In An Instant
Chapter 8: Treat To Trick
GENRES: Drama, Romance, Humor, Tragedy, Angst, ...pretty much everything. So...gen?
MILD CHARACTERIZATION SPOILERS for Chris Colfer's Struck By Lightning!
WARNINGS: lots of mentions of Sex and a shit ton of snark. Also, sexual tension. As if that wasn't already obvious.
PAIRING: Jesse St. James and Carson Phillips AKA Jarson AKA St. Phillips AKA Jarson St. Phillips. There may be mentions of other pairings down the line, especially ones from GLEE.
WORD COUNT: 5,472
Treat to Trick
Jesse strolled between the shelves of books, running a finger over them.
Apparently Barnes and Noble had an entire section devoted purely to arts-related stuff, including books on auditioning, acting, monologues, songs, the "nuances" (a word he was definitely planning to use in front of Carson later) of musical theatre, and, to his glee and Carson's complete bemusement, show choir.
Jesse was pretty sure he wasn't going to be bored.
It also helped that other than Carson the place was by now almost entirely deserted, and one of Carson's coworker's had insisted despite Carson's pleading warnings on giving Jesse a tour, one that included showing him the PA and stereo systems, and how they worked.
Jesse had already come up with thirteen different announcements to do and done two, as well as doing his vocal warm-ups.
The coworker, some Claire girl, had left pretty hurriedly after that.
Jesse set a stack of books down on a table with a grin, plopping down into a leather armchair and seizing one promptly, withdrawing a notebook.
"I feel like I'm looking into a mirror…"
"Do you want to do a mirroring activity with me, then?" Jesse asked excitedly, glancing up at Carson from the book.
"Not particularly," Carson replied, smirking and dropping into a chair of his own, slouching back and releasing a long sigh. "I hate people."
"I guess it's good I'm not just people, then," Jesse announced smugly, going back to his book on musical auditions.
"I guess so," Carson said after a moment, laying his head back. "I need to restock the shelves…"
"I think you need coffee," Jesse informed him, still reading and taking notes. "Want me to go get some from next door?"
A pause, then: "…Please?"
Jesse nodded easily, setting aside the book he'd picked up and lurching to his feet with an easy grin.
"Your wish is my command."
"Are you a genie now?"
"Maybe…Which reminds me! You know that moment in Aladdin-"
"Jesse, I haven't seen it," Carson informed him wearily, and Jesse gaped at him.
"How deprived was your childhood?"
"Oh, jeez… Weren't you going to get us coffee?"
"Seriously," Jesse continued, very much seriously himself, "What Disney movies have you seen, Carson? This is important. You are later what you watch!"
"Then, I'd hate to think what you watched…"
"Carson," Jesse said, oddly stern, and Carson stared back, completely bemused.
"Jesse."
"Come on! I don't know enough about little-Carson!"
Carson groaned loudly.
"Why do you need to know anything about 'little-Carson', Jesse?"
"If we're going to be in a relationship-"
They both froze, looking at each other.
The word lingered in the air.
There was a heavy pause and then a bell sounded through the store and a gaggle of what looked like middle-schoolers wandered in. Carson looked between them and Jesse a moment, oddly torn, then offered Jesse a weak smile that was more of a grimace and jumped up, moving toward the group to offer his assistance.
Jesse stared after him, frowning, then shook his head and put on a smile, picking up the book again.
Carson had looked freaked, but he hadn't looked angry or like he thought it was a joke.
He'd choose to take that as a good sign.
Carson pressed a hand to his throbbing forehead, watching as the group of preteens moved through the aisles, gossiping and giggling excitedly amongst themselves, picking out the scariest books they could find as they discussed the costume change and trick or treating they'd do once they were done killing time in the book store. It was sad, really, that reading was just seen as a way to kill time before fun, but it was more sad that Carson kind of wished they'd kill time elsewhere.
At the same time, though, he was glad they'd come because he really needed time to think about…
He and Jesse might or might not be in a relationship, and it all pretty much depended on what he wanted, now, because Jesse had just for all intents and purposes declared that he actually wanted to be with Carson, and in a real couple way, not just with sex and that sort of thing in mind.
