Shiro & Jean-Paul, backdated to Tuesday evening

[x-sanfuaiyaa.livejournal.com]

Shiro tells Jean-Paul all about his new girlfriend (!), a subject that Jean-Paul isn't particularly fond of.


Shiro carefully placed the dirty dishes in the sink and went to pour water into two mugs. It had been his turn to take care of dinner, and while he couldn't claim even a fraction of Jean-Paul's culinary talent, he wasn't hopeless. "I was considering reserving tickets for West Side Story," he said, grasping one mug in each hand and focusing his powers. "Do you think opera seats for a Broadway show are too much for a third date? I do not want to be too forward."

"I suppose it depends on the girl. Merci." The mug was a little too hot to be held comfortably, but it distracted Jean-Paul enough to keep him from saying anything foolish. "On a scale of one to five, how smitten does she seem?"

"I do not know. Three? Kali enjoyed our first date enough to agree to a second, and she has not stopped talking to me at school. That must count for something." Shiro carefully dropped the teabag into his mug and watched as tendrils of green spread out into the water, darkening it. "It has been such a long time since I have actually dated, I do not know what is happening."

"And so you talk to the man who hasn't been on a date in over five years? You poor boy." Jean-Paul set his mug down. "You could always simply ask her, I suppose. Not directly, but mention the show and that you enjoy the view from the opera seats and see how she reacts. If she does not feel that you're solely trying to impress her, I doubt it will make her as uncomfortable."

"Is it acceptable to also mention that opera seats are more expensive than the balcony? That might make me more favorable." Shiro sighed. "I really do not know how to do this. Alex and I never actually 'dated,' and Clarice and I were already friends before we became exclusive. How would you react if I only just started to know you and asked you to Broadway with me?"

"Again, it depends on how material the girl is." Shiro's question brought Jean-Paul's thoughts to a complete halt for a moment and he had to scramble to keep his brain from taking it as something other than a hypothetical. "Assuming we were classmates and already dating? I would take it as a sign that you wished to impress me and wanted to keep me around. What I think you would want me around for would depend on our previous dates."

That was just what he wanted to hear, although the implications of what Kali or Jean-Paul or anyone would want was a little nerve-wracking. Shiro took a triumphant sip of tea and sat back, trying to force the sudden tension out of his back. "Good. I think I actually have a chance, then. That is, assuming she thinks like you. Which would admittedly make things much easier for me."

If she thought like me, you'd wind up pinned to a wall in a secluded corner, missing the second act.
Jean-Paul cleared his throat and tried to push that mental image out of his head.

"I may find myself in the same situation soon enough. I'm going to see what Manhattan's night life has to offer this weekend."

Ever the image of decorum, Shiro did not snort into his tea. It took him a moment to formulate his thoughts into polite words. "Sou ne? What magical force has compelled you to seek new company instead of staying at home?" For certain definitions of polite.

"As I said, it's been five years since I tried to connect romantically with another person." Aborted breakfast discussions did not count. "I have to rejoin the world at some point and, fulfilling as it is to teach here, it doesn't cover all of my social needs. Though," the speedster confessed, "it comes close."

Shiro took another sip of his tea and smirked. "No one here could handle you, anyway. What are your plans, then?"

"I can think of several I'd be willing to have try, but they are all some combination of straight, taken, or inappropriate. So out into the world I go." Jean-Paul picked up his mug and sipped. He'd let his tea steep too long; it was slightly bitter. "I don't have a plan per se, save find a club and see what bites."

"May you have better luck than I did." At least Jean-Paul had the luxury of actually wanting what he wanted. "Are you going to tell men who you are? That could be very good bait."

Jean-Paul's grimace had nothing to do with the tea in his cup. "And it would ensure a miserable night of me answering the same questions I've had talked to death over the last twenty years. The IOC ruling, Alpha Flight, various scandals...ugh. Even the ones who try to respect boundaries assume they know me because they know of me, and the ones who do not tempt me to resort to violence. I'd rather not do that any more often than I have to."

The trials of being an attractive and alluring celebrity, Shiro supposed. "I talked about you with Kali. She does not know who you are except in the vaguest sense, but she was intrigued. I at least managed to dispel any nasty rumors before she learned of them."

Jean-Paul laughed. "You always talk about your old teachers to your dates?"

Shiro laughed to cover up his reddening face. "I must have mentioned you in reference to something else, and the topic turned to you," he saved. "I would figure this would please you."

"Well, it does." Jean-Paul began mentally practicing excuses for turning in early; he had to get out of here before he gave himself away and things became mutually awkward. "It is just a surprise, that is all. Now I have to ask what you told her."

"Nothing incriminating." Like what Jean-Paul looked like naked or what Shiro's reaction to seeing him was. His face turned even redder at that memory. "Songs of praise, I am sure. I must have made your ears burn. Metaphorically," he added hastily.

"She must be a saint to put up with such tales," Jean-Paul teased. "I wish you luck in your pursuit."

"I am always attracted to people who are better than I am," Shiro said into his tea after a moment's hesitation.