#io interactive

The smooth, crisp voice belonged precisely to a male, along with a small tap upon the edge of your desk is enough to snap you out of your work-focused state.

"I'm sorry— yes?"

James sent you his signature smirk as if it's his second nature, albeit slightly smaller than per usual; instinctively leaning down just by a few inches toward your side so that his words reach for your hearing alone.

"Q told me to fetch you and the files to his lab."

"Oh-!" Upon hearing his spoken statement, your eyes widened a little as you arranged some of the needed files into one holdable place.

All while attempting your very best to calm your rapidly beating heart due to the close proximity he has shared with you right at this point. How unfair he is being, torturing you so easily like this. You would never understand as to why or how he has this type of power toward you.

How pathetically embarrassing.

But it's James Bond we're talking about. Any sensible lady would've fallen head over heels for him and his natural charm, it is nothing new.

Then why, one should explain to your unknowing self that his very own gaze never once leave your features— eventually deciding to stand back up all properly again not too long after, and it kept going from that day and onward.

He never really left you alone. No matter what he's doing or if he just returned from a sparring session or even a mission, he'd always show up, orbiting around your very own presence.

It got somewhat worse some weeks later, where you almost assumed that it might be some sort of a curse that the gods have placed upon your helpless state. One time where the stack of files you've been holding threatens to fall and spill all over the floor, thanks to James' quick reflexes, he manages to hold off the entirety of files from spilling over by holding the front of it.

And you. Oh God above… the state of your cheeks just from the mere contact is not helping at all either.

"Are you alright?"

He didn't have his usual charming grin nor a smirk, no. But rather, a serious, concerned look is etched upon his eyes, evidently so. You turned your head upwards to him, and managed a small nod with a relieved exhale.

"I'm alright… Thank you, James."

He would be lying if he says that it didn't make his heart feel a bit strange than usual— doing little skips of… happiness? Eased by the sole fact that you're doing great as always?

Whatever it is he's experiencing, it is definitely new, and it is not the same sensation that any other could ever possibly provide him with. He wanted— no, needed more of it. It feels as if he's in constant need of dopamine, and you are to blame for a part of it.

He wouldn't even want to complain about it, nonetheless.

With a slight clearance of his throat, he begins to help guiding you to the intended place where you truly need to be. "Don't mention it."

"Besides, you seemed to be carrying all of this quite often."

"One of these days, these files are gonna fly out of your hands if I'm not here." With you is what he's meant to say, but purposefully leaves it out.

"You don't have to—"

"I insist. Don't worry about it." His usual charming smirk returns soon after as he interrupts you in the middle of your words smoothly; one of his hands still somehow find its' way to brush against your hand with every chance he gets.

You didn't know why he keeps doing so. But you assumed that it's one of his gentlemanly ways to express it all so naturally like he always does.

But that's not the true reason in all actuality.

You wish there was an explanation as to why on Earth would he ever allow his hands to linger over yours for a minute too long; unflinching set of eyes seemed to zero in on you alone despite the room being full of people who you dared to state as much more interesting and easily, an eye-catcher.

Or why you would oftentimes catch him standing just near the doorframe of the office or simply 'passing by', when the real reason is so that he could, at least, catch a glimpse of you throughout the day. Even when he just returned from an assigned mission, he'd look for you whenever he's free as soon as he could.

It drives you insane because there's no way it's unintentional, right...?

But James Bond isn't making it all easier for you, your poor heart. You'd have to find it out someday for the sake of your restless thoughts.