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You and Julian managed to slip over the stone fence and pressed your backs against the solid chill. The both of you focusing intently for the guards who spotted you by the waterway. After several heavy heartbeats neither of you could hear any trace of the now wayward guards.
You released a massive sigh and turned to see your plague doctor companion inspecting statues of mythical beasts wearing cracks and blemishes from abandonment. Exotic, flamboyant flora left to compete with drab botanical pests. As you finished soaking in the scene, you meet his once amused gaze to one that you likely wore yourself.
As if sensing an incoming focus on him, "How did our little rendezvous treat you? Didn't snag and tear on anything on the way down?"
You knew where this song and dance would go. How he would want it to go. As if you could possibly forget the vampire eel wound he took from you less than an hour ago. Your eyes slid down to his side with partially dried blood. In the dim light you couldn't see signs of fresh blood, but you wouldn't place much trust in his own words when asked.
Your disregard for his concern and soon personal space caught him off guard.
"Ha. Feeling that adrenaline eh? I could show you a dance you may have never seen-" He tried to evade once more.
Your palm pressed lightly, experimentally into his wounded side. His silence was so sudden, yet he didn't pull away. You added a bit more pressure as you felt emboldened to point out you weren't going to be so easily distracted.
You met his gaze ready to call him out that his mysterious magical curse hasn't fully healed him just yet. His expression was far from sheepish. A slight wince was buried under a layer of blush. Apparently he was okay enough for this impromptu trust exercise?
You added just that much more pressure. He seemed so close to buckling down onto his knees that he grasped onto both of your shoulders. He seemed anything, but reluctant for whatever you deemed appropriate in this situation. You weren't quite sure what that would be, but probably best not here even as abandoned as it obviously was.
You released your palm and offered to shoulder more of him as he recollected himself. He leaned into you and you felt the warmth of his ragged breaths on your nape.
"That wasn't the dance I had in mind," He ventured with trepidation.
"It was interesting to say the least." You found yourself following his brevity.
He huffed a derisive laugh, "You can call it strange. Disgusting even. If you want, if you can forget this ever happened-."
"No. That's not at all what I meant. I would like to... See more of that if you would want me to. Preferably not in public. We just barely evaded guards after all."
His chuckle shifted into more genuine hardiness. "Ever the responsible one. I will happily follow your lead then. When you uh... Deem a better place and time."