Persistence Wins Title: Persistence Wins Author:oneforsorrow and trio Fandom: Worlds Apart (Original - worldsapart) Pairing: Jordan/Akuchi Prompt: 016. First Date Word Count: 3067 Disclaimer: Worlds Apart, Akuchi, and Jordan belong to the authors. Rating: PG Warnings and Notes: some language
Quietly, Jordan waited outside of Dáire's building, searching and watching for the person Tobias had shown him. He couldn't say no to an injured creature, and this 'Akuchi' was definitely an injured creature. Fingers itching for a cigarette -- three weeks into quitting and he still was craving them -- he settled into a bench and waited, trying to figure out what he could say to the boy that wouldn't scare Akuchi off immediately.
Akuchi finally came into view, head down and his dark hair feathered about his face, hands shoved deeply into his pockets. He walked quickly, wanting to be away from there.
"Akuchi." Jordan stepped forward, offering a smile. "Do you have a moment?"
Akuchi paused, his head tilting toward Jordan for a moment before he turned to slowly face the man. "Who sent you?"
Jordan smiled warmly, offering his hand to shake. "Tobias Kendall did. He's worried about you."
"He'll get his answer once I've done my research," Akuchi informed Jordan sourly, making no move to take the hand offered.
"He's not looking for an answer," Jordan said calmly. "He's just worried about you."
"I'm fine," Akuchi said, turning to head off the way he'd been walking.
Jordan settled into step next to Akuchi, not at all perturbed by the other's attitude. "What's your last name, anyway?"
"Akuchi. What's yours?" came the answer, the faintest hint of a smirk about it.
"Casca. I'm Jordan Casca." Jordan grinned at Akuchi, completely unruffled. It was hard to faze the man, it seemed.
"Were you called Casket growing up?" Akuchi asked curiously.
Jordan smirked at that. "No, usually I was called 'Smartass' or 'Asshole' or 'Hey, bastard.'"
"Sounds like you should be Dáire's brother, then," Akuchi returned.
"Oh? What's this Dáire like, then?" Jordan asked, curiously.
"An asshole," Akuchi returned, shrugging. "He specializes in being as much of a jerk as he can get away with."
"I'm just inordinately fond of sarcasm," Jordan said cheerfully. "Are you hungry?"
"I'm curious," Akuchi countered. "Why are you following me?"
Jordan laughed, an easy, open, friendly sound. "First, because Tobias asked me to. Now, because I'm intrigued by you."
"Intrigued?" Akuchi asked. "Why? Because I'm not nice to you?"
"No, just because I'm intrigued." Jordan tapped his fingers against his thigh, then forced himself to stop.
"Itchy?" Akuchi asked, slanting his eyes to the nervous movement though his head barely moved.
Jordan shook his head slightly. "Actually, I just quit smoking three weeks ago. My fingers still twitch for one."
Akuchi paused, turning to peer at Jordan from beneath too-long bangs. "Why?" he finally asked.
"Why, what? Why'd I quit?" Jordan asked, curiously.
"Sure," Akuchi shrugged. "Why'd you start also works."
"I started when I was seventeen," Jordan explained. "Dealing with a lot of stress. Twelve years later, I'm having lung problems, and it scared me badly. So, I quit. I don't want to shorten my life."
"Any more than you already have," Akuchi pointed out dryly. "If you want a long life, I suggest you stay away from me."
Jordan chuckled, glancing over at Akuchi. "Oh? Why do you say that?"
"Because my life is severely fucked up and it's likely to get you in deep shit," Akuchi said flatly.
Jordan watched Akuchi, then offered a smile. "You want to get something to eat? My treat."
"What sort of food?" Akuchi asked quietly.
"Anything you like, I can afford it."
"Showing off your money?" Akuchi returned, frowning a little at the casual comment.
Jordan blinked at Akuchi, then shook his head. "No, I'm not. Sorry, I didn't mean it to come across that way."
Akuchi considered for a long minute, then shrugged, tilting his head back long enough to get his hair out of his face, revealing black eyes with long lashes. "Italian."
"Italian, then. You mind walking? There's a great place a few blocks down," Jordan said, cheerfully. Those eyes of Akuchi's... they were beautiful.
Akuchi watched him for a moment, then shrugged, ducking his head back down as the hair settled over his eyes once more, almost hiding them from view. "Lead the way."
