Booker's apartment really wasn't that far from the convention center. Once they got out, managing to dodge security and the cops (which Javier felt really guilty about, but told himself he'd volunteer information later), it only took a short walk to get away from the crowd and the con madness. Apparently there were other problems going on at other parts of the convention center, so Javier was not at all disappointed to be walking away from it.
Holding hands with Booker.

It was instinct at first, as they walked out of the lecture room; he held on so that they wouldn't lose each other in the crowd. Then he just kind of followed along, still reeling from all they had been through, and then by the time he realized they were walking hand in hand, Javier immediately began stressing about whether or not he should break contact, or if that would come off as rude, or keeping it could be seen as a sign, or whether Booker was just holding on out of politeness.
Yeah, the anxiety was still there.

Eventually, arriving to the building gave Javier the opportunity to let go (and the admission that, had he not had so many doubts and worries, he would have enjoyed holding hands), and he followed Booker inside the apartment. So far, so good. Privacy, and quiet, and possibly some cleanup. Javier glanced around in the same awkward way he usually did when vising people's personal spaces. Was he expected to take his shoes off? He did, just to be safe. He was kind of curious to see where Booker lived, but really did not want to intrude.

"I think my shirt is toast" he noted with a sigh, taking stock of the damage that needed to clean up "Wasn't planning on actually... you know, getting in a fight..." he added with a small smile "Yours definitely fared better."

It took effort but the duo had managed to escape the convention center without really being detained by the authorities. He heard rumors as they walked that other events were going on, similar to what they themselves had faced. Apparently a group of grumpy, powered nerds had decided to make King Con their proving ground against everything that bothered them. As thrilling as it sounded to witness, Booker didn’t want to be in the midst of it, especially when Javier was already having a rough time dealing with what had occurred. No, for as much of a fan of the X-Men as Booker was, he wasn’t going to jeopardise this man any further.

So they made their way out, doing their best to ensure that they didn’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of the pressing crowds. Police directed escaping fanboys and girls to the best of their ability until they finally just let everyone escape in whatever manner they pleased. Booker was thankful that they didn’t stop to question them further, as even the librarian was beginning to feel the fatigue from what had happened.

The trip back to his apartment, as promised, was a short one. But as the duo walked, it didn’t escape Booker’s attention that they were still holding hands. His cheeks flushed at the notion but he didn’t shy away from it either. As a matter of fact, it was actually a little funny how easily Javier’s hand slipped into his. It was comfortable...sweet...and certainly something that he didn’t want to end any time soon. But, as all good things must, it eventually had to.

Upon arriving at his building, the two mutually released their hands. Booker stepped forward, opening the door for Javier to step in and then followed behind him. It was still cool outside, considering the weather and time of year, so the building’s central heating provided a nice, comfortable temperature for its tenants. Booker made his way to the elevator, silence settled upon the two of them as he both watched Javier with concern and a small, shy smile. He really was glad he was okay...he just hoped that he stayed that way.

It seemed like he blinked and already Booker was opening the door to his and Nessa’s apartment. Stepping inside, he moved so Javier could join him and closed the door behind. Booker was too practiced at stepping into his own home so he broke apart from his guest, fishing out his keys and wallet and setting them inside a bowl that was directly next to the front door. Quickly he started to detach the straps of his shield, his helmet, and set them aside on a nearby chair. He would clean up later, for now he apparently had a guest to entertain.

Turning back to Javier, hands on his hips, he watched as the man struggled to take his shoes off. Booker snorted, grinning as he covered his mouth. Really Javier didn’t have to do that but he wasn’t going to embarrass him. Instead, the librarian simply kneeled down and started to untie his boots as well. When in Rome, as they say...

>>"I think my shirt is toast"

Slipping off his boots, Booker straightened up. He moved closer to Javier, frowning but amused at the rather pathetic state of Javier’s costume. It honestly didn’t look all that bad considering he was momentarily buried in concrete and fled from burning debris.

>>"Wasn't planning on actually... you know, getting in a fight...Yours definitely fared better."

Booker chuckled as he reached out, running his fingers over the tears and broken off pieces of his friend’s costume. He clicked his tongue, smiling. ”Can’t take you anywhere nice, can I?” he teased. He then looked down at his own costume. True, it wasn’t as bad as Javier’s, then again most of Booker’s adapted aura seemed to have stayed off the worst of it. ”Haha, well, I did pay a pretty penny for it. If it didn’t hold up, I’d have to have words with the seller.” He was kidding, of course. Booker was not one of those people who assumed that the costume were actually functional, as awesome as that would be. He took a few steps back.

