Ben Organa | Kylo Ren (hislegacy) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-04-25 19:35:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, kylo ren, poe dameron |
Who: Ben Kylo and Poe Dameron
What: First proper date
When: April 8th
Where: A Cuban restaurant, and Ben's loft
Warnings: PG-13 for serious making out
Status: Complete!
Poe is primed and ready to go. He's opted for a restaurant that's actually pretty cool, maybe not as nice as planned but he sort of feels like giving that jab to Ben for his comment. But Habanera is a great place, a good relaxed place for a relaxed first date - and this is a date. For real this time, Poe knows that. He's dressed in dark jeans, a t-shirt, and a suit jacket. Casual but put together. BB-8 had been all too happy to give opinions, but when he found out who Poe was meeting, there was some sass. Eventually the droid had come around to agree that, yes, Poe looks aesthetically pleasing and even Kylo Ren had a good probability of thinking that, too.
Thanks, BB-8.
Poe feels bad leaving the droid alone, so he shows him how to work the television remote. Then it's off to pick up Ben. Poe opts for a cab rather than driving, so they can both enjoy a couple of drinks without having to worry. He feels vaguely in awe as he steps into the lobby of Ben's building, but the doorman calls up to Ben to let him know Poe is here for him.
Ben is adjusting his tie when he's told Poe is waiting for him, and he tells the doorman to send Poe up while he finishes getting ready. He double checks his hair, since it tends to go wild and do whatever it wants if he doesn't get it just right.
Besides, he likes his penthouse and he wants Poe to see it. It's a very impressive place with a fantastic view, and he likes being impressive. Especially when he likes the person he wants to impress, and he does rather like Poe. He had fun at the gala, and on their not-really-a-date.
On the way up, Poe also runs his hands over his hair. Since being out of active service, he's been letting it grow, and sometimes his own curls like to remind him that they exist. He also straightens his jacket before the elevator opens, and Poe knocks on the only door there, trying not to worry over if he should have picked a fancier place after all.
Ben opens the door with a smile and offers his hand, "Poe come in, please. I've been looking forward to this dinner all week. Do you want a drink before we go?"
If Poe has to look back to decide when, exactly, he knew he was doomed, he'll come right back to this moment. He smiles back and takes Ben's hand, more of a hand squeeze in greeting than anything resembling a handshake. "Hi. Thanks - sure." He laughs a bit as he steps inside, looking over Ben as he bites the inside of his lip. "You look great."
"You look very handsome." He likes the slight wildness to the curls of Poe's hair. He prefers his own to be someone under control but the wildness suits Poe nicely. "What can I get you?" He moves over to the bar area, glancing behind to make sure Poe's coming along with him.
He's definitely following, but his steps are a bit slow because he's looking around the penthouse as they move. "Whatever you have. Which I'm guessing is everything. I think I can fit my whole condo in that living room.
"I like having my space," Ben says, shrugging with one shoulder. He doesn't need three bedrooms, but one has been turned into a workout area and one never knows when one is going to have a guest stay over, so the third is a guest room. "I have a little of everything."
"If you have a good Scotch, I won't say no." Poe doesn't mean to be rude, but this is the nicest living space he's ever seen. He can't help but walk to the window of the living room, peering out at the scene beyond the balcony. "That's one hell of a view."
"I have a fantastic Scotch." He pours them both a few fingers and brings them over to the balcony, handing it over. "I like being able to look out at the beach. Especially at night, when the moon hits the water."
Doomed. It appeals a lot to Poe's sense of adventure and spontaneity, which probably aids in him being something of a romantic. Poe takes a sip of his drink. "Do you go out to the beach at all, surf or anything? Or do you just like looking at it?"
"Not surfing, but I do swim on occasion. Though I prefer a pool. Less sand. Do you surf?"
"I wouldn't say no to trying. I do like the beach though. More than a pool," Poe adds, with an amused look.
"I'm too pale for the beach, honestly. SPF 45 every hour or so or I burn up. But maybe with an umbrella and a towel, I could tolerate it."
"I'm not jealous." Poe thrives in the sun. It's his good Latin heritage and he's thankful for it. "Does that mean we'll be hitting the beach together in a month or two?"
"It's a possibility." Provided tonight goes well, which he's fairly certain it will. He has a good feeling about it. "Tell me about the restaurant you picked."
He tries not to look too pleased about that possibility. "It's called Habana. Have you heard about it? It's this great Cuban place. The food is amazing."
"I don't think I've ever had Cuban. Or at least not that comes to mind immediately." Too many clients have taken him out to too many dinners for him to keep track.
