Romeo, Go Home-eo [Shin/James]

It was supposed to be a good day. It was supposed to be an excellent day. He was going to head out, take some time to himself, and enjoy the day as he indulged in the art which he truly loved.


Instead, he stood with a dejected look outside the cinema.

Curse ALL those fuckers from the Velvet Room! He'd missed the showing because that lot had held him up! A place outside of the laws of the world where time often dilated and bent to one's whim, and they couldn't at LEAST make sure that the time he was stuck there wouldn't eat into his schedule! He'd been planning this for ages!

Shit, shit, shit...he was going to have to rework things now. All the showings he'd picked out had been carefully timed so he could show up to each, but he was halfway through the first of his intended selection now, and it was far too late now to see everything today. And that made the question...which of these films would he have to sacrifice the chance to view before he was dragged back to the room...?

God, he hated this situation.

Shin gave a little sigh. There was no play practice going on, and not being in any other groups meant he had nothing else to do. He couldn't stick around after school for no good reason, but he didn't want to go home either. Unfortunately for Shin, he didn't have any actual friends. Sure he could chit chat and talk with classmates and club members, but he never saw them after school. Not for any particular reason, he didn't avoid social interaction but outside of school he did not really seek it out either. It might have been due to the lonely cloud looming over Shin and his home, but it felt strange to invite someone somewhere after school. He'd not been asked himself, but he didn't know if he'd accept. Either way, he was still only a first year. There was plenty of time for things to change he told himself.

For now, going home so earlier would just result in Shin lounging around in pjs for the rest of the day. While appealing to some, it was boring for Shin. Day to day life was pretty boring for Shin however, unlike his dramatic love stories. Love was pretty much the only spice he could sprinkle onto his life, besides danger. But danger was...dangerous. But alas, the closest he got was the plays he participated in. Either way, he needed something to do. Not a lot of options interested him, so in the end the choice was easy. See a movie. While not exactly a fan of seeing one alone, he did not have a cute girl to invite on a date. He knew a few in class and the club, but unfortunately did not have their numbers. Oh well he told himself.

Upon approaching the cinema, Shin started to consider his options. Seeing a romance movie alone was a little sad he told himself, so maybe an action movie? Or a horror? He didn't even really know what was playing if he was honest. He stopped, crossing his arms and shaking his head with a sigh. Still in his school uniform as he came here straight from school, he scratched his cheek while his mind wandered, looking over people meanwhile. His eyes finally fell on someone he could only describe as a nerd. He looked upset about something or other, but that wasn't really important right now.

What was important was that he looked like he knew a thing or two about... nerd stuff. Shin was hoping movies fell into that, or at least for this nerd in particular. Maybe he could help Shin decide what he wanted to watch. Approaching him with a joyful little stride, his mood always lifting up when interacting with someone like a happy switch was flipped on him. "Exc~use me!" He called out to get his attention, waving a hand at him.

"My good man! What's playing in the cinema today? Anything ya recommend?" She asked as he eliminated most of the space between them. James would still have his personal space, but the way Shin was leaning forward with his hands behind his back looked as if he was going to steal that space for his own at any moment.

James glared at Shin, displeased by the sudden interruption to his crucially important business. And he didn't care what other people might think - this was important. Matters of film were to be given the respect they deserved.
A respect this intruder seemed to lack.

"I'm pretty sure you can check the upcoming showings like everyone else." The attendant sneers, narrowing his eyes. "I'm sure you'll be fine with whatever you select."
With that, James goes back to his musings, poised to take action if this midget couldn't take a hint. His focus was sharp and clear to all, fixed on a selection of posters before him - the latest heavily advertised LCU film that he was barely paying attention to, a film adaptation of an older publication that was finding mixed reviews from the varying execution levels of its content, a little-advertised romantic comedy doing rounds within its devoted circles, and what appeared to be a hyper-exaggerated b-movie action film that obviously wasn't taking itself too seriously.

