>>"Indeed. Exceptional craftsmanship.”

”Isn’t it though?” he beamed proudly.

Javier probably felt uncomfortable with a lot of praise heaped upon him so Booker didn’t want to go into too much fanboying but, really, the tailor should be proud of the magnificent work that he put out. Something as simple as a costume piece to as complicated as the suit he was wearing all had such craftsmanship about them that he librarian wanted to just continue gushing. But he also knew when to reign it in. The reporter was just collecting a story and, without any prep work for it, Booker had to wing his answers. He only hoped that things would get too personal for his boyfriend.

But there was that look in the reporter’s eye. The look that told of someone sniffing out a story. Booker didn’t know why but he had a feeling that Javier was continuously growing uneasy with every second around this person. They didn’t seem rude or overly inquisitive, but he was a reporter. Reporters latched onto stories that they felt were worthy of seeking out. But what as it about Javier, or even Booker himself, that was so news worthy?

>>"You seem to have a... special connection...I couldn't help but note what you did on the runway. How did you come to model for Mr. Moreno?"

He blinked. Oh. The wave. Dammit. So maybe that was the reason why most of the models all looked like walking visages of expressionless death. Unless they were playing for a camera, they didn’t tend to make note of the people in the audience. For as subtle and quick as his motion had been, it was enough to garner someone’s attention. Huh. Could that be what all this was about? What was wrong with waving to one’s handsome boyfriend in the audience? And why was Javier so nervous?

Hrm. Booker paused in thought. He didn’t want to embarass Javier with anything he didn’t want to reveal yet but Booker wasn’t one to really lie on camera either. Why should he? He didn’t think it was anything to be embarrassed by. Still, as much as the librarian would have been fine with admitting to his relationship with the tailor, he wasn’t going to force Javier let said information out. So he had to think of something else, and Booker was an extremely smart man…

”Well, I am very thankful to him for granting me this opportunity. I’d say that deserves a bit of a wave of gratitude,” he said with a wide smile. ”I’ve frequented Mr. Moreno’s tailor shop in the past so we’ve gotten chummy. And when this event came up, as I’ve did some modeling in college, I asked if he had someone to wear his clothes. He was gracious enough to take a chance on me.” He was beaming proudly. ”Which, trust me, was a risk since there isn’t much chance to model when working in a library day in and day out.”

Javier felt his throat close up when the reporter asked about the wave. Of course they had noticed it; the show had been well done, but nothing truly scandalous or spectacular, so a model deciding to do his own thing on the runway was definitely something a reporter could decide to explore, to spice up the story a little bit. Poor kid, his instincts were not wrong, he was just dealing with a person who was not prepared to answer at all. Thankfully, Booker was.

>>"Well, I am very thankful to him for granting me this opportunity. I’d say that deserves a bit of a wave of gratitude,”

It was easy. Well, it sounded easy, and also plausible. Javier, completely left behind by the conversation, looked at Booker, who decided to elaborate.

>>”I’ve frequented Mr. Moreno’s tailor shop in the past so we’ve gotten chummy. And when this event came up, as I’ve did some modeling in college, I asked if he had someone to wear his clothes. He was gracious enough to take a chance on me. Which, trust me, was a risk since there isn’t much chance to model when working in a library day in and day out.”

There was some hesitation in the reporter's expression as Booker came out with a plausible, and decidedly boring, explanation for the whole thing. That was definitely what he had been sniffing for. What he had been sniffing for was the truth - the designer dating the model, or rather, the boyfriend modeling for the designer. That was something that belonged in tabloids. But Booker was clever, and he knew as much, so he threw something else to distract the sharks.

"Library?" the reporter blinked "You work as a librarian?"

That never failed to impress people.

"The pleasure was all mine. It is good to work with a talented model." Javier interjected, a little off the beat, but supporting the lie. "You should ask him about his library work..." he added, siding towards the door that led to backstage.

Booker was as cool as a cucumber. As he stood there, tall, proud, and unwavering, he hoped that he was helping keep the pressure off of Javier. He knew how uncomfortable that the tailor could get with being questioned so closely so Booker took it upon himself to try pull the attention away. While he didn’t know, at first, what the reporter was after, that quickly would change. Bringing up the fact that Booker waved at Javier was all the librarian needed to know that he was after something far more...scandalous.

Really he should have known. Booker had some dealings with interviews and whenever there was a juicy story, they had to try and pull out whatever details they could. Javier had an important name in the fashion world, of course a model waving to him from the stage would draw attention. Suddenly he felt exceedingly bad that he had inadvertently messed things up for Javier; but he could make up for it.

He was making up for it.

