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

He slid his other hand on top of hers when they stood, smiling just as warmly as her. He kept close to her as they walked as well, his grip only slightly tighter than propriety allowed for but it was out of his need to make sure this was real, and it was made all the more evident when they entered her room, which caused him to pause. This was her room, and that, was a step he never thought he would be taking.

Which was why he had looked a little lost as she closed the door, before smiling at her. At least any gossip found about them would have some sort of basis, which was better than most would think. Which was why he took advantage of her holding him close and slipped his arms around her to help that, thinking for a few moments before saying anything.

"Helen, darling, is there anything you need help doing before bed?"

Helen tilted her head. Oh she certainly had ideas, but she simply gazed up into his eyes. "I suppose I ought to have offered for you to return to your room for a change of clothes," she answered, dodging his question. "I can't imagine you would want to sleep in that."

That had to be uncomfortable. After all, Helen herself planned to change into her nightdress. It was far more comfortable than what she was currently wearing. Of course, allowing him to leave to get those clothes meant she would have to let him go, which she was less than thrilled about at the moment. What she wanted to do was kiss him again, but first thing came first, getting settled.

Ideas he wanted to know really, and he just gazed back with a hint of a smile on his face at that. "Helen, if I wished to return to my room to change I would have said so." It was the truth at least. "And I will be fine, I have slept in far worse before."

And it was true, if he stripped himself down to his undershirt and pants he would be fine really. At least for the night, and it meant he wouldn't have to leave her or let her go, which certainly were perks of that idea over all. "So again darling, how may I help you?"

The blush crept up her cheeks again and she ducked her head before she lifted her hands to gently place them at his hips. A decade had passed since she'd done anything like this with a man and she was finding her nerves spiking, even for something as simple as holding him. She was such a confident woman normally, but now... things were quite different.

She opened her mouth to protest and then closed it, smiling sheepishly. "If you're certain, Darling." She wouldn't complain. It meant she didn't have to let him go. Her hands tightened almost imperceptibly at his hips before she leaned closer to answer him in action rather than words, sealing her response with a kiss if he would let her.

He was finding that lack of confidence rather charming really. Seeing her uncertain about things, just as he was, full of nerves and such it calmed him somewhat and made things more reassuring to himself. At least he wasn't the only one feeling that way. And her blushing was a treat for him.

So he just smiled at her still, nodding, "I am." He was certain, he would be fine just the way he was. Which was why he was still smiling at her hands on his hips and leaning in to kiss her better, not denying her that act. After all it was just as easy for them to talk with actions right? And why shouldn't they take advantage of their situation.

Her father would be gone for a bit longer, days, maybe weeks, and now Helen wanted to take full advantage of his absence. Now that she knew how James truly felt about her and had finally realized how she felt about him, she didn't particularly want to waste any more time than she had already.

She just had to hope that John wouldn't turn up. His presence would destroy the fragile confidence she had in her situation, her relationship, with James and she didn't want that at all.

One of her hands slid up to cup his cheek, holding him close to her. It was still amazing to her that she was allowing him to touch her like this when just two days ago, John had made her feel utterly violated with a very similar touch. What a difference it made to be with someone she trusted.

Eventually, she had to break the kiss so she could breathe and in doing so, she smiled up at him. A moment passed before she leaned back, took his hand, and began to slowly lead him over to the bed. There was no real need for them to remain upright after how trying these last few days were. At some point, she would need to take her hair down, but that, too, could wait until they were in the bed.

James didn't wish to waste any more time then was absolutely needed either. So long as Gregory wasn't in the house it would make this much easier for him, as he wouldn't feel as if he was betraying the confidence Gregory had in him when it came to things, because sneaking around behind his back would not sit well with him. Even if he and Helen wanted to.

And if John turned up, well James didn't want that to happen. Things would get much worse if he did.

But he pushed aside those thoughts to kiss her, enjoy her touch on his cheek, staying close. He did smile at her when she had to break the kiss, squeezing her hand as they went to the bed. There was no need to stay upright now, not after everything, and frankly he was looking forward to just spending time with her there.

