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om_mainBetween courses Victor slips out for some air and is joined by unexpected company.
After chatting with Jeanne-Marie for a long while, Victor had for the moment felt a little better. Though of course he hated being out using his image inducer and he was still worried about somehow ruining the smart pants he'd borrowed from Vance in an highly unlikely but totally devastating spilling incident. All in all that didn't make for the most relaxed guy in the world but Victor thought at least it meant he wasn't dwelling too much about the other issues in his life, and when the actual meal began he was able to just enjoy the food and listen to the older kids chatting. Nobody seemed to notice he wasn't adding anything to the conversation at all, thankfully.
Between courses though he silently excused himself and slipped outside to the patio for some air. For a while not including himself was ok but slowly it became isolating in itself. He didn't know half the people at the table and had no idea what to say to them and in turn hated how little confidence he had these days. Before his mutation he was the kind of kid who'd talk the ear off anyone, now he was almost a recluse. It was pitiful really.
A pair of thin, deceptively strong arms snaked around Victor's middle from behind, just as a voice murmured into his ear, "Konbonwa." Shinobi rested his chin on the younger boy's shoulder, holding him tight enough to ensure he didn't slip away, but not so tight he was crushed up against him. "Victor, isn't it? I don't think we've been properly introduced just yet. Shinobi Shaw, at your service. And just what has driven you out into the cold, cold night, dear fellow?"
The sudden arms around him had startled Victor and, ok, once Shinobi had identified himself it wasn't like it was a complete stranger but still. A boy he'd never even spoken to before, a good looking boy who seemed to be the date of one of Victor's sort-of friends/tutors but still a boy he'd never spoken to before, had his arms wrapped around his like he knew him. What the hell was going on?
"Just needed some air." He mumbled as he looked down at those embracing arms. He didn't know how to respond to this situation, it wasn't bad but it wasn't anything he was even a little bit familiar.
"Sou ka, sou ka," Shinobi replied, not relinquishing his grip right away. "I understand. These sorts of events can get terribly stuffy, can't they? Only natural to take a moment to regain your bearings now and then." Finally, he released Victor, but only so he could turn the smaller mutant around to get a proper look at him. "That's a very cute face you're wearing tonight," he said, without a trace of self-consciousness. "But not nearly as striking as the one you usually wear. It's a pity we can't show it off a bit. For now, though, I suppose the Philistines outnumber us by too great a margin."
Victor swallowed as he looked up at the older boy. He'd actually been about to warn the older boy that he was the lizard kid in case he hadn't known yet but hearing that he knew Victor was the lizard but still gotten so close, well that was unexpected. Then again he hadn't had to be near Victor's scaley skin or anything.
"This is my real- um, what I mean is, this is me before the change." He explained awkwardly, still wondering why Shinobi was even bothering to talk to him when there were so many others here though it seemed pretty rude to ask.
"Is that so?" murmured Shinobi rhetorically, cocking one brow. He finally gave up his hold on Victor altogether, and stood back with a finger resting thoughtfully beneath his chin. "Well, what you were working with before certainly wasn't bad. My preference, however, definitely lies with emerald-scaled cherub."
Waving dismissively, Shaw went on, "There's no accounting for taste, though, I suppose. So, Victor, how are you enjoying Mr. Beaubier's little soiree? Quite the event, neh?"
Pure surprise meant that Victor failed to even attempt to hide the absolute confusion that ran through him to hear someone say they preferred the reptile face. OK, so Pietro said it but Pietro was his friend so of course he said stuff like that.
Recovering slowly from the surprise, he did his best to answer without mumbling or stuttering too much.
"It's good, nice. The food's amazing so far and everyone seems to be having fun."
Shinobi nodded. "Quite so. Paige certainly seems to be having a good time, and I hadn't thought she'd have much taste for social gatherings of this kind. You know Paige, don't you? Gorgeous blond genius, can't possibly say too many nice things about her? She's the reason I'm here, really." He regarded Victor intently. "So. What is the reason you're here? It can't be terribly comfortable having to pretend this way."