Shin gave him a smile when their eyes met. James mentioning Shin could just look at the little list things to find out what was playing. Which was technically true, but it really only gave Shin the title of the movies. He didn't follow things closely, and wasn't aware of any of the series on going that weren't super mega famous, the kinda that any old anybody would be aware of. Though he wasn't particularly interested in seeing any of those aforementioned series. He didn't know the niche, but the man seemed to have a good sense of things. Shin only thinking this because of how he pointed out that whatever Shin chose would be fine.

The small boy puffed up a bit at the thing he took as a compliment. Whoever this nerd fella was obviously had a go head on his shoulders if he could tell just from a glance. "Hm hm HM~" Shin chuckled to himself. The other man seemed to be glaring at the blond, but it went completely over his head. Though he could tell that he was losing Jame's attention. The bespectacled man focusing his attention on the poster. Shin followed beside him, as if they were already buddies on a outing together. "So then! We know I'd be fine with whatever I pick, but what about you? Which one of these would you pick if you could only decide on one?" Shin asked. The man could be holding up a sign that read "go away" and the petite blond would be unable to take the hint.

If looks could kill, James would have murdered Shin and his ghost three times over. He made a pointedly large step away from the small boy.
"I'm having enough of an issue trying to eliminate one selection from my day's viewing. I would rather not entertain the hypothetical of getting rid of all but one of them." He let out a growl as he turned his attentions back to the posters, a capped pen prepared for the next invasion upon his space. "Actually, no - I'd see Wartorn Devils, easily. There's not a chance in all the world that it'll get a home release, so if I miss out on viewing it here I'm going to lose the chance to see it at all. From there, Thorn In My Side offers a uniquely executed take on things that I'd be remiss not to experience, using a secondary relationship that by all means should not work at a surface level to teach its protagonist to appreciate and overcome the trials in their own. And with the way Avenging Saviour Lyra has inspired both a passionate love and a resounding dismissal from its viewers of the very same details in its production, it would be almost criminal not to take the chance to evaluate it for myself."
He continues to mutter himself as he mulls over the intricacies of his dilemma.

It seems just picking one movie was what was troubling the man. Shin scratched his cheek as the other growled at him. He was anything but friendly, but Shin didn't mind. It took a lot to make Shin genuinely dislike someone, besides Shin ended up being right! He was some kind of movie nerd after all. James took a step away, a exaggerated one as he was trying get away from Shin. The hint was pretty obvious, but either Shin just didn't care, or he was some kind of airhead. Simply following after James still to keep the distance between them small. Whenever their eyes met Shin would keep a pleasant smile fixed on his lips, in his head James was fun because of how easily he seemed to get worked up so far. Meaning they were friends already. Well, from Shin's perspective anyway.

He answered Shin's question after all, saying that if he had to pick one he would pick something Called Wartorn Devils. Shin tilted his head, about to ask "What's that one abo-" But before he could, he was cut out as James just kind of kept talking. Telling Shin it would never be released on a disc or digitally or something for whatever reason, which the blond found hard to believe. Surely someone would upload it or something. James suddenly felt chatty however, listing a second movie which sort of defeated the purpose of picking just one entirely. Though it didn't actually sound like he was talking to Shin this time around. The blond kept his head tilted to the side as he watched and listened to the man mutter, inching closer to hear what he was saying.

"You uh, really like movies huh?" Shin asked to try and get his attention back. "I've never really watched them myself. I end up losing interest most of the time, especially when the little animals or teacups start singing." Actually now that he thought about it, Shin should learn to sing love songs for romancing the ladies sometime. But that was neither here nor there in the moment. "I'm Shin." he finally introduced himself to the other, not even actually caring about seeing a movie now. He was already killing time with this strange fella after all.

With a flick of his wrist, James launched the pen in has hand at Shin's forehead with startling accuracy as he attempted to encroach on his space again. "Take the hint."
He brandished a second pen as he tried to get closer again.

James's teeth started to grind as Shin spoke up again...but it soon wore down into a harsh frown, the prior anger seemingly worn down. "I dread to think what kind of exposure to the art you've had if that's what you come out with." He turns around to look down at Shin, his expression having evened out.


