To Booker, it didn’t matter that Javier didn’t know what he really wanted to do with his powers yet. Booker respected all mutants (except for the homicidal ones) and only wanted them to do whatever was right to make them happy. If Javier wanted to be a vigilante, then awesome; if he wanted to be a tailor, that was amazing too. The librarian was too peppy to judge anything too harshly. Javier deserved to be happy, whatever “happy” meant to him.

Could his powers grow? Possibly. Could he never get a handle on them? That was possible too. At the end of the day, Javier’s powers were his own and he needed to learn how to navigate them. But, no matter the outcome, Javier would have Booker in his cheering squad.

Another sip of his iced tea and he watched the smile form on the tailor’s face. Javier really seemed to appreciate his words. Exes before would always comment on how hard it was to break up with him considering how supportive he could be. He was glad his support wasn’t being viewed negatively for a change.

>>"You know, I never liked the whole vigilante idea...I think maybe a little bit because I felt like that is what is expected of someone like me. But... recently... I mean, working on your cosplay, but also some other new clients... I think I could be good at it. Not the... superhero thing. But, doing what I do. Making actual outfits for them...Sounds a little stupid when I say it out loud."

Booker nodded, thoughtfully listening as he chewed on meal. Javier didn’t want to do what was expected of him. Instead it seemed that he had other ideas in mind. He wanted to mix his passions, namely in making functional clothing for heroes. He remember Javier telling him it was something that he wanted to do when he first went in for his fitting. Honestly it sounded like the best idea to the librarian. It was one of those things that people didn’t think about when it came to heroes -- how did they come across those uniforms?

”But it’s not silly at all,” Booker said brightly. ”If that is what you want then do it.” Another sip of his drink. ”You clearly have a talent for what you do. And, from what I see, heroes like the X-Men could definitely use your talents.” He smirked. ”Like that old detective guy that runs around with them from time to time. When’s he finally going to get a costume? Maybe you could make one for him.” He grinned.

Saying plans out loud like that always made them sound less awesome than they seemed. It was the moment of truth: If whoever was listening had a forced smile and a nod, then the idea was as good as dead, in Javi's mind. There was no reason to work on something that only he found actually valuable.

>>”But it’s not silly at all. If that is what you want then do it.”

Javi sighed a little in relief. If only it had been that easy. Just... doing things, because he wanted to do them. Booker made it sound so simple.

>>”You clearly have a talent for what you do. And, from what I see, heroes like the X-Men could definitely use your talents. Like that old detective guy that runs around with them from time to time. When’s he finally going to get a costume? Maybe you could make one for him.”

Javier looked down at his plate at the mention of the X-men. He was already working for one of them, but he was determined to keep that as confidential. After all, even with their public profile, they were still... vigilante superheroes, right? He wished, really wished, that he could tell Booker, though. It would have been so nice.

"That would be pretty great, yes" he agreed with a small smile "Although it also makes me think... you know, their uniforms, it's not just fashion. They have to... work. In all kinds of situations. And what happens if something goes wrong?..." he trailed off. Again, it sounded silly said out loud, but he did not want the responsibility of someone actually getting hurt because of his work.

Javier was talented. Booker believed that to be the utmost and truest fact about the man sitting in front of him. His shop was small, his works didn’t grace magazine covers, but at the end of the day, Booker knew that Jaiver was a talented tailor. He had visited a few time while the man was working and he couldn’t help but grin as he watched him work. The focus and energy he put into his work was enough to signify just how dedicated he was to his profession. It was something that inspired the librarian and told him that Javier had the skills to do whatever he wanted to do; so long as he was willing to try.

He praised the tailor and, as expected, the other man blushed and cast his eyes downward. The smile was still there but the pink that colored his cheeks showed his slight discomfort with receiving praise. But that didn’t stop Booker. It may be uncomfortable for him to hear, but that didn’t mean he didn’t deserve to hear it.

>>"That would be pretty great, yes...Although it also makes me think... you know, their uniforms, it's not just fashion. They have to... work. In all kinds of situations. And what happens if something goes wrong?..."

