ᴊɪɴɢʟᴇ ʙᴇʟʟ ʀᴏᴄᴋ

[formidable]

Let's celebrate. Just a catchall for self-indulgent holiday-themed stuff.➤ Happy holidays! ➢ "Obligatory Christmas Music".

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[pragnanz]

[ The fact that Claude ducks into the Grind as often as he does is already drawing suspicion; couple that with sightings of a mysterious woman with the uncanny ability to appear and disappear in times of trouble, Claude should be doubly careful.

Should be.

He shutters his eyes closed for a beat as he feels the medicine work in him, like cool tendrils sliding over inflamed skin. It's a strange sensation, but not unwelcome. ]

That sounds far too peaceful. I've never known a holiday without some sort of sharp item in someone's face.

[ A huff, almost a laugh, and he opens one eye. ]

That said, I won't be missed. [ He usually declines 'family' gatherings, anyway. Too awkward. ] I suppose a day or two in your care won't hurt my business too terribly.

[infusion]

[Iona's face brightens up after applying the last swab of disinfectant.]

Then I'm taking that as a definite, "Yes." Good!

My semester at college is finished too. Talk about good timing!

[That means she can use the extra free time to be with him instead of their occupations taking the center stage of their lives. Iona's been doing her best to balance things out not only for her sake but for his now that their priorities have shifted.

The witch stands up stretching her fingers and wiping them down with a tea towel.]

If you're staying with me, our holidays will probably see some mildly chilly, but still sunny weather. Sounds great right?

[pragnanz]

No pneumonia and coughing children? A miracle.

[ As if he doesn't look forward to breaking the monotony of opening up bodies with a sick kid or two. With everything patched up, he lets himself unwind in increments; it starts from the bottom up, with his legs uncrossing and his toes flexing inside his expensive shoes.

It's alarming how safe he feels here, nestled between holiday decor and a person he's come to sincerely love.

Not that he'd say so. ]

I'll have to dress for the weather. A three-piece is a bit much, no?

1/2

[infusion]

Got'cha covered!

[She gestures at him with a cute and triumphant thumbs up. Although, without thinking, she follows up with...]

Anyways, I guess you can room with me—

[infusion]

—Or here! Here! I can make a room!

[Iona's stopped herself after realizing what kind of suggestion she's made and the embarrassment is clear as day upon her features.]

I mean, you need your space, right? Right? Right.

[And not that she's going to point it out, but Oren hasn't been present for a while and he won't be because he's on an extended break of sorts with her grandmother. Iona's finding herself off-balance when her interactions are not being monitored and silently judged by the golem.

She's mumbling to herself now and wringing the towel in her hands nervously.]

Not that you can't stay with me, but... Um.

[pragnanz]

[ Oh. Well.

He hears it— the backtracking, the mumbled half-honest addendum. Most people in his line of work would consider such a half-baked proposal a poor one, but in terms of matters of the heart? Iona is a master negotiator.

He has the upper hand here... or so he fancies. He knows what he'd prefer, but he'd rather let her work towards it.

(Or maybe he just likes digging his own grave. That, too.) ]

For someone who likes to insist that I don't need my space, you're suddenly eager to give it.

[ If she wanted to give him space, she would have let him be a coward ages ago. He smiles thinly, but not unkindly. ]

I've been told I don't snore.

[infusion]

[She feigns a pout although the blush on her cheeks is still apparent.]

Alright.

[Iona plops back down onto her chair and takes Claude's hands in hers decisively.]

You're staying at my place before either of us change our minds. And uh... Implications aside...!

[She gestures wildly with one hand as if trying to dismiss any "strange" notions of what may or may not follow.]

It's our first Christmas together so I want you to be here. [The witch beams at him.]

Last time, we left things hanging, remember?

[She refers to the other year during the holiday season where they only started to acknowledge that they had a modicum of attraction towards each other and that was it. But it's that and more now and it creates a pleasantly fuzzy sensation in her chest knowing they've come this far.]

[pragnanz]

[ A sliver of him balks at the idea, at the fact that Iona says "first". It's the part of him that wants commitment but hates the thought that it could be temporary, the part of him that gets his hopes up about a "next time" only to be disappointed that his shortcomings have made it impossible for people to stay. Supposedly.

But he swallows that bile down, and lets it sit in his stomach. He tries for a smile, but it's not as breezily condescending as he'd like it to be; it verges on sincere and he immediately regrets it.

Her hands are warm in his, and he watches her fingers curl for a second before he brings them up to his lips. ]

Ah. Yes, there were some loose ends. There still are.

[ A breath, through his nose. ]

...As an Aubert, I can assure you that my family doesn't leave anything unfinished.

[infusion]

[Deep down, while Iona deals with all of life's problem's with a foolish veneer of bravado, Claude coming in with his injuries really gave her a good reminder once again about what their time together will entail. There's a lot she knows she needs to do. She needs to be careful, she needs to not assume everything will go well, she needs to remember he has a lot of enemies on his side and that...

The touch of his lips on her fingers makes her think, that instead, she needs this. She needs to be with him.

There's a short laugh and when she glances up... Ah. Well. Iona grins when she sees the mistletoe and points above the good doctor's head.]

Then we're in luck! I'll admit, I totally regretted not going for it at that time.

[pragnanz]

[ He's trouble. He knows it, has known it since he was born. Oren's been correct from the get-go; Iona probably would be safer and more secure with someone who isn't ostensibly from a gang family.

That said, he flicks his gaze up at the mistletoe and scoffs under his breath. ]

I taste like medicine.

[ A warning. Thanks, Claude. ]

[infusion]

Uh huh. [She relinquishes his hands and crosses her arms jokingly.]

And when has that ever stopped me?

[And true to her words, she's scooting closer to him.]

[pragnanz]

[ He doesn't move where he's reclining in his chair. He might have, a few months ago, but that's then and this is now.

A sing-song hum, vaguely patronizing. It's offset by the fond slant of his lips. ]

Nothing stops you. It'll be the death of you, one day.

[ He tips his head, and leans closer. ] Are you feeling lucky?

[infusion]

[She chuckles bending her head down for a second before looking up at him again. Her eyes are twinkling with unending affection. Although she wouldn't admit it at this moment, Iona does feel some nervousness at the newness of it all.]

Absolutely. This time, I'm hitting my mark.

[And true to her word, her lips catch him in a soft and warm kiss. This time there's no avoidance, little of that coyness that had them running around in circles around each other, and no doubts.]

[pragnanz]

[ He'd expected a fraction more of her previous hesitation, but he doesn't find it when their lips meet. It's entirely new to him too, the sudden surge of protectiveness and comfort that wells from between his ribs, but he doesn't swallow it back this time around; he just lets it float, simmer.

A tip of his chin, and he's reciprocating. Despite the warning about tasting like mint-green medicine, he parts his lips just a fraction and lines the seams of their mouths together more properly, exhaling on her inhale. ]

[infusion]

[When witches aren't being benevolent, they veer on the side of being greedy. And that's a shade of how Iona feels right now because when Claude returns her kiss so readily it makes her want more, to take more, and just...!

The scent and taste of mint are equally pleasant but also keeps her senses alert. She doesn't remain stationary and after a few seconds to let him have a taste of her, she moves her lips so it brushes his bottom one and the corner of his mouth before she pulls back, her own face feeling overly warm.]

Aha... See? Told you I'd do it.

[For all of her overt and sometimes overbearing affection, Iona can be surprisingly demure when it comes to expressing it in deeper ways. She's greedy but sometimes clumsy in trying to acquire what she wants. But most importantly, at least it's genuine.]