Rey Skywalker and Poe Dameron have been ‘dancing’ around each other since the day they officially met on the Millennium Falcon after the Battle of Crait. Now, a year after the war, it will take a real dance to get them to open up to each other.
My January contribution to the 2025 Year of the OTP Challenge. Prompts used: First Kiss, "May I have this Dance?", Sharing Clothes. For General Audiences (lots of dialog and fluff), post-The Rise of Skywalker.
Rey Skywalker took a deep breath and entered the ballroom on the first floor of the Coruscant Art Center, knowing all eyes would be on her, whether she wanted it or not.
It was the last day of the Republic Education and Information Convention, and Rey had been the most popular speaker. Everyone in the renewed government wanted to know all about Rey’s ideas for a Jedi Academy, which was odd considering they had no control of it. Rey had made sure to inform the surviving leaders of the New Republic as soon as the war ended that she had no interest in becoming an official part of the government, either as a representative or a Jedi.
Rey moved through the room, staying among the people that were standing around and chatting, avoiding the couples dancing in the center of the floor. She gave a brief prayer to the Force that no one would ask her to dance; she didn’t know how. She searched the faces of the people as she passed, smiling at those that were familiar to her and nodding toward others that acknowledged her. Everyone was dressed in their best, and though Rey had been very self-conscious about her gown, she was now grateful Rose had insisted she wear it.
It was a lovely ivory color with dazzling gold Nardian crystals bordering the plunging neckline. The silky material hugged her form to her knees where it widened and floated gracefully to the ground. More ivory material draped down from the golden shoulder caps, flowing in waves almost as long as the skirt. Her back was covered in a sheer material with ivory buttons up her spine. It was an Alderaanian design, and she wore it in honor of her mentor and primary teacher, Leia Organa. Her hair, which had grown out quite a bit since the war ended, was piled high on her head in an elaborate bun. She wore ivory-colored heeled sandals, but no jewelry. As she walked through the crowded room, looking for someone she felt she could comfortably talk with, she wished she had found a way to carry her lightsaber; she felt naked without it.
Sylash Mardukaa, the Markanian senator from Tulinae, was standing with his wife Needi just off to Rey’s left. They looked as if they had just come from the dance floor, and their smiles when they saw her were genuine. Both Needi and Sy had been very kind to Rey during her visit here, and she felt a bit of relief as she saw their warm expressions. She stopped as Needi moved forward to give her a quick embrace.
“Rey, you look absolutely amazing! I’m so glad you came this evening!”
“Where’s your ‘right hand’?” Sy asked, looking around the room. “I expected Finn to be with you tonight.”
“He had to head back to Ajan Kloss, I’m afraid,” Rey told them. “Nothing serious. Just a minor problem with the construction of the training center.” At least she hoped it was minor. Finn had refused to give her details, telling her to enjoy her last night in Coruscant and to not worry; he had it all taken care of. “I tried to talk my assistant Rose into coming, but she refused.”
“Well, we’ll have to find someone to partner you with so you can get out on the dance floor!” Needi exclaimed. “It’s so invigorating!”
Rey shook her head. “Oh, no. I don’t dance.”
“That’s what Sy used to say,” Needi laughed. “And look at him now!”
Rey managed to steer the conversation away from dancing, and eventually the pair headed back to the floor while Rey conversed casually with others around her. Nothing serious. Nothing memorable. But as the evening wore on, her anxiety began to rise. She tried breathing exercises to slow her heart, but the noise was hard to ignore. And not just the talking and the music, but the noise in her head. Every person in this room exuded their own individual essence in the Force, and the more anxious Rey became the harder it was to ignore them.
She moved to the table with hors d’oeuvres and tried snacking, then took a glass of some kind of alcohol and took a sip. The cacophony in her head only became louder. Her breathing increased along with her heartrate. She should leave, she thought. Before she embarrassed herself by having a panic attack. So much for being a stoic Jedi.
Suddenly, Rey sensed a familiar presence. A calming presence. She closed her eyes and breathed in deep, absorbing the comforting feeling. Strong and kind. Brave and funny. A Force signature that was far more powerful than most everyone else in the room. This presence had centered her more than once during the war, and she was so very happy to know that it still did, even if she hadn’t had any regular contact with it in months. She opened her eyes and turned toward the man walking toward her through the crowd, his aura bright and warm.
