InsaneJournal

Who: Zevran Arainai & Christian Grey
What: Fan meets famous person
When: 3/1 or so
Where: A drinking establishment in Orange, CA
Rating: PG13, language/sex talk
Status: Complete



Christian needed a fucking drink. He wasn’t normally the sort to stop into a pub every night, but since getting out of hospital, he’d gone for one for the last two nights. Drinking at home was just awkward. So he stopped into the little pub off the interstate, ordering a Guinness and sitting down to think.

Zevran had ambled into the bar a half hour prior to Christian’s entry. It was where he’d taken to writing scripts; something about alcohol helped him think. He looked up and gave a friendly smile to the man who’d sat next to him before returning to jotting down a few more words.

Christian blinked as he saw the wave, but he didn’t process who it was right away. When he did, he had to laugh a little. “I’m sorry. Is it rude to say I’m a bit of a fan?” Those tattoos and the ears made Zevran Arainai unmistakable.

The elf laughed. “Really? Well, thank you! I should get you a drink, because you have helped me to buy so many.” He motioned to the bartender to bring Christian something.

“Oh, no, that’s all right, mate.” Christian felt like he ought to protest, but when the bartender came over with another Guinness, he figured he might as well accept. “Obliged, then, I suppose. Good of you.”

“What sort of friend would I be if I did not buy you a round?” Zev grinned and toasted Christian with a tip of his own glass of sangria.

“Do they have that custom in Spain, then?” He remembered the man was Spanish. “In Ireland you’re booted out the pub if you don’t buy a round at least once.”

“We do, but it is less rigid than I hear it is in Ireland and the UK.” Zev smiled and shrugged. “I also could be simply a nicer person than my countrymen. I have not been back since I left when I was nineteen.”

“Ah, I had no idea.” He wasn’t a rabid fan. “Have you lived here, then, all that time? I’ve only been here maybe two months myself. Got transferred from the Dublin branch over here to help this new one open.”

“I have, yes. I am as close to a native here as I am to Spain, I suppose. How are you finding California? The weather is quite different than what you are used to.”

“Definitely.” Christian sipped his Guinness. “I’ve been able to manage well enough. Too damned hot, but then you get the birds in short skirts year round.” He chuckled. “Nice perk.”

“Ah, yes, that is one of the better things. It is cute when they think it is cold, then they simply just wear boots with the short skirts. AS if that will help.” Zev gave a chuckle before taking another sip of his drink.

“Exactly.” Christian chuckled. “Even a lady I’ve been spending time with, who’s possibly the only sensible woman on the planet, does that from time to time.”

“Perhaps she doesn’t own warmer things,” Zev shrugged. “I do not really own much in the way of winter clothes, not any longer.”

“She does own those ridiculous boots.” Christian smiled. “Though that’s a fair point. The last place I saw a winter coat was ... actually, I think it was in your film, Up the Chimney?” He chuckled. “The lady in that film is really beautiful, by the way.”

That made Zevran laugh heartily. “The problem is that she is very aware of it, and makes you remind her every few minutes.” He wrinkled his nose, shaking his head. “Too high maintenance for me, I fear.”

“Ah.” Christian wrinkled his nose. “Pity. Most of the beautiful women do seem to be a bit high-maintenance. How do you manage, really.” It was more a rhetorical question than anything. He knew Zevran also preferred blokes, so he could have meant that as well.

“I do not have to go home with them,” Zev quipped. “I tried dating a few, but I learned very quickly that I am not really ... equipped for dating anyone unless they are truly exceptional.”

“I don’t date.” Christian said, shaking his head. “Too difficult. But even for a one-night stand, high-maintenance is too much for me. I don’t need a deep intellectual discussion, but I’d like to not have to spend three hours complimenting a woman before a shag.”

“That is the most difficult, is it not? All women should know they are beautiful, but unfortunately society makes even goddesses think they are less than human.” Zev tucked his hair behind his pointed ears, sighing.

“It’s silly, isn’t it.” Christian nodded. “I don’t think men are so complex - I don’t fancy blokes, but just as a member of the gender, I think we have it easier.”

“I enjoy both, but yes, I find picking men up is easier. Dating is ... its own series of complexities, but yes. We have it easier when it comes to lots of things, alas.” Zev smiled broadly.

“Well, you said, society does worse to women than it does to men.” Christian drank more Guinness. “We blokes aren’t shamed for being a bit too hairy or not done up enough. Honestly, I like to be well turned out and more people seem to think I’m gay for it.” He did well enough with women, but it took a while to convince them that yes, he was interested.

“Being gay is not so big of a deal anyway,” Zev shrugged. “Of course, I will sleep with whoever will have me most of the time, when I am not dating someone seriously. That seems to really make people confused.”

“I don’t have a problem with it, no; I didn’t mean to sound rude.” Christian hoped he hadn’t catastrophically put his foot in his mouth. “My apologies, mate. I just meant that people mistake me for something I’m not.”

“Oh, no, I meant people I know well.” Zev chuckled, patting Christian lightly on the back. “You are fine, friend.” He’d just dealt with people onset who’d thought he was gay. It was annoying to constantly have to define his sexuality. He was fine with himself, why weren’t others?

