riverviewlogs | ( closed ) I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain

[ Jim bites at his lower lip, playing with the glass in his hands. This time he's the one leaning forward across the table, perfectly aware he's doing it and evidently not at all awkward about it. ]

Oh, I hope you mean that, because I fully intend to take you up on it.

[he smiles a bit more, chuckling] James, I promise you that I am very interested in seeing what sort of places you would want to take me.

And maybe I'll find a place to take you.

[sips his drink, trying to be casual about it]

[ He ducks his head a little, smile turning a bit lopsided as he lifts his glass up. ] No one calls me that, you know.

[ Not that he minds it. As a matter of fact, he looks the opposite of it. He takes a small sip from his drink, then nods. ]

Alright, then. Maybe you can be the one thinking of a place for us to go to next time.

Well, I'm not saying "James T. Kirk" every time. [he's teasing, of course] And to be fair, hardly anyone calls me Victor. All these years later and they still call me Doctor Whale. It was the name I was cursed with, and even though they know who I really am, I guess it's just easier to think of me as "Whale" rather than "Frankenstein".

[he doesn't especially mind. Hell, he's doing it himself here. There's a spark in his eyes as he regards James, and nods]

I'll have to think of something good.

[ Jim laughs at that, shaking his head. ] Yeah, bit of a mouthful.

[ It's nice, though. He can't say why he likes it, but it's just sweet, hearing Victor calling him that. ]

I like Victor. It's a nice name. And it'd be kinda weird to call you by your last name— either of them. Or doctor. [ Particularly since they're pretty much talking about going out on a date again sometime. Bit too impersonal. ]

So, what sort of doctor are you here?

I specialize in surgery, but I can fill in anywhere. I did everything in Storybrooke, from pediatrics to general practice. The hospital here is nice; there are other doctors around. Allows me more time for other pursuits.

[he leaves the "present company included" bit implied, but unsaid]

Yeah, there are a few doctors here. I know some of them. [ Well, Beverly mostly. There was Bones, of course, but he's not really around anymore. He did end up knowing the hospital fairly well, having come by quite a few times in the past. ]

I imagine you don't get a lot of surgery work in the Quarantine, anyway. Good thing you can fill in on other specialties.

As long as I don't have to have any more flying monkeys in the hospital or witches throwing me against walls, I'll be happy.

[he lets out a little chuckle] We don't get any outsiders in Storybrooke, but even so... I feel like I could tell you all about the strange things I've seen and done, and you would just believe it.

[ Jim laughs at that. ] Some weird stuff happens here sometimes, so don't count your blessings just yet.

[ But, you know, he's never seen flying monkeys before. There are definitely people who could fling Victor against a wall, though. Better play it safe and not give them any reason to do it. ]

I hope you mean that as me being openminded rather than gullible. But... yeah, I'd probably believe whatever crazy story you told me.

I don't mind a little weird.

[he smirks at that. He leans forward a little] Would you believe it if I told you that I can't see colors? So while you're looking very good, I have no idea what color shirt you're wearing or the color of your eyes.

Really?

[ He's not just surprised; he's fascinated. Obviously he can't know for sure whether Victor's telling the truth or not, but still. He fixes his eyes on Victor's, even though there's literally nothing in them that can tell him that he really can't see colors. ]

Blue, [ He offers promptly. ] My eyes are blue. Whatever that's worth.

Blue. [he repeats the word thoughtfully, studying said eyes. Handy how this gives him the excuse to get very close, isn't it?] I'm told mine are that color, too.

[ Well, to be fair he doesn't need an excuse to get as close to Jim as he wants, whenever he wants. Jim certainly doesn't seem to need an excuse to lift a hand up and trace his fingertips around one of Victor's eyes. ]

They are, yes. Very blue. Like the sky.

[his method got James to touch him. It’s just the brush of a finger, but even so. Victor’s voice is quiet when he answers; James might not have even heard him if they weren’t leaning in so close]

I like that comparison. The sky has no limits.

