Calypso grew nervous suddenly, and her eyes fell down to her hands as she packed the last bit of groceries onto the counter.
The question would've came up eventually, she thought. She looked up at James, watching as his head tilted to the side, the cigarette hanging comfortably between two, thick fingers.
"What's the tattoo for?" He had asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. Calypso's hands grew clammy as soon as she heard it, and she wanted to avoid answering it altogether, but she smiled softly at James.
James watched as she smiled sadly at him, and he instantly regretted asking her. She bit at her bottom lip, and she held a pack of macaroni out to him, and pointed to the cupboard behind him. He took it from her, momentarily ignoring how his fingers burned when they brushed over hers. He turned back to her, and she stepped around the island, it now being clear of groceries.
"My mom and brother died in a fire when I was young, so I got this for them,"
She rolled up the cardigan and showed him. He bent closer, and absentmindedly held her forearm, he squinted his eyes, reading two dates and what he read in the picture the day before.
He decided against asking more about it, and Calypso's forearm felt like it was on fire. He held it gently, he tips of his fingers being cold, and the rest of his large hand was scorching hot against her skin. She wallowed, and looked up at him through her eyelashes. She smiled at the man, and he nodded while he took a drag from his cigarette.
"What do we want for dinner, pretty girl?" He asked between the smoke that came from his lips. She grinned, "Ramen," The man hook his head instantly. James was used to five star dinners at restaurants, or professionally cooked food at his home. But the determined look in his butterfly's eyes made his heart soften.
"Its really good! Come on, please?"
Her begging only made him swallow thickly. Nodding, he killed the white stick against the bottom of the ashtray.
James stood next to her as she put a pot of water on the stove. He watched her work, chewing on her bottom lip in concentration. "What's his name?" He asked once he noticed the doberman sitting at the door, watching the pair.
"Hades, and the pitbulls Athena,"
He smiled, noticing how the doberman did look like a hades. "He's well trained, yeah?" She nodded quickly. "Yeah, he's my guard dog and Athena's my sad dog." James frowned, and she looked up at him, "I got her after my mom died, I call her my sad dog because that's what she's here for." James nodded, understanding. He noticed the girl throw her head back, groaning. Calypso's hair kept falling infront of her, she forgot o put it up before she started cooking.
Before she could turn around to grab the hairtie that was on the counter, she felt two, strong hands grip her hair and pull it from her. She frowned, blushing. James noticed two trands laying on her shoulders, he pulled the back gently, into the hold he hand on her hair.
He looped the hairtie over her hair, and again, and again. He then tightened it, and when she turned to face him, he tucked a piece behind her ear.
"How did you do that with a dislocated shoulder?"
He smirked, "I can still move it, darling. I just choose not to sometimes," She smiled at him. And then he placed a large hand on her cheek, and swiped his finger over the part he wasn't covering, muttering a "Perfect," out. She clamped down on her bottom lip, and he couldn't help but smile at her.
It was when the two of them heard Hades growl loudly, staring up at the front door, that they finally looked away from eachother. There was a few loud knocks, James felt urgency tug at him, and before Calypso could, he walked to the front door, Hades stood next to him, towering up to James' knee.
He peaked through the hole, looking down at two blondes. He sighed softly, and opened the door. The dog let out a bark, and James uttered a strong "No." to the dog.
"Oh, fuck." Avery whispered and Angela bursted out into a fit of giggles. James stared at them, then stepped back, waiting for them to enter the apartment. "Hello!" They drew out to him, and he greeted them back, more friendly than he would've liked.
Calypso turned, beaming at the two girls. "We're making ramen, want some?" James didn't mind the intrusion into their moment, he enioyed seeing Calypso interact with people. But he'd prefer it of he had her to him, every inch of her attention, just at him. Calypso saw James lean against the counter, far from her. She suddenly missed how close she was to him, and in the dim lights of her kitchen, she saw him stare at her, his eyes raking down her figure, taking all of her in, inch by inch.
He lit a cigarette, watching as she laughed with the two blondes. It was when they stilled, and leaned in close to her, that he knew they were talking about him. A sharp "Shh!" Came from Calypso, and James chuckled.
