Fic: A Study in Coffee and Chance, Part 2
Pairing: Jenson Button/Sebastian Vettel (AU)
Rating: T
Word count: 3504
Synopsis: Following the morning’s events, Jenson has his date with Sebastian.
Disclaimer: Didn’t happen, never will.
(Part 1 here)
A Study in Coffee and Chance, Part 2
Jenson was nervous. He was due to pick up Sebastian from Lewis’s house in a mere fifty minutes - now forty-nine minutes, to be exact. Hours ago, when his shift ended, he had reassured himself that there was plenty of time to get ready. Now he was mentally slapping himself for having wasted so much time simply fretting. He had walked around the half-empty house in a state of anxiety, noting anything and everything that might give a negative impression: unpacked boxes in the living room, rooms with no furniture, the sooty fireplace, a mostly empty fridge, expensive shoes in the hall, cheap curtains in the kitchen, a crack in the plaster near the stairs. Hindsight revealed that the time would’ve been better spent making this place more of a home.
But that was the problem with hindsight: you don’t quite see the situation until after it’s happened. It was like this with other aspects of Jenson’s life. Before Lewis had contacted him about the potential investment opportunity, Jenson had been trying to take stock of things. There he was: thirty-three, living in Tokyo, and enjoying all the spoils his income afforded him. It had been quite a journey. Ten years ago, he’d been a model, travelling the world and occasionally landing in Japan. Knowing his modelling days were numbered - such was the business - he used some of his earnings to get into the venture capital game. It had started off with small-time operations, and the more successful those investments became, the more funds Jenson had to invest in other, larger ventures. It had turned out that he wasn’t just a pretty face - he had an eye for knowing which innovations had viable market appeal. Where others saw risk, he saw potential.
Street smarts, a grateful inventor once said to him. You have street smarts, Mr Button. The problem was, a decade later, Jenson was still alone. His monetary investments in businesses heavily outweighed his emotional investments in people. Just a day before Lewis had called him, a night-time walk in a crowd in Tokyo had only highlighted how truly lonely he felt. There were hundreds of people in close proximity to him, all bathed in the dark of night and the glow of neon signs. He could hear everything - the incomparable din of city life - yet at the same time he could hear nothing. Not the individual conversations, nor the tick of his watch, nor the sound of his youth slipping away. This kind of silence was damning, like all the flings he’d notched up with visiting businessmen and models, even the odd tourist. He never heard from those men again, and that’s exactly how he liked it.
The truth was that he’d overstayed. Not in a legal sense - he had gained residency a long time ago - but in the truer sense. He’d run away from home, afraid of returning to the ordinary life he’d had in the days before he started modelling.
Jenson smiled and shook his head, catching a glimpse of his reflection in the kitchen window. He looked good for his age, and he knew it. He’d seen the effect his looks had had on Sebastian earlier in the day. The younger man had worn a look of innocent, wide-eyed amazement. It was different to the quizzical, distracted look of a photographer trying to get the right shot, or that of a woman trying to get into his pants.
Forty-six minutes now. Jenson needed to shower and find the right jeans and shirt. Lucky for him, he had mostly unpacked his clothes.
Not everything was still boxed up. He just needed time to settle.
*
Lewis lived in a house similar to the one Jenson had bought. It was a standard three-bedroom home, perfect for renting out to uni students. That had been Jenson’s back-up plan had the coffee shop opportunity proved too good to be true. Rental properties were always going to be needed in a university town, and he had the money to buy many. But there was no longer a need for the back-up plan now that he’d told Lewis and Kimi this afternoon that he was ‘all in’.
Hopefully he’d be two for two in terms of commitments today. He’d been instantly intrigued by the brief, albeit vague, description Lewis had given him previously, but it was that damned photo and today’s coffee shop visit that had really cemented Jenson’s interest. Sebastian was adorable. There was a brightness about him that had made Jenson’s chest ache with longing. He hadn’t felt like this in a very long time.
Nervous, Jenson looked back at his car as he made his way up the front path. Impressions were important. Mark had seen him stepping out of the McLaren on his second day at the coffee shop, so there had been no hiding the car from his ‘workmate’. Mark had been cool with his mysterious explanation, but now Jenson worried about how all this looked. The obvious sign of riches. Was parading a flashy car the wrong thing to do? He wasn’t some kind of sugar daddy hoping to reach out to a student so they could both have ‘a good time’ every now and then. He wanted something real.
Whatever the impression, Jenson concluded, it was too late to do something about the car. He was here already. Raising a hand to the door, he was alarmed to find that it opened half a second before he could knock.
