This is a cute little story, of which the characters I do not own. I only borrowed them without permission from Squaresoft, and whatever company owns Pokemon...blah blah blah... rightful ownership...yack yack yack...My finger will be cut off if I don't give credit....Phew, done
imsoparanoid@over-the-rainbow.com
Sephiroth smiled.
“So, we’re on our date, James. How is it? I’m afraid I’m not a good judge of these things. I haven’t really ever, um, courted anyone before.”
“You’re doing fine, Command- er- Sephiroth…”
James still found it awkward to call his commanding officer by his first name. It just felt wrong.
“Oh, James. Do calm down. I’m not going to bite.”
Sephiroth smiled, showing his devilishly pointed little canines. He looked like a big Cheshire cat; friendly, but a bit mad. James smiled back at him, feeling a little more comfortable. He watched as Sephiroth sifted and crossed his legs under the table. Something big and hard rubbed against James’ calf. His fork stopped midway to his mouth, as he looked Sephiroth; shocked. Sephiroth gave him the faintest smile and cocked his head to one side. He looked dangerous and coy all at the same time.
“James, you have a bit of salad dressing on the corner of your mouth.”
James’ cheeks were tinged pink as he fumbled for the napkin in his lap. Sephiroth smiled at his flustered companion and reached across the table, gently dabbing his face.
“There. All better.”
“Thanks,” James said, blushing further.
“No problem,” Sephiroth said with a smile and a stroke of James’ calf.
James held back a laugh, smiling at the big man sitting across from him. He looked too dapper in a suit and tie. His hair was tied back into a darling ponytail while a few stray silver strands still hung free about his neck and shoulders. Altogether, Sephiroth painted the perfect picture of a dashing young gentleman. James felt very insecure suddenly; he would never look that good in a million years! He sighed and chased a cherry tomato around in his salad bowl.
“What’s wrong? You’re not bored are you?”
James looked up to see a very concerned Sephiroth looking at him. He smiled.
“No, no, it’s not that.”
“Then what?”
“It’s just- Oh, nothing, never mind…”
Sephiroth reached across the table to touch his hand. James let out a small gasp at such a touching gesture.
“Please, tell me. I don’t want to make you unhappy.”
“No, it’s not that at all! I-I just look at you and think ‘oh, God, you’re so wonderful, and you’re so handsome, and what the hell are you doing with a skinny little nobody like me?’!”
“James, don’t say that. Please. I think you’re, um,” Sephiroth blushed suddenly. “I think you’re so… How do I say this without making you feel like I’m thinking of you as a woman?”
“Don’t worry about it. I am very feminine, I know. That’s another reason I can’t believe you’re-“
“-I think you’re so pretty and lovely, and Jesus Christ, I can’t believe I’m saying this to you, but I have to because it’s how I feel and I want to kiss you right now because your face is so perfect and, well, cute, and you’re just so cute in general and I can’t understand anything I think anymore because all I think about is you!”
James blinked at Sephiroth as he sat there, blushing and panting.
“Oh… Sephi…”
Sephiroth turned even brighter red.
“I-I’m sorry I said all that, I didn’t mean to say it all, but once I started I couldn’t stop.”
“No, it’s alright. Really. I’m glad you said all those things. I think I needed to hear them.”
He squeezed Sephiroth’s hand as he stared across the table into his eyes.
“I want to kiss you.”
James smiled at him, but shook his head.
“Not here. Not like this. Not with all these prying eyes to see us and judge us.”
James kissed his own hand and laid it on top of Sephiroth’s.
“Do you remember our first kiss, Sephi?”
“Of course. I’ll never forget it.”
“I have a secret to tell you about that night.”
“What?” he asked almost breathlessly.
“It scared me. You scared me. It was so dark that night; a sliver of moon was all that was left. I remember when you were so close to me. You smelled like pine and rain and all the wonderful things of the forest that I love so much. When we stood so close, I thought you were the god of the forest for a moment. The moonlight made your hair shimmer and I swear you weren’t human. Then you were pressed against me, your lips on mine, your soft tongue gently tasting my mouth. You were so good and sweet then; you tasted like you had been eating the wild raspberries that grow in the woods. In that single moment, I felt so amazing, I felt like I was dying, melting, breaking down, all for you. When you pulled away it felt like I was being ripped apart; half of me was still with you. I wanted more than anything to be with you that night, I wanted to be close to you, in your arms. I wanted you to…to…”
“To what?”
“I wanted you to take me. I wanted you to have me right there in the forest, among all the trees and grass. I wanted more than anything to be with you that very night in that very forest. I wanted to be yours.”
Sephiroth’s lip quivered as he sucked in a breath of air. His body shivered with emotion and passion.
