i really want james telling madi about all the ridiculous things like when john jumped off the walrus and faceplanted the sea. when he tried to cook a pig and used so much honey that the camp got swarmed by bees. the time when he was set on walking all the way to st. augustine to avoid boarding a ship. i want to see james and madi drinking together and laughing at john’s flustered face as he denies everything
i want madi to get a glimpse of what john was like when james first met him. i want her to be able to picture his youthful face and his short curls. i want her to imagine john running across a beach with a very angry james running after him. i want her to think of that and love john even more for it. and for john to be surprised when she giggles and cups his flustered face in her hands and kisses him
i also want james telling her about all the admirable things he’s done like when james gave up and let the sea take him but john wouldn’t let it. when he refused to betray his men and lost his leg for it. all the times john stood up to him when he was wrong and how he is a good man even though he pretends he is anything but. i want to see that lost look on james’ face when john leans over and kisses him. and that soft expression that follows when john says “not as good as you”