He didn’t know what Javier thought about them, whether they were official or going steady or whatever. That was a conversation they would have to have but it wouldn’t be here, in front of a reporter. But there still needed to be something to latch onto...right? So why not the revelation that he wasn’t some mere model looking for a chance, but something more interesting.

>>"Library? You work as a librarian?"

A wide grin and Booker nodded. If he knew anything about people, it was the fact that few, if any, believed that he was actually a librarian. It didn’t bother him. Over the years he had gotten used to explaining that fact about himself. Like an obnoxious poking of his ribs, it eventually became numb and, once again, he would explain his career choices. In this case, it was a hit he was willing to take as it helped someone he cared deeply about.

>>"The pleasure was all mine. It is good to work with a talented model...You should ask him about his library work..."

Booker turned to Javier, eyebrows lifted, a smile on his lips. Javier was trying to slip away. While he should probably feel annoyed that he was being sacrificed, the truth was that he didn’t. He was essentially throwing himself on a grenade for the tailor. Why wouldn’t he give him the option to flee. So he stepped forward, trying to block Javier from view as he gave the reporter his full attention.

”Oh yeah! Ask me anything,” he said encouragingly. ”I’ve been a librarian for a few years now. Over a the New York Public Library? You know, I can tell you so many things about that library and, trust me, with patron usage going down every year, we could use the publicity. Sure most everything can be downloaded, but books, real books! Nothing beats the smell of the page or the feeling of paper on your fingertips, am I right?” he had turned the reporter around, talking enthusiastically about his profession. But he did glance over his shoulder to ensure that Javier made a safe getaway.

The librarian thing was a godsend. Anyone who ever met Booker got an instant liking for the guy - but also anyone who ever met Booker was always completely surprised that he was a librarian. Model, sure, the reporter believed that without a question. But someone who worked at a library?...

Javier noted his approval of Booker's work, then shifted slowly out of the conversation. Booker took over, and the reporter was finally swept up in a whole different but none the less interesting series of questions about library work, modeling, modeling in libraries, books about modeling... Javier, feeling guilty all the way about abandoning his boyfriend as prey to the vultures, managed to walk away without creating an awkward scene, and slipped through the door to the backstage. Once inside, he leaned over the nearest table, taking a couple of deep breaths to calm his nerves down. What was Booker going to say when he finally got away from the reporter? Would he be angry that he was pushed out to the interview to cover for Javier? Would he be annoyed that Javi did not just call him his boyfriend?...

Too many questions. The tailor took another breath and steadied himself. Hopefully, Booker would not be locked into an interview for too long...

Booker was by no means a conceited ham. While it may seem like that was what he was doing now, steering away the intrepid reporter so that he could talk about himself, it was my no means his true motives. No, rather Booker was doing this was a means of rescue rather than self-reward. He knew that Javier didn’t do well with speaking with others and someone as invasive as a reporter could certainly make the poor tailor crawl on edge. So the librarian had decided that he would do what he could to help alleviate his possible-boyfriend’s nerves. He would jump on this grenade, and gladly.

After moving the reporter away, Booker only glanced back once or twice to make sure that Javier had found his escape route. When it seemed that he had, Booker gave the reporter his full attention, grinning and smiling as he shared news about his library profession. As always people were shocked that he was a librarian. Apparently that honor belonged to frumpy old women with hair buns and half-moon glasses or balding, sluggish men with no drive. Honestly it was a bit insulting but he loved the chance to prove others wrong.

The discussion didn’t last long. Though the reporter was interested, there was only so much that Booker could provide him with before there was nothing more to write. Booker thanked the reporter for indulging him and bid him a farewell as he turned and headed off. Javier having disappeared meant that interviewing the man further was out of the question so he went off to pester another designer or model or both. Surely there were more interesting stories.

Once released, Booker sighed as he turned back around, smiled to the few people that passed him and made his way backstage. As soon as he was past the threshold, Booker closed the door and turned his jade eyes back to the scene in front of him. There were a couple other models preparing for more runs on stage, a few people gathering their belongings, and at his table, was Javier.

Moving up to his side, Booker smiled cheerfully as he patted the man on the shoulder. ”Hey sweetie. You okay?” There was a mild spark of concern. ”You look a little sick? I...I hope you don’t mind that I jumped in back there? You, you know, you looked a little nervous…”

He really hoped that he hadn’t offended Javier jumping in like that. He only wanted to help but maybe all this could have been avoided if he hadn’t waved at him to begin with...