"Jean-Paul invited me, he's done a lot for me and I guess I didn't want to insult him by turning him down or anything." Victor explained, not completely confidently but better than before. He'd already felt uncomfortable and now under Shinobi's gaze he felt it even more. At least he wasn't making a complete idiot out of his though, that was something.
"And yeah, I know Paige. We're friends and she tutors me sometimes. Oh I'm, I'm not thick or anything I just sometimes struggle with my math sometimes." She'd also been one of the first people, and definitely the first girl, he'd come out to after that awful mess with Pietro.
"Uh. If you're here with her and it's so great and fun though then why'd you follow me out here?" Why would anyone trade Paige's company for his? Even temporarily.
Puffing out his chest a little, Shinobi said, "Math, hmm? Well, Victor-kun, it just so happens that math is my very best subject. Perhaps I can contribute to your tutoring, in my own modest way." Of course, it wasn't just the reptilian boy's interests he had at heart; any excuse to spend a little more time with Paige was, to his mind, something to be seized upon immediately. And with unyielding tenaciousness.
"As for why I followed you," he went on, shrugging, "well, it's not as though I'm joined with my date at the hip." Not that he'd have really minded if they were, but still. "And you and I really haven't had a chance to speak one-on-one up until now. I thought this would be a golden opportunity to correct that oversight." Shaw winked. "I have a weakness for pretty younger men, you know."
And now Victor's cheeks really were burning. To make matters worse, while he'd found a blush wasn't really all the noticeable with his green skin the hologram must be showing exactly how he was reacting plain as day. Just great.
"I. Uh." His throat stuck and, fuck, it had been a while since someone made him stutter like an absolute moron. Didn't feel any better for it though. "I'm really not." His gaze dipped to the follow. Because how can anyone who's seen my other face, my real face, ever call it nice let alone pretty? "I didn't know you even wanted to, uh, meet me actually."
"Well," said Shinobi, patting Victor companionably on the shoulder and stepping past him to look out over the dark, snow-draped grounds, "I suppose I want to meet everyone, sooner or later. But tonight just happened to be your night. Lucky for both of us, neh?" Shaw had not missed the blush, or failed to find it unspeakably adorable, but elected not to draw attention to it just then. "And you really are," he added, almost as an afterthought. "Pretty, I mean. I'm sure any fool could tell you that. I just happen to be the fool in the right place at the right time."
When Victor spoke again, it was soft and quiet as he remembered the laughing and jeering that had brought about the beginning of the end for Tommy and him. What they'd called him withoutn knowing it was him. "But I'm a monster." And apparently he was less stuttery when talking to Shinobi's back that was, well that was seriously not useful. He really needed to work on this whole 'not falling to pieces when good looking guys talk to me' thing. "How is that pretty?"
Was Shinobi maybe just making fun of him? He knew absolutely nothing about the guy after all. Then again, he couldn't see Paige ever wanting to spend time with someone who was mean. "Look, sorry. I'm really not self-loathing," Much. "Or fishing for compliments, I just. I don't understand at all. If anyone's pretty here it's, um, well, uh, you."
Shinobi turned suddenly on his heel, and cocked his head. "You think I'm pretty?" A wide grin broke out across his face. "Oh, Victor-kun, you are simply too much a darling! But," the older boy stepped forward and poked a finger into Victor's chest lightly for emphasis, "I will hear none of this monster talk. Exotic, perhaps. A monster, though? Never. I know pretty when I see it, you know. And I see it now. Or rather, a somewhat more mundane echo of it."
With easy impertinence, he threaded an arm through Victor's. "You may not realize it yet, Victor-kun, but you have a very special advantage. Most people have to try for an interesting look. You were fortunate enough to be born with one. Don't let the plebs get you down, with their absurd lack of imagination. Work what you've got, and the ones with actual taste will come flocking to you." With a wide grin, Shinobi added, "If I weren't already completely smitten with Paige, I might try to make the most of having the inside track. As it is, I suppose the best I can do is ready you for the inevitable arrival of the prince that will sweep you off your feet. Make him work for it, Victor-kun. It's the least you deserve."
