Jim from IT – "Date" Part 1

A/N: Another installment. And if anyone is interested in being a Beta reader for me let me know. I do not post a lot, but I do need help improving my grammar.

"I've never had oysters before," said Moss looking at the center piece. "Fried prawns are the fanciest me and Roy have ever gotten with seafood."

Jim placed a steaming plate in front Moss, and he gazed down at the assortment of food, most of which he had never seen before. Jim brought his own plate in and sat across the corner from Moss. Jim smiled engagingly before spreading his napkin across his lap. "Dig in."

Moss looked down at the oysters in confusion. "How?"

Jim blinked but kept his smile. "You just slurp them out of the shell."

"Interesting." Moss studied the food before experimentally picking an oyster up and sniffing it. He poked it hesitantly with his finger. "And this is food?"

Jim nodded, his eyes not leaving Moss' face.

"Alright," said Moss before gulping down the oyster with disgusting enthusiasm and smacked him lips thoughtfully. Jim's eye twitched. "Not bad," mussed Moss, "that was an enlightening experience, I feel classier."

"Hopefully the first of many new experiences this evening." Jim raised his glass to Moss before taking a sip of the blood red wine he had poured himself.

"Well I am always up to try new and exciting things. I used to hate roller coasters, and then Roy made me go on one and now I love them." Moss looked down at his plate. "And I have never tried this rice dish before."

Jim smiled engagingly, "I am sure if you just try it, you won't be able to get enough." Moss did not notice Jim surreptitiously undo the top button of his shirt.

By the end of the meal the table was littered with bits of food and Moss reclined back in his chair, a satisfied expression across his face as he loosened his belt one notch. "Well I never thought I would find a better cook than the German cannibal who wanted to eat me for dinner, but you have easily topped him in the culinary department."

Jim blinked. "A German cannibal tried to eat you for dinner?"

"Me and Roy were trying to meet other people," replied Moss fiddling with an oyster shell, "and there was a bit of a misunderstanding."

Jim refilled Moss' glass of milk and gazed into his eyes. "I would like to hear more of your exploits, you lead a singular life." When he put his hand back down his fingers were lightly touching Moss' wrist.

"And then we realized that he was trying to use C++." Moss laughed heartily. "Well he certainly felt foolish when we pointed out to him that the program was actually written in J++." Moss paused and he seemed to lose the train of his story. "Jim, why is your hand on my leg?"

Jim squeezed Moss' leg teasingly. "Is there something wrong with it being there?" Jim asked with sly smile.

"I just didn't know it was customary for a host to feel his guest's thigh at dinner," replied Moss unsure. "You are not gauging my muscle to fat ratio because you are planning to eat me, are you?"

Jim was taken aback. "Not everyone wants to eat you, Moss." He chuckled. "Well, not in the way you are thinking."

Moss viewed him with suspicion. Jim sighed and put his hand back on the table. "Want to watch a movie?"

Moss and Jim were sitting on the couch as Bruce Willis and a woman with orange hair ran across a futuristic city. The apartment had gotten cold, so Jim and Moss were huddled under a blanket on the couch. This was not a problem for Moss, but then Jim's hand brushed his hand. Moss looked over at Jim. Jim was looking at the screen. It had probably been an accident. A moment later, Jim scooted closer to Moss. Moss moved away to give Jim more space. Jim moved again. Moss retreated a little further. Jim took another inch of the couch. Moss pressed himself against the arm. Jim moved in closer. Moss was out of space. Their thighs were touching. Moss sat rigidly still. Jim raised his arm in a yawn and draped it over Moss' shoulders. Moss was not sure what Jim was trying to do, but he did not like Jim being this close. Jim rested his head on Moss' shoulder and his other hand moved to Moss' leg. Then it began a slow creep up his thigh.

"What are you doing to my ear?" Moss asked afraid to move.

"You don't like it?" said Jim leaning back, a little confused.

"No, my ear is cold and wet because you tongue was in it, and your hand is feeling up my thigh again. And you still claim you are not trying to eat me!" He glared defiantly at a frankly astonished Jim.

Jim quickly regained his composure and raised an eyebrow at Moss. "Are you really that oblivious?" he asked moving his hand to the top of Moss' thigh in a stroking motion.

"Oh," Moss said quietly. His face was blank for a moment, and then he jumped up, throwing Jim's balance off a little. "I need to use your toilet."

Jim wordlessly pointed Moss in the right direction and Moss almost fled down the hallway, trying his best not to run, darted into the bathroom, locked the door, and pulled out his phone. He needed Roy.

"Hello?" said Roy distractedly. Moss could hear explosions and gunfire in the background.

"Roy, it's Moss. I need your help," Moss whispered, petrified Jim would hear him.

"What's wrong? Why don't you talk properly?"

"I'm hiding in Jim's bathroom!" Moss scanned the small room hoping it did not contain a camera. "He invited me over for a sleep over, but I have been lead to believe he is actually trying to seduce me."

Roy sighed. "Moss, usually when adults invite each other for a sleepover it is because they want to have sex."

Moss took a moment to process this information. "Does that mean that you want to have sex with me, Roy?" Moss asked shakily.