"You will be comfortable like that, darling?" He had to ask though, she was in the worst outfit of the two of them after all to sleep in, he didn't want her to lay down and be uncomfortable.

Helen had been thinking of her outfit and planned to change it at some point, but for right now, she needed to just take things slowly. Actually sharing a bed with him, whether or not anything happened while they slept, would open up so many gateways and Helen needed time to adjust to everything.

"I will change in a few minutes," she answered honestly, readjusting her grip on the hand that she still held. She settled down on the edge of the bed, not yet lying down, but making it clear that James could should he wish to. Helen had other things on her mind, things like dealing with her hair. That she definitely couldn't leave as it was, and so she began to pull pins out slowly and methodically, letting her long blonde locks fall from their places up on her head.

Once she was done, she rose again and replaced them on her dresser, where the rest of the pins she used in her hair lay normally, and then grabbed her night shift and robe from her wardrobe and turned for the door.

"I'll be right back, darling," she told him with a smile, leaving the room for the bathroom so she could change without making a show of it in front of him. It took several minutes, fewer than normal because she was rushing through it, and eventually she made it back to the room, replacing her day clothes where she would remember to wash them. With her hair now loose and flowing down her shoulders, the door securely shut behind her, and her nightdress settled along her body, she turned back to James with a smile and climbed up on the bed, content to lie down now.

"I'm afraid my feet may be cold," she murmured teasingly as she slipped under the covers.

He let her guide him where to go, sitting down for the moment on the edge of the bed with her as he debated what to do himself. Though he was momentarily distracted as she began to pull the pins out, reaching up to run his fingers gently through her hair as it became undone, somewhat in an attempt to untangle it though mostly to just feel her hair in his fingers, removing his hand as she rose, leaning back on the bed on his side and propping his head up with his hand as he did.

In fact he stayed that way as she took her things and flashed her a smile when she told him where she was going, staying propped up that way until she was through the door. "Take your time," he said before she left and when she had gone he sat up to remove his shoes, socks, jacket and waist coat along with his cravat, draping them over a nearby chair so as to avoid something like wrinkles, only taking a couple of minutes with his clothing himself.

And he had just climbed into bed, getting comfortable in it when she had come in, smiling at her the entire time, chuckling again at her teasing. "There are worse things I suppose than cold feet," he murmured before sliding closer to her, not much but enough to see if she would mind him being close in the bed.

The hand in her hair had certainly been distracting and she'd had to work hard not to watch him as she worked. She expected him to return to running his fingers through her hair as soon as she returned and was slightly surprised that he hadn't as she climbed up next to him. A shy smile was offered to him as she scooted closer, lifting her hand to cup his cheek again.

"Worse?" she teased further. "How could it be worse?"

She wasn't entirely expecting a serious answer, merely teasing him to stave off her own nerves. This was new territory for them. Certainly, she'd shared a bed with another man before - John, back before he'd lost his sanity - but it was different with James. The question of whether or not he'd ever shared a bed with another woman before this flitted across her mind, but she pushed it down. There was no need to ask questions like that, especially not now, when they were so obviously enjoying each other's attention and company.

Helen longed to tell him how much he meant to her, but couldn't quite find the words. This element of safety was so very different from what she was used to and she knew that James would do anything to protect her, anything he was capable of. She felt safe in his arms, content, and after what John had done to her mere days ago, this was quite a feat. She leaned up to gently kiss the tip of his nose before she tucked herself up against him, with her head under his chin.

He had to chuckle at that smile of hers, and he had only waited until she was comfortable in the bed before returning his hand back to her hair, trying not to let her distract him with her hand on his cheek. "You could be cold in general, Helen and not just your feet." He murmured mostly teasing but also saying it in such a way to show that he would honestly not appreciate that if it were true.

