Chapter Text
Finally, after the last guest also left, James looked back at Francis– who was now sitting sleepily on the couch. Lights were low, on the television BBC 1 reporter was saying his goodnights– it was nearing one p.m.
Then James’ clear voice ripped through his dazed state,
“I hope the photographs will turn out well.” In his hand was the new camera he bought, looking at it as if he couldn’t figure it out– it was a Canon, Francis promised him he would develop the photographs himself. James sat beside him and continued to speak while looking at the camera,
“But …we didn’t get a photo of just the two of us yet.” It was too dark for a good photo now,
“Tomorrow? We need more light.”
James watched him with a gentle little smile, standing up he said,
“Someone’s getting sleepy.”
Francis couldn’t hide his yawning, it was a tiredness that ended up turning into restlessness as the night went on but it never turned into a peaceful sleep. Even though his liver health might have been getting a bit better lately, his sleeping however …wasn’t the best.
“You can bring me a pillow and I– “
He was interrupted by James laughing, he grabbed Francis’ hand and helped him up,
“I have a bed you know.”
𓅯
He was still processing the kiss, but now he was here in this beautiful man’s bedroom, out of all places. It was definitely better than sleeping on his cold and miserable couch. James gave him some bigger shirts he had and since he was so used o being around other man, considering his line of job. He automatically took of his sweater to wear the nightshirt but then James was still there, now his eyes darted around Francis’ bare shoulders and arms. Even though Francis wasn’t in an indecent state he suddenly felt vulnerable, suddenly all the scars, freckles and pock marks on his skin was a reason for this man before him, to leave him. For James to finally realize that, Francis was too disturbed to be loved and adored.
Meanwhile, was James blushing? Before James could say anything, Francis got dressed.
“Which side would you prefer …to sleep on?”
James asked a bit hurriedly, he sounded a little anxious, or maybe Francis imagined that in his tired state.
“Well, as someone sleeping on a couch mostly,” he laughed to himself “both sides seem good to me.”
James laughed too, his ears were still red, Francis loved hearing him laugh.
When they both settled on their side of the bed, Francis felt a bit awkward. Now he wasn’t even sure how to lay down or where to turn at all, he didn’t want to turn his back to him but also, he didn’t want to turn towards James, for reasons. But then, James turned to him, he was snuggled up beside Francis. His room and his pillows also smelled citrusy and with the warmness of James under the blankets, maybe Francis could sleep more tonight. Though he wasn’t sure of that.
Then James lifted his hand to put on Francis’ scarred one, Francis could see the little dotes of light in James’ eyes flicker as the light from the street reflects on them, with a gentle murmur he said,
“Is it alright?” he pressed Francis’ hand, the gesture seemed to be asking:
“Would you let me be a part of your life?”
Francis squeezed James’ hand lightly, with his other hand and hummed in approval. Upon hearing that James rose on his arm to give a kiss to Francis, Francis’ arm moving immediately to hold him.
“Good night, Francis.”
𓅯
He was mostly in a hazy, in and out of dreaming state through the night – but it seemed he actually fell asleep sometime before dawn. When he woke up to light, an unfamiliar ceiling and a weight resting on him, for a small moment he panicked then the events of yesterday rushed through the misty state of his mind. He looked down to James, who was still fast asleep, his head on Francis chest and his arm hugging him.
Suddenly before his eyes, Francis watched their first meeting, their times spent together, growing closer. Maybe he was loved after all, if not, why would James hold him so tightly now?