A smiling Sebastian stood before him, dressed in a grey v-neck sweater and light-coloured jeans. ‘Hey.’
Jenson loved Sebastian’s smile. He found himself wanting to kiss him then and there, to feel that smile against his lips.
Fortunately - or unfortunately depending on which way you looked at it - he behaved himself and merely returned the smile. ‘Hey. You must be psychic.’
Sebastian’s cheeks flushed. ‘I just happened to be looking out the window,’ he said casually.
Jenson played along, more and more enamoured by Sebastian’s attempt to downplay his eagerness. ‘Just chilling by the window, huh?’
‘Yeah, sometimes nice-looking cars drive by.’
‘With nice-looking drivers?’
Sebastian shrugged. ‘Only if I’m lucky.’
Jenson chuckled. He loved Sebastian’s sense of humour too. He didn’t know why the attraction was so strong so early, but he certainly wasn’t going to do anything to fight it. It was what it was, and he had a good feeling about it.
Before either of them could say anything, Lewis appeared in the background, bounding down the stairs in a rush.
‘I want him home by midnight,’ Lewis said, slapping his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder and looking straight at Jenson. ‘No, not really. Feel free to keep him. There are so many books in here it’s a health hazard. I think they’re breeding.’
Sebastian turned his head and shot Lewis an exasperated look.
‘What?’ Lewis asked, playing all innocent. ‘I’m not making you look like a nerd. If anything, I’m making myself look stupid. Books breeding? Crazy town.’
Jenson rolled his eyes at his old mate. ‘Okay, we’re going to go now.’
Lewis ignored him and continued with a laugh. ‘I mean, I know I dropped out of uni, but even I know books don’t have reproductive organs.’
It was the mention of reproductive organs that prompted Sebastian to swat his housemate’s hand off his shoulder. ‘Oh my God. Bye, Lewis.’
‘Be safe.’ Lewis nodded at Jenson and kept nodding, even as Sebastian and Jenson slowly backed away. ‘I mean the car. Drive safely. And remember that you have driven more cars than Seb has.’
Jenson was caught off guard by the comment, so much so that he came to a stop and simply stared at the front door even after Lewis had shut it. Had his friend meant that last sentence literally, or was he telling him that Sebastian was younger and not as experienced and therefore not to be treated as if he wasn’t?
It was to Jenson’s relief, then, that Sebastian didn’t seem to have heard the comment. Or if he had, he hadn’t detected any thinly-veiled messages. Instead, he was circling the car, walking around to check out the back and then the sides again and then the front. He only had eyes for the car in this moment.
‘Wow, this is really something.’
‘So you like it?’ Jenson asked, now also relieved that the car wasn’t making a negative impression. ‘Orange wasn’t my preferred colour, to be honest -’
‘No, I like it. It stands out. No point trying to downplay a nice car.’
‘That’s true.’
Jenson gave Sebastian a bit more time to marvel at the exterior. He wasn’t sure how much of a car enthusiast Sebastian was, as it was entirely possible this was just regular appreciation, the type any male would display. Either way, his interest in the car gave Jenson some time to stare at Sebastian and the intent look of concentration on his face. He supposed that his date wore this look often, when he studied and such.
Finally, Sebastian came around to the passenger side, where Jenson then opened the door for him.
‘The inside isn’t so bad, either,’ Jenson said.
‘Thanks.’
This date is real. It’s starting, Jenson thought as he climbed into the driver’s seat and started the ignition. All of a sudden it all seemed so surreal to him. This wasn’t a quick fuck in a hidden club with a stranger - his modus operandi in his early twenties. Nor was it a one-night stand in a hotel with someone he’d struck up a conversation with in a seminar or conference - his usual plan into his late twenties. This was an old-fashioned date.
‘I’m not really a nerd,’ Sebastian remarked as the drive got underway. ‘I just believe in applying myself.’
Jenson told himself to live in the moment and not in the past and not in the expectations he had for the future.
‘Relax, Seb. I’m not scared of your book smarts,’ he said kindly. ‘A little intimidated, maybe, but not put off. Not at all.’
‘Intimidated, huh?’
Jenson had his eyes on the road, especially since the sun had set early, yet he knew Sebastian was smirking.
‘I never went to uni. Started working at eighteen and never really looked back.’
‘So what is that you do exactly? Am I allowed to ask how you can afford this car?’
‘One sec.’ Jenson went out of his way to complete an expert overtake. The car in front had been driving a little erratically and there was no way he wanted to be behind that kind of risk.
