In the Studio (AFTER SCHOOL, MON)

[Kat]

Ace shook his head in surprise and smiled at Chip, not having expected to have had the picture taken so quickly. "Mmm, I agree. Old style cameras do have more character, but at least with digital you can see the results right away instead of having to wait and develop film." He finished off his bottle of orange juice, setting the bottle on the table beside the couch.

"So, what kind of pictures do you want to take, then?" He slid his feet back onto the floor, sitting up straight and staring up at Chip. He wondered if it would seem too lame if he asked Chip if his camera had a timer so they could get a picture of them together. Maybe he'd just wait, there would be plenty of time for more personal pictures later.

[Cres]

Chip nodded to Ace's words about digital cameras.

"Yeah, it's a bother when you don't know how your picture turned out before you develop the film," he said and then grinned. "But then again, that's what makes a true artist - you develop a feel for it."

"So, what kind of pictures do you want to take, then?"

He looked at Ace with a thoughtful expression.

"We-ell... Since we don't have those clothes of your friend's, yet, I suppose we'll be doing some... leisure shooting instead." The other corner of his mouth rose to a playful smile. "How would you feel about getting rid of that shirt?"

[[sorry I've been a bit scarce... I've been dead beat and tired in the evenings lately, and couldn't focus on this]]

[Kat]

(don't worry, I've been really busy this week anyway so I haven't been around all that much either:)


Ace was a little surprised when Chip so blatantly got down to business, asking him to take off his shirt. There was a small little part of him that was begging him to get up and leave, to not put himself through this while another part of him begged him to take the shirt off and jump the older guy.

But it was his manipulative side that won through. A faint smirk on his lips he glanced up at Chip. "I quite like my shirt where it is, but you can feel free to try and influence me otherwise." He leaned back into the couch, his feet up on the cushions and his knees bent.

[Cres]

Chip raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. Then he smiled a little and left the camera on the stand, approaching the couch.

"Well, see, I was only thinking that you're way too gorgeous to be hidden beneath all that cloth," he said with a smooth voice, leaning his hands on the couch backrest on both sides of Ace's head, looking at the boy intently in the eyes - from a very short distance. He smiled. "And yes, I have been dying to have a look at that," he placed a careful hand on Ace's chest, "well-trained body of yours ever since I laid eyes on you."

He smirked and then pulled his hand away and placed it back on the backrest.

"But of course, if you're too shy," he purred, "I can live with the shirt."

He was contemplating on whether or not to kiss him. He wasn't sure how jumpy Ace was. He seemed to have his clicks, and it was some time since Chip had been doing anything with anyone other than the simple "get on the bed and I'll take your clothes off"-type.

[Kat]

Ace smiled as Chip called him gorgeous, watching as he walked over to the couch. When Chip stopped in front of him, laying both hands on either side of him on the couch he couldn't help but feel just a little nervous. Just what the hell had he been thinking, coming here? He'd only just met Chip that morning, he knew nothing about him, only that he was quite bigger than Ace. As Chip moved one hand to his chest Ace tensed a little, after having let his mind wander into unwelcome territory. He of course kept up the smirk on his face but worried a little that his eyes might not hold their amused look anymore. Chase always told him that his eyes gave him away.

"I can assure you it has nothing to do with shyness. I just don't see why I should show you anything. What would I get in return?" Trying to push his uneasiness and nerves aside, he did what he usually ended up doing in circumstances where he was finding himself afraid of someone. He turned on the arrogance.

He looked up into Chip's eyes, mustering up a look of defiance. "Would you mind moving your arms?"



(if Chip is interested enough in finding out what the deal is with Ace's sudden change in demeanor, he can feel free to hold Ace down against the couch, might do the brat some good to have someone draw out his fear that way;)

[Cres]

[[hehe, don’t think he isn’t interested… ;D]]

Chip saw the change of expression in Ace’s eyes and was slightly phased by it. Too much closeness, was it? Too straightforward approach? Should he back down?

But Ace’s words had quite an opposite effect from what the boy had probably planned. Chip didn’t appreciate being fooled around with too much. He was willing to let the blonde toy with him at the school, but he would not be pushed off like that. Heck, what did the boy think, anyway? That he could just mess with people indefinitely and they would just fold?

Chip shook his head very slowly.

“No,” he said, “I think I like my arms right where they are.” He frowned. “What’s the matter with you, anyway? I thought you came here to have some fun.”

[Kat]

As soon as Chip stated that he wouldn't move his arms Ace started panicking. "I don't call having my movement restricted fun," he cringed when he heard his voice waver, wondering if his obvious fear was turning Chip on the way it had turned his coach on, "so please just let me up." He knew there was no way he could overpower Chip, maybe he should just give in? It had always hurt less when he'd complied quickly.

