[h1][b][i][color=MediumSpringGreen][center]James Kingston[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/MKVmbk8X/image.png[/img][/center]
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[center][color=MediumSpringGreen][b]Location[/b][/color]: Midway between Shi'Ar Bar and the Underground table
[color=MediumSpringGreen][b]Skills[/b][/color]: Reactive Adaptability[/center]

James rubbed his forehead where he’d bumped into the door frame coming in. He stood aside, waving off Cayden’s concern as he passed by for his morning run and wished him a good morning.Normally they jogged together but James was in the mood for an easy morning. He’d only gotten up for the bathroom but he had the sudden urge to watch the sunrise. He let the door shut behind him, thinking of leaving the door unlocked but deciding against it. Someone would just have to let Cayden back in once he returned. 

The sound of fighting rang from the room they’d transitioned into a training room and he leaned against the door frame just to watch. Sunshine and Magik sparred but it seemed more like flirting, if the playful banter and pulled blows were anything to go by. He caught Sunshine’s eye and quirk a brow with a smile and she just rolled her eyes at him, flipping him the bird while Magik set up for the next demonstration. He made a mental note to give her the talk soon, adding it to his next ending to do-list. His attention moved to Callie and Waves. Usually only armed with a rebar, Waves had gone to Callie for some more formal hand-to-hand combat training and Callie was always more than happy to oblige when someone on the team needed advice or help. He watched for a few more moments, noting a few pieces of equipment that needed some maintenance, before shoving off the door frame and drifting to the dining room and kitchen.

Veil and Harry spoke in low tones in the kitchen, the occasional laugh breaking the siblings’ conversation as Harry prepped breakfast like he usually did. Sapphire was wandering into the dining room with a pile of utensils and the plates they’d managed to swipe on their last supply run and placed it all in a pile in the center of the table for everyone to grab their own stuff. James wished her a good morning and headed back for the stairs, his help not needed there at the moment. 

Max and Luna were discussing something that sounded vaguely magical and mindfucking related but it died out quickly in favor as they exchanged greetings on the stairs. The three of them chatted and a strange pang of nostalgia shot through him, quickly waved off in favor of the conversation. It wasn’t anything exciting, just how everyone slept and plans for the day and ideas for what they needed to help stabilize their new headquarters (and no Max, decorative tapestries were not necessary even if they were free), but he felt like he missed it for some strange reason. He was reluctant to end the conversation but he had something to do so he bid his farewell, wished Luna a safe trip, and took the stairs two at a time on his way to his and Casper’s room. 

He crossed paths with Jack, who was just closing his door. Jack looked better, better rested ad sure of himself, than he had in recent days. They paused as well, the conversation not flowing as easily as it did with his previous conversation partners but he still made the effort. Jack was important to Casper and that meant he was important to James, even beyond how much he cared for everyone here. But Jack and James both had business to attend to so instead of delving into deeper conversation, they went their separate ways.

He hummed softly as he cracked open their door and slipped into the semi-darkness of the room. Casper was half under the covers, mouth open and drool running out of the corner of his mouth, and hair wild across his face and pillow. Still, he looked like an angel straight out of James' dreams. He let out a breathy, fond noise and gently pushed his boyfriend's hair out of his face, wiped the drool away, and pressed a kiss to his forehead. People said a lot of things about Casper, about his past and his behavior, and he knew some people-cough, Max, cough-didn't see why James was so infatuated with him.

But they didn't really look at Casper. James couldn't deny he had a colorful past and he was erratic and eccentric but none of those were bad things. They made Casper unique and interesting and beautiful, coupled with a heart of absolute gold. James wouldn’t lie and claim he saw past everything. He’d thought the guy flirting with him was cute so he took the chance, one that paid off way better than he expected. They balanced each other well, Casper’s chaotic and boundless energy pushing James to grow and James' steady nature keeping Casper more grounded than he once had been. 

He chuckled quietly as Casper babbled some dream nonsense and fidgeted in his sleep. James settled on the bed next to him, soothing his hand up and down Casper’s back. He was going to marry this man one day. He wasn’t sure when or how he’d do it but Casper deserved the stars and the moon and every damn thing James could offer him. It wasn’t much now but James had hope that one day, things would be better. He’d show the world how much he loved the beautiful, loving, crazy man who James had given his whole heart to.