"Good. I was starting to worry it wasn't going to be interesting enough." Poe smirks, raising his eyebrows as he takes another sip of his drink. "Though after your crack about it being a fast move, I was pretty tempted to take you to some chain restaurant."
Ben presses a hand to his chest, "I would have been wounded. Do I look like someone who goes to chain restaurants?"
"You look like someone who deserves to be taken to them, yeah."
The wounded expression deepens. "Poe, please. I thought things were going so well."
It's on the tip of his tongue, to say after the whole mind invasion thing, Ben deserves it. But he remembers in time that Ben has no idea about that, so, best to keep it that way. "In time, you'll come to appreciate that I've got some sass."
"I already do. I like your sass, actually. Usually it would piss be off, but you uh -- deliver it in a way that makes it tolerable."
"Yeah, I've been told I might be too charming for my own good." But there could be a hint of a blush at that. Poe loves this part. Flirting, testing the waters. Who would have thought he'd enjoy it this much with Ben of all people?
"I think that may be true." Ben smiles a little and finishes his drink. "Should we head out?"
Poe checks his watch and raises his eyebrows. "We should, yeah. Can't miss that reservation." He downs his own drink. "After you."
Ben collects both glasses and sets them in the sink to be washed when he gets home. "Did you drive here or should I have Allan at the front desk call us a cab?" He might be showing off just a little. Poe's probably not impressed by wealth or fame or that sort of thing, but Ben can't always resist. Especially not on a first date.
"Well, I was going to call a cab, but I guess Allan can," Poe replies, looking amused. He sees right through it, but it's cute. People don't usually show off for Poe.
Maybe Poe is worth showing off for. Or maybe Ben is just a peacock. A bit of both, really. He calls down to the front desk to ask for a cab, then squeezes Poe's shoulder lightly. "It's on its way."
"I don't think I'd be all that upset if it wasn't." Because there are worse fates than spending a first date in, he thinks. He and Ben could order something and that would be just as nice, but maybe not what Ben wants in a first date. So he heads out and presses the button for the elevator for them.
For the next date, maybe. But a first date should be out somewhere, in Ben's opinion. Technically the coffee thing was out too, but it wasn't an official date. His hand slides down over Poe's not unimpressive bicep to touch his elbow before they go into the hall.
In the elevator it's a temptation to kiss Poe, but now is not the time. They they'd be distracted the whole date. "Are you Cuban, or do you just like the food?"
No, kissing now would be a disaster. Poe's waiting for the right moment. Though Ben's not making it easy. He leans against the wall of the elevator. "Hmm? No. Guatamalen, on my mother's side. I take after her."
"Guatamalan, all right. I'm a European mutt. Dutch, German, Irish, Scottish -- European."
"It's a good mix, whatever it is. All that height, good cheekbones." Poe grins. He pushes away from the wall when the door opens, waiting to follow Ben out.
The restaurant is pretty charming actually, with the hanging lights and all. It's cozy. Ben decides he likes it. "Why don't I let you order for me. If you picked the place you must know about the food."
This is nice. Delightful. Romantic. Poe smiles across the table and orders them a bottle of red wine to start, since it goes better with the food than whites do. "That's a lot of responsibility. Is there anything I should avoid ordering or do you eat anything?"
"I'm willing to try anything. I trust your judgement. I can do spicy, too, if you're worried about that. Decently spicy, anyway. I've never tried one of thoe ghost peppers or anything, but you know what I mean."
"I promise there won't be any ghost peppers." When their server returns with wine, Poe orders them a starter and their entrées. "So. How's your week been?"
"Busy. Always busy. If I'm not -- integrating new employees into the work place I'm working on PR things. Mostly PR, my dad doesn't realize how important it is. He just wants to run the business like a factory, you know? But my grandfather understood that you also had to reach people if a business was ever going to succeed. I think we've lost that, since my dad took over. It's why I organize the galas and events. Show that we're trying to do something different, not just sell a product."
Poe listens as Ben talks, sipping at his wine. He decides he likes how passionate Ben is about his job, that he wants to do more than just make money and run a business. "I'm happy I was able to take you away from all that for a couple of hours. I'm flattered I'm worth some of that time."
"You intrigue me. I don't meet a lot of people that do that." Besides which, Poe is incredibly handsome. Which doesn't hurt at all. "I spend all my time with stodgy business men. You're not that. It's refreshing."
"The day I start getting stodgy is the day I tell them to send me back overseas."
"Hopefully not too soon." Though the thought occurs to him -- "Are you here for a while, or do you think you'll get deployed again?"