Honestly, it scared Carson. New, unfamiliar territory, where he wouldn't really be the expert. Not to mention that a relationship with Jesse of all people was just asking to be hurt.
It was different before, because he'd assumed they either were or they weren't together after the date the other night. Now he was more aware that it was an actual choice, one that Jesse had already made and was now waiting on Carson's deciding vote.
Carson liked responsibility and control and being in charge- that much was obvious to anyone.
The problem here was that he couldn't seem to decide the right reaction.
Because Carson wanted to be with him, but he really didn't want to want that.
It was the same argument he'd been having with himself for weeks.
Someone loudly cleared their throat and looked up to see the group of kids in the checkout line, a few of them whispering and glancing at him, while the others, towards the front of their little line, raised eyebrows at him, one smirking, the other just seeming anxious to get out.
Carson forced a smile.
"Sorry about that. Will this be all?"
He started to check them out, when another voice, a boy's, spoke up: "Aren't you that Carsona kid? My brother talks about you."
"It's Carson," Carson replied distractedly, with only the slightest edge of irritation, still busily scanning the books.
"My brother's name is Miles Eggart," the boy announced, moving forward and putting his elbows on the checkout counter, looking curiously at Carson. "Do you know him? Or is it another Carson?"
"I know him," Carson said honestly, sighing. "Am I ringing all of this up together?"
"Yeah, we're pooling our money," a girl at the front informed him. "I'm Abigail, by the way. I'm thirteen, but I'll be fourteen soon…"
Carson's brow furrowed.
"That's nice, Abigail."
She giggled, and the girl next to her snickered.
"He's too old for you, Abby, come on," a boy behind Abigail hissed just a little too loudly, and Abigail's eyes widened, an elbow shooting back.
"That hurt," the boy exclaimed. "You know, you're not wearing the slutty witch costume yet!"
"I'm practicing," she sniffed back, and the girl beside her shot the rest of the group a grin.
"Oh my God."
"Guys, come on! We have to get ready and my brother's waiting outside."
"Yeah, Abby, wouldn't you rather hit on him anyway?"
"My brother's an asshole, isn't he?" Miles' little brother asked cheerily and Carson turned his disconcerted gaze back to the boy.
"Yeah… Um, okay, the total is-"
"Here's a thirty. You can keep the change," Abigail announced, shoving four fives and a ten onto the counter and grinning a little too brightly.
"It's actually 31.56…"
"Well, then…" she fished through her purse until her friend sighed loudly and handed over a five.
Abigail practically threw the five onto the counter, and then herself.
Carson scratched above his eye, unsure.
"I'll give you the change back," he informed Abigail's friend, but the girl just shook her head hastily. "That's alright. We have to leave. Come on guys!"
The group swiftly dissipated, heading toward the doors with their bags, chattering loudly, only Abigail glancing back at him.
Miles' younger brother, however, had actually hung back.
"My brother and some of his friends were talking about coming here," the boy said quickly after a beat of silence. "They're all assholes. They keep putting me in head locks and calling me jerk-off because they found some of the pamphlets they gave us during sex-ed week at school."
Carson grimaced at him.
"The guy's a douche," he said after another moment.
"I just wanted to give you a heads up. I'm Ben, by the way. Don't tell him I told you? He'd kill me. They said they're planning something, but I didn't get to find out what. So, uh…"
"Thanks… You might want to catch up with your friends though," Carson said awkwardly, trying his best to keep from snapping at the kid that was actually, weird as it was, helping him out. Ben nodded.
"Yeah, you're right. Okay! Bye! Good luck!"
And he ran out.
"Are you cheating on me with a thirteen year old?" A voice boomed over the intercom, and Carson shot a look at the ceiling.
"Jesse! What the fuck are you doing?" he called out.
"I'm hotter than either of those kids were!"
"They're kids," Carson retorted loudly with a shake of his head, opening the register to begin counting everything out. "Hotness is nonexistent, pervert."
"You might want someone closer to your age, though," Jesse's voice whined over the intercom still and Carson closed the register with a sigh, deciding to just count it out later, moving from behind the counter and beginning to move through the store in search of his...
