I’m writing this little FinnPoe Modern Airman!Poe Fake Dating AU headcannon for @oscraisaac because she is amazing and made me icons <3
-Fifteen years in and Poe was still going to these military balls stag, getting teased relentlessly by friends every year, when he continuously failed to bring a date.
-Don’t have one, or can’t find one to deal with you? Rose would snicker at him.
-He was fine with it, he honestly was. He cared more about the job than finding a date, had always loved the sky more than he had loved anyone. Well, at least in that sense, he thought to himself.
-He didn’t regret a single choice he had made, even if it had kept him single. He never felt alone. It was a family he had never had in the service, his CO was more a mother to him than he had ever had, his fellow airmen all more siblings than coworkers.
-He had traveled and seen more of the world than he ever thought he would. He had lived a lot longer than he every thought he would as well. In all his years, he had met the best people, only few he still spoke to on a regular basis.
-Being stationed in Texas he met his best friend out of the service, Finn. Quiet, kept to himself, but there was a strength in him that Poe spotted the moment he walked into the Starbucks off base.
-He hated getting fast food on base. He needed to clear his head even with his feet on the ground. Poe would drive off base, find a coffee shop, sit down and read. but that day was different.
-He ended up stopping Finn on his way out, asking if they might walk the park near by. And they did, both so engrossed in conversation that they hadn’t noticed that the sun had set.
-And they only became better friends, Finn being the only person Poe would ask by name to be at promotional ceremonies, the only one that saw him devastated about deployments, the only person he would write to on those tours.
-Writing you’re lover again, Romeo? Rose would tease him.
-He had no retort, he would just smile, and not think about it. He recalled those memories now, as they set up comms to fly, Rose checking over the last bits of the aircraft before he was cleared for an exercise.
-You won’t be laughing when you see him Rose, my date is as dashing as a prince. He joked over the comms, realizing now, there was no going back, he would have to ask tonight.
-Oh? Does this prince have a name?
-You can find out when you meet him.
-You don’t have to go through with this Finn, you do know that, right? You can tell me to fuck off, I know it’s asking a lo--
-Finn cut Poe off, placing both hands on Poe’s shoulders steadying him. I said yes two months ago, and I’m not in the habit of turning my back on you. If you need a dashing date you have one my friend.
-Poe steadied his breath and looked deeply into Finn’s eyes. For not the first time, he noticed just how much they almost looked blazing with all the strength Finn held inside himself. He shook the thought off, before grabbing his jacket.
-Poe heard his table long before he saw them. General Organa was telling stories again, and Rey was almost falling out of her chair. Rose was the first one to spot them, waving excitedly as they Poe directed Finn over.
-Poe walked a few paces ahead to pull a chair out, letting Finn sit down first. As he pushed the chair in, Poe leaned in close to Finn, whispering that he would only have to say the word and they would leave.
-Finn passed him a smile, and took his hand. Poe looked down at their hands, a tightness building in his chest, not for the first time that night. He sat down, as everyone started introducing themselves.
-It didn’t take long for Rose to bring up his ‘love life’. So when did you start dating? She asked loudly and with a smile. Poe felt his soul ascending out of his body. He moved to speak but Finn cut him off, leaning over to her before confidently replying.
-Oh I’ve loved this man for a long time. Wasn’t until recently that we both noticed it however. He spoke with conviction, putting his arm around Poe, pulling him in. Poe was in a state of shock and he was hoping no one noticed. The tightness got more noticable, and he focused on that before reminding himself that this is what friends do when they’re asked of favors. He was going to have to buy Finn a drink for this, this was the best acting he had seen in years.
-Poe caught on quickly, taking Finn’s hand and putting it up to his lips. The tightness started to flutter away. He leaned into the moment, taking it for what it was. They would laugh about it later at home over a beer.
-The rest of the night went by in moments like molasses. For moments, time slowed and he felt like he was flying, his vision would tunnel in on Finn, who was far too good at this, and he realized he wouldn’t do anything differently.
-The thought scared him, but calmed him. He locked his fingers in with Finn’s under the table, giving it a tight squeeze. Finn looked over at Poe, giving him a warm smile, and Poe couldn’t help but give one back.