Jordan nodded and led the way to the restaurant, keeping his stride just a little bit shorter than usual so Akuchi wouldn't have to speed up to keep up. When they got there, he opened the door and held it for the other man, smiling warmly.
Akuchi watched him, slipping inside without touching the door and moving immediately to one side so that Jordan could settle in and guide him once more.
They were led to a table in the most quiet part of the non-smoking section, left with menus and water, and then left in peace. Jordan settled into a chair and smiled up at Akuchi, swirling his straw in his water a little. "It's a good place, I like it here."
"So why did Tobi want you to come after me?" Akuchi said, rather than respond to the small talk.
"He was worried about you," Jordan said, quite simply. "He's an empath."
"I'm not his concern," Akuchi countered, sipping his water. "He should be looking out for his own people."
Jordan chuckled softly as he watched Akuchi. "That's not how empaths work. He simply can't help it."
"If he's trying to ensure I'll help him...," Akuchi muttered balefully, staring down at his water.
"Tobias isn't like that," Jordan said gently. "He'd do this even if you weren't helping him."
"Damn Dáire, anyway," Akuchi sighed, not looking up at Jordan.
"...Why 'damn Dáire'?"
"He's the one who introduced me to Tobi, basically. It's his fault," Akuchi explained dryly.
Jordan snickered and took a sip of his water before speaking. "I can guarantee you, Tobi would have done this if he'd met you and hadn't known Dáire. There's no escaping his type."
"Is there escaping yours?" Akuchi asked curiously.
"Not in the slightest," Jordan said, grinning at Akuchi.
"Fine," Akuchi muttered. "Feed me, and then I'll head home. Good enough?"
Jordan chuckled softly. "Maybe." Right on cue, however, their waiter arrived to take their orders. Jordan gave his, then looked to Akuchi.
Akuchi ordered alfredo, wanting the creamy sauce and wanting, too, to get rid of the thought of blood. "So are you helping them?"
"Tobias hasn't told me much, but if it's something a pyrokinetic can help with," Jordan mused, "then I'll help."
"I don't know if it is. You familiar with bloodpuppets at all?" Akuchi said, relaxing ever so slightly as he fell into his more scholarly tone.
Eyes lighting up with curiosity, Jordan leaned forward, hands folded over the table. "No, I'm not. What can you tell me about them?"
"They're nasty, and they're immune to psychics and nearly all mages," Akuchi said. "Made out of mundanes, psychics, and sometimes even mages controlled by a Blood Mage. And they're involved."
"Nasty," Jordan said, his tone almost wondering. "I wish I knew how to read magescript, I could do some research on them, maybe figure out something that could help..."
"I've already told Dáire everything simple there is to learn about them," Akuchi countered.
Jordan waved that off absently. "I don't care about 'simple.' 'Simple' won't bring these things down." He trailed off, however, when their waiter returned with their plates and dropped them off.
Akuchi sighed. "The complex has to be figured out on their own," he countered. "You can't do it."
"Maybe not, but it never can hurt to try," Jordan pointed out with an easy smile.
"That depends on your path of research," Akuchi countered. "Blood magic is not to be taken lightly."
Jordan nodded softly. "I'm aware of that. It's blood magic. Trust me, I don't take blood magic lightly."
"Good," Akuchi said sourly, stabbing his noodles with his fork.
"Akuchi?" Jordan asked, leaning in. "What is it?"
"You're not a mage," Akuchi said flatly. "You don't get it."
Jordan smiled faintly. "I don't know about that. There's some things very similar about psychics and mages, especially an elemental psychic like I am."
"I'm not going to argue this with you," Akuchi finally informed him. "I'm going to eat something that looks nothing like chunky blood sauce, and then I'm going to go home. And you're not coming with me."
"As you wish. But I'd like to see you again," Jordan offered with a broader smile.
"No," Akuchi returned simply, staring at him through black bangs.
Jordan chuckled softly. "I'll see you around, at least." He was determined, and very, very patient.
"When you get home, dig out a dictionary and look up the word 'no'. You clearly need a refresher course in the basics," Akuchi muttered.
"Oh, I know what 'no' means." Jordan took a bite of his alfredo, then grinned at Akuchi over the thin rims of his glasses. "I'm just choosing to be a persistent sort of person."
"Go be persistent elsewhere," Akuchi rolled his eyes, then leaned down to eat his food.
