The Truth Comes Out Who: CJ and Steve What: Telling the Truth Where: Steve’s Apartment When: Thursday Evening (the night after this) Ratings/Warnings: Low
The elemental fight that had occurred between the pyrokinetic, himself and the glass creature had been sitting inside of CJ’s chest like a stone, for the first time in years he had shown someone else his ability and a complete stranger now knew his secret and yet the person he cared the most about in this world was complete clueless as to what CJ really was. He had been thinking it over again and again, wondering what Steve would say or if his friend would say anything at all, would Steve accept it or would telling the truth that he had kept hidden for so long end their blooming relationship?
After this talk with Radek the evening before CJ decided he’d admit it all and see what happened, relationships held that element of risk and he felt in his heart that he could trust Steve. Thursday morning on the usual coffee drop off to Steve’s office CJ asked if he could come over that evening and that he'd stop off at Chick-Fil-A for dinner. He didn’t say why, but did he really need a reason to spend the evening with Steve and Lily?
He arrived with chicken and drinks in hand much to the pleasure of Lily. Though it was only after Lily had gone to bed that CJ finally got the confidence, taking Steve’s hand he led the other man towards the couch and sat down. “Steve… there’s something I want to tell you…”
There wasn’t denying company. Especially when it was CJ. The promise of dinner from Lily’s favorite place was merely an added, welcomed bonus. He agreed instantly when the offer arose and Steve let himself look forward to that for the duration of the day. He moved with a spring in his step, happier than usual.
Of course the day seemed to fly; he picked up Lily from dance class and then they went home to meet up with Uncle CJ.
A few giggles and chicken nuggets later and the apartment was quiet.
Once the door was shut and Alexa was busy entertaining Lily with a story to help her sleep, Steve wandered back to CJ. And at the beginning of the confession his eyebrows went up.
“Uh. Okay, sure.” He would bite. Steve sat down next to CJ and focused his attention on what the other man might need to say. “Is everything okay?”
It was time that Steve knew, it was time he told someone who wasn't blood. "Yeah, everything's okay. It's just something I've wanted to get off my chest for a while." He smiled, still holding one of Steve's hands in his.
CJ closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before opening them. It was better to get this all out at once. "I wasn't born with this name, I was born Jason Carpenter. I changed it before I left Australia, I wanted to leave my past behind me and start afresh, a new identity for a new country."
His eyes drifted towards the bottle of water sitting on the coffee table, reaching over he picked it up, dropping Steve's hand as he undid the lid. "And I did it because of this." Out of the bottle rose a small sphere of water which hovered in the air between them.
They had known each other for a long time, years. He felt as if he had a good idea as to who CJ was, knew enough about him for conversation anyway. So this felt like strange territory to tread. Steve wasn’t quick to judge people, though, so he just listened.
His hand stayed in CJ’s until it was let go. The revelation about the name was a bit startling.
But the trick with the water had his eyes widening. “Woah.” Steve turned to look at CJ, then back at the hovering sphere of water.
“You know,” Steve began softly, “Casey could do something. Not like that, but she was gifted.”
When Steve hadn't moved after the revelation of his true name CJ took that as a good sign. It didn't change who he was or the man Steve had grown to know. A name was just a name.
A smile spread across his lips as Steve sat there in amazement of the sphere, though his eyes widened a bit as Steve mentioned that Casey had been gifted as well, he was guessing telekinetic but he'd ask later.
More water moved up out of the bottle and joined the sphere, making it grow in size til the bottle was empty and he placed it to the side. "And that snow you hated so much on Christmas morning? That was my fault."
People had reasons to change their names. While he didn’t quite understand the need, it was water under the bridge and Steve didn’t feel like it was a red flag or anything negative.
With a bit of awe he watched the liquid crawl from the plastic bottle and climb into the air.
“You..?”
He blinked and looked at CJ. “I feel so plain.” He smiled a little bit, “Lily really liked the snow. Snow is too cold for me. But I didn’t hate it.”
"Sometimes I wish I was plain… if there's a flood or anything like that people who know wonder if you had anything to do with it, or why couldn't you stop it from happening. It's not really much of a gift, but I don't let it control me."
The ball was still hovering but it went from clear to that slightly opaque look as he froze it solid. "Here… it's safe to touch I promise, just cold."
Steve looked at the ball of ice, lifting his hand slowly. A single finger would extend and poke at the orb, finding it exactly how he thought it would be. Cold. Even the texture was right. “Nobody could blame you for not being able to stop a flood. You’re one person.” Gifted or not, he assumed there were limitations.
“What other secrets are you keeping?” He was trying to be serious but the smile crept through and those baby blue eyes turned back to his friend with lingering awe and amusement.