It was new territory for them, sleeping in the same bed as one another even if it were in an entirely safe way. The fact that this was the first time in a rather long time that he had shared a bed with a woman was not lost on him, and it made him all the more distracted by her hair in his fingers, and he was rather glad she didn't ask about that. It was honestly something he felt she didn't need to know at the moment.

The affection though, just having her close to him like she was and the kiss to his nose as well just made him rather warm. So he tipped his head up some to let her slide her head under his chin and just held her like that to him, shifting his hand in her hair to adjust for the new position of her head and such. "You are going to spoil me Helen."

"I suppose, in that case, someone would just have to warm me up."

Helen wasn't entirely sure what had her so cheeky tonight, but perhaps it was James' fault. After all, he was the reason she was feeling particularly good tonight. His hand in her hair made something inside her flip over a few times and she let her eyes slide shut as she leaned into the touches he was making. Soon enough, she would move to a more comfortable position for sleep, but for now, she was perfectly content to remain where she was.

"I daresay, you are the one who will spoil me, darling," she murmured, her voice muffled against him. And she had to admit that if he did spoil her, she wouldn't complain.

"What if I am always cold and you would hardly improve that situation?"

Which was the truth, James always did feel rather chill compared to the rest of the room or other people it seemed to him. Which was why in part he hardly complained at all about the layers they had to wear, it kept him warm after all. And if the fire in his sitting room or even his own room was going a little higher, a little hotter than others then well that was enough to make him comfortable.

But in this case he was willing to ignore that for her, which was why he he wasn't dressed as heavily as he normally would be to go to bed. After all it was easier to warm up against a warm body and enjoy their company right?

"Do you? Perhaps then, we should just enjoy one another," he tilted his head enough to kiss her head, still running his hand through her hair. He honestly wouldn't mind spoiling her, which was why he sounded so content with the idea.

"Then I would just wrap you up and keep you close," she admitted softly, giving his side a squeeze with her arm.

That was the truth as well. If James were still cold, Helen would forgo her own warmth in order to wrap them both in blankets so she could snuggle up with him and provide warmth for him. Her head tilted back, though her eyes were still closed. Clearly, she was enjoying the feel of his hand in her hair. She had half a mind to just kiss him again, but this was enough. And soon, she would be drifting off to sleep anyway. She felt the tiredness stealing over her.

"I'm afraid I might be falling asleep, darling. Our last few days have been... tiring."

Wonderful, especially this one, but tiring. The ones before it were emotionally draining, but today more than made up for everything in Helen's opinion.

"Would you now," it wasn't really a question, just a quiet statement as he took that in.

He would have to remember that on the nights when he was rather chilled and could hardly find a way to be warm. Granted those nights were rare (and rarer still since he had come to live in the Sanctuary) but it was always a good excuse to visit Helen in the night all else failed. He did however note her enjoyment of his practically petting her hair and he did lean in for a quick kiss to her lips, not at all minding her wanting to fall asleep.

"Perfectly understandable after everything. Sleep Helen, I'll be here in the morning."

And that was a promise.

"Mhm," she murmured. She would have added more, but then he was pressing a kiss to her mouth. One of her hands reached up to cup his cheek and bring him back to her so she could return the gesture. She didn't really know where this evening would go, nor was a part of her aware of where it had been already, but she felt like being affectionate anyway. Pulling back, she pursed her lips to hide her smile as she gazed up at him, allowing her eyes to look over his face and show her true feelings for him.

"Mmm morning. It is a necessity, isn't it?"

A necessity, but not a pleasant one. Still, she knew she ought to sleep, much as she didn't want to.

He kept back a chuckle when she returned the kiss, closing his eyes momentarily to just enjoy everything. He didn't have an idea of where the evening would go either, or where any of this would lead too. All he knew was that showing signs of affection was what he wanted to do, and seeing as how she was hardly objecting he would take advantage of it. He opened his eyes as she talked, smiling and also allowing his eyes to show his own feelings for her before chuckling, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead as he spoke.

"It is, unfortunately darling. Unless you would like to greet the new day by staying awake all night?"

