Open Post

[helpdesk_hero]

There's Just No Helping Ninjas


Open Post for All Your David Alleyne/Prodigy Needs. TFLN overflow, PSL ideas, requests for starters, your wish is his command. After all, Technical Support is there to assist.

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[helpdesk_hero]

The apartment has had time for a transformation since Jean-Paul left. Quite a bit of one. He walks in to that sort of romantic soft jazz that David adores, to candles on multiple surfaces and a new bottle of champagne not as expensive but David HAD paid handsomely to have it delivered on short notice, and of course the scent of cooking coming from the kitchen. David had been very busy. All washed, dressed up fancy, with dinner cooking in the oven, a dessert going through final touches before he was ready to put it in the fridge to chill, and upon hearing Jean-Paul's voice he threw on the last garnishes and picked up a tray of freshly baked appetizers.

Yeah, David had ALL THE STOPS pulled as part of his plans for the night. And he refused to let Tommy spoil it. Instead he walks from the kitchen and into the living room with a tray of light nibbling sorts of treats and he smiles at Jean-Paul.

"Welcome home, love."

[speed_of_snark]

Jean-Paul sees that smile and he cannot help but return it fully. In spite of the unease and hurt, in spite of his own shame at his reaction, the thing he most feels is love.

"Oh, David," he says. He drops his bag by the door and walks over to kiss David's cheek. "You are an angel. Come, sit wit' me and talk."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Talk?"

The point wasn't to talk. But he nods and is kissed and sits with the treat of tasties and tilts his head.

"I thought tonight was for a bit more than talking."

[speed_of_snark]

Jean-Paul takes the tray and sets it on the coffee table so he can lean in and kiss David full on the mouth.

"It is," he says when he pulls back. "Don't worry. But one of the best parts of my day is getting to come home and hear about your day, or about somet'ing you saw or read. Just your thoughts."

[helpdesk_hero]

His day? Oh dear. For a moment he hesitates, thinking of Tommy. Which is clear from how he grimaces in distaste. Then he lets it wipe off of his face and he tries to smile.

"There was an evil sorcerer trying to conquer the world by altering leylines and forcing them to flow through Topeka, Kansas. The team brought me in because I understand the theoretical forces of magic a lot better than Wiccan does."

[speed_of_snark]

At the grimace, he gives David's hand a squeeze. He's willing to start the night over, but Jean-Paul won't ignore the facts in favour of comfort. It's just not in his nature.

"Well, I can certainly understand that Kansas might be evil, ouais," he says dryly. He shakes his head. "You understand most things better than most people, my love. It's what makes you such a valuable asset for this shit."

He kisses David's hand before he lets go in order to reach for the snack plate.

"Rough day for my darling."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I'm just lucky I understand magic, even if I can't do it," David agrees, smiling at his lover kissing his hand. "What was your day like?"

[speed_of_snark]

"The opposite of Wiccan," Jean-Paul snorts. "My day? Pretty uneventful, to be honest. Mostly just dull financial meetings. I left early to get some shopping done." He smiles softly. "I my have gone a bit overboard. My sister talked me out of buying you a car."

[helpdesk_hero]

Shopping? Wait, for him? David is left staring at him in momentary shock. He had not gotten Jean-Paul a lot of things. Just... things he'd put a lot of thought and emotion into.

"I don't know that a car would be wise anyway. I sorta wrecked every jet I've ever piloted and all."

[speed_of_snark]

"Point. And this is New York, it's more of a pain than anything."

Jean-Paul, as bad as he is with emotions, truly is the type to shower someone with gifts in an attempt to prove his affection.

"Thank you for cooking. This is great."

[helpdesk_hero]

And they'd mostly pay a lot of money for a car, and then a lot of money to park it. But the thing was, Jean-Paul didn't need to prove anything. David knew he was loved. His partner showed it in other ways. Taking him skiing, nearly losing the will to live without him, trying to subtly suggest that maybe one day they might wed. No, David understood he was loved. Quite a bit.

"This is merely the warm up," David promises, his hand moving to lay on his lover's knee. "But don't eat too heavily. You promised to show me the city from the sky."

[speed_of_snark]

Jean-Paul puts his hand over David's. "You just say when you want to go, my love. I'll take you as high as you can stand."

[helpdesk_hero]

"It could be that I can't stand very high. I've only been flying a few times, and one of them was me being teleported over the lake behind the mansion and nearly falling to my death."

Not that he expects to be dropped. At all. But he wants to see it. To get to enjoy it.

[speed_of_snark]

"And that's okay."

Food forgotten for the moment, Jean-Paul turns fully to David and presses a soft kiss to his lips.

"David? Merci."

[helpdesk_hero]

At least Jean-Paul works with him and his very reasonable fear over not being able to fly himself. Human survival instincts will always still be there. But he accepts the soft kiss and even when Jean-Paul pulls back he stays there, eyes mostly closed, smiling to himself in pleasure.

"You're welcome. I don't know what for, but you're absolutely welcome."

[speed_of_snark]

"For this. For giving us a do-over, so that I don't ruin a very important date."

He laughs suddenly. "Don't hit me, but is this literally the FIRST time anniversary or the first planned date?"

[helpdesk_hero]

See, mentioning it means undoing the redo, but David tries to ignore that. And David had ruined the thing too by by bringing Tommy back here. His fault.

"I'm not going to hit you. You had no reason to think of the day being important last time. Neither. It's the anniversary of waking up and making you waffles and having you agree to let me stick around. It's the anniversary of talking after I came back to bed with you, and before we had what was probably the third or fourth time. It's the anniversary of the day I left my sweatshirt here which you were wearing one of the times I came over again another day. It's the anniversary of you looking at me and smiling and me seeing that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance."

[speed_of_snark]

Jean-Paul ducks his head for a moment. When he looks up his eyes are shining, not quite tearing. He smiles, as bright as any star.

"That's still my favourite sweatshirt," he admits.

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh love, please don't let those tears fall. Because then he might have to tease you for being nearly so sentimental as himself. Instead he keeps smiling and reaches out to put a hand on Jean-Paul's cheek.

"Yeah, you're a little punk. It was my favorite and now I barely get to wear it. But you look so good in it."

[speed_of_snark]

Jean-Paul laughs and moves, suddenly in David's lap. He nuzzles his neck.

"I do," he agrees. "...when you left it here... I remember putting it on. I felt a bit guilty, but it smelled like you and I couldn't help it."

[helpdesk_hero]

Nice to see you here, JP. Dont' get too cozy. He still has to make dinner.

"Well that must have been an interesting moment. Realizing you wanted wrapped up in my scent."

[speed_of_snark]

"I felt like an idiot teenager."

Some more snuggling. "You stole my heart."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Maybe you did because you never got to really feel like an idiot teenager when you were one?"

He reaches up to toy with Jean-Paul's hair a bit.

"I'm sorry. I have no intention of returning it."

[speed_of_snark]

"Maybe. Or maybe you're just that special."

He beams. "Good. Should I get off of you?"

[helpdesk_hero]

Well, he prefers the idea of being that special to the man he loves.

"Maybe I am. And yes, as much as I hate losing you, I do have dinner to prepare. I promised."