NOTES: James turns up at Isabelle’s dorm to fix things between them.
James sighed rubbing a hand over his face, it was late and there was only half an hour before curfew. Being over at Noel's was able to keep him distracted for a short amount of time, doing small chores and tasks letting his submissive side be slightly at ease but now he was back in his room, pacing and feeling worse and worse as more Fabray's got involved, it was the same vicious cycle and it was making him feel like a bad boy, he needed someone to make it go away but right now he didn't want a dominant. He wanted Isabelle. He had thought and came to his conclusion and before he could process what he was doing he was walking to the girls room and banging on the door. He needed her, sure she wasn't a dominant, sure she couldn't give him everything he needed but she still filled something in his life and he wanted her. He didn't want them to break up, when the day come the day would come but today, was not that day.
Isabelle rubbed tiredly at her eyes. Last night had pretty much been a write off for sleep even though she has spent it with Skylar. Looking at the pages of notation, they swam in front of her vision but she wanted to make sure she had it remembered so that she didn't end up ruining it for the claiming party tomorrow. The knock made her head shoot up and she massaged the back of her neck which had been in that position for some time. Pushing the pieces of paper off her lap she unfolded herself from the bed and moved over to the door. Presumably her words hadn't been convincing enough for Skylar earlier on so he had decided to come collect her and whilst it was tempting she still had things to do. Sighing, she opened the door, eyes widening slightly when she saw James stood outside. "I... James?"
James looked up as the blonde girl opened her door, feelings flooding him just at the sight of her. He may need dominance, he may need to submit more than he does, but he needed her as well, because she made him calm, she made him smile and laugh and she was always there to comfort him in the best of ways, she tried her best to give him everything he needed and just the fact that she cared that much to go the extra distance and make the effort warmed his heart and made him relax instantly. "I don't want to break up." he said without even a greeting to the other, not waiting for her to tell him to come in. He stepped through the threshold and closed the door behind him. "I need dominance in my life, just like you do, we're submissives it's just the way this works." he told her, his eyes never leaving hers. "But I also need you, and everything you give me. So no, I don't want to break up."
Isabelle didn't know what she was expecting but the others words... well not that. She felt her face flush warmly with colour at the certainty in his words. "Are you... James I was giving you an out..." She told him but never the less she bit her lower lip, finding the door shut before she had any say in it. Not that she was going to ever tell the man to go away. "I want to stay with you James but I never want to hold you back." Isabelle explained, moving to sit down on the edge of the bed. "I need you too."
James watched as Isabelle sat on the bed after closing the door, standing awkwardly in the middle of the room as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I know you did, and I thought about it and I don't want that out." he said as if it was the most simple thing in the world. He moved to squat down in front of her, taking a hold of her hands. "You're not holding me back. I know what I said made it sound that way but I've had a crappy week and I needed dominance. I think since coming here I've come to realize just how much I need it now that I'm accepting who I am and fitting into it more, I know what we have is hard and will always be hard- but isn't that worth it when you really want to be with someone." He moved to tuck a piece of stray hair behind her ear smiling softly, "I'm willing to keep trying, because you're worth it to me."
Isabelle looked at the hands holding hers. She understood how he felt of course, there were times when she needed to just have the control taken completely from her and James couldn't do that and she would never ask him to but just the thought of not having him... The ache seemed just as severe and no one but him could fix that feeling. She didn't just need dominance, she needed him. It was a big part of the reason she had been so scared to enter into this relationship in the first place. She wasn't a fool, she knew how she responded to people and that if she fell for him that letting him go was going to be one of the hardest things she would ever have to do. "And you truly want to be with me?" Yes, it was a repetitive question but she wanted to be certain. "You're worth it to me too James."
James couldn't help but roll his eyes at the question she asked him, he thought it would be obvious by now. He took her to his home, took her to meet his parents, something he hadn't even done with Oliver. Well maybe he didn't do that because he knew it was serious, not that this wasn't serious. He paused for a moment trying to get his thoughts in check and not question everything he was doing, he was just doing what felt right, felt good and what made him happy and she made him the happiest he had been since his ex. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be with you, Belle." he stated. "I want you- do you want me?" he asked raising an eyebrow at her because sure he had stated his case but she still needed to say hers. "I'm glad."
Isabelle nodded firmly, that lump that had been in her throat ever since they had discussed this via text returning. She couldn't bare to lose him. "I want you James, I really do." Isabelle brought one hand up to his face. "But I care about you enough to know that I might have had to let you go despite my own feelings." Her fingers brushed lightly over the scruff on his face, feeling the hair tickling over her fingers. "Come and lie with me please? You don't have to stay if you're busy but just... for a little while?"
James listened, waiting for the words he was wanting to hear, he would understand if she said he wasn't what he wanted, of course he would, would he be hurt and saddened of course he would but it was her happiness that was important to him the most. She wanted her to be happy and have everything she wanted in life and if that meant giving her up then he would do it. But when those words came out of her mouth, telling him that she wanted him then he couldn't stop the small sigh of relief that came from his mouth. He leaned into her soft hand, "Well right now I'm happy with you. I'm not saying we're forever but right now, we're doing this thing and it's okay." He nodded standing up and moving to lie next to her on the bed, placing his arms around her middle and resting his chin on her shoulder, "I want to stay"
Isabelle knew that she couldn't ask any more of James and she nodded, relief flooding through her as he settled down onto the bed by her side. Her arms held onto him tightly and she closed her eyes over, willing her heartrate to slow down from the thudding beat it was currently racing at. "I hate it when we argue." She spoke softly after a moment, brushing her nose against his cheek. "It always makes things seem so much worse."
James let his hands rub over her arms soothing her as much as he could, just like her it wasn't much with him being a submissive but it was good enough for now. He could try to give her at least a little bit of comfort and if she needed to go seek out more then that would be okay because that's the way they were and they couldn't help that. "I hate it too, I honestly thought this was going to be it this time." he said back just as quietly as he brushed his lips against her cheek. "I know, it's hard but we're okay, or at least we will be."
Isabelle couldn't help but give a soft, sad laugh at that. "I did too. It wasn't what I wanted but I would have if I had to. I would do anything for you James." Isabelle confided quietly, glad for the familiar scent and the bleed of warmth that came from James' body. He was a comfort and being around him relaxed her. Without him she had been carrying such a tenseness that she hadn't even fully been aware of until now. A shuddered sigh left her lips and she pressed a sweet kiss to his cheek. "We'll work it out."
Minho made it a habit to visit the ice cream parlor at least once per week. Sometimes he would go twice if he could. He was so much of a regular that the owner already recognized him. In the past month they have gotten pretty close, Minho sometimes would act as an ice cream tester while the owner experimented on new flavors.
“Hey~ What do you want today? The regular cheesecake milkshake or are you feeling experimental?”
“I’m in the mood for strawberry today. I’m feeling a bit... peachy?” He giggled.
The day was beautiful, warm and breezy. Upon leaving the ice cream parlor he smiled and walked inside the nearby park. He observed the trees and the leafs how they danced along with the breeze. It was such a beautiful scenery in his eyes. It made him that more grateful he was able to see and walk and smell and taste and etc. As his mind became extremely grateful he walked next to a tree and leaned against it, his lips never leaving the straw.
“MMMmmm..” he hummed in delight.
Giving the straw a break he observed a stranger pass by. He looked neat and his shoes were very nice. As he was about to shoot a complimentary comment he immediately senses danger. From the corner of his eye he observed very slick movement on the tree. In an instant, without even turning to face the arachnid, his brain had already registered it. Panic quickly took over and he sprinted away from the tree, throwing sleeping spheres to the harry, eight-legged araneae while humming in a pitchy tone. Soon after he felt like there were millions of spiders out to get him and felt them crawling all over his body. Carelessly he bumped into the stranger form earlier and without thinking hugged him tight.
Minho’s body was very stiff and he was shaking. The hug was tight but not suffocating tight. His eyes were shut tight and his breath heavy.
“Please please please stay like this for just a moment.”
NOTES: James and Isabelle find themselves in close quarters on their trip out.
James sat outside the changing room trying to think of all the reasons as to why this trip wasn't awkward, he needed to think of reasons or else he was going to go mad. He was still beating himself up for even breathing a word about his more then friend feelings to Belle, he should have known better. What made it worse though he thought, was that he now knew the other felt the same and if it wasn't for their damn marks - he let out a sigh closing his eyes as he tried to keep himself calm. He needed to be calm because he didn't want to spoil the day Noel was treating them too. He leaned back further in his seat as he heard the sound of rustling coming behind the door where Belle now was, they were friends, that was all, friends who liked one another. He could work with that, he let his eyes glance towards the door where it was obviously old and worn causing a slight crack to be there allowing him to see inside of the changing room. He quickly averted his eyes, he couldn't look at her like that anymore, couldn't think of her in her underwear or that leather outfit, he bit his lip and shook his head. This girl was going to be the death of him, that much he was sure of.