His apartment was fairly spacious, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and feeling very much like a blend between Booker and his sister. A comfy looking couch sat in the living room, in front of a large, flatscreen TV, complete with several gaming consoles attached. All around, on bookshelves of a variety of sizes and shapes were books of all kinds, ranging from fiction, to sciences, to graphic novels. Even the knick-knacks had a decidedly nerd and yet classy appeal to them. Booker stood before all this, a little awkward and unsure of what to say before he recalled why it was Javier wanted to leave in the first place.

’That’s right, you wanted to clean up, right?” he asked. He gestured to where the bathroom door was. ”Bathroom is in there, feel free to use anything that isn’t decidedly female looking, those belong to my sister.” He thought. ”If you want I can take a look and see if I have anything spare for you to wear? I’m a…little taller than you but, I’m sure I can find something that works.”

They walked in, both taking off their boots at the entrance. Javier was feeling curious about the apartment, even though the adrenaline had left his system a while ago, and he was also beginning to feel the aftereffects of the fight. His clothes were definitely showing the damage. The utility belt was mostly intact, but the shoulder strap was gone, and there were tears in his shirt. Booker stepped closer, assessing the damage with a light touch, which made Javier grow still.

>>”Can’t take you anywhere nice, can I?”

He felt his cheeks turn red. Booker had his shield and helmet off now, and there was the usual good-natured, mischievous look in his eyes. He probably once again did not realize what his words sounded like from the outside.

Javier looked around the apartment as Booker allowed him a moment, making a joke about his costume. It was nice, definitely showing signs of two different people living there, although it was not always easy which thing belonged to which person. The nerdy stuff, that he could guess. It was endearing in a way, much like Booker himself.

>>’That’s right, you wanted to clean up, right? Bathroom is in there, feel free to use anything that isn’t decidedly female looking, those belong to my sister. If you want I can take a look and see if I have anything spare for you to wear? I’m a…little taller than you but, I’m sure I can find something that works.”

Javier cleared his throat. The idea of wearing Booker's clothes was... weird. Strangely familiar, in a way that he felt like he was definitely crossing over into some kind of personal space.

"A shirt would be nice" he nodded finally, resolving to the idea that Booker's shirt was going to look loose on him "The pants just... I just need something until they are clean. If it's not a problem to wash them?" Having worn black to the con, his cargo pants were now a mess of dust and paint chips from the falling debris. He really did not need to trek that all over the apartment.

Javier needed to change. Unlike Booker, who was in his own environment and able to change into whatever clothes he pleased, Javier was decidedly not in his own home; rather, he was in a stranger’s home, and a stranger who had several inches on him (height wise, that is). Javier had only come in his current state of clothing and they had been decidedly wrecked thanks to the incident at the convention center. That meant he had nothing to change into. As flustering as that thought was, Booker was quick to point out the possibility of finding something for him to wear. There were close to the same physique but the problem was that the librarian was just a tad taller than him. Still, surely there was something he could do.

So he offered. Javier needed to change and he needed to wash up. He pointed him to the bathroom, along with what items were available for him to use (he would have hated to hear from his sister about letting total strangers use her body wash), and offered to search for clothes for him. Notably, Javier froze a bit, seeming unsure what to think about the prospect, but agreed.

>>"A shirt would be nice...The pants just... I just need something until they are clean. If it's not a problem to wash them?"

He waved his hand dismissively. ”Not a problem at all! Can’t very well let you sit around all day in soot, can I?” A pause. Ahem. ”If you want to get started in the shower, feel free. If you’d rather way until I get back with clothes for you then take a look around.” He paused, giving him a serious look. ”Just...don’t pick up anything that ancient or cursed, okay?”

He was teasing. Of course he was. Ahem.

Stepping away from Javier, Booker moved into his own room, closing the door behind him. He pulled off his gloves and started to undo all the straps and belts attached to his heroic, battle-worn uniform. It felt good to take the extra weight off of his body, despite how much each one completed his costume. Tossing them onto his bed, he moved to his closet were he started to dig through his belongings. After only a short few moments, it seemed hopeless, how would Javier fit into anything he had? He guessed Javier didn’t really need to fit perfectly into them, it was just a temporary loan, after all, but he still wanted the other to be comfortable. Hrm…

Booker continued to dig through his closet, shifting out of his normal wear and into things that were worn with less frequency. Finally he struck gold with shirts that were given as gifts but were a size smaller than they needed to be. Probably still wouldn’t fit Javier to a tee, but at least he wouldn’t be vastly swimming in it. Then again, the subject matter could have been something a little less...proposal-y? Was that even a word? He remembered one of his co-workers gave him that shirt as a gag gift for Christmas. Of course, now, it would be the only shirt that would even come close to fitting Javier.

