Private James Holmes

"But Jamie, come on. It will be fun. Also Mummy wanted me to drag you to her place."

[text: Handsome Stranger] You're really attractive and I really want to keep seeing you. JH [text: Handsome Stranger] Oh, god, don't read that last message, alright? JH

"Oh, come on. Its your birthday, brother dear. You aren’t allowed to be sad today."

"I'm fine, Enola. Really."

"Well er- yeah, yes— I’m not. I’m not a huge fan of the rain, no. But that’s not your problem." Greg responds, though not unkindly.

      "My brothers don't truly care about me. They think I'm an idiot and a burden. Honestly, it doesn't bother me, not much, anyways. It's always been like this. Oh, well." James shrugs, slipping his hands into his pockets.

[text: Handsome Stranger] You're really attractive and I really want to keep seeing you. JH [text: Handsome Stranger] Oh, god, don't read that last message, alright? JH

      It was inevitable for Dimitri to wake up during the hoisting and carrying. He was a relatively light sleeper due to past experiences, and really most movement woke him up. Though, the arms wrapped around him felt safe enough to only allow himself to be in a half conscious state. He moaned and held the other tighter.

       Chuckling, James looked down at the other, kissing his forehead lightly. He didn't know why he'd done so, but he hoped that it was comforting, and not weird. He wanted to continue to see this man, whether as friends or something more, so he didn't want to creep him out their first time together.

[text: Handsome Stranger] You're really attractive and I really want to keep seeing you. JH [text: Handsome Stranger] Oh, god, don't read that last message, alright? JH

      “Amazing? Why, don’t thank me yet baby. I haven’t done anything.” Dimitri chuckled softly, the noise filling the car with a warm atmosphere. Looking back to the road, he pulled out and began driving to the destination he had chosen. 

       Baby? James blushed softly at the pet name, pushing his fingers through his curls in an attempt to hide the fact that his cheeks were a bright pink. "You've... asked me out... and taken me out. That's more than I could've ever asked for from someone as handsome as you."

[text: Handsome Stranger] You're really attractive and I really want to keep seeing you. JH [text: Handsome Stranger] Oh, god, don't read that last message, alright? JH

      Dimitri led the other to his car, pulling away only to open the door and usher the other inside. After the other got in, he paused for a moment, letting out a nervous sigh before going around and getting into the driver’s seat. He hoped he was doing the right thing. 

       James followed at his side, his fingers lacing between the other man's. It felt warm, homey, even. As if that was where his hand belonged. He blushed somewhat as Dimitri opened the door for him, climbing in for him with a soft, "Thank you."

      As he was pulled closer, Dimitri couldn’t help but let out a shaky breath. He wanted to cry again, but this time not out of fear. He felt so happy to be held like this. It made him feel warm and safe. God, he’d never felt safe before. Always in alone and in pain. Now though, he just—…He was safe.

       James continued to stroke Dimitri's hair, wanting to cry himself. But he had to hold his head high, to pretend as if he was strong, to help Dimitri get happy before he cared about his own well-being. It was a fatal flaw of James', and he knew that - his over-obsession with making everyone around him happy. That, and his loyalty. They could get him killed.

Such niceness was something of a shock to the former Detective Inspector, and it took him more than a couple of moments to really register and process what was currently taking place.

"But I should... it's the right thing to do. You seem to hate this rain," James admitted, chuckling softly and looking around. He'd loved the rain, especially recently, after returning home. Afghanistan didn't get any, and Australia got very little. So the feeling of water against his skin was lovely. "Let me, please."

[text: Handsome Stranger] You're really attractive and I really want to keep seeing you. JH [text: Handsome Stranger] Oh, god, don't read that last message, alright? JH

      Smiling warmly, Dimitri combed a hand through his hair and let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding as the other left. He was so nervous, and he didn’t really know why. Was he actually that serious about James? Or maybe it was just a social thing. He shook his head and sighed.