ximilialog | [OPEN MINGLE] aaaaaaas yooooou wiiiiiiish...!

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[OPEN MINGLE] aaaaaaas yooooou wiiiiiiish...!

CHARACTERS: Everyone! It's a mingle!
LOCATION: The Mess Hall (and Kitchen, on occasion)
DATE: not long after the 2nd mission
CONTENT: REALLY JUST... MOVIES AND COMFY BLANKETS. Yep, that's it.
WARNINGS: your character will see kate winslet's booby at some point. it's a good booby.

You may notice, in the day just before the scheduled movie-watching night, that a lot of pillows go missing. A lot of blankets, too. Where the hell —

Ahhhh. Right. Newton.

Welcome to the "Very Relaxed Easy Breezy Pajama Positive Post-Mission Sleepover" — yes, that is what was drawn in big letters on the sign outside of the mess hall, and he's not changing it, thank you very much. Everyone's generally advised to just come in whatever they're comfortable in and to bring whatever soft, comfy items they may possess. Soooomeone has, in fact, swiped a considerable amount of emergency blankets and pillows (and some from the laundry area, sorry), and the floor of the Mess Hall is now dramatically soft with a deluge of pillows that have turned the linoleum ground into the lumpy clouds you'd find straight out of a child's drawing. Some spots under and around the tables have even been raised into little forts, so you can live out your best hermit lives and pretend you're in a cave.

(And hey, make your own if you want; nobody's gonna stop you.)

There are still tables, sure, it's kind of like that game, 'the ground is lava'? Only now it's 'the ground is pillows'. You get it. Before the movie plans to start, there are a few important tasks to be done: firstly, they need food. Popcorn was easy — popcorn is kind of a perfect emergency food, actually. Kernels + fire = success! But really, they need people who are savvy in the kitchen to make some snacks for the movie. That's why for the first hour, before they're set to start, they're gonna drag anyone even remotely capable of cooking (who isn't injured still, of course) into the kitchen to help with this cause.

Godspeed, please make them something good, chefs.

While that's going on, Newton proceeds to display the fine art of shadow puppets on the currently unused projector — how lucky are they, that the mess hall has a bunch of big, beautiful white walls? Eventually he gets out some paper and scissors and gets really ridiculous —

And maybe he'll wax poetic about how he and his uncle used to spend all night making these when Newton was sick with the flu... Which is to say, you all should make shadow puppets with him. What? Did you say that it's a childish partaking? Well that's just rude, and it won't be tolerated, especially considering the first movie that plays once everything's set up is The Princess Bride. A story full of adventure! Of Rodents Of Unusual Size! Of Andre the Giant! What's there not to love, especially for those who have never seen a movie before?

Popcorn and other treats made by any kind Sleepers will be given to the hungry, and anyone who's still in a pretty bad state will get lots of pillows shoved under their legs.

The second movie is Titanic, and a certain someone has stealthily placed concerning tissue boxes around the area, some of which read 'IN CASE OF CRYING - EMERGENCY USE'. It's a longer one, and warning is given for length, but where else do you have to be? Ah, yes, the thrilling love story of Jack and Rose — can't wait to scandalize all the modest folks with that nude drawing scene! But more importantly, this ship is gonna hit an iceberg, and Kate Winslet is gonna walk through literal ice-cold water for her man Leo. You love to see it.

Just have those tissues handy if you're a sensitive person, especially during that scene where Jack's looking down at Rose and the flares are going off behind him? Anyone else get weepy at that? No? Okay, I'll just sit over here.

Once both movies have ended, everyone's welcome to stay there, of course. Why bother leaving, when you've got everything you need to sleep right here? A certain someone has used empty tins and has punched dozens of holes in them, leaving them around the mess hall tables with lights inside, so that they're not all totally left in the dark; it leaves blurry little stars scattered across the walls, imperfect but lit all the same.

See, sometimes Newt can make a quiet event happen.

... Sometimes.

On very rare occasion.

Good night, Orbers!

(OOC: Feel free to use this log however you'd like! Knowing me, I'll probably hit everyone with Newt at some point, because I'm a glutton for inbox punishment, but this is a log for everyone to mingle together and do whatever floats their boat; if you'd rather just handwave your character came to this, feel free! It's just a little thing for destressing for the characters. I'll never let go, Jack!

As always, any mention of or interaction with Newt is cool, I'll appear like a ghoul in your top level.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ After the kiss and having a few of his tears wiped away, Finn takes a deep breath. ]

I guess so... Sorry.