Ah there were those plagueful thoughts. Booker knew of them all to well. On the rare occasion that his own PTSD flared up, he often found himself overcome with them. Ideas that nothing he did was right, that he caused the deaths of many, many of his fellow students because he didn’t get the warning signs in time. What if he had done more? What if he had done less? What if he had just stopped existing all together? It was a slippery slope and one that he knew very well.

Watching Javier as he stated his fears, Booker reached across the table and gently lay his hand upon his. His touch was soft, stroking the top of the tailor’s fingers before slipping around them to hold. When Booker’s eyes met Javier’s he gave him an sweet smile.

”You can’t predict the future, Javi,” he said gently. ”Nor should you try. Trust me, I know.” A pause. ”If you keep planning for every outcome, time will just pass you by. You got a gift, hun. When you’re ready, you should embrace that.”

Spoken out loud, the thoughts of anxiety always sounded silly. Or even crazy, depending on how deep down the rabbit hole someone ventured. Javier really liked Booker, and he did not want to scare him away just yet with actually working through the way his brain worked. He tried his best, anyway.

>>”You can’t predict the future, Javi. Nor should you try. Trust me, I know... If you keep planning for every outcome, time will just pass you by. You got a gift, hun. When you’re ready, you should embrace that.”

Booker held his hand, and Javier smiled at him. He really was a good person, maybe even too good, for someone like Javi. He tried to encourage and help and support him, which gave the tailor a warm feeling inside. Of course, knowing logically that the future was unpredictable was not the problem. Anxiety was not logical. It wanted complete reassurance, which was not attainable. But for tonight, Javier was willing to push that aside. Booker deserved to know that his words helped, even if they did not solve anything on the long run.

"You are right. We should enjoy tonight." he nodded.

Booker was a great guy. Having a dinner date with him was fun, and did not put Javier on edge the way a date with most other people would have. The food was great, the conversation was real and pleasant. So far, so good. Was this what normal dates felt like? Between non-awkward people?

"Thank you for this, Booker" Javier smiled as their plates were cleared away "This was really a great idea... The restaurant, I mean." he chuckled "Also, the date. That too."

Booker wasn’t going to cure Javier in one night. As a matter of fact, he wasn’t looking to cure the tailor at all. Javier had his own demons to battle but, no matter what, Booker wanted to remind him of his good points. That was the key for all of this; reminding. Booker, sometimes Nessa, would have to remind him that he was worth it, that no matter what happened in his past, he deserved to be the man he was today. Anxiety, depression, they were monsters that were hard to beat -- but it was possible so long as there were those around you who cared.

Booker cared about Javier.

Javier gave him a smile and Booker could see the light returning to his eyes. He was scared, yes, but even if he never followed his dream, he seemed happy to hear Booker’s encouragement.

>>"You are right. We should enjoy tonight."

”That, right there, is the best idea I’ve ever heard,” Booker grinned. He wanted to enjoy this date. He wanted Javier to enjoy this date. Despite some heavy topics, they seemed back on the right track again.

Booker smiled, taking back his hand, and once again claiming his chopsticks. Another piece of chicken snagged, he just placed it between his lips, chewing, when Javier grabbed his attention again.

>>"Thank you for this, Booker...This was really a great idea... The restaurant, I mean...Also, the date. That too."

Finishing chewing, he blushed a little, hanging his head down. He was used to hearing praise from people but there just seemed to be something different when it came from someone he was dating. Javier was sweet and his gratefulness just seemed to calm all of Booker’s fears and nerves. He wanted this date to be perfect. Perfection was asking a lot, true, but he was certainly happy with the way things were going -- especially if Javier seemed to be enjoying himself.

”Thanks…” he grinned. ”...so long as the restaurant was a good idea.” He winked back at him. It was a tease. Just a small one. Booker was still human, after all.

***

Dinner. Was. A. Success. There was really no other way to describe it. Their meals were perfection, the conversation was amazing, and Javier really seemed like he was enjoying himself. Booker was glad that he had planned for more than just dinner because he really didn’t want the night to end. That was why the two of them were now off to their next stop.