Feeling a blush creep on his cheeks, he shook his head to dismissive the stray thoughts. ”Get a hold of yourself, Booker,” he grumbled to himself. He tried not to think about how he felt back in the convention center, when he thought Javier had been badly hurt. He tried not to focus on them sitting together in that dark auditorium. And he really tried to not focus on how long they held one another’s hand without shying away. They were just clothes, nothing more.

With a sigh, he pulled out the shirt, as well as a pair of plain, black, drawstring sweatpants. That should be enough to at least allow the tailor some comfort. With clothing in hand, he came out of his room, looking to see where Javier had run off to.

Javier did not really like to rely on asking favors. It came with too many awkward considerations, and it made him feel like he was being a burden on someone else's time and energy. But now he was in Booker's apartment, at Booker's invitation, so there was really no other way around managing to look halfway presentable.

>>”Not a problem at all! Can’t very well let you sit around all day in soot, can I?... If you want to get started in the shower, feel free. If you’d rather way until I get back with clothes for you then take a look around. Just...don’t pick up anything that ancient or cursed, okay?”

Javier laughed a little, and Booker hurried away to get some clothes. He decided to stay outside the bathroom and wait, to avoid the awkward dilemma of whether Booker wanted to bring the clothes in, or if he'd have to venture out for them in a towel, like some strange romantic movie. Javier sighed, shaking is head as overthinking threatened to overwhelm him again. To calm down, he filled the waiting time with going through his utility belt, making sure he still had his keys, money, ID, phone, and other important items.

He looked up when Booker returned with some clothes.

"Thanks" he smiled a little awkwardly "I'll just be a minute..."

Other people's bathrooms were dangerous territory. Once left alone, Javier made sure to take a look around, to avoid accidentally knocking things over. He carefully peeled off his clothes, put them in a small pile, then got into the shower. The hot water (once he found it) was relaxing to his sore muscles, and washed the dust and sweat away. He couldn't help but sense that the scent of the soap was familiar. Once he got out and dried off, he made sure that the shower was clean, and that he did not splash water everywhere.
He only noticed the words on the shirt when he put it on. It was not a snug fit, but at least it didn't hand too awkwardly on his lighter frame. It also smelled clean, and in a way it smelled like Booker. Javier read the writing, smiled a little, and for a moment indulged in a fantasy in which the shirt-giving had been actually intentional.

Oh come on, dude. Now you're just a teenage girl.

It wasn't like Javier was afraid to admit that he had a crush on Booker. That seemed like the default thing to have. Booker was so nice and friendly to everyone, just so... likable, in many ways, that Javier was surprised he was not being followed around by fans all the time. It was only natural to have some sort of a crush on him. But that didn't mean Javier would ever be dumb enough to actually assume it was something he should act on.

He walked out of the bathroom in the shirt and the pants (the latter at least held up well enough not to cause any worries).

"A lot better" he sighed with a smile. He absent-mindedly rubbed his forearms, where the bruises and scratches were more visible now, after the shower. Things felt like they were slowly getting back to normal. "Shower's all yours, Lieutenant..."

It didn’t take Booker long to locate where Javier was. After he had exited his bedroom, clothes in hand, he found the tailor still milling out in the opening. He probably wanted to avoid any awkward situations, namely how to transfer ownership of lent clothes while he was in the shower. Neither option seemed to present non-blush worthy outcome, starring Booker either walking into the bathroom to awkwardly hang the clothes on the towel rack, or waiting outside while Javier stepped out in not but a towel. Even just the thought of it threatened to make the librarian’s cheeks heat up, so he quickly dismissed them with a shake of his head.

>>"Thanks...I'll just be a minute..."

”Sure! Take two if you need to!” God that was cheesy. Booker really wanted to hit himself for saying that. Thankfully he wasn’t sure exactly how much of it the tailor had heard as he had already collected the borrowed clothing and excused himself into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Booker breathed a sigh, reminded himself to man up, and turned back to his bedroom.

Javier looked good. Well, Javier always looked good, but he meant more in the emotional sense. After the convention, he had been worried that his friend had been worse for the wear, that he was more hurt than he was letting on. But easy smiles and blushing looks all seemed to indicate that he was actually okay. At least that was what Booker hoped. He’d know more once Javier was changed and out of his torn up clothing.

Once in his room, Booker went about the task of finding something for himself to wear. He didn’t need to spend nearly as much time on choices as he did with the tailor, but it still seemed to be like a tough task. As he looked through his clothes, pushing them side to side on their hangers, he found it more difficult than he should. Shirts either didn’t look right or conveyed the wrong message, or were just...stupid. Ugh! Why was this hard!? Finally he settled on something that was kind of funny and a nice throwback to the games of old. But was dysentery really that funny? Whatever, it classic Oregon Way and it was the only thing he really felt like he could settle on.

