Vax and Gilmore (backdated October 13)
Oct. 13th, 2017 12:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ax_glory posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
ax_mainGilmore meets Vax in true glorious fashion, and learns that he's about 24 hours too late on this new crush. That fact does not quell the crush completely.
Shaun Gilmore could not imagine how he had failed to notice the dark-haired gothic wonder in the midday cafeteria for an entire week. He feared that he may even have missed that chiseled face in one or two of his classes. This was a tremendous tragedy, he decided, that needed the immediate rectifying.
Bearing a lunch tray like a trophy instead of a plate of spaghetti, Gilmore slid into a seat across from the beauty with the brooding eyes. "Hello, vision," he declared, his usual theatricality barely contained to one table. "Where have you been all my life?"
Vax'ildan wasn't entirely without friends at school - not like he'd expected. Percy was probably a little more than a friend. But for those acquaintances, lunch time was sometimes a little lonely, depending on what Percival was doing at the time. Instead, he'd find a corner in the back and quietly watch the other kids as he ate. Then again, he'd never seen anyone like the guy who'd just walked up and invited himself to a seat across from him. He was...gorgeous and confident, and apparently more dramatic than Vex had ever been in her life.
Vax couldn't help but grin, the back of his neck heating a bit. "You don't want to know, trust me on this."
Gilmore's brows lifted in fascination when he heard the vision before him speak. He leaned on one arm, forgetting about lunch for the moment. "And he has an accent. You're a delight for all the senses, aren't you?" His rapt attention never left Vax's face as he offered a hand. "Shaun Gilmore."
Vax glanced down at the hand, unsure what to do with all of that attention, but took it in a firm squeeze. "Vax. Vax'ildan Vessar. And yes, I'm British, in case it wasn't entirely obvious."
He clasped Vax's hand for just an extra moment or two before releasing it. "Vax'ildan. Now that is a name worthy of calligraphy. I can see it drawn out in silver." Gilmore smiled, tilting his head as if he really could picture it. At last, he remembered that he had food with him, and drew his tray back over.
"I make things, you see. I am deeply inspired by beauty, and you, my friend, are truly one of a kind."
"That's..." Vax flushed a bit at the compliments, but then his head tilted in curiosity as he registered what Shaun was saying. "What kind of things do you make?"
Perhaps it was possible that Gilmore was coming on a bit strong. Vax had such a pretty blush, though. He'd have to remember that for future use. "Whatever needs making," he answered, full of rakish impertinence. "I specialize in jewelry and trinkets, but since I started letting my mutant flag fly, I've taken to inventing and building. Still, my heart is dedicated to the creation of luxury and beauty. What about you?"
He'd twirled a bite of spaghetti around his fork, and looked across to Vax with sparkling dark eyes. "What stirs your soul? Tell me everything."
Shaun Gilmore was entrancing, Vax decided. Not really dramatic, like he'd first thought, but a bit more magical than that. From his exotic looks to the twinkle in his eyes, Vax found it really difficult to even look away. The fact that he was an inventor? Well, that was just serendipity. Vax told himself that he had to stay and find out everything about the other boy, if just so he could report back to Percival when he got back to their room. (And how was it, really, that this Gilmore fellow managed to twirl his spaghetti like that without it being the messiest food in the fucking world? He made it look like his fork was dancing.)
"I'm...not exactly sure where to start." Did anything stir his soul? Vax looked a little apologetic, maybe a little lost. "I'm a bit new here. New to...polite society in general," he admitted.
"Polite society?" Gilmore echoed, brows lifting. He gave a glance over each shoulder, and then leaned in conspiratorially to whisper, "Good heavens, is that where we are?" The joke, he hoped, was enough to signal to Vax that he wasn't about to be judgy about his past.
Vax's lips twitched in a little grin. "Well, I find myself loathe to disappoint you, Shaun Gilmore."