His face was burning more than ever now and just how should he react to that? What should he say? It was just all too much and unbelievable and overwhelming. Exactly like everything else had been lately except this was nice, more than nice. But it was still too much, he was still completely lost and didn't know what to say to any of it.
So, instead, he asked "What's that mean? 'Victor-kun'?" Because the other stuff just, no, brain doesn't not compute. With any of it.
Waving his free hand dismissively, Shinobi said, "It's a Japanese honorific. The Japanese have honorifics for all occasions, you know. In this case, all it indicates is that you are a male teenager of my acquaintance. But the nuance may change over time, so I recommend you Wiki it as soon as we get home." He tapped Victor on the nose teasingly. "Though I trust this will not be the sum total of all you gain from this conversation."
"You've given me a lot to think about. For sure" Victor nodded, and he didn't just mean about the mini Japanese lesson though that was interesting. It had also made him realise exactly how little he knew about Shinobi, except for how he apparently really liked math and being complimented. "You liking it here then? The school and stuff?"
That got a noncommittal sort of shrug. "For a school, it's really quite fantastic. Though in my experience, few schools set the bar all that high, in terms of enjoyment value. At the very least, I can say I do not actively dislike my present circumstances. And you? Is this your first private boarding school? We'll leave off the bit about all of us being fantastically gifted, for now."
"It is, yeah. It's better than I thought it would be though." Victor nodded. They were alone on the patio but, ever cautious, he stepped closer and dropped his voice. "Maybe some place less risky than this you can show me what your 'gift 'is sometime? Since most of mine is pretty obvious to everyone."
It could never be said that Shinobi was in possession of an excess of caution. He did, however, cast a surreptitious glance around the patio before extending his hand toward victor and gently phased his fingers through the front of the younger mutant's shirt. A more subtle demonstration than he usually preferred, but even he understood the value of discretion in a setting like this one. "Molecular phase shifting," he explained, voice low. "I can also go the other way, but that's more difficult to demonstrate without somebody throwing something at me, or some such thing."
Vic stared down at the hand for most of the time Shinobi spoke, just amazed. Mutant school totally hadn't ruined his ability to be amazed by powers, not yet anyway. Looking up, he grinned "That is pretty awesome. So you can walk through walls and stuff whenever you want?" Very cool.
"Whenever I want," Shinobi confirmed with a decidedly self-satisfied nod. "And yes, it is exceedingly cool." He puffed out his chest a bit in obvious self-satisfaction. "Don't feel obliged to be reserved in your adulation."
"Ok, now you just sound like Bobby." Victor laughed a little as he continued to smile, it was funny before he felt so crappy and now just from chatting he was more like himself again. Either it said a lot about the good of socialisation or how pathetically lonely and needy he was right now.
"But like him I guess you have every reason for it, well I don't guess it's pretty fucking obvious, is that more to your liking?" He chuckled as Shinobi had started to almost pout.
"Much," Shinobi acknowledged, grin beaming forth anew, as though the sulk had never been. "And I can only take your comparing me to Roberto as the highest of compliments. So, arigatou."
"Welcome." Victor mumbled, wrapping his arms around himself. Now he understood more about his lizard self he knew he was so cold because his body could no longer regulate it's own temperature and he'd stupidly left his coat inside. Still, he stayed where he was stood almost captivated by the older boy. He didn't know what to say, he'd already made an idiot out of himself though so maybe it was better to say nothing?
Tilting his head, Shinobi inquired, "Are you cold? I don't particularly relish this time of year, either, you know; if it were up to me, Xavier's would have a winter school somewhere in the tropics. Where drinks are served in coconuts and seashells are considered acceptable as swimwear. It would be glorious." He sighed, somewhat forlornly, at what was manifestly a brilliant idea which was never likely to be. "For now, though, I suppose perhaps we should rejoin the party. I'm sure they'll begin to think I've kidnapped you soon."