‘Impressive. For a Brit.’
Jenson laughed. ‘What’s that supposed to mean? That German drivers are superior?’
‘Hey, you said it, not me.’
After the laughter subsided, there was only a grace of ten seconds before Sebastian’s previous questions came to the fore again. Jenson knew he had to answer.
‘The truth is I’m a successful venture capitalist. But I’m kind of tired of that game. Simple, straightforward investments are now my thing.’
Jenson snuck a quick peek at Sebastian’s expression. He seemed to be lost in thought, at least momentarily.
‘Oh!’ An epiphany sounded imminent. ‘So you’re not really working at the coffee shop? You’re scoping it out, seeing if you want to help Lewis and Kimi expand?’
‘Exactly. And as of this afternoon, I’ve agreed. I wasn’t trying to be dishonest or anything by working as part of the team - I just wanted to see how the place operated without everyone being on guard.’
‘Makes sense.’ There was a pause. ‘I’m really happy for Lewis and Kimi. I’m sure they’re very grateful.’
‘Yeah, I got a smile out of Kimi. And a hug. He told me not to tell you the last bit, just in case you got jealous.’
‘Nah, it’s okay. I can hug him another time.’
Again, Jenson could tell there was a smirk on his date’s face. ‘You’re pretty cheeky. I thought Germans didn’t have a sense of humour.’
‘To be fair, I learned from the Brits.’
‘Well, as long as you’re being fair.’
‘Mmmhmm.’
There was a lull in the conversation, and Jenson rather needed it. His head was spinning just from that bit of banter. It was exciting and definitely more rewarding than the usual liquid courage-fuelled exchange.
It was Sebastian who continued the conversation. ‘So you won’t be working at L & K’s anymore?’
‘Surprisingly, I actually kind of like working there - not that I really do much compared to everyone else. I enjoy the interaction with everyone. I find it refreshing.’
‘The girls like you a lot.’
Jenson’s mouth was beginning to hurt from all the grinning he was doing. ‘I think word got ‘round pretty quickly that I was into you. There were a lot of pouty ladies after you left, though some kept trying. I think they’re hoping I’m bi.’
If Sebastian was fazed by the mention of Jenson being into him, he didn’t let it show. His reply was smooth and steady. ‘So are you going to string them along?’
‘I think Kimi would like that for business’s sake.’
‘Ha. In Germany they would call you a heartbreaker.’
‘Yeah? And what would they call me here?’
‘My chauffeur?’
‘Very funny.’ Jenson nodded at his house up ahead. ‘Ride ends here. My place.’
It still felt odd, calling it his place. The penthouse apartment he had in Tokyo had been his residence for the last five years. He still owned it, for when he needed to return to check up on the ventures he’d invested in previously, but it was now a secondary location.
It followed that both men entered the house with a sense of curiosity: Sebastian because he’d never been here before, and Jenson because it was the first time he’d let someone else into this space.
Any signs of transition that Jenson had been anxious about before were now more than amplified in his mind. He led Sebastian through the hall, through the living room full of boxes, and into the open plan kitchen/dining area. He found himself thankful that he had at least bought a tasteful dining table and chairs. As for touches of colour, embellishment, homeliness…that was still on the to-do list.
‘I haven’t really had time to do much with the place,’ he said self-consciously, leaning back on the kitchen counter.
Sebastian stood by the table and placed his hands on the top of one of the chairs. Jenson could tell by the pensive look on his face that some sort of judgement was happening. He just wasn’t sure how harsh, or how significant, those conclusions would be.
‘So you really haven’t been here that long? Lewis said you’ve been living overseas?’
‘Yeah, Japan. They’re big into technology, R&D and all that. Plus I really like the food.’
‘Cool.’ Sebastian’s gaze lingered on the two table settings before him. ‘You’re going to stick around, though?’
‘Yeah, that’s the plan. Settle down. Put down some roots. Actually be a part of the L & K’s expansion.’ Jenson raked a hand through his hair when Sebastian merely nodded without looking up at him. A surge of panic made him ramble. ‘I didn’t mean that to come off as me shopping for a guy or something. Yeah, sure, I’ve bought a new house, a new car, entered a new investment… What I mean is that you’re not just some box I’m checking off on a list of things I have to take care of in order to set up my new life. It’s not like that.’
Sebastian finally looked up, his brow knitted in apparent confusion. Or perhaps it was bemusement. ‘Okay.’
