![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
om_touchstone posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
om_mainSimon and Jean-Paul share Valentine's Day together. It's sweet and romantic, but in the end, they make a big decision. Or at least, a commitment never spoken aloud before.
There was a part of Jean-Paul that would have rathered they stayed in for Valentine's Day. It felt like he didn't see nearly enough of Simon when they just had time to breathe and weren't consumed with work of one kind or another.
But the reservations at Xaviar's On The Hudson had been made months ago and, in truth, he and Simon were both feeling a little stir-crazy. Just getting out of the school and into his roadster with Simin made him feel a little lighter... so yes, definitely time for a night away from their responsibilities and worries.
Jean-Paul wasn't the only one to want to get out, either, and Simon slid into the passenger seat with a sigh of relief, straightening his cuffs and rocking his head back. "We made it."
Jean-Paul took a moment to just admire how damn good Simon looked. He knew that he cleaned up well himself, but he had to work at it. Simon wore his formals in a way that made it seem as if he'd been born to it. Effortless and perfect.
It took more willpower than it should have to turn the key in the ignition instead of hauling Simon back upstairs. But then the car was moving, Pierre LaPointe was blaring through the speakers, and they were off.
"I've been skirting the question," Simon said after a few minutes of blessed quiet and relaxation. "But how are your classes?"
Jean-Paul sighed. "Truth? I mostly hate them. But you know how I feel when I'm not perfect at something."
"Is there anything I can help with?" Simon glanced over at him. "Not that I think you do need help."
"I wish I could think of something," Jean-Paul admitted. "I feel more settled when I'm back here with you. Raymonde's is still home, but..." He shrugged. "You're not there. Neither are River and Jeanne-Marie. So it's home, but not."
"I was talking about the classes," Simon told him dryly.
"So was I," Jean-Paul pointed out. "I can't think of anything academically that I really need help with. It's just not easy is all."
"I know," Simon sighed. "And it's not going to get better the next few years. You know that, right? I'm going to be gone a lot."
"And I'm going to be running back and forth and helping out at the school." He smirked a little. "And cooking for your ungrateful ass."
"I hope you do it for more than my ass," Simon hummed, leaning his head back with a smile.
"The entire package is appealing," Jean-Paul assured him. "I have every intention of doing my best to keep it in good repair. But what about you? How are your classes going?"
"Grueling and intense, but fascinating. Although, I'm not well liked." Then again, he'd never been liked much in any kind of school environment, so it was nothing new. He was fine as long as he kept his head down and continued to impress the doctors teaching them.
Jean-Paul chuckled. "We're a pair, non? Pretty as can be, but hard to get close to."
Simon snorted softly. "Are you really that pretty?"
"Are you trying to imply something, Tam?"
"I'm just saying that you might not be as amazing as you think you are," Simon pointed out. "It's alright. I take pity on you." Him, and his thousands of fans.
"Dangerous," Jean-Paul said, smirking as he turned the car off of the backroad and onto the main highway. "I do have a twin. If I'm not as pretty as I think I am, you are also insulting my sister."
"An ineffectual argument," Simon smiled. "Your twin could be gorgeous and you hideous - no matter the traits you share."
"Why am I going to dinner with you again?"
"Due to preconceived notions of romantic obligation in the form of a marketplace-driven holiday," Simon offered.
"And I'm not turning this car around and taking you to our room to be stripped and despoiled because...?"
"Because I'm dying for an actual sit down meal with you" or at all, "and you can ravish me afterwards," Simon told him with a small smile.
"Well," Jean-Paul said with a sigh, "if you're so desperate that you can stand to be seen out with someone as unlovely as me, I suppose we must."
His boyfriend just smiled, but slid a hand out between them, sliding a hand down his thigh in a thoughtful caress. "Dinner, then we can go to the apartment."
Jean-Paul covered Simon's hand with his own, toying with those long, sensitive fingers. "If there's something else you want to do afterward, let me know."
"Well, I can think of a few things..." Simon smiled, closing his eyes again as he listened to the music filtering through the speakers.
-----
By the time they'd parked the car and started their walk to Xaviar's, Jean-Paul knew this had been the right choice. Simon had visibly relaxed as they'd bantered on and they were both laughing by the time they hit the pier. The restaurant itself was a bright beacon in the evening, it's silhouette reminiscent of a steamboat. The illusion was only compounded by the slosh of the river and the cry of gulls squabbling with each other along the walk.
It hadn't occurred to Jean-Paul before they, even at the school, they had their roles that they played. It wasn't something he usually considered... perhaps because he was so used to assuming roles that it was simply a part of him by now. But it was still a mask, and something they both needed a break from. So all the better that they were getting away tonight.
"I hope this place is as good as the reviews give it credit for. The name gives me hives," mostly because Simon wasn't sure if it was in homage to their mentor or not. Simon smoothed his waistcoat as they walked, eying the restaurant curiously.
"It's spelled differently," Jean-Paul pointed out. Then, all sly teasing, "You're just trying to brace for the worst. Don't worry so much. Tonight will be great."
"Is that a promise?" Simon smiled slightly as he glanced over at him.
Jean-Paul laughed and stepped them both to a pool of lamplight. "A promise. And if this place does not live up to it, I'll make it up to you personally."
Then he kissed him, deep and slow.
It was odd that just a couple of years ago, Simon never would have allowed that in public. Hell, that at one time they'd hid their relationship. Now, he caught Jean-Paul's hip, leaning in and indulging in the depth of the kiss, any anxiety or tension knotted inside him slowly unraveling.
Jean-Paul laughed against Simon's mouth, the sound all delight. He rested his brow to Simon's, breathing him in.
"I love you," he murmured. "And we're going to have a fantastic night, even if I have to take over the kitchen myself."
Simon echoed with a soft laugh. "Oh, I'd love to see that."
