The David and James Story

The David and James Story


Pairing: David/James

Rating: NC 17

Author: You think anyone’s gonna actually admit to writing this shit?

Disclaimer: No infringement of coght ght is intended. You know who the characters belong to.

This is AU. The people involved would never behave like this in real life.

Chapter 5

Somewhere in Santa Monica

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James checked in the rear view mirror that David’s Ford Explorer was still following him and pulled into Mario’s parking lot. David drew up beside him, stopped and opened the window. James got out.

“I’ll get it,” James said. He knew David wouldn’t want to risk the crowds of potential autograph seekers inside. “Any special requests?”

“Whatever you’re having is fine with me,” David replied.

James headed for the restaurant entrance.

“… but hold the jalapenos,” he heard David call after him.

Okay, so no jalapenos although he was sure he’d seen David eat them before.

James placed his order, took a number and went back outside to keep David company while they were waiting. A sudden squeal caught his attention and he turned around to see two teenage girls running toward him. He glanced in the direction of David’s car. With the heavily tinted windows you’d never know who was inside so it couldn’t be him they’d spotted. He wondered what they were up to and took a step backwards out of their way expecting them to run straight past. They didn’t. He was surprised to find they stopped right beside him.

“Hey, you’re that vampire, aren’t you?” the first girl said.

“Spike!” the second girl added, obviously pleased with herself that she’d remembered his name.

“James, actually,” James said.

“See, I told you David was the other one,” the second girl said to the first.

The first girl produced a magazine from her bag and proceeded to flick through the pages until she found an article headed “Welcome to the Hellmouth.” She thrust the page under his nose and rummaged in her bag for a pen.

“Please, could you sign this to Kitty,” she asked.

“Number twenty four, your order is ready. Please proceed to the booth,” a man’s voice boomed out from the speakers in the parking lot.

James quickly scrawled his name across the slightly fuzzy picture of him and Juliet and handed the magazine back to the girl.

“Nice to meet you, girls. Gotta go, that’s my order,” he said, hurrying back into the restaurant, the sounds of giggling fading behind him.

“He’s cute,” the second girl said.

***************

“You mean that’s the first time you’ve ever been stopped on the street like that?” David asked, unbelieving.

They reached the top step, with James in front.

“Well, yeah, except for when we’re out on location,” James replied. “It’s just along here on the left. Number sixty nine,” he said, indicating the way to his apartment. “No jokes, please. I’ve heard them all. As a matter of fact I think that’s why I got it cheap. No one else wanted to take it.”

“I don’t get it,” David said.

James turned to face him. Now he was the one who couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“No, I didn’t mean the apartment. I meant I don’t get why no one ever stops you on the street. Granted, they’ve been seeing my face on TV for almost a year now whereas you’ve only been on for a couple of months - although you’ve done TV before, haven’t you?”

James unlocked the door and ushered David inside.

“… but you’re way hotter than I am,” David added under his breath.

*Shit, he thinks I’m hot!*

James decided to pretend he hadn’t heard the last remark. David probably hadn’t meant it anyway. He was just being kind.

He thrust the pizza box into David’s hand and gestured to the living room.

“Take it through. I’ll fetch plates and drinks. I don’t have much of a selection, I’m afraid: Red Bull, milk, grapefruit juice, mineral water - still or sparkling. I don’t drink but I think there’s some beer in the fridge. Can’t remember what kind.”

“Any kind of beer is fine,” David said, passing through the archway into the living room.

*****************

James arrived with paper plates and napkins, a can of Red Bull and a bottle of Sam Adams to find David studying a painting on the wall.

“This okay,” James said holding up the beer for inspection.

“Yeah, fine,” David said, taking the bottle from him and putting it to his lips.

James watched those lips engulf the rim of the bottle. He couldn’t tear his eyes from that mouth as David threw his head back and drank. He was still staring when David lowered the bottle and wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.

James could feel that stirring in his pants again. It was becoming something of a common occurrence today.

“This landscape,” David said, nodding toward the painting. “Who’s the artist?”

“Er… I am,” James mumbled, embarrassed. “It’s a hobby. I’m not very good really but I enjoy the tranquillity and solitude of the desert and painting gives me an excuse.”

“Oh, but you are good. The way you’ve captured the light is amazing,” David said, turning to smile at him. “Why do you do that?”

“What?” James asked.

“Put yourself down.”

“I wasn’t aware that I did,” James replied, uncomfortably. “Pizza’s getting cold. Come and eat.”

David took one end of the couch. James sat at the other and handed him a plate.

“Sorry about the paper plates,” he apologised. “Saves on washing up. Kinda reverted to student mode since the divorce, I’m afraid.”

“Yeah, know what you mean,” David said.

“Oh, I’m sorry, David. I didn’t mean to bring that up.”

James could have kicked himself. He’d forgotten David hadn’t long separated from his wife and that divorce proceedings were pending. Sarah had mentioned it sounded like it was gonna be a pretty messy divorce.

“That’s okay, I don’t mind talking about it,” David said, helping himself to a slice of pizza. “We should never have got married in the first place.”

“Then why did you?” James asked and then wondered if the question was too intrusive. “Sorry, none of my business.”

“No, it’s okay. You have a right to know.”

*I do?*

David took a large bite of pizza. James watched him eat.

David licked his lips.

On the pretext of reaching for a slice of pizza, James shifted position trying to relieve the growing pressure in his pants.

“She wanted to get married. When I got the role and it looked like I’d have a steady income at last it seemed like the thing to do. I didn’t think it through. Didn’t even stop to wonder if it was what I really wanted,” David began, “if it was right for me.”

He took another swig of beer before continuing.

“I’d been wondering for some time, of course, but it wasn’t until I was actually married that I knew for sure.”

James said nothing although he had a shrewd idea what was coming next.

“I’m gay,” David confessed. “I’d been thinking I might be ever since high school but hadn’t ever done anything about it. I guess I was scared or maybe I never met anyone I liked enough to want to experiment with… until I met you, that is.”

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