Jenson didn’t know how benevolent the ‘okay’ was, so he kept talking, gesturing with his hands now that Sebastian was looking. ‘Lewis mentioned that I might be interested, and he thinks so highly of you. And wow, I’m rambling and freaking you out and putting pressure on us on our first date. Not that there is an “us” yet. Or not yet, depending on what you’re thinking, because maybe you want to run away. I haven’t dated in a while, and it is really showing…’
He couldn’t help but think that Sebastian was indeed alarmed now. The younger man sort of shuffled on the spot in discomfort, eyes darting here and there.
‘I’ve never actually gone out with a guy before,’ Sebastian said gently.
‘Really? Well, I’m glad to be your first. First date. Not first, you know…necessarily.’ Jenson would’ve paid anything, even traded in his McLaren, for the ground to swallow him up. He was saying the wrong thing, panicking and making a complete fool of himself. Sebastian was now blushing furiously, and it was completely his fault. Changing the subject was the least Jenson could do. ‘How about I get you a drink, and then I’ll quickly cook dinner?’
‘Yeah, that would be good,’ Sebastian said awkwardly, taking it upon himself to sit down at the table. ‘Water is fine, actually.’
‘Sure.’
Jenson was quick to deliver a glass of chilled water, but there was no hiding that his hand was shaking as he did so. Sebastian looked at him curiously, but fearful that he was going to say something stupid, Jenson kept silent and darted back to fridge to take out the ingredients he’d prepped earlier.
He hadn’t cooked this fish stir-fry before - he’d seen it on a cooking show a few nights ago. Now he was wishing he’d ordered takeaway. He was frazzled beyond belief. The only sounds now were of utensils clanging, fish sizzling, the extractor hood whirring and Sebastian occasionally taking a sip of water.
Jenson felt terrible. ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said, looking up from the stove. ‘I didn’t think I’d be this nervous. I feel like this is my first date ever, too.’
When Sebastian pushed his chair back and stood up, Jenson momentarily thought he was going to leave, but instead, Sebastian strolled over into the kitchen, hovering near the counter, just a few feet away from him.
Sebastian tilted his head to the side and laughed quietly. ‘I didn’t know I was worth being nervous over.’
‘Well, you are.’ Jenson relaxed a little in response. ‘You make me feel like a teenager.’
‘Hey, I’m the inexperienced one here. You can stick to cooking and looking handsome.’ With a spring in his step, Sebastian came over to take a peek at the pan on the stove. ‘Don’t burn my dinner.’
And just like that, the remainder of Jenson’s fear lifted. He set the wooden spoon down and surprised Sebastian by stepping forward. Lifting Sebastian’s chin, Jenson leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the younger man’s lips. It was chaste, with Sebastian tentative in response, but it was the best thanks Jenson could give for the reassurance Sebastian had offered.
He guessed that Sebastian hadn’t even closed his eyes, as he was already wide-eyed when Jenson pulled away.
‘Now how about you tell me about your thesis while I try not to burn your dinner,’ Jenson suggested, turning his attention back to the stove.
‘I can’t even remember what I’m researching. Someone just distracted me.’
‘Someone handsome, perhaps?’
‘Almost as pretty as his car.’
Jenson gave him a sidelong look. ‘I might just feed you bread and water.’
‘What bread? There’s nothing in this kitchen.’
‘You’re right. No bread, though there is a cute German.’
Sebastian just grinned.
‘No comeback?’
‘I’m hoping my cuteness excuses the fact I forgot to bring DVDs.’
Satisfied that the stir-fry was done, Jenson turned off the stove and shook his head. ‘Already taking advantage of my weakness for you.’
Sebastian waited for Jenson to lock eyes with him. ‘People are smart around here,’ he said with a wink. ‘Welcome to Oxford.’
*
After dinner, the two of them retired to Jenson’s messy living room. Though the television was on, neither man was paying attention to it. Jenson was sitting lengthways across the sofa, watching as Sebastian sorted through random boxes on the floor. He liked the way Sebastian’s face lit up with each random discovery. A Tokyo subway map. His old modelling portfolio. A limited-edited Oasis LP. An instruction manual for some sort of Japanese robot. A set of old-school model cars. It was like an unexpected Christmas.
Sebastian happily held up one of the model cars, admiring its good condition. ‘I might be here a while.’ He then waved his free hand around at the untouched boxes. ‘And I might make a mess.’
Jenson’s chest was now aching, not with longing, but with incredible contentment. ‘You’re not going anywhere, Seb. And you’re doing the opposite of making a mess.’
It took another five minutes for Sebastian to move on from the set of cars, but not before Jenson joined him amongst the boxes for their second - and undeniably less chaste - kiss.