Sitting in the back of the Unter, Booker looked out the window, checking on his phone to make sure that they were going to be on time. They were headed to the McKittrick Hotel where Booker had already planned time on the glamorous rooftop garden. Greenery, the city skyline, and the stars, what more could be asked for? He only hoped that when they arrived, and Javier saw the beauty of their surroundings, that he would be impressed. Booker wanted this to be as lowkey an evening as possible.

He glanced to his date. ”I hope you don’t mind all the secrecy,” he said with a smirk. ”I tend to like surprising people whenever I take someone out.” He paused. ”Not that I do that...a lot...right now…” Ahem.

Dinner concluded as a success. Javier relaxed into the conversation, and Booker, of course, was charming and funny and endearing as ever. And the food was great. They both agreed it had been a good idea.

And the date was not over just yet. Javier did not know what else Booker had planned, but he was sure that it was going to be surprising. The librarian had a very creative mind when it came to taking Javier to unexpected places. In fact, this whole... relationship?... between them was an unexpected place. Not a bad one, though. They got into an Unter once again.

>> ”I hope you don’t mind all the secrecy. I tend to like surprising people whenever I take someone out... Not that I do that...a lot...right now…”

Every once in a while, even Booker's smooth charm tripped up. It made him all the more human. Javier chuckled as he glanced out the window, wondering where they were headed.

"I like surprises. From people that I trust." he noted truthfully. Some surprises, like jump-scare ghost stories around campfires, were definitely bad. But Javier knew that Booker knew better than to plan something that would set off his anxiety. He was still a little nervous, but also genuinely curious. The librarian was gifted with great imagination.

The Unter came to a halt, and Javier peered out the window.

"A hotel?" he arched an eyebrow at Booker. That was... a little forward? He had made a joke about going back to Javier's place earlier, but the tailor doubted that Booker would just... get a room... right?

>>"I like surprises. From people that I trust."

Booker grinned. ”Then I certainly hope that you trust me.” He couldn’t help the fact that Javier made him feel all lighthearted and warm inside. Their conversation back in the restaurant still rang through his head and he was encouraged by the fact that he still had not scared the man away.

And now, it was onto phase two of this planned date. He hoped that Javier would like this second part as much as the first.

The rooftop gardens seemed like the perfect place for them. It was quiet, beautiful, and had enough space for the two of them to get lost in. They wouldn’t need to worry about prying eyes, not that something like that bothered Booker, but he knew that Javier would probably still have some ambivalent feelings about the matter. For Booker, this was New York, it wasn’t uncommon to see two guys walking hand-in-hand. But he could still respect Javier and any concerns that he may have. That was what made the gardens so perfect for them. At least, that was what he hoped.

When they pulled up to the sidewalk, Booker could feel the pins and needles of excitement. He wanted them to continue to have good times and he truly hoped that this would be the perfect place to do so. Javier, however, strangely looked at the destination with a small, albeit, tinged with confusion. It did not once enter the librarian’s mind that this could have any other meaning than just being a choice place to stop. Not that Booker was all that innocent but it was more that he didn’t immediately make the connection that it could be misinterpreted as anything but what he meant it to be.

>>"A hotel?"

Booker nodded. ”Oh yeah,” he beamed. ”I mean, I couldn’t imagine anywhere else perfect for us.”

Climbed out of the Unter and met Javier on the other side. After swiping the driver four stars (he was a little late), he turned back to Javier and nodded to follow him into the hotel. He strolled through the automated doors, buttoning his suit and looking quite dashing as he ran his fingers through his hair. He slowed enough so that he was walking by Javier’s side and was now energetically talking as he led him through the interior..

”Trust me. You’ll love it.” he confirmed. ”Its quite a sight to behold, if I do say so myself,” he cracked a smile. He were passing across the floor, Booker heading towards the elevators. He glanced back to the tailor, asking casually... ”You don’t mind being on top, right?” In his mind, he knew that he was referring to the top floor. Who could think of anything else?

