xp_logs | Manuel & Jean-Paul

Manuel and Jean-Paul go through their usual back and forth banter by the poolside.

With Valentia under the watchful care of adult eyes, Manuel was able to take longer with his swim, stretching out his lengths in varying degrees of speeds and attempting the program that Bishop had laid out for him. The thing was, he was sick of the program. Already he had hit a plateau and his motivation to continue on came to an abrupt halt until he was found, sitting on the steps, lounging.

"You make an attractive picture," Jean-Paul commented, heading from the changing room toward the deep end of the pool. "I am not certain how much exercise you are getting by sitting there, though."

"For some, it is natural--" he stared at Jean-Paul, giving him a once over critically. "--others must work at it."

"And I am sure you are trying very hard, Manuel," Jean-Paul tutted soothingly. He flashed the empath a grin and dove into the pool.

Manuel had not moved when Jean-Paul surfaced, simply watching him from where he was. "You have been busy," he commented, though left the specifics to the speedster himself.

"This is news?" As Manuel actually seemed interested in conversation, Jean-Paul stroked over and claimed a seat at the foot of the stairs. "But I will have a bit of free time now, with classes being over and all. That was not," he added quickly, "an offer to babysit. I am already waiting for Nathan to take advantage of the bet he won."

Manuel seemed amused that Jean-Paul was joining him and his brow raised in mock interest. "And what bet was that?"

"Just before Spring Break. Nathan bet me that I would not be able to go anywhere for break and keep to my vow of self-centered hedonism -- he was certain that I'd pick up a waif or somesuch. He won, but only because he came back from another excursion looking like the world had hit him upside of the head again." Jean-Paul smirked. "He is a very hairy and scarred waif, but he still qualifies as needing looking after."

"Ah, you have found a bigger pet than your rats, I see. The only difference is this one will have sex with you. A shame you cannot find something that will impose itself on you. I believe you need something to look after you and occasionally pry you from your new couch. Or does it do that as well? Rub and tug?"

Jean-Paul snorted. "Manuel, I submit that if you are that interested in my recently-resurrected sex life, then you very badly need to climb out of this pool and find someone who will do you a delightful number of carnal favors for lust, fun, money, or any combination of the three."

"Calm yourself. I have no such interest, except what I occasionally feel when I leave my cave. You speak as though it is easy to pull a blind down on emotions." It was getting easier, better but occasionally, certain things disturbed his concentration. "I would rather not know about your interludes, except because I am a nosey man and enjoy applying faces to recent orgasms."

"See, this is why you should pay more attention to the house gossip," Jean-Paul said, teasing. "Otherwise, you wind up in an agony of curiosity over anonymous orgasms. But rest assured, it is not Nathan. Moira would shoot me, and then figure out a way to raise me from the dead so that she could do it again. I value my hide a bit more than that."

"Nathan would surprise me. He has always been very level headed though. Heaven forbid you have someone who would ground you like that." The notion that Nathan would have went that route did not surprise Manuel in the least. Relationships never lasted forever, nor did he realize the line between sexes.

"Goodness, no. I would have no idea what to do with myself." Jean-Paul trailed his hand lazily through the water.

That was an interesting reaction. Manuel scrutinized Jean-Paul, but decided for the best of ignorance that he turn a blind eye to it. "You have no idea what to do with yourself now. So, it is this boy out of the cake then?"

"I am getting there. A successful semester is not the worst thing I could be left with right now." The mention of Jake stirred an unmistakable current of desire and warm affection in the speedster, though he remained much the same outwardly. "It could very well be the boy in the cake, yes."

Manuel cleared his throat, though the wickness in his eyes said as much as he thought. "The scarred waif that needs looking after. How nurturing of you."

"He has an enormous, sexy brain, you know. And a tendency to work out loud. Very interesting to watch."

"I am sure he has blindly captivated you, radiating as you are," Manuel replied drily and looked over his shoulder to see if he could get his cane from where he sat. "He is younger than you, yes?"

"By four or five years, yes." Jean-Paul opted not to ask for clarification on the first part. "Hardly enough to be squeamish over."

"I never said that," Manuel smiled and pushed out of the water, leaning over to grab his cane. He pushed to his feet with aid of the side bar and walked over to the lounge chairs, his back stiffening to the movements.

"Why else would it matter?" Jean-Paul pushed off into the water again.

"It does not, though I am curious as to why you are so.. hmm.. curious?" He gritted his teeth and lounged back, content to watch from a reclined position rather than an upright one.

Jean-Paul shifted to a backstroke. "I am not particularly. You brought the topic up, so I thought you might have something to say on the matter." The speedster considered for a moment. "Though I suppose that would have been a bit hypocritical on your part if that had been what you meant."

Now would have been perfect to have a cocktail in hand and lounge for the rest of the day. Reality would claim him in an hour when he had to get up and get his sister. "Are you ready for your summer?" he asked, dodging Jean-Paul's idle observation.

"I am already checked out. I can feel myself growing less responsible by the moment."

"Consulting your age on your birthday does that. Should we expect recklessness, college parties and screaming with a bottle in hand?" Manuel asked. He didn't think Jean-Paul was the drug using type.

"Now you are just trying to live vicariously."

"Through you?" Manuel roared with laughter, one that took it's time to die down until he was left to clear his throat and a smile still lingering. That was almost as funny as the idea of Sam and Morgan. Almost.

"Goodness, if I keep laughing like that, it will put me in my grave early."

Jean-Paul smirked. "Considering that my life right now is literature, good food, frequent travel, and fantastic sex, you could certainly do worse. And at least you will die happy if you keep up the laughter, which would be a definite improvement from your typical state." He suppressed the urge to splash Manuel as he dove.