Title: Possibly, Maybe: Chapter Nine
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Jean Paul/Bobby
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me and I'm not making any money for this
Summary: Bobby's utterly miserable and no one but Jean Paul seems to be noticing..
Chapter Nine
"You know, I've never seen you looking casual before." Bobby comented as he pulled off his black t-shirt, having decided it was too small, and browsed for another. It was saturday afternoon and since the children would be returning from their field trip the next night it had been decided that a BBQ down by the lake was in order so they all could enjoy the relative peace one last time.
Bobby was wearing boardshorts, in case he felt like a swim since it did seem to be getting pretty hot even for him, but he couldn't settle on a shirt and had half his colourful collection dumped on his floor.
"We've spent much of this week in varying states of nakedness, is that not casual?" Jean Paul asked from somewhere behind him with amusement in his voice.
Bobby chuckled, still sorting through his own shirts "Your nakedness is seriously sexy, nothing casual about it JP."
"Must you call me that?" Was sighed back, a touch dramatically but still with a lightness that meant Bobby could hear the smile in his voice.
"Oh sorry, would you rather your Otterpop came up with a mildly sexually suggestive nickname for you?" Bobby snickered as he pulled on another t-shirt.
"Very drole. Wear that t-shirt though and I may seriously considering denying I know you."
"Oh, I see how it's going to be: you withhold orgasms until I behave correctly." Bobby laughed as he felt hands already pulling the offending shirt up. He raised up his arms, accepting what was happening as he felt kisses on his shoulder blades.
"All I ask is you not wear shirts that could melt my corneas. I'm rather fond of them, you see." It sounded to Bobby that Jean Paul was trying to to laugh. The words were followed by a light, playful nip to the nape of his neck as the shirt joined so many others on the floor.
Grinning, Bobby turned to face his new lover. His eyes moved downwards as he slowly, silently took in the sight before him. Jean Paul wasn't wearing his usual smart pants and white shirt combonation with choice of smart jacket, smart sweater and/or tie, they were all neatly folded on Bobby's bed. Northstar was instead wearing soft, worn looking beige cargo shorts and a deep olive silk t-shirt that was probably designer. His hair wasn't quite as in place as usual and some definitely designer sunglasses were perched on the top of his head for now, ready for when they went out into the sun.
He said nothing for a long moment, just stared as he took in the sight before him. He quickly decided that somehow Jean Paul was even more gorgeous than ever before. With a slightly mischevious grin, Bobby hooked his index finger in a belt loop of the shorts and tugged him closer to lock their lips together in a kiss. A short, sweet kiss since Bobby knew anything more would detour their plans to join the others entirely.
"What was that for?" Jean Paul asked, still leaning into Bobby just a little bit. Affectionately, he rubbed his nose against the other man's.
"You should dress like that more often," Bobby told him with a mock-serious nod. Northstar chuckled and moved to the wardrobe, taking over the hunt for a suitable shirt.
"Oui? Is that so, Otterpop?" The older man sounded a little distracted as he sorted through Bobby's colourful t-shirt collection.
"Oui oui," He replied, playfully sliding his hands over Jean Paul's ass and squeezed lightly. "Those suits don't do you justice...are you done picking what you'll be ripping off me later?"
Jean Paul strightened up and turned with a smile, pushing a t-shirt into Bobby's hands "If you keep groping me like that, we'll never get down there Robert."
"Can you blame me after last night?" He pulled the shirt on quickly. It was one of Bobby's many school t-shirt, this particular on was navy blue cotton with a yellow 'X' insignia on his right bicep that made Northstar nod approving and kiss his lips again.
Bobby could feel himself smiling even more, he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this content, this light and carefree. He was more than content, he was falling in love and knew it. The more he got to know Jean Paul, the closer they became, the harder he could feel himself falling and, despite the fears he'd always held of letting men close, he wasn't afraid anymore.
The night before Bobby had fallen asleep in his arms after having had sex with a man for the first time, something he never before would have dared even consider doing before, let alone wanting to do. It had been intense and passionate and even tender. He was falling in love with Jean Paul, he was happy and wanted everyone to know it. He knew what he was going to do.