"But it would mean time away from you during out one night out in months. So it's a last resort." Jean-Paul offered Simon his arm and headed for the restaurant.
Xaviar's was multi-tiered, but spacious. Dark accents, white walls, and a high central ceiling enhanced the feeling of openness. It was a little minimalist for Jean-Paul's taste, but tonight he didn't mind. The fewer distractions he had, the more focus he could keep on Simon.
"I wish were a little older," he sighed. "I bet this place has great wines."
Sometimes it was hard for Simon to remember that he had only just turned twenty. He felt so incredibly much older. "We'll have to make do with whatever kitschy concoction they're passing off as virgin drinks," he agreed as he took a seat, smiling slightly at the judgy waiter before taking his menu.
Jean-Paul snorted quietly. "Don't torment the staff unless they deserve it," he teased once the waiter had left.
"Look who's talking," Simon grinned across at him.
"Don't even start," Jean-Paul huffed. "I reserve my brattishness for staff not performing up to standard, not because I don't like the menu." Which, he had to admit, was looking good. For all that Raymonde's bistro was home, he had to admit that the fare still had its heart in the comforting, working-class food of Raymonde's youth. He just dressed it up nicely. This, though, was another level of fine dining and he was in the mood to indulge.
Simon chuckled softly. "Fair enough. I'll be nice," but he trailed away as he opened the menu, his expression warming as he looked over everything they offered...which was an eclectic mixture of many different food cultures presented in new and interesting ways. Simon already knew he was getting the olive oil poached shrimp to start. "Oh god, they have duck breast..." he breathed.
Jean-Paul grinned at that, not mocking for once, but just happy to see Simon excited about their night out. "Have I been neglecting you?"
Simon looked up, blinking, then broke into a soft smile as he realized. "You have other priorities right now, and I fully support that, even if I have to live off of take-out."
Jean-Paul sighed. "That wasn't the deal, though. The offer to freeze meals for you is still on the table, you know."
Simon laughed softly. "That works for nights when I'm at the school, but when I'm on shift or coming off of shift, I have to make do on my own."
"I'll just have to make extra sure you're seen to when we're both at home, non?" Jean-Paul turned his attention back to the menu. "But sorry. Enough work talk. We're here to enjoy each other."
"I thought we were here to enjoy the food," Simon teased, glancing seriously down at his menu.
"I'd hope the company was all part of that." But there was an answering mischief in Jean-Paul's voice. "Or is this the part where you pretend we haven't been missing each other?"
"It's a tempting game," Simon pointed out.
"And why is that?" Jean-Paul lowered his menu. Duck sounded good, but in his case, it was the pate appetizer that appealed more than the entree.
Simon quirked a little grin without looking up. "Because I know you'll try and get even when we get to the apartment."
Jean-Paul laughed softly, but reached across the table for Simon's hand. "Maybe something different this time."
Looking up in surprise, Simon let Jean-Paul take his hand. "Yeah?"
"Maybe I've been missing you a little too much for the usual games," Jean-Paul admitted.
Simon squeezed his hand, that little smile in his eyes fading in favor of a sober fondness. "Alright. I'm sorry. I'm here, and so are you, and we can enjoy ourselves.”
"Don't be sorry. I love your snarky ass." Jean-Paul squeezed his hand gently before letting him have it back. "I guess I just haven't seen enough of it lately. Kind of ridiculous, right? We still see each other most of the week, but..."
"But even when you're here, sometimes I'm on shift, and we never exactly know when we'll have enough time for one another or the energy to do anything about it," Simon finished for him.
"Right. So I'll pretend you're getting on my nerves sometime when we're together enough for that to actually be feasible." The waiter came for their orders. Jean-Paul indulged in the pate appetizer and the veal sweetbreads with roasted figs as his main. If he was going to be a brute about what went on his plate, he supposed he might as well go the whole way.
"The poached shrimp to start," Simon told the waiter, "and the duck breast with togarashi and snow peas."
Jean-Paul waited until the waiter had swept off again, then turned his attention back to Simon. "I admit it, I miss being able to come back to our room and mess you up while you're trying to study."
"Oh you haven't gotten enough of that over the years?" Simon grinned.
"Not being able to do it whenever I like makes me long for it, I suppose." Jean-Paul sipped his water, smiling a little. "Especially when it guarantees you'd pay attention to me. Even if it is just to kick me out of the room," he added with a laugh.
Simon's lips twitched in a half-smile. "Now it sounds like I've been neglecting you."
"Hmm. Better not say that. I might try to take advantage. But it will be all right, non? We'll get through our respective educations, then it'll be more like it used to."
A flicker of doubt was there and gone in Simon's eyes. He didn't exactly know what either of them were going to do after they graduated. Certainly, Simon didn't know if he would still be at Xavier's. But...it wasn't a discussion to have on a night like this one. "Mm, yes, with you mauling me at every turn..."
"Tell me that was a request."
Simon just grinned a little. "Wouldn't it weaken the thrill if I did?"
"Not if you never see me coming." Jean-Paul's grin was wicked.
Simon's lips twitched. "Well, I never see you coming, so I think you're safe in that regard. That said, I'll be honest and tell you that I never mind...even when I'm in the middle of something."
"Good." Jean-Paul looked genuinely pleased to hear that. "You never trust me when I say how appealing you are. But at least I can show it. I have a hard time staying away from you."
Simon huffed softly. "You could have had much more attractive a boyfriend. Hell, you could have had Kyle, if you'd waited."
"Please. He's ten years older than me. And not the kind of guy that hops into bed with desperate eighteen year olds." He hoped. It wasn't as if he'd ever discussed Kyle's sexual preferences in depth. "Besides..." And he was smirking again. "You need me more."
Simon's eyebrows went up. "Is that so?"
Jean-Paul sipped at his water, all innocence. "Surely you never had so much specific culinary attention lavished on you before you met me."
