maskormenacelogs | Winter Gala

Entry tags:

Winter Gala

WHO: Everyone
WHERE: Jeopardy
WHEN: Saturday, December 21 from 5:00 p.m. onward into the early morning hours of Sunday, December 22.
WHAT: The Winter Gala Fundraiser for Jeopardy Relief Efforts
WARNINGS: Please include any necessary warnings in your TLs.
NOTES: This post will serve as a catch-all for logs for the entire event (though you’re also welcome to post things elsewhere, of course).

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Well, mostly. In the wake of a near-apocalyptic event, the city of Jeopardy is in need. What started out as an idea to advertise Rikki Chadwick's burgeoning business, after a little more planning and nabbing some ideas from Kenzi's post, she and Rupert have reconfigured and rebranded their idea to focus less on her and more on the relief effort.

Characters will enter the venue after giving a small donation at the door and they will be greeted by a large room lit in blues, soft pinks, and purples. From the ceilings hang snowflakes made of glass. The centerpieces are also made of glass. Come to think of it, nearly all the decorations are made of glass. Except, that is, the mistletoe hanging from several of the rafters and archways. A buffet-style dinner will be served from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at which point, the buffet tables and seating tables will be cleared away to make room for the makeshift stage for the DJ and a gigantic dance floor.

Drinks will be flowing, music will be playing, and people will be bidding on silent auctions to win everything from one of the centerpieces to a date with their favorite imPort and everything in between. So, eat, drink, and be merry until you can't stay awake any longer. Why not? It's all for a good cause, after all.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Finn tensed. It was hardly a negative review of Dameron's kissing ability but more out of surprise that he just did that. Just went ahead and did it.

Though he wasn't reaching out to Poe, the champagne still in his right hand beside them, it was almost too easy to push back. Returning the kiss should have been something he thought through before actually doing, but... who could really blame him at this point?

It wasn't like he was going to get another chance, anyway. ]

[ He was prepared to pull back fairly quickly, especially after he felt Finn tense, but before he had the chance to, Finn was kissing him back.

The lowest, quietest groan of relief rumbled in the back of his throat - almost completely unbeknownst to him - lingering a little longer before pulling back a fraction of an inch. He was breathing a little harder than was really reasonable, considering, and he hovered way too close. ]

Yeah? [ He asked quietly. ] Nah?

[ Because If he got a Yeah he was going to kiss him again. ]

[ A breath shuddered out of Finn before he remembered to open his eyes. There was... a lot to unpack out of that. A lot of feelings to sift through, more than he should have had.

He was so lost in just the memory of what just happened that he hadn't initially heard Poe. When Finn processed it, though, he smiled and breathed a laugh. ]

Yeah.

[ It certainly wasn't a no. ]

[ An answering smile spread over his lips, making his eyes crinkle with warmth, an old tension - an old worry - finally untangling somewhere deep in his heart.

He didn't say another word. He just leaned in to press a soft, tender kiss to Finn's lips, far too gently than he should be allowed. ]

[ Finn, for some reason, was actually less surprised by the second kiss and was easily wrapped into it all over again. He kissed back, free hand going to Poe's neck-

But reality didn't take long to enter his mind, especially considering how sweet this touch was. No matter what sort of traditions were out there, this probably wasn't... the intention. Especially not with an ex. Especially while one of them was already in a relationship.

So his hand moved over Poe's shoulder and down to his chest before gently pushing them apart. It was as much for Poe's benefit as his own. But at least he now had something of what things used to be like, even if it was just as bittersweet as expected.

His first instinct was to tell Poe that they shouldn't be doing this or going so far with it, that he didn't want to be the cause for drama and heartbreak. But he also didn't want to hurt Poe or the mood.

So he smiled after a tense beat, soft but a little forced. ] How many kisses does this tradition include again?

[ The hand on his chest was like a splash of cold water, and Poe's heart stuttered for half a second as Finn pushed him back. The tense beat just made it worse, and even Finn's smile couldn't quite erase the small tightening of his brow. Even if he tried to smile back.

He'd pushed his luck, huh? ]

Don't think there's a limit, [ He said through a lopsided smile. ] So I think that's up to you.

Probably... more up to you.

[ Finally, he looked up to Poe's eyes instead of down at his lips, trying to keep his smile on like this was all just them teasing like they normally did. Just a cute joke... But even though the smile stayed, he was really bad at that sort of thing. ]

I'm not the guy dating someone right now.

[ ... Yeah.

Poe let out a breath, his brows furrowing a little. ]

Yeah, and he knows. [ He gestured kind of helplessly up at the mistletoe, but the pure joy he'd been feeling a few seconds ago was evaporating rapidly, as was his smile. ]

I'm not flying rogue here, Finn.

