "Okay," she says before bolting out of the room with EV-1 following close behind her; the sound of her little footsteps echoing down the hallway.
As soon as she's gone, Poe rises to his full height once more and runs a hand over his mouth. "My gods," he murmurs. "They're so small. I want to beat the shit out of Hux."
Indira smiles wanly. "I know the feeling."
He shakes his head in disbelief. "Good on Pryde for getting these ones out, but kriff. How many more of them do you think there are?"
She shrugs helplessly. "Hundreds? Thousands?"
"I want us to be able to save all of them," Poe confesses, the words escaping his lips quietly.
He doesn't need to say the rest of the sentence; Indira hears it loud and clear: but we can't. Not yet; not until they're stronger. Risking too much too soon could mean the end of the Resistance and then there would be no one left to fight the First Order. No one to stop them from taking more children. No one to keep them from ruining more innocent lives.
"We have to win the war first," she reminds him gently.
"We will," Poe says, eyes blazing. "We have to."
Indira averts her gaze, crouching down to begin collecting the mess of tools scattered across the floor. "You wanted to talk to me about something?"
Poe blinks a few times before spurring himself into action. "Oh, yeah," he agrees. "I had a question. About the mission, actually."
"Right," she says. "You, Finn, and Rey ready for it?"
His brow furrows. "Finn, yes; Rey, no."
"What's wrong with Rey?" Indira worries.
"Nothing?" Poe asks, sounding confused. "Rey isn't coming. Never was. She wanted to stay behind on the ground with the general and whoever's here while the rest of us fly out."
"Oh," she says. It wasn't like Rey to skip out on the action, but at least it meant that Indira would have someone to keep her company while the others were gone. Still, she can't help but frown at the thought. "You notice that she's been a little —"
"Off?" Poe finishes with a nod. "Yeah, I have. So has Finn. I think what happened on Yavin Four really shook her up. She'll be okay, though; she's tough stuff."
"You're probably right," Indira agrees, though it does nothing to make her feel better. She rises to her feet and turns, dumping the tools in her hands into the toolkit on the bed behind her. "But didn't you have something you wanted to ask me about your mission?"
He clears his throat, seeming suddenly nervous for some reason. "You're right," Poe says. "I did. I mean, I do."
She shoots him a suspicious look. "Well, are you going to ask?"
He crosses his arms over his chest before uncrossing them, setting his hands on his hips. "Yes," Poe says and there's something in his voice that's all too familiar; a hesitant note that she recognizes from every time he has come up with a plan that he knows she won't like, but chooses to follow through with. It sets her teeth on edge without him needing to say a word. "There's no easy way to ask this, so I might as well just ask —"
Indira doesn't like the sound of that. "Poe," she warns, turning to face him. "Poe Dameron —"
He's down on one knee when she turns around.
"Oh, gods," Indira says faintly, feeling the blood drain from her face. "Please tell me that you're not —"
"Indira Beren," he says, clearing his throat. "Would you do me the honor of being my fake wife?"
a/n: you all get a little fake married and undercover dating trope next chapter, as a treat <3
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY BEECHES!!!! 🥰
(also you should all follow me on my wp twitter @/Iighthopes — the I is a capital i — for memes, chapter sneak peeks, thirst tweets, behind the scenes stuff, life updates, etc. my acc is on priv, but i will accept your request & if you let me know who you are, i'll do my best to follow back! it's a party!!!! 🥳)
POSTED ON:
02.14.20