Jamie takes a deep breath and tugs at his jacket. This should feel a lot more comfortable than it does, he thinks. After all, he and Warren have been going places together for a year and a half now. Nothing's changed. Well...actually, yea, a lot's changed, but he's trying not to focus on that or he just may be sick.
There's a precursory knock, before the door is opening slowly. Warren peeks in and smiles at him. "Ready yet?" he asks. Jamie wants to know how the hell he can be so calm. "Uh-uhm, yea...in a minute..."
"Do you need help?" Warren asks, slipping in and crossing over to him. Jamie feels his entire being jolt and flinches away. Warren stills. "No-no...I got it...thanks."
"Okay," replies Warren, moving away.
Jamie feels horrible, but he's so nervous, if he's not careful, he'll start bumping into things, and that'd mean more Jamies, and he'd be absolutely mortified if something that horrible happened on his first date. Oh God...
"Jamie, are you all right?" Warren asks as he moans and clutches both hands over his mouth.
Jamie nods, because he can't manage anything else and shuffles off to the bathroom.
He gasps hard and drops forward, bracing both hands against the sink. He can't do this; he's too close to falling to pieces - or rather, Jamies...
"Christ Jamie, you look like hell."
Jamie jumps, head whipping in the direction of the voice. Jean-Paul is leaning against the far wall, just below the window. Light is pouring in and making him look rather...calming - in an attractive kind of way.
"I-I'm fine," Jamie replies, turning quickly back toward his reflection.
"Yes, I can see that," replies Jean-Paul.
Jamie tries to ignore him, turning on the tap and splashing water on his face.
"You'll wet your suit."
Jamie freezes mid-splash, new horror making it's way into his system. His stomach feels all cramped, and his chest tight.
"Dear God, look at you," says Jean-Paul. He crosses over, and dabs at Jamie's front with a hand towel. "Calm down, it's not the end of the world. And I dare say, you've stared that down once already."
Jamie takes a deep breath, staring at Jean-Paul's reflection in the mirror.
Jean-Paul smoothes out his jacket and gives him a little shake to straighten his back. He steps behind him, and pulls out a comb. Jamie can feel the teeth against his scalp, calm, soothing strokes. Almost a caress, if Jamie didn't know Jean-Paul secreted those to Bobby.
"Just remember," he says as Jamie's muscles start to unknot. "It may be all show and flash, but on the inside he's interested in who you are, not what you look like or how you act."
Jamie nods distractedly.
"Where's he taking you?"
"It's a surprise," Jamie replies, proud that while his voice is husky, it's thankfully present.
"How exciting."
Jean-Paul is indulging him, and Jamie is very grateful. He'd probably be throwing up by now if not for him. There's a knock and they both look to the door. "Jamie?" Warren calls through the frame.
Jean-Paul squeezes Jamie's shoulder and he takes a deep breath. "Yea, Warren, I'll be right there!"
"Are you sure? You're okay?"
Jamie meets Jean-Paul's eyes in the mirror over his shoulder and gives a smile. "Yea," he replies, more like himself. "Be right out!"
"Okay. I'll wait by the car."
"Sure, see you in like five minutes."
Jamie can hear Warren's wings ruffle, and smiles to himself. He knows Warren's ticks by now, and it makes him feel better knowing he's not the only one nervous. He feels Jean-Paul's hand slide down his chest, fingers tucking into his pocket and freezes. Jean-Paul gives a small grin and steps back.
"There, all prepared."
Jamie slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out a small package, eyes going wide. He turns, gaping at Jean-Paul, holding out his hand.
"You should always be safe," Jean-Paul says, a bit seriously. "Remember Jamie. Always be safe." He shrugs. "Even if we can't contract most diseases, you never know."
Jamie's voice cracks. "Jean-"
"Now, it's not polite to keep your date waiting too long." He grabs Jamie's shocked frame and pushes him toward the door. "Fashionably late is one thing, but you're pushing it. Tease him too much, and he'll just give up. You have to learn your boundaries, Jamie."
Jamie holds out his hand, and tries again, but nothing comes out.
Jean-Paul closes his hand around Jamie's and shoves Jamie's hand in his pocket.
Jamie blinks, and allows himself to be turned around and started off down the hall. He can hear the bathroom door close as he reaches the stairs. Somehow he makes it out to the car, and Warren smiles brightly.
"Feeling better?"
Jamie squeezes his hand about Jean-Paul's 'gift' and shoves it further into his pocket, with a nervous smile. "Yea, all better."
"You're sure?"
Jamie takes a deep breath covertly and smiles genuinely as he exhales. "Yea, I'm sure."
Warren matches his smile and opens the passenger side door. "Good, because I have big plans for tonight."
Jamie smiles and climbs in, tucking his hand in his pocket compulsively. He watches Warren as he moves around the front of the car to the driver's side. His wings give of ruffle as he settles and Jamie shuffles closer toward the middle of the car as he puts on his seatbelt.
"Ready?" asks Warren, as he starts the car.
Jamie smoothes out his jacket and smiles. "Go."
Warren smiles back and starts the car. Jamie leans back as the radio starts and the car moves forward.
"Oh no, Warren," he says, reaching for the dial. "It's my turn to pick the station."
Warren shifts into gear and lets him.