Simon couldn't help himself. He laughed, then rubbed his brow, ducking his head. "Well, my family did have a cook..."
"I'm sure they never did what I can do for you." There wasn't even a pretense of subtlety there.
Simon looked up, and then feigned thoughtfulness. "To be fair, I never tried..."
"This is a new twist. Should I try taking you over the kitchen counter when we get home?" There was faint color to Jean-Paul's cheeks despite his bold words.
Simon's eyes widened a notch and he glanced sideways toward the nearest table. "Jean-Paul!" he huffed beneath his breath.
Jean-Paul laughed, basking in his victory. "Fine, fine. I'll be good."
A little flushed, Simon reached for his water. "Ass."
"Behave yourself, Simon. Our dinner will be here soon."
-----
Dinner was every bit as fantastic as the reviews had promised. Despite their blue streak of banter, Simon and Jean-Paul had both taken the time to savor the meal and the luxury of having the night to themselves. There was work and worry waiting them tomorrow, but for now, they had the freedom to enjoy each other without distraction.
By the time they'd gotten back to the apartment, Simon was already opening a bottle of wine and shrugging out of his jacket, loosening his cuffs in anticipation of not losing yet another shirt to an eager speedster.
"Planning to get me drunk and seduce me?" Jean-Paul asked, looking not at all unhappy at the prospect. He toed off his shoes at the door, crashed on the couch, and flicked the fireplace vid up on the television. He knew he'd be hungry again before long, but he could certainly wait until he and Simon had their time together.
Simon's shirt was unbuttoned and his waistcoat missing by the time he came around the corner and climbed onto Jean-Paul's lap, straddling his hips, a bottle in one hand, and two glasses in the other. "I didn't actually plan on waiting that long."
Jean-Paul's smug demeanor gentled. He reached up to help Simon with the wine.
"Glad to see you too."
Simon leaned down, kissing him lightly for a moment before smiling against his mouth. Finally, he sat up and started pouring the wine. "I might be missing you too."
"But not right now." Jean-Paul took the glass from Simon, then clinked it lightly to his boyfriend's. "And not the rest of tonight. I'm all yours."
Simon took a deep drink, then shifted around to sit normally on Jean-Paul's lap. "So this kitchen counter idea..."
Jean-Paul chuckled as Simon settled against him, but couldn't hide the flush of arousal that pinkened his cheeks. "You are serious?"
Simon looked at him, a little smile on his lips. "Is this a fantasy of yours?"
"It hadn't ever crossed my mind before tonight." Fucking Tam. Now Jean-Paul wasn't sure if Simon was serious or aiming to pay him back for acting like a barbarian in public. "You...so you like the idea?"
Simon took a sip of wine, seeming to think it over, even if he could feel the warmth spreading through his limbs. "I'm definitely not against it..."
Now Jean-Paul couldn't even pretend to hide his interest. It wasn't that Simon was prudish -- far from it! -- but he was usually very proper about just where they decided to debauch each other. Even heavy petting on the couch of their own apartment usually wound up transitioning to the bedroom. "Should I try cooking something to set the mood?"
Simon chuckled softly, leaning in to ghost his lips along Jean-Paul's jaw. "Why don't you cook something to satisfy your metabolism?"
This time, Jean-Paul did blush. "Not my fault you get me worked up," he murmured, turning his head just enough to catch a kiss.
Simon indulged happily, lingering in a slow taste for a moment before smiling against his mouth. "Why don't you cook, I'll watch, you eat, then I'll clean up and we can have some fun?"
"Not the whirlwind night of romance I thought I was promising you." But Jean-Paul leaned gratefully against Simon. "Weird downsides of dating mutants."
His boyfriend chuckled. "It's a good thing that I have solid proof of your condition at my fingertips, then."
Jean-Paul sighed ruefully and rose to his feet, his free hand clasping Simon's as he lead the way to the kitchen. "Tell me you at least enjoyed the restaurant."
Simon stopped, using his body weight to lean backwards and bring Jean-Paul around to face him. "Hey. I enjoyed the restaurant. And the car ride. And you. And I'm still enjoying the evening. You know I love watching you cook."
Jean-Paul went with the flow, letting Simon tug him right up against his chest again. "Desole." He stole a kiss, then headed for the kitchen again. "I'm just feeling a little sensitive about leaving you behind again. Metaphorically and otherwise."
He put on water for pasta as soon as they arrived and went rummaging in the freezer for stored produce. Carbs and protein and he would be set for the next few hours.
Meanwhile, Simon took a seat on a nearby stool, reclining against its back, sipping at his wine as he watched Jean-Paul work. "You could stand to lose a little clothing," he pointed out.
"Hmm." Jean-Paul gave Simon a speculative look. "Do you really want me shirtless and cooking? I don't think burns are that sexy."
"Shoes, socks, jacket, tie..." Simon hummed. There were any number of pieces of clothing he could remove before it proved risky.
"I am probably safer without a wick around my neck," Jean-Paul said with a with a smirk. He tugged the tie off and tossed it to Simon. "And it would be a shame to get stains on the jacket..."
Simon fumbled the tie, but finally caught the end and looped it over his shoulders with a grin. "I'm glad you see it my way."
The jacket followed, but the rest stayed put. "I'm not going to risk dropping a pot on my bare feet, sorry. I need those." Jean-Paul stirred the vegetables in the skillet, looking more at ease than he had even in the car. "Sure you don't want me making enough for two?"
Simon laughed softly. "I'm good with the wine. I think I ate more than I should have, actually."
"It was good," Jean-Paul agreed. "Fine dining just doesn't give me the portions I need to last all night."
Simon nodded. "Or the right balance of carbs," he agreed.
"They do all right with the calories though." Because fois gras...oh, man. Better to not think of that otherwise his pasta was going to start looking like pretty run-down grub, despite the company. "Maybe next time I'll take you dancing and we'll go to an all-you-can eat after. Or a Brazillian steakhouse. I've taken Jeanne-Marie to one, but never you."
