Closed to bargain_batman

[talentedscavenger]

[ooc: Continue from here]

[After an awkward introduction on Tinder, Rey was pleasantly surprised to find out Diego was located not too far from where she lived. A weird coincidence, and she wasn't going to look into further. No need to let her mind go down that rabbit hole. She could hear Finn's voice in her mind, gently teasing her that, "Things happen for a reason, you know."

God, she was going out to meet someone willingly for the first time since Ben's death. A year of grieving, and therapy to help her get back on her feet. Sort of. Grief wasn't linear, and god she wished it was. It would have made things easier, to go through each step and check it off some sort of list. There were good days, and bad days. So far, the number of good days had out numbered the bad ones.

Giving herself another pep talk, she left her home and headed to the agree upon meeting location; a small coffee shop further in the city. Plenty of people coming and going.

The scent of coffee and hot chai wafted through the air as Rey entered. A quick scan and she found no sign of Diego. Guess she got there first. She pushed down feelings of nervousness in favor of grabbing a quick cup of drip coffee and finding a seat.

So that's where Diego would find her, head bowed reading something on her phone. A young woman wearing a blue cable knit sweater, jeans and black boots. Her shoulder length hair was down in soft waves--she had put in some effort into her appearance.]

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[talentedscavenger]

[Rey had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing. Her kisses were addictive? That felt like such a foreign concept to her. There wasn't anything about her that was unique, or special. She blended into a crowd and often over looked, at least that's what her experience told her. Her friends saw her--Ben had seen her and Diego...it was all the tip of the iceberg. She didn't dismiss or shy away from the compliment.]

Smooth, Diego. Knew you were a charmer. [Rey teased. He was not an asshole by stretch of the imagination.]

I appreciate the offer. When I have to work late, I go from the office to my apartment. At least if I have to feed BB, I can...and at least no one will see me pass out on my keyboard.

[It was sweet of Diego to offer to walk her home from work and how he cared about his siblings.

She was prepared to tell Diego he didn't need to answer her. As curious as she was, he didn't have to tell her anything at all. It took time to open up about one's past. There were certain things she hadn't told her therapist, because they were too painful, or things she didn't want to relive again. With Diego, she wanted to go slow as not to scare him. She wanted things to work between them.

He took that first step in sharing more of his past. Rey squeezed his arm as a way to show support]

..I'm sorry you went through that. [It was the only thing she could say. They both lost someone important to them with the same name. She bowed her head for a moment, debating on how much she wanted to tell him about her past. Not as a way to one-up him on who had the crappier childhood, but as a way to show him that she understood.]

I left home at the same age. My guardian....he was into some shady shit. Like, new cars suddenly showing up and having his "friends" strip it down for parts. I kept my head down and didn't say anything. [And gained skills that would make anyone wonder why she was into technology. Lock picking, how to disable car alarms, or hot wire them to get them to work.]

Your father wanted you to be a hero, and maybe my guardian wanted me to be a villain like him. Or at least end up in the same shitty situations. [Rey glanced over at Diego, wondering if he would still want to continue walking with her.]

[bargain_batman]

[ Her comeback prompted him to don a wide, yet shy smile. His gaze had fell to the ground while grinning from ear to ear. Hopefully he'd make a good enough impression that his siblings wouldn't convince her that he was very much an asshole.

The grin simmered as the conversation grew serious. Diego gave Rey a nod in understanding as she talked about her work routine. He opened up about one of the more painful experiences he'd had as a kid and found it comforting that she also shared, not put off or out by his unconventional childhood. Unconsciously, he kept her hand that took his arm tucked into his side. It brought him as close as possible while they walked.

He didn't keep his eyes glued to her out of respect for what she said. Not that Rey would find judgment in his gaze when he eventually might glance at her. Diego took it upon himself to lead the way from what she previously described as the street she lived near to. ]

It's hard to figure out if we're supposed to be grateful that someone took us in when it's debatable that the life they gave us was better than what we might have had without them.

[ Diego spoke with eyes ahead then looked to Rey. ]

But they do say; what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. You seem pretty strong to me.

[ He gave her a soft smirk, knowing there was probably a better compliment he could give her but wasn't great with words. ]

[talentedscavenger]

[Rey had told him she lived in the opposite direction. They were away from the park, and from what she thought was his home. She didn't get a good look at it when they were heading towards the park, which was fine. It wasn't like she was going to go his place any time soon...

But if he kissed her again when they parted...she would be sorely tempted to bring him upstairs. Slow and steady was the goal, though it would be hard to get that kiss out of her head.]

It's something I try not to dwell on. Too many 'what-ifs' to last a lifetime. [Whether or not her life would have been better if she had been placed in someone else's care. The kind of thing might drive someone crazy--so many what if's and potential futures. None of it amounting to anything as there was nothing they could do to change the past.]