[ He knows? Finn's eyes grew a little wider, wondering for a second if Poe meant the tradition or... what this was.

But, no, Poe wouldn't do that to 622. He wasn't playing coy... At least, Finn was pretty sure. Poe certainly wouldn't do that intentionally.

Regardless, he needed a little more context. Finn looked down at Poe's chest, wetting his lips and thinking his words through before slowly looking back up to him. ]

So. Is it anybody under the mistletoe or... just... people that you-... [ This was very difficult to word suddenly.

He just didn't want to get hurt. Though, what he really wanted was likely far more out of the question so he wasn't even going to consider that. But seeing as how this was probably just making out and not- Yeah, he should push the brakes.

But he wasn't going to. Not for himself. ]

[ Poe let out a breath, though he did take a step back. ]

I mean, mistletoe is mistletoe, everyone's supposed to get a kiss. [ It could have sounded flippant, but it wasn't. His voice was actually dipping a little quiet, a little rough, and his eyes were sliding away. ]

But I told him that the way you kiss people -- well, depends on the person.

[ He wet his lips. ]

So. Both. I guess.

[ It wasn't like 622 didn't know. He knew Poe's history with Finn. Sure Poe didn't go on and on about it since it really didn't seem fair, but this was the one day he was allowed to be affectionate with people the way he wished he always could be. ]

[ So... kissing everyone but different ways for different people.

So... this was just kissing. It didn't really mean- Not that he expected that. He didn't know what he expected.

Definitely expected to feel kind of hurt afterward, though, and that was coming true nicely. Despite that, or maybe because of it, he hadn't let go of Poe yet. The other man was hurt, too, and it wasn't fair for them both to be miserable. ]

Well... I mean, if he's okay with it and you're okay with it... I'd be okay with it.

[ He still isn't totally sure if this is okay, but it could also be part of the tradition that he doesn't really get. Or maybe Poe and 622 were... trying something new? Again, shouldn't get his hopes up. That would be stupid. ]

Ah, I mean, unless it's already over. If it is, that was nice. You're, uh, good at that. [ He could kick himself. ]

[ I’d be okay with it. Not ‘I am’ but ‘I would’. ]

He said he was. [ But Poe was already withdrawing a little, kicking himself mentally. What the hell was he doing?

He offered Finn a slightly strained smile and raised a hand to card through his hair. ]

It’s alright, Finn. I get it. No flattery required. I overstepped.

[ Couldn’t have just been satisfied with one kiss, could you, Dameron? Had to go and press it— ]

It's not flattery. [ Said quickly. Maybe a bit too quickly, all things considered. He wasn't exactly in a position to ask Poe for- Well.

Finn withdrew a little, too, maybe just a touch ashamed for trying. Desperately going after a taken man? One of his best friends, at that? C'mon. The brakes were a good thing. ]

And I wouldn't say you overstepped either. [ Maybe. He was going to have to think through all of this to figure it out, but it wasn't overstepping with Finn. Even if it should be. ]

Sorry, I was just... [ Stupid. ] confused.

[ Well, that makes two of us, he thought a little bitterly.

He sighed and glanced up at the mistletoe, frowning at it. ]

Yeah. My fault. Sorry about that. I just thought that for once I could— [ He cut off abruptly and gave Finn a strained smile. ]

I could really easily just stand here and kiss you as long as you wanted. [ He hadn’t meant to admit it, but he couldn’t stop it - his TMI power making that choice for him. He hesitated, and then shrugged as if that was no big deal. Sure. Totally. ]

But maybe cake, instead.

[ O-Oh... That must be that power Poe, uh- Yeah. ]

Maybe cake, yeah. [ Because that's the smart choice right now, despite how his heart just kind of exploded and how much he'd like to- ]

But if you still wanted to do the kissing thing, we might be here awhile since I don't think I'd want you to... stop...

[ ... Ah. ]

[ He glanced back at Finn, eyebrows raising slightly, not having expected that despite himself. He wet his lips, seriously considering forgoing words all together and taking that thin trail of consent right into make outs but--

His fingers worked at his side for a few seconds and then he forced a smile to his face. The smile might be forced, but the warmth and fondness in it wasn't. ]

Mistletoe'll still be here after cake, [ He pointed out. He wasn't usually one for subtlety, but there was a gentle meaning to it: You can take a breather and actually think, Finn.

He was pretty sure given the opportunity, Finn would talk himself out of it. And the last thing he wanted was to do something that Finn would regret later.

He was pretty sure he already managed that. ]

[ Despite himself, despite logic, Finn face and whole demeanor fell. Yeah, he'd been really stupid and kinda just wanted to skip on this cake excuse now.

