smartass_captain | Taking a Step in the Right? Direction [Valentines post for conjuredskies]

By now, Felix has found out what this day is supposed to be about. Which means on the one hand, he feels like an idiot for getting so enthusiastic about an event Jim might be… less enamored of and on the other hand…

Hesitantly pleased that they’re doing this anyway.

This whole… affair? Let’s call it that. It’s starting to take a turn he never counted on and even if he doesn’t assume it to be much more permanent than the arrangement they’ve had up to now, it does mean changing up his game a little.

He PINpoints in dressed in his Earth ‘disguise’, satchel under one arm. The chill air makes him blink, shielding his eyes from the snow glare and grinning a little as he looks around. Well. This looks a lot like home, at first glance. Automatically he turns to find the mountains, to get his bearings.

He's not going to find any of those in Iowa. Sure, there's a few odd hills here and there, one of which has sleds tucked neatly underneath a tree just in case they are wanted or needed later...but otherwise it's large open areas made quiet by the snow. Each of his steps crunches loudly, amplified by the lack of noise around them.

Smoke is billowing from the chimney of the farmhouse, and Jim Kirk opens the front door dressed sharply in a suit and tie.

"You're gonna freeze out there without a coat. Come on in." Confidence. Look confident, Jim. He doesn't need to know you watched him point in and ran to the mirror to make sure your hair was just so before you answered the door. He's turned the oven on too at his guest's arrival so he can get their romantic dinner underway. The house itself is a bit old by Jim's standards, though shockingly futuristic for Felix. Electric lighting that seems to be switch operated, modern furniture littering every room of the house.

The fire's going in the den and that's where Felix will be herded to once Jim helps him inside and holds his satchel while the other gets his boots off.

"Glad to see you made it in one piece."

It’s actually very disorienting once it sinks in that the horizon’s just… nearly flat in every direction. At least there’s the house to give the landscape some sense of perspective. He’s taking a good look around, curious about how big it is and what it’s made of and how it’s designed. In his hometown all the houses are built partly underground, so even the big ones are low-slung. Not that his attention is on architecture for long. As soon as Jim opens the door Felix has no reason to look elsewhere.

“Thank you.” He hastens inside, pausing only to give Jim a particularly appreciative second glance and a smile of thanks for taking his satchel (the weight of which says he didn’t come empty-handed). His curiosity here can’t be contained for long, though. He’s glancing around even while he’s getting his boots off.

“The advantage of PINpoints,” he says with a grin. “There aren’t nearly as many bandits on the way. So… this is where you come down to earth, hm?” It’s funny: he’s almost more impressed by this house than what he’s seen of the Enterprise. If only because the starship is a starship and he expects it to be nigh-miraculous. Or at least, far beyond any point of comparison he has. But a farmhouse with lights and couches and a fireplace is so much more normal – so much easier to place in context with the kind of home he knows.

((And in case PMs aren't co-operative, totally cool with Jim vs. Stratos in the bottle-spin thread too! I'll tag in as soon as I can get it through!))

That look Jim can handle. Jim can handle that look forever. It's everything else about this that has his palms sweating. It's easier to focus on the look Jim knows, and to answer it in kind.

"Yeah. This is..." Thanks entirely to Clint and verity for making it so again, "..my home." There's a warmth in his chest that Jim has a name for, and it isn't the same feeling he has for his siblings. He's not stupid. Just...afraid.

He wraps his arms around Felix's waist once they're in front of the fireplace, kissing gently down the back of the other's neck. They don't do this. Jim doesn't...do this. Normally. But Normal and he seem to have split up once Felix came into the picture.

"I've got dinner planned for you." He says quietly. "it won't take long to finish. You're free to relax here, if you'd like...or have a glass of wine in the kitchen. With me."

((I blame verity))

Edited 2016-02-16 02:47 (UTC)

Home. Hopefully Jim’s ready to deal with an entirely different type of look, because the smile that Felix wears as he looks around is soft and faintly thoughtful. It’s so light in here, so open and warm despite the snow outside. It seems incongruous that he can only see one fire. Then, Jim’s never had a fire on board his ship either (at least not ~~intentionally~~ in his quarters).

He does shiver when Jim’s hands go around his waist, but it’s a happy shiver. The intimacy of it is unexpected; a little startling, but he walked up the path knowing he didn't know what to expect. He leans gently into the other man’s arms, not to throw off their balance. His skin is flushed already and he can’t tell if it’s from the heat of the fire on his face or the warmth of Jim at his back.

“Oh, I’m going where you are.” He turns just enough to meet Jim’s eyes without breaking contact, his hands curling over the captain’s. “I didn’t travel from another realm just to steal your fire. Even if it is lovely.”

Yeah, Home. And how much has changed if Jim's even willing to call it that, really. After everything he's gone through. Bringing Felix here...well. it wasn't his idea that's for sure, but he's surprised at how okay this feels. He's crazy nervous, sure, but it doesn't feel wrong. Doesn't feel staged or fake or phony. The jitters Jim's feeling have nothing to do with this place, for once in his life.

"As you wish." It's more a breath than even a whisper, caressed into Felix's ear before Jim's pulling away and heading for the kitchen. He has to be careful or he's going to ruin this by being Jim when he's trying to be romantic. And even if it is his house, screwing in every room wasn't exactly what he had in mind when he invited the Imperial over today.