With that, and a pair of jeans, and boxers, the librarian stepped out from his bathroom just in time to hear the shower stop. He grabbed a laundry basket, setting it nearby, draped the clothes he was going to change into over a chair and made his way into the kitchen. He was still playing host so he guessed that he could actually offer the tailor some refreshments; he was going to have to wait for his pants to finish being washed, after all.

In the kitchen, Booker started some coffee and peeked into fridge to see if there was anything he could really offer him. Booker had been to the store so he was fully stocked in edibles but he wasn’t quite sure what Javier would like; considering that a roof had fallen on him, Booker guessed he could have whatever he wanted.

The sound of the door finally opening and Booker peeked out, smiling to the other.

>>"A lot better...Showers all yours, Lieutenant..."

Booker smirked and saluated the other. Watching him in his clothing, especially that t-shirt, made the librarian pause. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he had to admit that the shirt looked good on him. He even vaguely fantasized what his answer would be had Jaiver actually asked him. Nope, he needed to pull back. He wasn’t going to allow himself to get lost into those thoughts right now. Not at all.

”Haha, well thank you,” Booker laughed. He picked up the clothes he was changing into from the chair. ”Um, I’ve set some coffee if you want to pour yourself a mug when it’s done,” he gestured to the couch and TV. ’Sit back and relax if you want for now?” And then he nudged the laundry basket on the ground. ”OH, and put your...pants...in there. I’ll set the washer once I’m out. Okay?”

Another smile. Another sigh. Finally Booker excused himself and entered his own bathroom, closing the door behind him. Yeah, this was totally going well...

Javier exited the bathroom, and the cooler air of the apartment felt good on his skin. Booker was in the kitchen, doing... kitchen things. Javier hoped that he did not take up too much time; the librarian also deserved a shower and some clean clothes after what they had just been through.

>>”Haha, well thank you. Um, I’ve set some coffee if you want to pour yourself a mug when it’s done. Sit back and relax if you want for now?”

"Sounds good" Javier nodded with a smile. Coffee sounded good. Honestly, he was starving, but he was not going to bring that up until later. He knew that if he had been the host, he would already be stressing about feeding his guests anyway.

>>”OH, and put your...pants...in there. I’ll set the washer once I’m out. Okay?”

Javi nodded, and Booker disappeared in the bathroom. He put his carefully folded laundry in the basket, and then went to pour himself a mug of coffee and some milk, before he found a comfortable spot on the living room couch. He relaxed with a sigh, and waited for the coffee to cool to a drinkable temperature. Trying to make himself at home. Trying to not think too much about the fact that Booker was showering one door away.

"Get a grip, Javier" he muttered to himself, and looked around. On the coffee table, he discovered some Lieutenant USA comics; Booker must have used them for reference recently, because the costumes looked familiar. He picked a volume up, flipping through it. It had been quite a while since he'd read comics... He started going page by page, trying to pick up on storylines and characters. Lieutenant USA was a pretty straightforward character; but despite the great artwork, Javier had to admit, Booker managed to be a lot more likable somehow. How he did it was a mystery. Javier sipped the coffee, and turned the pages, slowly settling into the story.

>>"Sounds good"

Once it was confirmed that Javier was good with everything, Booker abandoned him to the wilds of his apartment. Closing the door behind him, the librarian took on, long, steadying breath. This didn’t need to be awkward. Why was it feeling awkward? He continued to chastise himself as he unbuckled parts of his costume, peeling them off of his muscled physique.

The shirt off, he peered at himself in the foggy mirror -- not a scratch. Considering everything that happened between him and Flying Fox, he was almost surprised by that. Then again, he was an adapted and his abilities tended to cancel out all aspects of someone’s abilities, including side effects that they possessed. If someone could control fire, then Booker wouldn’t get burned by it, even it was something that they generated and was set far away from them. And yet, a glance down at his arms, and he could see the slight bruising from the rope that the hero had used to lasso and pull him away from Javier. There was, clearly, still a lot to learn about his abilities.

Shaking the thoughts away, he proceeded to remove the last of his costume tossing it into a corner of the bathroom. He paused then, taking another small breath when the notion struck him that Javier was just one door away. He felt stupid for thinking it, for allowing the thoughts to make his skin a fierce shade of red. Really, he needed to get ahold of himself. He was relieved that his friend was okay, that was all. What was all this suddenly strange rush of affection for the tailor?

