You Should See His Ass
Poe carries all their bags into his apartment and just leaves them in the living room. The trip to meet Finn’s family exhausted them both and they can unpack in the morning. The day after the ‘big outing’, Finn’s mom did come to visit with Finn. She even shook Poe’s hand after she left, promising to write. Finn seemed to feel better after she left, but he still spent the rest of the day in his pajamas eating Phasma’s secret ‘monthly’ stash of ice cream and candy. Poe got to know Phasma better and ends up really liking her. She’s been trying to leave the Witnesses for a long time and has considered looking for work in New York City. She wants to be closer to Finn and now Poe. He also found out she does Tae Kwon Do and is considering growing out her hair.
Finn, who was pretty quiet the flight and taxi ride home, kicks off his shoes and flops on the couch with a grunt. As much as Poe wants to take care of him, cradle him and tell him he’s going to be fine, he knows Finn does better when given some space. And apparently rocky road ice cream and cheese pizza. Poe kicks off his own shoes and strips off down to his boxers, tossing his dirty clothes in the hamper in the bathroom.
“You hungry? I’ll order some pizza,” Poe pads back into the kitchen.
“No, just need sleep,” Finn grumbles from the couch.
“Alright babe.” Poe opens the fridge finding next to nothing. After all the junk food he’s been eating with Finn he’s craving a salad and some veggies like nobody’s business. “If you aren’t hungry, I’m going to see if Rey has any food that isn’t fast. I’ll do the shopping tomorrow.”
“Muh,” Finn replies, not moving.
“You sure you’re okay baby?” Poe asks, going over to the couch and kneeling next to him.
Finn rolls over. “Stomach hurts. Too…much…pizza.” He’s sweating and shivering, holding his lower side.
“Finn, when did this start?” Poe puts a hand to his cheek.
“On the plane, felt like shit. I’m fine, I just need to sleep.”
“Fuck, no babe. I think your appendix burst.” Poe runs to the bedroom and pulls on some clothes. He grabs his cell and calls for an ambulance. He rushes back to Finn’s side. “Honey, we’re going to the hospital okay?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Finn,” Poe says sternly, calling Rey. “Hey Rey, I just called an ambulance can you show them up? No, Finn’s appendix. Yeah. Thanks.” He hangs up and turns back. “Just humor me, okay?”
“I don’t have insurance…” Finn argues before gasping in pain.
“Don’t worry about that, they won’t turn you away. Trust me, Finn.”
~
Poe sits in the waiting room staring at a magazine but not reading it. They only took Finn back ten minutes ago but it feels like an hour. Even though they are engaged, the nurses said they need the space to triage him and honestly, Poe was a nervous wreck and wouldn’t have been any good getting in the way. He’s texted Rey and updated her. She told Poe that she was going to pack bags for both of them and come on over. He called Phasma who gave him her credit card number and said she’s coming in on the next flight out and not to argue with her. He called his mom who said she’d come out if he needed, but with Phasma already coming Poe told her it would be a full house and they’d be fine. She did calm him down and said Finn will be fine.
“Poe Dameron?”
He turns to see a nurse standing near the door. “Yea? How’s Finn?”
“Your fiancé is being wheeled into surgery. It was his appendix. It’s rare for an appendix to rupture so quickly after the onset of symptoms, but increased stress can be a factor.” She says.
“We visited his family and they didn’t approve of our engagement,” he says. “He’s been depressed for the past two days and knowing him, probably feeling ill before we even got on the plane.”
“You caught it early, he should be just fine. Once he’s out of surgery he’ll be on the fourth floor. Just take the elevators up and the waiting room is right at the end of the hall. Now, this is a routine procedure, but do you know what his wishes are for resuscitation?”
Poe blinks. “Like if he stops breathing?”
“Yes.”
He shakes his head. “No, we never talked about it. His sister is on her way from Iowa, she’d know.”
“Any religious wishes we should know?”
“He grew up a Jehovah’s Witness but left the faith.” Poe remembers something he read. “I’m sure he’d be fine with a blood transfusion then. I mean, fuck…”
The nurse puts a hand on his arm. “He’ll be fine. We’ll put him down as no wishes or exemptions. Please, go wait upstairs.”
He nods and heads towards the elevators.
~
“Dude, they have the BEST candy in the gift shop,” Rey says, throwing a bag of Reece’s Pieces on his lap. “Hospitals get it. Comfort food.”
“Yeah,” he says, setting it aside. “Shouldn’t we have heard by now?”
“It’s been just about an hour, don’t worry. These things always take time.” She sits down in the chair next to him. “I’m not leaving until you kick me out and even then I probably won’t.”
“Thanks Rey Bey.” He leans his head on her shoulder. “I’m worried.”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s a common thing, but it’s still scary. I just want to make sure I take care of you so you can be there for Finn. He’s had a rough go of it with work and his family, he’s lucky to have you.” She leans her head on top of his. “How’s the wedding planning?”
“It’s been…well I’ve been doing all of it lately. Mostly just ideas.”
