Falling for a mistake | Jeverus

Part 6

" Hey i got you korean. Can you eat spicy food right now?" James asks and Severus is surprised by the sudden presence.

" Um yeah it's fine. Where's Reggie?" He looks around and James just continues to put the food out on the table.

" I sent him away."

" What?" Severus looks confused but James just shrugs.

" I wanted to eat with you instead."

" Why?"

" You're my husband." James states the obvious and Severus sighs.

" You don't have to."

" I do." James says simply and starts to plate the food.

" Here."

Severus takes the plate and bites at his lip, chewing on it because he didn't know what else to do. James and Severus always acted like a couple, in reality they barely knew each other.

That's why Severus lets everything go so easily.

" Thanks."

" No problem."

James shrugs off his coat and sits on the foot of Severus' bed, legs crossed and digging into his food already. Severus moves his legs a little so there's room for James and he secretly smiles to himself.

James is still in his work clothes, his suit getting wrinkled already.

" You could've gone home. It must be uncomfortable." He pulls at his sleeves and James shakes his head.

" I asked Taylor to get me some extra clothes. I also booked a room for you so in an hour or two you get moved there."

" Why? I'm fine being here."

" Well there's no place for me to sleep and I don't want to accidentally take out the wires." He gestures to Severus' heart monitor and the iv in his arm.

" You're staying the night?"

" Nights. I'll be gone during the day but i'll come back at night okay?"

Severus puts down his plate and pulls his sleeves over his hands.

" James you don't have to do all that, i know you're busy."

" Do you just not want me here?" James asked bluntly and Severus' eyebrows shot up.

" No, of course I do, why would i not?"

" I don't know. You keep trying to get rid of me." James shrugs.

He looks a little stressed himself, his back is hunched and Severus' tongue is stuck between his teeth.

" I'm just...not used to these kinds of things."

" Me being a good husband?"

" No, just in general." Severus shrugs and takes a bite of his food. The rice and spicy pork actually makes him feel better.

" What do you mean?"

Severus shrugs, taking his time to chew his food. If he choked on something this spicy it might actually be the death of him.

" I used to get sick a lot when i was a kid. My mom worked nights and my dad didn't bother so I usually stayed at the hospital alone." He looks down, not seeing the look on James' face.

He knows it'll be pity, it's what he always gets.

" Is that why you wanted to be a doctor?" James asks, not missing a beat and still eating.

He listened carefully, knowing Severus absolutely hated when people treated him like a victim. He is a push over sometimes and a little reserved when it comes to James but he knows. He observes.

" Actually yeah. My doctors and nurses always treated me well, better than my own family. If i could make someone else healthy and happy it'll be the greatest honor." Severus smiles and it almost looks like theres tears behind those eyes.

His smile is so bright James is almost knocked back in surprise. He's never seen it this genuine before.

" That's amazing." James matches the smile and Severus looks down smitten.

" Well i had the grades and the dream so anything was possible really."

" Still. A lot of hard work becoming a doctor."

" Thanks. I wasn't sure I'd make it past my residency but here i am." He looks at his coat, full length. His scrubs are next to them, black and sleek. They say he's the ghost of cardio, the grim reaper.

Not for a bad reason. Mainly because he's always wearing black but also because he's notoriously good with patients on their death beds. It's grim, he knows but he provides comfort in their last moments and to their families after.

He's often grief stricken after every death so he needs it just as much as the families do.

" I'm proud." James says and leans over to kiss his hand.

Severus can feel heat pool on his face and looks away.

" Stop that."

" Why?"

He doesn't say anything and then James realizes he has a twinge of red on his face.

" Oh my god, you're shy."

" Don't be ridiculous."

" You are!"

Severus groans and rolls his eyes.

" It's your fault!"

" I can't show affection to my husband?"

" Give me a warning next time!" Severus says defensively and it makes James bark out a laugh.

" You're so..." James trails off into laughter and Severus gives him a look.

" What? Annoying?"

" Adorable." James finally finishes his sentence and it causes a whole flood.

Severus is bright red now and James' face lights up.

" See!" He leans over, careful of the food and takes Severus' head in his hands.

" What are you doing-?!"

Severus' fight or flight instincts kick in then stop as soon as James starts planting dozens of pecks all over his face and head.

" James." Severus whines but James doesn't let up.

He finishes with a rather long peck on his cheek and leans back with a smile.

" You're impossible." Severus deadpans and it makes James break out in laughter again.

" I know you like it." James smiles this dopey grin and Severus thinks he looks ridiculous but doesn't say much.

He smiles and shakes his head, returning to his food. Next thing you know, James' phone is buzzing and Severus instinctively gets a little down. He's used to James' phone blowing up but every time he can't help but feel a little worse.

James on the other hand makes a noise and stands up, putting his food on the table.

" Taylor is here with my clothes, I gotta go meet them outside." He says and looks up.

Severus almost sighs in relief and nods.

" Go ahead."

James takes one last bite from the food on the table and grabs his jacket, carelessly throwing it over his shoulder while he types a response.

" Come back soon." Severus says quietly but James feels it hit him like a ton of bricks.

He looks back, barely able to contain himself and hums.

" I will, don't worry." He smiles, bright and happy then runs off to get it over with quickly.

Severus shakes his head and just sits there, taking it in. Honestly he's never felt this happy around James before, never felt this close.

He's not entirely comfortable but he is still adjusting, even after 8 months.

Severus just hopes he doesn't get too used to it.