Logan and Jean-Paul, Lex and Jean-Paul, and Jean-Paul and Jake

[x-cynosure.livejournal.com]

Jean-Paul and Logan talk over beer and pig.



Upon returning to the school, Jean-Paul headed to his suite for a shower but, despite his stomach very pointedly reminding him that it had been a while since lunch and that he was overdue for a refuel, he found himself wandering back downstairs and out front instead of heading to his kitchen. It seemed a waste, not to mention a bit of an insult to the cooks, not to take advantage of the pig cooking out front when he had no other pressing matters at hand.

Also, not insulting the cook seemed like an especially good idea when the man currently presiding over their still-cooking main course was Logan.

"How much longer?" Jean-Paul inquired, looking at the roasting apparatus with some interest. It was a nice evening, at least; the sun was well on its way down, casting shade and long shadows to provide some relief from the lingering heat of the day.

"Not too long." Logan said from around his beer-bottle, eying the roasting pig to be sure. "Call it maybe a half-hour all-in." he said. "Beer?" he offered, nudging the cooler by his feet which was still reasonably full of longnecks.

Jean-Paul hesitated a moment, then shrugged by way of acceptance. Empty stomach or not, one beer was well within his tolerance. "Merci." He gauged the level of Logan's beer, decided the other man probably didn't need a replacement yet, then helped himself to one of his own. He savored the coolness of it for a moment, then let his gaze wander across the lawn; there were quite a few barely-familiar faces in evidence. "They are coming out of the woodwork, non?"

"Yeah. Offer 'em food and teenagers come out of nowhere to collect." he said with a rough smile. "Funny how that works." he said as he slowly turned the pig on its spit. "So how're you and your sister gettin' along these days?" he asked.

"No major fights. Yet." Jean-Paul's amused expression kept any weight out of the words. "We are back in training, though, and due to see Moira when next she is in. She is still working to figure out whether this is a case of Langkowski's experiment wearing off or striking again." He glanced over at Logan. "Thank you, by the way. It was good for Jeanne-Marie to see a friendly face when she first arrived here."

"Think you could hurry it up?" he joked. "Got a twenty on the two of you having a good screamer before the end of next week." he teased. "Between the two of you and Lil and Mads, we never lacked for screaming fights." he grinned. "Gonna miss my crazy buddy, though." he added a moment later with a grin. "Your sister's just about as crazy as I am."

"I think you may have to wait until I find a new love interest before you have a chance of collecting your money." He was not going to so much as touch the line about Logan's mental state; it smelled entirely too much like a set-up. "Jeanne-Marie has decided that I am incapable of choosing someone who will make me happy, and she will handle the arrangements from here on out. So far, the phrase, 'the shoe pinches when on the other foot' has not come into play yet, but it is only a matter of time."

Logan just had to wince at that. "Good luck, Sounds like you're gonna need it." he said, taking a swig of his beer. "Not that I know a damned thing about how you queers chase men, but if it's anything like how the rest of us do, you're so fucked." he said with a laugh. "Sounds like she wants to settle you down."

"Ah, she wants me to be happy. I hope to convince her that dating again will have the exact opposite effect." The speedster smirked at Logan's choice of words. "Though you will have to let me know the next time you and Garrison go out chasing men. I am sure I could learn from your technique. Or if not, at least give you pointers."

Logan would have facepalmed, but instead nodded in recognition of a point well-scored. "Touche." he said, to make it official. "You know what I meant." he mock-growled.

"A wide-eyed innocent such as myself? I could not possibly." He snagged the other man a fresh beer; he was still only just started on his own. "Have you had a chance to say hello to Lillian yet? She is here to get the last of her things."

"She's in a lot of pain." he said understatedly. "Saw her, I'll go talk to her when I can find a quieter moment. Not here." he said. He did, however, kill off his beer and accept the reload from the speedster. "And speakin' of pain, you seem to be real popular with the kiddies." he said, gesturing with his beer bottle. "They must be able to see through the cranky to the marshmallow underneath."

"Hardly. They are simply young and do not know any better yet." Jean-Paul snorted. "If I keep saying that, eventually I will get to where someone believes it. But you have your own students among the younger residents, non? I think that is just what this place does. Insidious, yet appealing, even for the confirmed loners."

Logan just nodded to that. "Couple of hard-luck cases that seem to think an amnesiac killing machine might know a thing or two they don't." he said with a shrug. "Weirder shit has happened."

Jean-Paul laughed quietly, suddenly. "I know, yes? Amnesiac killing machines and self-absorbed sports-star assholes teaching a pack of traumatized schoolchildren how to get by in the world. We could not sell that idea to anyone if we tried."