"No, no, no, no, Moss. We're different, you are my best friend." He paused and Moss heard the gun noises stop in the background. "I usually hide my laundry when I invite someone over who I want to shag. We hang out all the time, we have moved on to the friendly sleepover stage. Jim, Jim you haven't known long enough to be good friends with. He is trying to start a relationship with you. Did you hang out before this?"

"We went out to dinner a few times," Moss replied, "and to the movies."

"Those were dates," Roy took a steadying breath. "You have been dating Jim without even knowing it."

"But I do all those things with you!"

"Moss, it's different! You see-, I'll explain later, where are you? I'll pick you up and explain to Jim you are still a child in many ways." There was rustling as Roy tried to find a paper and pen on the other end of the line.

"2424 Bridge Road, apartment 12, tell the door man Green wants to see you." Moss flushed the toilet. "Hurry!"

Moss ended and the call and washed his hands to give himself a little time to mentally prepare before stepping back into the hallway.

Jim was waiting on the couch, his shirt a little more open than before. Moss stiffly sat in a chair on the opposite side of the room. "Shall we finish the movie?" he asked trying to keep his voice casual.

"Sure" relied Jim, looking a little unsure but smiling all the same.

Moss stared at the screen with determination, although he was no longer paying any attention to what was going on in the film, and was instead listening for any sound that might tell him Roy was nearly there. He heard Jim let out a sigh, but did not turn to look at him.

A moment later he heard a knock at the door. Jim left the room to answer it.

"For the love of god, man, button your shirt!" Roy thundered.

Jim stalked in looking angry. None of the buttons on his shirt were done up and he was looking murderous as he turned back around to face Roy. "What are you doing here," he asked icily.

"I'm here for Moss," he shouted striding over to where Moss sat. "You didn't tell me Jim was half-naked."

"I've seen you in your pants so many times; I just assumed it is what most men wear they are at home." Moss looked at Roy quizzically. "Is that another thing that is only okay when it is you?"

Jim closed the door with a snap. "Why has Moss seen you in your pants?"

"I man should not have to be contained by trousers in his own home," Roy retorted with as much dignity as he could muster.

"He wouldn't get dressed at all if he didn't have to go to work," Moss added.

Jim's eyes did not leave Roy. "Why are you here?"

Roy took a breath to steady himself as he looked back into the gaze that made him feel like Jim was picturing all the ways he could kill him. "Because we are far overdue for a talk. You can't date Moss!"

Jim blinked. "What?"

"You can't date Moss, he is off limits," Roy repeated.

Jim crossed his arms and fixed Roy with his most dangerous stare. Roy repressed a shudder. "Who are you to say who can and can't sate Moss?"

"I-." Roy began before faltering.

Jim was advancing on him. "Why do you care if Moss is sleeping over at my place?"

"I-."

"What is it to you if Moss likes me?"

"Because – ."

"Why is it any of your business what Moss does in his spare time?"

"Because I love him!" Roy blurted out.

Moss froze, a look of astonishment and panic in his eyes, but it was too late. It could not be taken back. A moment later Roy realized what he had just said and his eye's bulged.

"What?" Jim gulped, flabbergasted.

Roy swallowed. "Yes, Moss and I are in love. We hit a bit of a rough patch recently, but I can't give him up without a fight." Roy walked over to Moss and placed his shaking hand on Moss' shoulder. "I am not ready to let him be swept away by someone else!"

Moss reached up and grabbed Roy's hand in a clumsy gesture. "I am sorry, Jim, my feelings for Roy are too strong. I don't think I can continue to do this." Moss got up and walked into the bedroom arm and arm with Roy. Together they got the bags and returned to the living room not clutching each other for support.

"We will see you at work, Jim," said Roy and turned to leave.

"I'll walk you out," replied Jim in a strained voice.

The elevator ride down forty five floors was the most uncomfortable anyone in it had ever experienced. Moss was shaking and Roy was doing his best not to start screaming. Instead he was smiling like an idiot and laughing too loudly at the smallest joke. Jim studied him intently. Moss clutched his pillow even closer to his chest.

"I don't see why you are so upset," said Roy, trying and failing to break the tension. "I thought you were dating that tall bloke in the black coat."

Jim looked away and took a moment before responding. When he turned back to face them he had an evil grin spread across his face. "Sorry about all the unpleasantness," he said in a tone that completely failed to be reassuring, "we should put all this behind us. How about you and Moss come on a date with me and Sherlock? You can pick the place."

"Okay," replied Moss. The elevator door opened and he darted out, closely followed by Roy. They ran into the street without even turning to say goodbye to Jim. When they were a few blocks away, and at the limit of Roy's athletic ability, they stopped. Moss spoke first, Roy panting and wheezing beside him trying to catch his breath. "The lie was too big, Roy, how are we going to convince Jim we are a couple at work and worse, on a date?"

"Why did you agree to the date?" asked Roy still doubled over and leaning against the wall.

"I didn't know what else to do. Why did you tell him we were in love?"

"I panicked," Roy moaned. "Oh Moss, what are we going to do?"

Moss was looking at a sign, a smiling slowly spreading across his face. "What if we take them to a place they will hate so much they never want to go out with us again?"

"I am not sure we will survive that, Moss."

Moss smiled. "You forget, Roy, we are not mature adults."