Isabelle hadn't allowed herself to think of James like that. She knew she found him attractive and that she got along with him so well it felt like they had known one another for years. She loved how comfortable she was around him and how they could flirt and tease without the other getting the wrong idea. Then James had broken that news to her and... well it hadn't seemed like a bad thing. Not in the way she had been expecting anyway. Not as a friend who was trying to carefully let the other down because they couldn't see it progressing as more... No, strangely enough the thoughts it incited... she could see herself being like that with James. Isabelle could most definitely picture herself dating someone like James but he wasn't a dominant. Their society made it so clear that submissives sought out dominants and vice versa that it never really focused on what happened when you found yourself attracted to someone of the same status. Putting an end to it before it began, before one of them really got hurt seemed like the intelligent thing to do and yet... Now she had started seeing him in that way it was hard to focus on anything else. The shopping trip didn't help, as much as she appreciated it but at least Noel was there to help break the tension. She tugged again at the zipper she had been trying for the past five minutes to pull up before making a frustrated sound. "Noel. Noel?" She called out after a moment, figuring it would be simpler to get another pair of hands and eyes to help her into the outfit. "Noel??"
James heard the call come from the changing room and ignored it for a moment, looking around to see if he could see the brunette but came up short cursing silently to himself. Upon the third shout he ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath, standing up he made his way to in front of the door, leaning against it so the other could hear him. "She's not here, she went." he looked around and shrugged, "Somewhere, I don't know." he said licking his lips and pausing for a moment, trying not to think of what kind of undress the other would be in behind the door. "What's wrong?" he asked knowing there must have been a reason for her to seek help from the other girl and if he could help her then he would, he was trying to ease the awkwardness between them anyway and maybe this was a way in which he could do that.
Isabelle frowned a little when James explained that the girl had gone. She knew Noel had been looking at some outfits so she could only presume that she had gone to perhaps pick some up to try. She let out a small sigh and weighed up her options. Before all this, she would have had no qualms about allowing James in and it annoyed her that she suddenly felt differently. Or rather, the act had more meaning behind it now. Did it have to though? She considered it for a moment, clutching the front of the dress to her chest. It was only her back that was showing essentially, nothing he hadn't already seen so before she could decide otherwise, she slid the lock across and pulled the door open, unable to hide a small sharp bark of laughter as James more or less tumbled in. "Graceful charming... really graceful. Glad to see you haven't lost your touch." She found herself responding as fondly as ever. "Do you think you could help me out please? The zip is on the back of this dress and because it is new, it is stiff. It means I can't get it up easily." She explained.
James wasn't expecting the door to be opened, he was expecting an answer from her and not for him to fall through the now open door. He straightened himself out brushing his hands down his clothes as he glared at the blonde girl, "That was your fault, a simple 'opening the door now' would have stopped me from falling." He moved to shut the door again so she was away from the public eye, the space they were in becoming smaller and a lot more intimate which made his heart pick up slightly in his chest. He looked at her blankly for a moment and then to the dress she was wearing, not really hearing what she was saying and more just looking at her at how the ache and longing he felt for her hadn't changed. Well shit. He blinked twice before coming back to his senses, "Oh yeah sure, I mean I'm half gay so I should be good at this shit." he said moving behind her and to where he could see her pale skin and bra strap from where the dress was yet to be zipped. He pushed her hair gently over her shoulder so it wouldn't get stuck as he took a hold of the small metal zipper pulling it up, she was right though, it was stiff in parts causing him to get stuck and let out small curses, but once he finally got it he looked at the others reflection in the mirror smiling as he caught her eye. "It- It looks good on you."
Isabelle rolled her eyes and stepped back. "I didn't realise you would be loitering so close to the door. Perhaps if I had I may have given you some warning." Still, Isabelle turned her back to him and looked over her shoulder, waiting patiently. "You've seen worse when it comes to me so don't worry about it." She murmured after a second, shifting to tug the dress into place a little more in order to make it easier for James to work on. Shivering softly as her hair was tossed over her shoulder, Isabelle set her eyes on the mirror she was stood in front of, watching the other male behind her in its reflection. It didn't take long with the help of someone else and she cast her eyes over the material before looking at James, smiling softly at the compliment. "Thank you, I am glad you approve." There was something satisfying about receiving that from James, the same thing that made her decide to get the dress. "Do you think you could undo me now please? I just have one other thing I ought to try on." It was another dress but less practical than the last and more form fitting. She had liked it when she had seen it, and one could never go wrong with a good party dress. "You don't need to stay if you don't want to but I don't mind."
James let out a scoff, "I wasn't loitering, I was sitting in the man chair, you know the one husbands sit in when they're waiting for their wife's to try things on. I only came closer to the door so you could hear me. Please, you wouldn't have given me a warning, you would have still pulled the door open." he stated, a playful smile on his lips, it felt like the tension was gone and it was like nothing had happened between them, that they were just friends once again - friends with something deeper laying there. "I wouldn't say it was worse because that would imply it was something bad to look at." he mumbled back. He smiled, "Well who am I not to compliment a fine piece of fabric, I could go all Tim Gunn on you here but after confessing my love for America's Next Top Model, I'd rather keep my one for Project Runway a secret still." he smirked. He nodded at her request, pulling the zipper down slowly so it revealed the skin that he had just covered up. He knew he should have left the room, that he should have said he would wait outside but that wasn't what left his mouth, "It's fine, it's probably best for me to stay in case you run into anymore zipper troubles." he teased.
Isabelle felt herself relaxing. This she could do; the playfulness and their easy banter that they had always fallen into. It was like coming home again and oh how she had missed it even though it had only been a few days. Something had been missing without it and without James. It had made her sad and that was an emotion she tried not to feel too often as she never dealt with it all that well. "I do believe you mentioned giving me a fashion show later on." Isabelle stated with an amused smile, motioning to the lace, form fitting dress that was hung up on a hanger. "Can you pass me that down please, just whilst I get out of this." She requested when she realised that James wasn't going to be going anywhere. Slipping the fabric off her arms, she shimmied out of it and began tidying it up, setting it to one side before holding a hand out for the other outfit.
James felt like he could breathe again, he knew that sounded stupid, but it was true. It was like the past few day's he was short of breath, missing something and just to see her smile, her face, it made it easier to breathe again and he hadn't felt like that since Oliver. Knowing how that ended scared the shit out of him when it came to Isabelle, but hey they weren't going to be a thing and he didn't blame her, if she wanted a dominant then that was fine, two submissives in a relationship would be hard but he knew it would work. He had actually gone to the library during the week to see if he could find out more about the subject because he wanted them to have a fighting chance in this. "I did, didn't I. Don't worry you'll get it and it would make Miss Banks proud, I have the best walk for runway." he chuckled. James looked to the dress and felt his mouth go slightly dry looking at it, reaching up as he instructed he took the fabric off the hanger and handed it to the other, trying and failing to not let his eyes skim over her body.
Isabelle used a band to tie her hair back before taking the dress from his hands, thanking him gratefully before turning to look in the mirror. Slipping it on over her head, this one took a little more manoeuvring due to not having an opening but it soon found its way down her body and she smoothed it out beneath her fingers. She couldn't help the tiny smile that formed on her lips as she admired herself in the dress. She wasn't one for complimenting herself but the dress did do wonders for her shape at least which she appreciated. "I like it. What do you think?" Isabelle spoke cheerfully, turning back to face James and tilting her head lightly in question.
James looked away out of respect, he didn't think after what they had agreed between the two of them, though he wasn't sure if they did end up agreeing to being just friends, anyways he didn't think Isabelle would appreciate him ogling her body as she changed. The ceiling was just as interesting as her half naked form, not thinking about how the underwear compliments her skin tone perfectly and makes her look amazingly hot. Okay so maybe he was thinking about it a little but, he blamed the close proximity they were in and when did changing rooms become this small. Hearing her question he stopped looking at the ceiling and turned back to her, his eyes skimming over the outfit. The way in which the lace clung to her body in the best of ways, showing every curve that she had. "Wow." he breathed out unable to take his eyes of her, because she seriously looked amazing right now, and it was taking all he had in him to not close the distance and to feel how the fabric felt under his fingertips. "It's - that - huh." he fumbled over his words and nodded, "It looks- you look beautiful." he finally settled on, looking up to meet her eyes, "Gorgeous even."
Isabelle had noticed the others attempt at looking anywhere but at her and she couldn't help but find it sweet. James was a gentleman and always had been despite some of the things he said on occasion. He was always thinking about other people and it was one of the things she found especially endearing about him. She couldn't help but flush though at the others exclamation when he saw her in the outfit. "You definitely know how to flatter a girl." She managed after a minute or two, her hands resting by her sides as she watched him. "So I take it this is another I should consider purchasing?" Isabelle murmured, stepping forward a little. "I'm going to need a hand getting it off though. The problem with tight outfits is they are always that much trickier to remove... unless that makes you uncomfortable in which case I suggest leaving the changing room as I attempt in the most unflattering manner ever to get this back over my head." She said, soft laughter escaping her.
