She clings onto James with no intention of letting go, feeling some kind of giddy relief that he was here with her. Bela rubs a soothing circle into his back with a hand when she hears the sob and allows James the time to release whatever emotions he needed to get out.
"It's okay." She whispers softly, trying to reassure him. "I'm okay." Mostly. "I really fucking missed you though." Bela adds, sounding emotional herself. "Even though I caught glimpses of you in that place, it wasn't - you weren't the James I knew."
He wasn't himself to the point that it almost creeped him out; the constant joviality of Jimmy the soda jerk. The guy who waltzed into the diner just to befriend a teenager, who pined for this woman going by another name and never acted on it.
James lets Bela go but doesn't give any space back. He instead takes her face between his hands and gently smooths her hair while haphazardly wiping himself against his shoulder as the initial tidal wave begins to settle. "I really fucking missed you too, Bela."
Using that name feels more right than wrong, something that will pass the longer he's away from false memories and a Stepford, Animal Farm neighborhood. The names came be addressed later.
She can feel herself relaxing after his hands cup her face, touching her forehead against his briefly, closing her eyes for a moment. Those words mean a lot to her, and Bela hopes they can make up for lost time. When she opens her eyes again, Bela smiles at him and reaches up to cover his hands with her own.
"Nathan did. He went under the guise of wanting a tour of the neighbourhood and I volunteered to help him. Being the dutiful citizen and all."
Former dutiful citizen. She wasn't that person now.
"And you? Who came to get you out?" Because she wants to thank them for it.
James's smile is a knowing one, a grateful one, and he makes a soft 'heh', because it's so like the other guy. "Gotta thank him, then. Have you met his wife yet? Kind of wild she's here too... I met her before shit went down. Well. Again. Before shit went south again."
He doesn't have it in him to remove his hands or move at all, so James stays as is and answers, "Diana. It was weird and I doubt I made it easy, but, you know, they were the Outsiders and evil, and then she's trying to break up our perfect world, saying it's a lie. I wanted to trust her but I was also terrified that it might mean losing you."
If the lie part was truth and it meant leaving Abby behind or unsaved. It ached then, aches now, and part of James needs to keep looking at himself touching Bela to confirm it is, in fact, actively happening.
"No, I haven't met her. But yeah, you should thank him. God knows I did. Probably too much- I was just glad for the spell to be finally broken." Bela is fine with lingering by the doorway and remaining like this. Hands touching, barely any space between them, and just taking each other in after being apart for so long.
"Diana is someone I have spoken to, back during the whole fog incident. I will thank her." At some point, Bela decides, feeling like she has to say something to Diana for freeing an important person she doesn't think she can do without.
"Well, you haven't lost me, James." She replies softly, voice wavering with emotion that was difficult for Bela to hide. "Are you trying to make me cry? Because I think you might succeed if you keep saying things like that."
Happy tears of course. Forgive her for still getting used to having people think about her in that way.
He's having an inner battle that's being swayed by the adrenaline, by James's ever-present emotions. It's swayed by Bela's words and scent, their contact, how utterly beautiful she is in all ways. The relief that could choke him. It's a matter of confessing how strongly he feels in this moment or forcing it to wait, though his chocolate gaze is likely giving everything away.
The Earther smiles, though it wavers as he makes himself wait, and he shakes his head apologetically. "Not actively trying, no. Sorry." James slides their hands down to Bela's neck, using a thumb to caress bone. "I'm just so fucking happy you're out of there. Whatever's going on, we can't leave the others in there like that."
He has at least one person in mind that needs saving; Kavinsky. James has to get the kid out.
The gesture is soothing, and it grounds her, but the emotion she feels is still present in the way that she returns his look. "I'm fucking happy too." Bela admits with a smile, holding it for a moment before her expression sobers. "And you're right. We can't leave them in there. I'm worried about what will happen to them, the longer they remain in that place."
Kate is ever present on her mind. One of the first people to ever become a close friend. Someone that Bela actively gave a damn about, and she was still trapped under the influence of the spell. Bela didn't like what it was doing to her, the person that Kate (or Katherine) had become.
