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[bigtuna]

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[bigtuna]

Now you're just being modest. [ Jim laughs, shaking his head. ] You've been working hard, that's it. And people are finally recognising you for it.

[ He considers popping the bottle, but decides that ought to go to Hunter. So he passes the drink to him with another kiss to Hunter's lips. ]

Don't forget me when you're famous.

[losthunter]

How could I forget you? You are the one who encouraged me to enter that art adjudication that helped me get recognized.

[Hunter caressed his hands up and down the champagne bottle. A little teasing for Jim. But also, so he could tap the bottom, so that when the cork was popped... very little was spilled at the same time. He poured them both a glass.]

[bigtuna]

[ Holding the glass up, Jim clinks it daintily against Hunter's. He's got a goofy little grin on his face, but that's mostly because the whole thing is much fancier than he's used to. ]

You deserve more. I'll keep telling you that 'till you believe me. [ And with his smile widening just that much more, Jim takes a good gulp of champagne and presses his fist to his mouth after to stifle a bubbling laugh. ]

[losthunter]

[Hunter sips from his own champagne glass, smiling when Jim stifles a bubbling laugh. It doesn't take long for the limousine to bring them to their destination. Instead of selecting a fancy restaurant, where Hunter knew that Jim would feel uncomfortable... they are now parked just outside of one of the best burger places in town.]

You make me so happy. You know that. Right?

[bigtuna]

I think I got some idea. [ Setting the glass aside, Jim's hand comes to rest on Hunter's knee to squeeze it. ] And for what it's worth, you make me just as happy.

[ The door is opened for them by the chaffeur, and Jim expects to see some extravagant restaurant as he steps out and takes Hunter along by the hand. The sight of a familiar, friendly burger joint, however, has him unable to resist another laugh.

Hunter never fails to surprise him. ]

Oh man, seriously?

[losthunter]

Well, I have heard that the double bacon cheeseburgers are worth all the fuss. [Hunter winks at Jim. He squeezes Jim's hand affectionately. Then walked with him into the restaurant, where they would find a table waiting for them. Of course, there is a pair of yellow roses, on Jim's plate.]

[bigtuna]

Oh my God...

[ It's so... surreal. The blend of extravagant and Jim's comfort zone is almost clumsy, but he finds it so endearing the concept of a fancy table setting even for something as simple as burgers just makes his heart soften.

Damn it; Jim sits down and picks the roses up, taking a good whiff before looking at Hunter as if to say really? ]

[losthunter]

[Hunter sits down in his own seat. He has to smile at Jim taking the time to 'smell the roses'. And he laughs at that look. It is so Jim.]

Those are out of my garden. [Hunter has a unique connection with roses and their symbolic meanings. The large rose bush tattoo on his left arm seems to be the 'base' of the other thorn-themed tattoos that cover his body.]

[bigtuna]

Of course they are. [ Jim puts one of the roses over his ear. With the thorns carefully snipped off, he knows there's no trouble at all. ] When you said you wanted to spoil me, I really didn't think you'd go all this way.

[ He laughs, setting the other rose down by his plate, expression momentarily sheepish. ] ... thank you.

[losthunter]

[Hunter had to laugh softly, at how Jim put one of the roses over his ear. He loved how goofy the other man could be. |Just being with Jim made the rest of the world melt away for a moment.]

Oh... trust me... this is just the tip of the iceberg.

[bigtuna]

Which means I'm the Titanic that sinks because of it. Gotcha.

[ He glances up through his lashes to offer a teasing smile, but as opposed to any particularly romantic line, Jim says, ] What was that about double cheeseburgers, by the way?

[losthunter]

Oh? You would like to be sunk deep, like the Titanic? [Hunter kept his voice low. Rumbly. So it had a greater effect on the other man.]

[He pushed forward one of the menus. The restaurant was famous for having an extensive burger menu. Anything that Jim might imagine on his burger, they would have it. Especially since they accepted custom orders.]

Double bacon cheeseburgers. I'm ordering mine with chili.

[bigtuna]

Oh. Uh... [ Jim shifts ever so slightly in his seat, looking the menu over, but with a light clearing of his throat it's clear his thoughts are drifting a little. ] Yeah, I could go for that, too.

No chilli, though. [ He pauses for a beat. ] More like extra cheese.

[losthunter]

[Hunter smiled a little slyly, knowing that his quest to have an effect on the other man had hit its target.]

And milkshakes?

[bigtuna]

Strawberry. [ Offering a smile, Jim crosses his legs at the ankles. ] Of course.

[losthunter]

[The waitress comes over, and Hunter gives her their orders. He orders a chocolate milkshake for himself.]

[He smiles again. A little wickedly, once the waitress leaves.] I had thought about vanilla. Would get pretty close to the taste of a 'blowjob'.

[bigtuna]

[ Jim's face warms.

Never one for speaking so bluntly, he touches his fist to his lip to hide the mildly bashful quality of his smile. ]

I'm... pretty sure they don't taste that similar.

[losthunter]

[That blush is why Hunter enjoys teasing Jim every now and then. He reaches over to take Jim's in his own, caressing the top of Jim's fingers with his thumb gently.]

Lots of table room underneath... [He is really teasing right now. And his foot is stroking one of Jim's feet.] I could find out for myself.

[bigtuna]

No, that's... [ With his face getting as warm as it is, Jim ends up covering it with his free hand, trying to suppress his embarrassed laughter. ] Hunter, c'mon--

[ Not to say he isn't interested, but when it comes to things like this Jim is hardly the smoothest guy. ]

[losthunter]

Should I put my flirting on hold for a bit? [Hunter can be a little bit over the top. But sometimes he overcompensates for other insecurities by being bold and flirtatious. But if anyone can handle him in that mood, it is Jim.]

[bigtuna]

That depends on how shy you want to make me.

[ Because really, Jim doesn't mind, and it shows as he locks his fingers with Hunter's as their hands remain connected. But he also knows very well that the shyer he gets the more hopeless he becomes in conversations, and that's no-one's fault but his own. ]

[losthunter]

[Hunter remembers being shy, especially during the first year after his appearance had been changed. He doesn't want to make Jim feel hopeless. Hunter has been there. And really, Jim has helped Hunter accept himself.]

Sorry love. I'm stressing a little. [He squeezes Jim's hand slightly.] It is great that people are now wanting to buy artwork from me.

But... they also want to meet the artist behind the works. I was asked to do an art gala. And I don't know if I can.

[bigtuna]

Huh. [ The shift in atmosphere is almost painfully obvious, but Jim doesn't comment on it beyond carefully (comfortingly) stroking Hunter's palm with his thumb. ] Why not?

If you're worried you won't charm them, I gotta say there's really no need to be.

[losthunter]

[Hunter definitely feels calmer from Jim's attempt to comfort him. And he smiles at the compliment]

But all that attention on me?

Maybe it would be okay... if you were there with me.

[bigtuna]

Hey, you don't even have to ask. [ It's Jim's turn to kick Hunter under the table, but the pressure is barely there--more a gentle tap than anything. He smiles, warm and genuine. ] I'd love to be your trophy wife. I'll even wear a suit.