He watched James's blue eyes as he absorbed this, the whole world sideways except for the two of them.

He waited. He couldn't quite read his expression, but he really wanted to.

Seen from his point of view, he guessed it looked like he was holding all the cards, calling all the shots. He was, in a way, but that's not how it felt. He never felt like he was holding all the cards with James; if anything, he felt out of control.

Out of control wasn't a feeling he usually enjoyed, but everything was different when it came to James and him. This thing between them felt as powerful as dynamite, and just as dangerous. Maybe alliances between adversaries always felt like that. You were always playing with something combustible.

Adversaries. He guessed that's what they were still… wanting different things. No point shying away from that. He wanted to kill Fenrir Greyback, but James didn't want that…He was going to remedy that now…

He tried not to think about that too hard; instead he took a lock of James's raven black hair and slid his fingers down it, letting it fall in a glossy ribbon that draped over his jawline and under his chin to brush the floor. He was wearing it tied back before, but somewhere along the way, it came undone. He adored it like this, loose and shining.

He pulled his face to himself, pressing his mouth to his, kissing him good and hard. He found his lip between his and give it a little suck and James whole body responded, sliding up against his. Taking advantage of James momentary vulnerability, he gently… carefully, retrieved the small needle from the sleeve of his shirt and pricked James on the neck with it.

James seemed to have realized what had happened because his body instantly went stiff against his and his voice was filled with cold fury as he inquired,

" . ?"

He kept his lips pressed up against his as he murmured,

"What I had to."

James was about to pull away when he wrapped an arm around him and held him in place,

"Let me go if you know what's best for you."

He ran his other hand through James's hair as he whispered,

"The toxin will spread faster if you move…"

He could feel James entire body trembling with rage against his. He knew it must be taking him all his effort to keep himself still lest the toxin spread and plunge him into instant senselessness.

"If you wanted to kill me…You should have just shot me…"

He laughed softly as he continued to stroke James's hair,

"No… Killing you is not my intention… I merely need you incapacitated…"

James breath stuttered as he inquired,

"Incapacitated?"

He nodded,

"Yes…"

James eyes were the very representation of ice cold fire… His blue eyes were alight with rage as he held his gaze. There was something so beautiful about him in this moment. He looked absolutely gorgeous. He watched as a bead of perspiration formed on his temple and slid down his skin before disappearing into his dark hair. James was struggling so hard to stay conscious for as long as he possibly could. He wished he could tell him how futile his struggle was but telling him now wouldn't help his cause. James was doomed to lose his senses eventually so there was no point in prolonging it.

James's eyelids dropped slightly and he saw a sliver of panic in those blue eyes as he no doubt realized that the toxin was beginning to work. He removed his fingers from his hair and caressed his cheek softly,

"Don't fight it, James."

The murderous look that James gave him would have been enough to kill any normal person, but he wasn't any normal person… He traced James's sharp cheekbone and whispered softly,

"Consider this payback for what you did to Bella…"

That seemed to have stirred something inside James because he once again attempted to pull away from him…This time he allowed it and watched avidly as James shakily pushed himself up onto his hands and knees and took the support of the couch to get his feet underneath him.

He wasn't surprised to see him succeed… He absolutely adored James's tenacity… James staggered as he dragged himself to the nearest wall and from there, continued to navigate his way to the door. He rose to his feet and watched leisurely as James tried to leave…

"My men are standing guard outside… You are no match for them in your weakened state…"

James's entire body was trembling uncontrollably by the time he reached the door. The sight of him struggling to unlock it was something pitiful. He felt no pleasure in reducing him to this. This was something that had just been necessary. The lock clicked and the sound echoed around the room. James pulled the door open and had only crossed the threshold when he issued the order,

"Bring him back to me."

The men at the door were instantly on him and it took no effort on their part to overpower him and drag him back towards him. James's eyes were barely open now and he was barely standing on his own as the guards supported him,

"I just told you not to fight this…The more you struggle, the more the toxin will spread and that means that you'll stay unconscious for longer."

James attempted to yank himself free from the guards' hold and he tsked,

"James… Make this easier on yourself."

James eyes fell closed all the way and his head fell. He rested a finger underneath his chin and tipped it back up before pressing his lips back to his,

"I will not torture you, James… I promise… I have no intentions of scarring your pretty face and your beautiful body…. No…The wound I intend to give you shall run deeper than your skin…"

He signalled the men to let go of him and James's limp body nearly crumpled to the floor before he caught him and lowered him down on the couch,

"Now sleep, James… I imagine your world will be in tatters when you awaken next…"