#Josh Lyman/You

[youvebeenlivingfictional]

ugh but i mean

Having the worst crush on Josh Lyman

Going for a drink with him after work

Feeling all of the sparks fly

But you're not willing to get your hopes up, so when a staffer asks you out for the next day, you say yes

And you can only kinda stand this guy on a good day, but you say yes

Because you and Josh are just...Never gonna happen, not really. You're positive.

Sure, you went for that one drink, but it was a one-off

So you may as well go on this date

But good god is the evening awful

You commiserate with Donna the next morning, slouching against her desk

"It couldn't have been that bad."

"It was," You grouse.

"And you're sure it was a date?"

"He bought me a drink and talked down to me until I felt bad about myself. Where I come from, that's a date."

"Hm...Hey, Josh."

Donna's greeting makes you whirl around, and you spot Josh standing just a couple of feet away, looking stunned, and a bit ashen. And it takes him a moment, but—

"Donna, can you get me a transcript of, uh...Of Thompson's deposition yesterday?"

"Sure."

"Thanks." Josh's gaze flickers to you, and you find the look riddled with confusion, and hurt.

It wells up your nerves, and you find yourself clearing your throat and excusing yourself.

He gives you that look all day, any time the two of you are in the same room, when you pass one another in the hall and again, finally, when you stop to give Donna the hot tea that she hasn't had the chance to grab for herself.

But this time, he doesn't just leave it to a look.

"Can I talk to you?"

His question is soft, and plying, and he sounds a little...Flighty.

"Sure."

You follow him into his office, hands wringing as he shuts the door behind the two of you. Neither of you speak right away, but when he does—

"What did I say?"

Your brow furrows as your confusion grows, and you shake your head a little bit.

"...Excuse me?"

"What did I say that made you feel bad?"

Your mouth works wordlessly for a moment.

"Did you—Josh, did you hear my conversation with Donna?"

"Yes."

"Did you hear all of it?"

"I heard enough—What did I say?"

"Josh."

"Was it that crack I made about you reading chick lit? I was joking, you can read anything you want."

"Thanks for the permission—"

"Don't get me wrong, I do think that Danielle Steele is personally responsible for the wealth of romantic ideas and collective brain rot in the anti-feminist camp—"

"Josh—"

"Not that I'm calling you anti-feminist, obviously—"

"Obviously."

"Was it that? Or was it when I called the elaborate cocktail that you ordered 'girly'—"

"Josh!"

You raise your hands, cupping his face to still his staccato speculation.

He goes quiet, his warm eyes fully focused on you. God, you want to live in that look—but you have to clear this up first.

"I wasn't talking to Donna about you. I had a date last night and it was...Bad."

"...Last night."

"Yes."

"Not two nights ago."

"Correct."

"You weren't talking about me."

"That's what I said."

"Right."

"...Okay?"

"So you didn't feel bad about yourself when we went out."

Went out—it sounds so good coming from him.

"No," You confirm. "Quite the opposite."

You let your hands slip from Josh's face as you back toward the door.

"You worry too much, mister."

"Yeah...Hey."

"Yeah?"

"Don't go out with him again."

Your lips twitch with a nervous smile. "Wasn't gonna."

"Good. 'Cause you've got a better offer."

"I do?"

"Yeah."

"Who from?"

In the space of those two words, Josh closes the gap between you.

You're stunned as he leans in, as you feel his lips brush yours and see the gentle flutter of his lashes as he closes his eyes.

You curl your arms around his shoulders as your kisses deepen, and you can't help but sigh softly as Josh's hands smooth over your hips, steering you back against the door.

You slide one of your hands up, gently grasping at the curls at the nape of his neck.

Josh rests his forehead against yours as the kiss breaks.

"Life's too short to go out with people that make you feel bad, you know."

"You are very wise, Lyman."

"And smart."

"Yes."

"And devilishly handsome."

"I'm starting to feel like you don't need me here at all."

Josh's face lights up with a grin as he gives your hips a gentle squeeze.

"I do."

"Do you?"

"Mmm, badly."

"How long before Donna comes knocking?"

"I think we've got a little time."

You hum, nodding and leaning in to murmur against his lips:

"Better make good use of it."

Tag list: @massivecolorspygiant @winniethewife @winchestershiresauce @kmc1989 @brandyllyn @missredherring @amneris21 @blueeyesatnight @nominalnebula

[joshdonnas]

"You want me to have a secret meeting with the Son of the Sword?" "I must be high from the morphine." "You know, stealth isn't exactly my strong suit." "He's very clumsy."

JOSH LYMAN AND DONNA MOSS Memorial Day (5x22) | The West Wing

[hawkp]

[ginandweas]

I love the west wing fandom of 2023. Someone will make a gifset of a 40 year old man standing in a doorway and within minutes it’ll have dozens of reblogs tagged “screaming crying throwing up”

[nerdfighterwhatevernumbers]

I think tumblrinas should watch The West Wing

Not because its politics are particularly good, I just can't stand another person calling anything less than a 4 season ship buildup a 'slow burn'

[all-that-jazz-93]

"This is a place where solemn work is done..."

[shivgirly]

THE WEST WING: 2x22 - “Two Cathedrals” 

[w1zords]

joshua lyman: human disaster

[deadirlshwriters]

my life will never be the same

[youre-fired-s-seaborn]

Oh west wing season two episode ten “Noel” we’re really in it now..

[youvebeenlivingfictional]

Josh Lyman coming home late from the office

Finding you asleep in bed

Moving around as quietly as possible to keep from waking you up

Finally laying down beside you and feeling the tension of that day begin to drop away

And then you rest your hand on his chest and sleepily murmur, "Hey, stranger."

Josh shifts closer and tugs you in, apologizes for waking you up

You just shush him and make him promise to save how his day was for tomorrow morning

He promises, kisses your forehead, and the two of you blissfully drift off to sleep

[joshdonnas]

"That's what we said about the British." "We took the British."

DONNA MOSS AND JOSH LYMAN Galileo (2x09) ❈ The West Wing

[planesky]

Actors I would cast as the little emotions in my head based on one performance:

Joy - Emilia Clarke - Me Before You (2016)

Sadness - Bradley Whitford - The West Wing (1999)

Fear - Phoebe Waller Bridge - Fleabag (2019)

Disgust - Olivia Coleman - The Favourite (2018)

Anger - Jack Nicholson - A Few Good Men (1992)

[all-that-jazz-93]

West Wing + Text Posts Part 4

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]