It would be so much easier than this. So much easier. Jim's gait is quick as he heads to the kitchen, wanting to get them both a glass of wine before Felix can see his hands shaking. And maybe get a gulp of his own unseen but he'll hold himself back if Felix is right on his heels.

He's going to treat Felix like a king today, so help him. There's flat unrisen bread premade and set up on the kitchen counters. A PADD leaning against the wall has instructions scrolling through on how long to broil everything and what to do. There's a variety of cheeses and toppings set out in little custard cups as well.

"What do you want to try on your pizza?" Jim asks Felix when he arrives in the ktichen, holding a glass of wine out for him. "Have you had it before?"

Jim has the lead. Felix is lagging behind, still looking about curiously. He's wondering how much he should ask about this place when he reaches the kitchen and... it takes a minute of him looking around to realize it is the kitchen. There's no hearth, which is probably more unexpected than it should be. He just expects the fire to be the focus of the room, as a matter of instinct.

It'll take Jim prompting him with the wine to stop him looking around wide-eyed at the counters and the neat cupboards and the sheer lack of smoke stains. Pizza? Oh!

"Ah- thank you - once." He recovers his smile and a little of his balance, sipping the wine to try and act relaxed. "A Nexus friend introduced me. Let's see, what do we have?" He strolls over to inspect the toppings, grinning a little. Pizzas are basically like dinner alchemy: every combination must be tried to find the best effects.

Oh thank god Jim needed a second to down a large gulp of wine before discreetly filling his back up to the same level as Felix's. He's not usually a wine sort of fellow, but this is romancing and romancing has fine red wines and champagne. But that will go with dessert.

It's almost hilarious how little Jim knows about this sort of thing and how hard he's trying despite this.

"We've got two kinds of sauce and as many toppings as I had dishes for. I figure I'll make one traditional kind I know tastes pretty good, and you can do whatever you like with the other one. As many combinations as you want." Because that's half the fun, right?

"Just don't fill up too much, there's dessert to think about too." Okay following the directions he's been left is easy here, a small scoop of sauce spread thin, herbs, cheese, roasted garlic, and some spinach. And that is the true magic of pizza toppings. How little time it takes to put together once the crusts are done. Jim is quick to pan his and stick it under the broiler.

it's kinda cute to watch Felix pick out one tiny bite out of every bowl to taste it before he decides on any flavors for his own pizza. And by kind of, Jim means ridiculously. This guy is something else.

Felix has only half a notion of what Jim is trying to create, or how pizza usually works for that matter. He understands this is meant to be a romantic occasion, but he may have a different idea of what that means. Hopefully it won't end badly.

"As many as I want, hm?" He sounds entirely too happy about that. The freshness and flavor of the herb and vegetable options gets an appreciative sound from him, not to mention the murmur of "oh, pineapple!"

Well, Jim put out all these toppings, and after careful study he likes all of them, so Felix decides he's not going let that effort and thoughtfulness (and delicious food) go to waste. He watches Jim prepare the first pizza while he nibbles and thinks on which toppings to put next to one another.

"I've never seen a kitchen like this," he admits with a sip of the wine. It's good wine, though different enough to be definitely a foreign vintage; Earth grapes were never kin to those of the Skingrad vineyards. A pity that Felix hasn't the attention to spare for it. "It feels a little strange to me not to have a fire, but then it's still warm in here."

Jim really should ask what that entails to an Imperial. It hasn't crossed his mind, yet. And when it does Jim is going to need to put his wine glass down so he doesn't choke on it. What if he's going about this all wrong?

He set this all up referencing Verity and Clint's advice in mind, but Felix isn't American and Jim is just kind of clenching and unclenching his jaw trying not to say anything while he gets his thoughts in order.

"So..." Good. Casual tone Jim. you got this. "You do know what kind of holiday this is on Earth, right?"

He could guess that question was due, sooner or later. Though he hadn't expected Jim would be willing to ask it out loud. Felix looks at him quickly, trying to gauge what he's thinking. There's a hint of tension in Jim's face, and Felix hides his own stab of worry under a rueful smile.

"I didn't," he confesses, eyes on Jim's with the kind of earnest intensity he gets when he's determined not to say the wrong thing. "When the idea of celebrating came up," he gives a small, apologetic shrug, "I didn't know what I was asking." How many times could that be said of their relationship?

"But I did some research before I came," he adds, "so I have, er- some idea, now." And now his smile's a little less apologetic and a little more pleased, despite himself. He still hesitates before he dares to add, "And more reason to be glad you agreed anyway." Which might be the most overt reference he's yet made to the unspoken rule of this arrangement. You just don't say it.

There's something hammering in Jim's ears. It takes him a second to realize it's his pulse and that he's gone a rather bright shade of pink at that last comment Felix made. He's not sure if he's terrified or excited right now and it's a weird place to be. Luckily the broiler can hold his attention for a moment while he pulls out the pizza he'd been finishing off to fill the ktichen with delicious goodness.

