talentedscavenger | Closed to bargain

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

bargain_batman

[ His face immediately contorted in protest when she attempted to turn the tables on him and say he was out of her league, but he didn't interrupt. He softened when she called him kind. The anger had ebbed completely away when Rey voiced that she knew he wasn't expecting anything in return. It meant a lot that she believed so highly about him. Diego knew she wouldn't have invited him over if she held any concerns. She was too smart for that.

He frowned when Rey talked about not spending on herself but hid a smile when she said her friends would like him. The grin grew as he shook his head at the mention of winning over the cat she seemed to share custody of. There was a roller coaster of feelings that were clearly visible. Diego took her hand and tugged her close to his side. ]

There's nothing for you to apologize about. We haven't even started cooking. Dinner's not ruined. Not yet.

[ His lips were pursed in a smirk, trying to lighten the moment before giving her head a kiss. Diego had laced his fingers with hers and kept Rey close but not that she couldn't slip out of his hand if she wanted. ]

I... like you just the way you are. You don't need to be anybody else but you. And being you shouldn't ever be something you apologize for. Okay?

$talentedscavenger: (Modern\\Shy grin)$

From:

talentedscavenger

[ooc: JFC, they're so damn cute.]

[They were both dealing with a roller coaster of emotions. Rey felt tears gathering in the corners of her eyes as Diego tugged her closer. He laced his fingers with hers, showing her he wasn't going anywhere. She bowed her head, trying to will her tears away, but they only slipped down her face after he kissed her forehead. Sweet, tender moments she never had in her younger days. Someone telling her she mattered and meant it.

Rey lifted her head to look at Diego again, catching the smirk on his face. She felt relieved that he understood where she was coming from, and felt like a mess because of her tears. Her heart skipped a beat hearing he liked her--and that moment, her brain registered the fact he called her his girlfriend.]

Okay. [A small squeeze of Diego's hand and she shifted against to hug him. She pressed her forehead against his chest, taking in one deep breath and then another to steady herself.]

You know...I didn't know I was your girlfriend. [Rey murmured against Diego's chest, pulling back slightly with a weak smile.] We haven't really kissed since our first date, so I wasn't sure if you wanted to take things slow.

[Was there a blush on her face? Yes, but at least she wasn't upset or fretting about her past now--just her present...and maybe her future.]

Don't get me wrong, I like the kisses you've given me. I was...unsure of how to ask for an actual kiss. From you.

From:

bargain_batman

[ She might have felt his heart stop when Rey said she didn't know she was his girlfriend. Only when she pulled away and held a small smile that he stopped panicking. Diego thought he might have overstepped, making a decision she didn't necessarily feel the same about. His face twisted into a confused look with what she put the blame on. ]

You thought... I thought YOU wanted to take things slow?

[ He shook his head in amused disbelief. Diego was certain this was the first time ever that a romantic interest didn't know just how deep his interest went. ]

If anything, I thought the kiss then was a clear green light to whatever kiss you want. Whenever you want.

[ There was a temptation to dip his head down and engage in a lip lock but he was enamored in the moment with the possibility that she might have been crushing on him. Diego had worked so hard not to come across as needy or as head over heels as he felt and missed all the signals that she might feel the same way. ]

You don't have to ask.

From:

talentedscavenger

I mean...yes? [Rey sounded both confused and embarrassed. She had to fight the urge to not duck her head. She had done enough of that already.] Slow as in, getting to know one another more before we did anything outside of...kissing.

[God, that was painful to admit out loud. She wasn't one to seek out someone out for a physical need. A hook up wasn't something she was interested in, and it was doubtful she could fully enjoy it as she needed to trust her partner. And fuck, she trusted Diego. Hopefully he didn't think she wasn't a novice or something--

Her eyes went wide realizing she had just implied and blurted out:] I'm not a virgin! [Wait, no, she was stumbling through this and Diego was going to think she was a complete idiot.] That is--I'm not inexperienced, or experienced---I wanted to wait a bit before we did anything, and I said that already. [Deep breaths, deep breaths, and wishing she could not stick her foot in her mouth.

There was a bright pink blush on her cheeks now, great. Biting the inside of her cheek, Rey timidly continued on:]

I would lean in, wanting to kiss you and I got a peck on the cheek, so I thought we were on the same page of slow, but not slow. [Did that make sense? Did her luck run out with him?]

And I said BB was with Poe and Finn in case you wanted to spend the night...assuming the date went well, and you wanted to stay with me.

From:

bargain_batman

Wow.

[ It was a genuine remark. No teasing or sarcasm. He was honestly floored with her... confession? Take on things? Diego wasn't sure where to start. Something important dawned on him. His hand never let hers go. ]

I mean, I remember you leaning in but ...I just thought...

[ His cheeks filled with air and he blew it out as he verbally reacted to everything she said. Then the very last thing Rey said dawned on him. ]

--Did you just say you want me to spend the night?

[ How blind had he been? He really was terrible at relationships, not having any idea on the right speed. Diego swallowed thickly. ]

Rey...