But that wouldn't do any good. They should probably talk about this or at least get themselves back to some sort of normalcy. He wasn't about to stop talking to Poe over something he actually wanted, no matter how guilty he felt about it. ]

Cake, yeah.

[ There were tables set up not far from their archway constantly being reset cakes and pastries and finger foods. He nodded in that direction before slowly moving that way, keeping his eyes on Poe as if he wanted the other man to lead.

Honestly, he wanted Poe to lead throughout this entire thing even though it was clear that Poe didn't want the same. Finn knew they were dancing around each other. He just didn't know the steps, as usual. ]

[ Poe Dameron tried very hard to be a thoughtful man. He did. He tried very hard to be considerate, to think through his actions and formulate a plan.

He tried.

The problem was, he wasn’t very good at it. And when push came to shove, even his most well thought out plans and most careful considerations flew right out the window when instinct kicked in.

So the second that Finn started to pull away, his hand shot out, grabbing his arm. Mistake number one. But his brain was several seconds behind the rest of him, so he didn’t even have time to apologize before he was pulling him closer, taking Finn’s jaw in his free hand and stealing a clumsy, hungry kiss.

So fucking much for being considerate. ]

[ This kiss shocked him way more than either of the other two, obviously, but his reaction didn't show it. Instinct kicked in, and Finn suddenly had one hand tangled in Poe's curls to keep him close, returning what felt like a ridiculously desperate kiss.

Because he was desperate and hadn't managed to realize just how much until now. In fact, he never focused too hard on his feelings for Poe, a man he'd never actually have.

Yeah, Finn would probably regret this whole thing later, but right now he was too busy returning a needy kiss and failing to choke back a quiet, muffled moan from the back of his throat. ]

[ That choked moan was like a sledgehammer to the chest, and Poe groaned into the kiss as he deepened it. He felt like he was giving in to an addiction he’d avoided for almost two years—

He didn’t come up for air until his lungs forced him too, and finally pulled back, his face flushed and his lips reddened, breathing a little hard. ]

... Onay, now we can do cake, [ He suggested, though he didn’t actually move in that direction or let go of Finn’s arm. ]

[ When Poe broke away, Finn practically gasped for breath, having never been kissed like that before and not fully prepared for it. Then he remembered where they were and what they were doing- ]

Cake. [ Honestly, he was just repeating the last word he heard, eyes down at Poe's lips and hand moving through Poe's soft, previously-well-styled hair. ] You sure he's okay with this?

[ Because Finn had decided that if he was going to be a little stupid, then he might as well go full stupid and stop pretending he didn't want to do this. ]

[ Dammit he loved when people played with his hair, but he tried not to show it. ]

Yeah. [ He turned his head, eyes scanning the room. ]

Though he may be here somewhere taking notes on technique, so, hope you don’t mind being a figure in a diagram at some point.

[ It was a joke. Just. Also probably a true one. He wet his lips and looked back at him. ]

I double checked. Told him some people would feel really bad seeing their partner kiss someone else, but uh- he just said to go ahead. You can talk to him yourself if you want.

[ Finn probably should go and talk to 622, double-check with him personally. These kinds of feelings were complicated, but, then again, 622 wasn't the complicated kind of guy.

If Finn didn't trust Poe so much then maybe he would have dropped everything here and done just that. He was going to have to do it later, anyway. ]

I will.

[ But right now, he just leaned in a little slower and gently kissed Poe's lips, a little bit of a continuation from before. Also, this is the first kiss he actually initiated so hopefully it's good.

Wow, he was going to feel terrible tomorrow. ]

I mean, you could also kiss him if you—

[ He hadn’t been expecting the kiss, and so Finn’s lips silenced him mid sentence, Poe’s heart thumping in his chest.

It was so slow and sweet that it was nearly heartbreaking, and Poe’s eyes fluttered shut before he could quite gather himself to respond, leaning in a little just to tease that kiss a fraction deeper.

He hadn’t been lying when he said he could do this all night, even if he was starting to realize that this was just some new and exquisite version of self torture. ]

[ Finn had never considered kissing 622 before, not that he considered the idea with many people at all. To be honest, he wasn't really considering right now, either. Poe bringing it up was a thought for another time.

Even so, he didn't stay long, well aware that they had been putting on a show. They weren't even well hidden in this archway. While maybe he hadn't considered that with all the other things they had gotten up to, this one somehow felt a lot more private.

Which meant it was probably crossing a line. There had to be a line somewhere, right? For him, this was never just kissing but it was getting less and less obvious now, so-

So Finn gently pulled away and tried to breathe. ]

... Maybe cake's a good idea now.

[ This- He had to put a stop to this somewhere. ]

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