"Sorry, nothing doing," Jordan said cheerfully.
"I think I hate you," Akuchi muttered wryly.
Jordan snickered softly, his eyes dancing. "I get that a lot."
"I'm not surprised," Akuchi grumbled, swirling the noodles around his fork and lifting a messy bunch to his lips, nearly filling his mouth as the sauce dripped over his lower lip.
...Oh. Oh, that was unfairly tempting. Jordan reached out, almost -- but not quite -- touching Akuchi's lip. "You have a drip..."
Akuchi froze, staring wide-eyed at Jordan and making no move to take care of the drip.
Jordan blinked at Akuchi, his hand pulling back just an inch or two. "Akuchi?"
Akuchi stared a moment more, then slowly lowered his face, finally brushing away the drip with an absent-minded swipe of one hand.
After a brief hesitation, Jordan ran his thumb across Akuchi's lip, getting the rest of the drip with that light touch.
"Don't," Akuchi whispered softly, holding very still.
"What is it?" Jordan breathed, concern in those green eyes.
Akuchi shivered, not pulling away from that gentle touch. "I want something to drink," he whispered carefully.
Jordan stroked his thumb across Akuchi's lower lip, his gaze focused on the boy's dark eyes. "Alcoholic or non?"
"Alcoholic. Strong," Akuchi murmured, closing his eyes and biting the inside of his lip.
"We can hit a bar, or you can come back to my place and we can have something there. I won't do anything to you you don't want me to, though, I promise," Jordan whispered. "I'm not like that."
"Here," Akuchi shook his head. "I can pay."
Jordan smiled faintly. "If you want to. I think I could go for some good rum and coke, myself."
"Let go?" Akuchi whispered finally, shivering.
Slowly, Jordan lowered his hand, his concerned, gentle gaze lingering on Akuchi. After a moment, he reached up, pulling his shoulder-length brown hair out of its tail, letting it fall forward a bit. "What are you thinking about getting?"
"Wine, for now," Akuchi admitted, not looking at Jordan. He sounded shaken, badly shaken.
Protective instincts kicking into full gear, Jordan leaned forward again. "Akuchi, talk to me," he murmured, his voice pitched to a soothing tone. "What is it, what's wrong?"
"Don't touch me," Akuchi said abruptly, holding still.
"What is it about touching that upsets you so much?" Jordan asked softly.
"I am not going to discuss anything here," Akuchi growled softly, tension high in his voice.
Jordan nodded. "Is there somewhere you'd be willing to talk? My place? Your place?"
Akuchi hesitated, then finally muttered, "Your place. Just... don't touch me again."
"Okay. You ready to go? I have drinks there -- some good wine, too." Jordan rose, getting the check from the waiter as he passed by.
"The food," Akuchi said quietly, frowning at Jordan.
"Do you want to bring the rest of yours with you?" Jordan asked softly. "Get out of here, get to my place? It's quiet."
Akuchi hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Yeah. I... don't want to be around people right now. Not like this."
Jordan had a box brought over for Akuchi, and he set money and the bill on the table. "Ready when you are."
"Lead the way," Akuchi murmured, taking up the box carefully once he'd filled it, his eyes on the box rather than on Jordan.
Quietly, Jordan led the way out of the restaurant and to his apartment. They emerged into a penthouse suite near the top of the building, and Jordan opened the door, letting Akuchi in. It was a big place, but it was somewhat cluttered and covered in books and chemistry sets and anatomical models, with big empty areas between it all. "Welcome to my home."
Akuchi abandoned the food by the doorway, setting it on a table as he made his way in silently, feeling dark and scruffy and out of place amidst the surroundings.
After a few moments, Jordan emerged with two huge wine glasses and a big bottle of chilled wine. "Take a seat," he said with a smile. "I think the sofa's clear..."
Akuchi curled up, legs tucked up under him. He'd kicked his shoes off somewhere, had his head buried against his knees as he held out a hand for the glass.
Jordan paused, then poured a glass half-full and offered it to Akuchi. After pouring himself one as well, he sat down near the boy without actually touching. "Talk to me," he murmured.
"What am I supposed to say?" Akuchi asked, his voice muffled. He remained there a moment, then took a sip of the wine, lifting his head to do so and then lowering it again.
"Why did you react like that when I touched you?" Jordan murmured, deeply worried.