"Jesse…You're not even two fucking years older than me. I think your roommate's girlfriend is brainwashing you with her nicknames for me. And they were like more than three years younger. That's sick. Also! Will you get off the goddamn intercom already? …Where even are you?"
The last was said with exasperated bemusement as Carson checked the employee break room again to no success.
Jesse evil-laughed over the intercom and Carson was unable to stop a genuine laugh of his own from bubbling out.
"Seriously, Jesse! Where the fuck did you go?"
"You'd win every best-ass contest ever held, do you realize that?"
Carson spun on his heel, and arched a brow in the new direction he was facing.
"You know, if a customer came in and you were on there, I'd be in so much trouble!"
"Could I spank you then?" Jesse's voice was saucy and very obviously teasing, but that made it no better when a moment later-
"Um…"
"Oh, fuck," Carson groaned, turning to face the door. How had he not heard the bell?
Andrew was staring at him, looking more than a little mortified.
Carson reddened.
Beside him, Amy was giggling like a lunatic, and Sarah was just barely keeping her cool, her smile humongous and twitching with laughter.
"Because, you know, with that ass-"
"Jesse, off the intercom now," Carson yelled, and a crash sounded through the store. Carson groaned, rubbing his palm across his forehead.
"Are you alright?" he called out after a moment, sighing.
"Yeah! Awesome! My talent's like an unbroken hymen!"
"Amy, why don't you go hang out with your boyfriend in the car before you wet yourself?" Andrew sighed, and Amy nodded hastily, darting forward to hug Carson and manage a "love you" between giggle fits before beating her escape, the door swinging closed just as Jesse burst into view, grinning.
Carson cast him a deadpan look.
"My cousin and his girlfriend are here," he informed Jesse reluctantly, and Jesse immediately turned toward them.
"Hi. It's Jesse St. James. Andrew, isn't it? I've talked to you on facebook."
"Yes, yes you have," Andrew retorted, looking unimpressed, and Sarah snorted beside him, offering her hand, which Jesse promptly shook.
"Did you hear any of that?"
"Oh no, not at all. The intercom actually made it so only Carson could hear you."
"Is there a way to do that?" Jesse asked Carson, looking deeply intrigued.
"Actually-" Sarah started pleasantly, and Carson shot her a look of deep horror.
"Sarah."
"Carson."
"Jesse," Jesse volunteered. "I've always wanted to do that since I saw it in Shrek."
"Jesse," Carson sighed, at the same time as Andrew said, "Carson…"
"Andrew," Sarah interjected, giving Jesse a conspiratorial grin.
"I'm not doing this," Carson said decidedly, stepping back.
"Please tell me you're not actually in a relationship with this guy and it was just the one date…" Andrew said quietly, though not quite quietly enough.
Jesse scowled, cocking his head.
"You know, my talent in performing isn't only on stage or in bed. I also always put on a good show smacking people down like the hand of God."
The bell above the door rang and they all turned as one to face the girl entering, who shifted awkwardly.
"Um… I just wanted a book…but, uh, I'll come back later…?"
"No, I can take care of it," Carson exclaimed and the girl laughed nervously.
"No, no… That's alright…" And backed out of the door.
Carson turned to fix them all with a glare.
"Do you want to all get me fired? I'm already on thin ice here as it is! Jesse, if you're going to be West Side Story with Drew, can you please either do it in the back or outside, where I can't be held accountable?"
"Sorry, Carson," Sarah voiced immediately. "We actually do have that party to go to anyway, and we don't need to be fashionably late for it- we really don't, Andrew."
Andrew frowned.
"I hate being early."
"Isn't it better than getting your cousin fired?"
"…Jesse started it… Yeah, okay. We'll get out of your hair, C-man."
Sarah and then Drew both gave him hugs, Sarah telling Jesse sensibly that it was nice to meet him while Andrew very blatantly ignored him.
"C-man? Like semen?" Jesse asked, grinning again, once the door had shut behind them.
"Don't ask," Carson retorted.
"Okay," Jesse replied promptly and easily, and Carson frowned suspiciously at the quick acceptance, until: "Then, can I ask something else?"
"Jesse-"
The bell rang again, and another group entered, but this one was very clearly comprised of high-schoolers.
Miles and Jonathan were heading the gang.