[his own hand lifts and he brushes his fingers along the back of James’s hand] I like this place, but I think fresh air is in order. Don’t you think, James?

[Victor smiled when he said the man’s name. His tone carries a hint much like the phrase “do you want to get out of here”]

Edited 2018-02-22 11:49 (UTC)

Hadn't even thought about it that way.

[ He smiles at the thought. People's minds can often have no limits, so it works out perfectly.

His eyes drop to Victor's hand touching his own, the hairs at the back of his neck rising a little at the implication behind his words. ]

Yeah, [ He nods, licking his lips. ] Yeah, lets get out of here.

[ He doesn't even care they've only been here such a short while, honestly. Swiping his thumb across Victor's cheek, he lets his hand drop, taking one last gulp from his drink and getting to his feet so he can go pay for their drinks. ]

[Victor stands up too, his eyes following James with a little smile playing on his lips. He certainly did not expect the evening to go this way. In a way, it reminds him of the first time he crossed worlds. He feels that same thrill of the unknown, the same accelerated heart rate.

His face feels warm from where James touched him, but surely that's just the heat of the club]

[ He takes care of the bill quickly, then pockets his phone and shrugs on his jacket while he makes his way over to Victor. With a tilt of his head he motions towards the door, so they can make their way out of the bar.

He takes a deep breath once they're outside, but the chill of the air does nothing to calm the building energy under his skin. Not that he minds it in the least. If anything he rather likes the feeling. ]

So, where do you wanna go?

Edited 2018-02-22 16:07 (UTC)

[this is a good question. Back there, it felt like the table was in the way. Now that it's no longer an obstacle, he's not exactly sure how to proceed]

Before the curse broke, I said something about my ideal date ending with playing the very best of Sting. Seems to me that since we talked about music before, and you took me to that bar, listening to Sting is still a pretty ideal way of ending the night.

[ Jim's perfectly alright with letting them both take a breather. No need to rush or anything, really, and the cool night air does help clear his head some. The suggestion draws a chuckle from him, though, and he lets out a thoughtful little hum. ]

I do have a couple of Sting records back at my place. [ A pause. ] Unless you have somewhere else in mind.

[ But they did just leave a bar, so Jim figures Victor's not thinking about finding another one. ]

Not particularly. [a pause of his own, and a little smile] I don’t want to come off as nosy, but I am curious to see where you live. So by all means, James. Lead on.

[now that he knows most people don’t call him James, Victor is saying it more. He likes the way it sounds on his tongue]

It's not nosy, don't worry. And it's not too spectacular, for the record. Just a loft overlooking the river.

[ Honestly, he just likes having the chance to get some alone time with Victor, regardless of what might end up happening. So when Victor agrees to his suggestion, he promptly nods down the street and starts leading the way towards his place. ]

This way. It's a quick walk.

You’ll have to tell me how you managed that. I have private housing, but I could use more space.

I've just been here a while, is all. And I managed to save up a lot of money.

[ He hesitates for a moment, then decides to add. ] I used to live in an even bigger house before, here in the Quarantine. The loft's a lot more modest by comparison.

[ But now it's just him, and the place felt too big and empty. The loft works much better for him. ]

If you want, I can help you look around for something nicer.

I guess it’s more wanting a place of my own. There’s nothing wrong with where I’m staying, but it’s what I was given when I arrived. Feels too much like the condo I got in Storybrooke.

I can understand what you mean about too much space. That was how it felt living in my manor back home. Something modest doesn’t sound bad at all.

I was in communal housing for a while before moving out, so trust me, I know what it's like. [ He huffs a bit. ] Too much like life on a starship, actually.

[ Basically, a lot of people living in close proximity, more difficult to have his own personal space, and personalizing his own quarters wasn't exactly easy either. ]

There are plenty of flats and lofts around here, big enough for just one person. You just gotta know where to look.

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