Falling for a mistake | Jeverus

Part 2

When they woke up it was obvious James was drunk the night before. He could barely open his eyes and he had this sick look on his face all of the morning after.

" I'm sorry....you had to see that." He apologizes as if the hurt would go away.

Severus wasn't stupid, he knew what he was getting into when he suggested opening the marriage. But he thought James had enough respect for him to not fuck any of his friends.

" How long have you two been....?"

" Just that once."

Severus nods and pours himself coffee.

" Is it a one off thing or do you plan to make it a regular?"

James bites his tongue and Severus already knows what he is going to say before he says it.

" If it's okay with you...." James starts and Severus finishes the sentence with a harsh laugh.

" I'm not one to get in the way of other people's happiness. If there is anything you have taught me, marriage shouldn't stop you from chasing the love of your life." He shrugs and throws on his shirt, having toweled his hair dry and not wanting to get his scrubs wet.

" You offered." James mumbles, referring to their current relationship agreement.

" You cheated." Severus snaps back at his defense and it's quiet.

It's tense.

" James i am not going to fight for you, especially when the other party is my best friend. Go do what you want, just don't let me catch you again." He waves it off and chugs the rest of his coffee.

The look on his husband's face is laughable, it's a mix of shame and embarrassment with a bit of jealousy sprinkled in.

Severus was almost sure James only does this stuff to make his husband jealous but he won't pry.

" What about you? Have you met someone?" He asks, desperately trying to even the score.

It's too late though, James has tipped the scale so far in his favor Severus has no way of catching up.

" I only need you." Severus kisses his head and walks off to the front door.

" That's not fair." James yells after him.

Because it isn't, not to Severus and not to James. Because James is led to believe he can do these kinds of things with permission but then Severus says things like that and....

" I'll see you late tonight."

"  Another 12 hours?"

" It's always 12 darling." Severus has a somber smile on his face as the door shuts behind him.

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James has his own theories about Severus. Like how he only seems to pick up 12 hour shifts when the half shifts are available. And how he only works in the day and comes back to sleep in bed at night.

He crawls into bed next to James, complains if it's too warm but will still stick to James like a magnet.

And every night James will wrap his arms around his husband and forget about whatever he did that day. It was a routine, a healing time for him.

Because multiple relationships means multiple problems. Like heartbreak and jealousy, always on the other end.

" leave him."

" We're a better match."

" Why won't you just choose me?"

It always makes James sick to the stomach when he hears that. They knew he was married, they knew his husband was okay with it but they were selfish.