All Work & No Play

[amongthethorns]

[Honestly, they're all exhausted - not tired but just worn out physically - after getting called all the way over here to help deal with a sudden rapid spike of missing souls which had been caused, unsurprisingly by an influx of demons. It was an odd thing and they still needed to pinpoint the origin of this matter, after all. Neither they nor the Paris Reapers could figure out what can caused an entire legion of Hells most foul to ascend on the city of lights.

Thankfully, with the five of them working pulled through just fine even if Alan was just a junior and Ronald was a rookie still. 

At least the hotel was nice even if they had to bunk up; two beds to each room. At least they had adjoining rooms so if they wanted they could throw the door between the two rooms open and interact.

Alan closed the field kit he'd been using to tend even their most minor of injuries; huffing out a tired but relieved breath. His chest ached just slightly and his shoulders slumped a little bit.] 

Well, that was certainly interesting if I don't say so myself. I know we've still got a few more days here in the city just to make sure things are well in hand an find answers, but what do we do for now? I mean - what do you even do in Paris?   

[He turned toward his bed where a rather large suitcase was tucking the field kit away. He'd brought a few things with him. They'd put all their belongings into this singular suitcase - fresh suits, documentations they needed when they went to Paris's dispatch branch for briefings and reports, a few other odds and ends.]

Comments

[dead_serious]

[ He looks at her, more than a little skeptical. ]

Quite tame for you.

[ He takes the offered glass, glancing towards the telly. ]

And what would we watch?

[untodeath]

[ She takes a sip, before setting her own cup down. She takes the opportunity to toss her suitcase back into the void, then gesturing at the empty bed! ]

We aren’t likely to understand much of it, so I suppose it doesn’t matter. [ Sitting herself down on the bedspread with a surely tantalizing pose, she pays the mattress beside her. ] If we become bored with it, I could think of something a bit more spicy to suit your apparent tastes!

[dead_serious]

[ A long moment of consideration follows. But finally William's taking a sip of his own wine, placing the glass aside and seating himself beside her. ]

Press your luck and you will be sleeping in the other room.

[ochitashinigami]

[Eric looks whistful for a moment]

Nothing important. Tell me more about your garden that you'd like.

[amongthethorns]

Oh come on, there has to be something.

[There's a little pout at there so obviously being something but Eric not wanting to share.]

I might have started growing an herb garden in the kitchen of my dorm room. When I move into my own flat I'll expand to other plants. I have a list.

[ochitashinigami]

It's lame, I promise.

[He takes another bite]

Would you have any flowers?

[amongthethorns]

Knowing you? Doubtful.

[But fine he'll just move bits of crepe around on his plate before answering.]

Of course flowers. All kinds of flowers. Thought I like purple, blue, and pink ones the most.

[He spears another bit of crepe looking at it thoughtfully.] I bet I could even do strawberries. [Then he's eating again.]

[untodeath]

[ Wait, she isn’t imagining this, right? Watching him with a hand cupped over her mouth gleefully, she waits until he settles before she does as she’d promised - crawling up to snuggle up against his side!

Oh, but before she gets too comfortable, she grabs their glasses of wine, and hands William his. And then, there’s the remote...

There. Now, she settles her head on his shoulder, fluttering her lashes up at him? ]

I would never~❤️

[dead_serious]

[ still giving her that I-don't-buy-it look, he takes up his glass. ]

You constantly do so.

[ochitashinigami]

[Eric can't help but smile again]

I can picture tending roses.

And strawberries are delicious.

[amongthethorns]

But roses are climbing plants I don't think I could keep them in my flat - unless I do miniatures. Even if the bigger ones are very, very tempting.

[ochitashinigami]

There are climbing ones, but there are bushes too. And they do come in miniatures.

[amongthethorns]

I know I just like the climbing ones a bit better. There's something about them that's just - [He trailed off with a little shrug, nudging his empty plate aside.] - different.

