I Want a New Drug

[cynosurejpb]

Eight o' clock in the evening and the day has finally wound down. It's past time to go home, but Jean-Paul Beaubier is still at Xavier's. That's been the way of things for the past few days, as the students and teachers alike struggle with the schedules for the new term

Comments

[alpha_wargod]

It's eight-o-clock. The children of Xavier's School are winding down for the night with board games, video games, a last call danger room session, or just hanging out and gossiping with friends, all save one. At times like this, when the snow is just right, fresh, crisp, and clean, and there's still just a touch of ebbing warmth left by forgotten rays of the sun, Paras Gavaskar prefers to sit on the porch and read. The light pouring out from within the manor is more than adequate for reading, at least until curfew, and the soft solitude usually provides a better reading environment than the library.

Today's selection: Paint it Black, by Janet Fitch

[cynosurejpb]

Jean-Paul glances over one shoulder. The odd, wistful half-smile hasn't quite faded. "I am well, Paras. Just lingering." That's a rarity; typically, students are "mister" or "miss" whatever to Mr. Beaubier. "I can leave, if you are looking for privacy."

[alpha_wargod]

"No, no," he says, hurriedly, but politely, "I just came out to read a little."

Tossing the book in a chair, Paras wraps himself tightly in the comforter, and steps up next to his math professor. Waving the thermos at him, "Hot Cocoa?"

Paras has more classes with, and is therefore more comfortable with Dr. McCoy, but Mr. Beaubier has never been discouraging or unkind, and Vic practically has his poster on their wall.

[cynosurejpb]

He's going to refuse; Paras can even see his lips starting to form the shape...but then the older man laughs softly, ducking his head for a moment. He looks up and actually smiles at the boy.

"That would be nice, actually. It's been a very long time since I've had hot chocolate."

[cynosurejpb]

"One of the fortunate minority," Jean-Paul says with a sigh. "I was thinking to what McCoy put on the schedule last semester. 'Do not rush, we will all be here next semester'. It seems like a very bad joke about now."

[alpha_wargod]

"Mmmh," said in woeful agreement, as he took a sip from the thermos. "I guess that's part of being an X-MAN though.

"One of the reasons I don't want to be one," he added, half under his breath.

[cynosurejpb]

"I noticed that you had not signed up for the 'X-track' last semester." There is, perhaps, a faint note of approval in the older man's voice. Either way, he still has made no move to leave. "The other matter that I was considering was that I have somehow managed to go through a life as a part-time superhero and full-time athlete with depressingly few vices. It seems a bit of a waste." There is definitely a note of amusement in his voice now.

[alpha_wargod]

Okay, he totally got why Vic liked him so much now. He was much more personable out of the classroom.

"Yeah, I like biology more than impending doom," perhaps that was a bit too forward. Time to pick up that other conversation thread, "I could offer to Irish it up for you, but I think they keep that cupboard locked."

[alpha_wargod]

He scoffed openly, and loudly, though not to be rude. "I think it's got him excited. Yet another thing to protest! He's probably organizing a march on Washington as we speak."

Sniffing at the cold, Paras took another gulp of cocoa, and resigned himself, "I guess I could try and be a bit more patient, and understanding. Maybe try and talk more openly with him?"

[cynosurejpb]

"You could," Jean-Paul agreed. "It may be that neither patience nor 'tough love' will have any effect in the short term. If nothing else, however, Victor may at least feel he has a friend he can go to once he has had time to think things out on his own." The voice of experience who wishes he could go back and slap his sixteen-year-old self across the back of the skull multiple times.

[alpha_wargod]

Paras nodded his head twice in response.

Stowing away the thermos, and picking the book back up off the chair, he noted, "It's getting a bit cold out here for me, so I'm heading back in.

"Thank you," he added, sincerely.

[cynosurejpb]

"You're welcome." Mr. Beaubier hands the thermos cap back to Paras. "And thank you for the cocoa. I think I needed that."