❧ Out ❧ Of ❧ Time

[tinkertank]

➷ Pick A Muse
➷ Post a Prompt: leave a picture, a line, or a full-on tag!
➷ THE CATCH!: AU-it! If they're sci-fi? Stick them in BCE. If they're Victorian? Put them in the 1920s. If they're from Candyland? Put them into Steampunk Dystopian Veggieland. WHERE IN TIME IS CARMEN SANDIAGO? them. Let's do this.
➷ Label who you're tagging.
(Also put what time period/theme, if you have something specific in mind and think it's unclear.)
➷ ♥

Comments

[affablecharm]

[When Jehan caught his breath, Courfeyrac took the chance to do the same... But there was a small sound as his lip remained between Jehan's teeth.

His lips curled into a smirk, however, as Jehan commented on his kissing skills.]

Yeah?

[After catching his breath, he moved his forehead from Jehan's so he could plant light kisses along his jaw, up to behind his ear.]

Just okay?

[laughingandlyric]

[Humming, eyes still closed, he smiled in return and pressed his nose against his cheek, nuzzling briefly.]

Mmn, yeah. Just okay. Nothing I'll write in my journal about...

[affablecharm]

Your new one I'm buying you for that bribe?

[His chuckle is right in Jehan's ear, breath tickling his skin before he drags his teeth lightly down his neck and continues with those kisses.]

But what if I was bribing you with it expressly to have it filled with stories and thoughts about me?

[A light nip over his pulse point.]

[laughingandlyric]

Oh, I'd almost forgotten... thanks for the reminder.

[He couldn't help that his breath hitched at that nip, and he coloured for giving that away.

But two could play at that. Since his ear was accessible, he turned his head and returned that nip to the side of it, kissing it after.]

...If that was your goal, then, I guess. I guess we'd probably have to leave this hallway. Nothing romantic ever happened in a hallway.

[affablecharm]

[Damn it. There was a small sound when Jehan returned his nip... and he pulled away after pressing a kiss to the spot he'd used his own teeth on.]

Nothing romantic? So my teaching you to dance passably followed by some great kisses wasn't romantic? Then I will let you choose the next place we venture to.

[laughingandlyric]

Well, no. It wasn't.

[He decided, after some thought.]

Because it was all on the basis of coercion, in a place chosen because it's hidden. Bribery and sneaking is only the start of something really romantic.

[Well. He'd warned Courfeyrac not to kiss him, hadn't he?

But he had anyway, and so. So...

Reaching over, he went to take his hand, saying adamantly;]

You should come home with me. And I said it was 'okay', not 'great.'

[There: bravery, though he was already wavering on what he'd said.]

[affablecharm]

The start of something really romantic... Well, I can work with that.

[He glanced down at their hands, then back at Jehan when he spoke next... Grinning from ear to ear.]

You said 'okay], you thought 'great'.... Yeah, I'll go home with you, though. Teach me how to make this truly romantic. I am yours to teach.

[laughingandlyric]

How do you know what I thought? I thought it was okay.

[Asked, giving a nod and tugging him along then; his house wasn't far, and the weather was nice. It would be a short walk.]

Will your sister be all right, getting home alone?

[affablecharm]

A lucky guess. You'd never admit if I'm right.

[He followed... not really eagerly-- okay it was definitely eagerly. Biting his lip to keep from laughing, he squeezed Jehan's hand a little.]

She'll be alright, she was going to her friend's house tonight if I remember correctly...

[laughingandlyric]

I would too...

[Rubbing a finger over his thumb, satisfied by his answer about his sister, he hid his chin against his collar.]

Maybe. If there was no choice but to admit it. That's the real test, isn't it? If you distract someone so highly, make their chest feel so fluttery, that they can't help but tell you how wonderful you are.

So, no; not yet. Not great yet.

[affablecharm]

We'll see if I can't fix that when we get to your house.

[And, well, his heart skipped a beat when he felt Jehan's finger rub over his thumb.]

I would be particularly keen on hearing how you could tell me how wonderful I am, with your impressive vocabulary.

[laughingandlyric]

Oh, you're so arrogant, it's such a shame...

[He chided, gently, stopping a step to press against his side and offering a smile before continuing on to his house, getting out his keys with his spare hand.]

I think I have an idea.

[affablecharm]

Is it? Or is it part of my charm?

[He laughed and pressed back, playfully.]

I will allow you to lead, since I did earlier.

[laughingandlyric]

Is that what you say to the girls? 'I'm charmingly arrogant, now you lead, because I'm tired'? No wonder you're so popular.

[Teased, as he got the door open and led him inside.]

Grandmama isn't home, so don't worry about noise. [A pause, before he realized what that sounded like, and-- er.] I mean... volume le-- I mean. Oh.