James let out a small chuckle and tilted his head to the side in a bashful expression, "Well I do try, I mean it though." he said his tone turning serious for a moment. He nodded as he took in how the dress looked once again, smiling, "Definitley, if you don't then I am and I'm pretty sure it'll look better on you then it will on me. I don't have the right curves for it." he joked trying to defuse the new found tension in the room, it wasn't the bad tension from before. It was the tension that appeared when two people with chemistry shared a moment, the build up to the kiss or sex or the big words of I love you. "You're seriously asking me if I would be uncomfortable in helping someone take their clothes off." he asked in a amused voice, "And as much as I would love to see you struggle, I'll help." he said taking a step forward and urging her to lift up her arms before he reached down to grab the hem of the dress, slowly pulling it up and over her head. Once off he realized just how close he was standing to her, merely an inch between them - swallowing thickly he looked down and noted the underwear she was wearing, he would recognize them from anywhere, those pictures she had sent him and the pink underwear, the one's he had admitted to loving so much. He looked back up, his eyes slightly darker then they were before as the air between them seemed still, he didn't dare move, the moment seemed to fragile and he didn't want to break it.
Isabelle chuckled and shook her head. "I suppose when you put it like that, it was a silly question though I wouldn't allow you to stay if you weren't helping. I am not in the habit of making a complete fool out of myself in front of people, not when I can avoid it anyway." She admitted, unfolding her arms where they rested across her chest and instead positioning them above her head in the manner James was silently asking for in order to help her out of the outfit. Thankfully it was much quicker to accomplish with two people though she soon realised the downside to it when as soon as the fabric left her head, she found herself face to face with the other male. He was right there, inches away from her and well... his eyes weren't on her face. It took her a minute to register just what he was staring at and then another couple of seconds for understanding to occur. There hadn't been any intentions behind her choice of panties because she didn't exactly plan on him seeing them but it appeared to have an affect on him if the dilation of his eyes and the sudden ratchet in temperature was anything to go by. Her hands were still clasped above her head as they stood in a stalemate for god knows how long. It felt like she moved first but she couldn't be sure as instinct seemed to have taken over and Isabelle's hands had dropped around James' neck instead of to her sides like her brain had been originally telling them to, fingers tangling in the hair there as she tugged him forward and pressed their lips together.
James "Just a little silly." he laughed before shaking his head amused, "I'm sorry but you would have to throw me out because I would absolutely want to see you make a complete and utter fool of yourself. It would nice to have the tables turned for once." he laughed softly. When James saw the other girl start to lower her arms, he thought they were going to be down by her sides and then to step away from him, what he hadn't been expecting was them to fall around his neck pulling forwards so the space between them was pretty much non existent. And then it came, the feeling of her soft pink lips against his own, something he had been thinking about, dreaming about and hoped that he would have a chance to experience what it felt like to be kissed by the blonde girl, in all seriousness, if she hadn't made the first move he was certain he would have only second later. With only a moment of shocked hesitation, he moved his arms to loop around her small waist, bringing her closer again as he kissed her back, moving his lips against hers in a rhythm that just fit - it was like they had done this time and time again because it felt so right. This felt right and he didn't care if they were two submissives because this was something special, something that shouldn't just be passed aside. He let his hand move up her back, feeling the soft skin that he hadn't been allowed to touch before but surely was allowed to do so now as he kissed her with everything he had.
Isabelle wasn't sure what had gotten into her. Clearly it wasn't her head controlling everything here because she knew the issues with doing this with James but... he had been so close and she had been able to smell the familiar cologne, the one her nose met every time they cuddled and the warmth radiated off him like a furnace. She could feel his want and it was returned completely despite all her best attempts. The kiss immediately caused her stomach to swoop and her back arched into James as the fingers found her skin, holding her in place. She slotted into him like they were two parts of the same puzzle; an action that came from their clear comfort around one another. Gasping ever so softly, she tilted her head to the side to deepen the kiss, fingers tightening their hold on James' hair as she sucked the others lower lips tantalisingly before continuing their kiss.
James didn't know what would happen once they separated but in the back of his mind he couldn't seem to care about that small factor right now, all he cared about was her soft skin and her lips, the way she smelled and everything about her that had drawn him in the first time around. Every part of her body was pressed against his and he felt desire build up in his body, this wasn't like when they were cuddling and he wanted to kiss her just for the sake of kissing her and nothing. This was raw attraction, and he wanted to feel her everywhere on him. He let out a small noise at her fingers in his hair as he complied with her wanting to deepen the kiss, letting her tease him before pushing his tongue past the barrier of her lips and into her mouth, the hands on her back traveling south until they reached the small of her back and then further down again until they rested on her ass, he couldn't stop them from wandering, all the places he had wanted to touch were now available to him and he was going to take advantage of that before it was too late and she pulled away wanting him to stop.
Isabelle allowed his lips to immediately relent to the intrusion, parting compliantly so that she could taste the others tongue. Her whole body seemed to flood with adrenaline, that pleasant buzz and warmth filling her as she let herself melt into his kiss. Much as she would have with any Dom, Isabelle allowed him to explore her mouth submissively before her own joined in and she teasingly let it twist around James' before she sucked on it. She had missed this, the closeness to him but the new developments were enough to make her mind boggle. The ability to consider what she was doing was several stunted by the desire she felt for James which was only aided by the way his hands explored, an action she was only too happy to allow and reciprocate. A soft moan was swallowed by the other man's mouth as his hands reached her rear and she canted her hips forward gently, fingers trailing down his neck and continuing their downward travel until they met the hem of the material. She didn't question her actions as her fingers immediately sought out skin, pressing underneath the barrier of clothing to touch the smooth skin of James' back, fingernails lightly scratching the skin before they move to his stomach and chest to map the line of hair with her hands that trailed upwards from the waistband of his pants and began to scatter over a greater distance the further up she reached.
James knew that he hadn't felt this way with any dominant that he had hooked up with while at the institute, he hadn't received that thrill that he was getting now and Isabelle shared the same mark as him. This kiss between them was proof that they would be able to work out together, to actually be a couple and not have to worry about none of them being a dominant. The closeness they shared was borderline electrifying to him and she was more amazing then he had ever dreamed of and ever thought. The feeling of her tongue against his own, her hips moving forward gently as he applied pressure to her rear and the way her hands skimmed up his top, it was like he couldn't breathe. He pulled away from her lips for a split second, taking the hem of his t-shirt and pulling it over his head, dumping it on the floor so she could get a better feel, a hotter touch - it was only fair after all since she was standing in her underwear. He didn't hesitate to go back to her lips, not starting out slow again, plunging straight in for a deep and passionate kiss, one that made his toes curl and his fingers tighten around her, pulling her impossibly closer to a point where there was just about no space between their bodies at all.
Isabelle would have been amused how fast James' shirt had come off i other circumstances but right now what she needed was to feel his skin against her own and the warmth he permeated like a furnace. It was familiar and yet not so. She hadn't experienced it quite like this with him before but she was more than willing as their mouths sought one another out again like they needed on another to live. It was a hard decision to make, whether to depart from the drugging kiss to allow her mouth to explore further or not. Her instincts seemed to make up her mind for her though as she slowly let her mouth brush over his jawline, nipping playfully at the skin before she moved to his earlobe. She lingered there for a moment, smiling as her tongue flicked out to wet the shell, hot breath ghosting over the dampened patch a moment later. And then she was moving down over his neck laying hot kisses in her wake. She hadn't realised just how much she wanted this until it was offered to her. Just how much she wanted to explore every inch of his skin with her mouth. James was handsome and willing in her arms and there were no words for how much she wanted to make hi feel good. It seemed to fuel the fire that was inside her too.
James was surprised he managed to rid of his shirt in one piece, with the way he was feeling along with what was happening he was expecting to get stuck half way making a fool out of himself and breaking the moment between them, but for once he was working in his own favor when it came to what he wanted. They had been like this, well no exactly like this but they had been close, bodies pressed against one another but it had been entirely different and it certainly didn't have the same heat that was here between them now. James let his head tip to the side slightly as he allowed the other to explore his jaw, his very sensitive neck along with his ear, letting out small moans of encouragement at what she was doing. His hands had moved from the back of her body to the front, looking as his fingers brushed over her bare stomach, her hips and up to cup her breast over her underwear giving it a small but deft squeeze wanting to gauge a reaction from her, wanting her to feel the way in which she was making him feel with just her lips.