There was a laugh behind them, and all three girls turned around to the man, he stood as if he owned the place, leaning comfortably and smoking, his eyes latched onto Calypso. She turned around again, her cheeks rosy. "He's so fucking hot. Calypso, how are you not fucking him right now?" Calypso whined, "Stop, Avery! He's gonna hear you!"
"Already did,"
The girls spun around, and Calypso nearly started crying. She was embarrassed, her cheeks were the reddest of red. And when Avery skipped over to James, it only increased. He watched her lazily, and Avery smiled at him. "Hello, I don't think we've met, I'm Avery," She extended a hand to him. James left the cigarette between his lips, and he took her hand, shaking it momentarily, and saying a muffled "James Dudley," Between his lips. "And that over there-" Avery pointed to Angela, and she nodded at him, completely underwhelmed by the man. "Is my sister Angela,"
"Pleased to meet you, Avery." He said kindly. Calypso's heart burned at the interaction, nearly wanting to kiss him for being so nice to her bestfriends. Avery wasn't the easiest to deal with, but seeing James talk to her and laugh softly, she knew it was quite easy for him.
"And after that, right, Caly slipped on something and that sent her fucking flying through the classroom," Avery was telling James the highschool story of how she spilled coffee all over the tests her class had to write that day, instantly becoming a hero.
"Dude, it was Cassie who left a fucking wrapper on the floor, and I didn't see it, so I genuinely felt like I was a bird, just flying over shit," She laughed along with Avery and Angela. James chuckled, watching the three girls talk more. He noticed Calypso swearing more, probably because she was with people she felt more comfortable with.
"Jack wanted to come along but he had to go over to his grandma's, so he says hello,"
James rolled his eyes at the mention of Jack. He didn't know why he didn't like him, the kid just gave off a weird vibe to him.
"Where's your bathroom, honey?" James asked Calypso as she passed by him, heading towards the fridge. She smiled, "Through that door," James shook his head, "Come show me, won't you?" Calypso swallowed, then nodded.
"Avery, stir the ramen yeah? Angela, please leave the chips alone. I bought them today," Angela stuck her tongue out at Calypso, and proceeded to grab a handful of chips from the pack. Calypso groaned, rolling her eyes as she walked to the bathroom, "Why didn't you tell them to leave?" She joked, James followed behind her, "I wanted to," He lied. She giggled softly, and opened the door to her bedroom.
Just as quick as she opened it, she slammed it closed again. "Um, it's-it's really messy," James smirked, "I don't care," She chewed on her lip nervously. "But I do, uh, what if you just closed your eyes? I'll lead you!" She rambled off quick, really not wanting him to see her room in the state it was in. James narrowed his eyes, "Calypso, open the door, baby," She shook her head, ignoring the butterflies in her chest at the nickname.
"James, come on,"
The man rolled his eyes, feeling a smile tug at his lips. He nodded, and she smiled happily at him. He'd do anything for that smile, he thought. So, he did. He felt her grip his hand tightly, her fingers setting his skin alight. And she felt the same. He closed his eyes as she opened the door.
"Don't open them or I'll kill you,"
James snickered, "You would never be capable of doing that, Calypso," She scoffed dramatically, "And why not?" She quickly kicked a book out of their way. "You're tiny,"
She rolled her ways as she came to a stop, and not wanting James to bump into her, she quickly opened the door to her bathroom. It was the neatest room in the house, thankfully. So she lead him inside, and closed the door behind him.
"Open," He opened, squinting at the bright light of her bathroom. It was detailed to perfection. The knobs to the bath, sink, railings with a black towel, everything was gold. Making the bathroom look expensive. White tiles and white walls made the bathroom look bigger, and brighter.
She smiled up at him, and he smiled down at her. "Okay so, I have strict bathroom rules." James raised a brow, "Don't use the black towel, use the white one there, okay?" He nodded, watching as she spoke.
"And don't be gross and leave the lid up,"
James laughed, "Alright, can I piss now?" Calypso laughed softly, nodding. Before she could step past him and to the door, he reached a large, tattooed hand up to her throat. She looked at him, and when he bended to her height, she inhaled quickly.
