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

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

It had been a long day for Helen, a very long day indeed, and she was exhausted after everything that had happened, the emotional toll of finally ending the Ripper case and dealing with Adam. She'd taken her time the next day, spent a lot of it downstairs or in the library, trying to keep herself occupied. But eventually, it became too much and she sought out the only other person she could: James.

Wherever he was, she needed to talk to him. Much as she wanted to deal with it herself, she knew she couldn't. He'd been helping her deal with John first and then the Ripper case, and so she knew, despite everything else, that she could rely on him.

Her footsteps were quiet, her skirts barely rustling as she approached his study first. If he wasn't there, she would check the library next. And if he wasn't there, she'd bury herself in the books. She could use the distraction.

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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.

It was a gentle thing, spur of the moment, and when he didn't immediately reciprocate, she thought she'd finally crossed a line somewhere. She was about to pull away from him when he, instead, held her close. So, she sank into the kiss just a little more before she pulled away to smile at him.

"Ah... I should have asked. Propriety and all that."

Her hands dropped to his shoulders, more to hold herself in place than to push him away at that point. Breaking societal norms or not, it had felt good and she couldn't say she regretted what she'd done.

He chuckled at that, smiling at her in turn but not pushing her away. This was what he had wanted, for a rather long time, and he couldn't help the kiss to her forehead now, before he spoke.

"No need to ask for such a thing, Helen, not between us, yes?"

He was being careful, cautious in how he approached this, because of John. But he had a feeling she would agree with him on this, at least this once.

James wasn't John and she had to keep reminding herself of that. Helen let her eyes slide shut as James kissed her forehead, opening them again as the smile warmed on her face.

"No, darling. We don't."

She was comfortable standing here, enjoying being with him, touching him, being touched in return by someone who truly loved her. It was doing wonders to wipe away the memory of how John had touched her two days ago. It was up to James what happened next, if they took a seat on her couch and cuddled or talked... or something else. She was just happy to be with him at all.

That darling, she had called him darling here and he had to smile more at that. He didn't let her go, not yet at any rate, instead kissing her forehead again.

"How about we sit down, here and talk? Or enjoy the silence if you like."

He wasn't picky, not at all what they did when or if they sat down. All he knew was they would be together, and that was all he wanted for the moment. A chance to enjoy being with her, nothing more, especially as it was a little soon for anything else yet.

Her smile brightened, warm but still gentle on her face as she tilted her head down so he could kiss her forehead a second time.

"I would like that very much."

She moved to the couch, smoothing her skirts and settling in. If he would let her, she'd return her head to his shoulder just so she could hold him again.

"What would you like to talk about? If you say 'the weather,' I will leave."

The smile was still on her face, as she was more teasing than serious in that regard.

He moved with her, smoothing his own jacket as he sat down next to her, instantly taking one of her hands in his own. He honestly couldn't get enough of that, of holding her hand and everything else.

"I was going to say the party, but if you would rather the weather..."

He smirked though to show he was teasing, he honestly didn't care what they talked about but the party seemed to be the best thing at the moment.

Helen let out a small noise of annoyance despite her smile as she settled against him, squeezing his hand when he took hers.

"No. No weather." Unless it was the atmosphere of the party. That she could deal with. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

That noise got a chuckle out of him and he squeezed her hand back, smiling still.

"I did, found a couple of possible cases for later if they lead to anything of interest. And yourself?" It had been her idea after all.

She nodded in return. "Yes. I believe it was well worth the effort, despite my acquaintances asking after my romantic life."

That had been mortifying, to say the least, though at least something decent had come out of it. She could count herself lucky for that.

"Though, I must admit, it was quite nice to have a companion this time."

Oh right that. Oops. He hadn't helped much at all with that when he had touched her forehead and escorted her out now had he? "I can, understand that feeling."

But he did smile at that though, turning and shifting to kiss her cheek with a smile. "It was indeed, especially with it being you, darling. It made it all the more special."

No, he hadn't. He'd made it worse. Fortunately for him, she wasn't going to complain about it anymore.

Her breath caught and she let her eyes slide shut just a touch as he kissed her cheek. It was still so new to her, another loving relationship like this, but she wanted to take it slowly now that she could think about it. She didn't want to mess this one up.

"Perhaps we ought to do this more often. I rather like going places with you." And going places and being seen with him. It was all very nice.

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