"So...How does Tamriel do this?" Jim gestures toward the dining room, where the normal table's been pushed away and a smaller one complete with cloth, candles and more wine is waiting for just the two of them. "Not...the holiday-obviously. But like...you know. Romance type stuff." Jim sets the pizza down in the center of their table for two.

"Cuz I'd like to know before you laugh at me how much of this I"m getting right."

“How could I laugh at you?” he murmurs, looking over the arrangements less to judge them and more to give himself time to think. “I don’t think it’s so different in Cyrodiil. Flowers, gifts, quiet dinners and night strolls along Lake Rumare. Adventures into the forest during the summer.”

Felix looks back at him with a grin and adds, “In Skyrim you just set an attractive suitor some dangerous task to prove their affection. If they succeed you marry them. Very straight to the point.” He chuckles. “We Imperials like to take our time a little more.”

Although. That does bring up something else, and he hesitates about whether to wait. Jim’s the expert on How Things Are Done on Earth, so he chooses to just come out and say it, “I wasn’t entirely certain how to play my part, but I did, ah. Bring something.”

"Neither one of us is rocking a set of tits, man. There are no roles here." Jim snorts and shakes his head. "It just...occurred to me that all of this was assuming you wanted to be romanced like a 2000s American and you are neither of those things, and I'm only one of those things."

"I uh...I didn't get you flowers. Sorry." Jim actually looks a little guilty when he says that. "I just figured, you know. You were excited about this, so I...wanted to make an effort to do this right." Jim rubs at the back of his neck and drops his gaze to the tablecloth.

"This is the first time I've ever celebrated today, to be honest."

Felix studies him a moment, startled at how much of his guard Jim is letting down in this admission. He sets the wine glass gently on the counter, slips over to slide an arm round Jim's waist and lean close enough to nuzzle against his cheek.

"No-one's ever made this kind of effort for me," he murmurs softly, an admission in kind. "And I don't just mean dinner."

Letting Felix into his home, under his guard. Trying something he wouldn't normally. That means something, and even if they daren't put a name to it Felix has an idea what it's worth.

"You're kidding." Jim understands why he hasn't. He's avoided this like the plague, never getting into a relationship enough to bother with this--only ever falling hard for people he couldn't have. This is new for him. To be in a relationship enough to bother with this? Because that's what this is, right?

Somehow, along the way, this became a Thing. A thing Jim desperately wants to keep even though he knows all the reasons why he shouldn't. This makes him happy. Felix. Makes him happy.

"Nice guy like you? Here I thought I'd be beating people away to compete for your attention on a day like this." The cuddling is so nice. When did that happen? When, how did a smart mouthed conjurer from a world so unlike Jim's become so much a part of his life? The captain sighs, leans into the embrace.

"...Let's go get your pizza ready hm? I'm not done treating you like royalty yet."

"No." Felix chuckles. No need to go into all the reasons why, he thinks. He's not sure how many would even make sense to Jim... not without explaining a few things about conjuration he's reluctant to go into. Necromancy and soul-binding probably aren't on the list of romantic Earth topics. He's not sure, mind, but he's going with his gut.

"I wouldn't notice. You always have my sole attention." It's a promise. Not just a deflection from the abashed grin he's wearing. "I'm just lucky I haven't had to duel anyone for you, yet." He's teasing. Absolutely. Just kidding.

He's also not about to argue with pizza. "Well, if you insist..."

Jim, he's going to use them all. All the toppings. Not the whole of each bowl, but everything's going on there.

Felix's pizza can be a cornucopia of flavors. Half red sauce and half white with a rotating flavor wheel so that he can taste and try everything. Flavor alchemy. That's the best kind of alchemy right? The one you can eat?

Jim's honestly curious which parts he will and won't like, because there's certain flavor combos going on there that he sure as heck wouldn't have thought to put together. His own pizza is sliced while Felix's broils and then both are set up at the small table for two.

Ever the conscientious host this evening, Jim is sure to keep Felix's glass topped off with the wine. Now that the admission that he's not an expert at this sort of wooing has come to light, Jim feels less tense about things. It's easier to smile.

"Not gonna lie, that looks like a hot mess. And I can't wait to see you eat it." Jim points at Felix's 'masterpiece' while he teases.

Felix laughs as they sit down. “What, you don’t trust my judgment?”

The first mouthful he bites off is fairly tame: chicken and pepper and white sauce, by the look of it. He shrugs at Jim while he chews, smirking once he’s swallowed. “You see? Delicious!”

After the next bite though, his expression turns to a pained frown. “…Although I think pineapple with pepperoni was a mistake.” Give him a minute... “So were the olives.”

Jim holds out the plate his pizza is on, not saying a word. The eyebrow and grin say 'I told you so' all the same, but that's why Jim made one too, right? So Felix could freely play with his food.

"Don't know if you don't try." Jim quips, chin propped in his free hand while he watches Felix. he's been doing that a lot this evening. Just watching.

"I promise dessert won't be nearly as harrowing."

"Sure you don't want to make it a trade?" Felix teases, gesturing at his pizza. He'll wind up snagging a piece of Jim's anyway, but he's determined to eat as much of his as he can pretend to be edible. Trying something more traditional is just how he gets a baseline. A delicious, delicious baseline.