Nevermind. Do you want anything to drink?

[affablecharm]

I never said I was tired, Jehan... Now you're just trying to make me sound bad.

[He laughed and followed Jehan in... Smile growing at every stumbled phrase as he glanced around casually.]

Right, I don't have to worry about being as loud as I please... And I'll have whatever you're having.

[laughingandlyric]

Mm, or maybe you sound bad all on your own? I was only repeating.

[He knew he was being harsh, but really, he was sure Reynaud could take it.

Nodding, he went to the adjoining kitchen, to set the kettle to boil.]

Cocoa, then. Do you want anything to eat?

[affablecharm]

Now that I know isn't true... You would have told me sooner.

[He followed Jehan into the kitchen, leaning against the counter and grinning lopsidedly.]

No, the cocoa is enough, thanks.

[laughingandlyric]

[A nod, and as the water boiled, he leaned against the counter and looked up at him, slumping.]

When you hear my idea, you have to promise not to laugh. At least try it before you laugh, anyway. ...Okay?

[affablecharm]

Alright, I promise.

[He shoves his hands in his pockets and raises his eyebrows.]

Now the curiosity is killing me.

[laughingandlyric]

Like the cat.

[An idle smile, and he rested his chin on his hands, watching the kettle.]

My idea is, we should use a blindfold. Not-- for whatever reason you're about to say, or even think. Even if it's kissing, I think it would help if you couldn't see. ...And.

[Tilting his head, he went on,] I think you should pretend that you're not handsome.

[Okay, he realizes this either sounds really silly, or really bizarre. Give him a moment.]

You're so confident, and so charming, and know what you're doing so well... but everyone is different. You can't just expect that what's 'good' for everyone is 'great' for everyone. And while confidence is attractive, vulnerability is romantic. It lets people learn each other, and make mistakes, and fix them and get even better.

So, even if all we do is talk tonight... for once, why don't you pretend that you're not automatically good, and not know for five minutes how handsome you are, and be left wondering what someone else is thinking, rather than reading their mind?

[When he had an idea, he had a tendency to ramble.]

...Well?

[affablecharm]

[Courfeyrac watched him, eyebrows raising slightly at the blindfold comment, but he wisely opted not to laugh. It was a... well, very curious way of going about things. But pretending he's not handsome-- He doesn't even know how to start on that one. He allowed Jehan to ramble, interested in hearing more of what he had to say.

And to be honest? This really was the strangest request he's ever heard. Biting down on his lip, he mulled it over, canting his head from side to side.]

That could be interesting... I don't know where to begin in pretending I'm not handsome, but perhaps that blindfold thing would help.

Sure. Why not, let's give it a whirl.

[laughingandlyric]

[He rolled his eyes gingerly, but was at least glad he was willing to try.

Maybe to someone, Courfeyrac really wasn't handsome; beauty was in the eye of the beholder. But there was something to be said for letting your partner make you feel beautiful, rather than knowing it so well it didn't come as a surprise, and the little thrill of nerves at wondering.

Grabbing mugs now, Jehan went to fix the cocoa, pouring the water when it was ready, and then passing him his with a light smile.]

Well, thank you. It's sweet of you not to laugh or make a face at me.

Let me know if you need marshmallows. I am here to serve.

[affablecharm]

[The problem was, Courfeyrac had yet to come across someone who didn't find him attractive. He took the mug with a grin of his own as it was passed to him.]

I do have personality traits other than charming and arrogant, you know... And you don't have to serve me, Jehan... but I am fine without any marshmallows.

[Taking a sip of the cocoa after blowing on it to cool it, he licks his lips for any excess chocolate.]

When would you like to start this experiment of yours?

[laughingandlyric]

[A short, quiet laugh and he shook his head, having a sip.]

It's a saying, Rey. I'm not going to do your laundry and fix your tie.

[But he nodded at what he'd said.]

...I know. Or I wouldn't have invited you. [He really didn't speak to anyone he didn't like, as a person. Charming and arrogant? Not his favourite kind of people at all. He knew that Reynaud was also very sweet, very humorous, smart, and a loyal friend. See? Not all bad. Not even 5% bad, really.]

Um-- maybe just after the cocoa! I feel like mixing blindness and hot drinks is dangerous? Or at least messy. Then I really would have to do your laundry.

[affablecharm]

A saying, yes, but I still felt the need to point it out.

[Because he may not trust Jehan to fix his tie... Still, he hid his smile in his cocoa as Jehan continued.]

Dangerous and messy, yes. And I'd hate for you to have to do my laundry while I was in a state of undress in your room.

[.... He's going to have a really difficult time with this blindfold thing.]