"You touched my face," Akuchi muttered. "I don't like that. Wine's good," he added a moment later, nearly draining his.
Jordan nodded softly, and reached out to pour a refill into Akuchi's glass. "What about anywhere else?"
"What about it?" Akuchi asked, nodding his thanks and taking another sip, this time slower.
"Is it okay to touch you anywhere else? Like the arm?" Jordan asked, quietly.
"I don't want you to, but I won't freak," Akuchi admitted, the faint hint of red on his cheeks.
Jordan nodded again, watching Akuchi thoughtfully. "Is there anything I can do to help you feel more comfortable?"
"I'm going to get very drunk here," Akuchi informed him. "You could call me a cab after."
"Or you could crash here. I have a guest bedroom," Jordan murmured. "I have a lot of alcohol you're welcome to."
Akuchi hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Crashing here will be good," he said softly. "It's strange here."
Jordan tilted his head slightly. "Strange?"
"I've never been here before. That's a good thing," Akuchi murmured, hesitating before taking another long sip of his wine.
After a moment, Jordan drained his own glass, then filled it again. "You're welcome here whenever you want to stay here," he offered gently.
Akuchi nodded, draining his wine again and holding out his glass. "Okay. But tomorrow, I won't know how to find it."
"Why do you say that?" Jordan asked curiously as he filled the glass again.
"Because I am getting drunk," Akuchi pointed out, swinging the glass a bit and managing, barely, not to slosh wine out of it.
Jordan chuckled, amused. "I'll make sure you can find your way here again," he promised.
Akuchi nodded, drinking a little more freely now, and uncurling to settle his legs under him.
"I'm a biology teacher, by the way," Jordan offered after a while of silence.
"Biology for who?"
"The college here," Jordan murmured. "I get to gross people out and teach them about biology at the same time. It's a good job."
Akuchi chuckled wryly at that, nestling his head against the back of the couch. "I'm a consultant," he offered suddenly.
Jordan sat a little closer, trying to be close without pushing at Akuchi's private space. "Consultant for what?"
"Blood magic, usually," Akuchi murmured. "I'm one of the sane experts on it."
"Must make you a very dangerous but desirable ally," Jordan mused. "Dangerous because of the insane ones out there seeing you as a threat."
"A tool," Akuchi countered quietly. "That's all I am."
Jordan reached out, gripping Akuchi's wrist briefly before letting go. "No. No, that's not all you are."
Akuchi looked over at him, then drained his wineglass again, the movements looser, more fluid and less controlled than they'd been.
"Akuchi. You're not a tool," Jordan insisted, quietly.
Akuchi frowned, then beckoned Jordan closer. "I've always been a tool."
Jordan settled closer, leaning just a little against Akuchi as he tried to offer comfort. "Well, you're not to me."
Akuchi squirmed, then closed his eyes. "You're strange," he informed Jordan tiredly.
"I get that a lot, too," Jordan whispered. "Come on. Let's get you to bed. Drink a glass of water, and then get some sleep..."
"I want more wine," Akuchi countered petulantly.
Jordan considered for a moment, then poured a bit more into Akuchi's glass.
Akuchi smiled at Jordan, the expression soft and grateful as he moved to drink it all in one go, eyes closed.
That smile made Jordan catch his breath softly, startled. Akuchi really was beautiful... Swallowing, he forced his gaze away, then drained much of the rest of his own glass. No, he couldn't touch, not like that. Not yet, not with Akuchi still so fragile. And drunk.
And asleep, the glass slipping from his fingers to land on the soft cushions beneath his hand as Akuchi twisted, body curling up in the corner of the couch, legs drawing up against his chest and his face half-buried against his knees. It seemed like a highly uncomfortable position... but clearly, he was used to it.
Jordan blinked at Akuchi before laughing softly, a sad sort of sound. Reaching out, he lifted Akuchi into his arms and carried him into the guest bedroom. Somehow, he managed to turn down the covers and settle Akuchi down; when he saw the boy half-wake and curl an arm over his temples, he smiled gently. "Go back to sleep," he murmured, then pulled the covers up over the boy.
Akuchi burrowed beneath the covers, squirming until the pillow was over his head, his face turned out one side of it so that he didn't smother as he slept.
"Sleep well," Jordan whispered; that said, he slipped away, leaving Akuchi in darkness to sleep.