Visiting Jason in St. Louis

[kyle_valenti]

For shifterschuyler

Kyle has never been happier to see a bus depot. Traveling on the Freeway Behemoth is usually pretty relaxing to him. He can read or write or sleep or chat up the stranger next to him until they change seats to get away from his annoying questions. But he realizes that when you actually want to get to your destination, riding the bus is an exercise in patience and self-control. Granted, it wasn't as bad as the cross-country flight he'd taken to see Michael in New York after the gang had gotten separated, but that was because he knew Michael would like him when he actually showed up. There's no telling if Jason will. So, on top of the impatience there's admittedly some anxiety. Buddha really doesn't help him with that.

Once he gets off the bus, happy to stretch his legs, Kyle digs into his pocket and pulls out Jason's number. First thing he'll do is find a payphone and give the guy a call. If he's busy, Kyle can still take on the town and do a little exploring. It's all good.

Comments

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Hello?"

Jason doesn't even check the caller ID when he answers his mobile. He's too distracted watching the argument brewing between the rats and one of the new vamps. Not good.

Especially when it looks like he's the most diplomatic person around.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

"Jason? Hi, it's Kyle. We sort of met before."

He pauses before adding, "I'm in St. Louis."

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Hey Kyle!"

Jason perks up. The rats seem to have everything under control, so he backs into the corner of the room.

"Good deal! Where are you? Want me to pick you up or do you have your own wheels?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

"I'm at the bus station," Kyle smiles, pleased that Jason sounds happy to hear from him. "Alas, the only wheels I have were the ones on the bus so you might have to come get me. Or you can tell me how to get to you. I'm easy."

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Nah, I'll pick you up. Look for the blue 'inherited it from my parents' Volvo. I'll see you in twenty."

And sure enough in twenty minutes, Jason pulls up in a ten year old volvo.

Jumping out, he grins when he sees Kyle, and pulls him into a big hug.

"Hey Man! Good to see you!"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

When Kyle had seen the car pull up, he'd checked his watch and grinned, not used to someone actually showing up when they say they will.

The friendly greeting makes Kyle laugh and immediately puts him at ease.

"Good to see you, too! Man, are you always this prompt?"

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Pretty much," Jason grins.

Opening the trunk so that Kyle can put his stuff in it, he says, "You hungry? I should explain a few things before we head back to my, uh, place."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

'Starving," Kyle nods, opening the passenger side door. "And I'll eat slow so you get a chance to tell me everything."

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Eat at whatever pace you want."

Jason laughs and starts the car.

"Dinner food okay? Or do you want something else?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

"Anything's good. I haven't eaten since yesterday." He doesn't add that nerves and excitement had contributed to that.

He's checking Jason out, wondering just what he looks like when he's stripping. Looking away, blushing a little at the thought, he grins.

"I bet there are some great places to eat here."

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, St. Louis is a pretty good place for food. Not New York or San Francisco but for what it is, it's good."

Jason pulls up into a totally parking lot of a totally retro diner complete with aluminum cladding and neon accents.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

"Excellent," Kyle says, eyes wide. "I bet they have pie."

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Oh yeah, in one of those rotating display columns. Cherry pie, pecan pie, and boston cream pie." Jason grins, "I won't even hold it against you if order the boston cream."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

Kyle laughs. "Well, to be a gracious guest, I'll have a huge slice of cherry with ice cream on the side."

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Protein first though!"

Jason flashes a smile at the hostess and she leads them to a booth. Flopping onto the bench, he takes a menu and scans it quickly.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

Kyle's pretty sure he knows what he wants, and a glance at the menu confirms it. He'd make a joke about alternative sources of protein, but he doesn't know Jason well enough. Yet.

"I'm going for protein, fat, the works," he grins. "Cheeseburger, fries and a chocolate shake. You?"

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Bacon cheesburger, fries, and Oreo cookie shake."

The fifty something waitress comes up and holding pen to pad waits for their order, not saying anything, just snapping her gum.

Jason grins birghtly and orders, then smirks at Kyle.

"Your turn, buddy."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

Kyle raises an eyebrow, then looks up at the waitress.

"Double bacon cheeseburger, chili cheese fries and ... a chocolate shake." He grins sheepishly at Jason.

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"You win, I conceded defeat. Your indigestion will beat mine."

Jason puts his feet up on the opposite bench.

With a smirk, he says, "I guess I should tell you, I've got a rather...strange...living situation."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

Kyle thinks about two years sharing a VW van with five other people, then laughs softly as he puts his feet up, too..

"Okay. Spill. You have my undivided attention."

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Well, I live under the Circus of the Damned. Which, as advertised, is a circus - but featuring preternatural creatures instead of humans.

"The Master of the City - that's the head vamp - lives there. Or rather, it's his place, and members of his entourage live there too. I've got my own room, and I'll scent mark you so people knows that you're out of bounds, so you're safe. But pretty much everyone you'll meet will be either a lycanthrope, vamp, or, if they've got lots of bites, a vamp groupie."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

Kyle blinks for a few moments, then slumps down in his seat a little, fixing Jason with a steady gaze. The van seems like the Ritz now. Though, admittedly, a very boring Ritz.

"All right, that's definitely going to be the craziest place I've ever visited," he nods slowly, then a smile spreads across his face. "Scent mark? You're not going to pee on me, are you?"

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Nope, not into watersports," Jason smirks. "I just have to rub my cheeks against yours - stubble to stubble."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_valentino_/]

Kyle laughs, nodding. "Okay, I can handle that."

It sounds kind of nice, actually.

"And that's enough to keep them away? Because I'm willing to rub other things to ensure my safety."

[shifterschuyler.livejournal.com]

"Well, considering it's me, I'll probably try to steal a kiss or two."