Javier took some calming breath (anxiety breathing, it was a thing, he just didn't like it very much) and wondered what was going on outside. Did the interview go as planned, or did the reporter try to circle back to the whole boyfriend topic? Was Booker pinned down forever? Was he offended that Javier did not own up to the relationship in the first place?...
Eventually, a door opened, and Booker made an appearance, patting him on the back.

>> ”Hey sweetie. You okay?... You look a little sick? I...I hope you don’t mind that I jumped in back there? You, you know, you looked a little nervous…”

"I'm okay. Thank you for the save" Javier smiled, turning to look at Booker a little sheepishly "Sorry for freezing up. I was not really... prepared for that line of questioning. I wasn't... sure what you'd want me to day?"

Booker knew what the dance with anxiety was like. Though he fought hard to keep from falling into that pit, there were times where it was just unavoidable. You had to sink so that you could remember to swim. It was a cruel lesson but it was one that made him more sympathetic to those who suffered with it. Javier fought with it, probably more than Booker did. Because of that the librarian tried his best to be extra cautious and careful when he could see the mood sweep over him. He saw it back there with the reporter and vowed that he would step in.

But was that really his place? Sure, they had been seeing each other for a bit now but did Javier see it as serious as Booker did? Maybe that was something that he shouldn’t have done but the towering Bookman wasn’t the type to let people suffer alone. It was probably both his greatest strength and his greatest flaw; his empathic need to protect.

Standing next to his would-be boyfriend, Booker looked down, concern masking his face. Was Javier upset at what he had done? Was he going to get angry at Booker for taking a bullet that wasn’t his place to take? It was his own anxiety that was beginning to pull strings inside of his brilliant mind, but the librarian couldn’t help but think of the worst case scenario. Thankfully, when Javier turned and he saw that flash of a smile, he knew it wouldn’t be all that bad.

>>"I'm okay. Thank you for the save...Sorry for freezing up. I was not really... prepared for that line of questioning. I wasn't... sure what you'd want me to say?"

Booker looked up Javier with compassion and gentleness as the man apologized for freezing up and explained that he wasn’t prepared for the personal questions that were slung at him. A feeling of remorse swept over him, again chastising himself mentally for waving. He should have been more stoic. But as he started to grumble about this, the tailor cautiously mentioned that he didn’t know what Booker wanted him to say. Head up, tilted, he eyed Javier as he gave him a sweet smile.

”Javi...I...I want whatever you want…” he started. ”You know how I feel about you...at least...I hope you do…” he smirked. ”I’m so damn transparent. But I want you to feel comfortable. So whatever you think, whenever you’re ready…” He reached over and gently stroked Javier’s cheek. ”...so am I.” Another pause. ”Unless, that is, you don’t want me. In which case, I understand. Just please tell me.”

It would hurt if that were the case, if after all this time Javi didn’t want him anymore. But there were few more understanding than Booker B. Bookman.

It was not a sever situation. Nothing bad or embarrassing happened. Booker was being his usual Booker self, being selfless and kind and cheerful and charming. Nothing went wrong, the show was a success, the reporter was really no one with any kind of pull, and they handled the situation really well, all things considered. There was nothing to be nervous or worried about.
Except, that was totally not how anxiety worked.

Javier sighed as Booker looked surprised at his words. What was he supposed to say? How did typical people know when to say things or not say things? For the millionth time in his life, Javi felt like he was missing a manual that everyone else had.

>>”Javi...I...I want whatever you want… You know how I feel about you...at least...I hope you do… I’m so damn transparent. But I want you to feel comfortable. So whatever you think, whenever you’re ready...so am I.”

Damn, he was just so sweet. Who could ever deserve a guy that sweet? Certainly not a nervous wreck. It wasn't fair.

>>"Unless, that is, you don’t want me. In which case, I understand. Just please tell me.”

"What? No!" Javier scrambled, pulled out of his nervous spiral by Booker's words. Sure, he had been thinking the same, but that did not mean that he meant it! "No that's not what I meant!" Uncertainty was the worst. Miscommunication was worse. God, why could words not be easier?... "I do want you." he added, a little quieter, watching for Booker's reaction "I just didn't want to... do the whole thing on camera? I mean, the boyfriend thing. The... if it's a thing. That is. Is it?... Are you my boyfriend?"

Booker was really only half serious when he insinuated that Javi didn’t want to see him anymore. While he didn’t really think they had any problems like that, the truth was that he didn’t like the idea of being led on. Chris had done that for a number of years, seeming like they were in a happy relationship, but eventually turned out to be a demeaning ruse. Now Booker made it a point for his partners to know that if they ever felt like things weren’t going anywhere, then it was easier to end things than prolong the inevitable.

