bakerstreet | Let's look out for each other.

Let's look out for each other.

( taking care of you shipping meme )

Life is hard. You can go through rough patches and over bumps, and sometimes it feels as though you're definitely worse for the wear, both physically and mentally. It's nice to have someone - someone more than a friend - there for you in those times...even if you don't think you want them or deserve them. But they're here, and they'll take care of you.

How to Play:
* This is a shipping meme for more tender, soft moments, but a little more serious than your usual "fluff." It's for people who've been broken down by their experience and those who wish to heal them.
* Comment with your character/your preferences. You may also want to specify whether your character will be the one "cared for" or the one doing the "caring" + pertinent information, but for most effectiveness, it's best to be open to both.
* Comment around.

Prompts
1. Know You've Been Hurt By Someone Else: There are scars left on their heart from a past relationship or fling, and you have to let them know you're not the same way.
2. Can Tell By the Way You Carry Yourself: The person you have feelings for is one of those "cold stone wall" types who pushes people away. Can you get past that?
3. I've Asked About You: You've only heard bad things about this person, but you don't believe it.
4. What's a Life with No Fun: Lighten up a bit! You'd do anything to bring a smile to their face.
5. Please Don't Be So Ashamed: You have a big, BIG secret you don't want the other person to find out about, because surely they wouldn't want to even be near you if they did.
6. I've Had Mine, You've Had Yours: You've both had problems, and it could help to compare wounds so they can begin to heal.
7. Those Lies Heal: Protecting your loved one is more important that the truth, isn't it? It's a lie, but there are good intentions here.
8. You Can't Sleep: Because of past trauma, you're having a sleepless night. Luckily, this time you have somebody to help you and give you some comfort.
9. You Cry Still: The obligatory "seeing your significant other/love cry over something and wanting to make them stop at any cost" option.
10. All Get a Little Taste: Your loved one is sick or injured - literally this time - and you're looking out for them and trying to get them better.
11. You Just Don't Know: Either through magic, torture, or blunt trauma to the head, your special person can't remember you! It's up to you to get them to remember what was between you two by showing all the ways you cared for each other.
12. I Give Her Space: Part of being a careful lover is knowing when you need to leave them alone.
13. Tryna Run from That: Uh-oh, you don't want to fall in love, because you've been there, done that! Maybe there's still time to escape from this...or maybe it's too late.
14. I Will Care for You: After a particularly rough day, you're need a little TLC. Your loved one is going to do everything for you - a bath, food, the works.
15. All the Baggage Just Ain't as Heavy: You know it will take a while for this person to mend psychologically and spiritually, and you're willing to wait.
16. Change the Pace: And the smut option. Show you care through sex.
17. We'll Just Go Slow: You're going to take things one step at a time. No need to rush and define things. Just enjoy each other's company and the healing it brings.
18. We All Have Our Nights: Your lover, because of their past experience, is having a complete breakdown. You have to bring them back from the edge.
19. You Don't Say You Love Me: You both know how you feel, but one of you is having problems saying the four letter word. That's okay, though. Your lover understands.
20. To Save You: After months or years, you've both worked on the problems and old scars and you might just be ready to start something resembling a normal love.
21. CHOOSE SOMETHING ELSE

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ooc Either / or. Up for discussion.]

( Either. )

[Up for either role.]

[ooc: Up for Poe having a nightmare?]

[But of course! ]

Nightmares were something that Poe had grown used to following his time on the Finalizer. For a while, they were common, damn near every other night until Poe had decided to work himself into exhaustion just to try and find a way to get some sleep. Some nights, it worked while others left him waking up, drenched in sweat and screaming until his throat hurt.

Since settling into a relationship with Rey and Finn, the terrors had been slowly dwindling until a week or so passed between them. Of course, missions and overwork could always throw that off but for the most part, his nights had become a much calmer time for him, save the evenings that his lovers decided that he needed to be distracted.

He'd been gone for two weeks and when he'd finally arrived back on base, he was far too tired to fool around. After an overly long debrief, he made his way back to the quarters he shared with Rey and Finn and pretty much collapsed into bed, barely managing to kick his boots off before passing out.