THE END
Rating: T
Word count: 3504
Synopsis: Following the morning’s events, Jenson has his date with Sebastian.
Disclaimer: Didn’t happen, never will.
(Part 1 here)
A Study in Coffee and Chance, Part 2
Jenson was nervous. He was due to pick up Sebastian from Lewis’s house in a mere fifty minutes - now forty-nine minutes, to be exact. Hours ago, when his shift ended, he had reassured himself that there was plenty of time to get ready. Now he was mentally slapping himself for having wasted so much time simply fretting. He had walked around the half-empty house in a state of anxiety, noting anything and everything that might give a negative impression: unpacked boxes in the living room, rooms with no furniture, the sooty fireplace, a mostly empty fridge, expensive shoes in the hall, cheap curtains in the kitchen, a crack in the plaster near the stairs. Hindsight revealed that the time would’ve been better spent making this place more of a home.
But that was the problem with hindsight: you don’t quite see the situation until after it’s happened. It was like this with other aspects of Jenson’s life. Before Lewis had contacted him about the potential investment opportunity, Jenson had been trying to take stock of things. There he was: thirty-three, living in Tokyo, and enjoying all the spoils his income afforded him. It had been quite a journey. Ten years ago, he’d been a model, travelling the world and occasionally landing in Japan. Knowing his modelling days were numbered - such was the business - he used some of his earnings to get into the venture capital game. It had started off with small-time operations, and the more successful those investments became, the more funds Jenson had to invest in other, larger ventures. It had turned out that he wasn’t just a pretty face - he had an eye for knowing which innovations had viable market appeal. Where others saw risk, he saw potential.
Street smarts, a grateful inventor once said to him. You have street smarts, Mr Button. The problem was, a decade later, Jenson was still alone. His monetary investments in businesses heavily outweighed his emotional investments in people. Just a day before Lewis had called him, a night-time walk in a crowd in Tokyo had only highlighted how truly lonely he felt. There were hundreds of people in close proximity to him, all bathed in the dark of night and the glow of neon signs. He could hear everything - the incomparable din of city life - yet at the same time he could hear nothing. Not the individual conversations, nor the tick of his watch, nor the sound of his youth slipping away. This kind of silence was damning, like all the flings he’d notched up with visiting businessmen and models, even the odd tourist. He never heard from those men again, and that’s exactly how he liked it.
The truth was that he’d overstayed. Not in a legal sense - he had gained residency a long time ago - but in the truer sense. He’d run away from home, afraid of returning to the ordinary life he’d had in the days before he started modelling.
Jenson smiled and shook his head, catching a glimpse of his reflection in the kitchen window. He looked good for his age, and he knew it. He’d seen the effect his looks had had on Sebastian earlier in the day. The younger man had worn a look of innocent, wide-eyed amazement. It was different to the quizzical, distracted look of a photographer trying to get the right shot, or that of a woman trying to get into his pants.
Forty-six minutes now. Jenson needed to shower and find the right jeans and shirt. Lucky for him, he had mostly unpacked his clothes.
Not everything was still boxed up. He just needed time to settle.
*
Lewis lived in a house similar to the one Jenson had bought. It was a standard three-bedroom home, perfect for renting out to uni students. That had been Jenson’s back-up plan had the coffee shop opportunity proved too good to be true. Rental properties were always going to be needed in a university town, and he had the money to buy many. But there was no longer a need for the back-up plan now that he’d told Lewis and Kimi this afternoon that he was ‘all in’.
Hopefully he’d be two for two in terms of commitments today. He’d been instantly intrigued by the brief, albeit vague, description Lewis had given him previously, but it was that damned photo and today’s coffee shop visit that had really cemented Jenson’s interest. Sebastian was adorable. There was a brightness about him that had made Jenson’s chest ache with longing. He hadn’t felt like this in a very long time.
Nervous, Jenson looked back at his car as he made his way up the front path. Impressions were important. Mark had seen him stepping out of the McLaren on his second day at the coffee shop, so there had been no hiding the car from his ‘workmate’. Mark had been cool with his mysterious explanation, but now Jenson worried about how all this looked. The obvious sign of riches. Was parading a flashy car the wrong thing to do? He wasn’t some kind of sugar daddy hoping to reach out to a student so they could both have ‘a good time’ every now and then. He wanted something real.
Whatever the impression, Jenson concluded, it was too late to do something about the car. He was here already. Raising a hand to the door, he was alarmed to find that it opened half a second before he could knock.
