Fated Paths (For flyboytwopointoh)

[beeping_flyboi]

Everyone that knew Shara Bey and Kes Dameron had expected their son to take after Shara and become a pilot too. Even Poe had thought that was where he was headed, but after his mother died, Poe's father started to talk as if he could see something new and ominous on the horizon. By the time Poe went to the academy his course was sent for politics.

After graduating, Hosnian Prime became Poe's home, his days spent on the floor of the Galactic Senate trying to do what he could for those still displaced by a war that had been won some thirty years before. His voice was as loud as he could make it in those meetings, but he also had the sense to listen.

This evening, as he walked the darkened Republic City streets home, Poe was deep in thought. The First Order had been on the senate's radar for some time now, but many dismissed it too easily. His father's warning seemed to ring in his ears and it troubled Poe. He was so distracted, he was barely aware of his surroundings.

Comments

[flyboytwopointoh]

Ben, just Ben thank you, was a smuggler, a scoundrel. He had an easy going smile that relaxed people. He could talk his way out of anything if the situation arose.

He let everyone think he was an orphan because of the war with the Empire thirty years ago. It was an easy lie to tell. It tugged at the heartstrings of some folks he did business with. And he was a constant reminder to others of what people would do to ensure freedom for everyone.

But in reality... He was Benjamin Solo. The only child of Princess Leia Organa and General Han Solo (redeemed scoundrel). An heir to a legacy. And he was as strong in the Force as his mother and Uncle Luke Skywalker. The Jedi temple that he had been training at was attacked when he was fifteen. He grabbed his grandfather's lightsaber and defended the Younglings. He was able to get them onto a ship helped by a Mandalorian that one of the Younglings trusted.

But he stayed to help his Uncle to defend the temple. He wasn't going to leave the man to a pack of mercenaries.

When the smoke cleared, Ben had made his escape from the temple. He didn't want to be a Jedi, though having the Force and his father's damn good luck was a boon.

He was able to barter and learn and eventually just recently he got his own ship. It was small, but it was his. Just him and his little droid known as J0-1.

Today he was on Hosnian Prime when he saw a man. A Senator by the way he was dressed being followed by two shady looking characters. Quiet as he could, Ben slipped over to the man and dropped an arm around his shoulders.

"There you are darling. I'm sorry I'm late." He then leaned in to the shorter man, "Two shady men following you..."

[beeping_flyboi]

So lost in his own thoughts, Poe didn't notice the tall figure approaching him until he already had his arm slung around his shoulders. As it happened, it was better that he was caught off guard by this man, than the pair trailing him, but he didn't know that for now.

He looked up, confused, in to the man's shaded face. Should he recognise him? His body tensed as he leaned in, ready to have to defend himself if he must. But then he whispered in a gravelly voice and Poe understood.

... Not much more, admittedly, but something at least.

"Uh..." Poe battled to resist the urge to look behind himself to see if he could spot his stalkers. "What now?"

He shouldn't have walked alone, he knew that, not at this time of night. The traffic hovering far above their heads seemed so distant now, as Poe realised just how deserted and poorly lit this area was. What did they want? Why were they following him? Poe did little in the Senate but stand up for the rights of the less fortunate. That, and lately he'd been asking to see records relating to the small First Order faction and their activities, but he'd hit walls every time he tried to find out more.

[flyboytwopointoh]

"Looks to be assassins or kidnappers. Pissed anyone off lately Senator?" Ben asked with that cocky Solo grin. He may be just Ben now, but the blood of his scoundrel father ran deep in his veins.

He glanced over his shoulder before forward again. Without waiting for further communication from the unnamed Senator, he pushed him against a wall and leaned in to kiss him.

Confuse and distract the assassins. Or kidnappers, or whoever they were. Of course it helped that the man was attractive.

[beeping_flyboi]

It wasn't a question Poe wanted to answer honestly. For all he knew this man was with the other two and just trying to earn his trust and get him to admit to things. But that would suggest he had something to admit to. He didn't. ... If he really was being tailed, or if this man was in on it too, did that mean that Poe was actually on the right track trying to investigate the First Order?

