thedispatch | All Work & No Play

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All Work & No Play

[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.]

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[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.]

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.

[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.

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.

[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.

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.]

[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.]

[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.]

[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.]

[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.

[Eric just holds him, sighing.]

I don't? I thought I'd upset you.

[Alan feels smaller and softer against him. He just places his hand on the back of Alan's head.]

I thought... It's a date, it's Paris, it felt right.

I'm not upset. It was just a lot of new things all at once. Overwhelming is better word.

[His eyes closed, idly he's counting Eric's heartbeats.]

You've never flirted with me before and it as confusing.

[How can he explain?

Flirting is easy when you don't care. With Alan, he cares so much. His arms still around Alan, and Eric runs his hands over his shoulder.]

It felt like the thing to do, here in Paris, on a date, and your lips taste like strawberry crapes.

Ah.

[So it's the thing to do here since they're in Paris. Right then. He gave a breathless little laugh and moved to draw away. There was a faint smile on his face.]

That's almost poetry in a way. We shouldn't make Grell and Mr. Spears wait too much longer..

We'll tell them we got lost.

[Eric goes in for another kiss, feeling like he can get away with it now.]

We can't get that lost.

[He scolds gently before drawing away before Eric can get that second kiss. This is a because we're in Paris thing and he's not about to get used to having it.]

Besides, it's been a long day and is starting to get chilly.

[He chuckles] I can think of something. [He leans in again]

Eric...

[He tone is gentle and quiet. Words are racing up, crashing into themselves into a pile on his tongue but he's swallowing them down finding a better way to say what is there.]

I don't want - I don't want to start something that can't last beyond our time here in Paris.

Is that what you're afraid of.

[His heart is in his mouth. "

[He's not afraid of it. It's a certainty. If if it did manage to be a back home in London thing it would have to end eventually; he can't stay. Is he really going to put Eric through that?]

I'm afraid of a lot of things.

Tell me.

Tell you what scares me?

[He's moving to his feet, smoothing his clothes - a nervous habit.]

I don't want start something that will only hurt us both.

[Eric feels the tug at his heart that only Alan can give him. He strokes his hair again, brushing his cheek.]

You could never hurt me. And I would never hurt you.

[Oh but he will. He will and he doesn't want to. He's biting his lower lip, leaning into that touch.]

I don't want to but it might not be something I can control.

[He smiles gently]

Like what? I can handle anything that might harm you.

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