Chapter Text
Ash watches along with the stream and senses a meltdown from James; he hurries to James' office. He runs out of his flat and books it down the street, not even thinking of an Uber, which would be a lot more efficient. He opens the door quickly and eventually makes it to James' door and contemplates whether to knock, deciding to text, and just like he thought, there is no response. "James, Ash is here; ok, I'm coming in now." He fumbles with the spare keys he was given just for a situation like this. The door opens; he hears sniffling, then silence. He looks around slowly as he walks into the room and notices that James isn't sitting in the chair he usually does; instead, he's curled up on the floor under his desk, barely fitting. If it weren't for the circumstances, Ash would say it's almost comedic. Ash closes the door behind him softly so as not to disturb James. "Hey, James? "Are you okay?" No response. "James? James! It's me, Ash. "Can you hear me?" Still, he notices the big ball of James shaking as tears fall and slide down his face silently. Ash feels helpless; there is no sign that James has heard or understood him at all. He crouches by James and rubs his shoulder lightly until he gets some kind of reaction. "Oh buddy, those videos really freaked you out, yeah?" He looks around the room, trying to find some comfort for when James "comes to," but luckily Clive was there as usual. Ash grabs the large Ikea bear. Ash rubs the bear against the other's face using the touch to help the boy come back to reality, eventually James starts whimpering and squirming around. "Shhh, sshh, it'll be ok, James. You're ok bud" He rubs James' arm again and tries again. "Do you feel any better? Can you talk to me?" James shakes his head and sniffs. "Aw that's ok baby." He quickly buries his head into Ash's side and whimpered quietly, Ash rubbed James' head lovingly and he felt the boy's body go slightly limp indicating his calmer state. "Good boy, you did so well" Ash kisses the top of his head gently. James looks up at him and Ash tries his best not to coo at the now mentally younger, he quickly turns his head away with a squeak blushing and then buries his head in the crook of Ash's neck. Ash decides to embrace the boy in a hug like a big papa bear. Ash can practically feel James smile into his shirt while he rubs his back soothingly. They sit like that for quite a long time until James begins to stir. James takes in a deep breath and looks up at Ash who gives him a reassuring smile, James was getting restless and begins poking Ash in boredom. Ash responds to the pokes, "what are you doing Mister?" Smile on his face. "I think you've awoken the.. TICKLE MONSTER'' quickly attacking the boy’s ribs in a flurry of tickles with the victim squealing in excitement. Perfect Ash thinks, he's more awake now and the uber should be here in any minute!
“Ok bud we’re staying at mine tonight, okay? James nods sort of solemnly. Ash replies to the younger’s emotions, “It's alright you can hang with uncle Ash tonight, we can have lots of fun yeah?” He then pokes the boy again with another giggle emerging. Ash responds by playfully messing his hair up, “good boy! Now let's head down. Can you walk buddy? Although the little is non verbal he luckily nods his head calming the other because he had no clue what he’d do otherwise.