[ His hand squeezed hers, nervous about how she'd take what he was about to say. She said she liked his honesty. He hoped she meant it. ]

...I know you said you were getting rid of the app. You haven't given me any reason to think you're seeing anyone else but I have to make it clear, I don't sleep around. Maybe you're not exactly saying sex tonight. I'm not trying to pin that down on you. I'm just saying, if we're getting to that part... I've gotta know that there isn't anyone else.

[ He couldn't be Number Two again. His brown eyes looked intently into hers, searching for a sign that she understood. Hoping that she felt the same. ]

From:

talentedscavenger

[Rey thought they should’ve ended things after lunch. Clearly, inviting Diego back to her place was a bigger mess than she could’ve predicted. From explaining about her past and the feelings of inadequacy to practically saying she wanted to make out..

They were on multiple rollercoasters of feelings and she was getting whiplash from it all.

Honestly, she was tempted to run and hide in her bathroom, but that wouldn’t do her any good. It wasn’t like she could erase those last few minutes from their minds. God, she wished she could though, if only to spare them both of her foolishness. ]

Y-yeah. [ Yup. Spend the night. Either together for the purpose of resting or “spicy sleep” as she heard her younger co-workers say.

Her gaze didn’t leave his face, trying to take into account every emotion that flickered across his face and if it meant the night was truly over. He squeezed her hand, and she squeezed it back.

He was concerned about that possible next step, if it meant they were exclusive or more than that. She understood the reasoning behind it. Neither of them were the type to just…lower their walls and let someone in. Be that open and vulnerable with another. ]

I’m not one to sleep around either. [That was the easiest one to tackle. ] Sex was kind of on the table, but I didn’t check to see if I had condoms. [Because, fuck she wasn’t going to chance getting pregnant.] So, it was just an idea…but one I was willing to explore.

[She paused, taking a breath to let her words sink in. ]

I’m not seeing anyone else, and I don’t want to. I like you—us. I want to see where this goes.

From:

bargain_batman

[ It was strange how tense he felt, particularly after hearing what Rey said. She did seem to reciprocate his feelings about a relationship. They had already kissed and kissed passionately yet his cheeks were warm when she talked about sex being on the table. Diego chuckled which let out a breath that he had no idea he'd been holding. ]

Sounds like we're on the same page. At least, about seeing where things go between us.

[ He shook his head while it hung. He was clearly embarrassed but also amused. A crooked grin stuck to his lips. ]

Is this still dating or do I call you my girlfriend? I thought we were already at the 'just seeing each other' phase. Never thought that had to go hand in hand with sex.

[ A part of him considered explaining as Rey had that he wasn't inexperienced but not overly experienced either. Ultimately, Diego decided that they both might have over explained. His hand slipped out of hers to wrap his arms around her. He gave her a squeeze before pulling his head back while still in an embrace. With the tip of his nose, he nuzzled hers lightly when she looked up at him. It was a soft touch before closing in and giving her a kiss.

It wasn't as passionate as the one in the park but it wasn't a peck on the lips either. Diego was nervous about things going too fast and he didn't want Rey to think his thoughts would be stuck on just sex. ...Regardless of how much he thought about after this talk. ]

Dinner then dessert.

[ His voice was husky and there was mischief in his eyes that matched his lips. ]

$talentedscavenger: (Modern\\Shy grin)$

From:

talentedscavenger

Well... [Rey took in a deep breath, trying to clear her thoughts. They were more or less on the same page. It also looked like neither of them were ready for sex--but then again, maybe Rey was misreading his signs.] That I don't know. I mean--the dating thing, I've heard you should continue to keep dating your partner. But, as for being your girlfriend. [She felt her cheeks grow warm at that.] I'd like that...I'd like that a lot.

[No doubt her cheeks were covered in a pink hue now, but Rey didn't care. They were taking a step forward, making things "official" between the two of them. Diego was her boyfriend...and the thought of it sent shivers down her spine and make butterflies appear in her stomach.

She wanted to comment on the sex part, wanting to reassure him that they didn't have to do anything at this moment. They could take their time and spend it developing more of a connection before taking that step. A very intimate and sometimes intimidating step. Rey parted her lips, prepared him her thoughts but he drew her in closer and she found time had slowed down.

Diego's arms were wrapped around her body, making her feel safe and warm. He nuzzled her nose, prompting her to lift her head up and move in closer. Their lips met again for another kiss--one that Rey had been yearning since their first meeting. She parted her lips, tongue slipping out to brush against his lower lip. A soft, and sweet kiss that made her knees feel weak and could easily turn fiery and passionate.

When he began to pull back, Rey took her time in opening her eyes. Unconsciously, she bite down on the inside of her cheek to keep herself from chasing after his mouth.]

Right... [Dinner then dessert--which, from a food perspective made sense. However, when she opened her eyes to see that mischief in his eyes, it was hard to not have dessert right then.] We should get dinner ready. [The words were drawn out, with Rey doing her best to not lose her composure. What was Diego doing to her?

She hugged him tightly one last time before forcing herself to move away. She let out a breath and started to make the marinate for the meat. Right, talk. She should talk and not act like a lovestruck girl.]

Um...I do have cookies for dessert and wine that might go with this. Or sake. Whichever you prefer.