"Doubt anyone's missed me." Victor shrugged though he couldn't deny he was cold. "I used to love this time of year but my new body's not so keen."
"I admit ... I'm probably not the most sympathetic ear, in situations like this," Shinobi nodded, resting his hand familiarly on Victor's back. "I never had any use for the cold. And I felt like an aberration for so long before my powers actually manifested that I really don't remember what it was like when those feelings were fresh and painful. But," he rested his cheek on the younger boy's shoulder, though it required a bit of slouching on his part, "I will offer this, for what it's worth: it takes some time to really believe in your own value and beauty, when the world seems aligned against you. I think you're beautiful, though. Whatever face you happen to be wearing." He brushed his cheek briefly against the other mutants. "Even the feel of those fine, toothy scales gives me shudders."
Victor had forgotten how to breathe, completely and utterly. He couldn't have spoken even if he knew what to say. Shinobi sounded like he meant it but then how could he? And yet he was close again, close enough to touch and feel the scales and he honestly didn't seem repulsed. How could that be real? His eyes had slid closed at some point, despite his complaining of the cold the older boy in fact felt so warm.
He wasn't sure quite how long he'd just stood there, enjoy the closeness, stunned by the compliments and completely bewildered about how he was suppose to response. Slowly, he opened his eyes "I-" But what could he say to explain what he was thinking? Did he even have to explain? He wasn't sure. His cheeks were burning worse than ever though, that much he was sure of.
Reaching around, Shinobi rested a long finger upon Victor's lips, "Shh. I think that's enough somber talk for one evening, neh? Now, let's go back inside before you're missed--as you surely will be. If I were capable of it, I'd feel guilty keeping you to myself this long."
Mutely, Victor nodded since there was little else he could do in that moment but allow himself to be steered back inside.
After chatting with Jeanne-Marie for a long while, Victor had for the moment felt a little better. Though of course he hated being out using his image inducer and he was still worried about somehow ruining the smart pants he'd borrowed from Vance in an highly unlikely but totally devastating spilling incident. All in all that didn't make for the most relaxed guy in the world but Victor thought at least it meant he wasn't dwelling too much about the other issues in his life, and when the actual meal began he was able to just enjoy the food and listen to the older kids chatting. Nobody seemed to notice he wasn't adding anything to the conversation at all, thankfully.
Between courses though he silently excused himself and slipped outside to the patio for some air. For a while not including himself was ok but slowly it became isolating in itself. He didn't know half the people at the table and had no idea what to say to them and in turn hated how little confidence he had these days. Before his mutation he was the kind of kid who'd talk the ear off anyone, now he was almost a recluse. It was pitiful really.
A pair of thin, deceptively strong arms snaked around Victor's middle from behind, just as a voice murmured into his ear, "Konbonwa." Shinobi rested his chin on the younger boy's shoulder, holding him tight enough to ensure he didn't slip away, but not so tight he was crushed up against him. "Victor, isn't it? I don't think we've been properly introduced just yet. Shinobi Shaw, at your service. And just what has driven you out into the cold, cold night, dear fellow?"
The sudden arms around him had startled Victor and, ok, once Shinobi had identified himself it wasn't like it was a complete stranger but still. A boy he'd never even spoken to before, a good looking boy who seemed to be the date of one of Victor's sort-of friends/tutors but still a boy he'd never spoken to before, had his arms wrapped around his like he knew him. What the hell was going on?
"Just needed some air." He mumbled as he looked down at those embracing arms. He didn't know how to respond to this situation, it wasn't bad but it wasn't anything he was even a little bit familiar.
