Re: [carnival: misha and james]
As soon as Misha sat James felt overwhelmed with presence. He shifted where he sat to accommodate the warmth and the rush of the cool air. His cheeks were red from the cold but the sting made it more real and he wouldn’t shy away from it. He needed that security of that reality even if it was being slapped in the face by the bitter chill.
“I’ve seen you before,” James explained softly. He stared blankly at the metal rod of the coaster car for another moment as if perhaps it was interesting before his eyes shifted. James turned slightly to acknowledge his coastermate casually. Those blue eyes were rimmed in red, the skin puffy from crying. “You’ve been good to Nilus. Thank you.” He owed so many debts that he could never repay in a single lifetime. He would try, oh he would try to fulfill those debts but he was only one small man in a production far greater than himself.
He nodded. Misha could ask what he wanted. James wasn’t sure if he could answer questions even if he’d wanted to, but if that was the price asked of him he’d pay it gladly. “As long as Nilus will have me, then yes. I’ll stay with him.” The angel would get smart, he knew it, but until then James wasn’t complaining.
As Misha studied him, those eyes seeking something, James leaned backward a touch. He wasn’t sure what Misha was looking for not was he sure if he was comfortable with what the other man might find. For so long he’d been watching from the shadows. A lot of things weren’t new to him and those same things were so very new to him in the same context.
Questions were normal. He expected no less especially from friends. Would Misha be protective? Scrutinize? James didn’t get that vibe but people often did crazy things when they were trying to protect those they kept close. And he doubt anyone but Nilus truly knew him.