[ It's not amenable, actually, but he's the one that made the mistake of letting Akobi pick. Besides, he doesn't want to make a scene of this, anyway. Maybe this location is for the best. ]
[ Akobi leaves his work now, to be sure he arrives before Finn. Rather than wait for him inside the cafe, he stands outside, cutting an imposing figure in a dark, tailored suit. ]
[ Finn teleports on to the sidewalk less than a block away so he can find this place. It's not very hard, what with Akobi standing out front in his impressive suit compared to Finn's own pullover and jacket combo.
He figured Akobi would know what this was about, but he didn't expect him to double down so quickly. This was going to be a ridiculous conversation. ]
Commander. Hope I didn't catch you at a bad time. Would you like to sit first or speak out here?
[ Akobi is tempted to tell Finn the rank isn't necessary. But on the one hand, he doesn't know Finn that well yet. And on the other hand, it would be hypocritical to distance himself from his Imperial rank when the whole point of this conversation is him continuing to show loyalty to the Empire's values and actions. ]
Not at all. Let's go inside. The coffee here tastes almost like caf back home.
[ That was half of why he was using the rank. Akobi told him once before to not use it, yet that was how he'd introduced himself. And now, with all this-
Finn looks at Akobi for a moment before nodding and ducking inside, promptly ordering a black coffee. ]
[ Akobi follows, ordering another black coffee for himself and paying for both of their drinks. He does it quickly and calmly so that Finn can't protest.
Once that's done, he leads the way to his usual table in the corner of the room, back to the wall and with full view of all exits. ]
[ Finn nods in thanks at the coffer, but the goodwill is worn thin when he notices the position Akobi puts himself in and, by extension, the position Finn is in.
But Finn takes his seat with his back to the exits like a champ, comfortable in the knowledge that his power prevents him from being caged. Still, either Akobi's going to do something or he thinks Finn will. Neither thought is a good one. ]
Yes, but you already know why. Don't know if I'm flattered or angry about your caution with me, though. [ He sets his cup the side and sighs, leaning back to get comfortable. ] I thought we'd talk about the truce.
[ It's less a calculated gesture of wanting to put Finn in a weaker position, and more just the seat Akobi always takes when he comes to this café. When you were killed by a sabateur, and you have a power that means bad things can happen to you at any moment, you tend to err on the side of caution. ]
The truce? I don't see how my actions threatened the truce in any way.
[ Hm. He sips at his coffee. ] When you tell people to pick sides in a place where there are no sides, that might suggest that you want there to be. Commander.
The relationships some of us have built are extremely important to keeping the truce we have. Threatening those relationships from the outside makes everything seem fragile. Or do you disagree?
[ Akobi sighs. He cups his hands around his coffee cup, and gives Finn a sad smile that doesn't reach his eyes. ]
Just because the war is lightyears away, doesn't mean there aren't sides. The sides never went away, for some of us. 622 and I are able to co-exist with Rebels without incident, despite the fact that they literally are responsible for both of our deaths. But that doesn't mean we're no longer Imperial, and they're no longer Rebel.
[ He takes a sip of his coffee, looking down. ]
I understand that Dameron and 622 are trying to do a lot more than just co-exist. But if Dameron is going to accept him-- accept the both of us-- for who we are, that means accepting the institution that made us. In 622's case it's a little more literal, but I grew up in the Imperial machine just as much as any other Imperial officer.
[ Even though he knows that's an olive branch waving in his face, Finn still scowls about it. ] TK-622 was never given any other option. The Empire is all he knows. They're his family. You-... You two aren't the same. You were always given a choice. Accepting TK-622's allegiances and yours are two entirely different things, and Poe shouldn't be expected to accept both. No one should. That's not what a truce is.
But the sides you're dividing people with start on a personal level. Of course, the rebels are proud. Of course, you're proud. But if anyone tries to draw lines based on that division, it's everyone else's job to reach out a hand. Otherwise, we'll have another war.
I'm going to say this happened before his second conversation with Poe
Accepting a man's choices is part of accepting that man. If Poe can't accept my choices-- if he feels the need to send an envoy rather than face me himself, then...
[ He sighs, scrubbing a hand over his goatee. ]
I don't want to interfere in his and 622's relationship. That man... He makes my closest friend on this or any other planet happier than I've ever seen him. And that's important. So if the truce is worth maintaining for one thing alone, it's that.
