I leaned against Hank more than was necessary, but I wanted to make sure everyone thought I was so overly drunk that they would leave me be until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. I was careful not to overindulge past the point of being able to enact my plan, but just enough to give me the dutch courage to try. Recently I had become increasingly curious about our resident Quebecer in a way I was not quite comfortable with, but was definitely willing to explore and tonight was the night.

I mumbled incoherently as Hank swung me up into his arms to carry me up the stairs to my room. I was glad he was not going to make me try to stumble up them as I had no wish to be covered in bruises or give myself away. I breathed a small sigh of relief once we came upon my door and carefully kept the smile from my face as I was gently placed on my bed and my shoes softly removed. I counted to 100 after I was alone before moving to brush my teeth and refresh my appearance. I paused at my door trying to tell if there was any movement in the hallway. I highly doubted it since, besides Wolverine, I was the only other person out tonight that was in this wing and, knowing him, he was probably still drinking.

Once I was pretty sure I would not be caught I opened my door and quietly made my way to Northstar's room. I suddenly was very thankful for growing up in the mansion since it helped me to be able to avoid any creaks or groans in the floor on my way. There were a few moments during my trek that I stopped and questioned what I was about to do. The pounding in my heart echoed in my ears as I slowly approached a backlit door. I was a bit relieved to see the light around the edges as I had been unsure as to how to proceed had he been in bed asleep already.

Annie had assured me he would not mind my waking him, but I was not as convinced as she seemed to be. I do not know what prompted my confession about my feelings toward Jean-Paul to her, but ever since I did I felt profoundly grateful. She had given me a sympathetic, nonjudgmental ear and a push to go for it. Now that I was outside his door I just could not seem to lift my fist and take the step to get him to open it. I went to turn back, but I decided not to be a coward and to see my plan through. Straightening my spine I knocked softly and nervously tapped my foot as I awaited his presence. I heard soft shuffling in the room before I saw his face behind a cracked door.

"Robert, what are you doing outside my door at this hour?" His words were soft but sounded loud in the empty hallway. I tried to smile but my nerves got the best of me.

"I wanted to talk to you."

Jean-Paul's eyebrow quirked. "Any particular reason why you needed to now?"

I wiped my hands on my thighs as I licked my lips. It is funny, for a man made out of ice, therefore water; I was having a hard time keeping saliva in my mouth. "Yes, but I would rather discuss it in the room, if I can…."

I shuffled my feet suddenly feeling foolish. I really should not have done this. To my surprise Jean-Paul just looked at me for a long moment before gesturing for me to enter. I quickly moved into the room and turned to be brought up at the image before me. My mind took in his lanky form clothed in nothing but black silk boxers. I was vaguely surprised he was not wearing a robe, but shook it off since I doubted he had been planning on letting me in originally.

"Robert?" I tore my eyes off his muscled chest feeling heat rise in my cheeks.

"Right, sorry."

This was so not going the way I had planned it. Instead of just following my steps now I was getting all self-conscious and worried that maybe Annie was wrong to encourage me. I certainly didn't feel like he wanted me here. Then again it was rather early or late depending on your point of view. I swayed a bit, suddenly feeling the drinks I had a bit stronger than before. Jean-Paul grabbed my shoulder before I fell forward and helped me to a chair.

"Robert, is everything all right? You have obviously been partaking of quite a bit of alcohol and I am at a loss as to why that would lead you here to me."

I met his blue eyes which were showing a growing concern and just leaned in and brushed his lips with mine. He gasped and went to pull back but I held onto the hand that was braced against my shoulder and he did not fight to pull away from me. Just put space between our faces. Space that I didn't care for. I leaned in again and he used his speed to move out of my reach. Not really fair if you consider my inebriated state made my reflexes slow anyway.

"Non, Robert. You are drunk."

My stomach was knotted in fear but I forced a lazy smile. "Is that your only objection to my kissing you?"

Jean-Paul looked decidedly agitated and I was unsure if that was a good or bad thing at this point. "You should get some sleep. We can talk tomorrow if you still have something to say."

I frowned. Did that mean he did object or that he thought I was not clear headed enough to make any decisions right now. "I don't need sleep. I am not even that drunk. I am fully aware of what is going on."

I stood, reaching out to grab his shoulder and Jean-Paul turned his back to me evading my grasp. His body was taut and I was trying to figure out what to do. Should I just give up completely for now or push my point? I quickly decided my fate and grabbed the speedster's shoulders and twirled him around to meet my mouth. At first he tried to pull away but I ran one hand up into his hair gripping firmly and he tensed for a moment more before giving in and plundering my mouth like a man starved. I found myself being flipped and pressed tight against the wall he was facing just moments before. I groaned and opened my mouth to his marauding tongue and gave back as good as I got. My hands raced along the sinewy contours of his bare back before diving back into his thick black and white hair. After long moments of insistent kisses we gradually pulled away, still wrapped in each other's embrace, with ragged breaths. Jean-Paul leaned his forehead against mine murmuring in French.

I chuckled lowly. "What?"

Jean-Paul smiled and translated. "I said I know you are likely to regret this come morning but I cannot help but enjoy the moment. I have wanted this to happen for a long time."

Hiding my surprise I ran a hand along his jaw and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "No regrets. I promise. The only reason I even got this close to drunk was to drum up the courage to kiss you like I have been wanting to."

Jean-Paul shivered slightly as my hand grazed the tip of his pointed ear before he leaned into the palm that cupped his cheek. "So now that you have gotten your kiss….how did it compare?"

I grinned. "So much better than I dreamed."

Sex, Just Cause

Jean-Paul and I had been together for awhile now. We had gone on dates, played around in bed but he always just stopped shy of actual intercourse. Well now I was over it. Tonight he was going to give in or I swear I was going to ice him down till he got it. Don't get me wrong. I really appreciate that he was being so attentive to my need to go slow with everything that was new. However, now the whole mansion, plus a few magazine rags, knew we were officially together and I was so ready to go all the way that I was partially worried about releasing too fast. Imagine that. The speedster kept insisting we slow down. Back to tonight. Tonight I have it all planned out. Tonight he was going to be mine, I was going to be his and there will be no lingering doubts.

"Robert?" I pulled myself from my reverie at his voice. "Hey" I give him my winning grin. He was standing in the doorway to my room. I mentally rethink my plan. He was not supposed to be here. I was supposed to get him. Oh well. I decide to just go for it. I walked over to him and tugged him the rest of the way into my room, closing the door and locking it firmly. He gave me a smirk. "What were you planning for this evening, mon festin de glace?" I let my actions answer him. I pressed him into the wall and brought my lips to his is a scorching kiss. I could feel his smirk and endeavored to turn it into a groan instead. My tongue playfully caressed his lips and took full advantage once he parted them for my entrance.

mon festin de glace- my ice treat