It was a question partly in jest and partly serious. He didn't much care either way.

"I am uncertain if we ought to," Helen admitted, smiling at his kisses and touches. Her hand slid down across his chest and around to his side, as she allowed herself to make it, even though she knew she shouldn't. Propriety and desires had clashed terribly for the last few days and she wasn't sure how long she could keep it up.

It was her inward lack of concern for propriety that had her reaching up to his cheek to pull him back to her lips. The longer he kept his hand in her hair, the harder it was for her to concentrate on sleep.

He had started to chuckle only for it to stop in his throat as she pulled him back to her lips, and he rather enjoyed how she was taking charge of what she wanted. "But you are showing little sign of falling asleep," he had pulled away just enough to say that before leaning back in for another kiss.

He carefully extracted his hand from her hair however to slide it down and have it rest at the small of her back. No he hadn't made the connection about his hand in her hair, but he had wanted a slight change of pace for the moment.

"You are making it difficult to think of sleep, darling," she murmured, pulling back to look him over once again. He really was. The hand at her back, what he'd been doing to her hair. If she were really worried about how he would be treating her, she would have been terrified at these touches. But they were nice, comforting and stimulating all at the same time.

She brushed her thumb gently across his cheek for a moment before she curled back up against him. He could probably sense how her heart was racing with anticipation, though she was attempting to push it all aside and focus on sleeping. It had been a long few days and she needed the rest, much as she didn't particularly want it. Even so, she couldn't help pressing against him, holding him close as she nuzzled her nose and head against his chest.

"I wish I could say I am sorry darling," he murmured, rubbing the small of her back with his hand, "but I truly am not." And he wasn't either, instead he was rather enjoying the small things he was doing to her. However stimulating they were to her he was drawing some amount of comfort from it all, and he couldn't help but feel tired, comfortable with her like that.

He just smiled at her touch and pulled her closer to him, once again resting his chin on her head as she buried hers into his chest. This was all he wanted really, and as comfortable as he was he could feel his own exhaustion catching up to him and he closed his eyes. Not falling asleep just getting comfortable.

"Of course not," she murmured in return, nuzzling against his chest for a moment longer. She was comfortable like that, but she knew she wouldn't be able to fall asleep like that. So, a little while later, she carefully rolled over to press her back to him, tugging his arm around her again and tucking herself up under his chin once more. She loved this closeness and whatever was going on between them, she knew they both needed to sleep tonight. So much had happened recently that they were both exhausted. As much as she wanted to stay awake to see what else would occur, they had lifetimes for that.

Sleep first. Then figure things out. Unless James had a better idea, which she would be open to considering at this point.

Helen smiled as she curled up, running her thumb across his hand as she let her eyes slide shut.

Edited 2012-04-30 22:03 (UTC)

He was going to be spoiled with her constantly doing that. Either nuzzling his chest or just being curled up against him, he was going to find it difficult to sleep alone, he could already tell. Though he pushed that to the side for the moment, because however much he loved it he would focus on her first, which meant loosening his hold on her to let her shift before he got comfortable again.

Sleep first yes that was what was needed, and with her tucked up against him like that it wasn't hard to follow her on. "Sleep well, darling." He murmured, linking his fingers with hers as he fell asleep.

At some point in the night, she rolled over, curling back up against him with her face towards him. All she was really aware of as she drifted off to sleep was how nice it felt to be held in someone's arms like that, to not have to worry about whether or not she was going to live through the night or what she would have to deal with come morning. He was there for her, as much a part of her safety net as she herself was.

And it was quite nice to wake up with one of her arms around his side, though she didn't open her eyes right away, preferring to simply hold him for the time being.

James didn't mind her rolling over at all, shifting his head instead to rest it just ever so slightly on top of hers after words. Having someone in his bed like that was a rare treat, and he was not about to squander it by over thinking things. For now he would just be there with her, and that was all that was needed.

Even when morning came, he stayed like that, a much deeper sleeper than one would think he would be honestly.

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