"What do you have in mind for dessert?" he asks playfully. "You have the look of a man planning something."

"Baked apples with a streusal filling." Jim says around his third or so glass of wine. "Verity insisted on chocolate, but I really don't have that big of a sweet tooth, so I figured I'd share one of my favorite desserts instead. There is chocolate fudge if you decide you don't like it though."

So like every other time, Jim's plan is to get allllll of the things and have his bases covered. Just in case Felix doesn't like any one particular thing.

"But after that I'm more or less out of ideas. Figured I'd just ask you what you wanted to do, if there was any traditional Tamriellic romantic activity we could partake in."

Edited 2016-02-24 04:32 (UTC)

“Hmm.” Felix contemplates that prospect, and the food already before them, with appreciation. “We won’t be moving too fast for a while, that’s quite certain.”

Contemplating what they might do afterwards occupies most of his attention for another couple slices of pizza, which sadly distracts him from passing judgment on at least four flavor combinations. So much knowledge, lost in a heartbeat. “First, of course, I give you your gifts. After that... tradition would say we curl up by the fire together. Talk, tell stories, read poetry if that takes your fancy.” His is a world without movies and, for that matter, without readily portable music.

"I've got the fire going, music queued up, and a blanket big enough for two as well as throw pillows on the floor. We're set there." No flower petals on the floor but that just seemed like a mess and a half to clean up and Jim isn't home often enough to want to spend half a day cleaning for anything less than a particular kind of mess making.

The poetry thing raises an eyebrow.

"I have to make up poetry? That's gonna be...huh. Okay. Challenge accepted."

"Really?" He doesn't hide his surprise at that. But then any occasion that's supposed to call for poetry generally calls for him to get faking. "I don't usually trouble about who composes it..."

It's a relatively narrow selection of potential partners who even care about hearing the stuff, to tell the truth.

"Well, I mean. I've never done it before." Jim admits and gives a shrug. "But if that's important to you and romantic for your world, I'll give it a shot."

Somehow, he doesn't think limericks will count, and even that he'd have to look up off his PADD. This is sure to be very embarrassing for the captain, but he's willing to sit through it for Felix. There's an increasingly short list of the things he won't at least try for the Imperial.

"What kind of poetry?" He's gonna get a fourth glass of wine. Being drunk is sure to help him compose romantic prose. Surely this can only end well.

Edited 2016-02-25 00:45 (UTC)

“It’s certainly romantic, but I can’t claim it’s typical,” Felix points out softly. He’s trying to allow Jim an out without seeming ungrateful, or damping the captain’s determination.

And, well, no-one has done such a thing for him before and it’s hard to ignore the part of him that’s delighted Jim would even try. Which is, of course, the real success in these cases.

“I’m hardly a literary aficionado,” he admits. At least he can try and ease the stakes here. “It’s usually something simple and a little silly. About one part natural metaphors to two parts compliments…” He’s still bemused to be talking about it. "Not that I know what Earth poetry is like, of course."

Note to self. Look up poetry while getting dessert ready. And never, every tell anyone the previous sentence ever happened. He will get down on his knees and worship every inch of Felix's body before admitting to anyone he was about to do research on poetry.

He'd ask what the fuck is wrong with himself but he knows.

Jim's known for some time.

"As long as the bar's low, I think I can handle this." He'll get at least one nice one, and them maybe start waxing poetry complimenting Felix's body in as many ways as he can think of. You know, because it's Jim.

“I have to keep it low,” Felix assures him. “Suppose you return the challenge?” Not that that’s a suggestion. Maybe he ought to be more careful what he says right now. He pauses to look down at the remains of his pizza. He’s polished off most of it – it’s hard to go too far wrong with pizza – but Jim definitely had better judgment. “Although I didn’t take you for a cook either, and I think you’ve beaten me on this.”

He’ll do his best to finish his wine before Jim refills it again, to be a better audience. He's really not sure how he talked Jim Kirk into reciting romantic poetry for him, but that's one hell of an accidental achievement.

Perhaps he'll have to think on this unexpected power he's found. Who knows if Jim wants that happening?

It occurs to Jim as he's clearing the table of their plates that coming out and admitting he's head over heels in love with the conjurer is probably less embarrassing than what he's about to do. But embarrassment Jim can deal with, and he's still not...well. He's afraid to admit the former.

"I really seriously can't cook." He calls back to Felix as Jim disappears into the kitchen to get dessert for them. "Verity did most of this!" He hollers--making a point that Felix doesn't need to come in here for a minute or anything. Jim snatches up the PADD from the counter and closes out of the meal prep instructions Verity has written out bullet point style for him and starts looking up classical poetry.

Wow a lot of this is stuffy and artsy and Jim blanches.

Okay. okay. He can do this. There's a short one that doesn't compare women-flesh to fruit or other weird things. Poem selected, the PADD is tucked into his inner suit pocket and dessert is fetched.

The baked apples were about the only part of this meal Jim actually cooked himself, using an old recipe his grandmother had always made for him when she was still alive. Somehow, sharing a good family memory with Felix feels more intimate than anything else. Lord knows he's seen a sliver of the bad already.

Felix automatically moves to help clear up, but in a moment Jim’s whisked off with the plates to the kitchen and doesn’t seem to want any help.