"Are you even listening to me, Robert?" Jean Paul chuckled causing Bobby to snap back to the present moment. His Canadian lover smirked in amusement. "Ah, welcome back mon amour. Shall we?"
Bobby grabbed his sunglasses and towel, following Northstar out. He knew his was smiling more than a little goofily but found he didn't care at all.
The mansion was empty as they headed out, apparently everyone else had already made their way down to the boathouse. As they made their way through the sun-soaked staff kitchen and out of the French doors, Bobby took Jean Paul's hand silently.
"Someone might see, Cher." The older man warned mildly as they walked, they weren't yet insight of those sunbathing and swimming at the lake but would be soon.
Bobby shrugged happily. "I want them to."
Jean Paul simply nodded and squeezed Bobby's hand gently, slowly a grin spread over his lips. Small ripples of nerves ran through Bobby but he didn't let go, this was the best way. Jubilee and Annie already knew about them and, instead of having to go through the whole process one by one with each individual adult, maybe one big group outing would be so much easier for both of them.
"I'm not even sure I know everyone down there." Bobby commented as they grew closer to the group.
"You've hardly made an effort Mister If-you-weren't-the-original-five-you-don't-count."
Bobby groaned softly but nodded "Ok, so I deserved that but, you know, I've been getting to know one of the new X-men very well." He sent a sidelong grin at his boyfriend.
"Oh really, is he hot? Should I be jealous?" They were getting closer and he thought some people on the edge of the group were noticing them, staring at them but maybe he was being paranoid.
"Very hot, amazing kisser and sensational in bed." Bobby grinned, feeling his cheeks flush just a little. "So I guess being new to the team isn't always a bad thing."
By the time they'd reached the BBQ party, Bobby was certain at least most of the people had noticed that Iceman was holding hands with Northstar. There wasn't shocked silence but voices definitely dipped as though they didn't want Bobby and Jean Paul to hear them.
With a confidence he didn't quite feel, Bobby lead the way through the group of sunbathing mutants, responding to Jubilee's beckoning motions. Carefully and with their heads held high, they navigated the fellow mutants; some were sprawled out on their towels sunbathing, others were swimming, playing volleyball or soccer, some pouring out drinks and manning the BBQ. Most of them were slowly noticing the new turn of events.
"Hey boys!" Jubes greeted them overly-brightly and Bobby almost regretted his decision as he remembered her last interrogation of him and half planned to turn and walk away. Instead though, he dumped his towel on the ground and accepted the offered soda, cooling it with icy breath and doing the same for Jean Paul's.
The Canadian sat down first and, deciding to make a clear statement for anyone who was still doubting why he'd been holding Jean Paul's hand, he sat himself down between the older man's legs and lent back against him, sipping cool pepsi and gazing out to the lake.
"Comfy there, Otterpop?" Was murmured in his ear as an arm snaked around his waist, holding him gently but firmly.
"Very." Bobby replied contently and slipped on his sunglasses. Behind the dark purple glass he could look around a little more and gauge the reactions, particularly of those who were important to him.
Easiest to see was Warren, down by the water with Paige. He was openly staring, volleyball forgotten in his hand and jaw clenching. Bobby hadn't really been expected anything better than that and was just relieved the reaction wasn't worse. Warren would come around eventually, he was certain of it.
Hank was sitting closer to the boathouse itself along with Annie and Alex among others. He had a smile in place as he returned to his book, still nodding to something Annie had just said. He'd known Hank would be cool and, after a nearly-argument with Jean Paul that morning, he'd agreed to go talk to him later about the secondary mutation. It was just going to be a day for getting things off of his chest, it seemed.
He was aware of others such as Kurt who seemed in the mid-ground between Hank and Warren's reactions and clearly confused as to which way to go. Time would only tell what would come of it, Bobby supposed. Real friends would come around eventually.