Simon laughed softly. "Because I generally enjoy plants to go with my meat."
"So you're saying I should be looking for salad-flavored condoms next time I'm out?" It was a silly, juvenile joke, but Jean-Paul just couldn't help himself.
Simon grabbed a small peach off of the counter and flung it at his boyfriend's ass.
Jean-Paul snatched it out of the air, smirking. "Aren't you supposed to try bouncing quarters off it or something?"
"What makes you think I haven't already done it?" Simon smirked back at him.
"Because I know your aim isn't that bad."
It was all banter and innuendo from there until Jean-Paul finally plated his meal and joined Simon at the counter.
"My aim is pretty bad," Simon told him with a smile, working his way back around to the previous topic.
"You seem to get what you want eventually." Jean-Paul slurped a strand of spaghetti. It was fun to remind Simon that he'd taken up with a cleaned up barbarian on occasion.
Simon gave him a resigned look. "Must you?"
Jean-Paul smirked. "Must I what?"
Simon drained the last of his glass and motioned toward Jean-Paul's mouth. "That."
"Oh." He leaned in for a kiss. "That?"
Simon got a hand up before Jean-Paul's spaghetti-mouth could touch his. "No, not that!"
Jean-Paul laughed and leaned back on his stool, unafraid of gravity. "You need to civilize me, it seems."
"Yes, I need to something..." Simon huffed at him.
Jean-Paul smirked. "Come on, then. I could stand to be mauled around by a handsome man."
"Finish your pasta, fiend," Simon snorted, but stood, pushing up his sleeves to go rinse off any dirty dishes.
"God, domestic is a sexy look on you." Jean-Paul grinned, all but inhaling his pasta in a rush to obey. "I can see doing this with you for a decade or five, you know."
Simon's steps hitched - but only for a moment - until he reached the sink and began to wash. It was almost as though Jean-Paul had read his mind. Or looked through his things. "A decade or five hm?"
Jean-Paul finished his meal and brought his plate over to help with the washing up. "Sorry. I keep forgetting the 'old married' stuff gives you a rash." He kissed the back of Simon's neck in apology.
Simon reached for a dish towel, drying his hands before turning to face his boyfriend with an odd smile. "Not so much anymore. I'm not sure I could imagine myself with anyone else."
Jean-Paul hugged him. "I'm not sorry to hear that. I just have a hard time imagining what else there is. I mean... I never figured I'd have someone."
"Ben dan," Simon grumbled softly, sliding his arms around Jean-Paul's waist. "You could have anyone you wanted."
"For sex. Having someone want you forever is...different."
Simon sighed out, then ducked his head to kiss Jean-Paul's neck. "Neither did I. Think this was what awaited me."
Jean-Paul slid his hands up Simon's back and into his hair, a familiar gesture of comfort by now. "You think this is forever?"
Simon sighed out at the fingers scraping his scalp and ran his breath over one of Jean-Paul's pointed ears. "Do you?"
Jean-Paul tensed under Simon's hands, as if bracing himself against a blow. "Yeah," he whispered, leaning forward to breathe the words into Simon's ear. "I do."
Simon chuckled softly against him, an odd sound amidst the tension, and ghosted his hand down to slowly palm and squeeze Jean-Paul's ass. "What a conversation to have on Valentine's Day."
"Hey." Jean-Paul snorted softly; Simon's laughter was catching. "I thought 'I do' was supposed be romantic."
"Nothing's more romantic than you bracing for the chopping block as you say it," Simon smiled against him. Then he drew back slowly to look at him. "I already told you that I can't imagine myself with anyone else. But if you try to marry me before either of us are finished with school, I will beat you. Neither of us can afford the distraction that publicity would bring."
"Oh, I think I've staked my claim clearly enough without us having to go that far." He brushed his fingertips over Simon's ring; not an engagement ring, perhaps, but it still meant something that Simon wore it. "But the rest isn't you. Just me afraid of tempting fate."
Simon ghosted his thumb over the ring as well, out of habit, then leaned in to brush his nose against Jean-Paul's. "Maybe I should stake my claim too."
"And I think this is what we were talking about when we got in," Jean-Paul murmured.
Simon huffed softly in amusement but pulled away from him. "I was going to save this for tomorrow morning when you started grumbling about lost time and not wanting to get out of bed."
Jean-Paul followed, holding Simon's hand. "Are we no longer talking about sex?"
"Keep in mind this isn't just a ruse to get you into the bedroom," Simon hummed, then reached down to open the top drawer of the end table, pulling out a small ring-box.
"Oh." Jean-Paul blinked. A smile started to spread over his face. "Very sneaky, Simon Tam." He held out his hand for the box. "Let me try it on?"
Simon passed him the box - inside, a silver band to match his own, though the inscription along the underside differed somewhat: Pour toujours et à jamai. Forever and always. It was far too fitting for the discussion they'd just had...almost fated, though Simon didn't want to think of that. Had he been anticipating Jean-Paul's thoughts? "Please. I already had it sized."
"That wasn't why I wanted to put it on." Jean-Paul slid the ring on easily, took a moment to admire it, then pulled Simon into a kiss.
Simon let himself indulge in it for a moment, reveling in the taste and the heat of the gorgeous québécois. Then he drew away an inch and smiled sideways. "I should have done this a long time ago."
"As if you needed to." Jean-Paul kissed him again. "I'm a smart boy. I know I'd never have it better than you."
"Be that as it may..." Simon smirked, firming his hands on Jean-Paul's hips. "I should have. And I'm sorry. I love you, and I want to be with you, and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to be straight with you on the matter."
"There's a terrible pun in there." Jean-Paul slid his arms around Simon, taking a moment just to let everything in his head shut the hell up so he could admire the young man in his arms. "We're going to be fine. Remember that on the days you want to strangle me?"