Isabelle couldn't help the smile that grew on her lips as she began learning all those little things that seemed to cause James to respond so perfectly. She loved hearing the slight unsteady breaths he took when she attached her mouth to his neck and then the moans, quiet as they were did things to her. God how she wanted to hear more of them and to be able to make him come undone. A moment later though and she was shuddering softly herself, stomach sucking inwards somewhat as James' fingers played over the skin, hot and smooth. His hands were bigger than her own, confident in their touch and yet gentle at the same time. They weren't invasive or brash like a lot of peoples might have been and they held just the right amount of pressure to tease and cause pleasure at the same time. The moan that resulted in the squeeze of her breast was muffled by his neck where she had sucked gently on the skin whilst her fingers dug lightly into his hips.
James was going to have to learn every little reaction that his touch caused when it came to the blonde girl, each and every one she was making now was causing the want and desire to build inside his own body, like fire under his skin, an itch that needed to be scratched and the only one who could do that was her. He continued the journey with his hand, up to her shoulder, before feather light touches skimmed back down her beautiful body. She was a piece of art in herself and if he could he would draw and paint her all day for years, he would never get bored of capturing a body like his. His hand was back to her hip, daring to go lower skimming the panties she was wearing feeling the heat from her body radiating like he was sure his was too, he let his hand rest high on her thigh, not wanting to push the boundaries between them to something she wasn't comfortable with but god did he want to touch her, it was agony and torture not to just reach out and brush his fingers over the underwear that had been teasing him through his phone screen, out of reach but now the lacey texture was almost teasing him.
Isabelle let her fingers mimic James' actions, her hands drifting down his body and pausing on his pants. It was exhilarating to feel his hand so close to where she needed it right now. There was no point denying just how much she wanted James, her body gave her away even if her actions hadn't already. It was keening into the others touch as he finally settled on her thigh. Slowly her fingers began to undo the button of the jeans. She didn't plan on divesting of them without his say so but she wanted more room to feel and touch in the way he had. When the zip had been lowered, her hands slipped past the barrier of denim to follow the elastic of his boxer briefs until they met the small of his back. They descended languidly down, making the most of touching the other male before she gripped his ass firmly.
James let his eyes watch the girls face as she moved the zipper down on his jeans, he almost wanted to let out a sigh of relief when the pressure that had been pushing down on his half hard member was gone, no longer straining against the fabric. Her hands, so much smaller then his own felt so good on his skin, her firm grip on his ass made his hips cant forward on instinct, the front of his underwear rubbing against her hip slightly as he took the extra step. It was like a game, make one move and see if the other took a step further, going and going before it went to far and they would have the loser. He let his hand move swiftly over to the front of her panties, his fingers rubbing the front of them ever so slightly, applying just the right amount of pressure to give her good friction but not too much in case she wanted to push him away. But from the heat she was emitting and the wetness that he found he didn't think she would have a problem with doing this, her arousal at the same state as his. He dipped his head and claimed her lips once again, wanting to taste the sweetness that was just her, not wanting to forget how all of this felt for a second.
Isabelle felt like it was all about finding out just how much they were willing to do. They were both too caught up in it to stop and yet they also knew that they had boundaries... or at least presumed they did. Isabelle was shocked at how very few she had where James was concerned and perhaps she should have been worried about that but it was the last thing on her mind right now, especially when those fingers found their way to the front of her panties causing a dizzying jolt of pleasure to shoot through her body. "James..." Her lips parted softly as she gasped. Though it was almost imperceptible, there was no doubt it had happened and she rolled her hips gently against his fingers, encouraging him to continue even as the sound she made was swallowed up by the man's mouth, another soft moan building from her throat.
James wanted her to say his name like that again, in fact he never wanted her to stop saying his name in a breathless gasp that caused a shiver to erupt right down his spine. He had never heard his name sound like that before and it was like music to his ears, he just needed to know how to play her to hear in again. Taking the gasp as a good thing he allowed his hand to cover her core through the fabric, rubbing gently, supplying her with that little bit of friction of pleasure that he knew wouldn't be enough to completely satisfy her needs but was enough to keep the sounds coming out of her mouth and for him to feel the way in which her hips rolled and pushed further into his hand. He pulled away from the kiss slowly, dragging her bottom lip with him with his teeth before letting it go, a smirk on his lips as he decided it was now time for him to explore her pale and perfect next, the smell of her perfume slightly intoxicating as he mouthed gently at the skin not wanting to mark the blank canvas, well not yet at least. "This okay?" he asked and maybe he shouldn't have because if she said no it would all be over, but he wanted to know where they were going with this, the notion that they were still very much in public weighing on him, knowing that he couldn't take it as far as he wanted.
Isabelle had flushed a gentle rose hue from desire, the peppering of colour petering out around the base of her neck and she licked her lips softly when their lips parted once more. He breathing was somewhat stuttered, eyelashes slowly fluttering closed as she felt the teasing tug of the others teeth on the skin of her lower lip. It was hard not to let her imagination run away with her, picturing what other sinful activities James' mouth could get up to. The addictive kisses he had offered so far more than proved his talent in that area. Leisurely her eyes reopened, clouded with clear want when she looked at him, nodding in a slow, deliberate manner. "Keep going." Came the request a moment later, tone breathless and a note higher than normal. Swallowing softly, she tilted her head to bare her neck to him trustingly.
James watched the color rise on the girls pale skin, the color contrast making her look more amazing then she had before hand, he had made her like this and if he could only add a purple bruise, she was picture perfect and he wished he could capture how she looked right in this moment. But he had more important things at hand, like giving her the pleasure that she deserved, the amount that would hopefully have her begging for more and making this not a one time thing. He knew that wouldn't be the case though, they were caught in the heat of the moment right now and it was all exciting and hormones were raging higher due to their confessions day's before. The breathless tone from her made him moan against her skin, "Okay." he replied simply his mouth continuing the explore her neck. Once he was at the juncture, he couldn't help but tease her skin in between his teeth before kissing it again, moving his tongue over to sooth it as he kept repeating the cycle knowing fine well a mark would be left in his wake. His hand kept moving over her panties, feeling as they became more soaked under his touch, he shifted his fingers aside, going to move the fabric aside so he could feel just how turned on she was when a crash from outside the changing room door startled him. He pulled his hand away along with his mouth and caught his reflection in the mirror, his hair a mess along with his cheeks, chest and lips a rosy red, his pants undone and pushed further down his hips, he looked a mess and Isabelle didn't look much better. He licked his lips and looked to her, not knowing whether to continue or to not making him stand there awkwardly, staring at her hoping she had the answer of what was to come next.
Isabelle bit down on her lower lip hard. Even if she was pretty much willing to allow James anything he wanted right now, she still vaguely recalled where they were and had enough wits about her to try and stay silent even if it was difficult. The rub of the fabric mixed with James' fingers was tortuously arousing. She could feel the wetness building between her thighs the more he worked her up. Another moan sighed from between her lips and her head dropped back as he worked that one spot on her neck. There was going to be a mark, even she knew that but she couldn't bring herself to care. It was the bang that brought her out of the blanket of arousal she had drifted under, causing her to jump violently and cling even tighter to the other man. They seemed to stay like that for a minute as her heart hammered in her ears like a drum, thudding so loud she wouldn't have been surprised if everyone in the shop could hear. It was only when she seemed to register the position they were in and the state of them both that Isabelle finally took several steps back. Despite the shock and slight embarrassment of what they had been doing in the middle of the department store, Isabelle couldn't help but find the picture of James very attractive. Too attractive considering this wasn't even supposed to be happening. She sighed softly, rubbing her forehead somewhat before reaching for her clothes. "That..." She began before falling silent, not even sure what she could say to explain what had happened.
James tightened his grip slightly on Belle as she jumped at the loud noise that came from outside, he hated that someone had been outside and caused a noise to disrupt them, he didn't want to be disrupted and he wished for once that he had been back in the dorms of Dalton where they wouldn't have been interrupted at all and there would have been a bed, more space. He was letting his mind run and it had to stop, he focused in on the situation in front of them now and how Isabelle was putting her clothes on. He zipped up his pants and ran a hand through his hair as he picked up his t-shirt, pulling it on and leaning against the wall of the changing room trying to think of something to say because this could escalate to awkward again, even more awkward than before. "That... happened." he said simply before rubbing a hand over his face. "Safe to say it's hard to put our feelings behind us." he said trying to diffuse the tension though he didn't think that would happen. "We should, probably talk about this. When we're not in a changing room with people just outside."
Isabelle pulled on her jeans hastily before it was followed by her top and jumper. "Happened but shouldn't have." She added after a moment, trying to ignore the thoughts of what she had been allowing James to do to her minutes before. "We wouldn't have to put feelings behind us if you hadn't mentioned it. We wouldn't have even known." Isabelle found herself saying in frustration as she looked at James before she sighed heavily, running her hands over her face as she took to leaning against the opposite wall. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean it to come out like that. This whole thing... is just a difficult situation. I shouldn't take it out on you." Isabelle murmured wearily. Forcing herself off the changing room wall, she moved cautiously over to James so that she could hug him, cheek resting against his shirt in a manner that was very much like how they had originally cuddled. "I'm not sure how much there is to talk about James but if it would make you feel better then we can at some point." Letting go of the male, she collected up the outfits.