“Well, I have some. Come on, it will distract us and pass the time!” She smiles and reaches for one of the bags she packed for him and Finn. “I packed your laptop.”
“Poe Dameron?” A doctor emerges from the door into the room.
“That’s me,” Poe stands, shaking the doctor’s hand. “How’s Finn?”
“He did great. We got to it really quickly. He was just wheeled into recovery. When he woke up from anesthesia, he asked if Darth Vader was his father so I’d say he’s doing okay.” The doctor smiles. “He fell right back asleep, which is common.”
“When can I see him?”
“We’re going to make sure he makes it out of the anesthesia okay, that takes about an hour. Then we’ll wheel him back to a private room. I’ll have a nurse come get you when he’s moved. Meanwhile I suggest you go home and get anything the two of you might need for the next two days…”
“Already done,” Rey says. “Hi, best friend. I got it.”
“Right.” The doctor smiles. “I’m going to have one of our social workers come talk to you about self care as well as planning for power of attorney and end of life wishes. It’s something I recommend to all my patients, especially newlyweds or those engaged. Not that you need to worry, he’ll be just fine, but it’s something to think about.”
“I suppose it’s good to be prepared,” Poe says, feeling a little taken aback by the fact they never even talked about those sorts of things. “Right, thank you.”
“Of course, take care.”
Poe waits for the doctor to leave to start crying. He pulls Rey into a huge hug. “I was so fucking scared.”
“I know, babe, I know,” she comforts. “Come on, there is candy to eat.”
~
Poe is a bundle of nerves walking back to Finn’s room. Rey decided to go home and wash some laundry and give them a few hours alone. He follows the nurse through wide brightly lit hallways with nurses bustling about. The nurse shows him the door to Finn’s room and tells him to hit the button if they need anything and tells him for the fifth time not to sneak him any food for now. He takes a deep breath and walks in.
“Hey sweetheart,” he says, seeing Finn laying his bed. He drops their bags on the floor and goes to his bedside, leaning down to kiss his forehead. “Feeling better?”
“You are a better Jedi than Luke Skywalker you know?” Finn smiles. “So much better.”
“Got you on the good stuff I see?” Poe pulls a chair up and sits, holding his hand.
“Hmmmm,” Finn smiles and closes his eyes.
“Hey there,” a young male nurse comes in the room. “Mr. Twu…”
“DAMERON!” Finn opens his eyes wide. “I’m marrying this guy and I’m gonna be Finn Dameron!”
Poe smiles. “Apparently pain meds don’t really agree with him. You can call him Finn.”
“Finn,” the nurse smiles. “I’m just going to set you up here.” He starts setting up equipment and fiddling with all the wires and tubes. “So you two are getting married? Congratulations.”
“I said yes,” Finn says, closing his eyes and leaning back. “He is sexy as hell, isn’t he?”
“Hi, Poe Dameron,” Poe nods, introducing himself.
“Your fiancé is very handsome, Finn,” the nurse smiles. “I’m Ted and I’m working the afternoon shift.”
“You think he’s handsome you should see his ass.”
“FINN!” Poe squeezes his hand. “Okay, uhm I think he’s good.”
“I’m going to bring you some extra pillows and blankets, Poe,” Ted says. “That armchair in the corner reclines. I’m pretty sure you’ll be staying with him while he’s here.”
“Thanks, Ted.” Poe flashes a smile. He waits until Ted leaves before turning back to Finn. “You are such a dork.”
“You have a great ass,” Finn says. “It’s the truth and people should always speak the truth.”
“Why is that?” Poe smiles.
“It’s the right thing to do.”
“Rey’s coming by in a few hours to see you and check on me. And your sister is flying out.”
“Phasma! I love her. Did you know she’s adopted?”
Poe rolls his eyes. “Really? A six foot tall pale white chick with a black family is adopted?”
“She knows, mom told her when she was little.” Finn opens his eyes really wide. “But she’s like, my real sister. You know?”
“I know, babe. I know.”
~
Poe wakes up to the sound of a pop can being opened. He remembers crawling into the recliner after Rey came back and she was provoking Finn to say funny things and recording them on her phone until he fell asleep again. Then the social worker came by and talked to Poe about that paperwork—which of course he’ll ask Phasma about—and Poe got really sad thinking about Finn dying. After Rey cheered him up, she got a call from Ben Solo about more broken pipes so she had to run. Last Poe checked it was nearly ten at night. He sits up to see Phasma sipping a Sprite in the chair next to Finn, who is still asleep.
“Hey, when did you get here?” Poe sits up.
“About an hour ago,” she says. “You look like you needed to sleep.”
“How did they let you back? They let me stay but made a stink when Rey threatened to stay all night.”
“I’m family and I said I was his attorney,” she smiles. “How is he doing?”
“He’ll be fine. He’s hilarious when he’s high on pain meds.” Poe smiles and runs a hand through his hair.
“I was looking at those papers,” she says, nodding to the folder the social worker gave him. “I was worried.”