"Maybe you should come inside and we can talk some more."
There's no rush of course, she just wants him all to herself.
He's been only distantly aware that they'd been standing in the door, awareness returning as adrenaline dampens, and James releases Bela to move fully into the suite at last, shutting it behind them. He doesn't remain detached from her for long, however, swiftly stepping forward to grasp at her hand. There's a desperation in it.
"That kid who works at the diner, Joseph Kavinsky? I have to try and get him out. Apparently I thought it was a great idea to befriend someone seventeen years my junior?" James and his heart. Sometimes. And it's the easiest thing to talk about at first; recusing over details. Details like her being with Peter.
There is a gentle squeeze of his hand to reassure him as she leads them further into the suite, heading in the direction of her room for more privacy. The last time they were here, there had been an important discussion and then Hellburbia happened. Weeks without having a conversation as their real selves.
"I haven't met him before. Outside of the diner, I mean. At least he'll have someone to look out for him, right?" She squeezes his hand again. "I hope there will be another chance to get people out." Hope is all they had at the moment.
"Did you want something to a drink or a snack? My appetite hasn't been amazing since I returned."
"I wonder if that's partly what pushed that version of me to befriend him?" James explains, "I responded to a network post of his around the time he arrived. Told him to check out that guide the sinners put together."
It'd been a jarring post, at that, what with how flippant Kavinsky had been about his suicide. A little heartbreaking. James is sure that that also played a part in seeking the younger man out, that he could probably use a friend, even one technically old enough to be his dad.
The Earther looks around as if it may help determine hunger or thirst. In the end, he just shakes his head. "I'm not really feeling anything either. We can make ourselves eat something light in a few, though?"
"Could be. I know I had flashes of memories from my time in Hell, but I couldn't explain them. Maybe your subconscious was prompting you to look out for him because of your response to his post."
It's not a post that Bela had seen, but it must have been important enough for James to reply to and reach out to offer that kind of support. Then again, it doesn't surprise her that he'd do something like that.
"Alright. I think we can get a light meal in a bit." Bela smiles warmly at the suggestion; they were in no real rush after all. "I wouldn't mind a bit of cuddling though. On the couch or my bed, whatever you prefer. We don't even need to talk, I just want to be close to you, James."
It's interesting hearing that, because James didn't have the same experience. Closest thing was that certain people sort of felt familiar; like Diana had before he knew that he actually already knew her.
Nodding where she'd been leading them, he chimes, "Yeah, you're room is fine, since we're already headed in that direction. Bed's more comfortable anyway." More room, no worrying about someone walking in. The latter being a good enough reason on multiple fronts, especially now knowing the other guy Bela is with could be one said interrupter.
James glances down at himself and is reminded that he's still wearing the 1950s era clothing. Clucking his tongue, he asks, "I didn't leave any clothes behind, did I? Maybe I could borrow something?" Any larger sweaters or something she may own that could possibly fit him.
"Bed, it is then." She replies, agreeing with him. Maybe lying down with him would help Bela to settle, relieved that he would be here with her for some time. If he wanted to, James could stay overnight.
His attire hadn't escaped Bela's notice, but she was more focused on seeing how James was rather than his clothing. She can answer his question though. "Uh, yeah. I think you probably did leave a few things once. I'll go check in my dresser for you and leave them on my bed."
Letting go of his hand, she scoots ahead to her bedroom and searches the bottom drawer, pulling out a sweater, a plain t-shirt and some comfortable shorts that he had left. As promised, Bela places the items on her bed and then removes her top layer - a cardigan- hanging it up in her wardrobe.
He undresses without ceremony, long since comfortable in Bela's presence. "We should make this a habit," James comments while tossing the offensive clothing by the door to destroy later. Belated he realizes he didn't give voice to the full thought and explains, "Having an extra outfit handy, I mean. Nice to have a backup, you know?" Like the time the pool stole his clothes or when the club forces attire changes.