"Believe me, I'm reminding myself right now," Simon answered wryly, a smirk on his lips.
There was a part of Jean-Paul that would have rathered they stayed in for Valentine's Day. It felt like he didn't see nearly enough of Simon when they just had time to breathe and weren't consumed with work of one kind or another.
But the reservations at Xaviar's On The Hudson had been made months ago and, in truth, he and Simon were both feeling a little stir-crazy. Just getting out of the school and into his roadster with Simin made him feel a little lighter... so yes, definitely time for a night away from their responsibilities and worries.
Jean-Paul wasn't the only one to want to get out, either, and Simon slid into the passenger seat with a sigh of relief, straightening his cuffs and rocking his head back. "We made it."
Jean-Paul took a moment to just admire how damn good Simon looked. He knew that he cleaned up well himself, but he had to work at it. Simon wore his formals in a way that made it seem as if he'd been born to it. Effortless and perfect.
It took more willpower than it should have to turn the key in the ignition instead of hauling Simon back upstairs. But then the car was moving, Pierre LaPointe was blaring through the speakers, and they were off.
"I've been skirting the question," Simon said after a few minutes of blessed quiet and relaxation. "But how are your classes?"
Jean-Paul sighed. "Truth? I mostly hate them. But you know how I feel when I'm not perfect at something."
"Is there anything I can help with?" Simon glanced over at him. "Not that I think you do need help."
"I wish I could think of something," Jean-Paul admitted. "I feel more settled when I'm back here with you. Raymonde's is still home, but..." He shrugged. "You're not there. Neither are River and Jeanne-Marie. So it's home, but not."
"I was talking about the classes," Simon told him dryly.
"So was I," Jean-Paul pointed out. "I can't think of anything academically that I really need help with. It's just not easy is all."
"I know," Simon sighed. "And it's not going to get better the next few years. You know that, right? I'm going to be gone a lot."
"And I'm going to be running back and forth and helping out at the school." He smirked a little. "And cooking for your ungrateful ass."
"I hope you do it for more than my ass," Simon hummed, leaning his head back with a smile.
"The entire package is appealing," Jean-Paul assured him. "I have every intention of doing my best to keep it in good repair. But what about you? How are your classes going?"
"Grueling and intense, but fascinating. Although, I'm not well liked." Then again, he'd never been liked much in any kind of school environment, so it was nothing new. He was fine as long as he kept his head down and continued to impress the doctors teaching them.
Jean-Paul chuckled. "We're a pair, non? Pretty as can be, but hard to get close to."
Simon snorted softly. "Are you really that pretty?"
"Are you trying to imply something, Tam?"
"I'm just saying that you might not be as amazing as you think you are," Simon pointed out. "It's alright. I take pity on you." Him, and his thousands of fans.
"Dangerous," Jean-Paul said, smirking as he turned the car off of the backroad and onto the main highway. "I do have a twin. If I'm not as pretty as I think I am, you are also insulting my sister."
"An ineffectual argument," Simon smiled. "Your twin could be gorgeous and you hideous - no matter the traits you share."
"Why am I going to dinner with you again?"
"Due to preconceived notions of romantic obligation in the form of a marketplace-driven holiday," Simon offered.
"And I'm not turning this car around and taking you to our room to be stripped and despoiled because...?"
"Because I'm dying for an actual sit down meal with you" or at all, "and you can ravish me afterwards," Simon told him with a small smile.
"Well," Jean-Paul said with a sigh, "if you're so desperate that you can stand to be seen out with someone as unlovely as me, I suppose we must."
His boyfriend just smiled, but slid a hand out between them, sliding a hand down his thigh in a thoughtful caress. "Dinner, then we can go to the apartment."
Jean-Paul covered Simon's hand with his own, toying with those long, sensitive fingers. "If there's something else you want to do afterward, let me know."
"Well, I can think of a few things..." Simon smiled, closing his eyes again as he listened to the music filtering through the speakers.
By the time they'd parked the car and started their walk to Xaviar's, Jean-Paul knew this had been the right choice. Simon had visibly relaxed as they'd bantered on and they were both laughing by the time they hit the pier. The restaurant itself was a bright beacon in the evening, it's silhouette reminiscent of a steamboat. The illusion was only compounded by the slosh of the river and the cry of gulls squabbling with each other along the walk.
It hadn't occurred to Jean-Paul before they, even at the school, they had their roles that they played. It wasn't something he usually considered... perhaps because he was so used to assuming roles that it was simply a part of him by now. But it was still a mask, and something they both needed a break from. So all the better that they were getting away tonight.
"I hope this place is as good as the reviews give it credit for. The name gives me hives," mostly because Simon wasn't sure if it was in homage to their mentor or not. Simon smoothed his waistcoat as they walked, eying the restaurant curiously.
"It's spelled differently," Jean-Paul pointed out. Then, all sly teasing, "You're just trying to brace for the worst. Don't worry so much. Tonight will be great."
"Is that a promise?" Simon smiled slightly as he glanced over at him.
Jean-Paul laughed and stepped them both to a pool of lamplight. "A promise. And if this place does not live up to it, I'll make it up to you personally."
Then he kissed him, deep and slow.
It was odd that just a couple of years ago, Simon never would have allowed that in public. Hell, that at one time they'd hid their relationship. Now, he caught Jean-Paul's hip, leaning in and indulging in the depth of the kiss, any anxiety or tension knotted inside him slowly unraveling.
Jean-Paul laughed against Simon's mouth, the sound all delight. He rested his brow to Simon's, breathing him in.
"I love you," he murmured. "And we're going to have a fantastic night, even if I have to take over the kitchen myself."
Simon echoed with a soft laugh. "Oh, I'd love to see that."
"But it would mean time away from you during out one night out in months. So it's a last resort." Jean-Paul offered Simon his arm and headed for the restaurant.
