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Warren and Jake bond over dinner, in Manhattan. (They go way back-- they used to know each other as kids.)

The waiter left, and Warren leaned back into his chair, smiling. "I love this restaurant," he remarked. "Haven't been here in ages." He looked Jake up and down as Jake shifted in his seat. "Hey, that suit doesn't look half bad on you," he commented, surprised.

Jake stopped squirming and preened. "I know. Why do you think I nicked it?"

Warren narrowed his eyes. "If you get anything on that suit, though, you're paying for the dry-cleaning. I don't care how good you look in it." He opened his menu and studied the options. After a pause, he spoke again. "So, how have things been since the good old days when I used to sneer at you at parties?"

Jake grinned. "Up and down. Have spent more time in Sudan than anybody could ever possibly want lately. The peace talks, you know? Trying to stay the hell out of Paraguay, trying to get transfered to working the European beat, that kind of thing." Jake trailed off, squinting at his menu. "I want salmon, by the way." He looked up, tilting his head. "You never told me what you've been doing, besides perfectionizing the grown-up Malfoy look."

Warren looked impressed. "Wow, you've been busy. Me, I graduated high school, graduated college, came to the School this past spring... and that's about it. Nothing remarkable. What brought you to the school?"

At that moment, the waiter interrupted. "Are you ready to order, or should I just get your drinks?"

"Salmon and whatever wine you'd recommend," Jake said rapidly, beaming at the waiter, who grinned back and then looked disturbed by himself. In return he looked extremely stone-faced over at Warren, waiting for his order. Warren smiled politely. "Merlot and the steak, medium rare." The waiter nodded, took their menus, and left.

Warren turned back to Jake. "So, you were saying?"

Jake looked blank for a moment, then his face cleared. "You were asking me what brought me to the school. I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been wandering around as a woman lately..."

Warren raised his eyebrows. "Yes, in fact, I have noticed." He waited for Jake to continue.

"Yeah, well, it's not because I'm having a weird kinky phase or anything. I just haven't been able to turn back into, well, this," he gestured towards his chest. "Not permanently, anyway. I keep sliding back into the girl. It's driving me insane, I swear." He thought for a moment, then brightened, apparently unable to stay in a sulk for long this day. "I've got a kick-arse wardrobe now, though."

Warren laughed. "Yeah, Emma's always had an amazing sense of style. So, um, what happened to cause this change...? If you don't mind me asking, that is." Warren shifted uncomfortably. "I mean, I've heard stuff, but I wanted to hear from you what happened."

"The Weird Machine Incident," Jake said, sighing. "I mean. You know the day of the Headache of the Century? Yeah, well. I was working, so I'd just 'shifted into the woman, then the headache hit, I passed out and when I woke up, I couldn't change back."

"Ah. Yeah, I'd heard something like that," Warren nodded. He tilted his head, apparently thinking. "So, uh, what's it like being a woman?"

Jake stared. "What?"

Warren blushed. "Sorry. I guess that's a pretty personal question. Never mind."

"It is, rather." Jake eyed him. "Why'd you want to know? I thought you were gay, not..." He waved his hand in a completely random, yet very telling way.

The waiter returned then with their food, interrupting the conversation. "Salmon for you." He nodded at Jake, putting the plate down in front of him. "And a steak." Warren smiled up at the waiter in thanks. "Enjoy your meal," the waiter said as he left.

Warren stared at his steak and bit his lip, still not over his embarassment. "I was just curious, but I really should've thought before I spoke, so please, don't answer if you don't want to." He cleared his throat. "Also, I'm bisexual, not gay, if that answers your question." He began cutting into his food.

Jake contemplated this, not really wanting to get into 'what it feels like for a girl' yet... "Does that mean you find me stunningly handsome in both shapes?" he said finally, grinning broadly.

Warren relaxed visibly and beamed back. "Who wouldn't?" he said, winking. "Especially when you're wearing a fine suit like that."

"They do say the clothes maketh the man," Jake agreed. He ate a few pieces of the salmon, then, looking almost uncertain, asked, "How'd you know you're bisexual?"

It was Warren's turn to look surprised. "How'd I know? What do you mean? Well, um... I'm attracted to both men and women, so I'm bisexual..." He frowned as he chewed on a piece of steak. "Sorry, I'm not quite sure how to answer your question."

Jake shook his head. "It's just. It's weird, being a girl. I can't tell what's me and what's her, anymore." He paused. "Ross kissed me, right? And I. Kind of liked it. But I haven't even. I like women, Warren."

Warren's mouth dropped open. "Ross kissed you?? Damn... You're going to have to tell me more about that." Warren paused, considering. "You know, there's nothing wrong with liking both women and men," he commented with a wry smile. "Whether you're in male form or female form, you're still you, and if you like men sometimes, that's okay."

Jake sighed. "Yeah, except, I don't know if I do. Not when I'm like this." He gestured towards himself again. He gave Warren a little wry grin. "I'm not yearning to get into your pants, for instance." He stopped. "Except. I'm technically _in_ your pants, aren't I?"

Warren winked. "First of all, yes, you are in my pants, and second, nonsense! Everyone yearns to get into my pants. It's just that my pants are reserved for Piotr. Don't be too heartbroken." He let out a laugh, and then his smile melted into a look of concern. "Seriously, though, don't worry about it too much. If you like men, you like men, and if you don't, you don't. I know it'll sound cheesy, but just follow your heart."

