ex-strangers || a jeffmads fic

chapter one

james madison.

James never particularly liked parties. He was a loner of sorts, enjoying his introverted time alone as opposed to most of his acquaintances enjoying hanging out; loud and excitable.

But while he loved a good book by the fire, he usually went where his friends went, as to not be left behind, and this particular November evening, that place was a party, on the campus of his university, King's College.

Aaron had driven him there, but he'd walked in with the Schuylers. Giggly and giddy, Peggy jokingly told him, "Don't get too drunk!" and disappeared like everyone else into the mass of people.

Ever socially anxious, James did not really know what to do with himself. The party was loud and he could feel the bass through the hardwood. He started to squeeze his way through the crowds, coming across the drink table on the far wall. Less crowded, still sketchy. Whatever was in the punch bowl could not have been legal.

He leaned against the wall, weighing his options. He could Uber home, and sit, curled up, in his dorm, watching The Good Place; but that meant leaving his friends behind and he didn't really want to risk that.

So he decided to stay at this party, the scents of weed and beer filling the air. James people-watched, examining each person that approached the refreshments table.

Some of them were getting drinks for other people. Some of them he knew, just a bit, like when Hamilton came by and grabbed two cups of something-or-other and nodded, just once, at James before slipping into the party again.

Some of them, James found attractive, and would have the nerve to speak to if he wasn't so shy.

By some, James meant one, and by one, he meant "That Guy Who Spent Four and A Half Minutes Deciding What Drink To Get."

Which meant four and a half minutes of James watching, trying to keep himself composed in the presence of this attractive young man.

The guy finally retrieved his choice drink, took a sip, and then his eyes landed on James.

James immediately stood straighter, almost surprised.

"Hey." The stranger grinned, a white, charming grin at James, and then slipped away just like everyone else had.

James melted. He was insanely attractive. A tall man, with fluffy, well-kept hair and a groomed, precisely cut beard across his (amazingly) sharp jaw. He had dark eyes and a white, stark smile. Perfect lips. From what James could tell through his wildly tight magenta polo, he was well-built.

James was now at a crossroads. He really did want to go home and catch up on The Good Place, but my god this man was attractive and James didn't want to just... go home without talking to him again.

Not that James even said anything, but the stranger's caramel voice was like hot liquid, melting James' brain and his heart.

He pushed off the wall and pressed into the party.

[ hey guys, it's cran here. i'm super excited for this fic and you should all be, too, because hot damn i,, fuckin love this one so much okay goodnight]