"Fuck," Carson muttered and Jesse's brow wrinkled.
"Where do I recognize…"
"Oh my gosh, he has his gay lover with him," Jonathan announced, voice venomously high pitched. "Have we interrupted your threesome with the books, Carsona?"
"Yeah, I heard you were molesting them, but I didn't realize you were able to get it up on dudes and molest them now too. Wow. I'm surprised there haven't been any complaints made- Oh. Wait."
"If anything, I've been molesting him," Jesse informed them all, smug and loud, and Carson turned to glower at him.
"Jesse, your timing really sucks-"
"Wow, how much head have you given him, Carsona?"
"None, yet," Jesse informed them. "Though I'd love to give him some. Together, our hotness would probably end up exploding the entire earth though, so we're holding off."
"Or, maybe, Carsona just can't get it up for anything that's not books, like the pathetic nerd he is."
"Or he doesn't have anything to get up period."
"Oh, we all know that no-one has less down there than you, Scott," Carson snapped. "You're pretty much the real life version of a Ken doll. Don't forget that I took gym with you sixth grade through tenth."
"Whatever, gay-face. You starting puberty anytime soon? Maybe we can help you along."
"I'm surprised being with all these books he hasn't sprung one."
"Maybe he has one, and we just can't tell."
"Well, we can all tell you have," Jesse spoke up, eyes on Wyatt's crotch. "Talking about Carson's dick really turns you on, doesn't it?"
"We just dropped by," Wyatt said loudly, reddening slightly, "to say hi before the huge party we're going to. Cool people only. But we'll be back later, no worries." He smiled.
"Well, I'd hate for you to interrupt my boyfriend and I making out against the bookshelves."
"And I'd hate for the books to complain again, but it's better that they report it when they're being raped like that, don't you think, Carsona? See ya! And your…boyfriend, too, I guess."
The remnants of the group lapsed into snickers and high-fives, making their way out of the store.
Carson stared after them a moment, then blew out a breath.
"Boyfriend, huh?"
Jesse glanced at him.
"Carson, you-"
"You're really going to say that to them before either of us say it to each other?"
"Carson," Jesse repeated, but Carson simply cleared his throat, hooking his thumbs into the pockets.
"I'm not a damsel in distress in a Disney movie, Jesse, and I don't need you to come to my rescue. I had it handled."
"That was handling it?" Jesse asked, anger seeping into his voice. "You might as well have bent over for them."
"Jesse, do you realize that I'm supposed to be working?" Carson asked after a moment. "That was literally the most I could do without really risking my job! I'm on the cusp of being fired, St. James. I don't want to lose my job just to exchange jabs with a bunch of losers that will harass me at school anyway. And on top of that, I asked you to come here because for some reason I thought it would make working this crap shift a little bit easier, but now it's just making me more stressed. Jesse, you just gave a group of my worst classmates some really personal information- it will be all over the goddamn place before they get back here, which they're apparently going to do and I just-"
"Carson, did you even hear what they were saying? That was worse than the way my old show choir's choreographer talked to everyone else during dance rehearsals."
"Yes, I heard it Jesse," Carson said severely, finally turning to face him. "But I also heard you referring to me as your boyfriend in an attempt to one-up a bunch of ambition-less morons, when we hadn't even discussed what our…status…was, with each other! What does that say to you, St. James?"
"I wanted to show them how stupid they were being saying stuff like that about you," Jesse retorted angrily. "And if you don't want to be with me, then you can just say it. I was just saying it to defend you. I still wanted to talk later."
"I have work to do," Carson said quietly, as if he was telling himself as well as Jesse. Then, again, "I have work to do."
"So what?" Jesse asked, sounding weirdly furious. "You always have to work, Carson. I have stuff to do, too. I have auditions coming up, and I wanted your help deciding what pieces to use."
Carson gave him a hard look.
"Jesse, I can't afford to get any more complaints. I will be fired." He drew in a breath as Jesse scowled at him, raising his head in his almighty way, motions fueled with drama.
"Jesse, I think I made a mistake in judgment having you here. You should go."
By the time he'd completed the first sentence the door of Barnes and Noble was already slamming shut.