Shower curtain pulled aside, Booker climbed in and just stood under the torrent of hot water for a few minutes. Eyes closed, letting the streams of liquid run down the length of his body, the librarian just sighed, allowing the tension to ease itself out of his shoulders and the rest of his taut muscles. He had been tired after conventions before but this was just ridiculous. To make matters worse, there was still some obvious tension that he simply wasn’t acknowledging -- and he wouldn’t because...well...reasons.

Booker took his time in the shower. Not because he didn’t want to spend time with the tailor but...also kind of because that. He didn’t want to say or do anything stupid in front of Javier, seeing as he had already shoved his foot so far down his throat today that he could easily hop on one foot still. He needed time, time to wash off his fears, and quell whatever strange feelings he was having towards the tailor. Seeing as he had already put him through enough, Booker resolved to believe that whatever was happening, it was just relief at seeing that Javier was okay. That was all.

Shampoo washed out, body wash rinsed, and Booker finally turned the water off before grabbing a towel to wrap around his waist. Drying himself off, he ran a comb through his hair, being surprisingly nitpicky over his appearance. He probably should shave, right? No...no there wasn’t a reason to. He sighed, so much for washing the awkward off. Oh well, at least things couldn’t get any worse.

Once he was dried, Booker began to dress; first the boxers, then his jeans, and finally…

”...are you ****ing kidding me?” he grumbled.

He couldn’t find his shirt. He saw the pile of his costume, a few towels, but absolutely no shirt. It seemed that, in his attempts to give Javier his space, he had only grabbed his jeans and his underwear. He guessed it could have been worse but, ugh! Dammit! A steadying breath and Booker gulped. It wasn’t like he could stay in here forever. Maybe if he acted nonchalant, yeah! Javier was probably on the couch, maybe enraptured with the TV. He wouldn’t see Booker, the librarian was sure of it.

So, steeling his nerves, and ensuring that he was appropriately dried off, the very well-toned and topless librarian opened the door and peeked out. He could see Javier on the couch, looking down at something. Even better! Slowly he opened the door, the steam from his hot shower rolling out across his feet. He tipped a few toes and then managed to nudge one of them, hard, against side table with one of Nessa’s prized knick-knacks. The clatter of it falling over would have turned a deaf man in his direction. And seeing as Javier wasn’t deaf…

Booker paused, frozen like a deer in headlights as he locked eyes with Javier. He reddened again before he smiled awkwardly. ”...hi…” He stood a few more moments, just staring at the tailor, curled his lips over his teeth and gestured to a nearby chair. ”Just...you know...left my shirt...out here…by accident.” Casually he plucked it up and started to pull it on.

Smooth Booker. Real smooth.

Javier was only vaguely aware that the shower turned off. He actually was getting immersed in the story of the Lieutenant USA comic now, which was a much needed relief from reality, and overthinking things due to his strange new environment.
The clatter, however... that he noticed. The tailor jumped, only managing by sheer luck not to spill coffee on Booker's comics. Turning around, he saw...

>>”...hi… Just...you know...left my shirt...out here…by accident.”

A very shirtless Booker fresh out of a shower.

Not like he had not seen the librarian shirtless before. He kinda had, during their costuming sessions... hell, he even had to rip a mock shirt off of him once. But that was different, because that was work, and kind of not a full picture, and at a distance, looking up... well. Javier inhaled some hot coffee, and went from staring straight to coughing fit. Saved by the lungs?... It was embarrassing either way. Damn.

"Tis okay" he managed finally, not sure where to look; he was sure the image was burned into his memory now, for better or worse "I mean, it's not like I haven't..." god no Javi why "... not like you need..." stop it just stop talking stop it "... I mean you obviously look really..." give up you lost admit it "... I'm such a dork. Sorry." That last part came out with a defeated sigh, as Javier set the coffee mug down, and flopped back on the couch, covering his face. "Sorry. I don't do well in people's personal... spaces. Or... in spaces. Or persons. In general."

Booker felt awful. He didn’t know why he felt awful. But he felt awful. Standing in the middle of his living room, dressed in only his jeans, the towering, well-toned librarian found himself staring at the man that he was trying very hard to not think about. Of course it was difficult to do that when you’re half-naked, the chill air of the apartment rolling over his bare skin. He had to argue with himself, wondering why he was so embarrassed about this. After all, it really wasn’t the first time that Javier had seen him in this state. Hell, the man had even cut him out of a shirt once. But why was this different?

>>"Tis okay"

Javier’s nonchalant voice pulled Booker out of the moment. He shared with him a weak smile, reaching over to grab his comedic shirt. As he pulled it on, over his head, covering his bare chest once more, he sighed a bit in relief. That definitely felt better, but it did little to really shoo the embarrassment from his mind. Why was he being like this. Javier was a good guy and it wasn’t like he was going to make fun of him. But it wasn’t mocking that Booker was shy of, it was the fact that, possibly, there was something else bubbling under the surface that he had yet to acknowledge.