Before he could think of how to reply, though, the bigger man had turned him with a shove. His back hit the wall and there wasn't even time to protest before the mystery man's mouth was on him.

Poe wasn't one for nightlife, or any kind of life really. As much as he daydreamed about meeting his perfect match, his time was taken up with his work. Of course, he'd kissed people before, but not many.

For a moment he froze, shocked and not sure what to do. The mouth on his was warm, and his own mouth opened a little to let out a breath. And then his brain caught up and realised what this so-called saviour was trying to do. He should go along with it, shouldn't he? Poe's hands fisted in the other man's robes and he pressed himself into the kiss.

[flyboytwopointoh]

Ben watched the two as they came a little closer, thinking their prey was distracted now. He moved the hand the two wouldn't be able to see and pulled his blaster from its holster. He then turned them so Poe was behind him and he fired two shots at the men. Both went down in a heap on the ground and he stepped back from the senator with a wink as he slid the blaster back into its holster.

He then stepped back from the other man, tugging his jacket into place and giving the man a small half grin.

"Sorry about the kiss, I wanted them to think they would have the upperhand."

Ben turned and the lightsaber at the top of his neck was visible. But he hadn't touched it, instead using the blaster.

[beeping_flyboi]

Poe was a little bit dumbfounded. Two shots, and both men were dead. That was all it took. Poe had heard about tales of war, mostly from his mother when she was still around. His father didn't like to talk of his time as a soldier, and Poe had an almost nauseating understanding why suddenly.

"That's-uh-that's..." He glanced at the man and caught sight of something metallic from under his jacket. A lightsaber? Poe had never seen one up close before, but he'd seen drawings and holos. "That's okay."

He looked back to the two men. Who were they? Should he check their bodies? "Do we need to call the authorities?"

[flyboytwopointoh]

"Probably not. I'm more likely to be arrested." Ben gave him a slightly cocky grin and ran a hand through his hair.

"Senator, war isn't coming, it's here. And the First Order is planning something bigger than the Deathstar ever was. And no doubt their first target will be here, the heart of the Senate. They'll want to destabilize the Republic." His expression darkened a little.

"The Resistance..." He pursed his lips together. Ben knew who was leading the Resistance, the fight against the First Order, who would be there with her. Against her. Pain and guilt shot through him. It wasn't his fault. He had tried to help her...

"The Resistance knows, they're trying to gather forces. But it's hard when the Senate doesn't believe."

[beeping_flyboi]

As soon as he heard the confirmation to everything he'd been suspecting, Poe found himself instantly trusting this man who'd killed two others right in front of him. Against his better judgement, he realised that they needed to get away from there before they were both arrested.

"Come on," he reached out, his hand closing around the tall man's arm. "We should leave." They could continue to his apartment.

He listened to the other man talk about the Resistance with the surety of someone that knew it existed. Unlike anyone in official capacities that denied the significance of both the First Order and the disappeared New Republic militia members that had rumouredly joined the Resistance. Poe shook his head, feeling completely useless though.

"I don't know why those men were following me, or what you think I can do. The Senate won't believe me without proof."

[flyboytwopointoh]

Ben was about to say something when he felt it. A sense of pride and smugness. Accomplishment.

Oh no.

"Sorry Senator, we have to go."

He scooped the man up over his shoulder and wrapping them in a cloak of the Force, made his way to the ship. Ben didn't know why he was doing this. He should have just cut and run. But part of him said he couldn't let this man die. Not if what was coming was what he suspected would be.

Ben deposited the Senator in the co-pilot chair as J0-1 rolled over to beep at him and present a cup of tea even as Ben slide into his seat and initiated the start-up sequence for the small ship.

"I can explain everything once we're away from Hosnian Prime." He promised even as they shot into the sky.

[beeping_flyboi]

He was being kidnapped! Poe let out a cry as he was slung over the other man's shoulder and carried off, but there was no one else around and though he could have fought back, he didn't. Blood pumping through his veins, his adrenaline spiking, Poe couldn't help that sense of excitement. This tall stranger had saved his life, kissed him and now was carrying him away like some prize. It was so romantic! Everything he'd ever dreamed of. Like every story he'd ever listened to before turning out the lights at night in his lonely apartment. He knew he should be scared but he just wasn't.