Gilmore had heard his name spoken a thousand different ways by a thousand different people, but it had never sounded quite so enticing. He'd been quite thoroughly caught by this mysterious stranger, so much so that he didn't even bother to mention how most people called him by his surname. Vax could say 'Shaun' as much as he liked. "Never. Politeness has its time and place, and I am a grand proponent of propriety when it's called for, but the cafeteria of a high school? Come now, that has never been considered the height of a polite society. Our manners would be wasted here."
"That's sweet that you think I have manners at all," Vax smiled. "As for what...stirs me? I suppose I simply enjoy adventure. Doing something exhilarating and not getting caught. Honestly, I'm a fucking asshole at heart."
Gilmore wanted to tell him it couldn't possibly be so, but even he could recognize that his brand-new infatuation with Vax'ildan might be slipping those metaphorical rose-colored glasses over his eyes. "You're not content with cheap thrills," he mused approvingly. "You want to get away with something, too. Oh, the things I could make for you."
Vax raised his brows, suddenly intensely curious. "Oh? Jewelry and trinkets? You mentioned delving further into inventing," he noted.
"Jewelry and trinkets are among the best items to conceal secrets," Gilmore elaborated, unable to keep his hands still when he talked. That made the actual consumption of lunch go rather more slowly. "Include a small enough mechanism and you could have a very useful tool that you wear right next to your skin, always on hand, and completely overlooked by everyone around you."
"Like...lockpicks in an armband," Vax suggested.
"You're already catching on," said Gilmore with a beam of approval. "Of course, I would stay clear of anything, ah... extra-legal, let's say. Gilmore's Glorious Goods has a reputation to maintain."
"Gilmore's Glorious Goods," Vax grinned at the name. It was catchy. And glorious. "You run a store?"
Though Gilmore made a small, dismissive gesture with one hand, he couldn't disguise his pride. "Online, but yes. My creations sate the deep need that people our age have for beautiful, well-made expressions of their deep devotions to Dystopian Archer Girl and the Vampire Love Triangle... or whatever the wilds of popular culture bring us next."
"Are those actually things that people devote themselves to?" Vax asked curiously. Apparently, he needed a refresher course on popular culture. Or maybe just a course, period, as he wasn't really sure he'd ever understood any of it in the first place.
"But of course!" Gilmore exclaimed. "My 'Team Werewolf' candle is among one of my best-selling items. Customers tell me it's entirely replaced their need for a boyfriend." He quickly popped a bite of garlic bread into his mouth, in an attempt to conceal the fact that he was completely bulshitting Vax with that claim.
"How could a..." Vax frowned. "Actually, I'm not sure that I want to know."
Gilmore couldn't stifle his laughter any more, and it rippled out, warm and inclusive. "Come up to my room and I'll give you a sample," he promised with a crooked grin.
A flush inexplicably bloomed on Vax’s cheeks. That was... terribly tempting, but after last night, all he had on his mind was Percival. “I would...love to, but there is someone...” How to explain?
That blush was so tempting that it was almost -- almost -- a good thing that Vax'ildan said something to counter it. Gilmore put a hand to his heart briefly, but inclined his head with a small smile. "I can't say I'm surprised that you already have someone special. I hope that won't deter you from dropping by. I can promise to leave the door open and comport myself accordingly."
Well, in that case? "Of course I'll drop by. I have to know what this...boyfriend candle is like, don't I?" Vax grinned.
"You really do," Gilmore agreed, apparently undeterred by the revelation of Vax's relationship. "I'm in room 110, and you, Vax'ildan, are welcome any time. Bring your special someone, if they're allowed. The more the merrier, I always say."
"I think I'm next door," Vax told him, twirling his pasta. "108. Or is that two doors down? I'm not sure how the rooms are numbered. In any case, if you've got a selection of your wares handy, I wouldn't mind perusing."
