roneal | (no subject)

It's fascinating how quickly Shinjirou deflates. Jade watches him for a second longer before he turns away and starts walking again.

The mall is a big one, not exactly high-class, but there are quite a few brand name stores around nontheless. Jade steers clear of the more expensive ones.

"Would you prefer getting shoes first? Or clothes?"

"Uhm, shoes, I guess?" Shrugging, he stays just about close enough that it's obvious he won't suddenly bail out, and far enough away that it'd be difficult to grab his hand. "If that's alright."

In a way getting shoes first means getting the possibly easiest part out of the way. He can't see Jade letting him wear anything too casual anywhere on his body, but with shoes that's not so bad. Start with something that isn't so bad, get used to whatever Jade's going to throw at him.

Somehow survive this trip without starting a fight.

"It's your choice." It's almost a pity that he doesn't have to train Shinjirou into being a proper companion; that would have produced amusing results. And, compared to everything else, it would be all but harmless.

Jade walks past a few stores before he finds one he likes. A salesperson greets them as they enter, but Jade waves them off.

"Pick something appropriate." He's curious to see what Shinjirou thinks will satisfy him. "If you like it, that will be an added bonus."

Choices are bad. They've always been, seeing as he tends to make the wrong ones. In this case, Jade ridiculing him is probably the worst result any choice will get him. Annoying, but he'll be able to stomach it.

Shinjirou doesn't stray too far from Jade, checking if he's being followed from time to time. There's a pair of brown leather boots that aren't too different from the ones he used to own. A simple design, nothing flashy nor too elegant. He lifts them up, tilting his head.

"Something like that okay?"

He reaches out to take them, testing the sturdiness of the leather. "They're fine." Though they did look rather familiar, now that he thought about it. Had Shinjirou been wearing them when they first met? Jade wouldn't be terribly surprised. Something familiar must seem like a comfort to Shinjirou right now, and people had a habit of picking the same things over and over again anyway.

"Would you like try them on?" He's already leading the way over to a seat, looking at him expectantly.

"Uh. Sure." He plops down, slipping out of Jade's shoes and reaching for the boots. They fit and after taking a few steps with them on his feet, he'd say they're comfortable, too. He comes to a halt in front of Jade, looking down at the boots, then up at Jade.

"Yeah, they're ... good, I think." They pretty much only need Jade's approval. Shinjirou doesn't expect picking clothes will be this easy, but for now he's thankful that Jade's taste isn't too different from his own when it comes to footgear.

"I'll take your word for it." He asks the shop assistant for a new pair, then pays for it without any fuss. It isn't expensive, exactly, but it was still pricey.

Jade hefts the bag onto his shoulder once they were done. "Would you rather wear them now, or later?"

"No, later's okay." He politely bows at the shop assistant as they leave. "Shouldn't I be the one carrying stuff?"

Apart from that fitting more into the picture of a slave he has, it just seems fair to him. Jade's paid for the boots, Shinjirou could at least -- literally -- take the weight off his shoulders. Shinjirou doesn't press the issue, though, just extends a hand should Jade want to put the bag into it.

"Next stop?"

"Next stop," Jade confirms.

He had been planning to wait on Shinjirou hand and foot, not out of any real fondness, but just as a way to disturb him. Still, if Shinjirou is offering to carry it...

Jade shakes his head. "And thank you, but I'm fine."

This time, they pass even more shops before Jade finally finds one he's satisfied with. It's the largest one they've passed yet, with a good selection of both casual and semi-formal attire. Jade looks expectantly at Shinjirou once they're inside.

"Alright." Shrugging, he follows Jade without showing any real interest in where they're going. Not like he could ask for a detour. Once they arrive, though, he takes a good long look around ... and lets his shoulders slouch at what he sees.

It's obvious what Jade wants him to pick. Far too obvious. Shinjirou grimaces at him, hoping that he won't be forced to act like it's his decision. There's some sweaters he would be willing to wear, but all the shirts and jackets make his skin crawl. He's going to leave this shop and still look like he's wearing a uniform.

Groaning, he takes a forceful step forward and grabs a white shirt and dark blue cloth pants his size. Better to get this over with quickly. If he's really lucky, and behaves himself, maybe he'll get a comfy sweater for the colder months at some point.

"What about this?" He holds the clothes up for Jade, far away from his own body. "Perfect for a funeral?"

"You certainly act like I'm asking you to attend a funeral." Gently, Jade sets the bag with the shoes down on the floor, taking a step closer and looking over the chosen items with a critical eye. Shinjirou had chosen them far too quickly for them to be of high quality, but he'll humour him for the moment. "Stand up straight and hold the shirt closer to your body."

"The most morbid funeral, yes," he mutters under his breath and straightens, holding the shirt up to his neck. "So?"

The ceiling isn't all that pretty. One of the lights is flickering. They should change the bulb, he thinks, waiting to hear Jade's opinion. This won't be as easy as the shoes; hell, it already is far more annoying. He can't tell the difference between the different shirts, apart from their color.

He doesn't look at the shirt yet. His eyes are firmly fixed on Shinjirou, watching the way his gaze slides up to the ceiling, clearly trying to avoid the situation at hand.

"Shinjirou." He's frowning slightly, a note of warning in his voice.

Instinctively, he jumps and glances at Jade before looking down. "Yes. Sorry." This sort of behavior won't get him anywhere -- anywhere but into trouble. He's got enough to deal with already. Taking a deep breath, he presses the fabric flat against his stomach. For a second the chain's visible between his fingers, then he drops his hand.

"What do you think?"