Some of the outfits that Bela had worn in the suburbs were to her liking, but she didn't keep any of them. The dress at the New Year's ball was gorgeous though. Even so, keeping any of them didn't seem right. "That's a good idea. Maybe include a few toiletries in case we forget to bring them along for an overnight stay? I can set aside some room for you in one of my drawers."
She decides to keep on the rest of her clothing for the time being. If Bela gets too warm, she'll remove them. Pulling back the covers of her bed, she climbs onto it and lies on her side.
He points knowingly at her with a few nods. "Good idea," James echoes, coming over to his side once he's fully changed. "I'll figure out space for you too, maybe find a trunk or something in the basement."
Propped on his side, the Earther asks Bela, "Spoons or facing each other?" What would one call that? Monkeys? Otters?
"Good. That's settled then." Bela smiles, happy to go along with their decision to make some room for their belongings.
Stretching out a little, she makes a 'hmm' sound at his question. "Facing each other, I think. If you get bored of looking at me, we can switch to spoons instead." She laughs, clearly joking.
James gets comfortable, finding ways to fit against Bela like a proper puzzle piece and only waiting a few seconds before sighing with much pomp. "Alright, I'm already bored."
But he makes no shift to move, doesn't let her hand go or untwine himself. Just smirks and scoots enough to kiss her.
It isn't until James thinks Bela is asleep, listening to her breaths and judging from that, that he remembers they didn't discuss his drunken 'I love you', and he's only reminded now because he's been waiting for slumber to say it again. To say it and mean it in the faintest of whispers.
During her sleep, she dreams. They are a mixture of both her life in Hell and the life she led in the suburbs. Brief flashes of memories and images that when jumbled together, don't make much sense. But at least they weren't nightmares though. Maybe the presence of James beside her - well, tangled up around her had prevented the nightmares from coming.
When Bela stirs the next morning, she is greeted by a familiar (and furry) sight. Her cat from home peers at her owner with an expectant gaze, looking more than comfortable on the bed. Sitting up straight, Bela blinks a couple of times to make sure her cat wasn't just a dream.
"How-?"
The cat meows and then moves to inspect Bela's bedmate as he sleeps, pawing gently at James' face. This makes Bela snort with amusement, surprised that her cat was being so friendly towards him.
He stirs without waking once Bela shifts upright but comes to once Bast makes contact, giving a mild jerk of surprise that comes with a slight snort. James blurredly blinks at the feline, waiting for his brain to catch up, and then laughs softly with both brows popping upwards. His tone is awed. "Holy Pluto, it worked..."
Now that James was awake, the cat seems less interested in him and makes her way back to Bela, rubbing her head against her arm and purring softly. Bela looks utterly delighted and confused at the same time, reaching down to scratch Bast beneath her chin. "Worked?" She asks, glancing over at James. "Did you have something to do with this? Because she means the absolute world to me."
He isn't offended, used to the whims of cats having had some on the farm. Besides, she's meant for Bela.
James yawns and rubs a hand down his face, then props himself onto one elbow. "I asked Emmanuel, when he was offering." He sort of shrugs, given the position he's laying in. "Figured it couldn't hurt and that maybe He'd give you a stuffed animal or a photo, because why the real thing, right?" Sure, He's Jesus/Santa/whatever, but they're still in Hell, in a punishment experiment.
"I would have loved a photo, but having her here with me is so much better." Bela can't hide the look of utter joy on her face as she looks down at her purring cat, then back at him. "Thank you, James. Really. That is one of the nicest things that anyone has ever done for me and I -" she reaches over to touch his face with her free hand. "I do appreciate it."
Just then, a thought occurs to her.
"Could you have asked Emmanuel to give you something or is it a one time wish kind of deal?"
His heart swells at the sight, at the knowledge that this gift went beyond his expectations. James had wanted a positive piece of home for Bela as well as the sort of companion only animals can be. He nuzzles against her touch, not unlike the cat (without realizing it), smiling ear to ear. But James is quick to bring up a finger in admonishment, angling his head downwards a bit and looking partially through lashes at her. "Don't do that. I wanted to do this for you, Bela. I would do it again."