Xaviar's was multi-tiered, but spacious. Dark accents, white walls, and a high central ceiling enhanced the feeling of openness. It was a little minimalist for Jean-Paul's taste, but tonight he didn't mind. The fewer distractions he had, the more focus he could keep on Simon.
"I wish were a little older," he sighed. "I bet this place has great wines."
Sometimes it was hard for Simon to remember that he had only just turned twenty. He felt so incredibly much older. "We'll have to make do with whatever kitschy concoction they're passing off as virgin drinks," he agreed as he took a seat, smiling slightly at the judgy waiter before taking his menu.
Jean-Paul snorted quietly. "Don't torment the staff unless they deserve it," he teased once the waiter had left.
"Look who's talking," Simon grinned across at him.
"Don't even start," Jean-Paul huffed. "I reserve my brattishness for staff not performing up to standard, not because I don't like the menu." Which, he had to admit, was looking good. For all that Raymonde's bistro was home, he had to admit that the fare still had its heart in the comforting, working-class food of Raymonde's youth. He just dressed it up nicely. This, though, was another level of fine dining and he was in the mood to indulge.
Simon chuckled softly. "Fair enough. I'll be nice," but he trailed away as he opened the menu, his expression warming as he looked over everything they offered...which was an eclectic mixture of many different food cultures presented in new and interesting ways. Simon already knew he was getting the olive oil poached shrimp to start. "Oh god, they have duck breast..." he breathed.
Jean-Paul grinned at that, not mocking for once, but just happy to see Simon excited about their night out. "Have I been neglecting you?"
Simon looked up, blinking, then broke into a soft smile as he realized. "You have other priorities right now, and I fully support that, even if I have to live off of take-out."
Jean-Paul sighed. "That wasn't the deal, though. The offer to freeze meals for you is still on the table, you know."
Simon laughed softly. "That works for nights when I'm at the school, but when I'm on shift or coming off of shift, I have to make do on my own."
"I'll just have to make extra sure you're seen to when we're both at home, non?" Jean-Paul turned his attention back to the menu. "But sorry. Enough work talk. We're here to enjoy each other."
"I thought we were here to enjoy the food," Simon teased, glancing seriously down at his menu.
"I'd hope the company was all part of that." But there was an answering mischief in Jean-Paul's voice. "Or is this the part where you pretend we haven't been missing each other?"
"It's a tempting game," Simon pointed out.
"And why is that?" Jean-Paul lowered his menu. Duck sounded good, but in his case, it was the pate appetizer that appealed more than the entree.
Simon quirked a little grin without looking up. "Because I know you'll try and get even when we get to the apartment."
Jean-Paul laughed softly, but reached across the table for Simon's hand. "Maybe something different this time."
Looking up in surprise, Simon let Jean-Paul take his hand. "Yeah?"
"Maybe I've been missing you a little too much for the usual games," Jean-Paul admitted.
Simon squeezed his hand, that little smile in his eyes fading in favor of a sober fondness. "Alright. I'm sorry. I'm here, and so are you, and we can enjoy ourselves.”
"Don't be sorry. I love your snarky ass." Jean-Paul squeezed his hand gently before letting him have it back. "I guess I just haven't seen enough of it lately. Kind of ridiculous, right? We still see each other most of the week, but..."
"But even when you're here, sometimes I'm on shift, and we never exactly know when we'll have enough time for one another or the energy to do anything about it," Simon finished for him.
"Right. So I'll pretend you're getting on my nerves sometime when we're together enough for that to actually be feasible." The waiter came for their orders. Jean-Paul indulged in the pate appetizer and the veal sweetbreads with roasted figs as his main. If he was going to be a brute about what went on his plate, he supposed he might as well go the whole way.
"The poached shrimp to start," Simon told the waiter, "and the duck breast with togarashi and snow peas."
Jean-Paul waited until the waiter had swept off again, then turned his attention back to Simon. "I admit it, I miss being able to come back to our room and mess you up while you're trying to study."
"Oh you haven't gotten enough of that over the years?" Simon grinned.
"Not being able to do it whenever I like makes me long for it, I suppose." Jean-Paul sipped his water, smiling a little. "Especially when it guarantees you'd pay attention to me. Even if it is just to kick me out of the room," he added with a laugh.
Simon's lips twitched in a half-smile. "Now it sounds like I've been neglecting you."
"Hmm. Better not say that. I might try to take advantage. But it will be all right, non? We'll get through our respective educations, then it'll be more like it used to."
A flicker of doubt was there and gone in Simon's eyes. He didn't exactly know what either of them were going to do after they graduated. Certainly, Simon didn't know if he would still be at Xavier's. But...it wasn't a discussion to have on a night like this one. "Mm, yes, with you mauling me at every turn..."
"Tell me that was a request."
Simon just grinned a little. "Wouldn't it weaken the thrill if I did?"
"Not if you never see me coming." Jean-Paul's grin was wicked.
Simon's lips twitched. "Well, I never see you coming, so I think you're safe in that regard. That said, I'll be honest and tell you that I never mind...even when I'm in the middle of something."
"Good." Jean-Paul looked genuinely pleased to hear that. "You never trust me when I say how appealing you are. But at least I can show it. I have a hard time staying away from you."
Simon huffed softly. "You could have had much more attractive a boyfriend. Hell, you could have had Kyle, if you'd waited."
"Please. He's ten years older than me. And not the kind of guy that hops into bed with desperate eighteen year olds." He hoped. It wasn't as if he'd ever discussed Kyle's sexual preferences in depth. "Besides..." And he was smirking again. "You need me more."
Simon's eyebrows went up. "Is that so?"
Jean-Paul sipped at his water, all innocence. "Surely you never had so much specific culinary attention lavished on you before you met me."
Simon couldn't help himself. He laughed, then rubbed his brow, ducking his head. "Well, my family did have a cook..."
