fly_anything (fly_anything) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2018-08-08 08:54:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, finn, poe dameron |
Who: Poe and Finn
When: Backdated to soon after Poe's arrival
Where: Grocery store
What: A First Meeting
Rating/Warnings: Low/None
Status: Completed gdoc
Finn frowned as he looked at the two cans of beans in his hands. What exactly was the difference between hickory smoked and regular? Would Rey care? He peered at the sale signs to make sure he had the right ones. He had to be a bit more frugal since he'd been laid off. Even with the money he'd set aside he wanted to be careful.
He put the regular beans back and the hickory smoke into the shopping cart. Whatever; he knew Rey would eat nearly anything you put in front of her anyway. He turned to get ready to push his cart when he stopped short.
Finn's mouth dropped open at the person across the aisle from him. Was it…
No. No way.
But there was no mistaking it. That profile. The eyes. That freaking amazing hair that made him jealous. Even the five o’clock shadow.
He was staring at Poe Dameron. The Poe Dameron from his Dreams.
“Oh my God. Oh my God! Poe! Holy crap is it good to see you!” Finn was suddenly bursting at the seams with joy and rushed over, grabbing the man in a bear hug.
Poe had been in Orange County for a few days and had settled into his apartment so decided to explore the local area and, of course, an important part of that was finding a good close place to get groceries. Thankfully there was a good store close by and he was pushing his cart around comfortably when he was suddenly accosted.
“Uh...hi?” he said a little confused by the attractive but possibly crazy young guy who had just wrapped his arms around him, “Do I know you? Because if I did I am sure I would remember” he wasn’t worried, there didn’t seem to be any menace in it and Poe wasn’t the sort to be uncomfortable by such displays but it was really damn confusing.
The lack of recognition barrelled into Finn’s joy and knocked it out of him like bowling pins. “Wait…” He pulled back and looked at his friend. Who, by the expression on his features, didn’t recognize him.
Finn blinked. He wasn’t sure how this worked. He and Rey had simply...found each other. Sure they were dreaming at different rates, but they knew who the other was from the Dreams. But Poe...didn’t? Finn’s brows furrowed and he took a step back, hands dropping from Poe’s shoulders. “Um...sorry.” he had to think up something quick, a hand lifting to rub the back of his neck sheepishly. “I um…” he gesticulated futily with the other hand while grasping for words. “...thought you were a friend of mine. Uh, you know how they say everyone’s got a twin in the world, right?” And he let out a nervous, slight laugh.
Poe smiled warmly, he could tell the guy was embarrassed but he had no need to be. Not with Poe, “Sorry I’m not the friend you thought I was” he said sounding honestly sorry about it, “But I’m glad to hear I have a twin out there somewhere, the world deserves more me” he winked to show he was teasing. “Poe Dameron” he added holding out his hand, “Pleased to meet you”
Finn smirked. That would be something Poe would say. Then smiling, he took the man’s hand and shook it. “Nice to meet you, Poe. I’m Finn.” So used to the dreams with his lack of a last name even though he actually had one in this life, he almost forgot to give it. “Hayes. Finn Hayes.” Unsure of what to say next, he gestured at the shopping cart. “I see you’re food shopping.”
“Good to meet you Finn” he smiled, amused at what seemed like the younger mans hesitation. He was a sweet guy, even if he was a little odd. “Yep, I recently moved into the area so I’m checking out local stores to see what’s good, any recommendations are welcome”
“Well you're in the right place for groceries, that's for sure. Though if you're looking for really specific ethnic stuff, there's a few bodegas I can recommend. Baxters Bakery's a good place for pastries and their sparkling lattes are killer.”
“Oh yeah? Decent ones are always worth knowing about” Poe said, glad that he’d met Finn, even if the circumstances had started out a little strange. “Sparkling latte? Well now I have to check them out, that sounds like fun and you know good pastries are great. Naughty but nice”
“Absolutely. My Gram’s did half of her shopping there because she didn’t like what the supermarket had sometimes.” Finn chuckled about the pastries. “Don’t I know it. I'm a sucker for a good lemon pound cake. Rey, I think she likes everything at Baxter's just about. But yeah, sparkling lattes, man. Only place you can find them.” He wasn't sure what to say after that so Finn decided on the most typical question. “So what brought you to the OC?”