Carson finished to an empty store, then swallowed, gritted his teeth, and went to count the money in the register.
"Jesse! What are you doing here?"
"Does it matter? I'm a celebrity! I'm fashionably late! Lead me to the drunk!"
"Um," Naomi laughed. "I think you already found it, but I can lead you to some more?"
"That too," Jesse grinned, leaning heavily against her. "I'm a drinking star. And a sexy star. And an everything star. I wanna prove it to Chuck, since Casper isn't a friendly ghost. Lead me to the midget!"
"Jesse, did you find drugs too?"
"Rock star lifestyle," Jesse mused. "I haven't, but maybe I should."
"Let's not and say we did," Naomi laughed. "Baby! Jesse's here!"
"But Seth's drunk and I got him to make out with a girl," Lucas exclaimed, moving toward them. "If he sees Jesse- Why are you even here? Didn't you have a babysitting gig tonight?"
"Carson's too intimidated by my hotness so he refused to be my boyfriend," Jesse informed him drunkenly, and Lucas frowned.
"That sounds…improbable. I'd hate to feed your ego, but you're kind of extremely out of the kid's league, from what I've seen of him."
"Not true," Jesse said immediately. "We're in the same league."
"Why don't you hook up with someone?" Naomi asked through a giggle.
"Jealousy's totally like oysters and chocolate, so maybe that'd work," Jesse mused, giving Naomi a look of awe, as if he hadn't been saying much the same mere moments earlier, and Lucas snorted.
"It's an aphrodisiac, dickbrain. Go get yourself laid. You obviously need it. I think there's even less blood in your upstairs head than usual."
"Okay, okay! Naomi, where's the Chester guy?"
"It's Chad," she informed him, shouting over the loud blast of music and looking positively gleeful, "and I don't know. But you also have the options I told you about before. Just find someone, Jesse, okay? It'll make you feel better rocking someone's world."
"Yes. Yeah. I'm a world rocker and a bed rocker and a stage rocker and a bed rocker and a world rocker and…and a bookstore rocker… Naomi, get me more drunk! I ran out of my stash already."
"You're an alcoholic," Jesse told Lucas after a beat, who looked down at the red cup in his hand.
"This is actually only my second cup, and it's water," he informed him. "But if you say that to the mirror you might actually have a point."
"I'd get too distracted by my hotness and start making out with it, instead," Jesse grinned. "Liquor me up, bitches! And then I'll lick her up! And send pictures to Carson! And… Okay, okay, no let's tap that, guys, please."
"Oh my God, I love drunk-Jesse," Naomi murmured to Lucas who nodded, grinning as well despite himself.
"He's like a clueless, narcissistic puppy humping everyone's legs," Lucas whispered back, and they giggled, then kissed, then fell to the couch, Jesse forgotten.
Jesse ran his fingers along the tip of the beer tap fixatedly.
"Jesse, isn't it?"
Jesse turned.
A girl with red hair, square-frame black glasses, and a cat costume was staring at him.
"See?" he laughed. "Everyone knows my name!"
She raised her eyebrow and grabbed a red cup, placing her fingers around Jesse's to squirt some beer into it from the tap.
"It's Mary. Naomi mentioned introducing us."
Jesse gaped at her.
"You're the facebook girl! You said I was overestimating myself."
"And you said you'd prove me wrong," she said, tilting her head and placing her hand on her hip. "So?" She tossed back some beer and he watched her, fascinated.
"Do you want to screw?" he asked after a moment and she laughed.
"How about we just screw around first? Then we can see about cutting the around. Sound good?"
"It's more than Carson offered," he muttered, drinking his beer like a shot, then filling the cup once more. He finished it off before he and Mary could even reach a bedroom, and was already craving more.
He didn't think he could do this, but he really, really wanted to.
And Carson…
Mary tugged him into a room and gave him a questioning glance.
Casting his eyes to the mirror, Jesse then tugged her to the bed, doing his best to pretend his mind wasn't still stuck in a bookstore with a guy who wouldn't call himself his boyfriend.
Why did that sound so much more stupid now?
Jesse shoved the thought back, and did his best to focus on the here and now, the bedroom and the baring of skin.