James looked at the other girl listening to everything she said nodding along and clenching his jaw, "Wow, okay then." he said pushing his tongue into the inside of his cheek as he tried to bite back the things he wanted to say, "James Berry, messing up again. Should have learned I would have fucked this up sooner or later." he mumbled having putting the blame put on him again, it wasn't something that was exactly unheard of when his name is brought up. James shook his head, "No, it's fine. You have the right to voice your opinions and you're right this is a difficult situation." he said. "I've actually, looked into some things so yeah I'd like to talk about this." he said and hesitated for a moment before hugging he other back resting his head on top of hers. "I like you, a lot. I want to keep doing this but I know that you- don't- want this." he said tapping her arm. "But I want to be at least friends because not talking to you sucks." he said smiling as she picked up her clothes. "Plus, you're the one who kissed me first." he winked before opening the door to the changing room.
Isabelle shook her head and looked at him. "I didn't mean that James, you didn't mess up. I am just... I don't know how to deal with this right now and I am being a cow and just... blaming it on you when it isn't your fault." She admitted with a little frown. "Difficult situations aren't really my forte... not when I am involved in them anyway. I took the easy option out of it then and I had no right to say that." It was a surprise to hear he had looked into their situation though. It seemed to prove just how serious he was about their relationship and Isabelle didn't know whether to be flattered or concerned. Hearing he had done things like that certainly made it harder for her to push him away because every time he just put so much effort into things for her. "Then the least I can do is let you talk." She agreed, smiling affectionately at him when he mentioned how not talking sucked. "Yes, I know. I missed you as well you big dork." Isabelle told him before pushing him out of the changing room.
James "It sounded like you meant it, I admit if I had just kept my mouth shut and pretended like there was nothing there then this would be a whole lot easier for the both of us. So technically it is my fault." he scrunched up his face slightly, a chuckle falling from his mouth, "I don't think you're a cow, nice way to put it though." James shrugged pushing his hands into his pockets, "You did what was best for you and what you thought would be best for us in the long run. I'm not going to blame you for that." he pointed out. James smiled at her, he wanted to talk, wanted to tell her about what he found out about the different ways in which two subs can work together. Hopefully he would have her see it the way he did but if not he would always have this memory stored away in his head. "Yes, but I'm an adorable, hot, sexy, big dork." he winked before stumbling out of the dressing room.
Settle Down With Me, Cover Me Up, Cuddle Me In || Jamelle
TAGGING: James Berry and Isabelle Crawford
LOCATION: Isabelle's Dorm Room
TIME FRAME: Monday Night - 19/01/15
NOTES: James turns up for a cuddle session that gets extended to all night.
James felt exhausted, not tired in a way he wanted to sleep but just exhausted of the day. Of the drama that was caused, of him standing up to himself to the new Dominant and if it were under different circumstances he would be happy that he managed to come out on the better end of the argument and gotten respect from the other and ended up on the better side of it all. But then of course there was his sisters who he had pissed off and then the punishment that he had just gone through with Rachel. He hated punishments, the commanding of submitting but not for positive reasons. He dragged himself to the blonde girls room happy to actually see someone that he would know make him feel better, after their art session he found himself liking her more than he thought and getting hugs from her was just what the doctor needed. Lifting his hand he knocked on her door leaning against the frame as he waited for the other to open the door.
Isabelle had a good idea what had brought about the headache. Stress and worry were never particularly kind to her and after the catastrophe which was Sebastian's first encounter with the students of the institute and the resulting clash of opinion between herself and James, it had left her head in a somewhat fragile state. Currently it was throbbing and a sense of guilt lingered. In many ways, she felt that in challenging James' actions and upon hearing his reasons and emotional state afterwards, that she had let him down. Of course, that wasn't to say she didn't stand by her opinion but that perhaps she should have been a little more mindful of his reasons. As it was though, he didn't appear to be bearing a grudge but Isabelle still needed that physical reassurance to ease her emotions. Freya had come and dropped by tea and food, the girl being a godsend when she needed her and she vowed she would make that up to her at some point but it was that knock at the door she had been needing. With careful manoeuvring, she rose from the bed, conveniently keeping herself warm in the sweats and jumper she had managed to convince James to lend her until she could buy some appropriate night wear. They were too big on her of course but that only added to their comfort. Isabelle barely managed to allow James one toe in the doorway before she sought out his comfort, wrapping her arms around the other male in a tight hug.
James looked at the other when the door came open, a smile making his tired eyes light up slightly as he saw her wearing the clothes he let her take so she didn't freeze in her room. She looked cute in them to say the least, them hanging off her small frame from being slightly on the bigger size for her, it truly was endearing. He took a step forward but ended up stumbling back slightly as he felt arms wrapped around him more or less as soon as they saw one another. He was quick to return the hug though, his own arms circling her as he rested his head on her shoulder, his face nuzzling into her neck as he felt the tension slowly seep from his body just from the small amount of contact, "I think this is just what I needed. Thank you." he said, his voice coming out muffled from where it was against her body.
Isabelle smiled softly against James' body, allowing herself to inhale slowly, the others cologne filling her senses and enveloping her with a feeling of security. "I think I am getting as much from this as you are. Maybe more." Isabelle murmured with a little chuckle as she felt the rough rub of James' chin and cheek nuzzle into the bare skin of her neck. "Like some serious stubble rash that I am going to have to explain tomorrow if you keep that up." She teased, her hands rubbing up and down the others back in soothing motions though who it was meant to sooth was unclear. They stayed like that for a minute or two before the fact they were still stood half on the hallway registered and she pulled back just enough to reach around James and shut the door. "Can we go lie down? I really do need to put my head down before it puts itself down." That didn't prevent her from guiding James with her as she climbed back under the covers. "I know we said something about it being presumptuous to ask one another to get into our beds but..."
James smirked his old self seeping into his body slowly once again, "Really, are you getting a lot from this hug. Is it doing things for you." he teased, his voice trailing into a chuckle that only intensified when she mentioned the way his stubble was rubbing against her soft skin. "I would shave it off but it makes me lose around ten years so I tend to keep it." he mentioned thinking about the pictures he had with him clean shaven making him look like he was in his early teens when in fact he was in his early twenties. "I could cover it up with some mouth bruises if you would prefer to answer those questions." he spoke continuing the teasing. He let out a soft humming noise at the hands on his back the calm washing over him, something that he really did need after the type of day that he had. The sound of the door closing and the way she pulled back slightly made him do the same, taking a proper look at her since he had entered the room. "Of course, I don't want it falling off or imploding." He removed his shoes along with his jacket leaving him in a t-shirt and sweatpants, very similar to the others borrowed look as he moved over to bed watching as she climbed in, "For cuddling purposes it's totally allowed." he mentioned before moving to get in beside her, "Plus you weren't joking when you said it was cold in here."
Isabelle should have seen that coming really but she hadn't. It did make her laugh softly though and she shook her head as he got into her bed. Waiting until he was laid down, Isabelle shuffled closer, winding their legs together under the covers. "Your stubble suits you. No need to get rid of it." She murmured, eyes drifting over the area whilst one hand gently traced the short hairs. He thumb rubbed softly at the line his his jaw before skirting upwards to brush along his ear. She caressed the skin of his earlobe and the shell smoothly before her fingers finally reached their destination to card through the dark locks. "Did you think I was exaggerating when I said that?" Isabelle asked, the corners of her lips turning upwards. "Because I wasn't. I am used to wet and cold weather in England."
James smiled at the sound of her laugh and instinctively curled closer towards her once he felt her legs twined with his own, he moved his arm from beside him so it was wrapped around the blonde girl, having no choice but bringing her that extra little bit closer which he would argue was for warmth. "Thank you and I wasn't planning on it, I mean it. Twelve." he said with a chuckle, "I'll show you pictures one day. I would feel naked without it." he said with a slight shiver just coming to think about it, he was too attached to the scruff now that he wasn't sure if he could part with it. The touch to his face was surprising and yet no unwelcomed as she watched her out of the corner of his eye as her hand traced around the stubble and over his features, he couldn't help the small hum of pleasure that left his lips or the way his eyes fluttered closed when her hand reached his hair though, because it really did feel good and he would certainly never be opposed to her petting his hair from now on. "I thought you were exaggerating slightly, next time we do this though we should stick to my room since I do hold the almighty heater and I don't have a roommate." James laughed remembering the weather from his trip, "After I finished college I traveled and I went to London for a around a month I think, I'm pretty sure the time I was there it rained non stop."
