Wednesday saw Jim staring out his kitchen window at the rain as he washed up his breakfast dishes. He sighed and went to get dressed, trading out his converse for his boots instead and swapping his cardigan up for a thicker one and then throwing his jacket over it as he left the flat and locked up.
He jogged down the stairs, taking his umbrella out of his bag and opening it on the front step. The rain was relentless, and he huffed as he started walking to the bus stop. The pavement was almost one continuous puddle and Jim took some childish delight in stamping through them more than was strictly necessary.
He had his head down under his umbrella, but lifted it when he got to the bus stop. There was a group of people all crowed underneath it, London's usual social mores forgotten in the face of torrential rain. Jim stood to the side and well back from the road. He was also schooled in the art of not getting swamped in a tidal wave thrown up by the bus.
A tall figure materialised out of the rain, running and almost careering right into Jim. He looked into hazel eyes and saw bedraggled dark curls.
'Ross?' It was out of his mouth before he could stop it.
'Dammit.' Ross took refuge under Jim's umbrella, shaking like a wet dog. 'It's bloody wet out.'
'Yeah, I noticed that.' Jim couldn't resist raising an eyebrow at him. Ross was dressed pretty much the same as he had been the day before except now there was a lemon yellow hoodie under the jacket. Still it wasn't much of a concession to the weather. 'Don't you own a raincoat or something?'
'Or something.' Ross was smiling but his teeth were also chattering so much he sounded like a pair of maracas. 'It's just a little bit of rain.'
'You're going to get sick.' Jim chided. 'Here.' He shuffled over so Ross could fit properly under the umbrella with him.
'I never get sick.' Ross retorted and then sneezed. He grinned sheepishly at Jim.
'You're a wanker.' Jim laughed and then went red as he realised how that could be misconstrued. Thankfully, his cutting remark got a brilliant smile that was bright enough to chase the gloomy day away all by itself.
'Yeah?' Ross stepped in a little closer and Jim got a wave of that delicious aftershave. 'Then what does that make you seeing as you're letting me share your umbrella?' His dark eyes were fixed on Jim and Jim found himself smiling.
'Not sure.' He shrugged.
'You know you're really fucking cute when you smile.' Ross said and that made Jim's eyes go wide and look up at him.
'Oh?' He was so taken aback, he was pretty sure he'd just forgotten how to speak.
'Yeah.' Ross tilted his head, considering. 'Those dimples are something else.' His smile grew wider. 'Bet they drive girls crazy.'
'I wouldn't know.' Jim looked away as he said it, his heart now pounding wildly.
'No?' Ross shifted from one foot to the other. 'Me either.' He gave Jim a look that had more than a hint of shyness in it and that surprised Jim a great deal.
'Oh.' He swallowed nervously. 'So you're...'
'Yeah.' Ross smiled at him. 'Thought that might have been pretty obvious from how hard I seem to be trying and failing to flirt with you.' He gave an abashed chuckle and lifted one hand to rake his finger through his wet curls.
'You're not failing.' Jim blurted the words out. 'I mean, I noticed. I just thought...' He trailed off.
'What?' Ross asked and Jim debated finishing the thought and then shook his head.