Javier did trust Booker. He knew that the librarian knew him enough to plan accordingly; and he was too sweet and too creative to come up with a bad prank or some awkward situation to bring his date into. Which was why Javi was a little surprised when they pulled up to a hotel, but didn't immediately jump to the worst conclusions. Maybe there was an event inside?...

>>”Oh yeah. I mean, I couldn’t imagine anywhere else perfect for us.”

Javier got out of the car and followed Booker inside. The librarian looked like he belonged in the fancy hotel; dashing, and knowing exactly where he was going. He didn't even stop at the front desk. Javier's mind was still trying to grasp why they were here. Did Booker really... what, get a room?

They made it all the way to the elevators without any light being shed on the impending mystery.

>>”Trust me. You’ll love it. Its quite a sight to behold, if I do say so myself. You don’t mind being on top, right?”

Javier stared at Booker for an embarrassingly long moment. His mind latched on to the question and went to the most awkward place possible; as a result, the tailor turned bright red.
And then Booker hit the top button, one that said ROOF, and Javier let out a breath he did not know he had been holding.

"Oh." now it was just embarrassing "That. The roof. We are going to the roof? Cool. I mean, yes. Good."

Yes, if there were any notion that Booker had said something inappropriate, it did not once dawn in the librarian’s mind. It wasn’t that he was a purely innocent sort, history had proven otherwise, it was more that he was too wrapped up with planning the perfect date to think that anything could be misunderstood. They were going to a rooftop garden that just so happened to be at the top of a hotel. Really, who could think anything bad would come from that? Certainly not Booker B. Bookman, for one.

As they traveled throughout the lobby and made their way to the elevator, Booker stopped, pressed a button, and it occurred to him that Javier could have an issue with being so high up. He had tried to keep Javier’s anxieties in mind when planning the night, but it seemed that he had been so focused on the social ones that he momentarily forgot about any others. Did Javier have a problem with heights? If so that could put a damper on the evening. So he asked...did he mind?

So, maybe there was issue with the way that he phrased the question. Booker watched the tailor closely, seeing those wheels click into place as the tailor turned a bright shade of red and just continued to stare back at him. It wasn’t until they got into the elevator and Booker had his finger drifting over the “roof” button, that spurred Javier to speak.

>>"Oh...That. The roof. We are going to the roof? Cool. I mean, yes. Good."

Booker watched Javier with a curious expression upon his face, smiling. ”Um...yeah…” he said with a perky smile. He then chuckled. ”...what else could I have meant?”

Again, the thought didn’t occur to him. That tended to be Booker’s problem. While he was usually very good at memorizing every bit of information that has come his way, he sometimes had issues with reading other people. Some say that was a issue with more brilliant individuals but Booker liked to think he was better than that. Still even he was allowed a mistake now and again.

He continued to look innocently at Javier as he leaned back against the wall, his eyes lifting up to watch the numbers as the blinked on and off, passing each floor. He then turned back to Javier. ”I hope you don’t mind. If you have any trouble, just let me know and we can head out,” he said encouragingly. ”Okay?”

>>”Um...yeah...what else could I have meant?”

Javier wanted to kick himself. Of course Booker would not have meant... anything else. He was goofy and enthusiastic, but he would have not made... hotel plans, without consulting Javier. And yet, his anxiety-riddled mind jumped straight to that conclusion somehow. Javier was both relieved that Booker did not notice his panicked reaction, and also angry at himself for even going there.
They were going to the roof.

>>”I hope you don’t mind. If you have any trouble, just let me know and we can head out. Okay?”

"No, it... sounds nice." Javier sighed with a smile. Rooftop, that he could handle. He was afraid of many things, but not heights, not unless he was standing on the edge of something, which he never really did. "I have never... been in this hotel before. So... definitely a surprise."

It wouldn’t be until late this evening, somewhere around twelve or one in the morning, when he had a chance to recollect the evening in perfect clarity and with a clear head, that he would realize everything he had said. He would slip through the lines of conversation, pick out those points where Javier seemed uncomfortable, and would eventually come to the conclusion that, yes, he was a complete moron. The things that he had said, the way Javier took them, of course the man would have blushed. It would have been perfectly justified.