A smiling Sebastian stood before him, dressed in a grey v-neck sweater and light-coloured jeans. ‘Hey.’
Jenson loved Sebastian’s smile. He found himself wanting to kiss him then and there, to feel that smile against his lips.
Fortunately - or unfortunately depending on which way you looked at it - he behaved himself and merely returned the smile. ‘Hey. You must be psychic.’
Sebastian’s cheeks flushed. ‘I just happened to be looking out the window,’ he said casually.
Jenson played along, more and more enamoured by Sebastian’s attempt to downplay his eagerness. ‘Just chilling by the window, huh?’
‘Yeah, sometimes nice-looking cars drive by.’
‘With nice-looking drivers?’
Sebastian shrugged. ‘Only if I’m lucky.’
Jenson chuckled. He loved Sebastian’s sense of humour too. He didn’t know why the attraction was so strong so early, but he certainly wasn’t going to do anything to fight it. It was what it was, and he had a good feeling about it.
Before either of them could say anything, Lewis appeared in the background, bounding down the stairs in a rush.
‘I want him home by midnight,’ Lewis said, slapping his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder and looking straight at Jenson. ‘No, not really. Feel free to keep him. There are so many books in here it’s a health hazard. I think they’re breeding.’
Sebastian turned his head and shot Lewis an exasperated look.
‘What?’ Lewis asked, playing all innocent. ‘I’m not making you look like a nerd. If anything, I’m making myself look stupid. Books breeding? Crazy town.’
Jenson rolled his eyes at his old mate. ‘Okay, we’re going to go now.’
Lewis ignored him and continued with a laugh. ‘I mean, I know I dropped out of uni, but even I know books don’t have reproductive organs.’
It was the mention of reproductive organs that prompted Sebastian to swat his housemate’s hand off his shoulder. ‘Oh my God. Bye, Lewis.’
‘Be safe.’ Lewis nodded at Jenson and kept nodding, even as Sebastian and Jenson slowly backed away. ‘I mean the car. Drive safely. And remember that you have driven more cars than Seb has.’
Jenson was caught off guard by the comment, so much so that he came to a stop and simply stared at the front door even after Lewis had shut it. Had his friend meant that last sentence literally, or was he telling him that Sebastian was younger and not as experienced and therefore not to be treated as if he wasn’t?
It was to Jenson’s relief, then, that Sebastian didn’t seem to have heard the comment. Or if he had, he hadn’t detected any thinly-veiled messages. Instead, he was circling the car, walking around to check out the back and then the sides again and then the front. He only had eyes for the car in this moment.
‘Wow, this is really something.’
‘So you like it?’ Jenson asked, now also relieved that the car wasn’t making a negative impression. ‘Orange wasn’t my preferred colour, to be honest -’
‘No, I like it. It stands out. No point trying to downplay a nice car.’
‘That’s true.’
Jenson gave Sebastian a bit more time to marvel at the exterior. He wasn’t sure how much of a car enthusiast Sebastian was, as it was entirely possible this was just regular appreciation, the type any male would display. Either way, his interest in the car gave Jenson some time to stare at Sebastian and the intent look of concentration on his face. He supposed that his date wore this look often, when he studied and such.
Finally, Sebastian came around to the passenger side, where Jenson then opened the door for him.
‘The inside isn’t so bad, either,’ Jenson said.
‘Thanks.’
This date is real. It’s starting, Jenson thought as he climbed into the driver’s seat and started the ignition. All of a sudden it all seemed so surreal to him. This wasn’t a quick fuck in a hidden club with a stranger - his modus operandi in his early twenties. Nor was it a one-night stand in a hotel with someone he’d struck up a conversation with in a seminar or conference - his usual plan into his late twenties. This was an old-fashioned date.
‘I’m not really a nerd,’ Sebastian remarked as the drive got underway. ‘I just believe in applying myself.’
Jenson told himself to live in the moment and not in the past and not in the expectations he had for the future.
‘Relax, Seb. I’m not scared of your book smarts,’ he said kindly. ‘A little intimidated, maybe, but not put off. Not at all.’
‘Intimidated, huh?’
Jenson had his eyes on the road, especially since the sun had set early, yet he knew Sebastian was smirking.
‘I never went to uni. Started working at eighteen and never really looked back.’
‘So what is that you do exactly? Am I allowed to ask how you can afford this car?’
‘One sec.’ Jenson went out of his way to complete an expert overtake. The car in front had been driving a little erratically and there was no way he wanted to be behind that kind of risk.
‘Impressive. For a Brit.’