"I guess there's always a chance, but I'm contracted for ground work. But I wouldn't say no if they asked me." The corner of his mouth quirks up. "I don't even know how to describe it. Being up in the air, piloting a fighter jet, that thrill of the moment. I missed home, though."
"You could still do that. Air shows, that sort of thing. With a significantly small chance of being shot at."
"I guess I could. I don't discount anything. And I was a damn good pilot. I'll show you my medals some day."
"I would absolutely love to see your medals sometime." Ben leans back in his chair with his wine glass, sipping at it as he watches Poe from across the table. "I wish I had some sort or -- trophy or something I could show you in return. But they don't give trophies to businessmen."
"Because there's nothing impressive about your penthouse on the beach." Poe doesn't realize he's leaning forward until their appetizer arrives and he has to lean back. The dish of seafood looks amazing and Poe picks up an oyster. "Cheers."
"Oysters," he says with an eyebrow raise and picks one up as well. "Is it that sort of date?"
"It's the prettiest starter on the menu," Poe answers, all innocence. Mostly innocence. Not that he's planning on a long night, because he likes Ben - a lot - and he doesn't want to rush into things. It'll be strange enough when Ben starts dreaming, because that's inevitable.
"It is very pretty." He squeezes a little lemon over his and pops it into his mouth. "Pretty and delicious." It's a slightly suggestive remark, sucking lemon juice off his thumb.
Poe eats his own, avoiding the urge to shift in his seat to combat the heat suddenly pooling in his stomach. "I'm glad I didn't disappoint."
"Oh I don't think you could." Now that they're on their date, officially, Ben isn't skimping on the flirting. Now that he's sure Poe is interested, and interesting as well, it's time to start getting serious.
"In the future, I'll remind you that you said that." Their meals come and Poe explains what Ben's is, refilling their wine glasses. "It might have a little kick to it."
The pork looks incredible, especially with the shrimp balanced so delicately on top. It's a beautiful dish, really. "Their presentation is spectacular. And I think I can handle a little kick."
Poe is, admittedly, moderately relieved that Ben seems to enjoy the dish picked for him. He nudges his own plate a bit toward the middle of the table. "Here, try some of this, too. It's what this place is known for."
Ben happily accepts some of the pulled pork, and in return puts a shrimp on Poe's plate. "Both of these are amazing."
"I don't like to brag or anything, but I'm pretty good at this dating thing."
"Are you? I've told you why I'm single. If you're so good at this dating thing, why don't you have anyone in your life?"
Poe shrugs. "Quality over quantity?" He laughs. "I don't know. I guess I just like waiting for the right person. And it took a bit to get used to not being deployed, to a real job with real working hours."
"I can understand that. Adjusting to civilian life, settling back in. I just don't -- " Ben sighs and sips at his wine again. "I try to make time for everything. Try to find balance. I have yet to succeed."
Poe can't really help it. He reaches across the table, putting his hand on Ben's forearm and giving it a light squeeze. "You're probably doing a better job than you think you are."
Oh -- that's really rather nice. Ben smiles, a little shy, a little surprised. "Thank you. I was told yoga might help. I meditate sometimes. I'm not sure if it works."
"If you ever need a break from it all, you have my number. But maybe don't call me for yoga. I don't really do that."
"No? It actually is relaxing. To an extent, when I can clear my head enough for it. If nothing else it helps work out the kinks in my back after leaning over a desk all day."
"I just picture bad things happening if I try to hold myself still in a pose for too long." He takes his hand back, letting his fingers brush along Ben's hand in the process.
"Like tipping over?" Ben teases, turning his hand to take and squeeze Poe's quickly before letting go. "That's just something that requires practice."
"I think I'll pass. If I need to relax, I'll go for a run."
"I do that too. Usually before work, when it's still cool out. I hate running when it's too hot."
"Because you'd turn to ash before you made it down the block." Poe flashes a grin and finishes off his food. "Are you a dessert guy? There's this flan here that's crazy good. I don't think I could eat a full one myself."
"I'm not a huge fan of sweet things, but I'd try some." Everything Poe has recommended tonight has been amazing, so why not.
"Except for me. I'm a sweet thing," Poe clarifies, in case Ben didn't get the joke. When the server comes by to clear their plates, Poe orders them a flan. "This will convert you."
"You are." There's a shy sort of smile as the waiter stops by, glancing down and away. Like he doesn't want to admit to smiling. "I'm holding you to that."
Oh, yeah, Poe's kissing the hell out of him later. He takes one of the spoons and gets a bite of flan ready, holding it out for Ben. "You get the honours of first taste."