"I'm sure they never did what I can do for you." There wasn't even a pretense of subtlety there.
Simon looked up, and then feigned thoughtfulness. "To be fair, I never tried..."
"This is a new twist. Should I try taking you over the kitchen counter when we get home?" There was faint color to Jean-Paul's cheeks despite his bold words.
Simon's eyes widened a notch and he glanced sideways toward the nearest table. "Jean-Paul!" he huffed beneath his breath.
Jean-Paul laughed, basking in his victory. "Fine, fine. I'll be good."
A little flushed, Simon reached for his water. "Ass."
"Behave yourself, Simon. Our dinner will be here soon."
Dinner was every bit as fantastic as the reviews had promised. Despite their blue streak of banter, Simon and Jean-Paul had both taken the time to savor the meal and the luxury of having the night to themselves. There was work and worry waiting them tomorrow, but for now, they had the freedom to enjoy each other without distraction.
By the time they'd gotten back to the apartment, Simon was already opening a bottle of wine and shrugging out of his jacket, loosening his cuffs in anticipation of not losing yet another shirt to an eager speedster.
"Planning to get me drunk and seduce me?" Jean-Paul asked, looking not at all unhappy at the prospect. He toed off his shoes at the door, crashed on the couch, and flicked the fireplace vid up on the television. He knew he'd be hungry again before long, but he could certainly wait until he and Simon had their time together.
Simon's shirt was unbuttoned and his waistcoat missing by the time he came around the corner and climbed onto Jean-Paul's lap, straddling his hips, a bottle in one hand, and two glasses in the other. "I didn't actually plan on waiting that long."
Jean-Paul's smug demeanor gentled. He reached up to help Simon with the wine.
"Glad to see you too."
Simon leaned down, kissing him lightly for a moment before smiling against his mouth. Finally, he sat up and started pouring the wine. "I might be missing you too."
"But not right now." Jean-Paul took the glass from Simon, then clinked it lightly to his boyfriend's. "And not the rest of tonight. I'm all yours."
Simon took a deep drink, then shifted around to sit normally on Jean-Paul's lap. "So this kitchen counter idea..."
Jean-Paul chuckled as Simon settled against him, but couldn't hide the flush of arousal that pinkened his cheeks. "You are serious?"
Simon looked at him, a little smile on his lips. "Is this a fantasy of yours?"
"It hadn't ever crossed my mind before tonight." Fucking Tam. Now Jean-Paul wasn't sure if Simon was serious or aiming to pay him back for acting like a barbarian in public. "You...so you like the idea?"
Simon took a sip of wine, seeming to think it over, even if he could feel the warmth spreading through his limbs. "I'm definitely not against it..."
Now Jean-Paul couldn't even pretend to hide his interest. It wasn't that Simon was prudish -- far from it! -- but he was usually very proper about just where they decided to debauch each other. Even heavy petting on the couch of their own apartment usually wound up transitioning to the bedroom. "Should I try cooking something to set the mood?"
Simon chuckled softly, leaning in to ghost his lips along Jean-Paul's jaw. "Why don't you cook something to satisfy your metabolism?"
This time, Jean-Paul did blush. "Not my fault you get me worked up," he murmured, turning his head just enough to catch a kiss.
Simon indulged happily, lingering in a slow taste for a moment before smiling against his mouth. "Why don't you cook, I'll watch, you eat, then I'll clean up and we can have some fun?"
"Not the whirlwind night of romance I thought I was promising you." But Jean-Paul leaned gratefully against Simon. "Weird downsides of dating mutants."
His boyfriend chuckled. "It's a good thing that I have solid proof of your condition at my fingertips, then."
Jean-Paul sighed ruefully and rose to his feet, his free hand clasping Simon's as he lead the way to the kitchen. "Tell me you at least enjoyed the restaurant."
Simon stopped, using his body weight to lean backwards and bring Jean-Paul around to face him. "Hey. I enjoyed the restaurant. And the car ride. And you. And I'm still enjoying the evening. You know I love watching you cook."
Jean-Paul went with the flow, letting Simon tug him right up against his chest again. "Desole." He stole a kiss, then headed for the kitchen again. "I'm just feeling a little sensitive about leaving you behind again. Metaphorically and otherwise."
He put on water for pasta as soon as they arrived and went rummaging in the freezer for stored produce. Carbs and protein and he would be set for the next few hours.
Meanwhile, Simon took a seat on a nearby stool, reclining against its back, sipping at his wine as he watched Jean-Paul work. "You could stand to lose a little clothing," he pointed out.
"Hmm." Jean-Paul gave Simon a speculative look. "Do you really want me shirtless and cooking? I don't think burns are that sexy."
"Shoes, socks, jacket, tie..." Simon hummed. There were any number of pieces of clothing he could remove before it proved risky.
"I am probably safer without a wick around my neck," Jean-Paul said with a with a smirk. He tugged the tie off and tossed it to Simon. "And it would be a shame to get stains on the jacket..."
Simon fumbled the tie, but finally caught the end and looped it over his shoulders with a grin. "I'm glad you see it my way."
The jacket followed, but the rest stayed put. "I'm not going to risk dropping a pot on my bare feet, sorry. I need those." Jean-Paul stirred the vegetables in the skillet, looking more at ease than he had even in the car. "Sure you don't want me making enough for two?"
Simon laughed softly. "I'm good with the wine. I think I ate more than I should have, actually."
"It was good," Jean-Paul agreed. "Fine dining just doesn't give me the portions I need to last all night."
Simon nodded. "Or the right balance of carbs," he agreed.
"They do all right with the calories though." Because fois gras...oh, man. Better to not think of that otherwise his pasta was going to start looking like pretty run-down grub, despite the company. "Maybe next time I'll take you dancing and we'll go to an all-you-can eat after. Or a Brazillian steakhouse. I've taken Jeanne-Marie to one, but never you."
