Three
Closer: RJ & Fran discuss their hobbies
RJ and Fran had known each other for a month now. Mostly they talked food, music, local events. Fran had helped RJ with his booth for the Fourth of July celebration last week because RJ still didn't have any employees. So on occasion Fran had to help RJ out with serving and cleaning. She didn't mind. It was better than going back to an empty house. More and more Fran viewed the JKP, as it was becoming known, as her home.
There were still more slow days than fast days, and today was one of those slow days. RJ was in the kitchen fiddling with a new recipe while Fran read one of her new books. Finishing a chapter, Fran put in a bookmark and shut the book. Resting her head on one of her hands she asked towards the kitchen door, "RJ?"
"Uh-huh?" he called back.
"When you're not cooking what do you like to do?"
"I'll tell you if you tell me what you do when you're not reading or testing my cooking."
"Not much," Fran admitted. "I do a lot of reading."
"And I do a lot of cooking."
RJ had a mind on par with the greatest chess players.
"Sometimes I play chess. Especially online… there's this one guy I play with all the time. He's YellowKnight and I'm BookPawn."
"Now why do I have a bad feeling that those were puns?"
Fran just stuck her tongue out at him even if she knew he couldn't see it. RJ commented, "I like to go de-fishing."
"De-fishing?"
"Yeah, I might take you with me one time. It's more complex than chess I bet."
"I've been doing a bit of cooking myself. It's not as good as yours, of course, but it's edible."
"Nice. I'd like to try some."
Fran blushed.
"It's not that good, really, RJ."
RJ poked his head out the door. Waggling his eyebrows he informed her, "I will be the judge of that."
"Oh you!" Fran sniffed. She informed him, "I've told two, you've told one. It's your turn again."
"All right, all right," RJ mock-groaned, retreating back into the kitchen. "I like to dance."
"Dance?"
The surprise was evident in Fran's voice and the dryness was obvious in RJ's reply.
"Yes, Fran, dance. I find it enjoyable."
"Neat. I don't dance myself, really."
"Why not?"
"Uh… self-preservation instinct?"
RJ had to grin at that.
"So. You like chess, cooking, and… what? Caroling?"
"Sing? Me?!"
"Yeah, I'm not a big fan of karaoke myself," RJ concurred. "So, what other hobbies do you have?"
"I like to watch movies. They're fun."
"Usually I can't sit still for that long. Except when I mediate. But that doesn't count."
"You like to mediate?" Fran asked curiously. "Do you do yoga too?"
"No, martial arts."
The moment he said it RJ instantly banged his head against the wall. Stupid, stupid RJ.
"Really? Neat! Can you show me a few moves?"
RJ poked his head out the kitchen door. Fran just tried to look coy, and was actually quite successful at it.
"What? Martial arts might be a good idea if the Power Rangers ever are needed here. I mean, they can't be everywhere at once so what if I'm in the way when a monster attacks? I don't want to end up as literal monster toe jam!"
"Don't even joke about that!" RJ grumbled, feeling oddly upset by the remark. Probably it was because with the whole Dai Shi thing there was an actual chance of the Power Rangers showing up- with him, of all people, involved. Probably. Fran looked sheepish.
"Sorry."
"It's all right," RJ sighed, momentarily going back into the kitchen. Bringing out his latest recipe he smiled, "Here. Let's make up over my Chocolate Banana Coconut Blast."
"Or CBCB!" Fran giggled, reaching for a spoon. RJ chuckled as he grabbed his own spoon.
"Cheers."
"Cheers," Fran nodded seriously as they clinked spoons. But RJ paused, his spoon hovering over the bowl.
"Wait."
"What?" asked Fran, eyes wide. RJ grinned.
"I told two, so you need to tell one."
"Oh, okay. Um…" Fran thought it over. "I like to walk around, see what's going on in the streets. That and I'm too scared to get a driver's license because I have really bad depth perception and that would probably result in me getting in a TON of crashes and then my parents would be even more disappointed in me and I could get hurt or who knows and-"
"Breathe, Fran," RJ told her, sticking a spoonful of Chocolate Banana Coconut Blast into her mouth.
I assure you that fluff will come. Eventually.
And yes, RJ will say 'Breathe, Fran' a lot. I think it's cute.