It was only when they reached the man's ship that he squirmed and tapped on his back with his palm.

"Wait, wait! My droid..." BB8 was hurrying behind as fast as he could, his spherical body a spinning blur to catch up. "He's one of a kind, he's-" special.

Thankfully, BB8 managed to follow them on board before the entrance ramp went up and Poe let himself relax again as he was dropped into a seat in the cockpit. BB8 beeped some worried and honestly not entirely polite words at his master, but Poe waved his hand and accepted the tea from the other droid.

Everything was happening so fast, and before he even had time to process it, they were in space.

[flyboytwopointoh]

Ben snorted when he heard the droid's choice of words to the Senator. He smiled and then patted J0 on her head as he steered the ship away from the atmosphere of Hosnian Prime when he saw it...

The beam of red light shot through the space hurling towards the planet that they just had been on.

"Hold on!" He shouted as the red beat hit Hosnian Prime.

Grief and horror and all of it struck him at once. Ben dropped his head, struggling to keep the wave of tears that threatened to overwhelm him.

[beeping_flyboi]

He could barely register what he was looking at. The dark shape of another ship, almost lost in the dark of space, Poe wouldn't have even noticed it, if it wasn't for the beam of red that suddenly shot from it. The beam ran past them, somehow they were out of its path yet Poe could feel the intense heat, the crackle of energy, the glow so intense.

There was a moment of stillness, of waiting for something, he just didn't know what. BB8 made a worried sound.

And then the planet... exploded.

"What? What the-?" Poe launched himself from his seat, even as the ship was caught in the aftershock. He pressed himself against the control panel looking at the destruction, the dust and rocks flying everywhere, including at them.

"Ben, we have to-! We-!" They what? They have to help? There was nothing left to help. "Ben?"

[flyboytwopointoh]

Ben was gripping the controls of the ship. He looked pale and almost like he was in pain. And he was. Ben was in pain. The millions and millions of voices, of lives snuffed out...

He stared at the ship in the distance before he started to pilot them of the area. Away from the First Order. And away from the incoming Resistance.

Ben could still feel her smugness radiating through the Force. It was hard not to. They'd been connected for so long. But he kept himself closed off from her. To her, he was dead and that was the best that it could be right now.

He got the ship into hyperactive and turned to look at the other man. He held out his hand.

"Ben." He said in way of a greeting.

[beeping_flyboi]

Poe was in shock. He was trying to process something completely unfathomable. The destruction of a planet, wiped out just like that. It wasn't unfathomable, though, was it? The Deathstar... But that had just been a ship...

"Uh," Poe looked down at the offered hand, then up at the other man's face. He looked ashen now. Maybe the lights in the city had added more colour to his complexion, but then more likely he was in shock too. "Poe. Poe Dameron. But you know that already."

Suddenly very tired, Poe made his way to sit back down. His hand dropped over the armrest of the chair, resting on BB8's cool body for comfort.

"How did you know that was going to happen?"

[flyboytwopointoh]

"The apprentice the First Order's leader has... She's my cousin. We've always had a connection because of the Force." Ben closed his eyes, fighting against the feeling of nausea.

"I knew from my connections in the First Order and Resistance that the First Order was working on something big. Something to bring the galaxy to heel... When I felt her smugness, I knew. I knew we had to go. If I couldn't save all of the Senate... I could at least save one. Save the record keeper."

Ben looked at Poe. He was still ashen, shaking slightly.

"To hear all those voices cry out, all those lives ended..."

[beeping_flyboi]

"The Force?" Poe stared at him, trying to take in the information that was still bombarding him even now. "You're a Jedi?"

He'd never met one before, he'd thought they'd all died out after Luke Skywalker, but he'd seen the lightsaber that Ben kept hidden too. It wasn't the time to become starstruck, but he couldn't help the feeling of awe that washed over him. He'd been save by a jedi! His life was never this exciting normally.

"Are you okay? You heard them all die?" How many voices from that planet? Millions? It was too much for Poe to process. He got up out of his seat and moved over to the pilot seat, resting a hand on his rescuer's arm. "Thank you for saving me. I don't know how I can help, but I'll try."