He tilted her head gently, exposing her cheek to him. He pressed a gently kiss to the space just next to her mouth, and it left her completely breathless.
"Thank you, baby," He smirked, and she blushed a hot, bright red. He looked unfazed by the kiss, but, inside he was burning up, his chest felt like it was on fire, yellow and orange flames.
She smiled at the ground, and hummed. She stepped past him, and nearly sprinted out of the door.
She breathed once she closed it, and when she noticed the state of her bedroom, she worked quickly at fixing it before he came out. She threw her laundry under her bed, not having time to throw it into the laundry bin across the room. Placed her books neatly on her desk, made her bed, and shoved her folded laundry into her dresser.
She yelped as the bathroom door opened, and James leaned against the doorframe, smirking at her. "You work fast," He teased. Calypso laughed softly, putting the last book on her white dresser.
Her bedroom was even more herself as the rest of her apartment. The walls where a dark forest green, white, crisp covers on her queen sized bed. Plants everywhere, just like the rest of the place. The carpet was a light cream colour, and James noticed an array of paintings on her walls.
James' attention was could by one specifically. It was abstract, black and the same forest green that was on her walls, was on the canvas. "Did you paint this?" He pointed to the painting, and Calypso swallowed, "Sure did, just like every other one in here,"
"It's really fucking good,"
She smiled, "Thank ya. Come, dinner's ready," She absentmindedly held her hand out to James, and he jumped at the opportunity to hold her hand again. So, he took it, swallowing it with his. She opened the bedroom door, Avery and Angela were busy plating the ramen, and James grinned at the one plate, it being stacked with large amounts of spaghetti, and topped with parsley, he guessed.
"Hello, parents. Come eat,"
"Parents? Avery, please shut the fuck up,"
Avery snickered, and so did James. She looked up at him, and wondered if he felt his hand burning against hers as she felt his. They all talked and laughed around thr kitchen island, James staying silent through most of it. They sat on the barstools, although James was too big for it.
James phone rang, a shrill and loud sound ran throughout the home. He grunted, pulling it out of his pocket, he stepped away from the group, and they then resumed their conversation.
"Dudley,"
It was his assistant, telling him his schedule like she always did at 8 sharp. He listened, and then he said, "Thank you, Alison. Clear it for me, okay?" She said a quick yes, then James ended the call.
"James!"
He recognised the voice to be Avery's, and he made his way back to the kitchen. "We found Caly's secret wine stash," She said quickly once he entered the room. "A year ago, you couldn't even fucking drink. Give my shit back, Avery," Calypso reached for it.
"Catch!"
The bottle of wine flew through the air, and almost as effortless as breathing, James caught it. Calypso charged for it, and James smirked, and held it above his head.
"Get it, baby,"
Calypso groaned, "This is very mean of both of you. And you!" She pointed at Angela, who was silently sitting and slurping on ramen, watching the show. She shrugged, "I'd kill myself for going up against that," She pointed to James with her fork, and he laughed. She reached for it again, her head reaching James chin, "James, please, don't be like this," James frowned, "Like what, honey?" She groaned, "Like-" She motioned to the bottle in his hand, "This!" James fake pouted at her, earning a laugh from the two girls.
"Beg for it, Calypso,"
Calypso rolled her eyes, and suddenly, the tension was thick. She swallowed, "Please, please baby,"
It was almost like she was moaning it out, simple, yet very affective. James recoiled back into himself, his mouth fell ajar, and when he looked down at Calypso, she was watching him with wide eyes, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. The three words made James nearly crush the bottle with his hand.
So, he lowered his hand down and she smirked as he took the bottle from him.
"God, you're weak," Avery said between splutters of laughs, and James had to remind himself to breathe. "Jesus, if you saw the way she was fucking looking at me you would've done it too,"
"Yeah, Calypso can be very persuasive sometimes."
Calypso grinned at him, suddenly wanting a glass of wine. So, with praises and thank you's thrown her way, she took four glasses from her cupboard. James watched as she filled them, handing them to her friends. She brought James his, her hips swaying just a little bit more, her teeth biting onto her bottom lip just a little bit harder.