Mm, that is a saying. [Rey agreed, letting out a soft chuckle. Her brown eyes finding Diego's once again.] And you seem very strong to me--unwilling to give up, and be effortlessly charming. [Not just physically strong, but it took a lot of mental fortitude to handle the shit they went through.

And well...he was quite charming.]

I will say, I think cardio might be the death of me but it does provide a good rush, and a good distraction. [Something more light hearted to focus on. A weird balancing act between the baggage they carried and the possible future they had together. Yet, it was some how easier to shift between seriousness and lightheartedness with Diego. A connection that didn't scare her, or make her want to run.

Rey still had to be cautious. If something was too good to be true, then it probably wasn't.]

I try to run when it's early in the morning--or right before it gets dark. Less people, and easier to keep track of my surroundings. [They were approaching a street corner where Rey gently tugged Diego to the left. Another two or so blocks and she would be close to her apartment building.]

[bargain_batman]

[ Diego wasn't one to dwell per se. There were aspects of his life that he had a hard time getting past but he hadn't let it hold him back. At least, not the way it held back Luther or Klaus. Yet being a vigilante wasn't exactly an ambitious career move. He wouldn't always have his athleticism and how would he survive then?

He gave a nod when Rey spoke of what-ifs. She was given a soft grin again at her compliment of him being charming. It helped reign in the desire to quip that he knew of another good rush that could be a great distraction. His libido loudly reminded him of how long he'd been celibate but Diego didn't give in. ]

I train at a gym. If you wanted to learn a few self defense moves, I could teach you.

[talentedscavenger]

Yeah? [The idea of learning from Diego was an enticing one. One on one time for him to show her how to defend herself. His hands on her body to correct her form—-and she was getting ahead of herself. She could have those thoughts after they parted ways for the night. ]

I’d like that. It’ll be fun. [ Rey told him, her voice was softer then, lingering desire to start another kiss. Up ahead she could see her apartment building. It was tall, grey and looked like it could use a new coat of paint, and a window cleaning, but that was it. Better than some of the other places she’s lived in.

Funny how quickly they had walked the last few blocks—or maybe Rey failed to pay attention to anything else except him. ]

Um, this is my building. [Rey’s footsteps came to a slow stop near the entrance. Her free hand came up to brush her hair back. Was it bad she didn’t want to pull away? ] I’ve had a great time, Diego. Think you could text me when you get home?

[Bold of Rey to assume he’d head home, but it showed she cared for him. His safety was important too…

Heaven help her if she heard that low voice of his again. If her kisses were addicting, then his were all consuming.

And maybe she should ask when she could see him again, but baby steps. ]

[bargain_batman]

Good. Hope we can make something line up with our schedules. [ He replied after she seemed to like the idea of training with him. Diego also hoped to ease in how he currently earned money, his name on a few posters for an upcoming mixed martial arts match.

Some of the joy on his face faltered as she pointed out that they'd made it to her building. It was time for goodbye and there was no more prolonging it. Yet he didn't completely lose his grin, it returned to more of a smirk. One that grew back into a soft smile as she asked him to text when he got home. ]

I'll do that. [ Not that he planned on staying home but he might just to chat with her a little longer. He did need to suit up for a night on the streets which he'd do when they were done on the phone. ] You better get up there and get BB settled so we can talk.

[ There was a temptation to kiss her again but if the park bench had been any indication, a make-out session at her building entrance wasn't going to be a good idea. Diego moved to slip her hand from his arm and took it to kiss the top of it instead. He'd wait for her to head in before walking back to his place. ]

[talentedscavenger]

I'm sure we will--and I'll make the time. [Rey almost bit her tongue. Did that come across as a bit clingy or cringy? She was the one with a more flexible work schedule. It wouldn't take long for her to get to his gym--assuming it was nearby and assuming Diego didn't have anything else going on during the day. Hopefully he saw the point she was trying to make--she would try. She wanted to learn and do something that allowed both of them the opportunity to spend time with one another.

The smile on her face softened. A hint of sadness in Rey's brown eyes knowing they would have to part. At least they would be able to talk or text later. He wasn't brushing off her concern for his safety, which was another good sign in her book.]

Mmm, I will. [And probably send another message to Rose that she made it back home safely--with butterflies in her stomach.

She wondered if it would be too soon for another kiss. Would it be bad if she leaned in and initiated another one? There was the danger of possibly making out in front of her building, but surely they would be able to control themselves.

Thankfully, Diego made the decision for her. He kissed her hand--like a gentleman, the stuff she only read about in books and saw on television. Definitely not an asshole.]

I'll talk to you soon, Diego. [Rey murmured, moving away from him until her feet carried her to the building's door and stepped inside.

That was great...more than great. It was fantastic, and she could only hope it would continue to get better from there. Of course, she would first have to contend with BB's meows and sad face until he was given his dinner.]