James Maslow Imagines (Clean Version)

Explosion

You weren't expecting the explosion.

Locked within the confines of your dressing room all morning, not once did you expect the loud noise as it rushed quickly past the four walls, chills racing throughout your body as hectic eyes looked around the isolated area. You could admit it. Not once did you look over the script today for your newest episode. Having spent the weekend with your boyfriend, it was the last thing that crossed your mind as you hastily grabbed for the stack of papers, fingers leafing through its confines for any indication of why the current event took place when you weren't even on set. Was it real? Was this not some sort of Hollywood-made prop? A fear washed over your complexion as you stood frozen to the spot, (e/c) eyes searching quicker for anything that could soothe your raging nerves.

It was then that you found it.

Hidden between two parts of your own, the solo scene of your co-worker shined light on recent events, the climatic focus of the episode finally revealing the truth to the staged performance that was sure to grab attention elsewhere. Sinking into the soft depths of your leather couch, a shaky sigh left your breath, the once rapid pace of your heart slowly settling as you listening through the intercom of how the scene had gone smoothly and the next one wouldn't be shot until the next hour. Hearing the noise coming through the seemingly thick wall, you couldn't feel dumber as laughs echoed in the hollow walls, seeming to mock you on the alarm that once controlled your moves. Tears welled behind your eyes and you crept slowly away, not caring whether the makeup that was recently applied was quickly racing down your paled face.

You were an idiot. A gullible fool that not even years in the business could snap you out of. That was what had led you into the career, a chance to break free from the past self you left behind. Finding a man who truly loved you and a job with so many people who actually cared was just a hidden bonus that you never knew you needed until they actually came. But at the sudden relapse, a nagging feeling persisted within. Did you not change? Were you still the timid girl you once were who would rather eat by herself than deal with the feeling of being rejected? Nothing in your mind could say otherwise as you curled tighter into a ball, small tears hitting the broad fabric as your dived closer into its mock comfort.

You didn't deserve this. You didn't deserve fans who idolized you when in truth you were worth less than them. They should be the ones taking this role. They should be filling the position of James Maslow's girlfriend. They would probably do a better job on both than you ever could. The negativity grew stronger with the laughs that persisted outside, your name somehow adding to mix in your thoughts as the once bright smile that adorned your lips vanished to be replaced with cold fear and hurtful recognition. Lost in the solemn path you had chosen, everything else slowly seemed to fade away and through this, you didn't hear the desperate calls that filled the halls outside, the frenzied actions that rang closer towards your door, the labored breath that reached closer with each step the stranger had taken. You didn't notice any of it until the door swung open, the man you were dying to have comfort you during this time standing mere inches from you as you shakily stood.

"James, what are you doing here?" He didn't answer, his long strides to where you lie were your only response before you were pulled into his strong embrace. Arms wrapped tightly around your scheduled outfit choice, (e/c) eyes closing in content as his scent overpowered the fear, your face burying into the soft confines of his shirt as he pulled you to the table resting nearby. Placing you on the wooden surface, his hands lay on either side, hazel eyes never breaking from your own as his lips traced every aspect of your face that lay visible.

"Why Britta? I needed to make sure that you were ok." Fingers slowly weaving through his soft brown hair, a sigh released past closed lips as foreheads touched, words catching in your throat as you struggled to tell him how much of a coward you really were. How something you should have read had surprised you and left you broken until his arrival. Choosing to hide the fear that still raced weakly through your veins, you shook your head, your lips touching his lightly as you pulled away.

"It was just part of the episode babe. I'm fine."

"I just needed to make sure. I don't know what I would do if-" Silent questions hung in the air as you longed to hear the end, past worries escaping in the moment to be replaced with a childlike curiosity as you strived to keep your gaze with his. But the feel of his lips roughly pressing against your own made it all wash away, arms wrapping tightly around his neck as nothing seemed to matter but the sign of affection that you now took part in.

"It doesn't matter. See you tonight?" Nodding, the soft smile that spread across your lips cast in his direction as he walked quietly to the door, using all of his will to leave your side once more when his heart was still racing.

Nobody would know how worried he was when the noise hit his own studio, his feet automatically carrying him to where you were without a second thought. Nobody would see the panic that flashed in his eyes as he only thought the worse, the show he was currently filming long forgotten until he saw the face he fell for years ago. All they would see would be the happy demeanor he would place over it all, the jokes he covered his real feelings with that only shined light on the second wave of feelings he experienced.

It was enough to know that you knew that he cared. Neither one of you needed the consent of others just to know how happy you made each other.