“Well, good; I didn’t actually want to be an arsehole on purpose.” Christian chuckled a little, mind eased. “And if it’s any consolation, most of the material I’ve ever read on you refers to you as pansexual.” A label that in theory didn’t make a difference to a porn star, but maybe it did to Zevran. “If they must label you at all.”

“Which is good of them, since that is usually how I refer to myself.” Zev chuckled as well, amused that this man had read articles about him. “However, my new friend, you do not look as if you would have to watch many of my films, no? Why do you not have someone to be with this night?”

“I have a standing Tuesday engagement.” Christian smiled a little. “She doesn’t usually come over until half eight, though.” And it was only half six, and work had been a complete trial. They’d simply left piles of shit on his desk for the two days he’d been gone. “Work was horrid, and I wanted a proper pint.”

“Wait, you have a friend that you sleep with every - how are you not dating? Do you spend time together after?” Zev smiled, then shook his head. “I am sorry, I am being nosy.”

“We are the archetypical friends with benefits. It’s all right.” Christian just smiled again. “Relationships are far too complicated. This is simpler.” It really was. Just that.

“I do not think I would find it more simple. I would likely develop feelings, and then not talk about them for fear of losing the friendship. I am a bit of a soft touch that way,” Zev smiled. “Be careful you do not do that! Always be honest.”

“Oh, never fear. I don’t lie. I’ve gotten in trouble for it.” Christian chuckled a little, finishing his Guinness, putting the other one in front of him.

“You don’t seem like you’d be very good at it,” Zev smirked.

“Lying? Oh, no.” Christian grinned. “I don’t see the point.”

“Nor I! Truth usually works better for me anyway.” Zevran ran his fingers through his hair, beaming.

“I mean, I do know what tact means, but I’m not going to say something that isn’t true. If you look fat in something, I’ll tell you that it might not be your colour or I think a different shape might suit you better.” Christian shrugged.

“I find that the people I like best simply wear what makes them happy. I used to date a wonderful woman who was larger than what most people would consider beautiful. She would wear short tops and I loved it, and she did as well.” Zev sighed contentedly. “Alas, she grew tired of me. Last I heard of her she lives with two men upstate.”

“Good on her, then - but I don’t think a lady like that would ever ask if she looked fat in something.” Christian held up his glass in a half toast. “The lady I spend time with wears a lot of dresses and skirts - even when trousers might suit better. That’s just her.”

“No, not Claire. She knows she looks wonderful in everything,” Zev smiled. He listened to Christian talk about his lady friend, smiling knowingly. “Is this your appointment friend?”

“Alyssa? Yes. She’s got vintage tastes.” Christian drank more Guinness. Best to slow down a bit, he figured.

Zev couldn’t help but smile. “It is good you have a close friend, I am thinking.”

“She’s a good mate. We get along.” Christian saw that smile. “What?”

“You seem like someone who needs to have friends! You might take looking after!” Zev chuckled to himself.

“Looking after?” Christian echoed, but he was more amused than upset. “Do I come off as a hellion, then? I promise, I sowed most of my proverbial wild oats at university. The only mad things I might do are sexual in nature, and only with consenting partners.” He was laughing by now.

“Exactly! It is important to have someone who can help you with your ... needs,” Zev smirked.

“Alyssa’s not a sex object.” Christian said evenly. He wasn’t upset, just making it clear.

And that was all the proof Zev needed to know that this man was secretly in love with his friend. Instead of beating a dead horse, Zev ordered another sangria for himself and another Guinness for his friend. “To friends, then.”

“That I can certainly drink to.” Christian held up his Guinness. “And also to your career change, or so I’ve read? Is it true, you’re retiring?”

“From acting, yes. Directing and writing are my new field, and I must admit I am quite excited!” Zev accepted his new glass of sangria with a flourish and a grin.

“It sounds like fun. Is there a reason you decided to change?” He’d heard rumors, but he didn’t want to dignify them by talking about it with the man himself. Besides, that might look creepy.

“I’ve been considering it for a long while. It’s simply not as fun as it was when I was young. Then I got a boyfriend who wasn’t as comfortable with me on film as I wanted him to be, so it seemed like a good time.” Zev chuckled. “He was a proverbial kick in the ass.”

“Just wondered. I hope it won’t sound odd if I say you’re good at what you do.” Christian chuckled. “That’s rather neat, that you can make your bloke happy, though.”

“And myself, all in one fell swoop. That is the best way to do things!” Zev toasted Christian, feeling happily buzzed.

Christian was feeling about the same. “I think that’s the best way for things to be.” He laughed. “I should probably get some water before I get on my way.” Two Guinnesses in a row with no food did get to one.

“Likely, yes. Eat something as well!” Zev smiled, pulling out his phone and beaming when he saw a text from Alistair.

Christian ordered some chips, just in case, before turning back to Zevran, amused. “Someone’s delighted.”

“I like my boyfriend, so sue me!” Zev smiled, standing up. “But I should be off. Duty calls.”

“I’ll eat the rest of my chips and be off as well. But it was a pleasure to meet you.” Christian stuck a hand out, smiling.

Zev shook the hand and smiled. “You as well, Christian. I am glad to have made a new friend!”

Christian sketched a half salute before going back to his chips. That was definitely not something he’d planned.