(no subject)
Despite all suggestions to the contrary--his tired eyes, his furrowed brows--James is reading that book he has perched on a leg as he sits by the fireplace, rather than pretending to read it, as his body language might suggest. A half-empty cup of coffee still hot enough to emit steam sits on the small table next to his elbow. At frequent intervals, James picks up the cup and sips generously. Despite all suggestions to the contrary, this coffee has no more of a kick than that which caffeine provides.