Simon laughed softly. "Because I generally enjoy plants to go with my meat."
"So you're saying I should be looking for salad-flavored condoms next time I'm out?" It was a silly, juvenile joke, but Jean-Paul just couldn't help himself.
Simon grabbed a small peach off of the counter and flung it at his boyfriend's ass.
Jean-Paul snatched it out of the air, smirking. "Aren't you supposed to try bouncing quarters off it or something?"
"What makes you think I haven't already done it?" Simon smirked back at him.
"Because I know your aim isn't that bad."
It was all banter and innuendo from there until Jean-Paul finally plated his meal and joined Simon at the counter.
"My aim is pretty bad," Simon told him with a smile, working his way back around to the previous topic.
"You seem to get what you want eventually." Jean-Paul slurped a strand of spaghetti. It was fun to remind Simon that he'd taken up with a cleaned up barbarian on occasion.
Simon gave him a resigned look. "Must you?"
Jean-Paul smirked. "Must I what?"
Simon drained the last of his glass and motioned toward Jean-Paul's mouth. "That."
"Oh." He leaned in for a kiss. "That?"
Simon got a hand up before Jean-Paul's spaghetti-mouth could touch his. "No, not that!"
Jean-Paul laughed and leaned back on his stool, unafraid of gravity. "You need to civilize me, it seems."
"Yes, I need to something..." Simon huffed at him.
Jean-Paul smirked. "Come on, then. I could stand to be mauled around by a handsome man."
"Finish your pasta, fiend," Simon snorted, but stood, pushing up his sleeves to go rinse off any dirty dishes.
"God, domestic is a sexy look on you." Jean-Paul grinned, all but inhaling his pasta in a rush to obey. "I can see doing this with you for a decade or five, you know."
Simon's steps hitched - but only for a moment - until he reached the sink and began to wash. It was almost as though Jean-Paul had read his mind. Or looked through his things. "A decade or five hm?"
Jean-Paul finished his meal and brought his plate over to help with the washing up. "Sorry. I keep forgetting the 'old married' stuff gives you a rash." He kissed the back of Simon's neck in apology.
Simon reached for a dish towel, drying his hands before turning to face his boyfriend with an odd smile. "Not so much anymore. I'm not sure I could imagine myself with anyone else."
Jean-Paul hugged him. "I'm not sorry to hear that. I just have a hard time imagining what else there is. I mean... I never figured I'd have someone."
"Ben dan," Simon grumbled softly, sliding his arms around Jean-Paul's waist. "You could have anyone you wanted."
"For sex. Having someone want you forever is...different."
Simon sighed out, then ducked his head to kiss Jean-Paul's neck. "Neither did I. Think this was what awaited me."
Jean-Paul slid his hands up Simon's back and into his hair, a familiar gesture of comfort by now. "You think this is forever?"
Simon sighed out at the fingers scraping his scalp and ran his breath over one of Jean-Paul's pointed ears. "Do you?"
Jean-Paul tensed under Simon's hands, as if bracing himself against a blow. "Yeah," he whispered, leaning forward to breathe the words into Simon's ear. "I do."
Simon chuckled softly against him, an odd sound amidst the tension, and ghosted his hand down to slowly palm and squeeze Jean-Paul's ass. "What a conversation to have on Valentine's Day."
"Hey." Jean-Paul snorted softly; Simon's laughter was catching. "I thought 'I do' was supposed be romantic."
"Nothing's more romantic than you bracing for the chopping block as you say it," Simon smiled against him. Then he drew back slowly to look at him. "I already told you that I can't imagine myself with anyone else. But if you try to marry me before either of us are finished with school, I will beat you. Neither of us can afford the distraction that publicity would bring."
"Oh, I think I've staked my claim clearly enough without us having to go that far." He brushed his fingertips over Simon's ring; not an engagement ring, perhaps, but it still meant something that Simon wore it. "But the rest isn't you. Just me afraid of tempting fate."
Simon ghosted his thumb over the ring as well, out of habit, then leaned in to brush his nose against Jean-Paul's. "Maybe I should stake my claim too."
"And I think this is what we were talking about when we got in," Jean-Paul murmured.
Simon huffed softly in amusement but pulled away from him. "I was going to save this for tomorrow morning when you started grumbling about lost time and not wanting to get out of bed."
Jean-Paul followed, holding Simon's hand. "Are we no longer talking about sex?"
"Keep in mind this isn't just a ruse to get you into the bedroom," Simon hummed, then reached down to open the top drawer of the end table, pulling out a small ring-box.
"Oh." Jean-Paul blinked. A smile started to spread over his face. "Very sneaky, Simon Tam." He held out his hand for the box. "Let me try it on?"
Simon passed him the box - inside, a silver band to match his own, though the inscription along the underside differed somewhat: Pour toujours et à jamai. Forever and always. It was far too fitting for the discussion they'd just had...almost fated, though Simon didn't want to think of that. Had he been anticipating Jean-Paul's thoughts? "Please. I already had it sized."
"That wasn't why I wanted to put it on." Jean-Paul slid the ring on easily, took a moment to admire it, then pulled Simon into a kiss.
Simon let himself indulge in it for a moment, reveling in the taste and the heat of the gorgeous québécois. Then he drew away an inch and smiled sideways. "I should have done this a long time ago."
"As if you needed to." Jean-Paul kissed him again. "I'm a smart boy. I know I'd never have it better than you."
"Be that as it may..." Simon smirked, firming his hands on Jean-Paul's hips. "I should have. And I'm sorry. I love you, and I want to be with you, and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to be straight with you on the matter."
"There's a terrible pun in there." Jean-Paul slid his arms around Simon, taking a moment just to let everything in his head shut the hell up so he could admire the young man in his arms. "We're going to be fine. Remember that on the days you want to strangle me?"
"Believe me, I'm reminding myself right now," Simon answered wryly, a smirk on his lips.
