Hmm, I guess she did. It made James wonder if he should be happy with the comparison or not, then again. He wasn’t her aunt Mary, so it didn’t matter in the end. The next line didn’t sit well with him, yet it was something he had said too often when he found himself in trouble. When he got hit a bit too much or when he woke up after beaten unconscious. I’m still alive after all. “Such a good thing you are alive Tina-” He almost felt tempted to add the line: ‘Who else would make up our beds’ but refrained, he wanted to play her game and he couldn’t play the game well if she were to get angry with him. Her feelings shifted like a sudden storm at sea, so he had to be careful with what he would say. Especially because she could use her anger as yet another excuse to run away from the situation. He didn’t want that.

It seemed like Tina had found her confidence again, so this would end up to be a game of cat and mouse. His flirtation had to be as vague as possible, enough to keep this tiny act going, but not over the top to make her realize what it was that he had been feeling for her. Unlike Tina, James didn’t crave attention, and it wasn’t like he didn’t attract people before. The only difference was that James wouldn’t settle for them, they were too kind, too naive too sweet too...normal? boring even. Tina was fresh, she was playful and a tease. She was insecure, yet exciting, dangerous yet alluring. She wasn’t like everyone else, James just happened to realize this before Peter did. 

Sadly, truly, considering Peter had known her far longer than James did. If he was Peter he would have settled for Tina a long time ago. 

I wouldn’t blame you. “That’s because you cannot blame me, Tina, you like the flattery. I know you do. It’s why you tease Smee so often.” He smirked. “But it isn’t that usual you try this with me. Why the sudden change?”

“Is it boring? Or does my answer not satisfy your needs.” He laughed. “Well if I recall you did call me stupid. My stupidity seems to be rather boundless.” He placed a hand next to her, keeping a distance between her and the wall.

And then he laughed, a wholehearted laugh. He removed hìs hand and placed it against his lips as if it could prevent him from the laugh escaping his. “I like every one of my staff, one more than the other.” He smiled before placing a piece of hair back behind her ear.

“But if I like you- that I’ll leave up to your imagination.” He grinned.