[Ben got to the bar a little before five thirty and snagged them a table, in the corner, and sat down. He had just moved to the West Coast from New York. He needed a change of pace. Too many people knew who he was in New York, even when he had been working in the city.
He had landed in San Francisco.
Ben hadn't purposely been looking to go to another large city. But his company had an opening and it was the furthest he could go on the continuous US from New York City. A win.
When the waiter came over, a flirty smile on his face, Ben placed an order for water and an appetizer. He didn't know what Cassian drank. So he would wait...]
[Cassian begged off of work a little earlier than usual, saying goodbyes and have a good weekends to some of his co-workers before stepping into the cool early evening air. He wished that he had time to go home and change, but then he never would have made it to the bar in time.
To meet Ben.
A stranger that he'd accidentally sent a message to instead of the intended recipient. Fuck, if Jyn or Kay knew, they'd call him crazy. But at the same time, was this very different than meeting someone of off of Tinder or Bumble or any number of other dating apps?
He shook his head, adjusted the bag slung over his shoulder and across his back, and kept walking. Soon enough, he stepped into the bar and perused the gathering crowd until he found exactly who he was looking for, his heartbeat stuttering in anticipation as he made his way to the corner.
He smiled slightly and cleared his throat as he approached.]
[He was nervous. Ben didn't make friends, so to speak, easily. People always wanted things from him. Things his family could do. So he usually kept to himself.
But here, here in San Francisco, he could be Ben Solo, not Benjamin Organa. And it was refreshing.
And meeting this man. Maybe it was a good thing. Fate....]
[Cassian felt a little awkward as he stood by the table for a few heartbeats more. Eventually, he sort of chuckled at himself and removed his bag before sitting across from Ben with a sigh.
He ran his fingers through his hair - too long, his mother would chastise, smile widening slowly as he glanced up again and met Ben's eyes.
He didn't really do this. Well - he did go out, but usually with friends. Cassian was a little too entrenched in his work to go out and date much, although Jyn and his mother often conspired to get him back out there.
But that's not what this was. And maybe that was for the better.]
Oh, don't worry, I'll get a beer when the waiter pops back by. They showcase a lot from local breweries if you're into that kind of thing.
[Cassian set his phone on the table in front of him, and then proceeded to fidget with his hands, like he was nervous. And truth be told, he was. If Ben had been attractive via photo, in person, even more so.
But again, not a date. They'd met purely by chance, and Ben had said it himself - he was new to the city and lacking friends. No more, no less.]
Well, I'd say my aggressively bad day is starting to look a little better now.
[Ben fell quiet as their appetizers were put down in front of them.
He had gotten them loaded tater tots and what the pub was known for, the nacho flight. Four different types of nachos. Different meats and cheeses and even chips.]
Thank you. And can I get the Batsquach from Rogue?
[The quiet wasn't all that uncomfortable, though, except for maybe the subtle glare the waiter shot Cassian's way as he put in his drink order after Ben put in his.
But he didn't speak again until he and Ben were left to themselves with the food - which smelled fantastic, as always, gesturing for Ben to take some first
He was the newcomer, after all.]
So ... you said you're new to city. Move here for work?
[Cassian followed suit, taking a bite of nacho, nodding along as Ben answered his question. Made sense. A lot of people he knew weren't native to the area, and, well ... neither was he.]
Yeah, I get that. I think it's a good thing to seek out a change of scenery from time to time. There's a lot to do here, so I hope you settle in well, have lots of fun.
[He reached into the pan for more nachos, flushing slightly as instead, he found Ben's fingers and accidentally made contact.]
[Ben pulled his hand away and smiled ever so shyly at him. He moved to another one of the nachos on the flight and took some of that one. He wasn't going to deny that Cassian was attractive. So very much. He just hoped that he wasn't flushing too hard...]
Where are you from? And thank you. People say you never need to leave the city, but I love parks and nature. I love hiking. A bonus on top of being so far from New York? It's close the Redwoods, which I've always wanted to see.
[He then fell quiet when their drinks were set down.]
[Cassian wasn't offended - Ben hadn't pulled his hand away quickly nor made a disgusted face. He just seemed ... surprised. He observed the color in Ben's cheeks and his own blush deepened all the further
He felt ridiculous. He felt like a kid on his first date all over again.
But it wasn't the least bit uncomfortable.]