“But you’re the one who cared to do it,” he answers quietly, half to himself. Unsure of the etiquette when visiting an Earth house, Felix hovers for a minute, trying to peek politely at the kitchen door. Then he accepts what seems to be the hint and occupies himself with examining the room a little more closely while Jim’s busy.

He’s still wondering how to read all this – how he dares to read it. The personal effort, the unexpected intimacy, the willingness to make embarrassing romantic gestures… for that matter, this house may be better-appointed and subtly wealthy in ways he’s never seen before, but he doesn’t get the impression Jim brought him here to be impressed. Or that Jim even knows it’s impressive, he thinks, and realizes he’s smiling again.

No, this really doesn’t feel like Jim showing off, or Jim playing a part to prove he can. It just feels like an honest attempt to show he cares, and that brings Felix back to the possibility he’s managed to avoid looking in the eye up to now...

His thoughtful look has nothing to do with the furnishings by the time Jim comes back, but he’s lightning-quick to flash a smile at the captain and settle back down.

“Just when I think I have no appetite left,” he remarks, sniffing appreciatively. Looks new, smells familiar and delicious. “Another local Earth dish?”

Jim has no idea how impressive this house is to someone from Felix's world. It's laughably old by his world's standards, though enough has been remodeled that it's still a modern home. Replicators and the like.

The smile sends shivers down Jim's spine, and he's grinning back before he can even catch himself. Felix in his world's clothes, in his home. It feels right. Even though he shouldn't. Even though Jim shouldn't be doing this. Getting his hopes up. Getting attached. It brings Felix closer to the truth about Jim and while it terrifies him he can't seem to stop. Not if it makes Felix smile like that, tilt his head to the side and give Jim that wry side eye of appreciation.

"My grandmother's recipe, actually. This I did make, so sorry in advance if it's not as good as everything else. That's why there's backup dessert."

With things its so easy to provide an out, to apologize for his lack of talent or skill by giving Felix something else in return. But when it comes to feelings? Jim can't just give Felix a substitute for his own inadequacy. He's been staring for too long, and covers his embarrassment with a cough and a hand before dropping his gaze and sitting back down.

It’s a recurring paradox to Felix: the contrast between Jim’s brash self-confidence and how careful he is to keep those backup plans. Failsafes. Perhaps it’s the captain’s cunning in him? It’s still a little odd to sense that buried caution: as if Felix were a more demanding partner. As if Jim was the one who needs to prove himself.

It’s as well that Jim looks down, because seeing that reaction only widens the Imperial’s smile.

“Well, I hope your backup will keep for tomorrow.” Look at that hot appley goodness! He lifts his glass in a brief salute (is it full again? Good Sanguine). And perhaps it’s the wine or the mood that emboldens him, but he lets curiosity have the run of his tongue for a moment: “Your grandmother?”

Jim is so rarely inclined to speak of his family. Granted, Felix can’t remember if he’s said anything about relatives who aren’t Stratos, but surely Stratos is plenty for anyone.

Of course Jim has to prove himself. He refills his glass even though he really shouldn't be drinking much more and takes a sip to distract himself from needing to speak again right away. Blue eyes watch intently as Felix helps himself to the dessert.

"My father's side. This was her home until..." A shrug. "Until I came around. After my dad passed we moved in. She was always kind in her own way." Jim wishes he could have spent more time with her. It's not often he finds a fond memory within his own family. "Sam and I always loved seeing her. My older brother. She passed away though, before I was more than twelve."

Which is what had sent him to live with his Aunt on a little colony in the middle of nowhere. Tarsus IV. Jim doesn't dwell on that chronological time too long. Not today. This is for Felix. Everything is for Felix today. Jim's not about to ruin it.

"And anyway, she made the best baked apples. They're kind of my favorite thing, so. I figured..." Another shrug, and another gulp of wine. "I'd share it with you."

Felix’s eyes flick up to him as he takes his first bite, the Imperial listening intently even while he’s savoring the dessert as it deserves. He hasn’t missed the way Jim’s nursing that wine, but it’s pleasing to hear him speak of a good memory. One he’s choosing to share.

“Hmm.” His tasting is thoughtful, Felix apparently distracted by the combination of baked fruit and rich crumbly streusel for a moment. Then he looks back up at Jim. “No cause for alarm, captain. It’s delicious. Try it and see.” Jim may not trust his own skills, but how can he doubt the promise in that smile? No need to look worried when he's done so well.

"As if I'm not. I didn't go through the hassle of making these damn things just to look at 'em." Jim will indeed help himself to one of the apples, pleased by the smell of cinnamon and the way it holds together getting to his plate. Not that structural integrity matters too much when he's about to demolish it.

Truthfully, Jim had been saving room for this. He chuckles around the first bite, smiling too wide to be nervous.

"I knew I'd like it. I was more worried about you." Felix is welcome to take his time with the dessert, but Jim's never been one to dawdle at anything, and eating is no different. Even when he tries to take his time he's done quickly, and so is that glass of wine. It's showing on his face too, that he's had quite a bit of it.

Worried? He might take it as an exaggeration, but the rate Jim’s imbibing that wine certainly backs up his word. He might actually get away with saying what he wants to say… after he takes a minute to think about how to word it, not to discomfort Jim. Not to have Jim make fun of him.

