tragic_mask | (no subject)

"And I enjoy carrying you," he smiles. "It feels so... close, so intimate. So comfortable. You're the perfect height for this."

"I'm glad," she says. "I wouldn't want you cutting off any shins just to make things easier."

"Oh, no," he says, "you've got such lovely shins. You could be a shin model, too, if you decide that hands aren't enough."

"And what would I model?" she asks, amused.

"Shoes, I think," he says. "Those silly shoes that cost more than many cars."

A pause.

"Shoes and boots."

"Oh, well, I mostly own very tall boots, which would conceal my shins altogether. I could have very ugly shins, for all you'd know."

"But I've seen them," he protests, with a quiet chuckle. "They are beautiful. Maybe a little bruised, but everyone has that, now and then."

"Bruised, really?" she says, trying to get a glimpse. "I'd hope they'd be unblemished. My body is that way, generally. And that isn't hubris, right?" She smiles.

"Not hubris at all, simply a fact," he says. "And I am very fond of your shins--and the rest of you, of course, though I will refrain from naming a favorite part so that you won't get self-conscious. But I think I did see a faint bruise last night--of course, the lights were dim..."

She feigns shock. "I don't believe it. Your roving eyes must be lying to you."

"I probably just kicked you by accident in my sleep," he says lightly. "It could happen."

He chuckles, and shakes his head.

"Probably," she says dubiously, and wrinkles her nose at him.

"If I ever do, you're free to kick me back," he says. "I probably deserve it, anyway."

"Oh, I'm not afraid to get rough," she says, "If the situation requires it."

"A woman after my own heart, such as it is," he grins. "You know, it just may."

"I'm sure it will, with you around."

"Women love dangerous men," he says, attempting to look serious, and only partly succeeding. "I can't help it. I doubt you'd want me any other way."

"Oh, of course not."

"So you'll just have to put up with the occasional accidental sleep-kicking, and do the occasional accidental somewhat harder sleep-kicking in return. Or whatever else you feel is appropriate."

"I'll keep that in mind," she says. "However, in my experience, your sleeping pattern is quite... rock-like."

"Your calming influence, I'm sure," he says with a smile. "Or possibly from drinking. Or a long day in the car."

"Could be all three," she says, sagely. "But I'd rather attribute it to the other three than the fact that I'm dull."

"You're not dull, not at all. Well... I have to admit, you're not exactly exciting to watch when you're sleeping. But it's peaceful, not dull."

Another pause.

"I'm not making my case very well for not being creepy, here."

"Yeah... I feel like I shouldn't be letting you carry me wherever your whims take you."

"Do you want me to set you down?" he asks with a smile. "Because I will, if you like. We're almost there, anyway."