[flyboytwopointoh]

"Not exactly. I went though all the training. But the Jedi Temple that Luke Skywalker built was attacked. I helped him defend it. One of the Padawans, fell to the darkside. It caused him to retreat."

Ben shook his head and then looked at Poe. "I'll be okay. It's happened in my family before, feeling the destruction of a planet."

[beeping_flyboi]

That sounded close enough to being a Jedi to Poe. Closer than he's ever gotten before. Was it terrible that a whole planet and millions of people, his friends and colleagues, were all gone, and he was fixated on how this felt like something from a romance holo? It would hit him later, he was sure, there was just so much going on now to think about.

"Does that mean that Luke Skywalker is still alive? He retreated somewhere and didn't die? Is that where we're going now?"

He frowned at Ben. His family? He had other Force sensitive relatives? "From the Death Star, you mean?"

[flyboytwopointoh]

"Maker no. Uncle Luke isn't dead. He's just hiding. I'm not sure where."

Ben then paused when he realized what he said.

He looked up at Poe, his eyes wide.

Oh no.

[beeping_flyboi]

It took a moment. So much information. So much to think about.

... Uncle Luke?

So that could only make him...

"Your mother is Leia Organa?"

[flyboytwopointoh]

Ben sighed and dropped his head into his hands. He was normally so cautious. So careful. How could he have slipped up now? After all these years?

"That she is." He finally said.

He raised his head and looked up at Poe. J0-2 was whirring around the chair, beeping worriedly.

[beeping_flyboi]

All Poe could do was stare. This was the son of a General that he had nothing but respect for. Someone that was actually out there, making a difference and not caring if there were... had been... members of the Senate that considered her a danger to the democratic process at best, a crackpot at worst.

And if she was his mother... Poe couldn't help it, searching Ben's face for features that looked like the holos of Leia Organa and the ones he'd seen of Han Solo. Han had to be his dad, right? Everyone knew that they're married after the war. The romantic in Poe lapped up every story about it he could. Joined by a common cause; the smuggler-pirate turned hero, and the Princess turned General. And this was their son!

"Are you a prince?" He couldn't help blurting out.

He'd been saved and kissed by a Jedi Prince!

[flyboytwopointoh]

Ben stared at Poe. He just stared and stared and...

"I mean technically I am. Mom was a Princess, but Alderaan is a matriarchal society." He said in answer, "I would have to marry a woman to have power."

He looked at down at J0 and assured the little droid that he was okay, that this man was okay. Ben looked back to Poe and gave him a wry smile. He was exhausted and felt like he had been through the emotional wringer.

"The autopilot is on and locked. It's heading towards a Rebel base where you will be dropped off. I am going to go get some sleep." Ben stood and stretched, part of his shirt riding up a bit, "The proximity sensors will wake me."

He turned and headed towards one of the small sleeping areas.

[beeping_flyboi]

"Oh," he couldn't help feeling a bit disheartened at that. Did that mean that Ben would marry a woman? Did he have a girlfriend already? Or, well, it didn't even have to be a woman to devastate. He could have a boyfriend and that would be just as disappointing. After all, he'd kissed him to rescue him, that was all. He'd needed him to speak up in Senate...

... Could Jedi even date? Poe didn't know and most of his reference material, well, it was romanticised and leaned heavily on forbidden love.

Poe's mind was still sorting through that information, and was admittedly waylaid by a glimpse of pale skin around Ben's midriff, when he suddenly found himself alone in the cockpit. Oh. He carefully sat down in the pilot's chair and spend sometime pretending to be the pilot, watching the rush of stars in hyperdrive. Eventually, though, he started to yawn as well.

Where was he supposed to go? Should he sleep in a seat? Cautiously, he made his way into the back of the ship, looking for sleeping area.

[flyboytwopointoh]

There was another small bunk that Poe could sleep in if he wanted. Ben was curled up in the other bunk, on his side, arm tucked under his head. He looked at peace, at ease. There was a handheld holo on a small table, and a few other things.

Ben muttered in his sleep and shifted a bit, hair falling into his face.