Gilmore laughed warmly. "It won't be quite as attractive as I'd like, being contained in plastic bins and cardboard boxes currently, but until I find some workspace for myself, the entirety of Gilmore's Glorious Goods is contained within the boundaries of my closet."
"Where were your Glorious Goods before now?" Vax asked curiously, and yes, a bit sly, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
At that, Shaun had to bite back a truly immature snicker. "Not in the closet, I can tell you that much," he drawled amusedly.
"Pity that," Vax told him. "I do my best work in the dark."
Gilmore steepled his fingers and leaned forward, eyes on Vax. These were some sincerely mixed signals he was getting, but he decided it was safest to abide by the first signal -- that Vax was taken. "I'm beginning to regret my promise to comport myself accordingly, and it's barely been two minutes," he said with a little smile.
Vax's grin softened and he glanced down for a moment. "Sorry. I'm not quite used to being somewhat...attached."
Shaun Gilmore wasn't only good at flirting, entrepreneurship, and creating incredible treasures. He was good at everything, including listening and being a friend. His posture shifted, leaning on one arm while he poked at his lunch. "New relationship?" Gilmore asked, subtly encouraging.
"Does last night count as new?" Vax asked wryly.
Gilmore couldn't help but regret that he'd been less than twenty-four hours too late with Vax. "I think you can't get much newer," he agreed, with a small smile. "Did you meet here at the school?"
"No, we've known each other for a couple years now," Vax admitted. "It was something of an odd coincidence that we both wound up here in the end."
Gilmore looked thoughtful. He had noticed no names -- nor gendered pronouns -- had yet been mentioned. "Is this new enough that we aren't telling people yet? I can keep a secret, I assure you."
Vax blinked, then frowned thoughtfully. "I...honestly hadn't thought about whether we are or not. Nor have I asked."
"Why don't I assume that this is between you and me, for now," Gilmore offered. "Just until you decide."
"Probably a safe assumption," Vax agreed, still looking a little concerned. Should he be telling people? Was Percy telling people? What about Vex? Was he supposed to tell his sister? Maybe... he could wait on that one.
Gilmore couldn't miss that expression on Vax's face. He took one finger and drew an 'X' over his heart. "No one will hear a thing from me until you give the word. And you will give the word, won't you, Vax'ildan? Drop in next door, or whatever it turns out to be, anytime you like. I honestly don't know anyone here very well." He crooked a half-grin. "Yours is the very first secret I'm keeping. That makes you extra special in my eyes."
"You are...making me a little sorry about the whole situation with Percival, I have to admit," Vax breathed out softly. "Thanks. For being...you, I suppose."
"It is what I'm best at," Gilmore assured him in a voice like honey butter, but he glanced down and his smile turned a little sheepish. Flirting was easy. Honest gratitude from a virtual stranger was something else.
When he looked back up, his attention lingered on Vax's face for just a little too long. He tried to tell himself he was relieved, that he knew where he stood, and wouldn't be competing with anyone else for the heart that hid behind those mysterious eyes. Right. Gilmore would have to keep telling himself that.
"Well," he finally said, "they're probably going to ring the bell for class soon. Won't do to be late."
"I made this awkward, didn't I?" Vax asked quietly.
Shaun leaned his cheek in one hand, scrunching his smile up on one side in a way he hoped was charming. "Which of us tried to charm a complete stranger over cafeteria spaghetti, hm? Come on, now. This'll be a charming story we tell our circle of friends for years to come. I can handle having a friend in a relationship, Vax'ildan. Promise."
That settled, Vax's eyes glowed with appreciation and he cocked a sideways grin. "Perfect. Because I'd love to see your store sometime."
Gilmore produced an honest-to-god business card -- purple, with pale yellow writing and a swirly unicorn logo on it -- flipped it over, and scribbled down his cell phone number on the back with a mini Sharpie out of the same pocket. He handed it over to Vax as he made his way toward getting up from the lunch table. "Text me anytime... or just knock on the wall, of course."