Rey had woken up feeling the bed dip from an extra body climbing in. She opened her eyes, letting out a soft groan when she saw who it was. Poe had finally come back home and as much as she had missed him, she wasn't about to wake him up with kisses or wake up Finn. No, she decided to do something else to welcome the pilot back into their bed, opting to get up and move to the opposite side of Poe, so he could be in between herself and Finn. No doubt the ex-Stormtrooper would want to spoon against the pilot too.

Quietly she climbed back into bed, briefly looking over Poe sensing he was passed out. Still, there was something nagging in the back of her mind, concerned for her friend and lover. It wasn't lost on her that there were nights where he didn't sleep way. Not that she did either. There were nights when sleep was elusive or she felt Kylo Ren's presence, trying to show her the power of the Dark Side. That prompted her to wake up, and simply stay awake in bed until it was morning.

She was waiting for the moment to speak to Poe about it, but all of them were busy. Maybe tomorrow they could talk.

Even if she'd tried to ply him with kisses, he would've been less than receptive purely because of being so worn out. Maybe tomorrow, when he'd rested enough, he could take the time to soak up his lovers company. For now, though... sleep was all he wanted.

A little over an hour later, a soft whimper slipped past his parted lips. It wasn't all that unusual. He was a busy sleeper most night, even talking in his sleep on occasion. Snap had joked that he'd heard him singing once, but Poe had just brushed him off with a joking rebuttal and that was the last of it.

A few minutes later, he twitched and this time, the whimper was sharper. Fingers slowly clenched down on the sheet he'd pulled up over his hips, dragging a good chunk of it with him when he rolled onto his back. Sweat beaded his brow and left his hair in damp curls as he twitched again, groaning in the back of his throat. It was a soft sound of protest that suddenly choked off into nothing. By now, his brows were furrowed and if he hadn't been piled up in bed, someone might think he was in pain.

The whimper caught Rey's attention, forcing her to stir again. She was used to the sound of the wind whistling, or sand brushing against her metal home. The sound was coming from Poe, and though she knew he was active in his sleep, she didn't like the pitch of the whimper. She rolled onto her side, trying to watch his form in the dimly lit room.

When he pulled up the covers up to his hip then began to groan, she knew something was wrong. She reached out to him, hand placed on his shoulder to squeeze and shake a little.

"Poe? Poe...wake up..." she uttered close to him, hoping her words wouldn't wake Finn up. He seemed too trapped in his dream for her words to wake him. She was not about to try to use the Force to wake him, but opted to shake his shoulder harder.

"Poe!"

The moment her hand settled on his shoulder, he jerked then stiffened and dark, glassy eyes snapped open. There was no recognition in his gaze, just panic and fear. His breath sped up, leaving him panting as his arms shook with tension. Still locked in the dream, his mind knew nothing save for the table he was still strapped against and the sound of Kylo Ren in his head.

Rey's hand stayed on Poe's shoulder, unsure if she should move or say his name again. The fear and panic on his face were easy to read, and even easier to feel through the Force. There was no recognition and her heart ached. She wanted to take his pain away, but wasn't sure how or if she could. No, he was already in pain because of a Force user, she didn't want to do anything to make it worse.

"Poe.." she whispered his name again. She used her free hand to gently brush her fingers on his cheek, trying to snap him out of his nightmare.

"It's Rey. You're with Finn and me...it's okay...you're safe."

It took a few moments before that glassy, petrified stare rolled toward the voice. In the back of his mind, he knew something was different. The voice was one he recognized but it was so damn hard to hear over the remembered tones of Kylo Ren. He could feel someone's skin against his cheek and he almost flinched away from the contact until he realized that it wasn't one that brought pain. It was... comfort.

The panting had started to slow and gradually, Poe leaned his head into Rey's hand just before he closed his eyes again, tears sliding free even as he turned to curl up against her, his head pressed against her neck. He was a shaking mess, but with the way he was clinging to her, there was no doubt that he finally recognized her.

In those tense, painful moments, Rey's heart was aching, unable to help her lover, one of her best friends, through this. She wanted to take that memory, that pain away. Worse, she wished she had talked to him about this sooner. Were all of his nightmares like this? She was prepared to take her hand away, but he snapped. His eyes fell closed and she felt tears touching her fingertips.

