The David and James Story
Chapter 44
The David and James Story
Pairing: David/James
Rating: NC 17
Author: You think anyone’s actually gonna admit to writing this shit?
Disclaimer: No infringement of copyright is intended. You know who the characters belong to.
This is AU. The people involved would never behave like this in real life…
Chapter 44
The Friday after Thanksgiving - early evening
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“Er…” James began.
“Oh, I’m sorry, James,” Bo interrupted. “That sounded bad, didn’t it? I didn’t mean… I just wondered what brought the two of you together… David said you met when you were cast…”
James relaxed a little.
Ginger stood up, stretched and climbed onto his lap.
“Yes, David was there when I first read for the part but we didn’t… er… hook up… until just a few weeks ago.”
Ginger began to kneed his thigh.
“So, it wasn’t love at first sight?” she asked with a grin.
“Heck, no!” he said. “I thought he was a jerk after our first conversation although we hit it off well enough when we actually started working together.”
She laughed.
Ginger turned his back to Bo and settled down, curling his tail around his legs.
“Don’t tell me. I bet he bored the pants off you with a load of crap about hockey or the NFL…”
James grinned.
“He always does that when he’s nervous,” she said. “You must have made quite a first impression.”
“I don’t know about that…” James began. “It was Juliet who made me look good.”
“Oh, nonsense,” she said. “I’ve seen your work, and not just on TV…”
“Oh?”
“I caught you in Macbeth in Seattle a few years ago,” she continued. “You were good…”
“Thank you.”
“… but I didn’t mean the audition,” sheed. ed. “I meant you, personally.”
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“I’ve put Fritz in the studio, Mom…” David began as he joined his mother and the children in the kitchen. “Both their baskets are in there too and a dish of water. Is it okay if they stay there for the rest of the evening? I’d rather not get James any more stressed out just at the moment…”
“Why doesn’t Uncle James like dogs?” Lizzie asked.
“I’m sure he’ll like Bertha and Fritz when he gets to know them. He’s just not used to them, Sweetie,” Patti replied. “Don’t you remember how you found them a bit scary at first, especially Bertha?”
“But Bertha wouldn’t hurt him,” Lizzie said. “Shall I go and tell him?”
“No, you stay and help me, Sweetie. Uncle David will talk to him later…”
“Can I help with anything, Mom?” David asked as he waited for the milk to come to the boil.
“No, Darling. I think Lizzie and I have everything under control. You go and keep your sister and James company… and tell her I don’t want her monopolising James at dinner tonight… Don’t worry about Bertha and Fritz. I’ll feed them as soon as I get this pie in the oven. I expect they’re hungry after that long walk with Jon…”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Does Uncle James like cats?” Lizzie asked.
David realised he had absolutely no idea.
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“… but what happens if Kendra dies,” Bo was saying as David opened the door to the den, “will another slayer be called or does Buffy have to die first?”
They’d been chatting for nearly half an hour.
“I really have no idea,” James replied, looking up as David entered.
“Ooo, maybe they both have to die first...”
“I suppose they could play it either way… Joss doesn’t take me into his idenidence… but David might know…”
“Know what?”
David put the tray of hot chocolate down on the coffee table and squeezed into the space beside James on the couch, slipping an arm around his shoulders.
“Hey, watch out for Ginger,” James said. “You nearly sat on his paw.”
Ginger shifted position and James scooped him up, and held him in his arms like a baby, touching his nose to Ginger’s as the cat raised its head toward him.
“Poor Ginger!” James exclaimed. “Come here, Puss. I’ll keep you safe…”
Ginger purred.
David glanced from James to Bo.
Bo smiled and handed David one of the mugs of hot chocolate..
“I think you’ve lost him, David,” she chuckled.
James looked up and frowned.
David laughed.
“Ginger or James?” he asked.
“Both,” she said.
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