[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

[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.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus laughs. "You can kiss me anywhere you like, lovely."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve stops right there on the sidewalk, holds Orpheus's face in one hand and kisses him.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus curls a hand around the back of Steve's neck as he kisses him, smiling against his lips.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Also a different world," Steve murmurs and smiles.

[golden_lyre]

"Yes, it is," Orpheus agrees. "Come on. The tailor awaits."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve pats his cheek and resumes walking.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus takes Steve's hand again and leads him away from the main streets toward a more residential area.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve is quiet, taking in the scenery with an artist's eye.

[golden_lyre]

Eventually, Orpheus takes him down a short set of stairs to what looks like a basement apartment and knocks on the door. In a few seconds, a tiny, white-haired Frenchman in an exquisite, dark suit answers and grins at the both of them, greeting first Orpheus and then Steve with two kisses to either cheek.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

That's a new one. Steve shoots a questioning glance at Orpheus, but just says, "Hello, lovely to meet you."

[golden_lyre]

The man speaks no English, so Orpheus translates for him, and the man grins at Steve again, stepping back to look at him and murmuring something quietly in French.

"He says he didn't believe my description until now," Orpheus translates as the man ushers them inside.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve chuckles. "Now you know why I didn't tell Bucky about this in a letter."

[golden_lyre]

They're led through a few, twisting hallways into a cramped, little workroom where the tailor has a suit laid out, ready for Steve to put on.

"I think he's just impressed I could do that well..."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Orpheus," Steve says softly--he's never quite sure how to take a compliment--and then is lost in awe at the suit.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus is quite impressed by it as well, and he heads over to the table where it's laid out, telling the man, in French, how beautiful it is.

The tailor waves off the compliment, though it's clear he's pleased, and he smiles to them both, waving Steve over and directing him to stand on the platform in the middle of the room so he can take his measurements.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve takes off his jacket and hands it to Orpheus, and then climbs up onto the platform.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus takes it and steps back, watching in amusement as the man hovers around Steve, not at all shy about moving whatever part of his body needs to be moved so he can get his measurements. He mutters instructions in French, and Orpheus translates as needed.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve watches Orpheus and watches the tailor, trying to obey his instructions even before Orpheus translates. When someone pushes on your leg it's pretty obvious what he means.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus only jumps in when it's necessary. Mostly he's content just to watch.

He likes to see a master at work, and this man is most definitely a master.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I feel a little like a dress-up doll," says Steve as the tailor (standing on a stool) measures his shoulders, his arms spread out.

[golden_lyre]

"Suck it up, Rogers," Orpheus says. "I had to go through this last week."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve grins at him. "i can't wait to see your suit."

[golden_lyre]

"Soon enough, lovely," Orpheus promises.