"You're absolutely no help," Jake announced disgustedly. "Also," he jabbed his fork in Warren's direction. "What do you see in the Russian?"

Warren's face turned cool. "Piotr is my boyfriend and I care about him very much," he said simply. He chewed silently on his steak, refusing to say more on the matter.

"Well, that cleared it right up."

After a moment, Jake sighed and looked contrite. "I'm sorry. I'm just being a bitch. I'm sure the ru-- Piotr has loads of nice qualities, and is undoubtedly a viking -- or a cossack, I suppose -- in the sack. Really."

For a moment, Warren just looked shocked, and then he dropped his head back and began to laugh. "Oh, Jake," he chuckled. "Same old Jake. Always managing to shock." He let out a few last giggles, and then turned back to Jake. "Oh, you should get to know Piotr. He's great. I'm sure you two'll have a chance to talk during the vacation... So... What's this about Ross, eh?"

Jake looked slightly doubtful at the mention of Piotr and himself having a 'man to man', then rolled his eyes. "He's funny, I'm apparently the slowest person on the planet, he invited me to watch the playoffs at his place, I went. He kissed me. I ran like hell. The end."

"Oh. Damn." Warren's expression darkened. "I always thought there was something kinda sketchy about him. But... you kind of liked it, eh? That's a hell of a way to find out that you might be bisexual."

Saschaian: "Tell me about it." Jake poked at the remains of his fish. "It's not entirely Ross' fault... I mean, I know I flirt, I just, I wasn't thinking. And now I can't fucking stop."

Warren raised an eyebrow. "Can't stop... flirting?"

Jake threw a piece of potato at him and made a face. "Can't stop thinking about it, idiot. Like you." Jake pointed with his fork at Warren. "Do we banter? Do we flirt? Am I completely cradle robbing? Or, is this in fact incredibly macho type bonding? What?"

Warren brushed off his shirt where the potato had hit. "Oh, that was mature. This had better not stain," he whined. He bit his lip and sighed. "Far be it for me to give you advice, O Wise Elder One, but I think you're overthinking this. We're friends, Jake, and we're talking. That's all there is to it. Just go where the flow takes you." He advised with a forced lightness, but his face looked slightly troubled.

Jake smacked the back of his hand against his forehead. "I know I'm overthinking it! That's what I'm saying! ...I hate Ross," he added, growling. He disappeared off into some haze of his own, but quickly shook it off, and smiled tiredly at Warren. "Not exactly the dinner you were hoping for, eh?"

Warren smiled back. He leaned forward and touched Jake's arm comfortingly. "It's all good," he assured. He leaned back in his chair. "Speaking of dinner, do you want dessert or shall we to pick up Piotr and Yana now?"

Jake tilted his head to the right, and then smiled his most dazzling smile, cheerfully repressing and denying once more. "Oh, I must have cake and coffee before leaving here. And that is a yearning."
potatonion: Warren grinned at Jake. Looking around, he caught the waiter's eye, and he promptly came over.

"Dessert?" asked the waiter.

"Do you still have that lovely chocolate cake?" Jake inquired. When the waiter nodded affirmative, Jake beamed at him. "One for me, please, and a plain black coffee." He tilted his head at Warren again. "You having anything?"

"Ah..." Warren paused and surveyed the dessert menu. "The cheesecake, please."

The waiter gave a curt nod and left. Warren turned his attention back to Jake. "So, are we done overthinking?"

Jake grinned, and rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Yeah, I think so."

Warren smiled back. "Good. So... do you have clothes for the semiformal on Friday? You're going, right?"

"I am, yeah." Jake's grin widened. "Was what I was posting about before we left for dinner, actually. And, no, I didn't bring any of my new clothes, so... Um. I'm gonna have to raid your closet again..."

Warren let out a mock groan. "Again? Jesus, Jake, I thought you bought at least some men's clothes when you were out with Emma."

Jake gave him a guilty look. "Um. No. Just the red shirt... The really, really red shirt. The one you threatened to throw water on to put it out."

Warren chuckled, remembering. "Tell you what. I don't think Piotr expects us back for another hour or so... I think we've got time for a quick shopping spree."

Jake grimaced at the thought of another shopping round, but nodded reluctantly. "I have to, I suppose. I mean, presumably you need clothes to wear too, so I can't nick all of them..."

Warren nodded in agreement. "In fact, yes, I do need clothes to wear. You've already taken most of them. I know shopping this time of year sucks, but you're long overdue for a shopping spree. C'mon, we'll just get you a couple of outfits for you to wear while you're here."

The waiter returned. "Chocolate cake and coffee," he announced, setting a plate and mug in front of Jake, "and cheesecake." He placed a dish in front of Warren.

Warren took a bite. "Want some?" he offered Jake.

Jake had already dived into the chocolate cake and shook his head, mouth full. He swallowed. "You've got to try this, though. Heaven on a plate."

"Don't mind if I do." Warren took a bite. "Damn, I can't believe I never tried their chocolate cake in all these years," he remarked. His eyes flickered back to Jake. "But don't change the subject, Jake... shopping?"

Jake nodded, giving in. "Yeah, yeah. But if a mother of seven slays me because she thought I was eyeing the last Terminator doll or something, I'm blaming you."

"It's a deal." Warren took a last bite of his cheesecake, and pushed it aside. "I don't think I can eat any more... I'm stuffed. Ready to go when you are."

Jake downed the remains of his coffee, and rose. "Let's get this over with."