The ball of ice lowered until it was resting on CJ's outstretched hand, like David Bowie with the crystal ball in Labyrinth. Of course it wouldn't melt in his touch, nor would he get frostbite from it, one bonus he guessed.
"Other than I called you my boyfriend in front of my doctor, none that really matter." He could see the smile and leaned forward to place a quick kiss on Steve's lips.
“Wait, you did?” He didn’t know why but his face was hurting from smiling so much. He felt proud about that. And then CJ was kissing him and he reciprocated. “I like that.” The title. It felt solid, like that ball of ice.
“Thanks for trusting me with your secret.” While it may have seemed like a small thing, it meant a lot to him that CJ trusted him.
He reached out and took CJ’s fingers again, holding them.
It had just kind of come out of his mouth while talking with Radek but the more he had thought about it the more it felt like it was the truth and CJ liked the title too.
"I've wanted to tell you for so long but I didn't know how to say it or how you'd react. I know I can trust you." Steve had kept Casey's secret, he knew that his would be safe too.
He smiled and gave their joined hands a squeeze. "Can you grab the bottle so I can get rid of this?" CJ chuckled.
Steve certainly could be trusted. Who was he going to tell anyway? Lily? Unlikely. She could barely keep a secret during playtime. He understood that both of them were on the same playing field and on the same team.
A nod. He reached over and got the empty plastic bottle, holding it up and tilted toward CJ so the guy could do whatever was needed with the water.
It'd be closer to a decade, maybe even two before Lily could be trusted with such secrets, but CJ felt a weight lifted off him knowing that Steve knew a bit about his past.
Taking another breath CJ held the ball of ice above Steve's hand. The ball turned back into water and fell in a controlled stream back into the bottle. "Do you have any questions?" He asked, a small smile on his face.
That sounded like an interview. He had a lot of questions actually but he kept them to himself. “I think you’ve said enough,” Steve replied, shaking his head. “I’m really glad you told me.” While he decided he should’ve picked up on the signs earlier, he wondered how he would’ve even known what to look for prior to the admission.
It wouldn’t have changed anything, he decided. Not unless CJ had hurt anyone and it didn’t seem as if the other man did.
Changing the subject, Steve sat up a bit straighter. “You free for Valentine’s Day?” Maybe it was a dumb question but he needed to know.
It did sound a bit like an interview but he would happily answer any questions Steve had at any time, but for now it seemed there were none. Of course Steve was also the first partner he had ever told, but they were much more than that.
With the bottle placed to the side again CJ smiled widely at the question. "For you, of course I am. Should I get out the suit coat?" He kissed the back of Steve's hand, feeling a bit excited about what it was Steve had planned for the day.
Steve breathed out with relief. His smile grew a bit and he shrugged in a casual way, “Maybe. Maybe not, I guess we will have to see.” Usually he got Casey something small for the holiday, though these last few years hadn’t warranted anything.
So having a reason to celebrate again was frightening and refreshing and he wanted to do it right on the first time.
"I'll pack one, just in case." It was always good to be prepared for anything, especially a Valentine's Day date. Maybe he should pack a complete change of clothes. There was still a bit of time to think about it.
It had been years since CJ had celebrated the day with someone as well, those terrible blind dates others sent him on didn't count, they always ended up in disappointment and the wishing he had just stayed at home. Leaning forward he cradled Steve's neck with his free hand before pressing their lips together in a soft kiss, letting it say everything he hadn't already expressed.
That soft kiss made his eyes drop closed. While it was tender he could feel the connection in it and he wanted to savor it. After a moment those blue eyes opened again. “Maybe you should pack one,” he concurred. Whatever it was, he didn’t want it to be over the top but he did want it to be nice. Vegas was filled with those types of places.
“You want to see what’s on?” Television was always good at making him less awkward. He didn’t know how long CJ planned to stay, not that he minded, but entertaining company wasn’t always his forte.
CJ didn't care if they had a burger in a park or something, as long as it was with Steve that was all that mattered, a romantic meal on the night made for couples would be great regardless.
"Yeah, even if it's just the music channel." He shifted a bit so his back was against the couch, knowing Steve would do the same and they'd cuddle up with an arm around each other's shoulders. He'd stay the night if Steve asked him to, although he knew Steve would insist on sleeping on the couch.
That was a good idea - television with a bit of music. Music was a big part of his boyfriend's life and Steve liked that creative side. He, himself, wasn’t super creative and so it was a good subject to balance with.
He sat back, lifted up his arm and slipped it around CJ’s shoulders. Being close was comforting; he enjoyed the large moments and the small ones.
The other hand lifted the remote and browsed, finding something musically inclined to watch. It was a program about the history of jazz music.