themusemanor | PSL - James Watson | Helen Magnus ---> We're glad for what we've got

James could live with it as well, where it stood. The few touches and kisses they could have while they were alone was enough, even if they didn't go beyond that really. Which was why he was happy for her to sleep on him, to think about his thoughts. In fact he slept with her, rather enjoying the comfort of someone next to him as he did sleep. Because that made his night, really, all the more comfortable (and also explained why he had overslept, by accident, and didn't wake Helen up in time for her to leave at dawn).

But he had made sure to be ready in time to go to their party, and while he wasn't really a stand out when it came to his clothing, he at least looked presentable when they arrived. And their chat the night before, well, he was actually looking much happier, much more relaxed than he would have before with her. Because at least she knew his feelings, and so he didn't avoid the small looks, the touches, things he had been wanting to do but couldn't as he wanted to hide it. Hadn't stopped all day really and arriving at the party, well, he doubted would stop that. Which was why he hadn't really left her side when they arrived.

Neither of them were awake before dawn, but it seemed that they were left well enough alone all night anyway. The only thing Helen could really complain about with regard to the situation was that it gave her a slight crick in her neck. Of course, as far as she was concerned, that was a small price to pay for the comfort of being near James for so long. She managed to pry herself away from him early enough to escape before anyone saw - or so she hoped - and she made her way back to her room to prepare for the day.

She wore her blue suit dress for the evening, pinning up her blonde hair so as not to appear suggestive in any manner. She was almost fifty, after all. Ancient by the standards of the age. Even so, age wouldn't deny her social expectations, much as she wished it would.

Once she was ready, she sought James out, allowing him to escort her all the way to the party. She held onto his arm as long as she could, allowing his touches, his looks, as she had all day. It was strange to think of how much had changed in such a short amount of time, but she didn't mind at all. In return, she offered him little smiles, looks she hadn't given him previously, and leaned into his touches as she let him guide her inside.

The first people they ran into were other guests, who greeted them happily, glad they both could make it. A few of them even glanced shrewdly from Helen to James and back. Helen knew someone would figure it out at some point, but wasn't entirely sure she minded. Perhaps she wasn't giving herself enough credit. Perhaps she was ready for this. She stole a glance at James to see how he was doing.

James could complain as well about the slight knot in his back from sitting there all night but it was the better price to pay for having her around him all night. Though he had frowned when she had pried herself away, he had grown rather attached to her being there with him all night.

And did he ever want to show her more as they went to the party. The looks, the smiles, they gave him life, a hope really that things would work out well, that he would get to have perhaps more, later. Eventually really. But a day changed so much, especially when it was such a big change really.

And he had noticed the glances, like she had. Perhaps it was because of his observational skills or because they were just that obvious. But he was doing alright with her, and he had to smile, when she glanced at him, gesturing almost as if she wanted him with her right then or if he was alright there, in the group of people around him, and her with her group.

What Helen wanted society would deny her. So for the moment, she was stuck with being proper, keeping herself upright so she would appear as such. Still, she drank in James' presence, his looks and touches, every little thing that reminded her of their conversation last night. She would have preferred to have him at her side for the whole gathering, but that would have been ludicrous to expect. Not at something like this.

She did, however, receive a few comments on her relationship status once James was far enough away from her that they could get away with it. Even if he wasn't close enough to overhear, she knew he'd be able to read her actions as her cheeks flushed red and she bowed her head.

"Ah, no. We aren't yet seeing each other," she answered, a comment that spurred a lot of other questions she wished she hadn't opened the floodgates to. Her life was her private life and she didn't want anyone else questioning her about it, even if they meant it in good humour. "He is an old friend of mine. Nothing more."

And yet she couldn't help stealing another look in his direction, wishing he would come rescue her, even if that would only give the women surrounding her far more fuel to their nagging ways.

At something like this he was finding it difficult as well to be separated from her, especially as he was otherwise usually glued to her side. But he couldn't expect that, and didn't, so instead he just, did what he could, surrounded by other people.

But by her actions her, reactions, how the ladies around her were acting, he could read the entire thing on her face. Oh so they were asking, they had noticed, them, their closeness. And that was making him duck his head, for the briefest moment before he excused himself and made his way over. To heck with the idea of fueling them, he just didn't want her turning so red that it made him worry if she was alright.