General Poe Dameron looked exceptionally dashing in uniform, and more than just Rey was watching him as he moved through the crowd. But he was focused solely on her, and she couldn’t help the shiver of anticipation as he came closer. His eyes were wide as they looked her up and down. He looked stunned.
“What are you doing here?” she asked softly as he stopped in front of her, and the corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement.
“Finn thought you might need some backup,” he told her. “I wasn’t planning on coming, even though I was invited,” he continued. “This is your night to shine.” He looked her up and down once more, his gaze appreciative. “And wow, are you shining.”
Rey felt her face heat. Out of all the compliments given to her in the last week, either verbally or with looks, none made her feel the way this man’s attention did. “Thank you,” she told him. “And you have no idea how happy I am you showed up when you did.”
He looked around at the crowd of people surrounding them. There were more than a few curious looks in their direction. “A bit overwhelming, aren’t they?”
“How do you do it?” she asked suddenly. When Poe had agreed to temporarily lead the New Republic forces while the government got back on its feet, Rey and Finn had both been proud of him, but also sad to lose their friend; Rey had no intention of starting her school anywhere near Coruscant.
“Do what?” Poe frowned at her, leaning in a bit to hear her over the noise. Kriff, he smelled good, Rey thought.
“How do you live here?” She looked around her. “Less than one week with all these people and I feel like I’m going insane.”
He smiled and shrugged. “You get used to it. Besides, I knew it wasn’t going to be for long.”
Rey sensed the excitement coming from him. “Poe?”
“I resigned this morning.” He shrugged. “They knew it was coming.” He cocked his head. “You mind if I hitch a ride with you to Ajan Kloss?”
Rey couldn’t stop the huge smile that overtook her face. “Of course you can!”
A young senator’s aide, Rando Biggleman, stepped up to them. “Miss Rey?” he stuttered. “I mean, Master Skywalker? May I have this dance?”
Rey felt panic surge through her. Dammit! How did she say no without coming off as mean and standoffish? She had worked so hard to present an open, friendly persona.
“Actually,” Poe said, looking at the young man intently. “She’s with me tonight.” He looked back at Rey, raising one eyebrow in query. He held out his hand. “Rey?”
Rey knew he was only doing this because he knew she didn’t want to dance with a stranger and would have trouble saying ‘no,’ but she took his hand willingly, exhilaration filling her. She looked at the other man and gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry,” she said as she felt Poe tug her toward the dance floor. Rey took a couple of quick steps to catch up so she was close to him once more. “People are going to talk,” she whispered.
He smiled. “Good.”
“Poe!” she hissed, exasperated but amused at the same time. She was the source of enough rumors around here; she really didn’t want more. But, seeing as she had been linked with everyone from Finn to the Togruta ambassador to Coruscant, she supposed adding Poe to the list wasn’t a bad option.
Suddenly, they were on the dance floor. There was a lull in the music as couples resituated themselves or found new partners. Rey looked around her nervously, then faced Poe, stepping close. “I don’t know how to do this.”
“You’re a quick learner,” Poe said softly back. “Just follow my lead. This isn’t anything fancy. Just move to the music.” He took her left hand in his right and placed his left hand on the curve of her hip.
She could feel the heat of his touch through the material of her dress, and she felt another shiver run up her spine. Why did this man’s touch make her react like that, she wondered, not for the first time? She never felt this way when Finn or Rose or any of her students touched her. It was comforting but exciting at the same time. It was like the feeling she got whenever she left atmo and saw the stars again.
The music started, a soft, flute-based instrumental piece. Rey recognized it, but couldn’t tell anyone the name or where the song had originated. The Enko playing the instrument was good and obviously very familiar with the music. Poe began to move with the rhythm and Rey automatically looked down at his feet, trying to emulate him. They were hard to see, as her skirt swished around them.
“Hey,” he said softly, and she looked up. “Just look at me. Move with me.” He shifted closer, bringing his hand to the small of her back. The gauzy material there was so thin, it almost felt as if he was touching her bare skin.
She licked her lips nervously and watched how his eyes darted down to watch the action. In her heeled sandals, she was ever so slightly taller than him, yet he still managed to make her feel small and feminine. It was an unusual feeling for Rey; even when she had been a skinny child, she had been taller and stronger than most of the children around her. He looked up and met her eyes once more. His chocolate gaze was intense, but the creases around his eyes showed he was still amused by their situation, and as she watched, a smile grew on his face.
