01:00- Umbra
Series: Hunter's Path
Pairings: James/Claudia
Word Count: 480
24hour_themes prompt: Focus is on wholeness of self and the banishing of shadows
Note: The Quality of Mercy and Opposition precede this story, taking place between it and the previous "Amnesty" story, "Mutatio".
Chapters: Master List
Infitialis | Latere | Abeo | Obsidis | Videlicet | Praesidium | Transitus | Mutatio | Umbra | Terminare | Constantia | Autus | Salvus | Gubernatio | Spero | Animus | Consensio | Discrimen | Consilium | Veritas | Phoebus | Fortuna | Sensus | Victoria
One kiss. Just one little, absolutely mind-numbing kiss. He'd known that, if they ever put aside all their differences and just let what had been building between them from the day they first met, it would be amazing, but even in his wildest dreams (and there had been some pretty damn wild ones), he'd have never guessed just how amazing it could be.
Just one kiss, and it had changed everything. Well, no, maybe not everything, but still so much. They were equally unwilling to let this change in their personal relationship affect their partnership. It wasn't like this was some huge revelation for either of them; they'd both known it was coming, just not when exactly; so they wouldn't even have to change how they worked. If they tried to guard each other's back less or worry less over the other, it would be pointless; they'd been denying being in love for months now, but each had always reacted like any threat, danger, or injury was life or death to the other. To pretend not to do that now that the truth would just be lying to themselves and each other.
He didn't believe in love at first sight. Claudia flat-out didn't even believe in the idea of it. But maybe, just maybe, one didn't have to believe in something for it be true. That had been one of the many subjects they'd tackled when they stayed in the library afterwards, talking -- and occasionally fighting -- this new development out till after one a.m. But still neither of them believed in love at first sight, fate, destiny, or any other mumbo-jumbo like that.
He hadn't slept after they'd reached a consensus last night. He couldn't. His mind was still racing a million miles an hour, and the only reason he wasn't out patrolling was because he knew he was too damn distracted to see a thing. Something would probably have to bite him to get him to notice it, he thought ruefully.
There was no going to sleep now anyway. The sun was just starting to peek out over the horizon, slowly banishing the night's shadows.
"You've been quiet," Claudia observed, her own voice low. "Not changing your mind, are you?"
He cast a confused look down at her, where they still sat in the same oversized chair where they'd had their debate earlier. "Where would you get an idea like that? Of course not."
"Good." She smirked. "I'd hate to have to kill you, you know."
As weak as it was, it was a joke and therefore a rarity, and he had to grin in response. "You think you can take me, hero?" His fingers sought out and quickly found a spot along her ribs that made her howl in laughter. As rusty and disused as it sounded, it was music to his ears.
Pairings: James/Claudia
Word Count: 480
24hour_themes prompt: Focus is on wholeness of self and the banishing of shadows
Note: The Quality of Mercy and Opposition precede this story, taking place between it and the previous "Amnesty" story, "Mutatio".
Chapters: Master List
Infitialis | Latere | Abeo | Obsidis | Videlicet | Praesidium | Transitus | Mutatio | Umbra | Terminare | Constantia | Autus | Salvus | Gubernatio | Spero | Animus | Consensio | Discrimen | Consilium | Veritas | Phoebus | Fortuna | Sensus | Victoria
One kiss. Just one little, absolutely mind-numbing kiss. He'd known that, if they ever put aside all their differences and just let what had been building between them from the day they first met, it would be amazing, but even in his wildest dreams (and there had been some pretty damn wild ones), he'd have never guessed just how amazing it could be.
Just one kiss, and it had changed everything. Well, no, maybe not everything, but still so much. They were equally unwilling to let this change in their personal relationship affect their partnership. It wasn't like this was some huge revelation for either of them; they'd both known it was coming, just not when exactly; so they wouldn't even have to change how they worked. If they tried to guard each other's back less or worry less over the other, it would be pointless; they'd been denying being in love for months now, but each had always reacted like any threat, danger, or injury was life or death to the other. To pretend not to do that now that the truth would just be lying to themselves and each other.
He didn't believe in love at first sight. Claudia flat-out didn't even believe in the idea of it. But maybe, just maybe, one didn't have to believe in something for it be true. That had been one of the many subjects they'd tackled when they stayed in the library afterwards, talking -- and occasionally fighting -- this new development out till after one a.m. But still neither of them believed in love at first sight, fate, destiny, or any other mumbo-jumbo like that.
He hadn't slept after they'd reached a consensus last night. He couldn't. His mind was still racing a million miles an hour, and the only reason he wasn't out patrolling was because he knew he was too damn distracted to see a thing. Something would probably have to bite him to get him to notice it, he thought ruefully.
There was no going to sleep now anyway. The sun was just starting to peek out over the horizon, slowly banishing the night's shadows.
"You've been quiet," Claudia observed, her own voice low. "Not changing your mind, are you?"
He cast a confused look down at her, where they still sat in the same oversized chair where they'd had their debate earlier. "Where would you get an idea like that? Of course not."
"Good." She smirked. "I'd hate to have to kill you, you know."
As weak as it was, it was a joke and therefore a rarity, and he had to grin in response. "You think you can take me, hero?" His fingers sought out and quickly found a spot along her ribs that made her howl in laughter. As rusty and disused as it sounded, it was music to his ears.