"Darling, is everything well? You look rather flushed," though the slight smirk he had spoke more to what he knew about what was going on then his words, even as he rested a hand on her arm.

The giggling that followed as James moved over to rescue her and called her "Darling" made Helen want to escape the room quite soon, if not immediately. She couldn't hide the flush or her smile as he stopped beside her and rested a hand on her arm.

"Yes, I believe I'm just a little overheated," she answered, placing her own hand on his arm as though to allow him to lead her away as he saw fit. "Perhaps we could take a walk?"

So much for staying out of the way of the gossipers. If they didn't already have enough to talk about, they certainly would after this.

He ignored that giggling, that was the thing he had been trying to avoid. Instead he just kept that smirk, and his hand on her arm, looking for all the world a concerned gentleman friend, and he moved his arm around to offer it to her.

"Of course, that would be for the best," and he was starting to regret calling her darling, but it had just slipped out so naturally that he hadn't thought about it before hand.

Though it wasn't so bad as him placing the back of his hand to her forehead just to see if it was her being overheated, a casual doctor's gesture. "You do feel rather warm."

Doctor or no, Helen's flush grew at his touch to her forehead, innocent though it was, and she swatted his hand away with a chastising look. "Perhaps you ought to escort me home in that case," she told him firmly, taking the offered arm and turning towards the door.

Her female companions were spared an even smile. "It was a pleasure speaking with you all this evening."

They all grinned at her and a few pulled out fans. Helen couldn't help rolling her eyes as she turned back to look at James. "I'm ready when you are, Darling."

She'd done it on purpose, having officially decided she didn't care anymore.

Which only got more of a smirk out of him at her blushing, and he pulled his hand away at that look. Perhaps he had overstepped with that comment but he didn't say a word, instead turning towards the door as well. "If you would like me to of course."

And he did smile at the ladies as well, "A pleasure ladies, if you will excuse us of course." And her rolling her eyes got a slight shake of his head before he patted her hand gently in something like approval, "Of course."

He started for the door with her, happy his beard hid his slight blush at that.

If she could have gotten away with it, she would have leaned her head against him. The gossipers already had enough fuel that she didn't want to add to it. So she simply smiled at him and allowed him to guide her through the door and outside. The cooler air helped calm her nerves and ease her blush, but not by much.

"Thank you... for coming, both to the party and to my rescue."

Yes that would not have helped them in this case really, even if he would have wanted it as well. So he just smiled at her, keeping her slightly closer than was strictly needed as he walked, and was just glad she seemed to be getting better, even if only slightly.

"You are welcome, on both accounts. I will admit it has been some time since I have seen you blush so much." There's a little bit of teasing in his voice as he talked, yes he is enjoying this to much really.

Helen didn't mind how close he was holding her, either, and her tight grip on his arm would say as much. The party had been nice, but this, walking alone and spending time with him, was far better.

"It has been a long time since I had reason to," she admitted, purposefully not looking at him as they walked down the street. James had certainly turned her upside down lately, but she had to admit it wasn't entirely a bad thing.

James chuckled slightly at her tight grip, rather enjoying how much things had changed for them both in the last day. And he would never turn away time to spend with her, even if it was from a party that he may have found a case (or three) that may interest him later.

"Unfortunate really, I do say I do enjoy seeing you blush," he smiled as he talked, not looking at her as they did. He had to admit he was starting to enjoy all of her small expressions more and more recently, not that he hadn't before but, the fact that he was the cause, that made it all the more special to him.

Oh he was the cause indeed. Helen's blush grew a bit and she became grateful for the night sky hiding most of her expression from his sight. Still, she knew he'd be able to read her perfectly well, even as she ducked her head and looked away to hide the smile gracing her lips.

"If tonight is anything to go by, you will be changing that," she answered, holding his arm close to her and her close to him. "If you keep this up, we may not make it home for my burning cheeks."

Yes he could read all of that from how she acted, and he had to chuckle more at it. Because it was rather amusing to him that he could get her like that, that he could see her so embarrassed about something simple.

"Then I will merely have to carry you home then darling, can't risk you giving a driver your fever now can we?" That was entirely teasing but he does move closer to her, just enjoying it. Enjoying the time they had together.