Isabelle had always been quite physical in that she enjoyed the ability to touch and explore. It was no different now. She could get to know someone from the sound of their voice or how they looked but feeling... there was just something about it, that connection you couldn't get any other way. There was nothing sexual about it just the need to be close to another human being, someone she trusted. "Maybe I should ask your sisters. I am sure they would have amazingly embarrassing photos of you when you were younger or drunk..." She teased, fingernails scratching playfully at his scalp. It wasn't fair that a male could have such thick, soft hair. "No... not making it up." As if to emphasise her point, Isabelle pressed the tip of her particularly cold nose right in against the others adams apple. "That sounds like good old London. I still love it there despite the terrible weather."
James recalled the other claiming she was pretty physical when it came to being with someone and touching and she really wasn't joking. James wasn't complaining though, he was a pretty physical person himself, he learned more that way, through the ways of touch and he found it really comforting too. It was the easiest way to have him calm down and also as an artist, taking a feel of something helped with the images that he produced on the paper. But this, the soft touches to his jaw and hair, they were intimate without it being in a sexual or romantic manner, it was just nice and he wasn't just if he could name a time when he had something like this. "Maybe you should- though you might want to wait until they've cooled off a bit before mentioning my name." he said softly, "But I think there are some ones of me on table tops from my drunken nights out, people take too many pictures for my liking." he chuckled even he knew he was the one who was most likely to have his camera out. The noises were almost a purr as he reveled in the way Belle's hand felt in his hair and he had to make sure she would never stop because it felt relaxing and pleasant in so many ways. "Shit." he cursed moving his head away from her cold nose, he reached his free hand out and rubbed it trying his best efforts to warm it up, "Cold noses are the worst." James laughed and nodded, "It's a beautiful city I'll give you that, I got so much work done while I was there too. The city of my muse."
Isabelle let out a slight sound of amusement at the fact she managed to throw him off kilter with the touch of her nose to his neck. It was such a simple thing but it was a little like having cold feet in bed; there was a definite shock to the system when the cold caught you off guard. The movement of the others hand rubbing her nose was somewhat bizarre and comforting in the same moment and she shifted her hands to wrap them around James' waist, smiling softly at his attention. "It is a beautiful city. I am lucky to come from there." Isabelle admitted, her eyes closing for a minute or two until his action's ceased. Her fingers drew small patterns on James' back as the fell into companionable silence, making the most of the warm body in front of her. "Thank you for coming to me tonight. I know things haven't necessarily been easy for you but I'm glad you're here." Isabelle admitted slowly, letting her head tuck under his chin and rest there. She swore she could almost hear his heart beating steadily from this position and it soothed her after the days antics. "I had worried that I had upset you for a little while there and I couldn't bear thought. I dislike seeing you unhappy as it is without becoming the cause of it."
James felt the way her small hands wrapped around his waist and it was almost like all the emotions that were bubbling inside of his from when he first arrived were now non existent, that they had never even been there in the first place. Right now he felt safe, warm and comforted and it was making him relax, more than he had relaxed in who know's how long. "I can imagine why you're proud. I'm proud to be a New Yorker, would rather say I came from Manhattan then Long Island but you can't please everyone." he joked. As they both fell into a silence that was far from awkward, her felt his hand absentmindedly following hers but instead of it being on his own back it was on Belle's, his fingers tracing over jumper she was wearing, down, along the hem and back up again, a soothing process that caused the calm to settle further in him. "I don't think I could have stayed alone in my room tonight, I would have drove myself crazy by the time twelve hit. So it's really not a problem, I'm enjoying this too." he said with a smile as he continued to listen to her, his brows furrowing together at her words. "You hadn't upset me, I was more confused at the fact I seemed to be standing out alone but then when I spoke to Chris I realized that different people have different opinions, like her saying she would have had no problems getting on her knee's for him because she knew he meant no harm. But I'm not upset with you, not one bit." he said leaning his head on top of hers for a moment weighing his options before pressing a small kiss to the top of it, once again it wasn't meant to be romantic - just comforting and something he found himself doing if he were with his sisters.
Isabelle had always been very responsive to touch and to positive attention. The hands on her back were a warm heavy weight through the material of her jumper causing pleasant ripples of sensation to travel along her skin. It relaxed her and Isabelle appeared to melt even more compliantly under James' ministrations. Isabelle found that she felt the same calmness forming here that she often felt around her brother Adam but there was also something more honest and raw here that Isabelle could only put down to a common understanding that she hadn't expected to find between them. In moments like this they were extremely similar and because of that understanding of one anothers needs, they appeared to gravitate toward one another. " You don't have to be alone James. You can feel free to come here whenever you need to or you can text me if you ever want my company. I would have hated attempting to sleep after our discussion. I didn't particularly want to be alone either." Her fingers tightened their grip on his shirt, hugging him fiercely as the lips pressed against his forehead. "And you didn't stand alone. We all made our points clear in different ways. You just stood out like a sore thumb." She teased with a smile. "You have quite the mouth on you Mr Berry."
James noticed a small section of her back where the jumper she was wearing had ridden up, moving his hand down to let his warm fingertips caress the exposed skin that was on show there, the softness making him smile. When he had drawn her he had the urge to reach out and touch, to see if her skin was as soft as it looked and this confirmed it, it helped when it came to drawing people too - soft curves and skin leading to softer pencil stroke where was harder lines made for harsher strokes. He was thankful for using the softer technique the day before for him. He had been with men and woman like this before but there had always been something attached to it, whether the moment was following from sex or they were in a relationship but he had never done this with a friend before, it felt good, really good actually. He felt safe, comfortable and just content, the need to move closer to hold her closer to his body and have her hands explore his body more. "I know I don't have to be and you should be careful with what you offer because you'll get sick of seeing me, because I'll be texting you every night telling you to come and keep me company and if you say no I will get needy." he teased, he knew it wasn't true and he wouldn't actually do that but it felt nice to know he could ask her to come keep him company if he wanted it. "Okay maybe I didn't and it's just because I used some choice words and made a bigger splash but I don't care. It's who I am not going to change that." he said with a shrug. He winked at her "Not the first time I've been told that, but they usually say that after I've done some pretty amazing things to their body with it."
Isabelle made a small sound of surprise at that and jumped a little at the contact. The action had grazed her skin in a way that had tickled and caught her off guard but a moment later and her body appeared to relax once more as she let out a content sigh. Feeling skin against her own... it was really nice and the action wasn't one that tread the line of inappropriate. For all James' talk, he had never once acted inappropriately and she supposed that may have been why she felt so at ease to allow him to do as he wished. There was no expectation of anything more just the closeness of another person and the delight in close contact. "I very much doubt that James." Isabelle offered softly when he told her that she would eventually get fed up of seeing him. "I am pleased that you know you don't have to be alone though." That was the most important thing. He didn't have to feel wound up or upset. He didn't have to deal with it alone because she was more than happy to help shoulder any burdens he had. "Needy.. aw... like my own little puppy again aren't you." She playfully jested, one hand reaching up to scratch James' ear before ruffling his hair and staying there. "You are like a big overgrown puppy dog though with those big brown eyes and cuddly nature." She had always had a soft spot for puppies. "I know you won't, as long as you don't expect me to not try to calm you down." Isabelle rolled her eyes, laughing at his comment. "Your sex life doesn't interest me James Berry. Kindly keep it to yourself."
James couldn't help but laugh at the way the other jumped in reaction to his touch, he was half expecting her to tell him to move his hand but when she relaxed once again he left it be, rubbing his thumb back and forth over the small patch. He was all talk and no game when it came to being crude with his words, sure he made those kind of jokes but he would never push someone into sex, he was just a big flirt with a different way of talking. Some people hated it and some people just found it endearing - well they found it endearing once they got to know him better. "You say this now." he commented in a sing song voice, he was hoping she was right though and not him because he couldn't see himself getting sick of the other girl, ever. "I know, but I don't want to burden you with what goes on up here." he said tapping his head, "Each of us Berry's do something different when we're upset. Rachel just doesn't say anything and keeps it bottled in, Chris - she just runs away and me. I pace my room and self hate on myself and it won't necessarily be about what's just happened it can be stuff from back in the past. My main one is going to think back about my old relationship that I had before I came here." he said idly letting his hand trace up to rub up her back. "Oh hush." he said nudging her, "Mhm, your pet I got it the first time you said that and I'm not going to complain because that feels so freaking good." he said as he let out a small noise at the ruffle of his hair. "I would be grateful for you to try and calm me down, I'll need it to stop me from doing something really stupid. Like seriously if you see me doing something like beyond stupid stop me, okay?" James let out a small scoff. "I'm sure it doesn't - you really want to find out what it's like. Don't you." he teased.