Looking up into Chip's eyes again he tried his hardest to calm down, to slow his breathing and not appear so freaked out. He supposed it kind of was his fault anyway. He'd been the one to suggest they meet up and he'd been the one flirting with Chip all day, throwing him seductive glances and slinking around provacatively. Had he really expected anything else? "What do you want?" The words came out barely above a whisper, almost as though he hadn't wanted to say them. He just hoped that whatever it was Chip would end up wanting that it wouldn't be too painful, either physically or emotionally.

[Cres]

Chip saw right away that the boy was over-reacting. Afraid? Of him? Chip found that ludicrous at first, then recognised that he was in fact bigger than Ace. But that shouldn’t have shot the kid up the walls like that. Heck, Chip had dated dozens of guys bigger than him – well, he’d got badly beaten up one time but he rather not lingered on the thought. The point was that he hadn’t meant to scare Ace.

However, the truth was that he had. He eyed the boy with a frown. He realised something must have been wrong. But he also realised that had he let Ace up now, he’d probably run straight to the door and off from his life, and he wanted to find out what had made him climb the walls like that before he let him go. Besides, at the worst this could lead to a lawsuit, so he rather cleared it off. For the longest of moments, however, he was completely at a loss as to what to do or say. He hadn't expected a reaction like that.

"Look, I just thought we might have some fun and get to know each other," he finally said, stroking a gentle hand over his hair. "I didn't mean to scare you." He shook his head and dropped his arm from the backrest, and sat down on the couch next to him, his hand still lingering on his hair, but ready to leap up and catch him if he’d try to run away. Chip wasn’t about to leave this mess as it was. He wouldn’t let the boy leave until he’d sorted it out with him. "I thought you liked me."

[[arrgh, it was so hard to come up with a way for Chip to try to handle the situation. I hope this will push the events into the direction I was hoping.]]

[Kat]

When Chip finally did move, looking truly sorry that his actions had had such an effect on him, Ace realized immediately that once again, he'd completely overreacted. After all just a minute ago he honestly had been ready to make out with Chip, but then, like always, with a bit of unexpected aggression he'd allowed his past to run circles around the present, scaring him into believing that everyone was out to get him. Of course Chip wasn't going to rape him, he'd started a job at the school, he wasn't about to chance messing that up!

"Look, I'm sorry. I can't really explain why I acted the way I did," such a lie, he just still didn't want anyone to know, "and I'm sorry. I honestly was interested in you, but you probably think I'm entirely too much trouble now." Ace sank back into the couch, twisting away from Chip. In reality he actually wanted to cuddle into Chip's side and just stay there for a while. Whenever he had these kind of panic attacks before he usually found Chase and cuddled with him, but he wasn't about to suggest it with Chip. He didn't want to give the older guy the wrong impression after all. He'd already potentially tarnished his reputation enough right now as it is.

[Cres]

Chip smiled a bit, understanding all too well that there was something going on in the blonde’s head which he had no idea about. But he was relieved that the kid had calmed down. He let himself relax as well and leaned over, wrapping his arm around Ace’s shoulders and pulling him closer, very gently, not saying a word. He was worried about the boy, and was suspecting there was something deeper in his overreaction than he admitted. In any case, he felt a strong urge to protect Ace, and wanted to comfort him. For some reason, he felt he didn't dare to speak - an uncharacteristic emotion, since Chip usually could hardly keep his mouth shut.

But right now, he felt words were too much.

[Kat]

Ace didn't dare turn his head to look at Chip, wondering why he hadn't bothered to answer him. Maybe he really did think he was more trouble than he was worth but couldn't find a nice way to agree. Just as Ace was about to get up and leave, Chip leaned over and wrapped an arm around him, drawing him back into his arms. For a moment Ace was at a loss, he certainly hadn't been expecting Chip to pull him closer like this. Maybe he hadn't freaked him out too much after all, maybe Chip was one of those protective types who wanted someone to look after and take care of. Or maybe he didn't want to ruin his chances of having such a gorgeous model slip from his grasp.

Whatever ulterior motive it was that Chip had, Ace was glad for it at the moment as he allowed himself to sink against Chip's body, his head coming to rest on his shoulder. He even wrapped an arm around his waist, practically plastering himself to Chip. Even though it was calming him down, Ace still felt the need to try and explain himself just a little bit to Chip. The last thing he wanted was for the older guy to question and prod him about his actions. Still keeping his head on Chip's shoulder Ace tilted his head up a bit, making it easier for Chip to hear him. "As you can see, I have a bit of a control issue. I don't really deal well with people getting too physically aggressive around me." As soon as the words were out of his mouth he wondered if he maybe should have kept his mouth shut, the physical aggression line just seemed like it was going to give a little too much away.

