★ but I'm going to be okay as long as you're beside me along the way

[complexguy]

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[dharmalady]

She knows that's true. The look in his eyes is the most intense he's ever been, the most sincere. Finishing her sandwich quietly, Juliet lets him help her down the hall to the bedroom. His is first, and so it's where they've been, Juliet not having slept in her own bed since that day they swam.

Carefully, she settles in the crook of his arm on her back, closing her eyes and letting out a soft breath. She isn't particularly tired, and she's not in so much pain that she needs immediate relief. She just needs this. But now that they're settled, she turns her head to look at him.

"I would never ask you for anything impossible. I can't think of anything I need from you other than you. This. You're a pretty incredible boyfriend, you know," she says lightly, though she's serious.

[complexguy]

James doesn't even think much of it now; this is their bed, not his. He's gotten so used to sleeping right next to her, it could never be any other way.

It's hard to explain to her how much it means to hear that from her, but as he turns a little more on his side to face her, he smiles and kisses her softly. "Learned everything I know from Charles Ingalls," he has to joke a little, making it easier to accept what she's saying.

[dharmalady]

Juliet's face softens into something she doesn't even know how to describe, but it's so full of love, open and honest as she looks at him.

"I didn't know that about you," she says softly. She had no idea he liked Little House on the Prairie, and it warms her to her core. She smiles softly, capturing his lips with her own in a soft kiss.

"Well. If you're Charles, then that makes me Caroline," she hums, never minding the fact that they've just compared themselves to a beloved (real) married couple.

[complexguy]

He doesn't miss what she's implying by saying that, and he doesn't try to dodge it either. Kissing her again, he smiles against her lips. "If you're gonna be Caroline, I'm expectin' home cooked meals everyday when I get home." He's teasing, of course, and it's obvious in his eyes, one thumb reaching out to stroke across her cheek.

[dharmalady]

"Long as you don't expect baked goods. Disaster, remember?" she asks with a smile, rolling with it, turning her head just enough to kiss his palm.

"I'm happy, James. Did you know that?"

What happened the day before aside.

[complexguy]

"Kinda figured, with that dreamy look in your eyes," he teases her a little, but there's nothing but love in his eyes when he looks at her. Then, he simply has to kiss her again tenderly.

[dharmalady]

Capturing his lips with her own, Juliet hums into his mouth. It takes about a week, but she can finally walk around again, and it's laying down that's worse. That's why, two weeks later, she's walking to the security station at two in the morning while he works an overnight.

She knows his break is soon, and she has good sandwiches (something she can do) full of meat and cheese, and beer (because this is the 70s and things are way looser than they ought to be) and they have all the picnic tables to themselves.

Knocking on the metal door, she gives the camera a little smile and wave, waiting to be let in.

[complexguy]

It's been a quiet night, thankfully, and James is quietly reading a book while keeping a close eye on the monitors. Nothing seems off, everything peaceful tonight. But he's more than happy when there's a knock on the door and he sees that it's Juliet.

When he goes to open the door, he leans against it for a moment, just smiling at her.

"Hey there, good lookin'. That for me?"

[dharmalady]

"Actually, I'm on my way to Phil's, just thought I'd stop off and say hello," she teases.

It's still so easy, what they have, what this is between them.

"Need me to wait for a while until you're ready?" she offers.

[complexguy]

"No way in hell, I'm starvin'. Phil ain't gettin' any piece of this," he grins back at her. Then he leans in to kiss her deeply. "What are you doin' up so late?"

[dharmalady]

"Couldn't sleep," she says with a little shrug once the kiss is broken.

Of course, what she isn't saying, is that she doesn't sleep very well without him right there.

"I figured you might as well get a good middle of the night meal out of it," she points out, gesturing toward the tables outside.

"Lunch date?"

[complexguy]

"Ain't dressed for the occasion, but I'm all yours, sweetheart. If you'll still have me," he smirks, cradling her cheek in his hand.

[dharmalady]

She smiles softly, and there's really only one answer to that.

"Absolutely." Well, maybe two. "Always.

She leads the way to the table closet to a street lamp, then passes him a sandwich and chips. "I had to bribe Josie in the cafeteria for this meat, just so you know."

[complexguy]

"Well, damn, honey, it must be love," he grins at her as he takes a bite. Once he's swallowed, he steals a kiss. "I gotta tell ya somethin', Jules."

[dharmalady]

She smiles against his mouth at the kiss, and well, she guesses they're public now. Or at least as public as they're going to get at half-past two in the morning.

And she doesn't mind it one bit.

"Hmm? What's that?" she asks, snagging another kiss.

[complexguy]

Before he can answer, he needs to kiss her again, though, and then he's smiling against her mouth. "This is the best damn sandwich I've had in my whole life. What do I gotta do to get this everyday?"

[dharmalady]

She laughs softly and reaches up to rest her fingers against the side of his neck.

"Kisses, I think. Anytime I ask for them. That would be payment enough," Juliet decides, expecting one now.

[complexguy]

"Feel like you're goin' easy on me," he laughs softly, but he kisses her tenderly, pressing closer to her.

[dharmalady]

She misses him, misses all the things they do when kissing leads to pressing close. Her ribs feel better, but sex wouldn't do anything to help her pain.

Still, she can't help but sigh softly into his mouth as a hand moves to the back of his head. "No," she murmurs. "Definitely not. God, where'd you learn to kiss like this?"

[complexguy]

She doesn't really want to know where he learned to kiss like this, he's sure; from a long line of women he didn't care much about. But what's done is done, and that's all in the past now.

"Ain't never mattered before you, baby."

He cups the back of her head, bringing her closer as his tongue tangles with hers.

[dharmalady]

Kissing him like this is dangerous, and Juliet hums into his mouth before it gives way to a whimper.

"What exactly are you trying to do to me?" she croaks out.

[complexguy]

"This is a promise," he breathes out against her lips. "Right after I finish my sandwich."

[dharmalady]

"...James," she breathes out, even though want surges through her at his words, makes her belly tighten.

"I think my ribs might still be a little too sore for that," she murmurs.

[complexguy]

"All you gotta do is sit there and let me do all the work," he promises her, pressing the words to the shell of her ear.

[dharmalady]

"Jesus Christ," James," Juliet mumbles, shivering involuntarily.

"Hurry up and eat," she urges, shoving his shoulder playfully.