Vax took the card, grinning. "You'll hear from me soon."
Shaun Gilmore could not imagine how he had failed to notice the dark-haired gothic wonder in the midday cafeteria for an entire week. He feared that he may even have missed that chiseled face in one or two of his classes. This was a tremendous tragedy, he decided, that needed the immediate rectifying.
Bearing a lunch tray like a trophy instead of a plate of spaghetti, Gilmore slid into a seat across from the beauty with the brooding eyes. "Hello, vision," he declared, his usual theatricality barely contained to one table. "Where have you been all my life?"
Vax'ildan wasn't entirely without friends at school - not like he'd expected. Percy was probably a little more than a friend. But for those acquaintances, lunch time was sometimes a little lonely, depending on what Percival was doing at the time. Instead, he'd find a corner in the back and quietly watch the other kids as he ate. Then again, he'd never seen anyone like the guy who'd just walked up and invited himself to a seat across from him. He was...gorgeous and confident, and apparently more dramatic than Vex had ever been in her life.
Vax couldn't help but grin, the back of his neck heating a bit. "You don't want to know, trust me on this."
Gilmore's brows lifted in fascination when he heard the vision before him speak. He leaned on one arm, forgetting about lunch for the moment. "And he has an accent. You're a delight for all the senses, aren't you?" His rapt attention never left Vax's face as he offered a hand. "Shaun Gilmore."
Vax glanced down at the hand, unsure what to do with all of that attention, but took it in a firm squeeze. "Vax. Vax'ildan Vessar. And yes, I'm British, in case it wasn't entirely obvious."
He clasped Vax's hand for just an extra moment or two before releasing it. "Vax'ildan. Now that is a name worthy of calligraphy. I can see it drawn out in silver." Gilmore smiled, tilting his head as if he really could picture it. At last, he remembered that he had food with him, and drew his tray back over.
"I make things, you see. I am deeply inspired by beauty, and you, my friend, are truly one of a kind."
"That's..." Vax flushed a bit at the compliments, but then his head tilted in curiosity as he registered what Shaun was saying. "What kind of things do you make?"
Perhaps it was possible that Gilmore was coming on a bit strong. Vax had such a pretty blush, though. He'd have to remember that for future use. "Whatever needs making," he answered, full of rakish impertinence. "I specialize in jewelry and trinkets, but since I started letting my mutant flag fly, I've taken to inventing and building. Still, my heart is dedicated to the creation of luxury and beauty. What about you?"
He'd twirled a bite of spaghetti around his fork, and looked across to Vax with sparkling dark eyes. "What stirs your soul? Tell me everything."
Shaun Gilmore was entrancing, Vax decided. Not really dramatic, like he'd first thought, but a bit more magical than that. From his exotic looks to the twinkle in his eyes, Vax found it really difficult to even look away. The fact that he was an inventor? Well, that was just serendipity. Vax told himself that he had to stay and find out everything about the other boy, if just so he could report back to Percival when he got back to their room. (And how was it, really, that this Gilmore fellow managed to twirl his spaghetti like that without it being the messiest food in the fucking world? He made it look like his fork was dancing.)
"I'm...not exactly sure where to start." Did anything stir his soul? Vax looked a little apologetic, maybe a little lost. "I'm a bit new here. New to...polite society in general," he admitted.
"Polite society?" Gilmore echoed, brows lifting. He gave a glance over each shoulder, and then leaned in conspiratorially to whisper, "Good heavens, is that where we are?" The joke, he hoped, was enough to signal to Vax that he wasn't about to be judgy about his past.
Vax's lips twitched in a little grin. "Well, I find myself loathe to disappoint you, Shaun Gilmore."