[ At least he's admitting it, but now he's taking James away from the movie. Finn sniffles and scrubs at one of his eyes, trying to make the whole crying thing stop, even while he snuggles a little closer. ]

Didn't mean to distract you.

Oh, don't worry about that. I can watch it later.

[ He knows how it ends anyway, at this point. And he doesn't want to be focusing on that when Finn's falling apart next to him.

He wipes away the rest of the tears, setting the tissues aside and urging Finn to lean closer and rest his head on his shoulder. ] Come here. I've got you.

[ Just because he can watch it later doesn't mean that Finn feels cool with distracting him from it now. But when James wipes away more of his tears and pulls him closer, something in Finn's chest goes warm and melts. And also maybe panics a little, given what he feels about the gesture of comfort.

But that's probably the movie putting a lot of that in his head.

He moves closer easily, resting his head against Jim's shoulder and taking a calming breath. When he glances at the movie again, he feels a lot more detached from the situation even as Rose finally realizes what was happening. Finn turns away from it and hides in Jim's neck. ]

It just got to me. Reminded me of home.

A sinking ship?

[ He'd think that unlikely, but as he says it, he wonders if it could remind Finn of a similar disaster. Something equally horrible. Jim's mind ever so helpfully brings back the memory of the Enterprise crashing into Altamid, burning through the atmosphere, while he could do nothing but watch.

Right. They really don't need to be out at sea for a ship to sink. ]

I'm so sorry, Finn. If you ever wanna talk about it... [ Well, Jim's here to listen, of course. But they don't have to do it now, or here. He will be content to just hold him and lie down with him, cradling him to sleep. ]

No. [ He shakes his head, thinks about it, then gives a little shrug. ] Well, all the time, really. But no, it's just... a lot of death. No time to stop. Good things never staying good for long.

[ Like Slip. Or Snap. Or Leia. Solo. Skywalker. Paige. Ben. Many of them, people Finn didn't know but he still watched someone close to him try to grieve and continue on at the same time. He's been fortunate in that he hasn't lost anyone incredibly close to him, not like what happened with Slip. But feeling Rey slip away- If she had stayed gone-

But really, this more has to do with the future, not the past. The constant fear and knowledge that he'll never have what he really wants, what he left the Order for.

He is getting way too into his feelings about this and takes another deep breath. ]

I'm all right. It's just a vid. I'm taking it too seriously.

You're not taking it too seriously. Some movies just... make you feel more. There's nothing wrong with that.

[ The way Finn explains it saddens him, though. Even though Jim can understand that sentiment, and he's had his own bouts of depression, sadness, and grief, he's never quite hit a rock bottom where he felt like all good things would eventually end. What would be the point of anything, really? ]

There's another spin to that. Bad things come to an end too, eventually. Life's a cycle like that, in a lot of ways. Doesn't mean that good things aren't worth fighting for, right?

[ Finn pauses, knowing that Jim's right, before he turns his head enough to look at him. ]

They're always worth it.

[ No matter how long they last. Just a few minutes can be worth everything. But he would really like more time than that. ]

I guess-... I guess I'm just getting tired. That's all.

[ He doesn't mean the late hour but he'll be fine if James assumes as much. Regardless, Finn knows that no matter how tired he gets, he's only just getting started. That's not a bad thing. Hopefully, once he's back home, whatever's left of the war will be easier and life can maybe... go in the direction he's been wanting. ]

[ Jim doesn't assume he means the late hour, no. He thinks there's plenty more to that, and he hates that he can't really help much, that he can't make it better for him. He lets out a sigh and holds Finn close, eyes closing and no longer paying any attention whatsoever to the movie. ]

That's alright. We all get tired sometimes.

[ He'd tell Finn that it's fine to take a break, but Jim doesn't know how to take breaks, and he's got a feeling it's the same for Finn. ]

[ Finn pretty much has it in his head that people will die if he takes a break. He's not... completely wrong about that.

It's good for him to hear that feeling this way is okay, though. It doesn't mean he's pausing but being tired-... It's okay.

He rests his head against James' shoulder and closes his eyes, letting himself relax a little. He definitely got overwhelmed there and is really feeling it now but he also doesn't like that he bothered James with it at all. All the same, Finn holds onto him, too, eventually tuning back into the ending of the film but in a much more detached way. ]

[ Yeah... Jim can't really criticize Finn much for that, considering how he feels about taking a break too. That said, hopefully he can find some way to get Finn to actually relax for a while and, yes, take a break.