It didn't stop him from running to the bathroom to throw up a half-hour later.
It was the worst Halloween ever.
And there was whisker paint and red lipstick all over him.
He'd literally been in the bathroom cleaning the place up for twenty damn minutes.
He'd already started closing, including putting the sign up and locking doors, so it really shouldn't have been a problem.
Of course, he'd forgotten that the jackasses from his school had been going to a party where they'd probably meet up with others, others like his ever-popular coworker who happened to not have much of a spine, but very much had a key to the store.
He was going to kill Claire.
Barnes and Noble was one of those places that got into the holiday spirit. Being a book store, an ever dying business, meant that they needed to go all out and up the ante whenever possible. So, of course, they'd had the store decked out with all manner of Halloween paraphernalia, including a ridiculous amount of pumpkins, all of which were now either smashed or sporting pornographic drawings and condoms on their stems. Books were off shelves, and the three baskets of candy around the store had all been emptied into one of the baskets shaped like a jack-o-lantern on the outside given to the really young trick-or-treaters, that had a dick on the outside of it. 'For you, Deepthroat. Enjoy ;)' was scrawled on a note that was tacked to the wall above the thing.
Seriously- Fuck his life.
Carson was just really glad Jesse wasn't around to see this. Or Andrew, Amy, and Sarah.
It was fucking humiliating.
And, of course, he'd already turned off most of the lights, as well as powered down the security system so that only a few of the cameras were up. And if Claire had helped with this at all, she'd probably also made sure no-one got caught. Thus the timing.
This was such complete bullshit.
Instead of wasting time being outraged, though, Carson just rolled his eyes at the juvenile mess and went to grab more cleaning supplies from the stock-closet.
It was going to be another all-nighter, because once he finished fixing up the store again and closing, he was going straight home to work.
First, he'd finish that article, of course. But that wouldn't take long. And then he'd move to his newest self-assignment; Carson had always had a talent when it came to creative revenge, after all, and his creativity was practically bursting after this latest stunt.
People really ought to stop underestimating him…
As he cleaned, his irritation simmered softly and a plan slowly began to take formation, but, besides that, he became aware of a yearning for more than revenge, more than sleep, more than a desire for peace from all the crap everyone insisted on throwing at him- he wished Jesse was here.
He didn't, of course, because fuck he really hated the idea of Jesse seeing this, and Jesse really was distracting, and he was definitely angry with him- but, despite all this, part of him, as the fire licking his insides burnt down to a more quiet, low kindling of injustice and annoyance, missed Jesse nonetheless. No matter what he'd said, Jesse somehow did manage to make him feel a little bit lighter.
He wasn't going to go running toward him, but maybe their fight was just feeling more and more dumb the more he thought about it and…
Carson really just didn't know.
He sighed, finally locking the store's doors behind him for the last time as he lugged trash bags to the dumpster, and then drew his keys from his pocket and moved toward his car.
He didn't know, but he'd figure it out. And in the meantime, he'd maybe, scary and ridiculous and truly annoying though it was, like to have Jesse around while he did.
Maybe it was time to just tell him? Carson nodded to himself, starting his car.
He and Jesse would just have to legitimately talk, apparently.
And maybe after that Jesse could help him get that revenge, though Carson definitely didn't plan on telling him the whole story… Part of it though, would be fine. For what he had in mind, Jesse helping him out might well be perfect.
There were a lot of things that, odd though it felt, may well be…
Carson very rarely was the one to call Jesse.
He was usually so very absorbed in whatever he was doing that he a)lost track of time, b) decided that completing whatever he was doing was more important than talking to anyone (or eating or sleeping or using the bathroom), or c) all of the above, in addition to completely forgetting his phone existed in the first place. If it weren't for the fact that he occasionally exchanged text messages with members of the journalism class relating to the newspaper (if reminding someone about a deadline or addition to an assignment and being replied to with an all-caps "fuck you" could really count for that), he'd probably forget his phone somewhere and take weeks to realize its disappearance.
So, basically, for Carson to call someone was something of a miracle, and for him to do so over anything that wasn't business related was even more of one.
And after a fight- forget about it. You were not considered worth the effort of a 50-second call.