“Sounds like your girl has good taste” Poe smiled easily, relaxing into the general conversation, “Work actually, I’m a commercial pilot but I took a year work placement with my company to teach some new recruits” he shrugged, “I miss flying but I do like this place, the weather is definitely appealing”
“Honestly,” and Finn leaned in conspiratorial like, as if Rey might pop up out of nowhere, “She'll eat just about anything you put in front of her. And she doesn’t gain an ounce. I don’t know how she does it. I’m kinda jealous. I mean, once you leave the military they say you gain weight so I’m doing my best not to, but it’s hard, man.”
Finn suppressed a stupidly huge grin as best he could. Of course he was a pilot in this life too. He would have pegged him for Air Force; picturing Poe piloting a huge 767, however, seemed absolutely hilarious compared to the Dreams. “A pilot? Nice. Bet you’ve been all over the world. But yeah, the OC has some pretty good weather, most days. I grew up in Cali so I’m used to it.”
Poe laughed, “Now that just doesn’t sound fair” he agreed, “And I know what you mean, I have look for a good gym on my list too” though it wasn’t as much of a priority as good bar and grocery store admittedly. But he wasn’t getting any younger and he knew it was important.
“Yep, seen most places at least once. It’s nice being up there among the clouds” he smiled, “Ah born and bred huh? Then I am definitely glad for the mistaken identity, sounds like you’ll be a handy guy to know”
“You find a good gym, let me know. Maybe I'll actually be motivated enough to join.” Finn chuckled.
“Damn, that's cool. I've only been to a few places. Most of them war zones.” He frowned a little at that. It hadn't exactly been a pleasant experience. “Navy SEALS.” He added by way of explanation. “Left the service two years ago.”
“Hell yeah I'm handy.” Finn joked. “Always befriend a local, we know where all the good places are at.”
“I’ll be sure to let you know” Poe promised him, having a buddy to go with might motivate Poe too.
“Thank you for your service, I know it’s hard even at the best of times” Poe said, he had friends who had joined up and it had been hard on them. “You should travel for pleasure and fun too. There are some amazing sights to see in the world”
“You definitely do” he agreed.
Finn nodded tightly at Poe's thank you. He never had gotten used to people saying that and could never quite figure out how to respond to it.
“Wish I could. Money's kinda tight.” Despite the cart full of food behind him. He realized in the back of his mind he should probably learn to start going to big box stores for some stuff. “I was let go couple weeks back. So vacations are kinda on the back burner for now.” Normally this would have been TMI to a stranger but Finn was falling into the ease of talking to Poe as if the other man knew him.
“Ah” Poe nodded, “Well perhaps for the future then. You’re still young after all. What kind of work are you looking for? Maybe I can keep an eye out for anything I see advertised” he offered.
Finn smiled and shrugged. “Still trying to figure out where my skills fit. I was with the Navy SEALS. The job I was let go from was personal security for a big company. But yeah, thanks, that’d be great if you could keep an eye out.” He really appreciated that. And then realized he had no way of Poe letting him know if he did find something. “I can give you my contact info if you do find anything. And I’m part of an online network of locals too, so you can find me on there too.” Maybe that way Poe might start dreaming if he connected with the rest of the community. He could only hope.
Poe nodded, security made sense with his military history, “Sure, that sounds good. And I will definitely let you know if I hear of anything” he promised, it seemed this trip to the supermarket had been fruitful not only for groceries but also potential new friends. Poe would call that a success.
“Great!” Finn pulled his phone out and gave Poe his contact information as well as where to find the message board for the OC community. “I better get going. Still gotta pick up a few more things before heading home. Great to meet you Poe!” And Finn went back to his cart and pushed it down the aisle, trying not to grin like an idiot. He couldn't wait until he told Rey!