Maybe James could have asked for more, but it didn't feel right, nor did it feel like an available option. He'd wanted something from home for Gabriel as well, and he could certainly think of something for himself, and yet when he'd stepped up to Emmanuel, Bast and Bela were the first things on his mind.
By now, her cat has jumped off from the bed and starts to explore her new surroundings, sniffing around every surface and object in the room. Such a curious creature. It doesn't surprise Bela that Bast was like that.
She listens carefully to his reply, feeling touched when he said that he would do it again. Ever since their conversation last month Bela thinks her feelings have deepened towards him, though she can't quite put them into words; even so, they were absolutely there.
"Then I won't say anything more other than being forever grateful for your kindness and generousity, James." She replies softly, her eyes shining with emotion. Then Bela shifts closer to James, slipping an arm around him at the same time while her other hand fully cups the side of his face.
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"It's okay." She whispers softly, trying to reassure him. "I'm okay." Mostly. "I really fucking missed you though." Bela adds, sounding emotional herself. "Even though I caught glimpses of you in that place, it wasn't - you weren't the James I knew."
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James lets Bela go but doesn't give any space back. He instead takes her face between his hands and gently smooths her hair while haphazardly wiping himself against his shoulder as the initial tidal wave begins to settle. "I really fucking missed you too, Bela."
Using that name feels more right than wrong, something that will pass the longer he's away from false memories and a Stepford, Animal Farm neighborhood. The names came be addressed later.
"Who got you out?"
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"Nathan did. He went under the guise of wanting a tour of the neighbourhood and I volunteered to help him. Being the dutiful citizen and all."
Former dutiful citizen. She wasn't that person now.
"And you? Who came to get you out?" Because she wants to thank them for it.
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He doesn't have it in him to remove his hands or move at all, so James stays as is and answers, "Diana. It was weird and I doubt I made it easy, but, you know, they were the Outsiders and evil, and then she's trying to break up our perfect world, saying it's a lie. I wanted to trust her but I was also terrified that it might mean losing you."
If the lie part was truth and it meant leaving Abby behind or unsaved. It ached then, aches now, and part of James needs to keep looking at himself touching Bela to confirm it is, in fact, actively happening.
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"Diana is someone I have spoken to, back during the whole fog incident. I will thank her." At some point, Bela decides, feeling like she has to say something to Diana for freeing an important person she doesn't think she can do without.
"Well, you haven't lost me, James." She replies softly, voice wavering with emotion that was difficult for Bela to hide. "Are you trying to make me cry? Because I think you might succeed if you keep saying things like that."
Happy tears of course. Forgive her for still getting used to having people think about her in that way.
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The Earther smiles, though it wavers as he makes himself wait, and he shakes his head apologetically. "Not actively trying, no. Sorry." James slides their hands down to Bela's neck, using a thumb to caress bone. "I'm just so fucking happy you're out of there. Whatever's going on, we can't leave the others in there like that."
He has at least one person in mind that needs saving; Kavinsky. James has to get the kid out.
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Kate is ever present on her mind. One of the first people to ever become a close friend. Someone that Bela actively gave a damn about, and she was still trapped under the influence of the spell. Bela didn't like what it was doing to her, the person that Kate (or Katherine) had become.
"Maybe you should come inside and we can talk some more."
There's no rush of course, she just wants him all to herself.
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"That kid who works at the diner, Joseph Kavinsky? I have to try and get him out. Apparently I thought it was a great idea to befriend someone seventeen years my junior?" James and his heart. Sometimes. And it's the easiest thing to talk about at first; recusing over details. Details like her being with Peter.
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"I haven't met him before. Outside of the diner, I mean. At least he'll have someone to look out for him, right?" She squeezes his hand again. "I hope there will be another chance to get people out." Hope is all they had at the moment.
"Did you want something to a drink or a snack? My appetite hasn't been amazing since I returned."
cw: mention of another character's suicide
It'd been a jarring post, at that, what with how flippant Kavinsky had been about his suicide. A little heartbreaking. James is sure that that also played a part in seeking the younger man out, that he could probably use a friend, even one technically old enough to be his dad.