"I don't think Hollywood would even believe it." he said with a sudden grin. "I know I don't." he added a moment later. "Speaking of self-absorbed assholes, you still ski at all?" he asked. "Think I remember seein' it on the tube at some bar somewhere."

"For myself, when the mood takes me. Not competitively, obviously, and the scandal meant that I was not exactly welcome at exhibition matches." Jean-Paul shrugged; there was enough distance between outing himself as a mutant and being stripped of his medals these days that he could be philosophical about it. "I do not need the cameras like I once did. I quite prefer they keep their distance, actually." The next words were slightly wistful. "I do miss it sometimes, but it is very much in the past. Perhaps I will take another trip home this winter. Shiro seemed to enjoy the last one."

"Hell of a thing, Paul." he said softly. "What the IOC did to you. Pity you ski and don't play ball. Jays could use someone who could fucking pitch." he grumbled good-naturedly. "You follow sports besides skiing at all?" he asked.

Of the topics they'd batted back and forth so far, Jean-Paul found this one the most curious. "I am still a worshiper of the winter games and I follow the Olympic hopefuls. I keep up with soccer and sumo, but I am not much of a devotee to either. Is there a reason you ask?"

"Gar and I follow baseball and hockey pretty fervently." he said. "Get together, tank down a case of beer or two, watch the games." he said with a shrug.

"Somehow, I have a hard time picturing you as a baseball fan. It is so...sedate." He wasn't entirely sure if that had been an invitation, and even less certain how to handle the situation if it had been. This was not Alpha Flight, not by a long shot; that should have made reading the situation easier.

Logan turned his attentions to the pig, making sure that its roasting was even and fair, the smells fair to making his mouth water. "Baseball's a funny game." he said. "On the surface, it's boring as fuck. But if you look under that, there's a kind of ... intensity to it." he mused. "A nobility."

"Perhaps I should revisit the sport, then," Jean-Paul conceded. The savory odors wafting off of the roast meat set his stomach to growling. "Sometime after we've eaten."

===

Jean-Paul heads out to the dock to eat; he's joined by Lex, who still isn't feeling quite settled into life at the school.



===

It was the usual way that the world seemed a lot more mellow after the promise of food had been fulfilled, and after spending all day on his feet, Jean-Paul was more than happy to take his plate down to the dock and join the few that had opted to enjoy the sunset on the water as they ate. It was a good way to end a wretched summer, Jean-Paul decided, allowing himself the luxury of relaxing into the moment.

Lex sat at his usual place watching the sun shimmer off the lake. It was a glorious day, and he felt quite good. He'd been making improvements on controlling his powers after heading to Nova Roma with Amara and he was hoping that he could continue to progress by easing his mental restraints. Today he even tried meditation, and he chuckled to himself as he thought of his conversation with Adrienne in the bar. Nothing ever seemed to be quite as clear cut as he thought it should.

Taking his plate off his lap, he shoved another forkful of succulent pork into his mouth. He knew he was being a pig, but he didn't care. Nobody was paying him any mind.

"Normally, I would complain that you are blocking my view," Jean-Paul noted amiably as Lex made himself comfortable, "but I suppose the replacement scenery is not so bad. It has been a while -- Lex, yes? How are you finding trainee life?"

"Well, excuse me." Lex said with benign sarcasm, "I'll just have to move over so you can see past me, won't I?" He remembered Jean-Paul as one of the first people he'd met, and then laughed slightly as he recalled the circumstances. "And yes, it's been over a month, give or take." He patted the boards on the newly created seat, and motioned for Jean-Paul to sit. "As for trainee life, it could be far worse..."

Jean-Paul took his seat with a nod and braced his back against one of the dock pilings. "Seems to be the way of things here. Even when things are bad, they can always be worse. Considering that it is the same when things are good, I am not sure if that is encouraging or not."

"I'd say it is. It means there are always more things to reach for." He laughed, even as he said it he realized it might be too optimistic to make such a statement, "But why would anyone take my word for it. I'm just a soldier." He leaned back and put and continued eating so he could stop himself from speaking further.

"You were a soldier," Jean-Paul corrected, his tone oh so innocent. "Now, you are in flux. God only knows what this place will make of you. It made me into a teacher, and that was certainly not a path I had ever envisioned for myself. But if all else fails..." Jean-Paul twirled his fork idly. "...I hear you are quite a good cook."