Gilmore had heard his name spoken a thousand different ways by a thousand different people, but it had never sounded quite so enticing. He'd been quite thoroughly caught by this mysterious stranger, so much so that he didn't even bother to mention how most people called him by his surname. Vax could say 'Shaun' as much as he liked. "Never. Politeness has its time and place, and I am a grand proponent of propriety when it's called for, but the cafeteria of a high school? Come now, that has never been considered the height of a polite society. Our manners would be wasted here."
"That's sweet that you think I have manners at all," Vax smiled. "As for what...stirs me? I suppose I simply enjoy adventure. Doing something exhilarating and not getting caught. Honestly, I'm a fucking asshole at heart."
Gilmore wanted to tell him it couldn't possibly be so, but even he could recognize that his brand-new infatuation with Vax'ildan might be slipping those metaphorical rose-colored glasses over his eyes. "You're not content with cheap thrills," he mused approvingly. "You want to get away with something, too. Oh, the things I could make for you."
Vax raised his brows, suddenly intensely curious. "Oh? Jewelry and trinkets? You mentioned delving further into inventing," he noted.
"Jewelry and trinkets are among the best items to conceal secrets," Gilmore elaborated, unable to keep his hands still when he talked. That made the actual consumption of lunch go rather more slowly. "Include a small enough mechanism and you could have a very useful tool that you wear right next to your skin, always on hand, and completely overlooked by everyone around you."
"Like...lockpicks in an armband," Vax suggested.
"You're already catching on," said Gilmore with a beam of approval. "Of course, I would stay clear of anything, ah... extra-legal, let's say. Gilmore's Glorious Goods has a reputation to maintain."
"Gilmore's Glorious Goods," Vax grinned at the name. It was catchy. And glorious. "You run a store?"
Though Gilmore made a small, dismissive gesture with one hand, he couldn't disguise his pride. "Online, but yes. My creations sate the deep need that people our age have for beautiful, well-made expressions of their deep devotions to Dystopian Archer Girl and the Vampire Love Triangle... or whatever the wilds of popular culture bring us next."
"Are those actually things that people devote themselves to?" Vax asked curiously. Apparently, he needed a refresher course on popular culture. Or maybe just a course, period, as he wasn't really sure he'd ever understood any of it in the first place.
"But of course!" Gilmore exclaimed. "My 'Team Werewolf' candle is among one of my best-selling items. Customers tell me it's entirely replaced their need for a boyfriend." He quickly popped a bite of garlic bread into his mouth, in an attempt to conceal the fact that he was completely bulshitting Vax with that claim.
"How could a..." Vax frowned. "Actually, I'm not sure that I want to know."
Gilmore couldn't stifle his laughter any more, and it rippled out, warm and inclusive. "Come up to my room and I'll give you a sample," he promised with a crooked grin.
A flush inexplicably bloomed on Vax’s cheeks. That was... terribly tempting, but after last night, all he had on his mind was Percival. “I would...love to, but there is someone...” How to explain?
That blush was so tempting that it was almost -- almost -- a good thing that Vax'ildan said something to counter it. Gilmore put a hand to his heart briefly, but inclined his head with a small smile. "I can't say I'm surprised that you already have someone special. I hope that won't deter you from dropping by. I can promise to leave the door open and comport myself accordingly."
Well, in that case? "Of course I'll drop by. I have to know what this...boyfriend candle is like, don't I?" Vax grinned.
"You really do," Gilmore agreed, apparently undeterred by the revelation of Vax's relationship. "I'm in room 110, and you, Vax'ildan, are welcome any time. Bring your special someone, if they're allowed. The more the merrier, I always say."
"I think I'm next door," Vax told him, twirling his pasta. "108. Or is that two doors down? I'm not sure how the rooms are numbered. In any case, if you've got a selection of your wares handy, I wouldn't mind perusing."
Gilmore laughed warmly. "It won't be quite as attractive as I'd like, being contained in plastic bins and cardboard boxes currently, but until I find some workspace for myself, the entirety of Gilmore's Glorious Goods is contained within the boundaries of my closet."