Felix waits until Jim’s mouth is full.

“Thank you,” he says quietly. “For sharing it with me. For inviting me here.” He smiles slightly. “And thank the gods we have apples in Tamriel to lure you back. I wouldn’t dare feed you any of my family’s recipes.”

Jim Kirk never admits to being truly worried about anything but his nerves have given him away at the rate he's been drinking. Still, it's eased the tension in his shoulders to a more relaxed posture, and he chuckles around his dessert at the raised eyebrow Felix gives him.

The gratitude makes Jim's stomach do that little flip again, and he blinks to try and hide the surprise on his face. He also fails. But the joke cuts off any harried reply when Jim snorts.

"Oh come on how bad can it be? I've had Vulcan food." Which isn't necessarily bad. Just rather bland for Jim's taste and also all vegan. His face lights up in a smile though, joke distracting just long enough for his lubricated social skills to do himself a favor here.

"Of course. Tonight's all about you. Romancing you. Feeding you. Impressing you. You just wait until I'm on my knees worshipping every part of you later." Jim shoots Felix a wink and polishes off his dessert. "Every Valentines Day after this one is going to pale in comparison. I'll have spoiled you for life." Not for anyone else. Interesting choice of words.

“Let’s just say that last time we tried to follow one of Aunt Lartia’s recipes, we didn’t have enough Dunmeri alcohol in the house. Which was her house, I might add.” Context is important! Wry jokes aside, his smile at Jim’s surprise is genuine. The dessert he’s lingering over only makes the moment a little sweeter.

Although as Jim speaks, Felix finds himself just looking at the captain with wide eyes and a mouthful of apple. He has to remind himself to swallow; he’s lucky not to choke. Jim’s choice of words isn’t lost on him. He’s just not sure he’s heard right, with the sudden flush heating his face and the buzzing in his ears.

“I, ah-” He needs to clear his throat. “If anyone’s going to ruin me, I think I like your way best.” You heard that list, Felix. Better finish your dessert if you want to get to the rest.

Once he’s thinking straight enough to do that.

The good captain pulls his spoon out of his mouth slowly, grinning like the devil he is. Dinner is officially a success with that look on Felix's face. He's careful not to get so much as a crumb on his nice suit as he moves to gather up the dishes--leaving Felix's of course, as he isn't done.

His earlier jitters have been buried under several glasses of wine, leaving Jim wholly confident that he is going to knock the socks ~~and everything else~~ off of Felix with his evening plans. Jim wanders back into the den to tend to the fire momentarily, as well as to put on a bit of Orion classical instrumentals. Jim figures any species that can ooze romance pheremones has to have good taste in romantic music.

Several pillows are set up on the floor in front of the couch, with a large comforter easily big enough for the both of them within reach. This is romantic right? Okay, sure this is leaning toward seduction but Felix has already proven he likes that sort of thing. Maybe it'll be touching. Who knows. Jim sure doesn't but he's willing to fake it.

Once he has a grip on his thoughts, Felix devours the remains of his apples and streusel eagerly enough – there isn’t a chance he’s wasting any of that. While Jim’s busy he’ll grab his own dish to take out: see if he can navigate the kitchen and retrieve his satchel before he’s missed. He brought wine, too, but he doesn’t think Jim needs any more of that for a while and he- he feels quite flushed and giddy himself. He must have had more than he thought.

But he does want to give Jim his present while he still has the wits to do it right. Jim’s done a thorough job of spoiling him at every opportunity so far, and Felix hasn’t had much chance to return his generosity and thoughtfulness. Jim’s birthday definitely wasn’t one…

Wait, is that music back in the den? What… oh. There must be another gadget involved, unless Jim has another hidden talent (and possibly, another pair of arms). He’s going in to check anyway.

Jim's bent over the back of the couch, fluffing the pillows he's got set up just so while he hums along to the music. Really, he's not trying to look sexy (he wouldn't have one lag stuck out all wonky like if he was). Felix just happened to catch him while he's nitpicking details.

"Everything's all ready for y--yah!" Jim was mid-holler back toward the kitchen when he finally straightened and turned around and startled at Felix being behind him. "Shit man, don't scare a guy like that."

Or maybe do, if the laugh he's got crinkling his eyes at the corners is any indication of how pleased he is that Felix has come back to join him.

Felix leans closer to steady Jim if he looks like overbalancing, but he’s smirking all the while. Jim mightn’t have been trying to pose, but that has its own attraction. As does catching him off-guard, when it makes him laugh like that.

“I didn’t want to interrupt the music. And…” He shrugs a little, offering the cloth-wrapped bundle in his other arm. No wrapping paper in Skyrim, just a nicer cloth. His smirk’s faded a little. “I wanted to catch up to you before- well, we were occupied again.”

He’s acting relaxed as he hands over the bundle, even if his eyes are on Jim’s face and he has a thousand things on the tip of his tongue to say at the first sign of displeasure. The cloth actually seems a little damp.