All of which was why when Jesse's phone went off and Carson's name flashed across its screen, Jesse simply stared, disbelieving, until it stopped ringing.
And then, because he wasn't shocked enough, just as he went fumbling with his phone to call Carson back- it started ringing again.
Jesse didn't even let the first ring finish before he answered.
"Carson?"
"Jesse."
There was a heavy pause, then Carson sighed into the phone.
"Can we meet? We need to talk…"
Jesse's eyes widened in horror.
Those were the break-up words…Of course, apparently he and Carson hadn't even actually been together but… Of course, if anyone could stop someone from dumping them, it was Jesse St. James. He'd actually never been broken up with, and he couldn't start now. But he didn't want to "dump" Carson, either. Which meant meeting would be good, and he'd have to turn the charm way up. And probably bring both a dictionary and thesaurus…
Whatever it took. Jesse wasn't about to give up.
"Jesse? Are you still there?"
Carson's determination, though, was a fairly even match for his own. So, he'd have to go all out to have any hope.
"Jesse. I can still hear you breathing. If you don't answer in the next five seconds, I'm hanging up," Carson grumbled, and Jesse blinked.
"In bed?"
"What?"
"…Where do you want to meet?"
Carson snorted.
"Of course you automatically think of a bed. You really need to start attending sex-addicts anonymous meetings, Jess."
Jess.
Maybe they were okay, after all. Or maybe Carson was letting him down easy. Like when you were planning to kill someone, so you started being really nice to them beforehand.
Carson was totally the type to trick someone who had pissed them off into thinking things were fine before he attacked, too. He was clever that way. Damn it.
"Jesse, did I interrupt something, because you're never this silent? Unless you're looking up porn again. I told you after last time-"
"I'm not," Jesse interrupted, grinning despite himself. "And I could never go to sex-addicts anonymous meetings. Stars like me can't be anonymous, Casper. I thought you were good at logic."
Carson gave another of his derisive little snorts.
"I'm not even going to try to explain all the things that were wrong with that sentence. The usual Starbucks?"
Jesse frowned. Coffee was always good, but… It would be harder to fully woo him back there…
"Why don't you come over, instead?" he asked, and Carson was silent a moment before giving his acquiescence.
"Time?"
"How about in two hours?" Jesse asked, glancing at his computer's clock and reluctantly closing a window of pornographic pictures when he remembered that he really had been looking up porn again. Oops. "Two- or three, even. It's up to you." He needed time to get ready…
"I'll see you in three then," Carson agreed. "I have to finish up a few articles. And I have one of your assignments for you, if you want?"
"Excellent," Jesse grinned, his full confidence restored.
Three hours to make this place Carson seduction perfect. Jesse could definitely pull that off.
He happened to have ordered some stuff after their first date that would make him beyond impossible to resist. He'd been saving it to spring on Carson a bit later, but… Well, he needed it sooner than expected and that was fine. Grand gestures and all that. And after last night… Well, he didn't actually remember much. And technically they hadn't been together. But Jesse was still pretty sure he'd have to pull all the stops to get with Carson fully for real this time, and because he knew he'd done something, and, even though he was pretty sure it didn't really count, he felt like he needed to make it up to Carson anyway.
"Jesse? Okay. I'm hanging up now. I'll see you later."
"See-" the line cut off, but Jesse's smirk stayed anyway.
He totally had this.
A/N - So, for this author's note we'd like to ask you some questions, instead of our usual witty comment. Here goes:
1. How much do you absolutely loathe Carson's classmates?
2. What's your position on the Jarson argument? Are you taking sides? Why?
3. Ben is totally awesome, right? No, that's not a serious question, we just needed to point it out. You go Ben.
4. What are your thoughts on what Jesse did after the fight? Can it be forgiven or no? Why?
5. What do you think Jesse has up his sleeve for this "Carson seduction?" ;)
And that's all! Also, a special shout out to a few people: First off, to the wonderful Mary who let us so kindly use her name for one of the characters. (Which she's nothing like herself.) We love you Mary.
And to one of our more recent supporters, Kim! You're awesome Kim, and we can't thank you enough for being so supportive!
Last but definitely not least, thank you to ALL of our followers, readers, and reviewers! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH. 3