Poe doesn't know I'm here. And he doesn't have to accept you to be with TK-622. He shouldn't have to.
[ He huffs again and sits up, dragging his cup closer. ]
Their relationship might be what's maintaining the truce in the first place. If you don't want to interfere with their relationship then don't interfere.
[ Akobi doesn't know the history behind Poe and Finn's relationship with any sort of certainty. He does know that when Poe was in a coma, Finn was at his bedside just as much as 622 was. ]
[ That's not fair. Finn's not the one making a division here. He stays quiet for a moment, initially trying to give the question all the thought it requires until he's just trying to keep his anger at bay. Eventually, he leans forward. ]
I care about Poe. I care about his happiness. If TK-622 hated me, I would never make Poe choose, I would never pick fights with his lover, and I would never order my friend to stay away from those he loved. I'm not that selfish, Commander.
[ Akobi looks down again. He takes a deep breath, then a long sip of his coffee. He tries not to let Finn's words hurt him. But any accusation of selfishness cuts deep. ]
What I said... Was said in a heated moment. I should never have drawn that line for Poe.
[ He rubs a hand over his goatee again, before laying it flat on the table. ]
That said, you have to admit Poe is playing a dangerous game. Trying to pick and choose what parts of a person he accepts, in his definition of makes them "good" or worthy to associate with.
[ Finn shifts his jaw and taps his finger against the table once. ]
I think we're using the wrong words. He accepts the person you are, the choices you've made. He doesn't have to approve of it to get along with you, and he doesn't have to get along with you to be with him.
At the same time, he doesn't have to approve of what TK-622's been through to care about him, either. He's not picking and choosing. He just cares. That's all.
[ He finally looks away to take a sip and pauses. ] And the moment being heated isn't a good enough excuse. There is no excuse. [ Now he takes a sip. ]
You yourself once told me, war crimes are different. I would never advocate for the destruction of planets as anything but a last resort, to put a stop to the never ending madness of war!
[ He's frankly getting a little tired of having to belabor that point. ]
[ Fuck. Dammit. Fuck. Finn shuts up, closes his eyes and puts his face in his hands. ]
Never mind, just-...
[ His hands move to fumble with the cup, ignoring the eyes on him. His voice is steady and calm again if his expression was anything but. ] I've played a part in killing negotiators. Families. Children. I helped build the thing that destroyed five planets. I know what war crimes are and I know how people justify them to keep moving.
I'm not here about the Death Star. It happened. It's over. I don't care how big of a part you played in Alderaan's destruction. I don't care how you justify it to yourself. I don't even care if you approve. All I care about is what you're going to do with the people that are here, especially the person that still thinks he has to take orders from you and the man that loves him.
[ Finn's outburst garners them a few concerned looks from the denizens at nearby tables, but Akobi waves them off with a mouthed, "It's fine."
He lets Finn calm himself down. A part of him wants to argue further, to explain the truly minimal part he played in the building and operation of the Death Star. But that wouldn't lead the conversation to a conclusion any faster. ]
All I want to do is exist. I want to wake up, go to work, and try to help this world be a safer place for the people who live in it. I want my friend to be happy, with whoever makes him happy.
[ It wasn't as definitive of an answer as Finn would have liked. Though, he wouldn't have trusted that, anyway. He taps his almost empty cup on the table and sighs one last time. ]
Then we're done here. Thanks for the caf, Commander.
[ And Finn gets up and starts making his way out. ]
[ Akobi stays in the café a few minutes longer, finishing his cup at his own leisure before leaving both the empty cups on the table and walking out. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Thank you. I'll be there in 10.
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He figured Akobi would know what this was about, but he didn't expect him to double down so quickly. This was going to be a ridiculous conversation. ]
Commander. Hope I didn't catch you at a bad time. Would you like to sit first or speak out here?
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Not at all. Let's go inside. The coffee here tastes almost like caf back home.
[ He moves to hold the door open. ] After you.
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Finn looks at Akobi for a moment before nodding and ducking inside, promptly ordering a black coffee. ]
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Once that's done, he leads the way to his usual table in the corner of the room, back to the wall and with full view of all exits. ]
So. You wished to speak to me.
