*So, the homoerotic undertones are starting to turn to overtones. I'm still not sure where I'm going, but I'm enjoying the ride. Don't read it if you don't like it, blah blah blah, and please feel free to review with ideas, because I need 'em!*

I woke up, turned off my alarm clock, and looked over to see James' crotch in my face.

I will admit that I have woken up to much worse things, but I was still quite surprised all the same. He was wearing green boxer-briefs and a white undershirt as he reached over my bed to the shelf above it. He was trying to get something off of the shelf, and leaning over my head to do so. I guiltily enjoyed the sight a bit longer, until James found what he was looking for, and backed up from my bed.

I couldn't tell if he noticed the awkward position we were in, but he did notice that I was awake. "Hey, good morning," he said.

I grumbled a greeting, a bit dismayed that I'd be sharing my room with a morning person. I gathered up everything that I'd need for the day, savored one last look at James' big, tanned muscles in his little, tight outfit, and went into the bathroom. I was a bit surprised and excited that James slept in such a state of undress. I personally slept in sweatpants and a hoodie. I couldn't help wishing that James was upset that I didn't wear less to bed. I reminded myself that there was no way he could find me attractive, and set about getting ready for the day.

As I went through my day, I thought about James, and how lucky I was to get to be roommates with him. I felt weird at the same Rainere, like I shouldn't be looking at him "that way." Like I should be looking at him more as a person. The more I thought about him, the more I liked him. He was really nice, and sweet. He seemed to actually care about how other people feel, and he was really cool, judging from the snooping I did through his half of the room.

I realized when I got home that what I was thinking was a very dangerous road to go down, especially with a roommate. I decided to just think of him as a random stranger. A very hot random stranger. A very nice, cool, hot random stranger.

The next few days passed by uneventfully, but my feelings toward James grew, despite my best efforts to quell them. I couldn't help it. The more we talked the more I felt a connection. I couldn't tell if he did too, but I seriously doubted it. Before I knew it, I had been living in the little yellow house for more than two weeks! Everything had just become second nature.

Then, one day when neither of us had class, James asked if I wanted to go out to lunch.

"Uh, sure, but I'm not sure when anyone else is gonna be home," I replied.

"Well, I actually kind of meant just the two of us," James replied.

"Oh," I said, trying to sound cool and casual. "Okay, sure."

We decided on where to go, and had a pleasant Rainere walking and talking together. I also enjoyed talking to him during the meal, though I still felt weird eating in front of him, so I ordered light and ate little. After we were done, James suggested that we take a walk around the shopping area of the city. I agreed, and we left. We window shopped and talked even more, and then finally ended up back at the little yellow house.

"Well, this was a lot of fun," James said.

"Yeah," I said, feeling the steady blush I'd kept through the entire outing deepen.

"So, this is me," James joked as he unlocked and opened the door. He turned around to face me and tripped off of the little stoop in front of the door. I caught him and his face ended up on mine, his lips hot against my cold cheek. I awkwardly pushed him back up and he apologized, and suggested that we do something later that night before scurrying upstairs.

I went into the living room and set up the home workout DVD that I used to stay in shape. It was cheesy, and I always felt awkward when someone would come in while I was working out, but nobody ever made too many jokes about it. I was almost done when James came back downstairs. He sat on the couch and watched me as I finished my workout. I felt really weird about it, but decided not to say anything.

When I was done, I flopped down on the couch, sweaty and tired. James looked over at me and I tried not to look back at him, unsure of what he was trying to do. I opened my mouth to tell him that he could watch whatever he wanted, but he stood up, moved in front of me, and leaned over to look me in the face. I sat up and tried to wipe some of the sweat from my face, unsure what to say.

James seemed to think for a minute before leaning in and kissing me. I was stunned. I just sort of kissed him back. I felt tears welling in my eyes, though I had absolutely no idea why. Just as suddenly, he got up and walked away, seeming satisfied. "Oh, and we're going to a club tonight, in a few hours," James called casually down the stairs.

I sat on the couch, stunned for a few minutes. My whole body was tingling, and I was just starting to cool down. Every muscle was tensed as I tried to process what had just happened. When I finally came to terms with it, my body relaxed. I just kissed James. No, James just kissed me. He kissed me. Wow, not bad, Rainer. Not bad at all. Holy crap. We kissed. James and I kissed! There was no denying it. I may really start to enjoy living here.