[ A very real relief washed over him, though he couldn't quite bring himself to smile. Not because of the sentiment or the words but just remnants of the last conversation. ]
I had a fairly good idea already that you were. From what 622 had told me about you.
[ There was a slight pause before a decision was made. Perhaps less made than it was triggered - something important that now couldn't go unsaid. Still holding Akobi's gaze with a determined earnestness, he added: ]
[ A slight heat rose under his skin, darkening his cheeks. He didn't move, or look away. ]
I'm - I'm not sure. Sort of. I think so. It's not - I am well aware it's not exactly something covered in regulations or-- -- --
[ Translation: He had no idea if 622 actually understood how he felt, but: ] I'm working on it.
I just- I know what you mean to him. I know how much he's needed you to be here. And Rebel or not I have no intention of breaking that or taking it away from him. He needs you.
You'd have to get in line until after I kicked my own ass first, but yeah.
I wouldn't expect anything less. [ There's no joke to his voice. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself for hurting 622. Still hasn't forgiven himself for the first time.
But after a second he looked embarrassed and glanced down, rubbing his head. ]
[ Still in a certain amount of disbelief, but coming to the conclusion that this is just something he's going to have to accept, Akobi gets back to his feet, then walks around behind Poe and-- carefully and awkwardly because it's a hovering carpet not a fucking sensible mode of transportation like a landspeeder-- climbs on. ]
You'll feel a lot better in about twenty seconds. Promise.
[ He flashed a smile back at him, before leaning over to grap the edge of the carpet. ]
Feel free to hold on if you need to. [ Which was about as much warning as Akobi got before the carpet rose suddenly and rapidly straight into the sky. ]
[ Yeah, see, Akobi was Imperial Army, not Navy. He was much more suited to being on the ground than up in the air in a ship or-- on a carpet, as the case may be.
He absolutely grabs hold of Poe, one hand gripping his shoulder and the other fisted in the carpet to keep from falling off. ]
[ He didn't laugh, though he did smother a smile out of view where Akobi couldn't see it.
He lowered them slowly down, then came to a hover about two feet above the ground, only a couple blocks from where they'd taken off in the first place. ]
Lesson learned, I'll bring a ride with walls and a roof next time.
[ He's heard it all before, every time he needs to work alongside pilots. He's fine on large, enclosed ships. Even speeders feel more secure. But a flimsy piece of fabric, hurtling through the open air... Not his idea of a safe method of travel. ]
[ The dark irony isn't lost on Poe, though he doesn't let it slip into his expression. ]
Just a block this way, we're nearly there.
[ It was actually less than a block, he realised as he pointed in its direction. The sign cheerfully read 'The Wired Monk', and in a couple of minutes they were inside. ]
[ Akobi noticed the ironic of his words as soon as they escaped his lips, but he doesn't say anything and it's grateful that Poe doesn't either. Another point in his favor.
He follows him to the cafe, careful eyes taking in the surrounding neighborhood. He's surprised once they get inside and Poe offers to order for him. Normally he'd insist on ordering for himself, but he decides to use this as an opportunity to test Poe's judgement by seeing what he'll choose. ]
Fine by me.
[ Instead, he walks over to a table in the corner, full view of both the door and the counter, removes his jacket, and sits. ]
[ He takes a minute - smiling and joking with the barista as he makes his order - though she thankfully doesn't ask for an autograph. He comes back with two cups of coffee - both straight black - and sets Akobi's down for him before taking the opposite seat. ]
You said you just liked it straight, right? Some people add milk and sugar here, but the milk is the wrong colour and the sugar is way too sweet, if you ask me.
[ Akobi watches Poe's interaction with the barista carefully from across the room. Either he's well known here, or he's just that charismatic with everyone he meets. Akobi wouldn't be surprised by either. ]
Yes, you remembered correctly. [ Test passed. Akobi reaches for his cup and blows on it before taking a sip. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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You strike me as a good man, Dameron. [ A smile cracks onto his face. ] For a Rebel.
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I had a fairly good idea already that you were. From what 622 had told me about you.
[ There was a slight pause before a decision was made. Perhaps less made than it was triggered - something important that now couldn't go unsaid. Still holding Akobi's gaze with a determined earnestness, he added: ]
I care about him. A lot.
More than - more than friends.
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I see. Does he know this?
