[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]

Steve is taller than your average fella and doesn't need to push his way to the front to see it. He stands on the edge of the crowd, teeth digging into his lower lip.

And then he wraps his arm around Orpheus's shoulders and kisses his temple. "Thank you for bringing me here."

[golden_lyre]

"Of course," Orpheus says, leaning into him briefly.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve leans his head against Orpheus's, still gazing at the painting.

[golden_lyre]

After a moment, Orpheus says, "We can come back. If we don't see enough today, you can always come visit again."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Bored?" He smiles at Orpheus. "Take me to another highlight, then, music man."

[golden_lyre]

"I'm not at all bored," Orpheus says. "I just want you to know this isn't your only opportunity."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve looks at him thoughtfully, and brushes Orpheus's bangs back from his forehead.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus tilts his head curiously.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"This is another one of those 'someday' things," Steve says. "Someday is going to be a really big day for us."

[golden_lyre]

"Yeah, it is," Orpheus says quietly, touching Steve's cheek.

Then he pulls back a bit and says, "But today, Nike and chocolate," and pulls Steve out of the gallery.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Chocolat, si'l vous plait," Steve says, practicing.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus laughs. "Oh, they'll love you," he says, leading Steve down to a landing with a much smaller crowd than there was for the painting.

His expression changes into one of subdued reverence when the statue comes into view.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve stares up at the statue respectfully.

He murmurs to Orpheus, "Family?"

[golden_lyre]

"Nike," Orpheus says. "Goddess of victory."

He touches his forehead in a sign of respect.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Family," Steve murmurs in confirmation.

"She's beautiful."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus smiles at him a bit.

"It's from my home, from Thrace."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve nods, looking at him. His fingers twitch a little, wanting a pencil.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus leans in and kisses him briefly.

"One more," he says quietly. "Before the chocolate."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Lead on."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus gives the statue a respectful nod before pulling Steve along with him up to a room with another statue in the corner.

"Also family," he says.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Oh," says Steve softly and goes as close to it as he can. "Oh, that's beautiful." He leans close in fascination.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus goes with him, hand on the small of his back.

"Next time we'll bring your sketchbook," he says.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Next time," Steve murmurs.

He smiles at Orpheus wryly. "I wasn't even sure we'd get out of bed this trip."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus laughs. "We can have sex in Milliways anytime, lovely."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"And we usually do."