"Sou ka, sou ka," Shinobi replied, not relinquishing his grip right away. "I understand. These sorts of events can get terribly stuffy, can't they? Only natural to take a moment to regain your bearings now and then." Finally, he released Victor, but only so he could turn the smaller mutant around to get a proper look at him. "That's a very cute face you're wearing tonight," he said, without a trace of self-consciousness. "But not nearly as striking as the one you usually wear. It's a pity we can't show it off a bit. For now, though, I suppose the Philistines outnumber us by too great a margin."
Victor swallowed as he looked up at the older boy. He'd actually been about to warn the older boy that he was the lizard kid in case he hadn't known yet but hearing that he knew Victor was the lizard but still gotten so close, well that was unexpected. Then again he hadn't had to be near Victor's scaley skin or anything.
"This is my real- um, what I mean is, this is me before the change." He explained awkwardly, still wondering why Shinobi was even bothering to talk to him when there were so many others here though it seemed pretty rude to ask.
"Is that so?" murmured Shinobi rhetorically, cocking one brow. He finally gave up his hold on Victor altogether, and stood back with a finger resting thoughtfully beneath his chin. "Well, what you were working with before certainly wasn't bad. My preference, however, definitely lies with emerald-scaled cherub."
Waving dismissively, Shaw went on, "There's no accounting for taste, though, I suppose. So, Victor, how are you enjoying Mr. Beaubier's little soiree? Quite the event, neh?"
Pure surprise meant that Victor failed to even attempt to hide the absolute confusion that ran through him to hear someone say they preferred the reptile face. OK, so Pietro said it but Pietro was his friend so of course he said stuff like that.
Recovering slowly from the surprise, he did his best to answer without mumbling or stuttering too much.
"It's good, nice. The food's amazing so far and everyone seems to be having fun."
Shinobi nodded. "Quite so. Paige certainly seems to be having a good time, and I hadn't thought she'd have much taste for social gatherings of this kind. You know Paige, don't you? Gorgeous blond genius, can't possibly say too many nice things about her? She's the reason I'm here, really." He regarded Victor intently. "So. What is the reason you're here? It can't be terribly comfortable having to pretend this way."
"Jean-Paul invited me, he's done a lot for me and I guess I didn't want to insult him by turning him down or anything." Victor explained, not completely confidently but better than before. He'd already felt uncomfortable and now under Shinobi's gaze he felt it even more. At least he wasn't making a complete idiot out of his though, that was something.
"And yeah, I know Paige. We're friends and she tutors me sometimes. Oh I'm, I'm not thick or anything I just sometimes struggle with my math sometimes." She'd also been one of the first people, and definitely the first girl, he'd come out to after that awful mess with Pietro.
"Uh. If you're here with her and it's so great and fun though then why'd you follow me out here?" Why would anyone trade Paige's company for his? Even temporarily.
Puffing out his chest a little, Shinobi said, "Math, hmm? Well, Victor-kun, it just so happens that math is my very best subject. Perhaps I can contribute to your tutoring, in my own modest way." Of course, it wasn't just the reptilian boy's interests he had at heart; any excuse to spend a little more time with Paige was, to his mind, something to be seized upon immediately. And with unyielding tenaciousness.
"As for why I followed you," he went on, shrugging, "well, it's not as though I'm joined with my date at the hip." Not that he'd have really minded if they were, but still. "And you and I really haven't had a chance to speak one-on-one up until now. I thought this would be a golden opportunity to correct that oversight." Shaw winked. "I have a weakness for pretty younger men, you know."
And now Victor's cheeks really were burning. To make matters worse, while he'd found a blush wasn't really all the noticeable with his green skin the hologram must be showing exactly how he was reacting plain as day. Just great.
"I. Uh." His throat stuck and, fuck, it had been a while since someone made him stutter like an absolute moron. Didn't feel any better for it though. "I'm really not." His gaze dipped to the follow. Because how can anyone who's seen my other face, my real face, ever call it nice let alone pretty? "I didn't know you even wanted to, uh, meet me actually."