"Well, Shin. My name is James, and it appears your knowledge of film is critically lacking if your first reference is to lackadaisical Disney princess fare. It would appear you have yet to receive proper introduction to the kind of media you appreciate." He shakes his head, tutting and pushing up his glasses. "What do you look for in life, Shin? What is it that captivates you?"

As Shin went to get closer, a pen struck him in the forehead dead center. It was like a ninja throwing his star with extreme accuracy to the target, except instead of piercing his forehead it only bounced off of Shin. The petite one gave a shrill but small yelp in reaction to being hit by a pen. Rubbing where he was struck, receiving the message loud and clear. He then decided to ignore it. Taking another step towards him anyway. Though he made sure to give him a slight bit more personal space, not wanting to face an onslaught of pens tossed at his head.

The two didn't seem to really be having a conversation, the man mumbling stuff to himself and all but ignoring what Shin said. Though mentioning what movies Shin had seen seemed to be enough to actual successfully obtain his attention this time. James actually looking at Shin now, and even seemed less annoyed! Shin grinned up at him, his ego taking this little progress as a huge victory that no one could resist his charms. Everyone wanted to be his friend, it was only natural!

Anyway. He even gave his name, Shin repeating it back to him with "Nice to meet ya James!" The big grin on his facing not leaving for even a moment. It seemed the disney movies his sisters showed him as a kid did not impress James, though his sisters seemed to like them a lot. Shin shrugged, believing James probably knew more about what he was talking about than Shin. The way he spoke definitely confirmed him as a nerd in Shin's mind. Not that Shin really cared however. He asked Shin what it is he was looking for in life and the blond smirked, shutting his eyes and placing his hand on his chest.

He gave a soft "Hm hm~" and was practically glowing. He gave a small twirl and held his hand out to James as if he was presenting some unseeable object. "Love!" He declared, as if it was the most amazing thing. He then chuckled to himself, because it totally was.

The second pen he'd prepared twitched as Shin stepped in again. It was clear enough getting closer than he had would send the pens flying again.


The response James received to his question couldn't help but make him despair. Forget directing him to a film - this little blond moron seemed to think he was in one. But, for now, he restrained himself. "I think I'm going to need a little more than that." There were many views on love, and James was already getting the impression that Shin's was a little divorced from the reality of it. He pitied the soul who was going to be victim of it. "What do you think love is? What do you understand of love and relationships, and what about them makes you desire that so much?"

Shin stopped at the threat of having another pen flung at him. With a huff he crossed his arms and planted his feet flat on the ground, settling with the max distance James would allow. Well whatever, Shin flicked his hair back and rolled his eyes, staying put where he was. Though he did consider that James would run out of pens before Shin ran out of patience, he opted not to bug him over how close Shin could stand.

Though it seemed Shin's answer was unsatisfactory tp James. Shin dropping the extravagant pose and returning to a normal stance. Tilting his head once again, James said he needed more info than that. He proceeded to elaborate further on what he meant, asking Shin for more details on the matter. The blond cupped his chin in his hand as he looked straight up while thinking on it. What is love? "Hm..." In truth, Shin did not actually know. He was still just a kid with a lot of fantasies in his head, but the real deal? He had no idea. Not that it mattered, the fantasies were the real deal to him.

"Um, love is like so amazing! It's like you find uh, someone so special to you. Like when you see them the world looks brighter, your spirits raise, and everything just feels right and warm!" That was more so just a guess on his part. It was what he imagined love to be like. As for the reason he desired one so much? Shin raised a brow like James grew a second head.

"Love is amazing and exciting don't ya think? Sharing so much with someone! Something so meaningful, an emotional and physical bond stronger than any other!" He shut his eyes and hugged himself, shivering at the thought with a pleasant little sigh.  "Amazing! Ahh~"

James smirked slightly and pocketed the pen as Shin gave up. Little did he know, the attendant wasn't going to be running out of pens in short order. And even if he did...he had other options.


