Fic: Code (or, "Three Times James Introduces Declan and One Time He Doesn't Have To")

[grav_ity]

AN: I tried to write this for the prompt “James/Declan, code”, at the sfa_pornbattle. Unfortunately, I failed.

Rating: Kid Friendly

Spoilers: None

Disclaimer: I do not own Sanctuary. I’m just used to giving it my Fridays. ;)

Character/Pairing: James/Declan, Helen Magnus, Ashley Magnus

Summary: There’s a code. Declan doesn’t try to break it.

+++

Code (or, “Three Times James Introduces Declan and One Time He Doesn’t Have To”)

There’s a code. Declan doesn’t try to break it.

my friend

The first time James introduces him as anything other than “my colleague” or “my protégé”, Declan’s heart almost skips a beat, like he’s some sort of besotted teenager who’s managed to catch the eye of his crush. He’s pretty sure that nothing shows on his face, which is fortunate as he would really like to impress the staff at the Mumbai Sanctuary, but when he catches James’s eye a moment afterwards, the bloody man manages to wink at him without catching anyone else’s attention, and he very nearly cracks again.

It won’t be the last time.

my good friend

There’s just the slightest bit of possession in that, or there would be, if Declan were trying to analyze it. The party in James’s sitting room is quiet, and not even exclusively male, but with the curtains closed against the view of modern London, it feels like another time entirely. James has redecorated his office, albeit with considerable protestation, but his own quarters remain decidedly Victorian, and Declan has thought more than once that the atmosphere might stir up more bad memories than good ones. Still, the company is pleasant, and the brandy is as well, so Declan keeps his face genial as James leaves his side and crosses the room to the window.

James throws the curtains back and smiles.

my very good friend

Helen Magnus likes a challenge, and James seems determined to issue her one at every possible turn. Declan can’t stand her scrutiny for long, but instead of admitting defeat completely and looking at the floor, he looks beside her, where Ashley stands. She is brazenly American, and smiles at him so winningly that he smiles back without thinking about it, and when James suggests that it is time for dinner, the idea of facing them all at the table is less of a terror than it had been when James announced their arrival this afternoon. When Ashley rolls her eyes at something James says and looks to Declan for support, he realizes that this is a family meal.

He isn’t at all out of place.

mine

There’s a code. Declan doesn’t try to break it.

He never has to.

+++

finis

Notes: I should add here that the "my friend" comes from a line in st_aurafina's All For Love (And A Little For The Bottle), and the idea behind "James's very good friend" wrt Helen comes from a conversation I had with penknife (I think) a long time ago (so I'm not tracking it down).

Gravity_Not_Included, May 6, 2011

Comments

[lferion]

What a beautiful lot contained in little space -- lovely. I particularly like the family meal.

I do like your take on James. And Declan too.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! The family dinner was my favourite part as well.

I love them a lot and figuring them out is really, really fun.

[holdouttrout.livejournal.com]

:-) I love the progression and profession, here.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think James is making it over-complicated, because he can't help it, but Declan understands, so it works out.

[bloodthirstylt.livejournal.com]

I do so love James Declan stuff and your characterizations are spot on.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I owe a lot of the background to penknife, but playing with them on my own is fun too. ;)

[darthanne.livejournal.com]

Nice. I love the feeling and the characterisations in this. This pairing is definitely growing on me :)

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I'm determined to make you love them! ;)

Thanks!

[shadadukal]

Brilliant! I have so much love for James/Declan. And everybody who writes that pairing writes it so well that it's always a win.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

I really like that Ashley is the one to make Declan feel at ease. That's really cool, and I don't think I've ever seen them interact in fic before. Yes, the code! And it's so well done!

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

Declan was in the original draft of "Foundations of the House", but then I did the math and realized that he was much too young. It's on my list, though! Because they would be awesome!

I was tossing back and forth between "code" and the "Holmes and Watson" prompt (which I've now left TWICE), but I like the way it turned out.

Thank you for the review! :)

[icarus-chained.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love that. The progression to 'very good friend', beautiful. Declan is such a dear. And Ashley! *grins* Oh, that was lovely.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I'm having a lot of fun writing with them. All of them. I imagine they'll be back. ;)

Thanks!

[penknife.livejournal.com]

This is lovely, and now I want to see more of Declan and Ashley.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I have a few ideas, but I think shadadukal will get there before me. Something about Declan babysitting, and it being Ashley 1, Declan 0. ;)

Thanks so much. They are great fun.

[shadadukal]

It's a long fic (so I'm not done) and Declan & Ashley are not the focus of it. If anyone wants to do a fic focused on Declan baby-sitting Ashley, I want to read it. :D

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I'm not really picky. ;)

(I'm also reluctant to issue a challenge at this point, as I plan to start a new novel in about an hour, but if we were, theoretically, the racing type, this would be where I would throw down the gauntlet...)

[shadadukal]

I am not taking part in any kind of speed challenge. :P

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I was thinking more along the lines of "the end of May".

[shadadukal]

That... sounds more doable. ;)