Tea, Milk, and Memories. [Zac]

[Zachary LaRousse]

If Zac heard Stephen talk about how his bravado, arrogance and general jerk-ness is overcompensation for his unwanted virginity, he'd say he's extremely offended. He'd say it's not that he can't get anyone, 'cause he sure can, but it's just because he's been saving himself for the one. That unlike the shallow rich kid image he has on some people, he's actually deep and mindful. That deep inside, he’s still a proper gentleman just waiting for his lovely lady in waiting. Hopeless romantic, if he could say so himself. But then again, it’ll all be an act that Stephen would possibly uncover and throw out the table, so it’s actually best for us all that Stephen not say that out loud. “I’ll take that as a command to practice fervently by myself for the time being then,” he chuckled, leaning back to his chair to stretch for a bit, “So that’s how you got so good then. Thanks for the tips old man.” He gave Stephen a light pat on the shoulder and grabbed another cookie to nibble on.

Stephen’s silence from Zac’s questioning would not be taken lightly. Sure Stephen looked like an absolute gentleman, one that would not dare break the rules (possibly due to his Scottish heritage), but Zac knew that even the most proper men had hidden rascals inside them. He may be a figure of authority now, but somewhere he knew Stephen was just a big lump of trouble like him when he was a teenager (well maybe not that big, as Zac’s really more than a handful, but somehow a bit of a troublemaker still). “And now with the silent treatment. Don’t tell me you haven’t snuck out of school before, ‘cause I know you have,” he eyed Stephen suspiciously, “Come on, tell me some trade secrets. I’ll be happy to tell you how I snuck out one night and explored the Vermont forests when a little more than a year ago.” Yup, a story he hasn’t told Stephen yet, possibly because the old guy hadn’t asked him when the memory was still fresh. Zac has almost always been open to Stephen, as he feels like that despite the stern face he tries to put on in front of him, he’s still the playful Staggie he used to beat at video games when he was a kid.

“There was no way I’d win against that old geezer,” Zac said, taking a quick sip of his drink. (He quickly withdrew though, as it was still a bit hot). “I mean, military experience and boxing expertise aside, his power gave him an unfair advantage. He’d just absorb every punch I give him and bring it back six times over. Gosh that man’s made for battle.” His loss to Mr. Romanov is one of the few loses he can live with. “I did last fifteen minutes or so within the ring. And he didn’t pulverize me that much.” Sure he was sore for the next three days but it was worth it. He did learn quite a few tricks from the old man, aside from earning his trust and all that.

Oh no. Here comes the Darryl talk. Somehow he feels it won’t go too well. Possibly because he’s been warned about using such an expression in front of people so many times already. “Tell Cedric me and my drama teacher had a little falling out. It’ll get better soon, I promise.” Darryl’s one of the best teacher’s he’s had so far (aside from Mr. Tonaya, no matter how much Verax and Rixon’s making the class hell for him) and as much as he’d like not to say it, he’ll do everything he can to get back into Darryl’s good side. “I called Mr. Bond gay. Over and over and over again. Which apparently, he did not like.” If he could just sink in the ground right now, he would. Oh he is so going to get it from Stephen this time, he could just feel it.

[Stephen Gage]

Stephen held back his snicker at the news of Zachary's defeat. Mature as he liked to consider himself, and as much as he loved the kid, Stephen still held a small grudge from all those years of having his ass handed to him in video games by the young man. The entire video game thing had been all but foreign to Stephen back in the day, having had next to no experience with any sort of thing remotely like it. He played outside when he was a kid, and by the time video games were really popular and available, he'd hardly had the time for them. But when Cedric and he had gotten together, and Zachary came into Stephen's life as something rather close to a surrogate family member, he'd given them a try. And lost. Repeatedly. Multiple, multiple times. So, juvenile as it may sound, hearing that Zachary lost was at least partially enjoyable. "Good. And you'll hear about them when you're older. After you graduate."

There was a more pressing matter at hand, specifically the second bit of trouble into which Zac had apparently gotten himself. Something with the drama teacher, Bond. Darryl Bond. Precisely what the trouble was, Stephen did not know. Yet. And from the look on Zac's face, he was doubting he actually wanted to. Zac's promise was well-meant, but the recruiter had a difficult time believing them. Usually, Zac's problems were solved more through the effort of the kid's good connections than through Zachary himself. An unfortunate symptom of the staggering luxury into which Zac had been born, but Stephen had at least attempted to instill some sense of responsibility in him. "I''ll figure out what to tell him once I hear the story. "

Yep. Stephen would've been happier not knowing that tale. He groaned, not bothering to try and hide his disappointment, sending his eyes skyward. Though rarely the subject of any bullying or harassment for that aspect of his personality, Stephen had long since tired of hearing the word "gay" used as an insult. "Oh come on, Zac," he said, bringing his gaze back down upon the man and leaning forward in his seat, "We've talked about this before. When you say that you insult Cedric and me as much as you do whoever you said it to!" He brought his hand to his forehead, pinching the bridge of his nose. He sighed, dropping the hand to the table again. "Is Mr. Bond even gay? Why did you say that?"