Jenson laughed. ‘What’s that supposed to mean? That German drivers are superior?’
‘Hey, you said it, not me.’
After the laughter subsided, there was only a grace of ten seconds before Sebastian’s previous questions came to the fore again. Jenson knew he had to answer.
‘The truth is I’m a successful venture capitalist. But I’m kind of tired of that game. Simple, straightforward investments are now my thing.’
Jenson snuck a quick peek at Sebastian’s expression. He seemed to be lost in thought, at least momentarily.
‘Oh!’ An epiphany sounded imminent. ‘So you’re not really working at the coffee shop? You’re scoping it out, seeing if you want to help Lewis and Kimi expand?’
‘Exactly. And as of this afternoon, I’ve agreed. I wasn’t trying to be dishonest or anything by working as part of the team - I just wanted to see how the place operated without everyone being on guard.’
‘Makes sense.’ There was a pause. ‘I’m really happy for Lewis and Kimi. I’m sure they’re very grateful.’
‘Yeah, I got a smile out of Kimi. And a hug. He told me not to tell you the last bit, just in case you got jealous.’
‘Nah, it’s okay. I can hug him another time.’
Again, Jenson could tell there was a smirk on his date’s face. ‘You’re pretty cheeky. I thought Germans didn’t have a sense of humour.’
‘To be fair, I learned from the Brits.’
‘Well, as long as you’re being fair.’
‘Mmmhmm.’
There was a lull in the conversation, and Jenson rather needed it. His head was spinning just from that bit of banter. It was exciting and definitely more rewarding than the usual liquid courage-fuelled exchange.
It was Sebastian who continued the conversation. ‘So you won’t be working at L & K’s anymore?’
‘Surprisingly, I actually kind of like working there - not that I really do much compared to everyone else. I enjoy the interaction with everyone. I find it refreshing.’
‘The girls like you a lot.’
Jenson’s mouth was beginning to hurt from all the grinning he was doing. ‘I think word got ‘round pretty quickly that I was into you. There were a lot of pouty ladies after you left, though some kept trying. I think they’re hoping I’m bi.’
If Sebastian was fazed by the mention of Jenson being into him, he didn’t let it show. His reply was smooth and steady. ‘So are you going to string them along?’
‘I think Kimi would like that for business’s sake.’
‘Ha. In Germany they would call you a heartbreaker.’
‘Yeah? And what would they call me here?’
‘My chauffeur?’
‘Very funny.’ Jenson nodded at his house up ahead. ‘Ride ends here. My place.’
It still felt odd, calling it his place. The penthouse apartment he had in Tokyo had been his residence for the last five years. He still owned it, for when he needed to return to check up on the ventures he’d invested in previously, but it was now a secondary location.
It followed that both men entered the house with a sense of curiosity: Sebastian because he’d never been here before, and Jenson because it was the first time he’d let someone else into this space.
Any signs of transition that Jenson had been anxious about before were now more than amplified in his mind. He led Sebastian through the hall, through the living room full of boxes, and into the open plan kitchen/dining area. He found himself thankful that he had at least bought a tasteful dining table and chairs. As for touches of colour, embellishment, homeliness…that was still on the to-do list.
‘I haven’t really had time to do much with the place,’ he said self-consciously, leaning back on the kitchen counter.
Sebastian stood by the table and placed his hands on the top of one of the chairs. Jenson could tell by the pensive look on his face that some sort of judgement was happening. He just wasn’t sure how harsh, or how significant, those conclusions would be.
‘So you really haven’t been here that long? Lewis said you’ve been living overseas?’
‘Yeah, Japan. They’re big into technology, R&D and all that. Plus I really like the food.’
‘Cool.’ Sebastian’s gaze lingered on the two table settings before him. ‘You’re going to stick around, though?’
‘Yeah, that’s the plan. Settle down. Put down some roots. Actually be a part of the L & K’s expansion.’ Jenson raked a hand through his hair when Sebastian merely nodded without looking up at him. A surge of panic made him ramble. ‘I didn’t mean that to come off as me shopping for a guy or something. Yeah, sure, I’ve bought a new house, a new car, entered a new investment… What I mean is that you’re not just some box I’m checking off on a list of things I have to take care of in order to set up my new life. It’s not like that.’
Sebastian finally looked up, his brow knitted in apparent confusion. Or perhaps it was bemusement. ‘Okay.’