But no, it couldn’t be as simple as all that. Javier was a good friend, someone to hang out with, someone that made Booker smile and a person he wanted to spend time with. There wasn’t anything wrong with that. And still, he found himself so awkward around him, blushing around thoughts that would suddenly germinate in his mind.

And it was clear that he wasn’t the only one...

>>”I mean, it's not like I haven't... not like you need...I mean you obviously look really... I'm such a dork. Sorry."

Booker raised his eyebrows, listening as the tailor tried to show inform him that it was okay and totally not awkward. However, his attempts had quickly proved that the awkwardness was still there as he fumbled over his words, stopping, reversing, and just plain driving over his original points in an attempt to try and make it not seem like a big deal. It was actually...amusing. Booker smiled, covering his mouth as he watched the tailor try so hard to make this okay but seemingly continued to fail at every turn.

It was almost endearing, causing sympathy to bubble up in Booker as he crept over, carefully, not wanting to spook his friend. Finally Javier seemingly just gave up, plopping himself back against the couch, covering his face. Booker took the opportunity to slide onto the couch as well, resting his hands on his knees as he waited for Javier’s lamentation to come to an end.

>>"Sorry. I don't do well in people's personal... spaces. Or... in spaces. Or persons. In general."

He snorted. He turned himself, one leg curled up under him as he faced the tailor. Giving Javier’s shoulder a squeeze, Booker just smiled sweetly when he would finally turn to peer through his fingers to look at him. ”Hey, it’s...okay. Really.” He said with a nod. ”We both...kind of...went through a lot,” he said with a smirk. ”We’re bound to be a little...off right now. But you’re fine. I’m fine. No reason to be embarrassed here. I promise.”

Javier wanted to just... sink. Into the ground, or out of existence, it didn't really matter, he just needed an out of the situation, somehow. Sure, it was impossible, but nice to think about while he tried to not say anything any more stupid than he already had, and also not look like he was about to pass out. Geez, there was really no way out.
The couch shifted next to him, and he could tell that Booker was sitting right there. Javier took a deep breath. He was a mess. He managed to be a complete mess, after Booker invited him over we held hands and everything. Pathetic. This memory was going to be solely responsible for a whole lot of sleepless nights...

>>”Hey, it’s...okay. Really. We both...kind of...went through a lot. We’re bound to be a little...off right now. But you’re fine. I’m fine. No reason to be embarrassed here. I promise.”

He sounded so calm. There was a hand on his shoulder, and Javier managed to force himself to look up. Booker meant what he said, he always did. He was like... oil on water. His aura cancelled mutant powers, but there was something else about him that... was just calm. Javier let out a slow sigh. Maybe he would survive this day. One breath at a time.

"Thanks" he said finally, looking down at his hands. Booker was definitely wearing a shirt now, but still, he did not trust the blush all that much "I mean... for everything. It's... I have had powers for years and I never used them. I mean, I did, just... whenever it was a crisis, and there was no other choice. I'm not a vigilante, or a superhero, or anything, so I don't usually... talk about it. It never felt important." He really wasn't trying to make Booker pity him; he was probably doing that all on his own already. But talking helped make sense of things. "I'd be lying if I said I never had a wall collapse on me before..." he shuddered a little at the memory "But when things go wrong, my first instinct is to get out of there. It's just... how my brain works." He shrugged a little. Stating facts. "But back at the con, when those two started wrecking things, and hurting people, you ran straight into it to help people. I mean,
sure, you were already dressed as a superhero..." he chuckled a little "... but seeing you act like one, that's... you're great,
is what I'm saying. I'm kind of a mess, but. I am glad I was there."

Though he was slightly amused at the rambles that came out of Javier, he wasn’t going to mock him. The man was clearly nervous, trying to find his proper footing, correcting himself, then falling over again and again and again, like tripping and falling down an escalator for all time. While it could be funny, it was also a little painful to watch. He didn’t want Javier to feel like he needed to be so embarrassed around him but there were some things that even the librarian couldn’t fix. Whatever inner thoughts Javier was battling with, the only thing that Booker could do was stand by and provide whatever assurances he could.

And that was what he did. Sitting next to the tailor, he turned towards him, giving him a warm and inviting smile. He tried to remind him that he was okay, that he didn’t need to feel so awkward around him. The event at the convention was...rattling, to say the least. Booker was put in a situation that he never thought he would be in and almost witnessed something he never wanted to live through again; they had every right to be just a tad nervous.

Not to mention the fact that there were bubbling feelings that Booker was unsure if he should tap into. But it was best to handle one situation at a time.