Isabelle whacked the others chest gently when he decided to laugh at her sudden jump though it held no malice behind it and was little more than a swat. "I'll say it whenever." She continued with a little smile, settling down to listen to him explain the differences between the triplets. She liked listening to the stories, as simple as they were because they gave her more of an insight into the male she was currently curled up with in bed. The fact he felt like he could talk to her about this kind of thing felt like a privilege and it wasn't one she was going to ruin. "You know if you ever want to talk about it you can but I won't force you to." Isabelle knew he would tell her in his own time if he ever wanted to. Some things he supposed no one wanted to remember. She was laughing a moment later when James exclaimed how good the fingers in his hair felt and she made a point of massaging his scalp in slow, fluid motions. "Unless I think it will be great for blackmail in the future, I will stop you." She playfully responded. "And no, I am fine like this." Isabelle murmured with a smile.
James let out a small oomph when he was hit in the chest and chuckled while holding his hand up to where he was hit playing on the dramatics, "Well I come here to keep you company and you wound me. Violence - it's never an option." he told her nodding in her direction. "I'm going to hold you to that mind." He told her pointing towards her, as she told him he could talk to her he hummed considering it, he wanted a chance with her, hoping he wouldn't hate her for his mistakes that he still beat himself up over. "His name was Oliver, he was, well he was amazing. We had been together for a year but we had been friends before that and it was getting serious, like looking into claims serious- he made me feel safe, calmed me down when I got upset all that shit Dominants do." he commented looking up at the ceiling as he let his hand continue to follow the strokes on her back, the same motion of up and down. "We got into a really bad fight one night and I left, just walked out and decided to go to a bar, I got drunk off my ass, took something I shouldn't - probably ecstasy or something along those lines and I fucked another guy." He said nodding slowly before sighing. "I went back once the effects of everything wore off, I had a panic attack outside our door and he sat there and told me everything was going to be okay. I told him though, the next morning, safe to say it ended then and there. To this day it's the biggest mistake I've made and it's part of the reason I'm here. I want to be better, both as a man and as a sub - I don't want to be labeled as a bad person just from that mistake." he confessed as he looked at her finally, "Please just, don't hate me." he said a slight crease of worry at the corner of his eye. He could deal with other people disliking him for his mistakes but he couldn't stand the thought of this girl hating him for it. He closed his eyes and hummed deep in his throat chuckling at her words, "Thank you, I mean if it was something hilariously stupid then go ahead and let me do it and film it, I'm always amused by my stupid antics when no one gets harmed." James looked at her and smiled, "Alright then, I'll keep my sexcapades to myself then."
Isabelle hadn't been expecting James to confide in her so soon. She had expected that it would take time for his past to come out but it did make sense. Right now they were close and there were no barriers or walls up. There wasn't any judgement between them just acceptance and understanding that no matter what they said it would be kept between them. It was an unspoken understanding and because of that, Isabelle listened intently to his story, lips forming a soft frown at the thought of him being left by his Dominant. Removing both her hands from his back, Isabelle placed them on James' cheeks, cupping them in a tender manner. "Hey... look at me." She requested softly, thumbs caressing his cheeks gently. "I don't hate you. How could I possibly hate you for that? Do you really think you are the only one who makes mistakes?" Isabelle inhaled heavily before pressing her lips to his nose. "You can't get rid of me so easily. You are not the only one who did things to be ashamed of." She murmured, her eyes serious and filled with sadness and she pulled back enough to tuck her face under the others chin. "My Dad died when I was twelve." She began, lips pressing together in silence before she continued. "Remember when I told you he wasn't a Dom but I treated him like one? Well yeah... I adored him. I was a Daddies girl through and through. I don't think I ever remember being happier than when I was looking after him and pleasing him." Her arms moved to wrap around James once more, finding the weight in her arms a comfort. "Anyway... losing him... it felt like I had lost myself too. Stupid as it might sound, I couldn't imagine a life without him where I wouldn't have him to turn to. In such a short space of time I lost the meaning in my life. I was only twelve but that was how it felt. You are supposed to have your parents for so much longer than that and it didn't seem fair." Isabelle could feel that familiar lump at the base of her throat but she took a moment, swallowing it back. She was older now and had more control and she wouldn't let herself keep getting upset over it. "My family... looking back I know they were hurting too but... it just... it was like he was forgotten about so fast. They couldn't talk about him and then they were smiling again and laughing... I just couldn't I guess. I got bitter watching them move on with their lives and I was just stuck. I was a pretty selfish twelve year old who couldn't see past herself and what I was feeling I guess." She gave a slightly humourless laugh. "Anyway... I fell into the wrong crowd... skipped school, started smoking, drinking... doing anything I could to fit in with the group. I guess we all felt like our families had abandoned us or let us down in some way, or at least that's the excuse we used to act the way we did." A shuddered sigh left her and she centred herself using the scent of the other male, inhaling slowly until she felt more collected. "I don't know how many times I was punished for climbing out the window or running off on my mother. My siblings tried to help too but I was awful to them. I mean it, seriously awful." But that was for another day. "In the end I put myself in hospital; not on purposely of course but yes... I ended up having an alcohol overdose at thirteen or fourteen." She couldn't recall exactly the age now but a lot of that time had been a blur. "It opens your eyes when you wake up to see the faces of your family stood around your bedside." She admitted, nuzzling against his neck. "I kind of knew from that point after the Doctor yelled at me for being lucky it hadn't done any damage that I needed to change. It wasn't easy but my siblings helped most of all." She pulled back to look at James. "So we aren't all that different. We have both done some seriously stupid shit in our lives." She rarely swore but this time it was with a somewhat wobbly smile but a smile none the less. "So do you hate me?"
James waited with bated breath to hear the response from the blonde girl, waiting for her to start shouting her disgust over what he did, to tell him to get out of her room and to say she didn't want to see him anymore. It's a reaction he deserved for what he did, saying it out loud just made him realize how bad it was. He still had bad dreams haunting him of that night, how comforting his boyfriend had been when he had no idea what he himself had just gone and done. However what he wasn't expecting was the way Isabelle's hands came and rested on his face softly, giving him no choice but to look up and to her blue eyes. "Because I destroyed a man who loved me, who trusted me, who wanted me forever. I just threw it all away for one fuck." he said with a harsh and malice laugh. "No- I know I'm not the only one but I tend to make stupid one's pretty frequently." he commented and it was true, he was pretty sure that's why his sisters grew annoyed at him so much. The press of lips against his nose along with her telling him she wasn't going anywhere made relief wash over him, "I'm glad, I was getting used to having you around." he mentioned but stayed quiet upon hearing her next words and seeing the mood change in her face. It became more stormy, more upset and serious - the only reaction he had to it was him bringing her closer to his body in a way of trying to protect her from whatever bad thing was in her head along with trying to provide her comfort. The whole time the other talked, he drew patterns on her back, carded his hand through her hair and just listened. It sounded like she had been through so much and at such an early age too - and he thought his problems were bad, she had been living with such sorrow and sadness and he really did feel for her. His eyes widened when she mentioned ending up putting herself in hospital causing him to curse softly under his breath. The last five words made him look down in confusion, why in hell's name would he hate her. "Hate you? No, how could I." he said pulling her slightly so she was resting on his chest making it easier to look down at her while he took her small hands in his larger ones, "You've been through so much shit and at so young, fuck." he said shaking his head, "I'm sorry and I know that doesn't help because it doesn't change anything but..." he tried to think of better words before opening his mouth again, "You're such a strong person Isabelle, to go through all of that, to feel such a loss, to crash and burn and then pull yourself back together again. It takes a lot of fucking courage and I know-" he smiled, "I know your Dad would be so proud of you if he saw you now."
Isabelle hadn't expected him to hate her. Be a little surprised yes, but not hate her because she didn't think James was like that and that was exactly her point. If he didn't hate her for all her mistakes and for how foully she had treated the ones who care about her the most then why would he think that she would ever hate him. Unfortunately humans were stupid by nature and they made horrible and ill advised mistakes but for her it was the intentions behind them that were important. James had done something he really shouldn't have but it wasn't with the intention to go out and hurt his partner. It was a moment of idiocy where he simply didn't think. She flushed softly at the others compliments, mainly because they weren't deserved, not even slightly. "No, he would be so disappointed in me for they way I behaved James. He was such a gentle man and so kind and considerate of other peoples feelings. What I did was beyond awful and people go through that kind of thing every day. Children have worse to put up with and some don't have anyone. I nearly threw away my family and my life for selfish reasons. That isn't courageous it is just so... stupid." She said with a shake of her head. Those bad decisions were things she was going to have to live with, knowing she had let her father down and it killed her just thinking about it. "I just... My Daddy was pretty much my whole world back then."
