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]

[ 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! ]

[dead_serious]

[ Considering he has yet to kick her in the face and escape her grasp, that says quite a lot about her abilities in giving foot massages. Gosh, William may even be relaxing a bit! ]

It is a rather simple task. Why no one else seems to be able to do so is remarkable to me.

[untodeath]

The answer is rather simple, as well.

[ She ends the massage on one foot by gently rolling his ankle - and then, it’s on to the next. ]

They haven’t earned my respect.

[dead_serious]

By standing up to you that first reaping together, I assume.

[ He lifts the other foot for her to take in hand. ]

Honestly to be taken down by an average student. You're slacking.

[ William's the only one whose got the balls to say something like that to the unstable redhead, too. ]

[untodeath]

[ Futhermore, his words get an amused croon out of her, rather than a summoning of her deathscythe. Truly, only he could get away with it. ]

Average student - but an exceptional man.

[ Yes, he’s tamed the wild beast... and now, she’s even rubbing his feet! The thought nearly earns a roll her eyes, though she grins to herself. ]

One with unmatched nerve, I’d say!

[dead_serious]

Hm.

[ He hums a simple response, then quiets, watching her fingers work. ]

It is making this situation seem even more out of place. I don't believe we've ever shared such a calm moment.