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I'm - I'm not sure. Sort of. I think so. It's not - I am well aware it's not exactly something covered in regulations or-- -- --
[ Translation: He had no idea if 622 actually understood how he felt, but: ] I'm working on it.
I just- I know what you mean to him. I know how much he's needed you to be here. And Rebel or not I have no intention of breaking that or taking it away from him. He needs you.
So I - I thought you should know.
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[ But he says it teasingly. ]
622's a grown man. His mind doesn't work the same way as a natural-born human would, but he's an adult, and capable of making his own decisions.
[ That said, he levels a stern finger at Poe. ]
You know that if you hurt him, I'll be on your ass, right?
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I wouldn't expect anything less. [ There's no joke to his voice. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself for hurting 622. Still hasn't forgiven himself for the first time.
But after a second he looked embarrassed and glanced down, rubbing his head. ]
... Yeah. I'd want you to.
But let's - let's get that caf.
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[ He claps Poe on the shoulder and keeps walking. Though he does give a lingering glance to the rolled up carpet. ]
Do you have an errand to run to an interior design store or something?
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[ He sounded honestly and completely confused - until he followed Akobi's eyeline to the carpet. ]
Oh. No, sorry. I uh - I told you I could fly anything, right?
[ He shrugged his shoulder with the carpet in it, making it wiggle. ]
This is just the most portable. [ There was a slight pause, and then - for the first time in several minutes, cracked a small smile. ]
You wanna see?
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[ A demonstration would go a long way. ]
Go ahead.
apparently i half wrote this tag on my phone six hours ago and thought i sent it
He then sat on it, uncerimoniously, and a second later it rose, hovering three feet in the air directly in front of Akobi. ]
Well.
Want a ride?
UGH the worst
But-- How--?
[ He drops to a knee, bending to look underneath the carpet as though Poe has hidden an engine on its underside. ]
It doesn't have any propulsion ability... It's just a carpet!
me, excitedly waiting for a tag, like an idiot
Yeah. It's just a carpet. It's not the one flying.
Powers, remember? This is mine. Anything I can plant my ass on, I can fly.
Nothing like trying it out, so. Hop on.
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I feel ridiculous.
i can show you the world
[ He flashed a smile back at him, before leaning over to grap the edge of the carpet. ]
Feel free to hold on if you need to. [ Which was about as much warning as Akobi got before the carpet rose suddenly and rapidly straight into the sky. ]
they're space latino, not space arabic
He absolutely grabs hold of Poe, one hand gripping his shoulder and the other fisted in the carpet to keep from falling off. ]
Are you a madman?!
look if the carpet fits
If you want to head back to ground, we can, but - I mean. You gotta admit.
That's a hell of a view.
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Yeah, set me down. I think I'm good.
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He lowered them slowly down, then came to a hover about two feet above the ground, only a couple blocks from where they'd taken off in the first place. ]
Lesson learned, I'll bring a ride with walls and a roof next time.
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Sorry, just... The wind. The height...
[ He's not a fan. ]
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Then he gives Akobi a warm pat on the back. ]
We call it being Born Infantry. [ He offered a grin. ] No apologies required - I should have given you a gentler introduction.
You alright?
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[ He's heard it all before, every time he needs to work alongside pilots. He's fine on large, enclosed ships. Even speeders feel more secure. But a flimsy piece of fabric, hurtling through the open air... Not his idea of a safe method of travel. ]
Anyway, which way's that cafe?
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Just a block this way, we're nearly there.
[ It was actually less than a block, he realised as he pointed in its direction. The sign cheerfully read 'The Wired Monk', and in a couple of minutes they were inside. ]
Take a seat, I'll put our order in.
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He follows him to the cafe, careful eyes taking in the surrounding neighborhood. He's surprised once they get inside and Poe offers to order for him. Normally he'd insist on ordering for himself, but he decides to use this as an opportunity to test Poe's judgement by seeing what he'll choose. ]
Fine by me.
[ Instead, he walks over to a table in the corner, full view of both the door and the counter, removes his jacket, and sits. ]
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You said you just liked it straight, right? Some people add milk and sugar here, but the milk is the wrong colour and the sugar is way too sweet, if you ask me.
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Yes, you remembered correctly. [ Test passed. Akobi reaches for his cup and blows on it before taking a sip. ]
What color is it?
[ How do you mess up milk, of all things? ]
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think we can wrap up?
sure!