50 Shades of James

Liquid Silk

          James stuffed the bottle under the deluxe bag of Doritos and pack of toilet paper, so that it wasn’t visible to anyone looking at his shopping basket. There wasn’t much of a point—the cashier had to see it anyway, and the store was nearly empty of other customers—but he had that itching worry about what would happen if someone he knew came around and saw him with ‘Liquid Silk’ lubricant.

            He’d thought of abandoning the mission nearly every second since he’d entered the store, but he pushed on. Despite the awkwardness of looking for the bodily care aisle, and looking through the different types and brands (Long-lasting! Latex free! Flavored! He settled for the type that boasted a ‘natural feel’. After all, he’d never used the stuff before, but figured that was a primary concern) and agonizing over the size to get (this might not even happen…and if it did, who’s to say it would happen more than once? He decided to get the smallest size) he finally had what he needed. Of course, he didn’t need it, but from what he remembered through his rather extensive sex ed classes in high school and what he’d gleaned from his years on the internet, it would make things a lot less painful afterward.

            James held his breath as he rounded the corner to the check-out, but there was only one other person in the small convenience stores’ sole cashier lane.

            James shuffled up behind the stranger, who was wearing a black hoodie, just as he was pointing the cashier towards a small red and white box.

            “Just a pack of Monte Carlos, please.” The gruff voice requested from under the dark hood.

            “Aleks?!” James blurted out automatically. He’d recognize that voice anywhere.

            “James?” Aleks turned, a stray light catching his shadowed face and betraying his equally surprised features.

            The cashier cleared his throat. “Sir? That’ll be five fifty-nine.”

            Aleks spun on his heel and fumbled with his wallet, pulling out a ten as his hood fell backwards off of his head, revealing his characteristically messy hair.

            James took the opportunity while Aleks was distracted to move the Doritos bag over the bottle of lube. If he notices…

            “Uh…” Aleks was fumbling with his change now and hastily stuffing the cigarette pack into his pocket while the teenage cashier tapped his fingers impatiently. “Um…I’ll just wait for you, I guess.”

            He stepped over to the wall as the cashier grabbed the chip bag. Crap. He’s gonna see. This is so fucking embarrassing.

            James hunched his shoulders over as the boy scanned the small bottle. He didn’t blink an eye, but James could feel Aleks’s stare burning into his back.

            Anxiously, James took the bag the cashier offered him and handed the boy a twenty. “Just…keep the change.” He muttered. “Sweet man, thanks!” the kid hollered behind him as he turned to meet Aleks’s even gaze.

His friend cocked his head towards the window, indicating they’d talk outside. James bit his lip and followed Aleks outside.

“So—” The Russian started, eyebrows raised.

“—why were you buying cigarettes? I thought you quit back in Massachusetts,” James butted in.

Now the Russian was the one with shame in his eyes. “Oh. That.”

James folded his arms, his plastic bag brushing across his torso, and gave Aleks the most reproachful look he could muster. “You know how bad that shit is. Especially when most of our work is based on using your voice.”

“Yeah, well.” Aleks kicked at some pebbles. “I still need it sometimes, okay? It helps with stress. A lot more than you would think. I don’t need them every day or anything, it’s not like I’m addicted, but e-cigs just don’t relax me as much. And weed is worse for me, so what other choice is there?”

“What’s making you so stressed, anyway? You keep talking about stress this, stress that.”

“Well…don’t take this the wrong way, but…us.” James stiffened, hands balling up tight. “It’s not like that!” Aleks continued, eyeing James nervously. “It’s just…y’know, I’ve never gone out with a guy before, and it’s kinda hard to get used to, okay? I’ve always been the one with a pretty girlfriend, and it’s hard to change. And what about my family? They’re traditional, what’ll they say? I’ve never even discussed this kind of thing with them! And our friends, too! I mean, me and Eddie usually tell each other everything and I’ve already been lying to him…”

James’s expression softened and he stepped closer, his fingers just touching Aleks’s. The younger man gingerly took his hand and James rubbed his thumb over his friends’ knuckles reassuringly.

“We’ll figure it out,” He promised in a low voice. “Just…try not to smoke too much, okay? There’s gotta be a less destructive way to help out with stress.”

“Alright,” Aleks murmured, letting his head droop. Suddenly, though, it sprung back up. “Hey, I still didn’t get to ask why you were buying…” He gestured abstractly with his free hand.

James could feel his face turning red. “Lube?” Aleks nodded mutely. “I…uh…I mean…” His free hand scratched behind his ear, pulling the bag with him so it rested on his shoulder. “Um…well, we—us—seem to be moving pretty fast and, ah, I figured it was best to be prepared…” He trailed off awkwardly, looking sheepishly at the other.

Aleks stared back with a blank expression. His lip twitched a bit, than a bit more. They both burst out laughing, the kind of deep, sincere laugh that you can only experience when doing something stupid or embarrassing with your friends.

Aleks wrapped his arms around James’s neck and gave him a teasingly short kiss on the lips before pulling away. “You’re adorable,” He whispered, still giggling.

James grinned. “See you tomorrow?”

“Bright and early!”

          Their still intertwined fingers separated slowly as they headed to their cars.

AN: I know a lot of you are rearing for some smut already, but I felt like getting to it the proper way :) and yes, I did look up both the cost of cigs in Colorado and the best types of lube for bxb. The things I do for this story. Hopefully my parents don't check my history anytime soon. Haha. Also, I really to change the cover for this story. I'd love if someone wanted to make one for me, maybe? :D

Anyway, for updates, go to the ’50 Shades of James’ tag on tumblr (you don’t need an account!). To talk to me or to send fanart, you can message me on here, email me at Therealsabertoothtigress@gmail.com, or message me on my tumblr, captainthief.tumblr.com. For a compilation of updates, fanart, and milestones, go to captainthief.tumblr.com/50. On tumblr, I follow every person who’s read this story and reply to pretty much everything I get asked (unless my inbox eats it). Thanks again for reading!