This is for the purpose of safety, because inside is an ebony statuette: a dragon curled over his perch, with half-spread wings and a polished stare. It’s more stylized than detailed, but to Felix the sculptor was clearly working from sight of a real dragon. The anatomy and proportions are too correct. This stuff’s quite popular in Skyrim right now, but that’s why Felix has added his own touch: a very weak fire enchantment. Just enough to make it give off a little heat and make tiny ripples of flame dance over the ebony. How they’re bright enough to form a visible aura and yet too gentle to burn the fingers is one of the mysteries of magic.

"Mood music. S'more romantic that way." Jim explains, pointing to the speakers. The gift is somewhat of a surprise, as Jim had all but forgotten the parcel Felix had arrived with in his excitement to see the other.

"What's this, the head of my rival?" Jim jokes as he undoes the knot with deft fingers to get at what's inside.

Oh.

Jim inhales sharply, gaze flitting over the statuette wildly. He's not sure where to look first. There's the design itself which is breathtaking. It was so easy to forget these were real creatures in Tamriel, until one saw things like this. Then there's the enchantment, making the figure look all the more eye catching as the flames danced across its surface, yet didn't burn his skin.

"....Wow..." Jim you've got a better vocabulary then that. He's stunned, really. He licks at his bottom lip and has to blink rapidly before he tears his eyes form it and meets Felix's gaze again. "Thank you. This is...amazing."

“Oh, I only fetch heads by request.” Felix manages a chuckle at the joke, but it’s only when Jim looks up at him – when he’s sure, he’s very sure of that reaction - that he finds himself smiling delightedly, warming to the captain’s praise.

“Consider it a promise,” he says softly. “After all, I’ve yet to show you the real thing. I’m sure you’ve seen all kinds of curios before, but I thought- something from my world seemed fitting. Dragons are important to my people. At least as symbols." You'd never guess: they only stamp them on all their banners and coins and documentation.

Shit.

Consider it a promise.

Jim swallows thickly, mouth feeling like cotton as he gently, carefully set the statuette down on a nearby end table without breaking eye contact with Felix. He knows that it's a different context, a promise of adventure. But the words have done straight down his spine either way and Jim can't help but step forward, putting one leg between Felix's and stepping into the Imperial's personal space. His hands come up to frame Felix's face as he leans in to kiss the other.

"Shit." Out loud this time, mumbled against Felix's lips. "What are you doing to me?"

All the clever answers scatter from his mind when Jim steps closer. He’s suddenly right there, pressing against Felix, hands around his face as they kiss.

“I don’t know yet,” he murmurs back honestly, sliding his arms around Jim and meeting those bright blue eyes. He can feel the captain’s breath on his skin, the pulse of his heartbeat. Earth clothes are so thin. “But I’d… like to find out.”

"Is it magic? Is that what this is?" The pads of Jim's thumbs are tracing Felix's cheek bones, the shell of his ear, his hairline. Gently memorizing every detail while his mouth works against the Imperial's. The kiss is desperate, but not insisting and indecent the way they usually are. It's gentle.

Shaking.

Tender.

"Fuck....w-we shouldn't." Jim doesn't pull away, giving a weak laugh instead as he rests his forehead against Felix's. "I haven't read you poetry by the fire yet or any of that sappy shit." Is...is Jim Kirk saying no to bedroom time? Felix Caelus what are you doing to this man.

That's not to say he's not interested because he very very much is. But that wasn't the point of tonight. Not for some time yet, at any rate.

“Not mine.” If there’s a magic at work here it’s a kind he wouldn’t meddle with.

His eyes flutter half-closed as Jim strokes his face, leaving the mage’s skin tingling under the gentle trace of his fingertips. They’ve spent a lot of time touching each other over the last few months, but this is something entirely new. Unknown territory. Perhaps he’d be nervous if he had enough sense left in him to wonder, but he’s lost right now, wrapped up in this moment and this touch and this… kiss.

He’s taken off-guard when Jim breaks it, but relaxes immediately when the captain doesn’t move away. “…Oh. That’s a good point.” His surprise gives way to a teasing smile. “The evening wouldn’t be complete if I missed that. Besides, I suppose I don't have to let go of you for that..."

It's on the tip of his tongue. Simple words that could define all of this. Give them some semblance of structure. Definition. Focus. But while Jim is a brave and foolish man in many regards, this is his weakness. In this, he is a coward.

He knows the words, but can't muster up the courage to say them.

There's whispers of them in the way he caresses Felix's cheek, smiling and chuckling and just content to lean against the Imperial with no groping or grinding or panting. In the way those blue eyes shine when Felix smiles. Or the kiss Jim place son the corner of his mouth before he tugs them toward the fire.

His actions whisper the truth Jim is too afraid to say out loud.

"Hey. I went through the trouble of looking up a poem and decided I was gonna humiliate myself reading it. Don't make that commitment go to waste." Jim never breaks the hold they have on each other as he inches them toward the fire, and then down onto the pillows on the floor.

Edited 2016-03-04 01:42 (UTC)

Felix already understood Jim wanted him to stay; that this would be a more permanent arrangement than either of them had first intended. He never gave much thought to just how much Jim cared: courting a companion for the foreseeable future doesn’t mean one wants them forever. Especially not given their respective circumstances. But at some point tonight they’ve crossed another line. Felix doesn’t know when. Only that this means much more than casual companionship. He wonders if Jim feels it, too.