“Oh, James… Oh, James… That was so amazing… I’ve never had anyone talk to me like that before. Oh, God, how I want to kiss you again.”
“I know. I would give anything to be able to taste your lips again. But I won’t. Not here. Not now.”
“I know. Not with these people all here.”
“Sephiroth, I-“
“Who ordered the surf and turf?”
James and Sephiroth both snapped their gaze up to look at the waitress. Sephiroth blinked for a moment.
“Um, I believe I did…”
“Can I see your wine list, miss?”
“Of course. Here you are.”
“Great. We need some alcohol…”
********************************************************************************************************
Empty plates were pushed away. The two had obviously been well fed with their meal. James’ cheeks were flushed from the wine as he giggled softly. Sephiroth smiled, and having a bit more of a head for wine, topped off his glass.
“Well, that’s the last of it, I’m afraid.”
James smiled.
“Just as well. I’m feeling a little tipsy. If I drink anymore I’ll be completely incoherent!”
Sephiroth let out a short laugh.
“You’re perfectly charming, James.”
James smiled as he watched his date take a careful sip of the red wine.
“You like that kind?”
“Oh, well, yes. I love wine. Especially red wine. I like the heavy Merlot best. Is that what this is?”
James laughed.
“Actually, I just guessed which one to pick! I had no idea what was what. But I knew that it was red at least!”
Sephiroth smiled and shook his head.
“You’re perfectly serendipicast, James.”
“Huh?”
“Everything you do accidentally always turns out right in the end. You never actually get seriously hurt or in trouble or anything!”
“Yeah. It’s almost like I’m a cartoon character or something.”
“You? That’s hard to picture…”
“Well, it must be the wine talking.”
Sephiroth put down his wineglass and stretched slightly.
“How long have we been here?”
James looked at his watch.
“3 hours?!”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No! We got here at nine and it’s midnight!”
“Good lord… I gotta take you home. Come on.”
James stood up and took his coat off the back of his chair. Sephiroth pulled out his wallet and left a generous tip for their waitress before putting his own on. They walked out to Sephiroth’s car and as James was about to get in, Sephiroth held his door close.
“Wait a moment.”
He leaned in close to James and held him tight. They stood like that for a moment, enjoying the freedom to hold each other. James breathed in deep the sent of Sephiroth. His long dress coat was clean, black leather, full of the heady aroma of smoke and leather. He still smelled faintly of pine, however. James buried his face deep in Sephiroth’s broad chest contently. He felt a hand covered in smooth leather lift his face up. He was looking directly into Sephiroth’s eyes.
“You owe me a kiss.”
James flung his arms around the other man’s neck and planted a deep kiss on his lips. His tongue trust deep into a shocked Sephiroth’s mouth while he pulled the much bigger man closer by the waist. His fingers twined through the neat silver hair, pushing their mouths even harder together. James released the kiss, surprised even at himself.
“Jesus Christ, James. I didn’t know you had it in you!”
“Neither did I!”
Sephiroth laughed and wiped his mouth.
“You’re quite the kisser… When you’re prepared anyway.”
James blushed slightly.
“I’m sorry. I guess I was just a little excited or something.”
“No. I liked it. No one’s ever tried to dominate me. Not even a little. It was something no one’s even tried.”
James felt uncomfortable (again). He hadn’t even tried to do anything like that, but it just happened. He felt embarrassed and kicked at the ground.
“Don’t do that. You’ll scuff up your shoes.”
James looked up at Sephiroth, who was smiling mischievously.
“Get in the car.”
********************
Sephiroth walked James up to his apartment building door.
“Well, I guess this is goodnight. Right?”
Sephiroth looked hopefully at James.
“This is goodnight. I’m sorry.”
Sephiroth let out a sigh and smiled.
“No, no… It’s a good thing. I mean, it’s the whole moving slow thing, right? It’s supposed to build a better foundation for a relationship or whatever.”
“That, and I’m just not ready. I really like you, but… This is all so new to me. I want to make it last as long as possible so I can enjoy it.”
“New? What do you mean?”
“I kinda just, um, ‘came out’…” James said, blushing.
“Oh! Oh, well, um…”
“Relax, Sephi. I just wanted you to know my real reason for wanting to move slow.”
“Well, I suppose it’ll put to ease some of my concerns. Say, James?”
“Yes?”
“Does that mean you’re a um…”
“Virgin?”
“Yeah…”
James smiled.
“Not exactly. I’ve just never been with a guy…”
“So you’ve-“
“Yes.”
“Who?”
James looked at the ground and smiled.
“Goodnight, Sephi.”
James wrapped his arms around the big man’s waist and kissed him softly.