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

[untodeath]

[ For just a moment there, he gets her heart to flutter! So, when he snatches up that bottle, she snerks, in spite of herself. ]

It mitigates the effects of dry skin, first of all - and leaves you feeling irresistible.

[ Since he’s got the bottle, she holds out her palm to him. ]

Give me a squirt, will you? [ A chuckle. ] I’d invite you to feel for yourself, but it hasn’t had a chance to set in!

[dead_serious]

[ The cold glance away from the bottle and to her face says enough about his opinion on the silly joke without him having to speak a word. But he will uncap it to provide her with some. Probably way more than she'd wanted, but that just adds to the joke in a way William won't acknowledge. ]

You do realise I won't be taking you up on that offer, regardless.

[untodeath]

[ That look only pull soutright laughter from the redhead - and the overpour gets a gasp from her, reflexively cupping her hands while reduced to giggles. ]

My goodness, Will!

[ Trying to figure out what to do with it, she extends her other leg to join the first, dabbing it around so that she can run it in momentarily. ]

Ah, well, your loss. I take exceptionally good care of my skin.

[dead_serious]

Stop laughing.

[ A warning that she's sure to ignore. However, he is surprised at how quickly she backed down. Maybe there's hope of getting into a better mood, after all. ]

[untodeath]

[ Of course, that makes her laugh again, just when she was about to let it go! ]

Why don’t you try some for yourself, then? Since you’ve got the bottle and all.

[ Rubbing in moisturizer to both legs at once isn’t working out for her, and now, she’s sneaking at that... William really got her going! ]

[dead_serious]

[ Shaking his head, he relents and pops open the bottle. He makes sure to only squeeze out a small bit. Taking a moment to ponder where he should apply it, he decides his hands are good enough and rubs them together. ]

I suppose it feels nice. Though wearing gloves all the time, my skin is hardly coarse or dry.

[untodeath]

Well, aren’t you the lucky one? Especially in London’s eternally cold weather.

[ Glancing up at him, she seems pleased that he’s sharing this moment with her. ]

It’s comforting, too, I think.

[dead_serious]

[ Okay, that he definitely doesn't understand and his brow creases accordingly. ]

How so?

[untodeath]

Taking the time for yourself. Establishing a routine. The smell. The feel of it.

[ Sitting back to take a look at her handiwork, she wiggles her painted toenails. ]

I suppose simply moisturizing your hands doesn’t do it.

[dead_serious]

Hm.

[ He hums, kind of understanding the idea, but having no real experience with it. ]

I suppose I don't take much time for myself. I tend to sleep for most of my time away from work.

[untodeath]

[ Glancing up at him, Grell hums with some understanding. ]

You must have some sort of routine you enjoy, though?

[dead_serious]

Enjoy? No. Any routine is mechanical by this point.

[ There's a slight sadness that echoes through his monotone voice. It's not something he really wants to think or talk on, so in an oddly uncharacteristic decision, he attempts to understand Grell's claim.

He grips at those wiggling toes, not to remove her foot from his knee but to hold still while he pops the bottle back open. Soon enough he's rubbing the lotion along her foot, thumbs massaging surprisingly well. ]

[untodeath]

[ Reflexively, Grell flinches— but soon enough, he’s massaging her feet, and she’s doing her damndest NOT to gawk about it!

Well, and it doesn’t help that it feels so delightful. SO delightful. It absolutely helps that it’s William’s finger working, so she would’ve been less critical as it were, but he’s shockingly adept at it. She heaves a happy croon. ]

It’s a wonder that we’ve lasted in this life as long as we have, isn’t it?

[dead_serious]

[ Her foot is lifted and William rubs the pads of his thumbs along its arch in long strokes. It's oddly relaxing, despite how giving her this intimate attention is undoubtedly going to lead to future headaches. ]

Not really, considering it is our fate for the remainder of time.

[untodeath]

There are other options.

[ Lids hanging lower than usual, her lashes even flutter a bit! It’s just so relaxing! ]

Off-the-record, you know.

[dead_serious]

I won't allow you to go rouge, if that is what you're implying.

[ He gives her an icy glare despite the warmth of his hands as they take up her other foot. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell chuckles - a fond sort of lull to her voice. ]

I’ll only go if you do. [ A wag of her brows follows. ] You needn’t worry about me, not in those regards, anyhow.

[dead_serious]

Why were you surprised to begin with? You must know I have no intention of running off.

[ finished with both feet, he shifts then to the floor. ]

[untodeath]

[ Thinking it over, her eyes are fixated on his hands. They’re masculine, but surprisingly soft. And through they often deal her a great amount of pain, they’re gentle now. ]

I don’t know what you want, actually.

[ He even lowers her feet, instead of shoving them, or batting at them dismissively. She crosses her ankles nearer to herself, and there’s no foundation to hide the color kissing her cheeks. ]

Thank you. [ Swallowing, she sits herself up a bit taller! ] Shall I do yours? Or, perhaps, a bit of oil to your back?

[dead_serious]

[ He's thinking it over, both her question and her offer. Would it be wise to allow her closer, in either sense?

Leaning over, he slips his fingers under one sock, pulling it off and tossing it towards his suitcase. Then the other. Feet bare, he reconnects his gaze with Grell's. ]

What I would like is some sense of self worth.

[untodeath]

[ Grell takes up the bottle, and lowers herself onto the floor to sit cross-legged. With a bit of cream in hand, she takes the first foot, to first apply the moisturizer, and then begin massaging in at the ankle.

The answer she receives, however, issues pause. ]

My... If only you could see yourself the way I do, then.

[dead_serious]

[ William watches as she gets situated on the floor, his eyes only closing once her fingers start to work at his foot. Has he ever gotten a foot massage before? He can't recall, but it's rather nice! ]

Honestly, I don't think I would last a minute in that unstable mind of yours.

[untodeath]

[ That earns a chuckle out of her. Surprisingly, such doesn’t distract the redhead from her task, though! Perhaps it is because she is adept at running her mouth in any situation. ]

Yes, perhaps you’re right. You seem to do a proper job of commanding my attention, though, don’t you?

[dead_serious]

I seem to be the only one who is capable.

[ Whether that's a plus or a minus, he's never been able to decide. Perhaps it depends on what kind of attention she's giving him. This massage is a decent example of a good type. ]

[untodeath]

[ Her hands are more delicate, so they perhaps lack the strength and warmth that William’s provide - but they’re agile, attentive. Still, she thinks they must pale in comparison. ]

Mn, quite so. You’re one of a kind, darling. Truly remarkable.

[ Glancing up over the frames of her glasses, she can’t help but smile fondly! ]