And Booker, for the rest of the night, would kick his own, moronic ass until dawn broke.

But that wasn’t until much later. Right now, the oblivious librarian was merely thinking of the rooftop garden and his concerns that Javier may have issue with being up so high. So, carefully, he let the tailor know that if he was uncomfortable in any way, then he just needed to let Booker know and they would bounce. Booker had planned the evening, yes, but there was always fall back positions in case anything made the other’s anxiety flare up. He liked to think he was considerate that way.

>>"No, it... sounds nice...I have never... been in this hotel before. So... definitely a surprise."

Booker nodded. ”Oh yeah. It should be quite a sight.” Unlike the restaurant, this was not someplace that Booker had taken anyone before. Rather he did his research when he knew he would be taking Javier out and wanted to choose someplace that would accommodate the both of them. ”I’ve never been here before either,” he explained. ”But I’m already liking it.”

When the doors dinged and the elevator came to a stop, Booker stepped off and held the doors for Javier. The lobby was simple, marble floored and elegantly decorated walls. But just ahead was a glass wall, with doors, that led out to a magnificent looking garden. Booker grinned, looking at Javier, and then led the way. As he stepped up to the doors, he pushed them open, immediately bringing upon them that burst of fresh, evening air; and carried with it were plants and flowers of all kinds.

From here, it was easy to see that the garden was beautiful, and far larger than one would assume for the top of a building. Private, winding paths cut around and through it, towering vegetation formed labyrinth-like walls and from unseen speakers there played the softest sounds of music.

There were a few people already here but most of them were in extremely small, intimate groups, either sitting on benches, sipping drinks from the bar, or wandering aimlessly under the fragrant foliage. Booker stepped back, allowing Javier to observe the scenery before he offered him a warm smile.

”Welcome to the rooftop gardens,” he said gently. ”The best and the quietest in the city.”

The awkward moment passed, to be stored for later in Javier's brain. For now, he was determined to enjoy the date. They were not going somewhere crowded or confusing, that was already for sure, and he was grateful for Booker's planning.

>>”Oh yeah. It should be quite a sight. I’ve never been here before either. But I’m already liking it.”

They walked out of the elevator together, and down the hallway to the garden door. The moment they stepped out, Javier's senses were flooded with the cool night air, the scent of flowers, and the play of small lights well hidden in the garden. They were not completely alone, and yet the place was quiet and felt private, like a little pocket of a fairyland.

>>”Welcome to the rooftop gardens. The best and the quietest in the city.”

Booker had chosen the perfect place. It was not crowded, it was beautiful, and it was creative. It showed that the librarian had put thought into all of this, and that he really cared. Javier smiled softly at his date.

"It's perfect." he admitted, moving his hand to hold Booker's. The rest just slipped out. "You're perfect." He really was, though.

Booker smiled, standing back, and watching as Javier took in the view of the garden. It really was a gorgeous place. From the pictures that Booker had seen on their website, he was impressed further with every click. He knew once he saw the beauty, the quiet, and the solitude that it provided that this would be the perfect place to bring Javier during their date. He wanted the tailor to be relaxed, to just fall into whatever it was they were feeling for each other and not worry about the prying eyes, opinions, or suspicious glances. Here they could be themselves in whatever corners they wanted to find themselves.

With assurances that Javier would do fine with the heights that he would be facing, Booker felt at peace with his decision. This was further made when he looked over to see the look of utter appreciation in the other’s face. Javier seemed happy, touched, and the smile on his face was evident of how much he was already enjoying himself. To know that he had picked the right venue for the both of them made the librarian smile wide. He couldn’t be more grateful for that.

>>"It's perfect...You're perfect."