"Well," said Shinobi, patting Victor companionably on the shoulder and stepping past him to look out over the dark, snow-draped grounds, "I suppose I want to meet everyone, sooner or later. But tonight just happened to be your night. Lucky for both of us, neh?" Shaw had not missed the blush, or failed to find it unspeakably adorable, but elected not to draw attention to it just then. "And you really are," he added, almost as an afterthought. "Pretty, I mean. I'm sure any fool could tell you that. I just happen to be the fool in the right place at the right time."
When Victor spoke again, it was soft and quiet as he remembered the laughing and jeering that had brought about the beginning of the end for Tommy and him. What they'd called him withoutn knowing it was him. "But I'm a monster." And apparently he was less stuttery when talking to Shinobi's back that was, well that was seriously not useful. He really needed to work on this whole 'not falling to pieces when good looking guys talk to me' thing. "How is that pretty?"
Was Shinobi maybe just making fun of him? He knew absolutely nothing about the guy after all. Then again, he couldn't see Paige ever wanting to spend time with someone who was mean. "Look, sorry. I'm really not self-loathing," Much. "Or fishing for compliments, I just. I don't understand at all. If anyone's pretty here it's, um, well, uh, you."
Shinobi turned suddenly on his heel, and cocked his head. "You think I'm pretty?" A wide grin broke out across his face. "Oh, Victor-kun, you are simply too much a darling! But," the older boy stepped forward and poked a finger into Victor's chest lightly for emphasis, "I will hear none of this monster talk. Exotic, perhaps. A monster, though? Never. I know pretty when I see it, you know. And I see it now. Or rather, a somewhat more mundane echo of it."
With easy impertinence, he threaded an arm through Victor's. "You may not realize it yet, Victor-kun, but you have a very special advantage. Most people have to try for an interesting look. You were fortunate enough to be born with one. Don't let the plebs get you down, with their absurd lack of imagination. Work what you've got, and the ones with actual taste will come flocking to you." With a wide grin, Shinobi added, "If I weren't already completely smitten with Paige, I might try to make the most of having the inside track. As it is, I suppose the best I can do is ready you for the inevitable arrival of the prince that will sweep you off your feet. Make him work for it, Victor-kun. It's the least you deserve."
His face was burning more than ever now and just how should he react to that? What should he say? It was just all too much and unbelievable and overwhelming. Exactly like everything else had been lately except this was nice, more than nice. But it was still too much, he was still completely lost and didn't know what to say to any of it.
So, instead, he asked "What's that mean? 'Victor-kun'?" Because the other stuff just, no, brain doesn't not compute. With any of it.
Waving his free hand dismissively, Shinobi said, "It's a Japanese honorific. The Japanese have honorifics for all occasions, you know. In this case, all it indicates is that you are a male teenager of my acquaintance. But the nuance may change over time, so I recommend you Wiki it as soon as we get home." He tapped Victor on the nose teasingly. "Though I trust this will not be the sum total of all you gain from this conversation."
"You've given me a lot to think about. For sure" Victor nodded, and he didn't just mean about the mini Japanese lesson though that was interesting. It had also made him realise exactly how little he knew about Shinobi, except for how he apparently really liked math and being complimented. "You liking it here then? The school and stuff?"
That got a noncommittal sort of shrug. "For a school, it's really quite fantastic. Though in my experience, few schools set the bar all that high, in terms of enjoyment value. At the very least, I can say I do not actively dislike my present circumstances. And you? Is this your first private boarding school? We'll leave off the bit about all of us being fantastically gifted, for now."
"It is, yeah. It's better than I thought it would be though." Victor nodded. They were alone on the patio but, ever cautious, he stepped closer and dropped his voice. "Maybe some place less risky than this you can show me what your 'gift 'is sometime? Since most of mine is pretty obvious to everyone."