The Earther looks around as if it may help determine hunger or thirst. In the end, he just shakes his head. "I'm not really feeling anything either. We can make ourselves eat something light in a few, though?"
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It's not a post that Bela had seen, but it must have been important enough for James to reply to and reach out to offer that kind of support. Then again, it doesn't surprise her that he'd do something like that.
"Alright. I think we can get a light meal in a bit." Bela smiles warmly at the suggestion; they were in no real rush after all. "I wouldn't mind a bit of cuddling though. On the couch or my bed, whatever you prefer. We don't even need to talk, I just want to be close to you, James."
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Nodding where she'd been leading them, he chimes, "Yeah, you're room is fine, since we're already headed in that direction. Bed's more comfortable anyway." More room, no worrying about someone walking in. The latter being a good enough reason on multiple fronts, especially now knowing the other guy Bela is with could be one said interrupter.
James glances down at himself and is reminded that he's still wearing the 1950s era clothing. Clucking his tongue, he asks, "I didn't leave any clothes behind, did I? Maybe I could borrow something?" Any larger sweaters or something she may own that could possibly fit him.
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His attire hadn't escaped Bela's notice, but she was more focused on seeing how James was rather than his clothing. She can answer his question though. "Uh, yeah. I think you probably did leave a few things once. I'll go check in my dresser for you and leave them on my bed."
Letting go of his hand, she scoots ahead to her bedroom and searches the bottom drawer, pulling out a sweater, a plain t-shirt and some comfortable shorts that he had left. As promised, Bela places the items on her bed and then removes her top layer - a cardigan- hanging it up in her wardrobe.
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She decides to keep on the rest of her clothing for the time being. If Bela gets too warm, she'll remove them. Pulling back the covers of her bed, she climbs onto it and lies on her side.
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Propped on his side, the Earther asks Bela, "Spoons or facing each other?" What would one call that? Monkeys? Otters?
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Stretching out a little, she makes a 'hmm' sound at his question. "Facing each other, I think. If you get bored of looking at me, we can switch to spoons instead." She laughs, clearly joking.
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But he makes no shift to move, doesn't let her hand go or untwine himself. Just smirks and scoots enough to kiss her.
It isn't until James thinks Bela is asleep, listening to her breaths and judging from that, that he remembers they didn't discuss his drunken 'I love you', and he's only reminded now because he's been waiting for slumber to say it again. To say it and mean it in the faintest of whispers.
"I will never get bored because I love you."
the next morning
When Bela stirs the next morning, she is greeted by a familiar (and furry) sight. Her cat from home peers at her owner with an expectant gaze, looking more than comfortable on the bed. Sitting up straight, Bela blinks a couple of times to make sure her cat wasn't just a dream.
"How-?"
The cat meows and then moves to inspect Bela's bedmate as he sleeps, pawing gently at James' face. This makes Bela snort with amusement, surprised that her cat was being so friendly towards him.
She didn't like anyone but Bela.
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James yawns and rubs a hand down his face, then props himself onto one elbow. "I asked Emmanuel, when he was offering." He sort of shrugs, given the position he's laying in. "Figured it couldn't hurt and that maybe He'd give you a stuffed animal or a photo, because why the real thing, right?" Sure, He's Jesus/Santa/whatever, but they're still in Hell, in a punishment experiment.
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Just then, a thought occurs to her.
"Could you have asked Emmanuel to give you something or is it a one time wish kind of deal?"
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Maybe James could have asked for more, but it didn't feel right, nor did it feel like an available option. He'd wanted something from home for Gabriel as well, and he could certainly think of something for himself, and yet when he'd stepped up to Emmanuel, Bast and Bela were the first things on his mind.
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She listens carefully to his reply, feeling touched when he said that he would do it again. Ever since their conversation last month Bela thinks her feelings have deepened towards him, though she can't quite put them into words; even so, they were absolutely there.
"Then I won't say anything more other than being forever grateful for your kindness and generousity, James." She replies softly, her eyes shining with emotion. Then Bela shifts closer to James, slipping an arm around him at the same time while her other hand fully cups the side of his face.
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Fade out?
Yes! :)