San Diego - so I can still visit home fairly easily. I agree about nature, though, sometimes it's nice to just get away from everything, you know? I haven't been to the Redwoods, but it's on my bucket list.
[The drinks were sat down, Cassian's a little harder than Ben's, but he still thanked the waiter as he reached for it, wanting to take a sip.]
[Cassian wasn't put off by the suggestion - although he was sure Kay would be horrified at the very idea that Cassian was even considering it, a trip with a man that was still a perfect stranger.
His smile only just widened all the further and he nodded his agreement, shrugging one shoulder slightly.]
Yeah - could be fun.
[Cassian hummed as he reached for a tot, popping it into his mouth and chewing carefully.]
The city is full of interesting places. Museums, galleries, shops. And food, don't forget the food. That's not even taking into account the usual tourist traps. Could give you a list of my favorite places, if you want.
[Cassian laughed then - a long, hearty sound, nodding once again. When his eyes met Ben's once more, his eyes were bright with amusement.]
Yeah, I suppose I could do that, too. It's always better to go with a friend.
[His inner Kay was definitely screaming at him now, but Cassian brushed the annoying little thoughts away. He had always had a good sense of people, and he detected nothing off about Ben.]
[Cassian didn't move his hand away, although the gentle, fleeting touch was more than enough to cause his heart to flutter. It was an interesting sensation, to say the least, one that he couldn't remember feeling before.]
Fancy - [He replied, teasing gently, his smile sliding still wider yet.] Lawyer, emphasis on civil rights. I'm not one of the big guys you see on tv or anything, but I do assist.
[Cassian shook his head, reaching for another bit of nachos. He hadn't eaten all day, but he wanted to show some semblance of manners.]
Different work. But yours is important, too. I'd never say otherwise.
[For the most part, the other patrons were paying Ben and Cassian no attention whatsoever. And he liked it that way. Made the conversation comfortable, not having to worry if anyone was trying to eavesdrop.]
I really do apologize for our initial meeting. I don't generally tend to go around punching people, just so you know.
[Again, Cassian did not pull his hand away. Some part of him hoped that Ben was flirting a little bit. And even if it never went any further, that'd be okay. It just felt good to connect with someone again.
And, truth be told, he really rather liked Ben thus far. He seemed like a genuinely good person.
He laughed as he watched Ben steal some of his nachos, but let it slide easily, popping his bite into his mouth.]
Maybe some things really do just happen for a reason.
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bakerstreet2020-08-21 03:18 pm
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See you tonight?
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He had landed in San Francisco.
Ben hadn't purposely been looking to go to another large city. But his company had an opening and it was the furthest he could go on the continuous US from New York City. A win.
When the waiter came over, a flirty smile on his face, Ben placed an order for water and an appetizer. He didn't know what Cassian drank. So he would wait...]
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To meet Ben.
A stranger that he'd accidentally sent a message to instead of the intended recipient. Fuck, if Jyn or Kay knew, they'd call him crazy. But at the same time, was this very different than meeting someone of off of Tinder or Bumble or any number of other dating apps?
He shook his head, adjusted the bag slung over his shoulder and across his back, and kept walking. Soon enough, he stepped into the bar and perused the gathering crowd until he found exactly who he was looking for, his heartbeat stuttering in anticipation as he made his way to the corner.
He smiled slightly and cleared his throat as he approached.]
Hi ... Ben?
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Hi Cassian.
[He was nervous. Ben didn't make friends, so to speak, easily. People always wanted things from him. Things his family could do. So he usually kept to himself.
But here, here in San Francisco, he could be Ben Solo, not Benjamin Organa. And it was refreshing.
And meeting this man. Maybe it was a good thing. Fate....]
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He ran his fingers through his hair - too long, his mother would chastise, smile widening slowly as he glanced up again and met Ben's eyes.
He didn't really do this. Well - he did go out, but usually with friends. Cassian was a little too entrenched in his work to go out and date much, although Jyn and his mother often conspired to get him back out there.
But that's not what this was. And maybe that was for the better.]
So, uh ... how are you?
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Oh. I ordered an appetizer. But wasn't sure what you liked to drink.
[Ben picked up his glass of water and took a sip. He relaxed a little, smiling at the other man.
He knew his mother worried about him, his best friend harped on him. But... He... He didn't want to do anything rushed.]