"But then I would risk giving you my fever and we can't have that," she protested softly, ignoring how she wouldn't have minded in the least if he picked her up and carried her home. She was forty-eight years old, and yet she was acting and feeling like an adolescent. Honestly, she wasn't entirely sure what to make of that, so she pushed the feeling down and focused on smiling at James as they walked. They were close now, very close, and almost home to boot.

"Me? Helen, for shame, you ignore the fact that I am immune to it, living in such close quarters to you, obviously I have to be," yes it's a little teasing at that, but he's enjoying it far to much really. Yes he was forty-nine years old, but he was acting half that, if not less and he was just enjoying it all. He would have gladly carried her home, but he didn't force the issue, instead enjoying the closeness she gave him. "Though if I did fall sick at least I would have you to watch over me."

She couldn't help laughing at that, letting the sound wash over them both as she walked at his side. "You know I would do no less," she answered, letting her head gently bump against his for a moment.

They were approaching the Sanctuary at that point and she fell silent, her smile sliding as a knot of worry stole its way into her chest. She wanted to tell him something, had since she'd been asked at the party, but when was a good time? And how would she do it? She wasn't sure. So she simply held him close until they were safely inside the Sanctuary.

"...James...?"

He just smiled at that laugh, enjoying it. It wasn't often anymore he got to hear it so to be the cause of it? That was special, that made his day. In this case it made it even better really.

But as they walked, he didn't care about her quiet, her silence, figuring it was just a normal thing. It happened after all, and he wasn't too worried about it. So he just let her say her thing in her own time, and he wasn't surprised that she started talking when they were inside, it made sense really.

"Yes Helen?"

She took a deep breath to steady herself, turning to face him once the door had shut behind them. "This might be better said in my study," she admitted softly, though she couldn't quite bring herself to move yet. Her eyes were serious and there was a hint of nervousness behind them, something Helen Magnus didn't often wear. "It's important."

She didn't want to worry him, but it was important.

That caused him to look down, all of a sudden rather nervous. If she was nervous and said it was important than, it couldn't be good now could it? She would just, tell him to stop, that they were better friends then anything else and he would be crushed, and left to figure out how to go on and...

Well he should answer her first before he got ahead of himself. "Very well then, lead the way, darling." He can't help how choked up he sounds however.

Helen kept her grip on James' arm as they walked down the hallways to her study. She could hear in his voice that he was as worried and nervous as she was, but she had no way of comforting him without blowing the whole thing. So she just waited until they were in her study, propping the door open as was proper before she turned to face him, stopping fairly close to him.

"James, I..."

How to start this?

"I realize what I said last night may not have been the most encouraging," she began, endeavoring to make this as painless as possible for the both of them. "I know I said I wasn't ready and perhaps I wasn't then, but... I do believe now I am. Tonight has proven to me that I can't wait around and expect things to work out perfectly."

She let her eyes search his, trying to determine his reaction to her words.

"I would like you by my side, James... darling, for as long as you'd like."

James just followed her at that, not certain what to expect but knowing for a fact that he was rather enjoying it, at least being close (but not the secrecy, never that, that was bothering him) until the got to her study. In which he folded his hands neatly at his back to hide his nerves.

SO he listened as she talked, trying to figure out what to say really until she says she wants him for however as long and it makes him smile, reaching out with a hand to pull her close. "I would love, nothing more darling, than for you to be at my side."

Helen's smile was returning as he spoke again and her eyes searched his for a moment, allowing him to pull her up against him. Oh, to heck with propriety. She couldn't hold in her feelings any longer, so she reached up with her hands to cup his cheeks and leaned over to kiss him gently.

She'd wanted to do that for a very long time, longer than she had allowed herself to imagine.

James lets that love, affection, truth shine in his eyes as he pulls her to him, it's all very real Helen. But when she cups his cheeks he stares a bit dumbly...

And lets not talk about the kiss okay? Okay.

Because that shocks him, and he doesn't return the kiss right away (he's a fail at this when it comes to things other than you know, teasing and touching and cuddling forgive him Helen). But when he does he makes sure to hold her to him, just to drive home that he is not, in fact, rejecting her or not wanting it at all.

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