Kriff, he was beautiful.
“See,” he said. “You’re doing fine.”
Rey hadn’t even realized that she was moving her feet along with the beat, letting Poe’s firm touch guide her as he slowly spun them around the other dancers. She had been so focused on him. His touch. His scent. His expression.
Suddenly, her heart started racing. What was this? What was going on? Why was she feeling like this?
Poe’s smile faded and his brow became furrowed. “Rey? Are you okay?”
She took a deep breath, pulling in strength from the Force along with air. “I’m fine,” she said, giving what she hoped was a reassuring smile. He didn’t look reassured.
He glanced around as they continued moving with the music. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come.” He pulled back a bit, away from her, his hand moving back to her hip where he was barely touching her.
“No, no!” Rey argued. “I am so very glad you’re here.”
He looked at her again, his expression serious as he watched her.
“I… I missed you,” Rey continued. “You… you may be difficult at times, Dameron. But you keep me centered, too. Sometimes I feel so lost, and Finn and Rose try to help, but…”
He cocked his head when she paused, encouraging her to continue.
“You’re the only one that could ever really keep me focused on the here and the now.” She gave him a one-shouldered shrug. “You and Leia.”
He looked surprised. “I… never knew you thought that about me. I’m…” It was his turn to pause.
“Embarrassed? Disturbed? Freaked-out?”
He laughed softly and shook his head. “Flattered. Pleased. And yes, a bit embarrassed, but not in a bad way.” His smile turned soft. “To be considered a friend of a Jedi is an honor in and above itself. To know I’m… special… to you makes me feel incredible.”
“Yeah, well, don’t get too cocky,” Rey said with a smile.
“On the contrary, I don’t feel worthy.”
It was Rey’s turn to be surprised. “The hero-General of the Resistance not worthy?”
“Of you?” He shook his head. “Nobody is.”
“Please don’t say that,” Rey said sharply. “I don’t want to spend my life alone.”
“No chance of that, Rey,” Poe assured her. “You have so many friends who love you.”
She looked down, focusing on a button on his uniform jacket. “Including you?” She looked back up at him when he didn’t respond right away.
His gaze shifted off to the side. “Of course.”
The music ended and Rey stepped back out of Poe’s grasp. “I need some air.” She turned and pushed carefully through the crowd, heading for the doors on the far end that she knew led to the large porch that looked over the gardens behind the Center. She felt more than heard Poe following her.
The doors were open, allowing the cooler air from outside to help keep the ballroom from getting too warm. Formally dressed guards stood by them, watching everything with sharp eyes. They nodded at Rey as she passed and she nodded and smiled back. Only a few people were out on the stone platform as it was quite chilly, and the smell of growing things from the garden reached her nose as she left the scent of a dozen sentient beings behind. She rested her hands on the cool stone railing, closing her eyes and breathing deep. She felt the heat from Poe’s body as he came to stand behind her.
They were silent for a long moment, and Rey was the first to speak. “I can’t wait to get back home.”
“I’m glad to hear you call Ajan Kloss that,” Poe said softly. “You deserve a home.”
“Will you stay long?” she asked him without looking back. “Before you go home?”
“I don’t really have a home. I haven’t in years.”
Rey turned to look at him, surprised. “Yavin IV? Your father?”
“I love him. I love Yavin.” He paused. “But it’s not home anymore.”
She took a deep breath. “Then stay on Ajan Kloss,” she told him.
“And do what?” he asked her. “Teach your young Jedi how to fly combat?”
She shrugged. “If you want,” she said. “But you don’t have to do anything. You can just… be.”
“Oh, I see,” he snorted, a sardonic smirk appearing on his face. “You think I’m so old, I should retire.”
Rey huffed a laugh. “No! I just think you’ve done so much in your life, for so many people. You should do something for yourself, now. Do what you want to do.”
“And you think I want to do nothing?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, that’s kind of a silly thought, huh? You can’t even sit still for one second.” She sighed. “So, what do you want to do?”
He stared at her for a while. “I… I want to get married. Raise a family, maybe?”