[ochitashinigami]

[Eric smiles]

You'll have some someday.

[Eric can't help patting his hand]

[amongthethorns]

[Help him. Eric shouldn't smile at him like that. Or say sweet things like that that may very well not happen.]

Of course, I will.

[Lying like a liar. Great. He laughs and draws his hand away.]

Don't think saying cute things gets you out of me being slightly put out with you for not sharing.

[ochitashinigami]

[Ah! Maybe it was too much. Don't touch Alan.

He puts on another carefree smile even though he's panicking, it's what he's good at.]

And what didn't I share?

[He's share anything with you, Alan.]

[amongthethorns]

You said whatever was on your list was lame. So you didn't tell me.

[He shifted slightly in his seat.]

Frankly, I doubt you have a lame bone in your body. Then again I think some of mine are lame. I mean growing flowers? Visiting various parts of Europe? Definitely not the most adventurous.

[ochitashinigami]

[Eric smiles dashingly. He's good at it.]

I'm sorry, I was so busy looking at your eyes I forgot what we were taking about.

[amongthethorns]

I...

[Alan just trails off looking at him. Is he flirting with him? Is Eric Slingby flirting with him? Properly flirting with him?

Give him a minute. Then he's moving to lean over the table reaching to press his bare hand against Eric's forehead, testing for fever.]

You don't feel feverish. For a moment I thought you might have caught a cold. You're talking to me like I'm a receptionist in the office. Flirting with me.

[ochitashinigami]

[Alan is touching him and suddenly he forgets everything else.]

Ah... [He puts his hand on top of Alan's] I didn't mean to upset you.

[amongthethorns]

I'm not upset. I'm just -[A pause as he searches for the right word.]

A little confused to be honest. [He finishes peering at Eric with a brow arched, his hand relaxing under Eric's.]

[ochitashinigami]

[Well damn.

To little, Alan might think Eric is toying with him. Too much, Alan could be frightened. Neither is acceptable.

But Alan is here, looking at him, his fingers softening under Eric's hand and he can't handle it anymore and he's kissing Alan before he's even aware he's doing it.]

[amongthethorns]

[Eric would have to excuse that inarticulate sound that was startled out of him at the sudden and unexpected contact. His eyes widening considerably, his body language turning stiff as he panicked before going relaxed again, eyes falling closed.

When Alan kissed him back it was a shy hesitant thing, as if he was ready to pull away at the slightest indication that he was reading this all wrong somehow.

But Eric had been the one to cross that distance, hadn't he? He'd been the one to break that invisible barrier between them and turn it into something deeply intimate. If he's misreading this, then he doesn't understand what kissing even means. This isn't like those times he'd lead a slightly intoxicated Eric out of a pub and end up with his head lulling against his shoulder or collarbone as he pushed him down onto the sofa undoing his sloppily done tie to help him get comfortable.]

[ochitashinigami]

[Eric feels the tension and is ready to let go when he feels Alan yield and kiss him back. It was different when it was the girl at the front desk or someone from accounting or such, he didn't care. He could be confident because he had nothing to lose. With Alan, he was risking everything.

When the kiss slowly comes to an end, Eric plants another light, affectionate kiss at the corner of Alan's mouth and then pulls Alan to his chest.]

I hope I didn't... I mean...

[He stamers in a low voice, Alan still against him.]

[amongthethorns]

[Alan is just going to need a few minutes which makes being tucked against Eric's chest the best option for him right this exact moment. His face is flushed a dark scarlet and he feels feverish but he knows he's not sick in the least. He's shifting slightly hiding his face against Eric's chest, his hands moving so that his fingers can curl gripping Eric's jacket lapels.

He just did that. No strike that. They just did that. Alan is taking a slow deep breath before turning his head, cheek and ear to Eric's chest. There was silence for a moment. Then he's breaking it quietly -]

Hope you didn't what? You don't have anything to worry about.