[He keeps the blade nearby, making sure it doesn't touch the soapy water so to avoid even more a sting when he cuts again. And he will have to, because that clearly wasn't enough of a drink to keep Alucard awake for long.]
An impressive feat, on your part.
[Curling a hand over Alucard's shoulder, he carefully eases him back, seating him properly against the ceramic before tearing into his arm. A bigger cut, this time, so it'll linger long enough for a proper drink.]
No teeth. [An odd thing to specify after last time, but he has his reasons. He holds the limb back over Alucard's mouth.]
Rip was distressed about your absence. And Integra asked after you. If you haven't already, send them a message once we're done here.
[Not that he needs to be reminded, in Integra's case, but Rip, well- he might not think to without a reminder.]
[ teasing. kind of. he's certainly less agitated than he was to start with, probably a combination of being talked down and sinking into the bath. he's pliant when he's moved, though his gaze is hawk-like when anderson tears into his arm.
he hums to indicate he'd heard, and though he's curious why he's not in the mental space to ask after it right now, and especially not when he's still hungry enough to latch onto the wound in a manner almost desperate. so he drinks carefully, not biting down, just gulping down blood until the wound heals. then he just--lingers a moment, eyes lidded, before he sits up a bit. ]
Mm, I--texted Integra while I waited for you to come and get me. [ so he responded to anderson's messages first? his was the most recent, after all. ] I'll... text Rip later.
[ he sighs, using this moment of lucidity to start to wash off the lingering 'morgue' aura. ]
I gave Integra your information when she arrived, in case she needed to contact you. I didn't imagine she'd need to that soon. i was going to tell you she was here when I got home from work, but since I got murdered on the way to work, that kind of ruined my plans for the evening. I'd just found her the night before, and I didn't see you that evening.
[That should be enough blood, for the moment. He sets the knife aside in favour of grabbing a big, oval loofah (obviously his own purchase, because Alucard doesn't shop for bath accompaniments), which he dips into the water to get nice and wet before applying it to Alucard's shoulders. He's not going to get rid of the corpse smell simply by sitting in the water.
The spiel prompts him to arch an eyebrow. He hadn't thought his comment insinuated anything, but maybe it did.]
That's detailed of you. [Almost sounds like he's coming up with an excuse on the fly, since people tend to over-compensate when doing that.] There's no need to be- odd about it; not everything in your life has to be my business.
[Sure, he took it personally, but that's irrational, and he knows that; it's been in the back of his mind that things would change if Integra returned, and certainly would change if they ever returned home, and it was just- foolish, to let himself get so attached. It's his own fault that he's hurting.
He runs the loofah across Alucard's clavicle.]
Do you need more hot water, or does this suffice? [His free hand finds Alucard's knee, pressing it back to test its flexibility.]
[ ah, he's still helping. alucard appreciates that too, though he doesn't exactly appreciate the way the conversation is going: he doesn't think he's being odd at all. he also doesn't understand that anderson might be hurting, or why: it's clear he's always been obsessed with both of them, and that should be enough.
(he really doesn't understand emotions.)
he shakes his head, scowling. ]
I'm not being odd about it. I'm mad being killed ruined my plans. I thought someone from home appearing was pertinent information for you to know.
[ god!!!!
anyway. his knee bends properly, and he watches it, testing out his arms as well and shrugging. ]
I think I'm alright now.
[ eventually he sighs, leaning in to brush his lips along anderson's jaw. it's affectionate, openly so, in contrast to his earlier agitation. ]
[Going into that much detail is odd, Alucard! A 'oh right, I was going to tell you she was here, but I died' would have sufficed.
He snorts, but lets that subject drop, since Alucard clearly isn't pleased with it and he did just die. A little rest and relaxation is required.]
No need to thank me. Being helpful to each other is generally how we function.
[Sorry, that sounds awkward. Thinking about Integra has made him awkward.
Anyway, he continues to clean off Alucard's shoulders, and arms, and chest, steadily scrubbing away the scent of the morgue. He'll smell like banana, once he's out of here (don't judge Anderson's choice of bath scents. He discovered Lush recently, okay).
In response to the lips at his jaw, he drops his head, slipping out from under them. It's discreet enough that it would be easy enough to shrug off as absentmindedness.]
I'll have to find out where Alessandro's residence is. Mr. Sim's ought to know- though the man isn't my biggest fan, at the moment, so I'm not sure how readily he'll give me that information. [His hand descends beneath the water, running the loofah down Alucard's navel.] I may be in for a hunt.
[ it does sound awkward though. he's the one being weird, and alucard doesn't get it. he likes it best when there's an ease between them, and that is--not this. the way anderson avoids his kiss bothers him too, though it shouldn't: clearly he's just not really paying attention.