"So I've been told," Lex couldn't keep a smile off his face as he spoke, "though I'm sure most people are none too picky when they get fresh spit-roasted meat." Even though he was talking about cooking, he was thinking about what Jean-Paul had said about being in flux. It was definitely the best way to describe his situation, but he didn't like the instability of the word. He wanted to make something permanent, even if it was at the mansion.

Jean-Paul chewed and swallowed a morsel of pork before answering. "There are a lot of bottomless wells masquerading as residents here," he agreed. "But all the better to ingratiate yourself. I find it works quite well on the students, personally. It does mean that the farmer's markets see a lot of me, but that is fine."

"Hmm," Lex voiced, he didn't know anything about farmer's markets. "There was never anything like that where I grew up, but I think I understand the concept." He took another bite and looked at his dangerously empty plate. They would have to continue their conversation on the move soon.

"Do you mind if I asked where you learned to cook?" Jean-Paul had a hard time envisioning the life of a soldier giving anyone much time for such pursuits, but he supposed that the old maxim of an army running on its stomach certainly could have a place in that.

"I actually learned it from my father." Lex said, with a slight hint of remorse, "We used to have great reunions every year when I was young, and once I turned eight he let me help him prepare the food." The first time he'd helped, it had been a disaster, setting three fires and almost burning down the house. If his father had been any other man, he would probably never have touched a cooking utensil again. However, his father was a man of great patience and he used the experience to instill the importance of paying attention into Lex.

A smile broke out across his face, "It was a disaster."

Jean-Paul couldn't help but respond in kind to that smile, though it was as much the memories that Lex's admission triggered as the expression itself.

"Moi aussi...I learned to cook from my father, that is. It was not so much for special occasions, though. He owned a restaurant, so it was very much a day-to-day thing." Jean-Paul chuckled. "And a good thing too -- I would have eaten anyone else out of house and home."

"Too true, the army almost passed rules against going up for thirds and fourths because of how much my unit ate. We took to heart the concept, 'every meal may be your last." Lex said with a devilish smile, they'd always stuck together to protect one another and he missed that feeling. At the mansion, it seemed like they would step up to do something like that but only out of a sense of obligation to their fellow mutant, and not some deeper connection.

"Bottomless pits for teammates and walking into danger in a good cause. Perhaps this place will not seem so foreign after all once you have made it through your training."

"Yeah, but I need to figure out something else to do in the meantime. I can't sit around and wait for the world to need saving... I'd lose my touch." Lex retorted, he enjoyed the thought of combat. He missed the feeling of having to worry about nothing more than the man beside you, and kicking the ass of your enemies.

"Oh, yes? What touch do you think you will be losing? Combat-readiness? Thinking on your feet? I assure you, there are many people here -- on and off of the actual team -- who can keep you on your toes in that respect."

"I'd say with women, but I'm of the opinion that I never had that," Lex laughed, hoping to draw Jean-Paul away from the topic at hand. He knew there were a lot better fighters amongst the team, a fact drilled into him every day he trained in the danger room. He was never going to be the best again, and he was starting to come to terms with that. What he really wanted was to belong, a fact he never seemed to get past.

"That I cannot help with though, I confess, I haven't seen much of you out and about with anyone. I thought you were doing the normal trainee adjustment -- work yourself into a heap, then come up for air and start pacing yourself."

"That's definitely part of it, but I'm not really good with people so I tend to avoid them." He shrugged, "I'm finding it's better all around if I keep my mouth shut." He looked down at his plate and then up at Jean-Paul, he hoped the man would understand how hungry he was.

Jean-Paul noticed the longing glances his companion was giving his empty plate. "Go and get a refill, Lex. We can talk more later, if you wish." The speedster offered him a slight smile. "I do not know if I make the best people practice, but at least the lake offers a decent view, non?"

Standing up, Lex looked around and thought about what Jean-Paul said. Even if the man wasn't the best practice, Lex definitely enjoyed talking to him. "Aye, she does at that," he managed, and then turned back to the other man, "Thanks."

===

As the evening winds down, Jake and Jean-Paul run into each other and discuss movie times.



====

Though his company had moved on, Jean-Paul saw little reason not to stay by the lakeside with his thoughts, watching the moonrise and the last of the season's fireflies braving the chill of the approaching autumn. He could hear the sounds of the get-together, smell the woodsmoke from Sefton's bonfire. It was distant, but he didn't feel outside of it all, just peaceful. Even so, he couldn't stay out on the dock forever, nor did he especially want to. He had a full day ahead of him tomorrow and, at present, movie-goers to start rounding up.

