❧ Out ❧ Of ❧ Time

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Comments

[laughingandlyric]

[Jehan felt badly about it, truth be told. As if he'd only offered to dance because he was standing around alone, and they were friends. He'd coerced him, a little bit, into coming home with him... though he really hadn't intended for things to get quite so serious.

Though of course, he wouldn't have let things get remotely serious if he hadn't really liked him. Not just physically; that didn't work for him. He had to like a person's mind and their heart to really be attracted enough to get excited.

But he hadn't outright thought about it either. Because it was totally impossible.

Humming under his breath for a moment, he'd steal a peek at him after a moment.]

...So. Then, date me.

[affablecharm]

[.... As if it were that easy. He dared to glance back over at Jehan, chewing on his lower lip.]

I'm not Feuilly.

[Noooooooo.... Definitely not jealous.]

[laughingandlyric]

[No, it wasn't that easy. But it felt like it should be, and the words had just come out.

At the gentle reprimand; really, what else had he been expecting?; he looked momentarily glum and a little bit embarrassed, shoulders slumping at an angle and he glanced hastily away again.

Okay, he'd had that coming. ...Granted, the jealousy tactic had hit its mark. Not that he'd been fully aware of it being a tactic; it had been more for stabilization. Or something. He wasn't sure anymore, a little too distracted.]

I know that.

[Sighing and pulling his knees up a little now, brushing that spare popcorn away.]

But maybe Feuilly wasn't the answer I would have given, if you'd asked me the dating question.

[affablecharm]

[He watched Jehan a little more closely, his habit of pulling his knees up... Of how his own biting comment had hit its mark and it didn't feel as satisfying as he'd thought it would.]

Your answer wouldn't have been me.

[Not self deprecating, just assured. Jehan was smarter than that- to answer that he was the one person he'd like to date.]

[laughingandlyric]

[A deep breath, and leaning his chin onto his knees, asking softly, if a little bluntly;]

And so, that's why you'd pick me? Because of the lure of the 'thing you can't have'?

[If he was so sure of it, then that was probably the reason. Why choose to date the one person you felt 100% sure you couldn't, if you felt 100% sure you could date anyone else?]

That makes sense, I guess.

...Let's talk about something else.

[affablecharm]

That's not my reason... You had my reason when I first answered.

[Though he would have been shocked to hear Jehan's answer was him, if that ended up being the case....

That whiskey was looking really good again.]

... What would your answer have been? Really?

[laughingandlyric]

Nevermind. It doesn't matter. It's a silly question; you date who you fall in love with. Or at least, in like with.

[He'd been serious, about the plan of talking about something else. He was pretty sure he'd just asked Courfeyrac out; after being told he was the person he'd like to date.

And had nonetheless gotten a sort-of no. Granted, the sort-of no was appropriately attributed to him not making Rey feel special enough... but a not-yes was still a not-yes, and he was feeling increasingly stupid.

A part of him wanted to say 'I probably would have picked Feuilly' as a childish comeback to Rey's 'I'm not Feuilly', but he couldn't bring himself to be that mean; or possibly dishonest. It didn't feel right.

Sniffing and sitting up again, he went to pull the covers up now.]

Well now I'm tired, I think.

[affablecharm]

[He frowned, his brows furrowing, as Jehan went to pull up the covers and told him he was tired. Sighing, he shifted so he could easier worm his way under the covers, trying to figure out how to fix this...]

I'm in like with you.

[... That sounded pretty fucking stupid.]

I mean to say... We should date-- if you want to. I get it, if you don't. I'm not dateable or whatever...

[laughingandlyric]

[...Hallmark should never, ever make cards that said that.

Granted, Jehan found it pretty adorable; it was an unconventional thing to say, and he certainly hadn't expected to hear that as a follow-up.

Turning his head a little, he paused, before nodding a bit.]

...Well. I only date people I'm in-like with, who are in-like with me too.

[There. They could both sound stellar-idiotic together.]

So I guess that answers your question, since I can only be in-like with one person.

[A beat, before he realized that maybe wasn't clear, and with a small wince and a wrinkle of his nose, clarified:]

As in, you. As in, definitely not Feuilly. Or Mildred Smith.

You're totally, absolutely undatable. It's true. But-- you said you're a fast learner, right?

[affablecharm]

[He was having a hard time following that train of thought, but he did catch on when Jehan clarified. He shifted to face Jehan better, licking his lips, before smiling slowly... Uncertainly.]

I'm a super fast learner... When I put my mind to it. And I've put my mind to you.

[... Is it just the situation that has him sounding so dumb, or was it the whiskey?]

I'll learn if you're willing to teach me....

[laughingandlyric]

[It's a little hard not to laugh, because in fact, when drunkish and in-like? Reynaud Courfeyrac was super not charming. ('I've put my mind to you?' Pffft!)

But somehow, at least to Jehan, being super not charming? Was paradoxically way more charming than usual. It made him a little giddy, really, and he returned he smile suddenly and warmly.]

I would really like that...

So long as you promise to never, ever stop making up those really cheesy one-liners. [he held up his pinky, trying to look solemn.] Promise?

[They didn't need two poets in this relationship, after all.]

[affablecharm]

Cheesy one liners are my forte.

[He hooked his pinky with Jehan's and smiled like a goof.]

So you don't have to worry about me not doing them anymore. Promise.

[laughingandlyric]

[A happy laugh at that, and he kept hold of his pinky and gave him a quick kiss on the mouth.]

So, we're really dating? That's-- actually unbelievable.

[You sure it's not the whiskey and the 'problem', Rey?]

[affablecharm]

[Sorry if that kiss lingered... But pulling back, he was still grinning.]

Yeah... Yeah, pretty sure we are.

[No, the whiskey and problem just made him hyper aware of his feelings...]

[laughingandlyric]

[Another, shier laugh, and he went to press his forehead to the other boy's.]

Well, then... I guess next time there's a problem, I can help you solve it.

[A beat, and recalling earlier, he amended--]

Twice.

[affablecharm]

[That got a throaty chuckle. Smiling, he nudged his nose against Jehan's.]

Only if I can help you too.

[laughingandlyric]

[A considering hum, before he stole another, slower kiss.]

...I think that's acceptable.

[affablecharm]

[If he has kisses like these to look forward to in their time together? He's more than okay with this, and may even wonder why he hadn't given in sooner.]

Then we have a deal.

[laughingandlyric]

Sounds good.

Though I think probably every girl, across all grades, is going to be a little confused by your sudden drop-off in skirt chasing.

[Not that he'd be suggesting he should keep it up, for effect.

And if he needed a distraction? Only too happy to provide.]

[affablecharm]

We'll figure out some reason.

[Stealing another kiss because he can.]

[laughingandlyric]

Tragic disease that destroyed all of your hormones?

[The stolen kisses were nice. He's moving the popcorn now, so he can turn back and steal a few more with better ease.]

[affablecharm]

A tragedy! I don't know if I can admit to such things...

[More stolen kisses. These are nice. He could definitely get used to these.]

[laughingandlyric]

Oh, no? The rumors might be even worse!

[Teased, going to take his hand an entwine their fingers.]

[affablecharm]

Worse than my hormones going out of whack?

[He squeezes Jehan's hand as soon as their fingers are entwined.]

I think not.

[laughingandlyric]

I could think of worse.

[He thinks the easily-concluded 'can't get it up' rumor would be a lot more terrible.

Smiling a little, he went to rest his head back against his shoulder again.]