If the answer he gave before failed to impress, the banal response he gave this time did even worse. The man in the labcoat seemed visibly disappointed in Shin's answer. Well, if nothing else, they had managed to solidly confirm his suspicions about what schlock would fit them.
With a sigh, James plucked out his phone in order to check if the film he had in mind was currently showing.


"Well, lucky for you, there's a showing in twenty minutes that's just about on your level." He pockets the phone again, smiling thinly. "I'd suggest you get yourself a ticket for the adaptation of Another Morning. Not to my taste, but at the very least, far better than those garbage fires they called the Dusk films."

Thankfully Shin was spared the wrath of more pens being tossed at him. A little relieved sigh left him as the conversation resumed. His passionate and totally realistic view on love and romance seemed to not impress James, so Shin concluded it was impossible to impress him at all. He sighed and Shin put a hand on his hip as he watched the other, waiting to see what he had to say in response then, or if he had his own views on love to share.

He watched as the fella pulled out his phone, following his hand while it fished into his pocket. Shin had not noticed he was wearing a labcoat earlier. Strange that he failed to see it, even more strange that he was wearing one at all at a movie theater. "Cosplay?" He mumbled to himself, tilting his head yet again. Keeping his thought to himself was not something Shin managed to do well at all unfortunately. "Hey what's with the coat? You some kind of science fella?" Shin ask bluntly.

As it turns out, he was looking up a movie for Shin to watch. The small blond puffed up a bit, he knew they'd become friends in the end! Shin gave a nod and said "Got cha! Let's get going then." Shin said as he began to walk into the cinema, stopping if he saw James was not following him. Shin'd return to him with his hands on his hips and saying "You're out here being indecisive aren't ya! You might as well come with me then! Better than just standing around out here doing nothing!" Shin told him with a bit of a huff, expecting a no and another pen attack.

James chuckles to himself. "You could say that, yes." Any elaboration on the subject was sure to either get an undesirable response or go completely over this fool's head.
For now, he'd leave it at that.

Inwardly, James sighs as he realises that this boy was about to try and drag him with him. Preparing himself for any necessary preventative measures, he plucks out a pen and starts twirling it in his fingers in full view of Shin. "I could have sworn I just said the film I sent you off to wasn't of the sort I'd personally opt to watch. And besides that, if I watch that film with you, I'm going to miss out on another of the things I actually wanted to watch. So, scoot off, will you?"

He confirmed that he was indeed some sort of science type man. "I see..." he mumbled as the other told him, but it did not look as if  he was not going to elaborate any further. Well, science stuff was boring and made no sense anyway bleh. Anyway, they had a movie to catch!

Except he was putting up resistance. Not following Shin into the movie theater, the blond huffed and shook his head, the other brandishing a pen. No doubt planning to throw it again, so Shin held out his hands in a attempt to block it, walking forward and trying to just take the pen from the other "E-enough of that!" he whined, he couldn't just be tossing things around like that!

He told Shin the movie was not something he wanted to watch, and that he'd miss out on watching something else instead. Shin shook his head and huffed "And how long have you just been standing here trying to make up your mind on what to see huh?" Shin asked, but it seemed James was adamant on shooing him away. Shin held up his hands in defeat. "Alright, alright." He conceded, nodding his head and slowly starting to walk away. Very slowly, giving the other man every chance in the world to change his mind and join him. Shin peeked over his shoulder to see if James was even considering changing his mind or not at all.

James steps back as Shin tries to encroach again. "No, I'm pretty sure it isn't enough yet." With easy access to the face blocked, he takes another angle to send it shooting beneath his hands to impact where his neck bridged into his chin - hardly dangerous, but definitely something that would be felt while he readied another projectile.

The attendant stared him down until Shin gave up and started to leave, watching as they took trudging steps away. As he looked back, he'd spot James giving him a wide, smug smile, dismissively shooing him off with one hand. "Ta-tah. Enjoy your movie."