Late Night Advice

Posted on Tue Feb 22nd, 2022 @ 1:06am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Mason Malone & Lieutenant Commander Finnley Keating VII

Mission: Character Development
Location: Finn's quarters
Timeline: MD3, 2200
2231 words - 4.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Finn leaned back against the couch with a heavy sigh. So many discoveries had come forth that night it was almost hard to process it all, in fact, maybe it was best to take a break from processing. With that thought, she grasped the now cold mug of coffee on the table and took a sip before eyeing Mason. She had almost forgotten he was still there.

"You better eat some of these snacks. I labored over the replicator making them for a whole five minutes before you got here," she chuckled.

Mason suddenly looked up, having been in deep thought almost to the point of falling asleep. "Hmm?" he queried, almost drowsily. He sipped his own cold coffee and frowned. "Do you, maybe... have a new one?" he asked sheepishly, holding up said mug.

"Sure," she took his glass and placed it on the replicator. A fresh cup reappeared a moment later and Finn walked it back, noticing Mason's weary eyes along the way. "You look tired," she said, handing him the mug as she obtained a handful of chocolate candies from the table.

"Yeah..it's been a crazy few days, running back and forth between things," Mason admitted, "I've not entertained a hell of a lot of sleep lately." He accepted the mug and took a few sips. "Nor a hell of a lot of rest and well....Teyo being so obnoxious didn't exactly help either. I'm not sure what his problem is."

"Running back and forth? Like between security assignments? And don't mind Fenn. He's always a mess," Finn offered an empathetic smile.

"He's an ass," Mason retorted, his native accent unusually thick, "rude, and self centered." He shrugged. "Enough about him though... yes running between assignments. Helping you guys... follow the XO into mayhem and make sure she didn't get killed... then this.. then that...." He smiled. "Almost like being a marine again..."

"Wow, sounds busy. I take it you haven't had much of a chance to talk to Kevan then after our triple turned quadruple date?" Finn immediately held up a hand before Mason could respond. "Don't worry, I'm not asking for my own interests. I know what I did was dumb and that we'll never be anything more than friends."

The young man's face fell as he shook his head. "No, not really, other than pretty much ordering him around well...once I guess. I haven't spoken to him at all since that botched date attempt." He cast her a small but sad smile. "Heh... I know you had to try... but yeah, I'm sorry Finn there's only friends between us, if anything at all. I.." Mason faltered, looking down at his coffee. "It took me a long time to accept me for who I am, especially since I've never had any romantic feelings for a female before. It's always been boys, from the first time I ever had feelings for anyone. Hell... my worst mistake probably was the Gorn I fell in love with...I was only just learning Gorn, and I made a grave and very nearly fatal mistake."

"Excuse me?" Finn lifted a very intrigued eyebrow. At least, now she didn't feel as bad about Mason not falling for her. If he was attracted to the Gorn, it was easy to see that he wouldn't be captivated by her. Though how one could ever be attracted to a Gorn in the first place seemed beyond comprehension.

Finn quickly piled some popcorn into a bowl and sank deeper into the couch before looking directly at Mason. "I'm going to need details."

"I was just sixteen, and I met a teenage Gorn... and we talked a lot and I was learning his language and well..." Mason blushed. "I fell for him. But there was just this tiny detail he hadn't told me about his culture so when I kissed him, he almost killed me. He actually thought he had, because he had fled in shame. How was I supposed to know that, until he had his offsping, he wasn't free to choose a life mate?"

"Well," Finn shrugged, "you know what they say. Always research another planet's relationship traditions before you get in a relationship with an alien. What is it that attracted you to him?" She asked, curious to learn more.

Mason chuckled. "Certainly not his looks... it was just.. the way he was? Curious, kind, inquisitive... And we were on Earth... his father worked at the Gorn embassy." He pulled his fingers across his chest. "Slashed me right here after he felt I wronged him. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I learned he had thought he had killed me, and that he never heard that I had tried to contact him. How can I blame him for what he did? I was sixteen, and had just figured out for myself that I was different, and I was still struggling too."

"Different because you were attracted to violent aliens?" Finn chuckled and pause for a thoughtful moment. She looked at Mason with a pensive smile. "Can I make a suggestion?"

"Different because unlike my friends, I wasn't falling in love with girls and follow them like a crazed puppy," Mason smiled with a nod. "Sure..."

"I know you don't want to hear this, because I've been in your shoes, but...let go of Kevan. He doesn't deserve you and he's not interested. Find someone that loves you for who you are and isn't ashamed or shy about it." Finn sat silently, letting the words sink in before speaking again. "Have you met Paxton?"

Mason shook his head. "No, I don't think so." He sighed softly. "I know...and I hear you but... somehow I have hope. I mean... I don't think I'm chasing him or anything, and I think I've been extremely patient... but..." He sighed again. "I think he's in denial. I think he is...where I was as a teenager? Struggling? I feel I need to give him some space, somehow, while he figures out how he feels? the reason I say I have hope, is because he did kiss me, without prompt from me. You know? And I can't just turn this switch on how I feel about someone..."