[Cres]

Chip wrapped his arms around Ace, happy that he had decided to come so close. Now, perhaps they’d get somewhere. He listened to his words quietly, then kissed him on the forehead out of a whim and smiled a bit.

“Look, kid, I don’t judge relationships by how much they’re trouble to me.” He smirked ironically. “I would’ve given up on Dan years ago if I did.” Realising that had gone too close to his personal matters, he turned to look at Ace. He drew his hand carefully on the boy’s neck, caressing him. He found himself reacting to the boy’s body against him, but didn’t allow it to show as anything else than what he couldn’t control. His pants felt just a little less comfortable, but he tried not to focus on that. “I didn’t want to pressure you into anything. I was just messing with you.”<br>
He found he had a slight problem with focusing, so he stopped talking for a moment to reorganise his thoughts, hoping that the boy wouldn’t notice his slight problem in the lower department.

[Kat]

When Chip wrapped his arms around him and kissed him on the forehead, Ace smiled just a little. The forehead was such a sweet and tender place to kiss a person and he didn't get kissed there enough for his own liking. Then again most of the people he got close enough to weren't exactly tall enough to try. The only people who really ever kissed him there were Chase and his mother, when she'd come home and find him sleeping on the couch. His mind in a much happier place now, Ace listened as Chip talked, smiling when he mentioned Dan. He had a feeling that their friendship probably closely paralled he and Chase's and that thought made him happy.

Feeling Chip's hand make its way to his neck, Ace closed his eyes for a moment. He heard Chip say that he didn't want to pressure him into anything and wondered how long that would last. He had a feeling that his manipulative sexual behaviour wasn't going to work with Chip. He'd probably demand more out of him than anyone else ever dared to. "Chip, I really do think you're great and I don't want to steer you wrong," he paused and took a deep breath before going on, hoping that Chip wouldn't try to press him too deeply after what he was about to say, "but I really do have a lot of issues. I do a pretty good job of covering them up, because right now no one else has any idea how many problems I actually have. I just don't want you to get your hopes up, only to have me completely break them down." He tilted his head back farther, looking up into Chip's eyes. "I'm a lot of work. That's why I'm currently single right now and have been since my last relationship. I don't really trust myself with anyone, so if you actually are interested in me as anything other than a piece of ass, it'll take a lot of work." He looked away, feeling that small bit of bravery he'd had slip away. What the hell had he just said? Why would Chip want a relationship with him, especially after he'd just finished telling him how fucked up he was? It seemed like Chip was fucking up his common sense.

[Cres]

Chip took a moment to digest everything Ace had told him. He was surprised for his openness. A bit guiltily he thought he would never be able to give back the same. And another depressing thought had him hesitate upon going any further. The kid admitted himself to being a bit screwed up. How could he come and screw him up a little more, having only his own body to offer to the kid?

But he wanted so much to share some comfort with another who might understand. And he had a feeling, somehow, that Ace might. At least some things. He sighed and leaned his cheek on Ace's head.

"I'm not afraid of work," he said and kept holding him, a slight sadness in his voice. "And my heart's been broken plenty, don't you worry. I can take care of myself. What else is the game of love but taking risks?"

He had meant to say life, but he noticed his mistake when it was already too late to correct it.

[Kat]

Ace listened intently to what Chip was saying, a little relieved when Chip didn't seem like he was going to shove him aside and give up on him. When he made the comment about having had his heart been broken many times Ace wondered who had been doing the breaking. How many relationships had Chip been in exactly? Not that it mattered, but he was finding himself curious. When he made the comment about the game of love, though, Ace wondered if that comment was being factored into the present. Was Chip maybe falling in love with him? He knew a lot of people did, or at least thought they did. He was admittedly very charming and quite good at luring people in. Not that that really mattered either, he had a lot of love to give people. What harm could another heart be? So many people already had a part of his, he could stand to give a bit more away. Chip seemed like he was in need of something more than just physicality anyway.

He tilted his head up again, pressing his lips against Chip's cheek. "I'm sorry you haven't had a lot of luck with love so far. When I said I don't trust myself with others, it's not that I'm worried about hurting them. I just worry about getting too attached and hurting myself. But I'm already attached to a lot of people, so one more couldn't hurt." He smiled and kissed Chip again, twisting his legs around so that they were in front of him now, laid out across Chip's, instead of behind him. He'd put both arms around Chip's neck, his forehead pressed to Chip's. All that ever mattered was that he was the one in control always with an easy escape route if things got out of hand. Funny how something as simple as the position of his body could change his mood so quickly.