He doesn’t want to question it. Some things are too fragile to touch before they’re ready.

He sinks onto the pillows with Jim, shifting to get comfortable while he props himself up. The fire’s crackling away beautifully over the strains of unfamiliar yet sweet music, blending the homely with the alien. It feels natural, though.

“Of course not. I’ll try not to distract you,” he promises with a grin.

The lines were there for their own good. So no one would get hurt. Jim has lived within those lines for a long time. But he's never felt this content, this satisfied with the companionship he has. Feeling wanted, appreciated...this is new for Jim.

He thinks back to their outing in Tamriel, and to the way Felix reacted when Jim was teaching him about space. Felix likes it when Jim is confident, in command....nearly as much as Jim likes Felix doing the same. He sucks in a breath and stills his expressions. He'll read this as though he was addressing his crew. Formally. Intellectually. The PADD is removed from Jim's suit in case he needs it, but the poem wasn't very long.

He doesn't break eye contact while he recites, staring into Felix's eyes with intensity.

"A poet by the name of Faiz Ahmend once said..."

Last night, your memory stole into my heart—
as spring sweeps uninvited into barren gardens,
as morning breezes reinvigorate dormant deserts,
as a patient suddenly feels better, for no apparent reason ...

When he's finished, he lets himself smile just a little bit.

"You can laugh now."

Felix does love to watch Jim take command of a situation. There’s no denying the way that tone makes him still, Jim holding his gaze while he listens. The flicker of his smile when Jim recites as if he’s known the verse for years.

“Laugh?” Never. He’s smiling gently, but he’s not laughing. “At beautiful words spoken well?” Such words. There’s a warm fluttering sensation at the thought they might carry even some truth. He lifts a hand to stroke along the line of Jim’s jaw, his smile and tone turning a little more teasing. “Only you are allowed to relax, with poetry.”

"Yeah, but you like this voice better. And besides, I am relaxed." It's a smile, but Jim hasn't dropped his command posture or voice. Nor has he dropped Felix's gaze. His suit is too warm next to the fire and buzzed like he is, but Jim still manages not to look like there's a hair out of place.

"You love it when I'm in command. Almost as much as I love you making me not be." Any straying fingers are getting kissed gently, all while not breaking eye contact.

"What else do we need to cross off the list for your ideal Imperial romantic night of wooing?"

His observation gives Felix pause, for a moment – perhaps gives him some comprehension of how closely Jim takes note of his reactions. He’s not used to expecting that kind of attention from most people, and under that gaze he fumbles for an answer. One that dissolves into a wordless intake of breath as the words Jim chose sink in. If he thought it was startling to hear the captain recite love poetry, hearing him use the word and mean it is something else. Hearing him use it for them.

He may well be entranced now, watching Jim with wide eyes until he realizes there’s a question. Clears his throat hurriedly.

“Well- you’ve fed me, plied me with wine, impressed me a few times. Romanced me very… very thoroughly. I think… this is where we leave the list behind.” His hand isn’t trembling faintly. He’s just a little unsteady on these pillows, that’s all.

Fuck.

Fuck he just...well. Well then.

Jim is proud of himself in a way that cannot be explained for not freaking out and backing off when the realization of his word choice occurs to him. In fact, the only indication that he's aware at all is the way his smile loses some of its commanding edge and turns softer--more unsure.

Felix isn't backing away. Isn't stopping this to clarify. He's perfect.

"Really." Jim's the one leaning forward this time, maneuvering them so Felix is leaning back against the support the foot of the couch they're not sitting on offers. "So you've no other wants? Desires?" He's not bridging the tiny gap between their lips, deliberately holding back just enough for there to be no actual touching. He's teasing yes, but Jim needs to know.

He needs Felix to make the final call. He hadn't intended to let that slip, but now that it's out there....

There’s a quiet edge of urgency to Jim’s motions, a hint of uncertainty in his smile. Felix knows him just well enough to sense it, even as he finds himself backed smoothly against the couch, Jim leaning tantalizingly close.

There are times when stopping and demanding answers is wise. Felix doesn’t think this is one of those.

“Only one,” he replies softly. “Only you.” His hands slide around Jim, gently holding him steady. Holding him close, as Felix closes that tiny gap with a tender kiss.

Jim sighs, a breath he hadn't realize he'd been holding.

There would be time to worry about this later. To fret and second guess and talk about things Jim doesn't want to talk about, but which need to be said with this line crossed. This last line in the sand smudged clean away.

Later.

They could deal with that later. Jim's shifting his weight, unbuttoning his suit jacket with deft fingers and laying it over the arm of the couch. For now, for right now, he has all night to worship every inch of Felix's body, memorize every line of muscle, every scar, with a tenderness that was not allowed before. He'll drive the other mad, but Felix getting impatient with Jim is one of the things Jim loves, too.

They have all night. After all, it is Valentines Day.

(( And a lovely way to wrap up. ))

Taking a Step in the Right? Direction [Valentines post for conjuredskies]

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and the wind went WOOSH and my connection went LOLBYE

Oh noes! My internet's been hella spotty too lately what gives?

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Scene? Unless you have anything else?

No, that's perfect!