James has gotten... Well, not entirely used to Zane just showing up each day, but at least accustomed to the idea, and he's more than willing to allow it for the combined benefits of both food and some company. James is not the type of best who is at his best when left to his own thoughts, and so it's been welcome having someone stop by.
But this particular morning he ends up sleeping slightly later than usual, having been out the night before in the Aurora, and wakes somewhat disoriented to a hazily familiar sound from the living room. It takes several dazed moments of still being half-asleep to place what it is, and then he realizes it's a fire, and is on his feet in a moment in a rush to the next room.
It's only once he's pulled open the door to the bedroom and stepped through the doorway that he places the situation--the fire is in the fireplace, then man next to it is familiar, this is probably fine--and the sudden rush of adrenaline begins to fade as quickly as it had come. Not the best start to the day, but it could be worse.
Of course, then he realizes his visitor is in tears, which he has absolutely no idea what to do about. Before he can ask what's going on, Zane is asking if he'd received a 'present', and James furrows his eyebrows in confusion; he doesn't know of anything, but he also just woke up.
"I don't know." He answers honestly, confused, taking a step closer to try to get a better look at what Zane's holding up. It's the feeling of the cold wooden floor through his sock that jolts a little more awareness through James once more, this time about the fact that although he's been sleeping mostly dressed--he's always cold and who knows when there might be an emergency or something--he's without his boots and greatcoat. That isn't a particular problem in itself, but it is much less guarded and put together than he likes to appear, especially since his shirt is very distinctly stained along the left side and sleeve with blood. He'd tried to get it out a few days earlier in a momentary burst of energy and determination, but it had been far too set in, and it's not as though the stains aren't still being added to anyway.
But the cat's out of the bag on that issue, so to speak, so nothing to do about it but ignore it and focus on the actual matter at hand. "What is that?" That Zane is holding.
painful memories
But this particular morning he ends up sleeping slightly later than usual, having been out the night before in the Aurora, and wakes somewhat disoriented to a hazily familiar sound from the living room. It takes several dazed moments of still being half-asleep to place what it is, and then he realizes it's a fire, and is on his feet in a moment in a rush to the next room.
It's only once he's pulled open the door to the bedroom and stepped through the doorway that he places the situation--the fire is in the fireplace, then man next to it is familiar, this is probably fine--and the sudden rush of adrenaline begins to fade as quickly as it had come. Not the best start to the day, but it could be worse.
Of course, then he realizes his visitor is in tears, which he has absolutely no idea what to do about. Before he can ask what's going on, Zane is asking if he'd received a 'present', and James furrows his eyebrows in confusion; he doesn't know of anything, but he also just woke up.
"I don't know." He answers honestly, confused, taking a step closer to try to get a better look at what Zane's holding up. It's the feeling of the cold wooden floor through his sock that jolts a little more awareness through James once more, this time about the fact that although he's been sleeping mostly dressed--he's always cold and who knows when there might be an emergency or something--he's without his boots and greatcoat. That isn't a particular problem in itself, but it is much less guarded and put together than he likes to appear, especially since his shirt is very distinctly stained along the left side and sleeve with blood. He'd tried to get it out a few days earlier in a momentary burst of energy and determination, but it had been far too set in, and it's not as though the stains aren't still being added to anyway.
But the cat's out of the bag on that issue, so to speak, so nothing to do about it but ignore it and focus on the actual matter at hand. "What is that?" That Zane is holding.