“Nah, apparently the doctor recommends that stuff for all his newlywed patients. I hate thinking about it but…”
“It’s a good idea. I have Finn selected as my power of attorney should I be incapacitated.” She sips her drink. “It never hurts to be prepared. Although now with same sex marriage being recognized it will be much easier for you.”
“No, I think it’s a good idea. Maybe you could help us set that up?”
“Not really my area but I know enough to help draw the standard papers. So, how are you doing?”
“Me? I’m good.”
“You look like hell.”
“I’m fine.”
“If you want to go home and get some sleep I’ll stay…”
“I’m not going anywhere, Phasma.” He leans back. “They said everything seems to be going well but I’m not leaving.”
“Suit yourself, but I plan on staying for a week or so. Maybe a bit longer. And don’t worry, I’ll get a hotel.” She sets her can down on the tray next to Finn. “I had to wait two hours for a flight so I decided to make a few phone calls. I have an interview with a firm in three days.”
“Really?”
“I figured why not. Finn seems to like it here and after the shit my parents pulled I really have no reason to stay. The commute to Des Moines was killing me anyway.” She smiles. “Thanks for taking care of him.”
“Of course.” He smiles back.
“I’ll let you get some sleep,” she settles in the chair.
~
Poe wakes up to low-volume giggles and rubs his eyes. Finn is sitting up in his bed, sipping juice. Phasma is smiling about something and Rey is sitting on the foot of Finn’s bed criss cross and beaming.
“Sleeping Beauty is awake,” Finn says. “Morning honey.”
“Hey babe,” he gets up and kisses Finn on the forehead. “Doing better?”
“The lower level pain med doesn’t make me so loopy. Rey showed me the evidence of the good stuff.”
“They gave you juice I see,” he nods. “I’m starving.”
“I’ll go get you something,” Rey jumps up. She looks over to Phasma and Poe swears he can see her blushing. “Phasma, do you uhm, want to come with me?”
“Sure,” Phasma smiles, following Rey out of the room.
“They seem to be getting along,” Poe says, digging through his bag for a toothbrush and finding one in a Ziploc bag.
“Dude, my sister is flirting. With Rey. Like, what the hell?” Finn takes another sip of his juice. “Legit flirting.”
“No way, are you sure?” Poe walks to the bathroom and leaves the door open, brushing his teeth so he can still hear Finn.
“I know when Phasma flirts, and she is flirting,” Finn says loudly. “And Rey is totally flirting back.”
Poe spits, rinses and comes back in the room. “Well if anyone can make Phasma gay it’s Rey. She’s adorable.”
“It’s…weird. I thought Phasma was stick straight.” Finn shrugs. “Ah well.”
“Care for a real kiss?” Poe leans in and captures Finn’s lips with his own, sinking into a very slow open-mouthed kiss until Finn winces. “You okay?”
“It’s…hurting a little.”
Poe grabs the remote and hits the call button. An older woman comes in the room and smiles. “Yes?”
“I think his meds are wearing off,” Poe says.
“Honey, I’m good.” Finn looks to the nurse. “I don’t need anything yet.”
“Pain level one to ten?” She asks.
“Five,” he gasps. “Ouch, more like sixish? I don’t like how the meds make me woozy. I’ll call when it’s an eight.”
“Finn…come on even a six is too high babe.” Poe holds his hand.
“How about a seven?” The nurse suggests. Both Finn and Poe nod and she leaves.
“I really don’t like the meds, I can handle it,” Finn says.
“Maybe I can’t dammit!” Poe smiles. “Just humor me.”
“I love you so much, Poe,” Finn replies, squeezing his hand. “You are too good to me.”
“I could never be good enough for you, sweetheart,” Poe smiles back, leaning in for another kiss. “So, uhm, I was talking to a social worker yesterday about advanced directives and stuff.”
“What?”
“Like what to do if you cannot make medical choices for yourself, or visa versa. I realized we never really talked about that stuff before. There are papers we can fill out so that we can make those choices for each other if the worst ever happens.” Poe hands him the folder. “Phasma says it’s a good idea.”
“Oh right, she had me sign something once so that I could pull the plug on her,” he chuckles. “Well, you know.”
“So, uhm…” Poe sits and rubs the back of his neck. “I guess if there is no possible way I’ll make it I want to be left to pass away. I mean, like, I want them to try ya know? But…don’t keep me on machines forever. Please?”
“Same,” Finn says. “Totally the same. This conversation sucks.”
“It does.”
“So I was thinking, once I’m healed up, we should try sex in the backseat of a car.” Finn smiles. “It’s on the list.”
“But we don’t own a car.” Poe says, happy to be done with the conversation.
“Rey does.”
“I’m not having sex in Rey’s car, I’ll rent one,” Poe smiles. “Now let’s see what’s on TV.”
“Can’t we just make out?” Finn pouts.
Poe moves to sit on the edge of his bed. “I’ll be gentle.”
“Well not too gentle,” Finn laughs as their lips meet.