[ that sigh drifts in and he redoubles his efforts to help her let go of some tension, but then her foot jerks and he frowns, rubbing his hands more gently where he'd gone too hard in apology. ] Did I hurt you? [ he asks, hunching over to press a kiss against her foot without thinking overly about the gesture. kiss it better. ]
...You're right, as usual. Make any progress today?
[She's just about to answer him when he kisses her foot, and a shiver courses through her. He either has no idea what he's doing and is just incredibly smooth without trying, or he's secretly knows exactly what he's doing and is intentionally trying to get her to react. She can't decide which one, and her brain momentarily short circuits.]
No, it didn't hurt. [She distractedly answers, breath shaky.] It was just a sensitive spot. It tickled.
[Wait...are they still talking about her feet, or did he ask her something about her work?]
This is the most progress I've made in days.
[He's doing a good job of getting her to relax and be tense at the same time.]
[ he nods in understanding, more careful this time as he works over the spot in question, going deeper so it doesn't tickle and pressing the heel of his hand against the worst of it to get it to straighten out. the truth is he has no idea how this is affecting her, he just wants to do something nice and also put himself to task to try and put his day out of his mind. after another moment, frank gently sets her foot aside and starts on the other, repeating the same exact process. ]
That's great, Karen.
[ there isn't anything dismissive about it, it's deeply sincere. he's so glad people are finally getting over their shit and working together, and of course he couldn't be more supportive of seeing her at the helm. ]
[She laughs, because she was vague and she hadn't been referring to actual work at all.]
I meant that this is the most progress I've made. You getting me to relax. I'll probably be able to get more done tomorrow.
[But hearing the sincerity in his voice and knowing that he's proud of her makes her happy. He always says that she gives him strength, but she isn't sure he knows how much he gives to her in return.]
[She halfway sits up, hand reaching to press against the top of his head. It slides down until she's touching his cheek. Her eyes just meet his for a few quiet seconds, and she smiles in a way that's rare for her. Unguarded and at ease, he's done a damn good job of making things better.]
You really shouldn't have let me know you were so good with your hands. I could get used to this.
[ the way she smiles at him then, it's almost too much for him to take. but he does, meeting her eyes gamely and leaning his face into her hand even when bruises protest. ]
I'm not worried, I've still got a few secrets left.
[Her thumb runs along his cheek, careful to mind his bruises. She's so used to him being covered in them that she doesn't really take notice of when she should be more gentle or not touch him at all.]
Well, I'd be disappointed if I learned all your secrets right away.
[Her hand taps his cheek before sliding down to his jumpsuit, giving it a tug so he'll join her in laying down.]
[ he should really get out of his jumpsuit, maybe brush his teeth, but he's comfortable, ridiculously so. he knows he'll only sleep for a few hours, but it's worth it to be at her side. so he lets her wrestle him down under the covers, the top of his head brushing her collarbone. ]
So I should expect you to leave me for some enigmatic stranger then. [ his eyes are already closed, he's drifting, but still yapping away apparently. it's funny how stoic he can be during waking hours, but now that he's too tired to keep his eyes open he's babbling. ]
[She laughs, head turning so her nose bumps and presses against his temple.]
I didn't know there was anyone more enigmatic out there than you.
[The effort it takes to keep her eyes open any longer is intense. They haven't gotten undressed, having done any of the nightly routines they easily fall into. It might be something they regret the next morning, but they can just learn from their mistakes. As she starts to drift off, she finds just enough energy to mentally blame Matt for this exhaustion.]
I'm an open book, Karen. [ he protests, already mostly asleep. one hand palms her hip as his breathing evens out and he finally gives into the rest his body sorely needs. ]
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...You're right, as usual. Make any progress today?
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No, it didn't hurt. [She distractedly answers, breath shaky.] It was just a sensitive spot. It tickled.
[Wait...are they still talking about her feet, or did he ask her something about her work?]
This is the most progress I've made in days.
[He's doing a good job of getting her to relax and be tense at the same time.]
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That's great, Karen.
[ there isn't anything dismissive about it, it's deeply sincere. he's so glad people are finally getting over their shit and working together, and of course he couldn't be more supportive of seeing her at the helm. ]
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I meant that this is the most progress I've made. You getting me to relax. I'll probably be able to get more done tomorrow.
[But hearing the sincerity in his voice and knowing that he's proud of her makes her happy. He always says that she gives him strength, but she isn't sure he knows how much he gives to her in return.]
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[ she always does. he looks up at her when he's done, like a dog begging for praise. ]
It's better?
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[She halfway sits up, hand reaching to press against the top of his head. It slides down until she's touching his cheek. Her eyes just meet his for a few quiet seconds, and she smiles in a way that's rare for her. Unguarded and at ease, he's done a damn good job of making things better.]
You really shouldn't have let me know you were so good with your hands. I could get used to this.
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I'm not worried, I've still got a few secrets left.
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Well, I'd be disappointed if I learned all your secrets right away.
[Her hand taps his cheek before sliding down to his jumpsuit, giving it a tug so he'll join her in laying down.]
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I thought that much was obvious, Frank.
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So I should expect you to leave me for some enigmatic stranger then. [ his eyes are already closed, he's drifting, but still yapping away apparently. it's funny how stoic he can be during waking hours, but now that he's too tired to keep his eyes open he's babbling. ]
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I didn't know there was anyone more enigmatic out there than you.
[The effort it takes to keep her eyes open any longer is intense. They haven't gotten undressed, having done any of the nightly routines they easily fall into. It might be something they regret the next morning, but they can just learn from their mistakes. As she starts to drift off, she finds just enough energy to mentally blame Matt for this exhaustion.]
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