"Thank you, honey,"
James nearly choked on his own spit, and when Calypso stood on her toes, planting a quick kiss to his cheek, he felt the hairs on his entire body stand up, and a chill tickled his spine.
She turned, thinking she had finally done something to shit James up. But when a hand gripped her jaw, pulling her back to thr man, she gasped.
"Don't tease me, Calypso,"
She swallowed hard, and her knees buckled. His blue eyes burned into her green ones, hand his large hand held her jaw firmly. She looked up at him, her stomach churned and she couldn't help the smile that bloomed on her lips. She felt a churge of confidence run through her body.
"Or what?"
James raised a brow, completely taken aback by her at this moment. He smirked down at her, and she watched as her own smirk vanished from her pretty face. He lowered down his hand, till it was gripping her slender neck. He squeezed a little, not enough to hurt her, just enough to make her listen, and that's what she did.
"I'll make you regret it, pretty thing,"
She swallowed, and James felt it against his hand. Her tiny one came up to his and she held onto his wrist, her green eyes raced across his face, and when he let go of her throat, his thumb came up to run across her lips, taking in how red they were from her sip of wine before.
"You wouldn't want that, would you now?"
His voice was barely above a whisper, and it only made it that more hard for her to not melt on the spot. She shook her head.
"Good girl,"
Again, the words made her clench her thighs together, and she blushed as James noticed, raising a brow at the butterfly. She swallowed again, her throat feeling incredibly dry. He let her go, his mouth still pulled into his signature smirk.
It came as no surprise to either James or Calypso when the two blondes were drunk. Calypso threw a blanket over their sleeping bodies, tucking them in comfortably as they slept of the couch. She saw James stare at her from the corner of her eye, standing at the window with a cigarette between his two fingers. His shirt was unbuttoned to his chest, and she saw detailed tattoos on it. His hair was tucked neatly behind his ears, and the disheveled look made him look even more attractive.
His arm was still in a sling, and she noticed how it somehow fit with him.
Calypso was dressed differently now, having gotten uncomfortable in the tight trousers she wore all day. So, leaving James to fend for himself with her two bestfriends, she went to her bedroom and changed into a oversized shirt, and tiny shorts underneath.
"You wanna go sit outside?"
James nodded, and watched as she passed him, opening the window further till he could climb out effortlessly. There was an escape set of stairs running all the way down to the busy street. Two chairs leaned against the wall of her apartment, and Calypso plopped down into one.
James joined her, untucking his wrinkled shirt from his neat dress pants. He inhaled deeply, and just as he was about to flick it down, a tiny hand took it from him.
He watched she brought it to her lips, inhaling. She breathed the smoke out, leaning her head against the wall behind her. She looked at him, then flicked the butt of the cigarette away. She brought her knees up to her chest, and pulled the hair tie from her hair. It fell down it even messier waves now.
The two didn't speak for a while, purely just enjoying the sounds Manhattan had to give. She smiled up at the moon, and James just watched her. The moon casted a white glow on the girl, making her look innocent and when she looked at him, he felt his heart skip a beat.
Much to his head telling him it was the wrong thing to do, James' body leaned closer to her, and she smiled.
He swiftly moved her hair from her chest, and brought his hand to her face, gently and as if she was a glass vase, fragile. She searched his face, and then she leaned in, and almost as if they were in some cliche romance movie, or the novel of a hopeless romantic, they stared at eachother.
Green and blue, kind and sociopathic, they mixed together, finally. His hand gripped the back of her neck, and then they met halfway. James lips slowly moved against hers, and even then, she struggled to keep up. It was otherworldly, catastrophic in the most beautiful and pure way. As she kissed him and he kissed her, two souls melted together.
He swiped his tongue along her bottom lip, and without a moment of hesitation, she allowed him inside. He pulled her closer, and she inhaled him deeply. It was needy, and James smiled into her mouth, greeting her soul.
She reached up, holding his face, warming it with her hand. It was then that the moon smiled at her again, and she knew it was the most genuine of smiles, the most genuine of kisses. She smiled into his mouth, greeting his soul,
And finally, his demons were silenced, and her joy was awakened again.