Finally, he turns his attention to the shirt, scrutinizing how it lays against Shinjirou's body. He's still frowning slightly, having no intention of letting Shinjirou off so easily. These are still the early days; he can't be too lenient.

"The collar is a bit wide. I'm not very fond of the cut either, it might be too loosely-fitted for you."

"The ... cut?" Shinjirou turns the shirt around, for the first time really looking at it. It still seems to be absolutely identical to every other shirt in the room, but Jade doubtlessly knows more about these things. "Huh, fine. Don't see why loose's bad, but alright." He puts the shirt back, shrugging to himself, and blindly picks another.

"Uh. This?" This time, he holds it up to his chest right away. "It's not the same, right?"

Jade adjusts his glasses, looking disappointed. "Unfortunately, it's the exact same." There's just a hint of a sigh in his voice. He hadn't expected Shinjirou to be quite this hopeless. Perhaps another approach will be necessary.

"Oh." He hangs his head. Well, maybe that's a thing he should learn about when Jade leaves him home alone in the future. It's not a topic that interests him, at all, but the shame, heavy and hot in his stomach, tells him that there's at least one reason he should look into it.

"Uhm. Maybe ... maybe this one?" The fabric feels different, softer, and stretches more easily when he pulls it against his body. So it's probably not exactly the same -- he mentally crosses his fingers it isn't. He can't possibly be this dumb about something as simple as shirts. Hopefully.

"That's different," Jade confirms, still looking mildly put off - just to worry Shinjirou. His expression fades into one of thoughtfulness as he examines the shirt properly.

Finally, he nods in approval. "Let's try it on." A quick glance around, and he starts walking. "The changing rooms are this way. Bring the pants as well."

There's no staff attending the changing rooms when they arrive. Unconcerned (and secretly grateful; this makes things easier), Jade pushes ahead, nudging one of the doors open.

"After you."

It's a small success, but it's better than making another mistake for sure. Jade doesn't look too happy with him still. There's nothing he can do about that at the moment, though, except not argue with Jade again.

"Okay." Nodding, he gathers the pants and the shirt in his arms and follows Jade to the changing rooms. He's a little hesitant to actually enter. Trying this on means he'll have to undress and bare the chain. He can't quite place the feeling -- it's giving him goosebumps -- and forces himself to slip past Jade. "Thanks."

Jade enters after Shinjirou, locking the door behind them. Like most changing rooms, there's a full length mirror attached to the wall, and Jade positions himself in such a way that Shinjirou has to stand closer to the mirror than he does.

He moves forward, giving Shinjirou no opportunity to step back. "Let me help you," he says, arms encircling Shinjirou's shoulders from behind. He doesn't linger there long, already starting to slide Shinjirou's jacket off his shoulders.

The mirror's surface is cool against his fingertips when he attempts to pull himself out of the sudden, awkward embrace. Now that he can see his cheeks flush instead of just notice them feeling hotter, his embarrassment reaches new heights.

"Are you seriously doing this in public?" The door may be locked, but that doesn't keep the voices of the other customers locked out. There's people chatting, women asking each other if this or that dress looks good on them.

He takes a deep breath and stares at the wall. Much better than seeing himself fidget in the mirror. "Whatever."

"Oh? And what might I be doing?" He asks innocently. "As far as I know, I'm only helping you change."

Slowly, teasingly, he continues to work at the jacket, enjoying the way the fabric moves over Shinjirou's solid form. He finishes removing one side first - forcing Shinjirou's arm to bend awkwardly in the meantime - before moving onto the next.

Shinjirou is still avoiding the mirror, but Jade isn't too concerned. He'll look eventually.

"I'm seventeen. I can do that on my own." The protests are limited to words, pushed out between ground teeth. He's not trying to dodge Jade's touch. However, a slight sweat breaks out and covers his goosebump-riddled body. Jade's careful, sensual, until he pushes one arm into a crooked position, but even that reminds Shinjirou of certain other events; of a fist curled in his hair, a sharp tug on the chain.

This, this is intimate and a part of him wants to lean back and enjoy it. The part that doesn't mind Jade doing everything on purpose.

When Shinjirou glances at the mirror, he can see just how stiff his muscles are. He's tense, visibly and tangibly. His breath leaves a white cloud behind which he immediately wipes away with his free hand. Jade's having fun, that much he can figure out. Shinjirou could change that, easily, by not caring about the situation ... but he's not ready for that level of difficulty.

"You couldn't even pick a shirt on your own." Jade smiles when his eyes meet with those of Shinjirou's reflection, and he continues to peel the jacket off him, navigating through touch alone. Under his hands, Shinjirou is as rigid as a coat rack, though whether it's from arousal or discomfort or both remains to be seen. Judging by the flush on his face and the goosebumps that prickle visibly on his neck, both seems the most likely.

His gaze flicks away from the mirror for a brief moment, taking in the tension in Shinjirou's shoulders, the way they draw inwards as if he's trying to make himself smaller. Being able to observe someone from both the front and back at the same time is new to Jade. He takes full advantage of it, allowing his gaze to roam, until he finishes taking off the jacket and has no choice but to turn and hang it up on the wall.

Someone outside twists at the handle to their changing room and shoves on the door, only to stomp away when they find it locked, grumbling under their breath as they leave. Jade doesn't wait for their footsteps to fade before moving back to Shinjirou again - it's not as if they'll ever be completely alone here, with only a few flimsy walls between them and the public eye.

"We should get you a tie later," he remarks, a soft whisper into Shinjirou's ear. Jade's hands come to rest on Shinjirou again, settling on his hips, fingers bending against the subtle curve. He pulls at the fine fabric of the borrowed shirt, untucking it from his slacks.