Fuck it, time to be bold. Ben leans over the table and wraps his lips around the spoon with a thoughtful hum. Then he leans back and swipes his tongue over his lower lip. "I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't caramel."
Poe takes a bite for himself, to avoid doing anything he might regret. "Caramel is my favourite."
Ben takes up his own spoon with the slightest smirk and digs in. "I can see why. I do like chocolate sometimes, but only dark chocolate."
Wow. That's not predictable at all. "I'll remember that for the future." Once Poe feels like he can't fit anything more into his stomach, he sets his spoon down and asks for their bill.
"Are you sure I can't treat you? You paid for coffee." He's already reaching for his wallet, glancing over at Poe to see if he's doing the same thing.
Poe reaches across the table, putting his hand on Ben's arm to stop him. "Don't even think about it. I asked you out, I'm paying for it. You can get the next date."
The next date. That sounds pretty nice. Ben nods and tucks his wallet back again. "I'll start thinking about where I want to take you."
Oh, good. Poe was worried for a second that he was going to get rejected, but, no. Apparently he's succeeded on this first date. "You could take me anywhere and I'd have a great time." It's not even a lie. Poe can turn most things into something positive, but he'll get his suit pressed anyway, on the off chance it's somewhere fancy.
When dinner is paid for and a taxi is hailed, Poe sits back, looking at Ben. "Do you need an escort back up to your fancy penthouse?"
Poe does seem like that kind of person. No matter where he goes, he has fun and so do the people around him. He just sort of -- glows from the inside like that.
When they get back to his building, Ben looks amused at the offer. "I don't necessarily need one, but I would certainly like one."
Poe's eyebrows go up defensively. "I'm just trying to be a gentleman." To prove his point, he holds the taxi door open for Ben, then walks with him to the elevator.
"Well thank you for being a gentleman. It feels like a rare thing these days." In the elevator, he leans a little against Poe, wondering if he should take his hand or somethign similar.
He does it for Ben instead, slipping their hands together even though the elevator ride is short and soon they'll be saying their goodbyes. But it feels nice, and Poe decides right now that there's no way Ben could ever be as bad as his dream counterpart. Not like this.
Oh well -- yes, that is rather nice isn't it? Ben smiles and squeezes lightly at Poe's hand. At the door, he gives it a tug and glances at Poe with a raised eyebrow. "Would you like to come in for a moment?"
Poe bites his lip, because, yes, God, yes, he wants to go in for a moment. He runs his thumb along Ben's hand. "Believe me when I say yes, but I have a droid at home who's gonna start getting worried if I'm gone too long." He pauses. "It's a dream thing."
"... all right." He's not going to ask. "I want to kiss you, but I'm not doing it in the hallway."
"That's a dirty trick." But it gets Poe inside, and he's already pulling Ben to him, leaning up to start to bridge the gap between them. "Just a quick one, to say good night," he says, pressing their lips together.
"But it worked." His hands are already at Poe's hips and he leans down to meet him part way. It's a little awkward, he's a little hunched over, but the way Poe tastes is completely worth it.
Poe's not even a little bit ashamed by it. He stands on the balls of his feet, one hand pressed to Ben's chest while the other finds the back of Ben's neck. Poe kisses him until he's breathless and his cheeks are flushed and he makes the slightly sound of disappointment when he realizes he should be going.
"You are a fantastic kisser," Ben murmurs, setting his fingers under Poe's chin to tip his face up a little, keeping their lips brushing. "I should let you go." But he doesn't move away just yet.
"Helps when I have a good partner." He lets the touch draw him in for another kiss, less rushed this time despite it all.
"Can you stay for a few more minutes?" Before Poe can answer Ben sucks at his lower lip, nipping lightly.
The answer Ben gets is a soft sound. Maybe Ben doesn't have Force powers but he's damn persuasive, and Poe squeezes the back of his neck. "A few."
"Good." Poe gets pressed back against the door with a wicked kind of smile. Then he grips the back of Poe's thighs and lifts him up a little, standing between his legs. "Is this all right?"
If the groan that Poe makes is any indication, it's completely all right. His fingers flex in the lapel of Ben's jacket. "Must've been a great first date," he breathes. He pulls Ben in for another kiss, getting that the feeling that a few minutes could easily turn into an hour.
It's probably a little impulsive but at the same time -- he doesn't really care. Poe is pretty and he's got a great mouth and Ben just wants to kiss him for a while. "I wanted to do this after coffee," he admits, biting at Poe's mouth again.
"Should've asked." Poe can get really use to this. He nips back, tangling his fingers up into Ben's beautiful mess of curls.