"Look, I get it. I feel the same way about you, but are your feelings going to change? No. So I have to move on. How do you know it wasn't just one time fluke? You've approached him since and every time he shuts you down." She let out a somewhat exasperated sigh as Mason failed to exhibit any sign of being swayed to her advice. "At least, try finding someone else in the meantime. Please? I hate seeing you pine over someone that won't give you the time of day."

"I guess..." Mason remained quiet for several seconds. "I wish I could change how I feel... I mean... and I think I said it before? But you're not bad looking yourself, and you're funny and fun to be with. I do feel I can be myself, but... I have never had feelings for a female before, trust me I have tried, as a teenager. It just isn't there... I guess I'm just weird, and wired odd huh."

Finn half chuckled. "Stop trying to explain it to me. You don't have to, I get it, and it's fine. Do I wish I had been dealt better cards? Yea. So far it's looking like I'm going to be a lonely old cat lady in my later years. But..." she held her hands up in a shrug. "It is what it is. I have my career and that'll be enough. I'm just concerned about you, waiting around for someone that doesn't deserve you. I'm telling you, you should let me hook you up with one of my engineers. Paxton. He's one of the nicest guys I know and I think you guys would get along."

"Is he into guys?" Mason asked, almost immediately, "I mean... I'm not going to get burned if he's cute and everything right?" And yet...why did trying to move on feel so much like cheating?

"George likes everyone. Though he's not fallen in love with a Gorn that I know of," Finn laughed before twisting her expression to a more serious one. "You won't get burned. But maybe don't talk about Kevan if you meet up with him. I mean, no one wants to hear about another's previous relationship right?"

"There wasn't really a relationship, was there?" Mason quipped, "at least... I don't think there is, even though I would love it." Mason shook his head. "I can't make any promises Finn... Kev's gone deep, you know? My feelings for him won't change... it's almost as bad as when I fell for Alex."

"Meet with him. Worst case you make another friend and we can all hang out together, it doesn't have to turn into something romantic. Deal?" She put out a hand, signaling him to shake if he agreed with the terms.

Mason cast her a brief frown at the out stretched hand, but he took it anyway. "Sure, deal," he agreed, "but... no expectations and uh... No going to one's quarters together after a prospect date." He didn't want to give any wrong impressions, and he didn't want to put his own integrity on the line. Honour was very important to him, it was drilled into him from a young age, and even more so when he had joined the corps.

"Fair enough," the situation was just a problem that Finn wanted to fix. Even if they just ended up as friends, maybe enough friends would keep his mind off of the interested Kevan. "Now, with business settled. Can I get you anything replicator? Do you need another coffee, or want a snack that isn't already on the table?"

"No..." Mason cast her a grateful smile now. "You've been very kind already. I really shouldn't keep you much longer, especially not after all that stuff from earlier. A space egg...who would've thought?"

"I know, it's crazy. You're sure I can't interest you in anything?" She asked once more. Truthfully Finn didn't want to be alone. Most of the time she preferred it, but relationship talk didn't always leave her in the best of mental spaces and sometimes it was nicer to just ignore the thoughts with distractions than it was to deal with them. Then again, she'd never beg or let on to that fact.

There was something... He could just see it as he looked at her. This was where his training as a radioman and linguist really came in handy. "What's wrong?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice. He was really starting to get the feeling she didn't want him to leave.

"Nothing," Finn feigned confusion. Did she want company? Yes. Did she want him to know why? Definitely not. "I just figured a second offer would be nice, especially since you're so tired. Wouldn't want you walking back to your quarters and falling asleep halfway there in the middle of the corridor," she chuckled slightly and smiled. If there was one thing she had gotten good at over the years, it was putting on a smile and acting as if everything was perfect. Even if that wasn't always the case on the inside. The only one that could possibly ruin her façade was Xavier, but even he hadn't be able to crack that far in yet.

"You're lying to a linguist," Mason said gently, "tell me... what's going on? Did someone hurt you? I mean.. other than me, apparently and really that's the last thing I'd want.."

"No, nothing like that." It was the truth. Her last real relationship didn't end in disloyalty or a faded affection. Instead, it was abrupt and unexpected. "Sometimes having company is just nice. I'm not always a hermit you know," Finn chuckled. It was the only explanation she was willing to give, but at this point, he had become too close and it was time to end the night. She wanted a distraction, not a line of questioning.

A sincere smile lit up on her face. "I appreciate the concern, but there's nothing to be concerned about. Really. There's just been too much excitement tonight and now my brain is all jumbled up. Which I think means it's time for bed." Finn stood, cuing Mason that it was time to leave. "Thanks for your help. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright..." Mason stood as well. "If it's just company you want.. we can always hang out." He grinned. "After all, you are my mud-buddy."

She grinned at the silly yet endearing nickname. "Speaking of which...join me on the mud course tomorrow morning before our shifts?"

"Before shift? Sure. Meet you at 0600?" Mason smiled happily. A work-out, especially with a friend, was a good way to start the day. A very good way.

"0600 sounds good. I'll talk with George also. I have an idea you two might like." Finn mentioned as they walked towards the door.

"Alright." Mason smiled. "Good night then Finn, and don't let this all bug you too much. You too, need rest."

"You," she pointed a finger at him, "should consider your own advice. Have a good night. See you tomorrow!"