Javier seemed spurred on by Booker’s calming words. A shaky breath and he uncovered his face, returning the gaze that the librarian gave them. The duo still seemed to be suffering from a bit of awkwardness but at least Javier wasn’t a completely, crumbling mess. As a matter of fact, he actually opened up a little…

>>"Thanks...I mean... for everything. It's... I have had powers for years and I never used them. I mean, I did, just... whenever it was a crisis, and there was no other choice. I'm not a vigilante, or a superhero, or anything, so I don't usually... talk about it. It never felt important."

Booker had always believed himself to be an excellent listener. As a matter of fact, many of his female friends and relationships had said that about him. That, even if things ended, the one trait that they always loved about him was how engaged he was when he listened. Sitting next to someone, his gaze never really broken from them as he listened and took in every single word. Booker liked to listen to people talk, and he especially liked to listen to Javier.

It wasn’t just the sound of Javier’s voice that Booker enjoyed, it was the fact that he was actually opening up to him. Normally Javier was so quiet, to the point where the librarian did most of the talking. But this was different, he was actually listening as Javier kind of poured his heart out about an aspect of himself that Booker never knew. And he was grateful for the opportunity.

>>"I'd be lying if I said I never had a wall collapse on me before...But when things go wrong, my first instinct is to get out of there. It's just... how my brain works."

Booker frowned slightly, sighing as he listened. He knew that Javier had anxieties that he worked through, but it was so hard to hear how he had to make do with such unreliable abilities as well. In the end he just believed that was how his brain worked, but...that wasn’t entirely accurate, was it? If it were, he would have run away once things had started to go down at the convention center, but he stayed behind -- he helped.

>>”But back at the con, when those two started wrecking things, and hurting people, you ran straight into it to help people. I mean, sure, you were already dressed as a superhero... but seeing you act like one, that's... you're great, is what I'm saying. I'm kind of a mess, but. I am glad I was there."

It was...odd to hear Javier speak of Booker like that. The librarian had never really imagined himself as a “superhero”. He had thrown himself into the thick of danger before, never because he wanted praise, simply because he always wanted to do the right thing. Protecting people, that was always the right thing to do. Still, Nessa hated it when he talked like that. She almost lost her brother once and was vehemet that he wouldn’t do it again. Clearly he didn’t need to let her know about this incident.

Still, it was nice to hear the praise and, something akin to adoration, coming from Javier. It stoked Booker’s ego, just a tiny bit. But it was hard to hear the tailor speak so poorly of himself. He claimed he was a mess, but Booker didn’t think so.

A serious look on his face, he shook his head as he placed his hand on Javier’s arm. When he look at him again, Booker spoke. ”You’re not a mess, though. You helped. How many people were just standing around, taking selfies or didn’t know what to do? Javier...you helped me. You didn’t have to...but you did...” he said softly. ’You...you know...you should give yourself a bit more credit. Clearly I’m not the only ‘hero’ around here...even if you don’t mean to be.”

Javier was not even sure why he was rambling. Booker listened well, and very attentively; he was not laughing at him, and he showed all the small signs of empathy, like the touch on his arm. It made it easier to talk. Javier also talked because he hoped against all hope that eventually the jumble of words would arrange itself into something that explained at least part of what he was feeling. Which would have been nice, because he himself was not sure what he was feeling either. Except warmth, now that they were sitting side by side.

>>”You’re not a mess, though. You helped. How many people were just standing around, taking selfies or didn’t know what to do? Javier...you helped me. You didn’t have to...but you did... You...you know...you should give yourself a bit more credit. Clearly I’m not the only ‘hero’ around here...even if you don’t mean to be.”

"Well... I was following you." Javier admitted with a small smile. He was. He had been. Booker ran in to help, and Javier would have been a really sh*tty friend if he let him do it alone. Especially with his powers. Especially since Booker shielded him in the fight. Which he still did not know how to think of without feeling overwhelmed.

"When I was in college, one day... there was an accident at one of the labs. The whole thing caved in. I... managed to hold it up, until people got out, but then I got buried. I never really trusted my powers after that." he admitted "I think they have... something to do with my mental state. Or, don't know, maybe how focused I am. So when they were cutting in and out around you, I just... kind of assumed it was..."

Where was he going with this again?...

"... me being distracted."

Right.

"I mean, I was trying to help. But it's not... really heroic, if you can't actually help." he noted finally, looking down at his bruises. He glanced up at Booker and shook his head "Sorry, Booker. You were in that mess too. Are you doing okay?"

>>"Well... I was following you."