James shook his head at her, "You need to listen to me now." he said mimicking her words from before taking her face in his hands, "He would have understood. You are human, I am human, he was human. Humans make mistakes, over and over, every day - but we learn from each little mistake we make and it makes us stronger, wiser. He may have been disappointed in the way you acted, sure, but that would be because he cares about you and wouldn't want to see you hurt in that way." He rubbed his thumb over her cheek gently as she continued, "People go through terrible things and they might have been worse then what yours was but it doesn't mean that yours wasn't terrible too. You did it because you were hurt and it was your defense mechanism. You're still here for a reason and you're not like that now right? You've changed, learned from it and that took courage to do that. You could have just fell back to your old ways." James pressed a small kiss to her cheek before pulling back and looking into her eyes, "You're a good person and seeing you now, he would be proud of you and the way you've progressed."
Isabelle found it hard even now after so many years not to get upset when her father was mentioned. She could feel her face heating up in that familiar way and the lump forming in her throat, threatening to crumble her resolve. She didn't like crying in front of people or being upset in general. She had wasted enough peoples time like that already and she wouldn't do it to James. She shifted her head out of his grasp to instead bury it against his neck and chest, closing her eyes tightly. "I... Thank you...just... Can we not?" She requested quietly, trying to centre herself using James' scent and voice. This wasn't supposed to be about her and yet that was how it had ended up. "Tell me more about you... Anything, maybe a silly antic you got up to or your April fools plan." Isabelle murmured trying to move away from topics that would end up more sad than happy.
James could see the tell tale signs in the others face, watching as emotion was overcoming her and he cursed internally for being the fault of that. He thought what he said would have helped her, not made her more upset - he wanted to make it better but he had no idea how and all he could do was hold her tighter and comfort her using touch, he was just hoping that would be enough. "Yeah, of course. Sorry." he told her, his voice soft as he ran his fingers through her blonde hair smiling lightly. "Something about- erm well okay, give me a minute to think." he said tapping his fingers on her back as he tried to think of something about his life to make things lighter, to take away the heaviness that had settled in the room. "When I was little I really wanted a dog, I wasn't allowed one of course because most of the time your parents are like no pets. And I was really upset about it, my Dad's told me the only way we would get one is if we found a stray that was left." he licked his lips smiling at the memory, "So I went through a phase where I thought that if I got a dog to follow me home we would be able to keep it, so to try and get that to happen whenever I went out the house I always carried some sort of meat in my pockets, chicken, beef, turkey - and when I was near a dog I used to try and coax it away from it's owner with the meat just so I could take it home." he laughed shaking his head, "I think it's safe to say that it didn't work and dog owners got pretty mad that I was feeding their dogs random shit."
Isabelle appreciated that James took into account her words and she seemed to relax the more he talked though her head didn't move from his chest. It was comforting... warm. A small laugh was muffled into his t-shirt as he talked about his childhood memory. Really, it wasn't hard to believe that James was like that, always causing trouble in one way or another but with the best intentions. "You're terrible." She told him, though it was said with clear affection in her voice. "I always wanted a dog." Isabelle added after a minute or two. "Can't imagine being given a better present." But maybe that was biased due to watching Lady and the Tramp as a child and seeing the woman receiving a puppy for a christmas present. "Still, someday." She murmured quietly.
James smiled at the laugh that was emitted from the other girl, it was like that small sound was enough for all the tension and sadness to drop from the air in an instance, he shrugged against the bed and chuckled. "I'm not terrible at all, I'm charming and lovely." he responded, he remembered the looks his fathers gave him when they turned around to see him stuffing chicken back into his pocket when a dog took no interest. "I think they would make a great companion." he mused and smiled, "It would be a great present but as you said some day, you might get that." he said drawing swirls on her back with his fingertips. "A lovely house with a white picket fence, big back yard, a dog - dominant that loves and cares for you and everything just seems perfect. Like life couldn't get any better then that, your personal fairytale." he grinned, "A happily ever after."
Isabelle sighed softly. "Yes... yes you are." She admitted after a moment. It was rare that Isabelle would admit that with no teasing included but it seemed important to tell James that right now. She did think he could be charming and he was very lovely in her opinion. He was thoughtful and kind and that went a long way in the females opinion. She could imagine that though, having the house and the perfect little family with her Dom and puppy. It seemed a far way away at the moment though. She was young but it didn't mean she didn't thin about all those things often. As a sub she supposed it was only second nature to want the security of something stable. "And what about you and your happily ever after?"
James was a little taken back from her agreeing to his playful words, he had been joking, teasing but to have her agree caused his hand to pause on her back for a moment before continuing again. "You aren't half bad yourself Crawford." he said his voice continuing to be soft. There were rare moments when he felt the overwhelming urge to kiss someone just because of sweetness and a close intimacy - not the kind that made him want to sleep with someone, no he had those moments all the time and they were far from rare - but this one was one of the rare ones and he was feeling it with the other girl lying on his chest. "Hey, Isabelle." he said biting his lip looking down at her, not sure whether he should ask but the words were out of his mouth now and he couldn't take them back. James thought for a moment because he had no idea what he wanted, "I think, to have a claim that's more like a relationship and yet I still feel cared for. My happily ever after is to feel well... Safe."
Isabelle felt so weary and zapped of her energy after their talk. Mainly because of the emotions it had evoked but also because she was so completely content and safe in the warmth of James' arms. There was no guard up and she felt comfortable to let her eyelids droop somewhat as she nuzzled further into his chest in a sweet manner. The others voice though brought a lazy smile to her lips and she pulled her head back, humming in question when her name was called. She looked up at him for a moment, waiting for him to voice whatever was on his chest and when he did she leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Claims can be a relationship James, you'll get that. I'm sure of it." Isabelle assured him, stroking his cheek with a gentle touch before tucking her head back against him, letting herself listen to his pulse silently.
James looked down at her and the way in which the other seemed so comfortable, they had talked a lot but this was in fact one of their only few times in meeting face to face and he marveled in the way she just seemed instantly relaxed around him. He liked that, liked that she could feel this comfortable around him. He looked down at her hearing her answer with a hum, he didn't know what was happening. He was James Berry for crying out loud, he didn't get nervous around people like this, didn't hesitate when it came to showing his affections, this wasn't him at all. "Nothing, it's nothing." He chickened out. The kiss to his cheek didn't help much at all, it only made him want to turn his head to feel those lips on his own instead. "I know that, I guess I'm just an awkward sub. I need to learn a lot more, have dominants want to claim me." he scoffed, "I don't see that happening in a long time."
Isabelle let it rest without commenting. Normally she might have pressed a little more but everything was so relaxed right now that it didn't seem right to ruin it. "An awkward sub?" She queried after a moment, almost falling asleep against him. It was certainly taking her longer to answer but she was still with him at least. "We both have a lot to learn but you will have Dominants wanting to claim you James. You are different and you are yourself. Both of those things are good. You'll be fine, I know it." Isabelle let her fingers rub the small of his back gently where his shirt rode up a little, just as he had done with her. "I imagine you will get snatched up by someone soon enough. You are a good person James, so good."
James couldn't help the small smile on his lips at the way her eyes were becoming heavy as she rested comfortably against her chest. "Yeah, I'm not normally what a dominant looks for in a submissive. They think I'm too outspoken, too reluctant but I do submit, I like to and I like getting orders and praise." he commented, a lot of people didn't think he did because of the way he talked back but if there was someone he respected then it wasn't a problem for him and it felt good to do it. "I'm different yes, but sometimes people don't like how different I am." The idea of being claimed was a nice one and he really did hope Belle was right, even if he wouldn't admit to it, "You will too I mean, someone will see you and want to make you theirs." The small skin on skin contact made him shiver, but it was a welcoming touch. "Thank you, really thank you." the praise was nice coming from her, he knew she wasn't a dominant but it was praise none of the less. Looking down at her he kissed her forehead, "You should sleep, I'll wake you before I go back to my room."
Isabelle smiled a little ruefully at that. In some ways it was sad. In a different situation maybe they could have helped one another but they were both subs and they were friends. Isabelle really did want the best for James though. For all his mouth and attitude, she could see that there was so much more to him than that. She was one of the lucky ones who James allowed a glimpse of it and she hoped a Dominant would come along who could see it too. "Mm... That'd be nice." Isabelle admitted tiredly when James told her someone would come along for her too. "I'd like to belong to someone." There was something fulfilling about that instead of just being on her own. "Sorry... Not being a very good hostess." She spoke a little guiltily even as her eyes shut and she curled further under the covers.
James knew that people got the wrong idea of him at times just because of the way he talked, just because he was cocky and had the confidence that other submissives didn't when it came to talking to dominants didn't mean that he was one to reject orders, he only did so when he thought he had done nothing wrong but then again he would accept punishment. He did what people asked him, he would kneel before a dominant and he would be a good submissive once he learned. That's all it was, it was a learning process and it was going to take time to get him to the stage of an advanced. "It would be, yeah." The few words that came from her mouth warmed his heart and he rested her head on top of hers, his own eyes closing slightly waiting a few moments to reply. "Me too.... me too." he replied. "It's okay, cuddling has those effects on people. Sleep, it's okay. Sleep." he said holding her closer and tighter as his own eyes shut.
