[Milliways]: An American in Paris

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus' flat in Paris is above a little boulangerie in the Latin Quarter, not too terribly far from Notre Dame. It's...very small, and that isn't helped by the musical instruments and half-finished, scribbled sheet music that are littered around the place. Everything is clean, just cluttered. It's a bit stuffy as well, though Orpheus has all his windows open.

As they step into the living room, Orpheus turns to Steve with a smile. "Bienvenue à Paris," he says.

Comments

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Oh," Steve says and gives a soft laugh. "You make me feel like I'm going to be a pilgrim in an unholy land."

[golden_lyre]

"You kind of are," Orpheus says thoughtfully.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve rises and goes to Orpheus. He takes Orpheus's face in his hands and kisses him soundly. "I want to show you how proud I am of you, sweetheart. It'll be fine."

[golden_lyre]

"I'm not trying to scare you out of it," Orpheus says with a laugh. "I'm just letting you know how it's likely to be."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"What do you think is going to happen? Are people going to--"

...yeah, Steve can't even think of anything shocking enough to mention.

Not even fondue.

"I don't even know."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus smirks and takes Steve's hand to pull him from the bedroom. "I think an awful lot of women and probably a few men are going to ask you to dance.

"And possibly more than dance."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Then I'll just tell them I don't know how," Steve says. "and no to the other thing."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus pauses in the hallway to pick up his guitar and sling it across his shoulders.

"It's cute you think they'll give up after that."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Of course they will," Steve says, "and if they don't, I'll say no again."

[golden_lyre]

"Like I said. Cute." He pauses to kiss Steve's cheek before heading out the door.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve shakes his head and follows him out, catching his hand.

[golden_lyre]

"So, let's get the suit taken care of first, and then we can see whatever you'd like."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve nods. "I don't really know what to ask for. There's not enough time to see the Louvre."

[golden_lyre]

"We could at least see the highlights," Orpheus says. "And I want to take you to the Maison du Chocolat, which is under the Louvre."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I like the sound of that. Is it a chocolate restaurant?"

[golden_lyre]

"It's a chocolaterie," Orpheus says. "And they make the most amazing macarons."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve says quietly, "I don't really know what a ... chocola...terie is."

[golden_lyre]

"It's a place where they make chocolates," Orpheus says. "Like a boulangerie is a place where they boulanger: bake."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Oh. Okay." The smile's back. "That does sound good.

"Where are we going for the suit? I've just been using my uniform for going out."

[golden_lyre]

"Yes, well, your uniform is a bit outdated now, lovely. I know a tailor a few blocks from here. He does amazing work."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Hand-made?" This is genuinely shocking.

[golden_lyre]

"Yes," Orpheus says. "I gave him an approximation of your size. He'll do some measurements and finish the alterations tonight. We should be able to pick it up tomorrow before we fly out."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve doesn't say anything for a few minutes.

Finally, "For three years at school I had one pair of pants and two shirts.

"It's a different world."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus squeezes his hand. "It is. A very different world."

He's been where Steve was and worse, but he's not as shocked by the abundance he often finds himself in as Steve may be. He's been there too.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Can I kiss you out here?" Steve asks softly.