Which was kind of the point of this whole movie night, but now it looks like the movie just made a mess of Finn. Not at all what Jim was envisioning for the night, but he sure as hell doesn't mind comforting him either. Maybe crying for a little while will help Finn feel better later... though he kind of wishes they were somewhere more private right now. ]

Come lie down with me, [ He murmurs quietly, trying to nudge Finn so he'll settle into the makeshift bed in the tent. They'll still be able to watch the movie if they feel like it, though right now Jim's more focused in comforting Finn. ]

[ The idea kind of surprises him given where they are, and Finn glances over to him even easily moving to wherever James would like him to be. Soon enough, though, Finn decides to not bother questioning after all, especially once he's actually lying down. It's nice, and he certainly doesn't care that they're in public if James doesn't.

Not because he's worried about PDA or whatever but because he still doesn't know how to explain... this... much less to an outside party. But that doesn't matter right now.

He tugs gently on Jim's hand, letting him get wherever and however he wants but still wanting to keep him close, too. James isn't going anywhere, he knows, but the contact is nice right now. Maybe he'll feel foolish later for being needy like this, but James doesn't appear to mind. ]

[ To be fair, it's not like they owe anyone else an explanation. Granted, knowing what they mean to each other is still important, but that aside, there's absolutely no reason for Jim to mind them being like this in public.

Well, semi-public. The sheets around them arranged like a makeshift tent still provides some form of privacy, and the whole room has been set up so that it's ready for one big sleepover. So, perfect.

He smiles a little at the tugging and immediately scoots closer, arm wrapped around his midsection. He leans in, pressing a kiss to Finn's cheek. ]

Better?

[ Finn shifts a little against James, settling in like he is really about to go to sleep. Maybe. It's yet to be seen. But he does weave his fingers with Jim's, though. Makes him feel a little better. ]

Much.

[ Some could say very. But then he gives a little smile. ]

I really was having fun tonight. Still am. [ Well, less fun now, but no more bad thoughts hanging over his head, anymore. ]

[ Jim smiles back easily, his fingers curling to hold Finn's hand in his a little tighter. ]

Good. So am I.

[ Despite this unexpected turn of events, which he doesn't mind. If anything it's good that Finn feels at ease enough to be this open with him.

To offer a little more comfort, he tilts his head down and kisses Finn, soft and lingering but not really deepening the contact much. Just a warm gesture that will hopefully soothe him. ]

[ It does relax him to hear that he hasn't totally ruined Jim's evening with his baggage. What's really soothing, though, is the kiss that certainly aids in making him melt, if that had been the goal.

The fingers of his free hand move up to brush over his jaw while he returns the kiss, but he otherwise doesn't try to move. Or let go. ]

[ He would happily kiss Finn for no special reason, but right now he's doing it in hopes of comforting and relaxing him, and he's glad to see that it works. For that reason he lets the contact linger, and even when he breaks the kiss, he chases it with another, and another, a succession of small, slow pecks stolen from Finn's lips.

Once he's content with that, he pulls away a little more, opening his eyes to smile at Finn, free arm propped up next to him so he can brush his fingers through his hair. ]

[ The more Jim comes back with a kiss, the wider Finn's smile becomes. He didn't even have much of one when this started, but James has successfully cheered him up.

And when he's finally done, Finn's left with a little, breathless laugh. He smiles back when he opens his eyes, once again hit with a surge of happiness that he can see him, let alone everything else that's going on. Like just being here right now.

Too sappy? Even Finn's starting to think so... As if he minds. ]

Hi... Thanks.

[ Given the quiet sweetness of the moment, some sappiness is to be expected. Jim doesn't seem to mind it much, if anything he likes it. Not exactly the kind of scenario he'd have imagined himself in, but it's... well, it's lovely. ]

Mm. My pleasure— really, [ He assures Finn, just in case he thinks Jim's being inconvenienced by this whole cheering up routine. He really isn't. ]

[ Finn does think Jim's being a little inconvenienced, yeah. But he also looks pretty happy about it, so who's Finn to complain?

Now that the gloom has lifted some, though, all of the sweetness is making Finn think about them again. They're back at the station, things are quiet, they could be in a less public space but it's not like anyone's paying them any mind. Now's as good a time as any to... define whatever this is?