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But Finn takes his seat with his back to the exits like a champ, comfortable in the knowledge that his power prevents him from being caged. Still, either Akobi's going to do something or he thinks Finn will. Neither thought is a good one. ]
Yes, but you already know why. Don't know if I'm flattered or angry about your caution with me, though. [ He sets his cup the side and sighs, leaning back to get comfortable. ] I thought we'd talk about the truce.
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The truce? I don't see how my actions threatened the truce in any way.
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The relationships some of us have built are extremely important to keeping the truce we have. Threatening those relationships from the outside makes everything seem fragile. Or do you disagree?
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Just because the war is lightyears away, doesn't mean there aren't sides. The sides never went away, for some of us. 622 and I are able to co-exist with Rebels without incident, despite the fact that they literally are responsible for both of our deaths. But that doesn't mean we're no longer Imperial, and they're no longer Rebel.
[ He takes a sip of his coffee, looking down. ]
I understand that Dameron and 622 are trying to do a lot more than just co-exist. But if Dameron is going to accept him-- accept the both of us-- for who we are, that means accepting the institution that made us. In 622's case it's a little more literal, but I grew up in the Imperial machine just as much as any other Imperial officer.
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But the sides you're dividing people with start on a personal level. Of course, the rebels are proud. Of course, you're proud. But if anyone tries to draw lines based on that division, it's everyone else's job to reach out a hand. Otherwise, we'll have another war.
I'm going to say this happened before his second conversation with Poe
[ He sighs, scrubbing a hand over his goatee. ]
I don't want to interfere in his and 622's relationship. That man... He makes my closest friend on this or any other planet happier than I've ever seen him. And that's important. So if the truce is worth maintaining for one thing alone, it's that.
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[ He huffs again and sits up, dragging his cup closer. ]
Their relationship might be what's maintaining the truce in the first place. If you don't want to interfere with their relationship then don't interfere.
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[ Akobi doesn't know the history behind Poe and Finn's relationship with any sort of certainty. He does know that when Poe was in a coma, Finn was at his bedside just as much as 622 was. ]
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I care about Poe. I care about his happiness. If TK-622 hated me, I would never make Poe choose, I would never pick fights with his lover, and I would never order my friend to stay away from those he loved. I'm not that selfish, Commander.
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What I said... Was said in a heated moment. I should never have drawn that line for Poe.
[ He rubs a hand over his goatee again, before laying it flat on the table. ]
That said, you have to admit Poe is playing a dangerous game. Trying to pick and choose what parts of a person he accepts, in his definition of makes them "good" or worthy to associate with.
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I think we're using the wrong words. He accepts the person you are, the choices you've made. He doesn't have to approve of it to get along with you, and he doesn't have to get along with you to be with him.
At the same time, he doesn't have to approve of what TK-622's been through to care about him, either. He's not picking and choosing. He just cares. That's all.
[ He finally looks away to take a sip and pauses. ] And the moment being heated isn't a good enough excuse. There is no excuse. [ Now he takes a sip. ]
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[ He's frankly getting a little tired of having to belabor that point. ]
... sorry
[ Fuck. Dammit. Fuck. Finn shuts up, closes his eyes and puts his face in his hands. ]
Never mind, just-...
[ His hands move to fumble with the cup, ignoring the eyes on him. His voice is steady and calm again if his expression was anything but. ] I've played a part in killing negotiators. Families. Children. I helped build the thing that destroyed five planets. I know what war crimes are and I know how people justify them to keep moving.
I'm not here about the Death Star. It happened. It's over. I don't care how big of a part you played in Alderaan's destruction. I don't care how you justify it to yourself. I don't even care if you approve. All I care about is what you're going to do with the people that are here, especially the person that still thinks he has to take orders from you and the man that loves him.
never apologize he's perfect
He lets Finn calm himself down. A part of him wants to argue further, to explain the truly minimal part he played in the building and operation of the Death Star. But that wouldn't lead the conversation to a conclusion any faster. ]
All I want to do is exist. I want to wake up, go to work, and try to help this world be a safer place for the people who live in it. I want my friend to be happy, with whoever makes him happy.
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And you won't get in between them? No matter what?
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[ He isn't a cruel or petty man. ]
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Then we're done here. Thanks for the caf, Commander.
[ And Finn gets up and starts making his way out. ]
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[ Akobi stays in the café a few minutes longer, finishing his cup at his own leisure before leaving both the empty cups on the table and walking out. ]