[Zachary LaRousse]

Hearing Stephen tease him about his defeat at the hands of the Head of Security (as dramatic as it may sound) made Zac’s face contort into a wide range of facial expressions, from subtle annoyance to blatant irritation. Zac does not do well with being bested, and though he knows he has an almost zero probability of winning over Vincent, there’s still that lingering feeling at the back of his head that tells him if he would’ve just dodged at the right moment then he could’ve surprised the older man and possibly owned him there and then. “Meanie. You’re the reason I have such a traumatic childhood,” he chuckled, giving the man behind him a wide grin (his eyes turning into half-moon crescents) as he stood up and passed by their table. He gave Stephen one last playful smirk before returning to himself, idly stirring his drink. “What makes you think I’ll graduate? Don’t you think I want to be a student forever? Being an adult is so much work.”

How Zac acquired such a tasteless expression is one of the things that baffle and annoy his guardians (read: Cedric, Stephen, his father) the most. As far as his father is concerned, he’s maintained quite the environment in his household – not so strict as to seem so rigid, but stern enough so that unwary language and inappropriate actions are prevented from influencing the then young Zac. He even got a bit stricter when he knew of Cedric’s relationship with Stephen. Which is why his eyes just widened in surprise the first time he heard Zac say it (Zac was 10 then). And despite his talks with the kid, he just says it again and again. He even considered pulling Zac out of the boarding school (which he assumes is where Zac picked up his language) and putting him back to homeschooling. Fortunately Cedric convinced him that putting Zac back to his house will hamper the child’s growth socially; he’ll just deal with the boy’s tongue himself. “I know, I know. I’m sorry. I mean, I’ve tried, I just can’t help it, he said as he brushed his hair, his tone that of weakness and sadness, his eyes darting to and fro. “I didn’t mean to insult you guys. I mean, it’s not an insult really. Ok, so I used it as an insult but…” Zac rambled on and on, knowing full well that he’s offended Stephen with his actions and he has no way out.

“No. The opposite really. I think he’s even homophobic.” By now Zac’s eyes are on his black duffel bag, as he remembered the little trinket he bought for Stephen on his way to the shop and considered giving it to him now to pacify his (righteous) rage. He shook his head, telling himself that the gift will change meaning if he gave it at such a context (as he definitely did not buy it just to appease Stephen). “I’m sorry. It’s just, he was driving me nuts you know. All that ‘let’s start again’, ‘move to the side so that Sam can be seen’, ‘I can’t see your sadness, repeat’. Gosh. It’s like I can’t do a single thing in drama right. So yeah. Sorry.” He figured he’s not making much sense now, but he can’t do anything about it. For all his arrogance and bravado towards other people, when it comes to the people he considers his family, he crumbles. He definitely does not want them angry with him.

Taking one deep breath, he forced himself to face Stephen once more and gave him a weak smile. “So enough about me, how about you?” A rather obvious topic to divert the attention from his misgivings, hopefully Stephen would be gracious enough to let him off this one time.

[Stephen Gage]

Saddening as they were, it was these moments of genuine guilt with Zac that Stephen knew neither he nor Cedric had done an entirely awful job of raising the young man. For all of Zac's arrogance, crass behavior, poor choice of words, vulgarity, rudeness, and more-than-occasionally spoiled tendencies, he was a good kid at heart. Buried beneath all of the aforementioned, of course, but good nonetheless. Disappointment still visible in his eyes, Stephen sighed as he watched Zac attempt to apologize, the excuse devolving into ramblings as he went. At these sort of times, Stephen had learned, it was best not to say anything at all. Zac would talk himself through it by trying to talk himself out of it. This had happened before, perhaps more times than Stephen would rather like to admit, but Zac was learning his lesson. Slowly, but surely. And sure enough, Zac's words went from excusing, to rambling, to pure nonsensical, and Stephen decided it was time to cut the younger man off. He brought up a hand, shaking his head slightly and waving off the rest of Zac's excuse. "It's fine, Zac. Just... watch it next time. All right?"

Zac seemed to get over the ordeal quickly enough, turning a bright face to Stephen and flashing him a smile. Apparently eager to get off the subject, judging from his tone and choice of topic. Stephen smiled kindly. He'd oblige the kid. Lesson learned, after all. "All right, I'll bite." he said with a chuckle. He took a sip of his tea once more, then tilted his head back and downed the rest of the drink. The horrible thing about tea was that, like other things, it wasn't there anymore once you drank it. He cast the cup a disapproving scowl before allowing his smile to return, prepared to share a tale. "Had a date a few days ago. Went really awkwardly. Like, really." His eyes widened with that last word, adding emphasis. And hoo boy, had it ever gone poorly.

