A/N: It's been forever since I have written fanfiction... I'm super rusty anyways. It might not be accurate, and possibly out of character. I try, really. Uh, I'm not a great writer but I hope you like this.

I don't have any set times. For now, this chapter takes place during the series.

Also, I might update this since I have no clue about the small details, such as the interior of the print shop. Please forgive me.

CHAPTER 1 – Accidental Glance, Part 1

"Phew."

Moses stood up from a lying under the printer and wiped the sweat beading down his forehead. In mid-day July, working inside the print shop at noon wasn't exactly bad, but it also wasn't favorable, either. The heat (which isn't as hot as other states' weather) just made everything uncomfortable and all the more tiring, and opening all the windows did not help one bit. The room was too arid.

At least it's a little better than winter, Moses thought. Ah, I remember those days... He remembered the coolness of the air and the snow that slowly dropped from the sky. Pennsylvania may be a wonderful land of cool climates, but Moses was not entirely set on loving it yet. Winter gave him so many memories. Just the thought of the freezing temperature made him appreciate what he now had: a fireplace, a place to stay, sufficient clothes, freedom to do as he wishes...

He shook off his thoughts, preferring not to recall anything from his past. That was long gone. No more cold, sick nights. No freezing to death. He was a free man now, free to have all the warmth he wants.

For some reason - Moses had noticed when he awoke - Henri was missing for most of the morning. That was unusual of the French boy, especially since he left before Moses could wake, and Moses was always one of the first ones up. He searched every room in the print shop for a good portion of the morning and was about to give up until little rumors of a French boy running away from an angry baker a few blocks down reached the shop. Sarah offered to conduct an investigation and bring him back. However the girl hasn't returned since. And as for Dr. Franklin? Well, the old man hasn't been back for days, but Moses guessed he was out on his political business as usual. Or at least something along those lines.

Meanwhile, Moses and James stayed behind to fix the printer. The main lever was dysfunctional for a reason the two couldn't figure out yet, and some ink was spilled overnight, so half of the machine was a covered in a sticky mess. It was one of the many disasters they had to deal with, but Moses never minded it; He was never one to grumble.

However, not everyone was as patient as Moses.

Currently, Moses was attempting to get a better look at the lever and James was kneeling on the floor, cleaning up the black substance.

"This is hopeless!" exasperated James. "Moses, look at this. The stains won't budge. There has to be a better way."

Moses wiped his hands on his apron. "James, complaining will get you nowhere."

"This isn't right; I've been scrubbing for hours and yet-" he rubbed the rag in his hand a little more furiously on the wood, "-nothing."

"Trust me. Continue cleaning and you'll be done before you realize."

The blond huffed and crossed his arms, looking away. He knew Moses was right and knew better than to argue, but he could not help but show an unpleased face. "I know. But that still doesn't change the fact that this is hard to get off."

"James."

"Alright, alright..." Defeated, he went back to scrubbing, but not before rolling his eyes and muttering a last, i complaint under his breath.

This boy... Moses lightly shook his head and turned. What am I? His father? He nearly chuckled at the silly thought as he rummaged through a box of a few extra tools, wondering why James always listened to a colored man such as himself in the first place. Not that he didn't appreciate it (because someone has to look out for him!), but certainly there was someone who taught him manners? No, that can't be. He grew up without his parents, and the way he acted sometimes? Impossible. He's still learning, but...

...he always treated Moses as if he was any other adult. Like a friend.

And he never knew why.

Abruptly, James called out, disrupting his contemplation.

"Moses, wait!"

"What now?"

"Your back," James plainly stated. "It's..." A shocked face followed.

For a moment, a rush of worry arose.

His back? He couldn't possibly mean...

"There's ink all over it," he explained further. Then, relief swept the worry, and a sheepish voice continued, "Guess I missed a lot on the floor." Moses twisted about in an attempt to view his shirt, and lo and behold, it was stained. Like, really stained.

Oh.

Moses heaved a sigh. It must have been during the time he laid on his back to check under the printer. "I'll be right back. I need to get this off." James nodded, half guilty, and half sympathetic.

"Sorry about that," Moses heard as he walked out and into one of the back rooms.

"It's alright."

He managed to find a bucket and sat himself on a secluded workbench next to a window. With some spare soap left, the man took off one of his only few shirts and worked to remove the splotches, but with no avail at first.

James was right - this ink was difficult to clean.

This oncoming challenge left Moses in a busy state. Constantly, he scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. Some came off and colored the water, only to dye the rest of the shirt with a light gray tint. One accidental scrub had spread the blotch even more. The failures began to give way to frustration, and before he had realized it two hours had passed. Moses didn't believe the task would take him this long. Talk about hard work, he told himself. The stain was now slightly faded, but still visible. Well, it could be worse. He could at least understand where James's irritated state earlier was coming from.

He washed and scrubbed again, occasionally submerging the clothing in the bucket of water. His mind attempted to form other solutions, since Moses honestly has not done this before (he was always so careful with his work that cleaning off ink was never necessary. He didn't wear an apron for nothing). Maybe Sarah knew how to fix this? Where is she anyways? he continued wondering. Shouldn't she be back with Henri by now? It was well past noon. At least the some of the heat subsided. And without his shirt, he cooled down much better.

Moses finally stood up and held the drenched article in front of him and observed his job. In the sunlight streaming through the window, it appeared to be a failure. Or maybe the lighting didn't even matter. He was still not satisfied. The way the black was immensely visible influenced Moses to frown in contempt. To him, the shirt was tarnished to a level that even a half-blind man could see it a long ways down. No matter how many times he told himself it wasn't worth the fuss anymore, it remained a bother to him. So he went on with scrubbing.

He was so engaged in this small matter he never heard the approaching footsteps from the hall.

"Hey Moses, I was thi-" came a voice as the door was pushed open. It sharply died, and then, the smallest gasp.

With the realization that finally caught up, Moses dreadfully turned to see the boy that just walked in.

And by looking at James's expression, Moses knew it was too late to stop anything.

A/N: Well, screw me; I'm not meant to be a writer. :P I just hope that at least one person will like this. I probably will come back to revise this chapter anyways. I just wanted my idea to be out there.

I apologize for anything out of character. I absolutely love this show, and really wish that it could have been redone. I know it's cheesy and all and I don't favor the art and animation, but I love historical concepts. Also, I'm not a romantic, so sorry to all you J/S shippers (I don't hate it though!). I do love family and friendship fluff (as you can clearly see with Moses and James here), so maybe? Things? Will work out? Between us? Yeah?

And by the way, I don't know how many active fans there are for this ridiculous show, but I am one of them. :) Come to my tumblr art blog at reveriedoodles! Ask for fan art for this show (YES I TAKE REQUESTS :D) and I will definitely do it as long as it's appropriate! ;) (I just need an excuse to post some fan art lol because this fandom is dying! *cries*)

I have a lot of chapters and stories in mind, but it will take a while so bear with me! :) Until then, feel free to message me.