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[Cassian set his phone on the table in front of him, and then proceeded to fidget with his hands, like he was nervous. And truth be told, he was. If Ben had been attractive via photo, in person, even more so.
But again, not a date. They'd met purely by chance, and Ben had said it himself - he was new to the city and lacking friends. No more, no less.]
Well, I'd say my aggressively bad day is starting to look a little better now.
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[Ben fell quiet as their appetizers were put down in front of them.
He had gotten them loaded tater tots and what the pub was known for, the nacho flight. Four different types of nachos. Different meats and cheeses and even chips.]
Thank you. And can I get the Batsquach from Rogue?
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But he didn't speak again until he and Ben were left to themselves with the food - which smelled fantastic, as always, gesturing for Ben to take some first
He was the newcomer, after all.]
So ... you said you're new to city. Move here for work?
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Sorta. My firm has an office out here, but I had to get away from New York City.
[When he went in for the next helping of nachos, their fingers brushed.]
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Yeah, I get that. I think it's a good thing to seek out a change of scenery from time to time. There's a lot to do here, so I hope you settle in well, have lots of fun.
[He reached into the pan for more nachos, flushing slightly as instead, he found Ben's fingers and accidentally made contact.]
I'm not from here, either.
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Where are you from? And thank you. People say you never need to leave the city, but I love parks and nature. I love hiking. A bonus on top of being so far from New York? It's close the Redwoods, which I've always wanted to see.
[He then fell quiet when their drinks were set down.]
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He felt ridiculous. He felt like a kid on his first date all over again.
But it wasn't the least bit uncomfortable.]
San Diego - so I can still visit home fairly easily. I agree about nature, though, sometimes it's nice to just get away from everything, you know? I haven't been to the Redwoods, but it's on my bucket list.
[The drinks were sat down, Cassian's a little harder than Ben's, but he still thanked the waiter as he reached for it, wanting to take a sip.]
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[Ben didn't mean to blurt it out. It had just... Happened.
He then glanced at their waiter and smile cheerfully at him and then thanked him.
He turned his attention back to Cassian]
I havne't been anywhere else in California.
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His smile only just widened all the further and he nodded his agreement, shrugging one shoulder slightly.]
Yeah - could be fun.
[Cassian hummed as he reached for a tot, popping it into his mouth and chewing carefully.]
The city is full of interesting places. Museums, galleries, shops. And food, don't forget the food. That's not even taking into account the usual tourist traps. Could give you a list of my favorite places, if you want.
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[He couldn't help the smile that grew over his face at the thought. Spending more time with this man.
He was fairly certain that Rey and Poe (even Finn) would be worried. Talking like this with a mam he barely knew.
But it was right. There was something in this...]
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Yeah, I suppose I could do that, too. It's always better to go with a friend.
[His inner Kay was definitely screaming at him now, but Cassian brushed the annoying little thoughts away. He had always had a good sense of people, and he detected nothing off about Ben.]
So ... what do you do?
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He smiled at him and then pulled his hand away.
Ben took a sip of his beer, taking a breath. He liked that it was quiet here. Many of the bars he went to in New York were loud.]
I'm financial analyst. I handle accounts for several large international companies.
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Fancy - [He replied, teasing gently, his smile sliding still wider yet.] Lawyer, emphasis on civil rights. I'm not one of the big guys you see on tv or anything, but I do assist.
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[He took another swig of his beer and relaxed back against the chair.
Ben looked at the people grouped together. No one was glancing at him or whispering It was refreshing.]
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Different work. But yours is important, too. I'd never say otherwise.
[For the most part, the other patrons were paying Ben and Cassian no attention whatsoever. And he liked it that way. Made the conversation comfortable, not having to worry if anyone was trying to eavesdrop.]
I really do apologize for our initial meeting. I don't generally tend to go around punching people, just so you know.
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Ben stole a piece of the meat from the pile Cassian had in hand and popped it into his mouth.
Was he flirting? He wasn't sure.]
It's alright. I get it.
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And, truth be told, he really rather liked Ben thus far. He seemed like a genuinely good person.
He laughed as he watched Ben steal some of his nachos, but let it slide easily, popping his bite into his mouth.]
Maybe some things really do just happen for a reason.
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[Ben finished his beer and decided to lean forward a bit and kiss Cassian on the cheek.
He pulled back flushing just a bit, but there was a gentle smile on his face.]
Also, is it just me or is our waiter glaring at you?
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