Booker smiled and looked down a bit. Javier had actually gone to help those innocent people, but had lamented that he was only doing so because he had watched his friend run off to help. As sweet, and stupid, as that was, Booker knew it couldn’t be the whole truth. After all, after he was done with Flying Fox, Booker watched as Javier tried to stand down Above Average Man, even going so far as to demand that he stop what he was doing. It was inspiring, to say the least, especially given the tailor’s shaky faith with his abilities. Still, Booker was sure that if he had said as much to him, the tailor would simply dismiss it again.

He wanted to be there for Javier, to help pull him out of the anxiety that had bubbled to the surface.Javier was doing better, sure, but clearly he still had some cogwebs to shake off. And, while he didn’t seem as distracted as he was at the convention, he was suffering a whole different level of it. What it was, Booker didn’t know, or rather, he had an inkling that he wasn’t quite sure how to approach.

>>"When I was in college, one day... there was an accident at one of the labs. The whole thing caved in. I... managed to hold it up, until people got out, but then I got buried. I never really trusted my powers after that…I think they have... something to do with my mental state. Or, don't know, maybe how focused I am. So when they were cutting in and out around you, I just... kind of assumed it was..."

Booker listened with undivided attention at what he was being told, an origin story. Had this been in a comic book or a movie, Booker would not have been able to turn away. A lab experiment, the sudden rise of powers, it was like every fantastical story that the librarian loved to read about. But the fact that it happened to Javier and, not only that, clued him in as to the reason for his unreliable abilities, Booker was just awestruck.

>>"... me being distracted."

He tilted his head. Javier didn’t know he was an adapted until today so he had attributed his weakened abilities to just being caused by a distraction -- a Booker-shaped distraction. The librarian mulled on this for a few moments -- what about him was so distracting? Javier didn’t give him time to ponder as he just continued to ramble on.

>>"I mean, I was trying to help. But it's not... really heroic, if you can't actually help...Sorry, Booker. You were in that mess too. Are you doing okay?"

Booker shook his head, coming back to reality. He still had questions but he wasn’t going to rude and ignore Javier’s. He nodded, glancing at his body. Aside from the slight bruising on his arms from the taut line that Flying Fox wrapped him in, he was fine. ”Oh, yeah, heh, I’m okay. Couple of bruises, nothing more.” he shrugged. He then gulped as he leaned against the couch, still eyeing Javier closely. ”I was scared, that much is true. But...if we’re being honest...the thing that most scared me was...seeing you possibly hurt.” He admitted this as he watched the other for a reaction. ”Kinda like you, I discovered my abilities in a...pretty traumatic way…” His thumb gently ran, back and forth, over Javier’s arm. ”...I’ve seen people get hurt. And...for some reason...I...really…really...didn’t want you to get hurt.” He leaned in a little, not too much since he didn’t want to spook Javier. ”So...I’m amazing right now...because I know you’re okay.”

It was selfish to go off on a ramble about one's own traumatic experience, trying to talk and work through it, without acknowledging that someone else had also been through it. And anxiety was not an excuse for that kind of selfishness. Javier was generally a caring person; he wanted to make sure Booker was okay, and not overwhelm him with his own thinking out loud.

>>”Oh, yeah, heh, I’m okay. Couple of bruises, nothing more... I was scared, that much is true. But...if we’re being honest...the thing that most scared me was...seeing you possibly hurt.”

Javier grew more still. He looked over Booker; he could see some of the red marks from the zip line on his arms, but he was not cut or bleeding anywhere. In movies, sometimes people looked okay until they were not, from some wound they were heroically hiding. But Booker really seemed okay, even by Javier's standards of worry.
But then he talked about how he was scared of seeing Javier hurt.

>>”Kinda like you, I discovered my abilities in a...pretty traumatic way… ...I’ve seen people get hurt. And...for some reason...I...really…really...didn’t want you to get hurt.”

Javier looked a Booker, and he really couldn't... say anything. It was just something in his face, or his eyes, or the soft touch on his arm as he talked. Javier felt half mesmerized and half scared that whatever he could say would come off as awful.

>>”So...I’m amazing right now...because I know you’re okay.”

His breath came out as a little laugh, and Javier shook his head. Really, he didn't deserve Booker like this, next to him. No one really did.

"See, that's... that's just you, Booker" he said with a chuckle "Whatever Lieutenant USA has, or whatever you cosplay as, it's not really... that. I still can't really believe you stepped in front of me, just like that. I guess I didn't think people did that, in real life... I mean... When... Flying Fox threw the table at us, I thought I could stop it, and just... I didn't want you to get hurt either.
It didn't go... quite that well. And I was thinking about all these things, and what would happen, and... You just did it. It's just, you think of the kind of person who would do that, without thinking, and... god, sorry, I'm rambling again."