"He was a nice enough looking guy. Bit shorter than me, shade wider, blonde. Glasses." He cast Zac a knowing smirk as he listed the accessory, Stephen's preference for glasses well-known amongst the two of them. Cedric had worn glasses, and Stephen had certainly never complained about them. "Dentist. All he did was tell me how well I flossed. I'm talking, through the entire night. His face was beet red, and that was even before I bought some wine to help us loosen up. Drove him back to his place, and all i got out of the deal was a handshake. And another compliment on the flossing."

Stephen was chuckling throughout his tale, remembering fondly the night that had felt so incredibly uncomfortable. He vowed to take a short while off of dentists. Stephen had heard well enough about flossing to last him quite some time. "And that's all I had lined up. Still a free man."

[Zachary LaRousse]

Should Zac hear those endearing words come out of Stephen’s mouth, he’d be torn. Should he hug the man and cry tears of joy, thanking him for such kind words? Or should he keep his façade of arrogance and tell him to stop projecting his little Zachie as an anti-hero? Guess it’s not easy being such a tough guy after all.

Failure. Disappointment. Inadequate. Ever since he was a child, Zac had been haunted by such words. While he’s never been pressured by those close to him, he could feel the stress upon his shoulders to succeed and be the best he could be early on. He was the heir to the leadership of the family, of the clan. Not to mention the next one to run his family’s business. It’s really unnerving. And though he would deny it, his ‘acting out’ is most probably brought upon by this monstrous and inevitable (in his eyes anyway) responsibility. He remembered crying to his father, mother, Cedric (and maybe Stephen) about it once. Over time he claims to have gotten over it, simply living life like a carefree flirt, but in reality, the unhealthy worry’s still there, at the back of his mind; it might look like it vanished but like a careful predator stalking its prey, it’s just waiting for the right time to pounce and attack (to put it dramatically).

He could still see disappointment in Stephen’s eyes but his words were enough to make the Hammel prince smile and find the confidence to look at him straight in the eye again. “R-really?” he stuttered, slowly looking up the man. “Thanks a whole lot Staggie!” he said as he reached out the man, almost toppling his cup in the process. He gave him a tight squeeze, nuzzling the older guy for a bit before retreating back to his seat. “If I could just kiss you right now I would,” he added, sticking his tongue out playfully. And while the issue is a relatively small one to Zac, seeing that it touched so close to home when he talked about it with Stephen made him really worry that he’s angry with him. And he’d never want the guy to be upset with him, hence his jubilation upon knowing that he’s not. “But please Staggie, let me handle this. I mean, not that I’m implying that you’d probably do something,” he said reluctantly, hoping he won’t sound too assuming, “But I’d like to do this on my own. I think I owe you one.” Stephen’s helped him get out of trouble more than once. And while he likes the idea of someone cleaning up after him, he’s got a feeling the puppeteer’s getting a bit too tired of making his bed up every morning.

“Thank God I don’t have glasses then,” he said rolling his eyes. Stephen’s fetish (yes, Zac refers to Stephen’s adoration for that particular article) really baffles Zac (almost every known fetish also baffles Zac, but it isn’t really relevant right now). And while he does admit that a pair of glasses can make a man look more sophisticated and maybe good-looking, but most of them only become dorky and cute. “Remind me to opt for contact lenses when my eyes go wonky,” he teased.

A rather huge smile (or is it a smirk?) was suddenly painted in Zac’s face as he listened to Stephen’s dentist-date story. “Aww, that’s so sweet,” he said with much sarcasm, teasing the older guy with his blunders. “So sad I won’t have access to free dental care when I get older though. You haven’t slept with a doctor yet right? I think you should find one. I actually prefer a cosmetic surgeon, but any kind of physician would do.” Now that his blunder’s out of the way, he can go back to his usual teasing and playful self. “Wait, so that makes…one….two…ten…twenty…thirty five! Thirty five people you’ve been with your entire life!” Zac teased, holding up a few fingers to make it seem like he counted. Whether that number’s true or not, only Stephen would know. “I envy you Staggie. Where could I buy charms like yours? The girls are becoming extra demanding these days.” A tease mixed with some truth. Stephen is one of the select few that Zac really envies. Like said earlier, he has some sort of ‘mancrush’ with the guy. After all, who doesn’t want to be Stephen? “You think I should turn to boys and men now?”


ooc:
Sorry for the incredibly late reply Cole. Jammy is ebil, I know. >.<.
And I just went awww with Stephen back there. Me wants to hug him.^^. And I'm sorry if it sounded like I controlled Stephen's life. With the whole number of persons with thing. I hope I didn't do anything wrong.^^.
Thanks Cole. *snuggles*
-Jam