"Hey Iceman! When'd you become a cocksucker?" Was suddenly yelled over the hub-bub. The owner of the shout wasn't easily discernible and Bobby hadn't seen who'd shouted. He rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses and steeled himself for more but instead it was like everyone was frozen in shock, and waiting to see what he and Jean Paul would do.
He felt Jean Paul began to stand and Bobby reached back to guide him back down.
"Don't" He hissed softly, knowing that when people insulted Northstar's loved ones, especially the homophobes, they tended to end up on the receiving end of high-speed fists of fury. Whilst beating bigots to a bloody pulp did seem appealing to Bobby, he also knew they could and should get through this without violence and just enjoy a nice BBQ. For his part, Jean Paul did sit back down, taking the same position as before and holding Bobby to him protectively.
"OK, Cher, whatever you wish." But the anger in his voice was obvious.
Feeling his cheeks beginning to flush a little as he realised everyone's eyes were on them, Bobby opened his mouth and said loudly to the general crowd since his cowardly attacker was hiding from him.
"Yeah, I'm a cocksucker and I'm damn good at it too! Anyone got a problem with that?" He replied more than a little defiantly, though he was hurt by the words he also knew that it was hardly the worse reaction that could have happened.
Despite his casual façade, his shoulders trembled just a little from suppressed anger and wounded pride. Trembling enough to make Jean Paul to kiss the back of his neck very tenderly. He didn't need to say anything, the gesture spoke volumes to Bobby and to those now staring at them.
Bobby wished they'd just go back to what they'd been doing but it was like people were waiting to see if a fight would break out or not. He could literally feel the tension rising in the group as the silence continued until finally
"Hey Drake." This voice was closer and familiar and though Bobby detected a lot less malice, he was on full alert and taking no chances. He turned his attention to the nearby BBQ that was being manned by Logan.
"Yeah?" He responded with a rough tone to his voice. He knew mouthing off to Wolverine wouldn't help matters but he wasn't going to take shit either. He didn't want some idiot thinking that now he was dating a guy, he was going to be a spineless pushover.
"My beer's gotten warm." The older man stated, holding the bottle out to the Iceman as though he hadn't noticed the exchange that had just taken place. After staring up at Wolverine for a moment, Bobby took a hold of the bottle of alcohol, iced it with his breath and then handed it back. His eyes meet Logan's who gave him an even look, his gaze them moving over Bobby's shoulder to meet Jean Paul before nodding slowly.
Relief flooded through Bobby, though he hadn't given it much thought previously, he had known Logan for a long time and Northstar had known him for even longer. His ambivalence, if not his approval, did mean more to Bobby than it probably should.
"Be good to each other. Don't screw it up." Logan surprised him in saying and before Bobby could muster a reply, he continued "You two want burgers?"
"Oui, I'll have a cheeseburger." Jean Paul replied and Bobby was aware of the general chat and games starting up once more now that the scene was over. Bobby wasn't relaxing just yet though, his body was still tense and alert to other hidden malcontents. Gently, Jean Paul's hand that rested on his stomach slowly and gently stroked and caressed through the navy t-shirt, soothing him.
"And I'll take a burger." As ever, Bobby fell back on humour to hide his discomfort. "So, you're not gonna do the traditional friend talk? 'You hurt Johnny and I'm gonna kick your ass'" He managed a passable impression of Logan having had years of practice to hone it.
Wolverine took a slow glug of his beer and flipped the meat he was cooking before replying "You're both grown men and perfectly capable of tearing out the other's spines if it's deserved." He said evenly with a shrug "Way I see it is most of us only get one chance at life so you gotta do what makes you happy. You want onions on your burger?"
Booby couldn't help the grin on his lips as he said no to onions. Logan's matter of fact response, the way that he didn't even blink an eyelid was reassuring. Hopefully his attitude would lead as example but for now Bobby wasn't going to let himself worry because Jean Paul's hand was caressing him, his lips were kissing him and he was content.
He closed his eyes and basked in the attention that Jean Paul offered him, the affection and the obvious love.
He could get used to this.