James

[kersen]

Kersen was... nervous, which he knew was completely silly. But it had been such a long time since he'd been on a date like this. Even though he and Klaus had gone on dates, it was after they'd already slept together.

He took a lot of care with his appearance. Dressed as a boy, but with his typical androgynous flair. Some makeup, mostly his eyes, and a pair of trousers that he knew made his ass look amazing. Also the cashmere scarf that James had admired.

James had offered to come to his house, so when the doorbell rang he managed to clamp down the butterflies, and answered the door, a smile already on his face.

Comments

[kersen]

"It is," Kersen said, glancing at James. "He has remarkable taste. In fact, I have something from his gallery hanging in my sewing room." He thought fondly of the peacock painting, and realized that he hadn't shown James yet. He'd had to do some shifting around of art to get it where he wanted it.

[unreadytodie]

That particular peacock in the sewing room of a drag queen was perfect and James smiled briefly in appreciation. "Ah, of course. Hard to resist, is he not? But is it charm, or cunning?" she said, with a bit of a cheeky smile.

"That rather depends on the visitor," James deadpanned.

[kersen]

"Oh I think he's both," Kersen said fondly.

[unreadytodie]

"And still, while I tried to convey the importance of light in Connor's compositions, you still chose to hang it in a hallway, where, unless the hall is made of glass walls and directly facing the sun, it cannot catch the light as it is intended," James dead-panned.

[kersen]

Kersen let out a little cough, so that he could put his hand to his mouth to hide his smile at that.

[unreadytodie]

The woman made half an argument and was quickly saved by another friend. "As I said, wealth does not equal taste," he remarked to Kersen.

[kersen]

Kersen snorted. "You do not suffer fools, do you?" Then he smirked, and teased, "If I'd have known I might have been worried about you silently judging my house."

[unreadytodie]

"I explained her the essence of the artist and she plainly ignored it for the sake of having a conversation piece in the hall. I don't suffer that gladly," James explained. "Your home was perfectly put together. You have a unique taste, and the whole is more than the sum of its parts. That, I find quite good taste."

[kersen]

"Coming from you, that is high praise indeed," said Kersen fondly, and impulsively leaned in and kissed his cheek.

[unreadytodie]

Ir had been a while since anyone had involved James in any sort display of public affection and the first time a man had, so he was momentarily taken aback by the impulsive kiss.

He smiled briefly then, though he did nothing to return the display. Saved by the Butler. "Ah, look, we're expected in the other room."

[kersen]

A flicker of an expression across Kersen's face made him wonder if he had misstepped, so though they were saved in the moment he told himself that he wouldn't do something like that again. So he just offered a little smile of his own, and nodded.

[unreadytodie]

James didn't feel bad for it, as such, but he did feel a need to explain himself. Alas, it was not possible to do so now.

He found a moment no one was watching them and put a hand on Kersen's back. It was brief, but there.

[kersen]

Such a small gesture, but it genuinely did make Kersen feel better. He turned his head to tease quietly into James' ear, "This seems like a thirsty crowd."

[unreadytodie]

A brief snicker fell across James' face. Kersen had that quality, to make him fall out of character. It had been a while since anyone had. Since anyone, for that matter, had been close enough to him. Not that Kersen was that close; they hardly knew each other that well. But there was something natural about the way Kersen carried himself around James that made it as if they'd known each other far longer. "Let's hope they keep that sort of thing behind closed doors," James said, with a glint in his eye, though his manner was even.

[kersen]

That amused smile made Kersen happy. "Let's just make sure we get to the wine quickly before it's all gone," Kersen whispered.

[unreadytodie]

They were all sat at a large table, with evaluation sheets in front of them. They were presented with one wine at a time, and asked to write down their opinion on colour, aroma, flavour and after-taste and their guess as to the denomination, grape and year. The truth was then revealed and people could find amusement in their erroneous guesses.

It was an entertaining, if somewhat formal affair.

When it was done, they were offered a glass of the wine of their choosing and were welcome to stay to chat and enjoy the rest of the evening. "Shall we go outside to the garden for a cigarette?" He asked Kersen.

[kersen]

James had done considerably better than Kersen at the guessing; though Kersen could appreciate good wine, his palate was a bit... different, than a human's.

"Yes, wonderful idea," said Kersen. Once they were outside, he pulled out an elegant silver cigarette case and offered one to James. "Did you smoke before you knew you stopped agin?" he asked. There was no one else nearby.

[unreadytodie]

James nodded thoughtfully. "It kept one warm in the trenches." Warm and calm. And often times it was one if the few things that reminded one of their humanity. "You didn't smoke before?"

[kersen]

"Tobacco was only just becoming popular in Europe when I... before I was turned," Kersen said, not wanting to say 'while I was still alive.' Best not to draw attention to that. "Honestly, I started smoking in part because I convinced myself psychologically that it helped control my hunger." Okay, maybe he shouldn't have said that actually.

[unreadytodie]

It made James quite uncomfortable. "Ah. And does it?"

[kersen]

"It doesn't matter," Kersen said gently. "I don't need it now, my self control is more than enough. Now it's just... habit."

[unreadytodie]

James knew it was meant to calm him, but it didn't quite. "Does...addiction play a part? For you, I mean."

[kersen]

Kersen actually had no idea if he was talking about blood or cigarettes. So he just said, "I don't think so," which was true for both.

Then he looked a little somber and said quietly, "I didn't mean to... remind you."

[unreadytodie]

"I apologise, " James said. "You show me nothing but decency and delightful company and yet when you mention... Well. I find myself rather looking past it, but I understand it is who you are. You shouldn't have to hide it."

[kersen]

"And yet your reaction is completely understandable," Kersen said with a little sigh. "The fact that you can look past it at all is something."