He cared about Javier. He really did. But there was always this little fear in the back of his head that maybe he was going to mess things up. He messed things up with Juliette for not recognizing how incompatible they were. Maybe Javier was hesitant about things because he didn’t feel that they were a good fit either. The thought, thought fleeting, did depress Booker the slightest bit -- that is until Javier’s suddenly reaction quickly sobered him up.

>>"What? No!"

He blinked in surprise but a smile returned to his lips. That put him on the road to feeling a bit better.

>>"No that's not what I meant! I do want you."

Another relaxing sigh. Javier lowered his voice, ever the one concerned with keeping things personal things on the downlow, and reiterated that all this wasn’t for not. Javier did want Booker, he did want to be in his life. But something was weighing on him. Booker, ever the gentleman, tilted his head as he waited for the tailor to continue...

>>"I just didn't want to... do the whole thing on camera? I mean, the boyfriend thing. The... if it's a thing. That is. Is it?... Are you my boyfriend?"

Honestly it made sense. Booker could understand wanting to keep something like that away from the public eye, especially if you weren’t fully sure of the status yourself. Booker considered himself looking to be dating such a sweet man but there certainly needed to be a better way to communicate with each other. Booker was ready to be all in with the man, call it a drawback of his hopeless romanticism. But he did fear pushing someone with Javier’s mentality too far. The man was sweet but easily stressed. And yet, still, as he stammered over his words to once again find sure footing, the librarian smirked.

”Are you asking me to be?” Booker teased playfully, biting his lower lip shyly. ”Gotta say, that’s pretty bold for you.” But, all kidding aside, Booker glanced to make sure no one was looking before he leaned down and gave Javier a swift kiss on the lips before he whispered. ”I would like that chance...if you’re up for it.”

Dios, the boyfriend thing. The boyfriend... thing. Was it a thing? Booker seemed to be just as hesitant as he way, which further fed into Javier's anxieties. Someone had to take a step first, but so far, the librarian had been very good at initiating. And yet, he could not expect Booker to be Superior Man 24/7. That was just not fair to anyone.

>>”Are you asking me to be? Gotta say, that’s pretty bold for you.”

God, he was cute. And Javier did feel rather bold. Even if that sounded like something out of a Jane Austen novel. It probably was.

Booker glanced around and then kissed him; the secrecy and the excitement of it sent a shot of adrenaline through Javier's system.

>>”I would like that chance...if you’re up for it.”

"Yes, please, be my boyfriend" Javier answered, maybe a tad too rushed from the adrenaline, but none the less confident in his choice. He reached out to hold Booker's hand, and only hesitated to blush for a moment before he returned the kiss. "I don't care who knows."

Booker cared for Javier a lot. The two of them had been seeing one another for a bit now, hanging out, making out, just being in one another’s space. It was a good feeling, if he were being honest. But as much as Booker wanted to expression himself more lovingly with the tailor, he knew that he had to reign his desire in. Javier was more slow going and quiet and the librarian respected that too much to tease or risk making things awkward. So he would bide his time and he would wait until the other was ready.

For a moment there he actually worried if maybe Javier was going to go the other direction with this. The man was sweet but Booker often wondered if maybe he was too outgoing for him. Would Javier just get swept up in how much attention Booker gained and decided to just back off and say no? He couldn’t blame him but it would break his heart too. Just like with Juliette, it would have been a relationship that he read too much into and didn’t think through carefully.

But his fears were abated when Javier shook out of his slump and denied that that was what he wanted. He wanted to be with Booker -- especially if that was what he wanted. Sensing an opportunity to give Javier some much needed guidance, the librarian briefly kissed his lips and toyed with his words. If this was what he truly wanted, then Booker was in it for the long haul too. The decision wasn’t totally upon Javier’s shoulders, more, Booker was just letting him know that whenever he was comfortable and ready to proceed, he would be there.

And it was well worth the wait…

>>"Yes, please, be my boyfriend"

Booker grinned from ear-to-ear. The words came so quickly and in a low voice that he couldn’t help but chuckle a little at the adorable blush that colored his new “boyfriend’s” cheeks. Reaching over, Booker caressed Javier’s cheek. As Javier moved up, Booker learned down to meet him halfway and they shared another kiss. A hand slipped into his and a warmth filled his heart. It felt...right.

>>"I don't care who knows."

”Thank goodness for that…” Booker teased. He leaned down, wrapping his arms around Javier’s smaller frame and lifted him up. Booker only had a few inches in height on Javier but it was enough for him to still want to slightly tease him about. Another kiss was shared. ”...because now that you’re my boyfriend, this is the only way we get around. Comes with the service package.”