Jake was sitting under one of the shade trees on the south lawn, a paper plate containing nothing more than a smudge of icing and a smattering of pink crumbs balanced on his knees. Jean-Paul waved briefly and started to just walk by, but changed his mind. They were working toward friendship now, and Jake had been the one to make the effort last time. Jean-Paul strolled over to lean against Jake's tree.

"I think I have seen you around here before," Jean-Paul mused. "Jake Gavin, yes?"

The briefest smile pulled at the corner of Jake's lips before he looked up at Jean-Paul curiously, utterly straightfaced. "That would be me. And I recognize you--you're..." He trailed off, snapping his fingers as if trying to jog his memory. "You're that Literature professor, right? The one who tortures his students by making them read Hawthorne?"

"Yes, I believe we spoke briefly on the journals. You know, there is a lovely woman walking around here giving you the evil eye. You did not, perchance, try to drown her by dropping a helicopter on top of her, did you?"

Only the amused twinkle in Jake's eye gave away just how hard it was for him to keep a straight face. "Drowning by helicopter? That seems awfully creative." He shook his head. "No, last time I checked, I hadn't dropped a helicopter on anyone. Besides, her brother would absolutely murder me. He's the overprotective type, I'm told," he said, letting a conspiratorial grin slip free.

"What can I say? This place brings it out in people." Jean-Paul slid down to take a seat on the grass. "And, of course, you found the cake."

"Of course. I do have a reputation to maintain, after all." Jake set his plate on the ground next to him, resting his forearms on his knees. "You disappeared for a while," he observed casually. "Hiding out, or did you just wander off?"

"I went off to the dock once they rang the dinner bell. Not as many people, and I like watching the moon rise over water." But Jake knew that. "I needed a little room to breathe besides. I took the boys and Lil into New York today and I was feeling the lack of personal space by the time we got back."

Jake nodded. "I can understand that." He thought about making a joke about Jean-Paul cheating on their bakery tour, but had the wherewithal to realize that that was likely in incredibly poor taste. "What kinds of trouble did you let them drag you along on? I'm guessing Lil was hardly a good influence," he said affectionately.

"There was not so much trouble, really. We hit the zoo while the animals were all still awake, and then they wanted to go rock climbing. We had reservations for Serendipity 3 after walked the Strand while we digested." At the look on Jake's face, Jean-Paul shrugged. "It was Johnny's birthday. First one he has had in a while with people who gave a damn, so we made it a good one. We are taking him to a midnight movie later."

Jake raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Which one?"

"The new one. The CGI cartoon -- it is a number." Jean-Paul paused a moment to think. "9, that is it."

Jake sat up excitedly. "Nine, yeah. That's supposed to be really good. It looks amazing." He tilted his head, sizing Jean-Paul up for a brief moment. "Do you need another chaperone?"

"I have already thrown the trip up to open invitation with Johnny's blessing, so you are welcome to tag along if you like. I certainly would not mind another adult present."

"Yeah?" Jake tried--and failed spectacularly--to not look too eager. He forced himself to lean back against the tree. "That would be awesome." After a moment, he snickered. "You called me an adult."

"If you were anything but, I think I would be in deep trouble. If it makes you feel as if we are on more familiar ground, I did not call you a responsible adult."

Jake laughed. "Good. I'd hate to disappoint anyone."

Jean-Paul smirked, but refrained from touching on that particular powder keg. "We will be leaving at ten, so do not make me send my sister to find you."

That particular threat evoked a shudder from Jake. "I'll be early. With bells on." He glanced sidelong at Jean-Paul. "She's not going to kill me, is she?"

"No, Jake, she is not going to kill you. She just..." Jean-Paul hesitated. "She is furious at you and disappointed in herself for believing you. She may be a long time forgiving both. We Beaubiers are not known for being easy on ourselves."

"Yeah," Jake said quietly, his eyes dropping to the ground in front of them. He sighed, afraid of the answer to his next question. "Do you think it would help if I tried to talk to her, or am I likely to just make things worse?"

"I think it would be difficult to make things worse," Jean-Paul said frankly. "But if we are anything alike, I doubt she will forgive you."

"There's probably not much point, then." Jake tried to not let his relief show; he didn't really want to talk to Jeanne-Marie.

He hadn't expected anything else of Jake, really, and Jean-Paul had been less than honest himself -- he was worried that Jake really would make the situation worse if he tried to speak to Jeanne-Marie, and he did not want his sister further stressed. Or Jake punched. Again.

"Probably not, no." Jean-Paul stretched a little. "I had best go round up the others."

Jake nodded. "Ten o'clock. With bells on."