"Poe..." she whispered again, embracing him tightly and trying to keep him from shaking so much. One hand moved up to card through his hair, trying her best to comfort him. She turned her head slightly, pressing a kiss to his temple.

"It's okay...you're safe. It's okay, sweetheart." the words left her lips effortlessly, hoping they would keep him grounded. Another way to remind him he was no where near Kylo Ren. "Finn and I...we're here for you."

His heart was still pounding in his chest, hard enough that he felt like it'd break his ribs if it kept going. Each moment with Rey helped to ease his trembling but there was no way he'd let go of her anytime soon. Not when she was the only thing keeping him from sobbing like a frightened child.

Still working to get his heartbeat to slow down, he nodded absently against her neck, trying to clear his dry throat.

"I can still hear him in my head. It's not as bad as it used to be, but... I can still feel him-"

There was no way Rey was going to let go of Poe, not until he pulled himself away from her or told her to let go. She had never seen her friend and lover shaken up like this. Her heart ached for him, wanting to take his fear and pain away. For now all she could do was be there for him, talk to him, and let him know he wasn't back in that interrogation room.

"I know....at times, I feel him too. He's like a shadow that never disappears, not completely." She pressed another kiss to his temple, continuing to card through his hair hoping it was soothing to him.

"But he's not here...and I'll do everything I can to keep him out of your head." Poe didn't need to go through that, not again or ever if she could help it.

She'd likely have a handful since he had no intention of letting her go anytime soon. Not when her touch was finally helping his pounding heart to slow and his head to clear a little more. In a way, he was glad Finn slept so heavily. If anyone understood what Poe had been through, it was Rey. Finn... Poe would need to sit down with him soon and finally let on that this was still something that was still affecting him.

Even worst was the simple fact that Poe'd known him for a long time. He'd met Ben as a child. They'd been friendly once upon a time. When the General told him exactly who Kylo Ren was, Poe was gutted. Sure, he'd heard rumors but to hear the truth right from the source...

"He wasn't always like that. He was a good kid."

"But this is who he is now..." Someone who caused pain, who murdered innocent people....who killed his own father. Rey could only guess to what Poe could be feeling right now. He knew Ben, or at least that what she was inferring. He knew someone who turned into a creature in a mask...but, there was always the chance he could be saved. If Ben was still there, even just a faint shred of him, they would try to bring him back.

"...He has his own fears. Who he strives to be...is someone who is long dead." What she saw in his mind, the insecurity and fear of never being as strong as Darth Vader. She began to rub Poe's back as well, thinking that could help with calming him down. Or maybe they needed to talk about something else...something to take his mind off of Kylo Ren.

"What was it like, flying an X-wing for the first time?"

There was rarely a time when someone rubbing his back wasn't a sure way to soothe Poe. Slowly, his body started to relax against Rey's, his eyelids growing heavy again as the adrenaline from his earlier panic started to wear out.

"It's... magic. I'd flown a lot before then, but that... it was just different. Climbing up into that cockpit and knowing you're stepping into your family legacy. It's indescribable. The first time I wrapped my hands around the stick, it almost felt like my mother's hands were on mine. I knew I'd made the right decision when I took off for the first time."

"Sounds incredible..." she whispered, a weak smile playing along her lips. He was calming down, rubbing his back and talking about his love of flying was helping.

"I bet she's proud of you...and your father too." For all the work he's done to help the Resistance. His bravery...his heart. The more they talked about his family, and his excellent piloting skills, the sleepier he'd become. If he fell asleep, Rey would watch over him, making sure he didn't have another nightmare. Even if it meant staying awake all night and being drowsy the next day, she would do it. He needed to stay in top shape, considering his profession, he needed to be alert. The last thing she wanted was for him to fall asleep in the middle of a training session or mission and have something happen.

Edited 2016-05-05 05:49 (UTC)

There was no doubt that he was tired but sleep was the last thing he wanted to dare again. If he had his way, he'd be up the rest of the night, tinkering on BB-8 or his fighter or something just to keep his hands and mind busy. At least, he would if he wasn't so comfortable wrapped up in Rey's arms. Her presence was soothing, even at the worst of times.