It was some hours later that Ben was up and back in the pilot's chair. He was talking quietly to J0, a cup of tea in his hand. He was nude from the waist up, which gave sight to the scars on his torso, as well as the tattoos and the piercings through both nipples.

[beeping_flyboi]

Quietly making his way into the back of the ship, Poe found the bunks easily. Mostly because there wasn't much more in the small ship to find. BB8 rolled after him, asking if Poe was okay, was he sure he was safe, could he trust these kidnappers? Poe smiled wryly and put his finger to his lips to shush the concerned droid.

"We'd be gone if we'd stayed on the planet, buddy." He glanced to the sleeping man, his heart feeling a little fluttery in his chest. "We're lucky he saved us."

He pulled back the coarse covers on the bunk, slipped out of his shoes and his long coat he'd been wearing walking back from the senate, and got into the bed. BB8 was by the side of the bunk when he woke again, Poe's arm hanging off the edge, his hand resting on the top of his droid. It took him a moment to get his bearings and recognise the low hum that surrounded him as the background noise of a ship.

He got up and wandered barefoot back to the cockpit.

"Hey..." He was still sleepy, his mouth dry, as he stared at the half naked pilot. "... Is there anything I can do? Make breakfast? Get you a drink?"

His own stomach growled. He'd have food, right?

[flyboytwopointoh]

Ben looked up and Poe before giving him a half exhausted smile. He looked worn down, like he was desperately in need of some time off. And maybe he was.

"We'll be landing soon, and there's tea if you want some."

He nodded to the teapot and cups that were on a little table.

[beeping_flyboi]

Swallowing, Poe nodded and followed his direction to pour a drink. His stomach rumbled again, but he willed it to be quiet.

They'd be landing soon. What was he about to walk into? His whole home was gone and he had no where else to go, except where this man took him.

Poe made a way to a seat in the cockpit and sat down. He was quiet a while, drinking, before speaking up again.

"You said we were going to a rebel base? What then?"

[flyboytwopointoh]

"General Organa will take care of you. You can join the Resistance or she'll set you up somewhere quiet."

Ben shrugged a bit. He stared out the front of the ship, watching as the streaks of stars flew by them. He looked down at his tea cup before taking a sip. Part of him wanted the Senator to stay with him. It would be nice to have a companion. A friend. But he couldn't be selfish. Could he?

J0 beeped worriedly at Ben before rolling over to Poe and nudging him gently. To go over to Ben.

[beeping_flyboi]

"General Organa? Leia Organa? Your mom?" It was clear from his tone that Poe was excited about meeting her. He was finally going to meet the people that he'd envied and day dreamed about all the time he'd spent in the senate.

But, what help could he be? He didn't know how to fight. He didn't know how to do anything really.

"Will you be staying around?" He asked, slowly getting up as he got the idea that the little droid wanted him to move. Slowly he was herded towards Ben. "I don't know what good I'll be. The Senate's gone."

[flyboytwopointoh]

Ben looked at Poe and then shook his head. He looked down at his lap and then let out a soft breath.

"You'll be of use. Your knowledge will be important." He said softly.

"I come and go. Mostly supply runs."

[beeping_flyboi]

"Oh. I won't know anyone else. How often do you come and go?"

Technically, he didn't know Ben that well, but it was more than anyone else.

"I don't know how to fight or fix things." He looked out the window at the stars. "I'd like to fly more though."

[flyboytwopointoh]

Ben paused when Poe said he wanted to fly more. The Resistance base didn't know he was coming in. He was quiet for a moment before nodding.

"Would you like to stay with me Poe? I can teach you to fly..."

He hoped that he wasn't reading too much into the situation.

[beeping_flyboi]

It was all happening so fast and Poe was struggling to keep up. The idea of trying to make a new life in the Resistance was so far flung from the life he had a day away and so different from anything he'd wanted for himself. He was still trying to come to grips with the thought when Ben threw him a life line.

"Could you?" He brightened instantly. "My mom was a pilot. I always thought I should have followed her footsteps."

Of course, pointing the Resistance, working under General Leia's command would also be following in her footsteps, more literally. But he didn't say that. He wanted to stay with Ben.