It could never be said that Shinobi was in possession of an excess of caution. He did, however, cast a surreptitious glance around the patio before extending his hand toward victor and gently phased his fingers through the front of the younger mutant's shirt. A more subtle demonstration than he usually preferred, but even he understood the value of discretion in a setting like this one. "Molecular phase shifting," he explained, voice low. "I can also go the other way, but that's more difficult to demonstrate without somebody throwing something at me, or some such thing."
Vic stared down at the hand for most of the time Shinobi spoke, just amazed. Mutant school totally hadn't ruined his ability to be amazed by powers, not yet anyway. Looking up, he grinned "That is pretty awesome. So you can walk through walls and stuff whenever you want?" Very cool.
"Whenever I want," Shinobi confirmed with a decidedly self-satisfied nod. "And yes, it is exceedingly cool." He puffed out his chest a bit in obvious self-satisfaction. "Don't feel obliged to be reserved in your adulation."
"Ok, now you just sound like Bobby." Victor laughed a little as he continued to smile, it was funny before he felt so crappy and now just from chatting he was more like himself again. Either it said a lot about the good of socialisation or how pathetically lonely and needy he was right now.
"But like him I guess you have every reason for it, well I don't guess it's pretty fucking obvious, is that more to your liking?" He chuckled as Shinobi had started to almost pout.
"Much," Shinobi acknowledged, grin beaming forth anew, as though the sulk had never been. "And I can only take your comparing me to Roberto as the highest of compliments. So, arigatou."
"Welcome." Victor mumbled, wrapping his arms around himself. Now he understood more about his lizard self he knew he was so cold because his body could no longer regulate it's own temperature and he'd stupidly left his coat inside. Still, he stayed where he was stood almost captivated by the older boy. He didn't know what to say, he'd already made an idiot out of himself though so maybe it was better to say nothing?
Tilting his head, Shinobi inquired, "Are you cold? I don't particularly relish this time of year, either, you know; if it were up to me, Xavier's would have a winter school somewhere in the tropics. Where drinks are served in coconuts and seashells are considered acceptable as swimwear. It would be glorious." He sighed, somewhat forlornly, at what was manifestly a brilliant idea which was never likely to be. "For now, though, I suppose perhaps we should rejoin the party. I'm sure they'll begin to think I've kidnapped you soon."
"Doubt anyone's missed me." Victor shrugged though he couldn't deny he was cold. "I used to love this time of year but my new body's not so keen."
"I admit ... I'm probably not the most sympathetic ear, in situations like this," Shinobi nodded, resting his hand familiarly on Victor's back. "I never had any use for the cold. And I felt like an aberration for so long before my powers actually manifested that I really don't remember what it was like when those feelings were fresh and painful. But," he rested his cheek on the younger boy's shoulder, though it required a bit of slouching on his part, "I will offer this, for what it's worth: it takes some time to really believe in your own value and beauty, when the world seems aligned against you. I think you're beautiful, though. Whatever face you happen to be wearing." He brushed his cheek briefly against the other mutants. "Even the feel of those fine, toothy scales gives me shudders."
Victor had forgotten how to breathe, completely and utterly. He couldn't have spoken even if he knew what to say. Shinobi sounded like he meant it but then how could he? And yet he was close again, close enough to touch and feel the scales and he honestly didn't seem repulsed. How could that be real? His eyes had slid closed at some point, despite his complaining of the cold the older boy in fact felt so warm.
He wasn't sure quite how long he'd just stood there, enjoy the closeness, stunned by the compliments and completely bewildered about how he was suppose to response. Slowly, he opened his eyes "I-" But what could he say to explain what he was thinking? Did he even have to explain? He wasn't sure. His cheeks were burning worse than ever though, that much he was sure of.
Reaching around, Shinobi rested a long finger upon Victor's lips, "Shh. I think that's enough somber talk for one evening, neh? Now, let's go back inside before you're missed--as you surely will be. If I were capable of it, I'd feel guilty keeping you to myself this long."
Mutely, Victor nodded since there was little else he could do in that moment but allow himself to be steered back inside.