By now, his eyes were closed as he quietly breathed in his lover's scent. In the back of his mind, he decided that he needed to take Rey up with him, so she could get a chance to see him flying up close and personal. Black One was faster and more maneuverable than the Falcon, and he wanted to share that love with her. Better she see him like that, clearly in command of everything instead of this frightened, sad man.

"I know Dad is. I think Mama would've been proud, too. She was the one that taught me how to fly."

The brunette didn't think her presence would have this much of an effect on the pilot. If anything, she thought he would seek out Finn's comfort, considering they knew each other longer. But she wasn't complaining. Right now shew as trying to get Poe to calm down to the point where he might be lured back to sleep--assuming he allowed himself to. She was quite content with holding him, talking with him and discussing anything he wanted.

"That's incredible." To know his mother played such a strong part in Poe's life. Maybe it would be a tradition he might take up, assuming he wanted children--assuming any of them wanted children.

"Well, it explains why you're able to do so well. You learned from the best." He had a heritage he could pass on, but that kind of talk was for another day. Another time when all three of them were alert and not busy.

"Back on Jakku, I built a flight simulator...learned how to flight on that before touching an actual ship."

Maybe kids could happen, if they survived the conflict with the First Order. Poe honestly didn't think he'd make it, but if he didn't, he was fine with that. As long as he went down knowing that he did everything he could to protect the people he cared for, then it would all be worthwhile.

He wouldn't turn down the idea, though.

By now, he was fighting to stay awake and fighting hard. Behind him, Finn had snuffled and turned over as if knowing that his quiet presence was needed, but thankfully, he was still asleep. This was something he didn't want to worry him with. Poe's time with the First Order couldn't measure up to everything they'd done to Finn. As far as he was concerned, the scars in his psyche were nothing compared to the scars marring Finn's back.

"You're a natural. Anyone can learn to fly but gifted pilots just... have it. I've been wanting to take you up with me sometime. We've got a two seater we use for training. It'd be fun."

All of them had scars from the First Order, whether it was from serving in their ranks, or being held prisoner. Those scars would be with them for the rest of their lives, reminders of what they were fighting against and the price of fighting for what was right. Poe though, he didn't have to keep fighting against sleep. He could fall asleep in her arms and Rey wouldn't mind. In fact, she was starting to recline back little by little, but didn't release him. Until Poe pulled away from her, she wouldn't let go.

He needed to lay down, or at least lay on his side. That would give Finn the opportunity to cuddle up against him and the pilot could be between the three of them. Rey doubted she would be able to go back to sleep, but that didn't bother her. As long as Poe didn't have any nightmares of Kylo Ren, her lack of sleep would be worth it.

"Wouldn't call myself gifted, but I wouldn't pass up the chance to fly with you. We'll find time to do it." Actually fly an x-wing and with him. She wasn't about to turn that down. However, they couldn't do that right now, not when he was tired and she wanted to keep a watchful eye on him and Finn.

"It's okay, Sweetheart...you can rest, I won't let go of you."

If he noticed her moving at all, he didn't even let on. In truth, he was already too sleepy to notice and each time she moved, he ended up a little lower thanks to how he was leaning against her. Finally, his heart didn't feel like it was trying to beat its way free from his chest and thanks to that, he was hard pressed to keep up.

Groaning softly, he burrowed a little closer, sighing against Rey's skin as his grip on her slowly loosened. Try as he might, his body was demanding more rest and for now, he almost felt safe enough to give in.

" 'm a lucky man. Love you two."

As if, right on cue Finn moved closer to the pair of them, spooning against the tired pilot. Rey didn't bother to hide the smile that came across her lips. Though Poe was on the verge of passing out, she would stay up to watch over both of her boys. Just in case either of them needed something, or if Poe had another bad dream.

"We're both lucky to have you....we love you too," she whispered to him, tilting her head down to place a kiss to his forehead. Hopefully he would be able to sleep well for the rest of the night. Hopefully Poe and Finn's dreams would be sweet. Regardless, she would keep watch well into morning.

[ your rough caretaker who doesn't really know how to be gentle but does his damnedest. alternatively, who wants to talk about how many friends he's had to watch die? aus are also good always.

cross-canon/media is awesome and assumed cr is the best! ]