Finn's smile deflates a little and he even draws breath to finally ask but-... The courage leaves him before he even realizes that there was courage involved to begin with. They're not going to have very long together, it obviously can't be all that serious, and the last thing he wants to do is scare James away.

So he instead closes the distance between them and takes another lingering kiss instead. ]

[ Even if Finn doesn't say anything, Jim can tell there's something on his mind. He can sense it in the way that smile fades, and he can see that brief moment where he nearly asked something, then gave up on it.

Not that he's complaining about the kiss. It's warmer, slower, sweeter than before, but it's like there's a layer of something else on it. Maybe just a form of distraction.

It doesn't work, and when Jim pulls from the kiss, it's probably obvious by his expression that whatever's on Finn's mind, he's not going to let it go. ]

What is it?

[ Maybe partly a distraction, yes, but Finn did honestly just want to kiss him. Especially with the "this isn't going to last long" thought running through his head.

All the same, Finn's kind of bummed that the distraction didn't actually work. Now he really doesn't know how to broach the subject but he doesn't want to keep avoiding it either, even if he thinks it's smarter to do so at this point. Probably just making a big deal out of nothing.

It doesn't feel like nothing. Not to him. Which is the problem. ]

I was just... thinking... [ Still thinking. Trying to figure out the opener here. ]

I really like you a lot... You know?

[ Could have done better. Didn't they go through something similar back at the motel? But that's also what it boils down to, isn't it? ]

[ Jim's quiet for a bit, letting Finn's words settle between them. Ah, so this is... The Talk, he's assuming. Which frankly isn't that surprising to him. The same thing's been weighing on his mind for a while and he figured that it must be on Finn's too.

Well, at least assuming that Finn does care about him kind of the same way. It could be he just wanted to have some good, casual fun, but Jim's pretty sure they're a little past that at this point. ]

Yes. I know. [ He smiles at Finn, curling his fingers tighter. ] I like you a lot, too.

[ He shifts a little, so he can lie down more comfortably, head also resting on the same pillow as Finn. ]

Do you want to talk about it?

[ Were they really ever in the good, casual fun stage?

Anyway, the affirmation, the hand in his, James shifting closer, it makes Finn smile a little again, that sweetness warm in his chest. ]

Sort of. [ ... Then his face scrunches up. ] And not really.

[ He can't say that it's pointless to do so, that none of this matters just because it won't last. It definitely matters. So how does he word this? ]

I guess I'm a little scared... We don't know when we'll go home. And I don't want to say something that will... make this end. I'm happy with what we have...

[ ... Wait, does that sound like he's asking for more? ]

I- I'm not saying I want more- I mean, I'd be happy with more, I'd love more, I'm not saying I don't- I wasn't trying to pressure you or- That's not even what I was trying to talk about. I just meant that I don't want to say the wrong thing and... then I immediately said the wrong thing. I didn't really mean it like that- I mean, I kinda did, but I- It-

[ He abruptly shuts up, closing his eyes and putting his free hand over them. Don't look at him. He's not here. That all came out wrong. ] Can I start over?

[ It takes a bit of effort not to smile when Finn starts rambling. Because yes, he gets all of that. The uncertainty of their situation, the impermanence of if all. Knowing they could both so easily be gone the next day.

But also, Finn's just really cute when he babbles and gets all awkward. It's what prompts Jim to just shake his head at that question. ]

No. No, what about... I give it a go?

[ There, that seems more fair, the two of them making some kind of effort. Besides, Jim does have a question to pose, something that's been on his mind for a while. ]

I think before we talk about anything more, I need to ask you... how you feel about polyamory. And also about open relationships.

[ He has no idea if Finn even knows what both of those are, what the difference is, so he waits to see if he asks more about it. ]

[ Wait, what?

No, the wide, surprised eyes peeking out from behind his fingers isn't about the idea of an open or polyamorous relationship. It's about the idea of... a relationship. Like... a real one. Is that what James is getting at?

So when Finn's hand falls, he doesn't actually answer Jim's questions. ] You want to do this?

[ Though, he's not sure-... Okay. Okay, yes, okay, he gets why this is what's coming up first, because his second thought behind the surprise is if they're really doing this or if it's going to be more of the same thing. Them hanging out together sometimes, sometimes being with other people, where they are now. So, yes, okay.

He blinks a couple of times like he's resetting and tries again. ]

I- I mean, I've never done any of that but... I don't have a problem with it. So long as we talk and know where we stand, what we want.

[OPEN MINGLE] aaaaaaas yooooou wiiiiiiish...!

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