[he's right, she knows he's right. she'd come so close to fully falling apart, with that rain and the aftermath. that she's back together is the result of making concessions here and there. there's a moment where she's quiet, deliberating, and then he'll feel the little relaxing in her body.]
...I'll take a look at the rota and remove myself from a day. Only because you said so.
[because she knows it comes from a place of care, of genuine concern, and she won't ignore that. she's trying, right now, to not be invulnerable - to save all that for when it's needed, instead of being at home with the man she loves.
it's hard. it's so hard, but...]
If you're also free that day, perhaps we could spend it together?
[ He...hadn't expected her to actually take his suggestion. She's so dedicated to what she does, why should she even try to take a day off? He stares at her in disbelief for a moment, then laughs, quiet and low. ]
How 'bout...we make a date of it? Just lemme know an' I'll make sure I'm free.
[turning her head to look at him, a smile slowly blooms.]
I'd really like that, actually. You'll be the first to know.
[it doesn't have to be much. it can even be just going to the shelter and helping there. the important part is spending time together - being able to seek each other out, and ask for it, because it was always given. that's what makes it special, after all.
reaching up, she runs her fingers through his hair, an idle thing, but meant to be soothing.]
...Did your hair get longer recently, or is that merely my perception?
[ He takes the tie out of his hair, shaking the unruly waves loose. It's not like he neglects his hair, but it's generally not the first thing on his mind. It's easier to pull it up at forget about it most days. ]
I like it, actually. Something about it suits you.
[it might look even better if he did take two seconds for it, but...]
Would you let me comb it out? Just to see.
[it's a little impulse she wants to follow, born from nothing so much as she knows how nice it feels for her when someone does that - with how much he's having to bear up, it might feel good to simply let himself be a little spoiled.]
[ He does like it when other people take care of his hair for him and he did get Majima to brush it after getting dragged back home. Therefore it's only fair that Emily get the same privilege. ]
[a quick kiss to his lips, and she extracts herself from his arms to go get a comb. not hard to find, and then she's back at his side, settling down with it. start from the ends, she knows, and as much as her life is caring for other people - sewing up their injuries, fixing mistakes - there's something different in little acts like this for those she loves. the intimacy of it, the way she can go slow, focus on nothing more than taking out every tangle in his hair for no reason other than she wants to.
[ Izō doesn't let a whole lot of people close to him, much less in ways like this. It's a sign of trust and care between them. It's also a simple, calming act that has him almost instantly relaxed. He breathes out a contented sigh, his posture softening.
She might be at it awhile, given that he slept with his hair up and hasn't done anything about it. ]
[maybe, but it soothes her, combing out the tangles with a steady persistence. piece by piece, until it's free and smooth again. slowly working at it, careful not to tug too hard and cause him pain. patience is the key, to leave his hair looking as fine as his feathers. he can still scroll his phone if he wants, there's nothing saying he can't.
it's simple, it's easy. it's thoughtless, and when she's done, she can kiss him on the cheek, a smile in her tone.]
Very handsome.
[wings and claws and all. she likes them because they are his.]
[ It soothes Karasu, too, for reasons Izō can't exactly be sure of. Some crow thing, he's sure, but it's not like Karasu will tell him. Regardless, he and his permanent ride along are much more relaxed. It takes him a second to properly sit back up, leaning back against her. ]
[she says it lightly, arms wrapping around his waist and putting her head on his shoulders. if she sits just so, she's tucked between his wings - comfortable for them both, snug and safe.]
[ He rests his hands on her arms, blushing furiously. No matter how comfortable he gets with someone and accepting affection from them, he can't help but get at least a little bit flustered by it. It's fine, it's a warm, happy feeling now. Emily deserves his vulnerability, the soft side he'd covered up for so many years. ]
Yeah...Lot fuckin' better. [ He gives her hand a gentle squeeze. ] ...Ya can do that whenever ya want, ya know. Jus' ask.
[she knows what it takes for him to relax and be softer with her. it's an effort she's happy to encourage, to push onwards in his life. if he wants to do something like combing out her hair, she's glad enough to let him.]
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Yeah, yeah... [ Nice and light. They both need the levity right now. ] Sometimes I think ya don't know any other way t' exist 'cept under pressure.
[ Oops. He perceived her. ]
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I hate to admit to that but...perhaps you're right. If I was told to take a day off, it'd feel like a joke.
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[ He nuzzles against her neck, his grip on her tightening just a little bit. ]
Otherwise yer gonna crack one's these days.
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...I'll take a look at the rota and remove myself from a day. Only because you said so.
[because she knows it comes from a place of care, of genuine concern, and she won't ignore that. she's trying, right now, to not be invulnerable - to save all that for when it's needed, instead of being at home with the man she loves.
it's hard. it's so hard, but...]
If you're also free that day, perhaps we could spend it together?
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How 'bout...we make a date of it? Just lemme know an' I'll make sure I'm free.
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I'd really like that, actually. You'll be the first to know.
[it doesn't have to be much. it can even be just going to the shelter and helping there. the important part is spending time together - being able to seek each other out, and ask for it, because it was always given. that's what makes it special, after all.
reaching up, she runs her fingers through his hair, an idle thing, but meant to be soothing.]
...Did your hair get longer recently, or is that merely my perception?
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[ He takes the tie out of his hair, shaking the unruly waves loose. It's not like he neglects his hair, but it's generally not the first thing on his mind. It's easier to pull it up at forget about it most days. ]
Whatcha think?
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[it might look even better if he did take two seconds for it, but...]
Would you let me comb it out? Just to see.
[it's a little impulse she wants to follow, born from nothing so much as she knows how nice it feels for her when someone does that - with how much he's having to bear up, it might feel good to simply let himself be a little spoiled.]
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I mean, I ain't gonna stop ya, if ya wanna.
[ Please. Watch him melt. ]
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[a quick kiss to his lips, and she extracts herself from his arms to go get a comb. not hard to find, and then she's back at his side, settling down with it. start from the ends, she knows, and as much as her life is caring for other people - sewing up their injuries, fixing mistakes - there's something different in little acts like this for those she loves. the intimacy of it, the way she can go slow, focus on nothing more than taking out every tangle in his hair for no reason other than she wants to.
selfishness and selflessness, intertwined.]
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She might be at it awhile, given that he slept with his hair up and hasn't done anything about it. ]
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it's simple, it's easy. it's thoughtless, and when she's done, she can kiss him on the cheek, a smile in her tone.]
Very handsome.
[wings and claws and all. she likes them because they are his.]
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An' yer gorgeous.
[ A compliment for a compliment. ]
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[she says it lightly, arms wrapping around his waist and putting her head on his shoulders. if she sits just so, she's tucked between his wings - comfortable for them both, snug and safe.]
Does that feel better?
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Yeah...Lot fuckin' better. [ He gives her hand a gentle squeeze. ] ...Ya can do that whenever ya want, ya know. Jus' ask.
[ Because they both benefit from it. ]
An'...maybe lemme do it for ya sometime?
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[she knows what it takes for him to relax and be softer with her. it's an effort she's happy to encourage, to push onwards in his life. if he wants to do something like combing out her hair, she's glad enough to let him.]