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There is no privacy in the resistance. Especially in the middle of a war, when everyone is starved for entertainment, causing them to basically feed on rumours and gossip.
That is exactly why you and Poe keep your relationship a secret.
It's not that you're ashamed or embarrassed, it's just easier that way. Dating anyone in the resistance is complicated enough. But dating Poe Dameron, the most recognisable pilot on base, as the daughter of the general? That's practically begging for a social crisis.
So, the two of you keep it quiet, sticking to hidden glances, stolen kisses in storage closets and late-night visits. Of course, it's difficult, having to resist the urge to run and find him immediately after every mission, and keep your feelings a secret, but it works. Mostly. Until tonight.
The resistance is throwing one of their rare post-mission celebrations in the bar, and the place is already packed by the time you walk in, with pilots cheering over half-finished drinks, mechanics shouting across booths and music loud enough to shake the walls. It's chaos - but the good kind. The kind that makes you almost forget about the war going on outside.
You slip across the room down the side, avoiding the busy hustle of people gathering in the centre of the room, and head straight for the bar. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Poe surrounded by a cluster of pilots laughing at something you can't hear. He doesn't see you, though, so you look away before anyone notices and take a seat on one of the barstools.
'I'll take a whiskey.' You say to the bartender, sliding a few credits across the table before taking a sip of the bitter liquid.
'Whiskey, huh?' You turn your head as a man, maybe 5 or so years older than you, slides into the seat beside you, wearing a grin that tells you he’s absolutely about to make your night more complicated. He's wearing a shiny flight jacket, showing he's blue squadron but a rookie - surprising for his age.
You chuckly dryly, 'My dad's Corellian, I drank whiskey before I could walk', you explain briefly, before turning back around to face the bar, clearly not interested in conversation. You glance up at Poe quickly, just to see him already staring at you from across the room, his expression unreadable.
The guy laughs a lot louder than the joke was funny, and you cringe into your drink silently, wishing for him to go away.
'Well, I just would have expected a pretty girl like you to be drinking something a bit more... sophisticated. Spotchka, maybe.' He speaks lowly, eyes scanning your body in a way that makes your skin crawl.
‘Spotchka, huh?’ you murmur, turning your head back to the bar. ‘Not my style.’
The rookie leans closer, voice quiet but still loud enough that you can feel the hot breath from his words against your ear as he grumbles, ‘Well, I think you’re underselling yourself…’ His hand brushes yours briefly as he reaches for his drink. ‘…and I’d love to see what else you’re underselling.’
You pull your hand back subtly, giving him a tight-lipped smile, wanting to send a strong signal but also not wanting to cause a scene. Especially as the general's daughter - drawing more attention to yourself is the last thing you need to do.
'Thanks, but I'm good'
A shadow falls across the bar as you feel two strong hands grip your shoulders from behind.
Poe.
'I think she’s fine on her own,’ he says, tone low, almost a growl, and the stranger’s grin falters.
You spin around in your seat slightly to glare at Poe, trying to keep your expression neutral, but the heat radiating from him makes it almost impossible. His hands begin to trail slowly down your torso, stopping to rest low on your waist.
Really? Now? You think, burning with frustration. At this rate, the whole base is going to be swarming with rumours within an hour.
The stranger, now painfully aware of the tension radiating between you two, clears his throat and mutters something about needing another drink along with a quick 'Sorry, Commander', before hurrying away to the other side of the bar. You let out a small sigh, glad that he's finally gone. Regardless, you are furious with Poe.
'Seriously??' You hiss, standing up from your seat to face him. 'Could you be any more obvious? You don't just get to swoop in like some jealous watchdog every time someone speaks to me-'
Poe interrupts 'He wasn't just talking, baby.' He argues, eyes narrowed. 'You saw what he was doing. Besides, I know the guy. Believe me - he has a history of trouble. I don't even know why Blue Wing took him...'
'I was handling it!'
He huffs a humourless laugh, 'Sure didn't look like it.'
You snap, grabbing your drink off the counter and marching away, letting him follow you to the door. 'I didn't mean -'
'But you did!' You bite out, trying to step past him. 'You can't act like I'm yours, in a room full of people who don't know that I'm yours! It's unfair, Poe, we've talked about this.'
Before you can protest, he pulls you behind a booth and slams his mouth into yours, pressing you against the wall. 'You're killing me.' He pleads under his breath, holding your face. 'I can't do this anymore - watching other people talk to you like that, it drives me kriffing insane-'
You pull him in for a kiss again by the front of his jacket, heat burning through you despite all the reasons you have to be mad at him right now. His fingers dig into your waist, dragging you even closer towards him, and you groan softly.
It would be perfect... if you weren't still in a public corridor.
You break the kiss with a sharp breath. 'Poe, someone could see us.'
He just shakes his head, breathing hard before mumbling, 'Let them.'
'Seriously-'
'No! I am being serious!' He breaks, pulling away and gripping your shoulders. 'I don't care anymore! I don't want to keep pretending like I don't want you. I can't do it.'
Sighing, you shake your head and look at the ground, unsure of what to do. You can't say that you don't feel the same way sometimes, because you do. Both of you know the logical decision, though.
'We're doing this for a reason.' You remind him
He grumbles lowly 'Yeh, yeh. I know.' Before kissing your forehead tenderly. 'I know, baby. I'll try and do better, I promise.'
'So no more playing the jealous boyfriend in public?'
His lips twist into a half-smirk. 'Well, I said I would try not do...'
You smack his arm playfully, 'Poe.'
'Fine.' He lifts his hands in surrender, smiling. 'Fine. I’ll behave.' He leans in again, softer this time. 'But after tonight… I need you.'
Your breath catches. 'Your quarters?' The smug grin he gives you in return is answer enough.