Jenson didn’t know how benevolent the ‘okay’ was, so he kept talking, gesturing with his hands now that Sebastian was looking. ‘Lewis mentioned that I might be interested, and he thinks so highly of you. And wow, I’m rambling and freaking you out and putting pressure on us on our first date. Not that there is an “us” yet. Or not yet, depending on what you’re thinking, because maybe you want to run away. I haven’t dated in a while, and it is really showing…’
He couldn’t help but think that Sebastian was indeed alarmed now. The younger man sort of shuffled on the spot in discomfort, eyes darting here and there.
‘I’ve never actually gone out with a guy before,’ Sebastian said gently.
‘Really? Well, I’m glad to be your first. First date. Not first, you know…necessarily.’ Jenson would’ve paid anything, even traded in his McLaren, for the ground to swallow him up. He was saying the wrong thing, panicking and making a complete fool of himself. Sebastian was now blushing furiously, and it was completely his fault. Changing the subject was the least Jenson could do. ‘How about I get you a drink, and then I’ll quickly cook dinner?’
‘Yeah, that would be good,’ Sebastian said awkwardly, taking it upon himself to sit down at the table. ‘Water is fine, actually.’
‘Sure.’
Jenson was quick to deliver a glass of chilled water, but there was no hiding that his hand was shaking as he did so. Sebastian looked at him curiously, but fearful that he was going to say something stupid, Jenson kept silent and darted back to fridge to take out the ingredients he’d prepped earlier.
He hadn’t cooked this fish stir-fry before - he’d seen it on a cooking show a few nights ago. Now he was wishing he’d ordered takeaway. He was frazzled beyond belief. The only sounds now were of utensils clanging, fish sizzling, the extractor hood whirring and Sebastian occasionally taking a sip of water.
Jenson felt terrible. ‘I’m so sorry,’ he said, looking up from the stove. ‘I didn’t think I’d be this nervous. I feel like this is my first date ever, too.’
When Sebastian pushed his chair back and stood up, Jenson momentarily thought he was going to leave, but instead, Sebastian strolled over into the kitchen, hovering near the counter, just a few feet away from him.
Sebastian tilted his head to the side and laughed quietly. ‘I didn’t know I was worth being nervous over.’
‘Well, you are.’ Jenson relaxed a little in response. ‘You make me feel like a teenager.’
‘Hey, I’m the inexperienced one here. You can stick to cooking and looking handsome.’ With a spring in his step, Sebastian came over to take a peek at the pan on the stove. ‘Don’t burn my dinner.’
And just like that, the remainder of Jenson’s fear lifted. He set the wooden spoon down and surprised Sebastian by stepping forward. Lifting Sebastian’s chin, Jenson leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the younger man’s lips. It was chaste, with Sebastian tentative in response, but it was the best thanks Jenson could give for the reassurance Sebastian had offered.
He guessed that Sebastian hadn’t even closed his eyes, as he was already wide-eyed when Jenson pulled away.
‘Now how about you tell me about your thesis while I try not to burn your dinner,’ Jenson suggested, turning his attention back to the stove.
‘I can’t even remember what I’m researching. Someone just distracted me.’
‘Someone handsome, perhaps?’
‘Almost as pretty as his car.’
Jenson gave him a sidelong look. ‘I might just feed you bread and water.’
‘What bread? There’s nothing in this kitchen.’
‘You’re right. No bread, though there is a cute German.’
Sebastian just grinned.
‘No comeback?’
‘I’m hoping my cuteness excuses the fact I forgot to bring DVDs.’
Satisfied that the stir-fry was done, Jenson turned off the stove and shook his head. ‘Already taking advantage of my weakness for you.’
Sebastian waited for Jenson to lock eyes with him. ‘People are smart around here,’ he said with a wink. ‘Welcome to Oxford.’
*
After dinner, the two of them retired to Jenson’s messy living room. Though the television was on, neither man was paying attention to it. Jenson was sitting lengthways across the sofa, watching as Sebastian sorted through random boxes on the floor. He liked the way Sebastian’s face lit up with each random discovery. A Tokyo subway map. His old modelling portfolio. A limited-edited Oasis LP. An instruction manual for some sort of Japanese robot. A set of old-school model cars. It was like an unexpected Christmas.
Sebastian happily held up one of the model cars, admiring its good condition. ‘I might be here a while.’ He then waved his free hand around at the untouched boxes. ‘And I might make a mess.’
Jenson’s chest was now aching, not with longing, but with incredible contentment. ‘You’re not going anywhere, Seb. And you’re doing the opposite of making a mess.’
It took another five minutes for Sebastian to move on from the set of cars, but not before Jenson joined him amongst the boxes for their second - and undeniably less chaste - kiss.
THE END