Booker blushed. A fierce blush. It was a shade of color that he never thought possible for himself. The words dug deep into the librarian because, for the briefest of seconds, he could see that tinge of truthfulness in Javier’s voice. Not that Booker believed he was perfect, but for that instant, he could hear and feel how much Jaiver believed it. It was only brief, though, as he didn’t want to embarrass his date about thinking too much on it. As a matter of fact, Javier was probably going to kick himself for having let such a personal thought slip out.

So, rather than zero in on it, Booker smiled as he stepped up, carefully slipped his hand into Javier’s a gave it a gentle squeeze. ”I’m not perfect…” he said softly. ”...but I’m having a perfect time with you.”

He smiled, biting his bottom lip a bit nervously at this point. Booker was not shy about opening his feelings towards anyways but right here and now he knew that he was feeling strongly for the tailor. Would this go anywhere? Would there be more dates after this? How would the length of their relationship stack up to others that he thought would last? No, he was getting too far ahead of himself. He was caught in a riptide of emotions and sensations that he needed to get a handle on.

So, with a breath, he smiled as he gave Javier’s hand a squeeze and a gentle tug to follow him. They had a garden to walk through, after all. ”Come on,” he whispered with a smile. ”Let’s check out the garden. I promise I we won’t get lost.”

>>”I’m not perfect… ...but I’m having a perfect time with you.”

They held hands, both blushing, like a couple of teenagers, really. The place was perfect, with the flowers and the lights. Javier felt his heart speed up as he looked around, and looked at the man next to him. Booker was blushing furiously, and seemed to be dealing with emotions that he might not have expected. Javier knew that the words that slipped out of his mouth were unexpected (even to him) - but he meant them, embarrassment be damned. He had never met a person quite like Booker before.

>>”Let’s check out the garden. I promise I we won’t get lost.”

They started walking. There were not enough people around to make Javier feel uncomfortable; as they walked on the garden paths, at times they were completely alone. He smiled softly, breathing in the cool air, as they walked. It really was a place where he could relax. Booker had been right.

"It's your turn" he said after a while, remembering their conversation over dinner "Tell me something I don't know about you."

Smiling, he tried to led Javier away from the door and drag him out into the many paths that wound around the rooftop garden. The owners really knew how to utilize the space, making a simple rooftop appear as if it were part of another expansive world. Booker was utterly impressed and made note to remember this location for future endeavors.

When Javier finally relented and the pair of them started their walk, hand-in-hand onto a chosen path, Booker sighed in satisfaction. Greenery lay all around them, coupled with the fragrant scents of blooming flowers and calm music tinged with the phantom-like sounds of the city below them. Truly it had to be one of the most calming places that the librarian had ever been.

And he was glad he was here to experience it with another.

They rounded a corner, the pair of them strolling through the twinkling lights, finding solitude in their chosen path. The silence of the city was soon overtaken by the tailor’s voice as he squeezed Booker’s hand.

>>"It's your turn...Tell me something I don't know about you."

Booker had to take a moment to think about how he wanted to reply. He had his skeletons in his closet, yes, but how much of them did he want to reveal to Javier. Should he let him know about the traumas of his past? Should he ignore it and save it for a conversation when he had a clearer idea of where they stood? Or should he just bury it and never bring it up again? There was nothing wrong with people who wanted to do that, but as appealing as it was, it wasn’t right, even he could admit that.

Besides, Javier trusted him with his past. It was a trust that should be reciprocal. But first, to start with something that was a bit more mundane...well...mundane for Booker.

”Umm...well...this one is kind of weird...but…” He grinned. ”I have an eidetic memory.” It wasn’t exactly his deepest, darkest secret as most people eventually found that out about him. The only reason Javier didn’t know was because it simply hadn’t come up. But no time like the present. ”I can recall everything. And...I mean everything,” he said with a slightly exhausted sigh. ”For example, I remember in perfect clarity what you were wearing when we met, what stands were sitting in front of us, and precisely how long we chatted.”

He chuckled and then, looked down, shrugging his shoulders.

”It’s an interesting ‘ability’, I use that term loosely, to have, but…” His tone grew slightly more saddened. ”It isn’t always the best thing to remember everything that ever happened to you.”