Rey felt her heart speed up again. “I need someone to be in charge of security at the school,” she said. “Someone who understands the Force, but has no desire to be a student. Someone I can trust completely.” She watched as his expression became contemplative. “You’d have plenty of time to find someone to love. Someone you want to raise children with.” She paused. “But Rose will remind you that Finn is taken.”
Poe laughed. “Oh, trust me, she reminds me frequently.”
Rey giggled, then cocked her head at him. “So?”
He nodded, his expression becoming serious once more. “I’d like that.”
Rey nodded. “I want you to have a home, too, Poe. And a family of your own.”
“What about you? Do you have any desire for children of your own?” Poe countered.
“You mean other than students?”
Poe nodded.
She shrugged. “I… I do. Someday.”
“Well, whoever you decide to raise children with is going to have to pass inspection from Finn and myself.” He winked. “Just to warn you.”
“Oh, really?” Rey scoffed. “I should say the same about whoever you decide to marry, Dameron.” She shivered suddenly as a chill breeze blew up from the garden.
Almost immediately, Poe unbuttoned and removed his uniform jacket, throwing it around her shoulders.
“Oh!” Rey gasped softly as Poe’s scent surrounded her. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He nodded ever so slightly, his hands still on the lapels of his jacket as he straightened it. He was frowning again, looking at her with an intensity that unnerved her. “No one will pass muster,” he said gruffly.
“What?”
“Nobody will be good enough for you, Rey.”
“I told you not to say that,” she argued. “You make me feel like I’m some supreme being propped up on some mountain where no one can reach me.” She shook her head. “I’m just… Rey.” She took a deep breath. “And while we’re on the subject, I don’t think I’ll be able to allow just anyone to wear that ring around your neck. Just thinking about you giving someone that ring makes me…”
“Makes you what?” Poe’s voice was hushed.
“Jealous.”
Poe stepped back, as if her softly spoken word was a slap to the face.
“I’m sorry,” Rey whispered, looking away. “I shouldn’t have said that. But it’s how I feel, and I have no right to feel that way, but I do.”
“Rey?”
She brought her eyes back to his.
“Can I kiss you?”
Rey felt her mouth drop open in shock, then her heart started racing. She swallowed and nodded.
Poe moved closer to her once more, grasping her shoulders gently. He leaned in and Rey met him half-way. His lips were as soft as they looked, and they moved over hers slowly and deliberately. She parted her lips, and felt his breath against her mouth as he tilted his head more to better align himself to her. She moaned as she felt the tip of his tongue touch her lower lip. He pulled back and she opened her eyes, just then realizing she had closed them.
He brought his forehead in, resting it against hers, and they stood that way for a long moment. Finally, Poe spoke. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a very long time.”
“Why haven’t you?” Rey knew without a doubt she would have said yes, as far back as the day they first met.
“I told you already. I am not worthy of you.”
“And I told you, you are more than worthy.” She brought her hands up to run along the collar of his shirt. “I love you, Poe Dameron.”
He closed his eyes. “I have to be dreaming.”
“You dream about kissing me?”
“All the damn time.”
“I’m guessing real life isn’t as good, then?”
He opened his eyes, startled. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you’re not still kissing me.”
A wry smile appeared on his lips. He glanced over toward the still open doors to the ballroom. There were more than a few eyes on them. He looked back at Rey. “How about we blow this joint and go back to my place?”
“Rose will be scandalized.”
“Rose will be ecstatic.”
Rey giggled. “I think you might be right. And then she’ll comm Finn…”
“Who probably meant for this to happen.”
Rey opened her mouth to deny that their friend would ever do such a thing, but then she remembered how secretive he’d been about leaving early. And she remembered his grin when he told her to ‘have a wonderful time’ at the party. And Poe had said Finn asked him to go to keep Rey company.
“I think you might be right,” she said to Poe.
“Well, let’s not disappoint him.”
“Lead on, General.”
Poe stepped back and proffered his arm. Rey shrugged Poe’s jacket off of her shoulders, folding it and putting it over her left arm, then she grasped Poe’s elbow with her other hand. The two made their way back into the ballroom, intent on leaving as quickly as they could.
“Just so you know, I’ve never done this either,” Rey told him as they made their way through the crowd.
“You’re a quick learner, Skywalker,” he grinned. “You’ll figure it out as quick as you did dancing.”
THE END
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