"Where were your Glorious Goods before now?" Vax asked curiously, and yes, a bit sly, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
At that, Shaun had to bite back a truly immature snicker. "Not in the closet, I can tell you that much," he drawled amusedly.
"Pity that," Vax told him. "I do my best work in the dark."
Gilmore steepled his fingers and leaned forward, eyes on Vax. These were some sincerely mixed signals he was getting, but he decided it was safest to abide by the first signal -- that Vax was taken. "I'm beginning to regret my promise to comport myself accordingly, and it's barely been two minutes," he said with a little smile.
Vax's grin softened and he glanced down for a moment. "Sorry. I'm not quite used to being somewhat...attached."
Shaun Gilmore wasn't only good at flirting, entrepreneurship, and creating incredible treasures. He was good at everything, including listening and being a friend. His posture shifted, leaning on one arm while he poked at his lunch. "New relationship?" Gilmore asked, subtly encouraging.
"Does last night count as new?" Vax asked wryly.
Gilmore couldn't help but regret that he'd been less than twenty-four hours too late with Vax. "I think you can't get much newer," he agreed, with a small smile. "Did you meet here at the school?"
"No, we've known each other for a couple years now," Vax admitted. "It was something of an odd coincidence that we both wound up here in the end."
Gilmore looked thoughtful. He had noticed no names -- nor gendered pronouns -- had yet been mentioned. "Is this new enough that we aren't telling people yet? I can keep a secret, I assure you."
Vax blinked, then frowned thoughtfully. "I...honestly hadn't thought about whether we are or not. Nor have I asked."
"Why don't I assume that this is between you and me, for now," Gilmore offered. "Just until you decide."
"Probably a safe assumption," Vax agreed, still looking a little concerned. Should he be telling people? Was Percy telling people? What about Vex? Was he supposed to tell his sister? Maybe... he could wait on that one.
Gilmore couldn't miss that expression on Vax's face. He took one finger and drew an 'X' over his heart. "No one will hear a thing from me until you give the word. And you will give the word, won't you, Vax'ildan? Drop in next door, or whatever it turns out to be, anytime you like. I honestly don't know anyone here very well." He crooked a half-grin. "Yours is the very first secret I'm keeping. That makes you extra special in my eyes."
"You are...making me a little sorry about the whole situation with Percival, I have to admit," Vax breathed out softly. "Thanks. For being...you, I suppose."
"It is what I'm best at," Gilmore assured him in a voice like honey butter, but he glanced down and his smile turned a little sheepish. Flirting was easy. Honest gratitude from a virtual stranger was something else.
When he looked back up, his attention lingered on Vax's face for just a little too long. He tried to tell himself he was relieved, that he knew where he stood, and wouldn't be competing with anyone else for the heart that hid behind those mysterious eyes. Right. Gilmore would have to keep telling himself that.
"Well," he finally said, "they're probably going to ring the bell for class soon. Won't do to be late."
"I made this awkward, didn't I?" Vax asked quietly.
Shaun leaned his cheek in one hand, scrunching his smile up on one side in a way he hoped was charming. "Which of us tried to charm a complete stranger over cafeteria spaghetti, hm? Come on, now. This'll be a charming story we tell our circle of friends for years to come. I can handle having a friend in a relationship, Vax'ildan. Promise."
That settled, Vax's eyes glowed with appreciation and he cocked a sideways grin. "Perfect. Because I'd love to see your store sometime."
Gilmore produced an honest-to-god business card -- purple, with pale yellow writing and a swirly unicorn logo on it -- flipped it over, and scribbled down his cell phone number on the back with a mini Sharpie out of the same pocket. He handed it over to Vax as he made his way toward getting up from the lunch table. "Text me anytime... or just knock on the wall, of course."
Vax took the card, grinning. "You'll hear from me soon."
no subject
Date: 2017-10-26 04:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-10-26 05:04 pm (UTC)