(which also agitates him slightly, since we all know how alucard feels when he's being ignored, even accidentally. it doesn't occur to him that anderson would actively avoid the affection, especially since they're already in the bath together, you weirdo. )
he pushes past it though, for now, telling himself it certainly wasn't on purpose, and then he nods. at some point during this he's grabbed shampoo to work on his hair, both because there's blood in it and because it smells like death. ]
It'd be easiest if there were a directory, but that's just inviting problems for the innocent. [ surprisingly, he makes no raunchy comment as anderson's hand dips lower. maybe he's too tired. ] A hunt, though--if I thought I'd be any use against his shitty methods, I'd ask to join you for the fun.
[This is affection enough on its own, isn't it? There's the steady swipe of his hand, the proximity. He knows Alucard wants and needs closeness right now and he is providing that, if in a controlled manner. And, to be honest, he wants it too, after being afraid that Alucard was gone for three days straight. But if he indulges himself, he'll just end up being frustrated later.
The loofah moves up his thigh next, over his knee, and then down the length of his leg, with Anderson shuffling back to scrub at the hard to reach crevices.]
Are you really that helpless as a man? You were a war lord, once, and he wouldn't have the jump on you this time.
[Not that he's going to invite Alucard along, because he's not entirely sure what being turned human again would do to Alucard after he was in the morgue for three days.]
Or do I need to start taking you to the gym? I could tie him to your back while you have a go on the treadmills. Double the exercise.
[Don't go to the gym with Anderson. Clearly it wouldn't end well.]
[ it is affection, sure, but he always wants more, craves more: everything is never enough, for alucard, who endured so long without any affection at all. it's left him starved, and once someone grants it to him, he doesn't exactly understand why it would be recinded unless he did something wrong.
he rolls his eyes and doesn't answer at first, briefly dunking himself under the water to rinse his hair. sure, it makes him tired again, but it's a necessary evil. ]
I'm not helpless. Look, it just makes me uncomfortable. Being human. I don't deserve humanity, and I don't like it being forced on me, either, even if it's temporary during a fight.
[ ooh, now he's grumpy again. his eyes narrow, but then he just says, childishly: ]
[Seeing the droop of Alucard's body as he rises out of the water, Anderson sighs, retrieves the knife, and sets it against his forearm again. Just once more should be enough.]
That's fair enough. But you might benefit from brushing up, all the same. You've been relying on your endowments for too long. If we ever got depowered in the middle of a battle, for whatever reason, I'd like you to be able to hold your own.
[Once again, he draws the knife deep into his forearm and presents the wound.]
It might be a better idea to spar on the beach. I'll remind you how to fight like a man.
[Maybe a tiny bit of teasing in there, since Alucard's childishness invites it.]
[ he does appreciate being fed so dutifully. it's--intimate in its own way, even if anderson is using a knife now and not letting him bite (which reminds him of integra, because of course it does). ]
Mm. You have a good point. I suppose I should work on it.
[ with a sigh, he sets his mouth to the wound again, urging out as much blood as he can get before the skin closes up again. his lips brush in another casual affection, even if he is a bit hilariously pressed about being made fun of. ]
You know I'm always ready to spar on the beach, man or monster.
[ he looks at him, running his tongue over his teeth, and smiles sharply. ]
[If Anderson knew he was thinking of Integra while feeding off him, it sure would sting. As it is, he drops his arm away once Alucard has finished, stifling any reaction to that brush of lips.
To Alucard's sharp smile, he offers one of his own.]
None of those bells or whistles of yours. Just your fists and that sword. I'm curious to see how you'll do.
[He resumes washing Alucard, making quick work of the rest of him, scrubbing his legs and stomach and hands, taking care to reach every inch. The banana scented soap is doing its work: he smells much better.]
Though you do have a hard punch. That, I'm well aware of. Last time we fought with fists, I haemorrhaged internally and spat blood for the following thirty minutes.
[ not like that!!! it's just--an interesting, and confusing, change, to go back to the carefully less intimate means that integra used to use, instead of letting alucard just mouth at him hungrily.
the thought of a fight is exciting though, and cants his head to look at him properly, eyes just as sharp as his smile. ]
We'll do that, then. I assure you, I'll hold my own.
[ he barks a laugh at that last comment, shaking his head. ]
I put a lot of power into those punches, you know.
[ he puts a lot of power into everything he does. once he's all clean he does feel much better, even if he does smell like bananas now. it's not a bad scent, just, you know, fruity. he rinses off, considering just--lingering in the tub, flopping down against anderson, but some tiny part of his brain tells him no, and instead of going through with it, he listens.
the water is cooling down and he's pleasantly room-temperature at least, and eventually, eventually, he starts to claw his way out of the tub. mostly because he wants a nap. ]
I know very well how much power you put behind them.
[And Anderson's gives back just as hard. He probably lost a few souls through that fight alone.
The scent of bananas is strong enough that it lingers on both of them when they vacate the tub. Alucard more so than him, obviously. He hands Alucard a towel before he grabs one for himself, making a thorough job of drying since he doesn't much enjoy walking around while damp.]
Oh damn- I forgot clothes.
[Ugh, he hates walking out of the bathroom naked, but he'll just have to endure it since the alternative is putting on underwear he's already worn (he's a little unnecessarily finicky about these things, at times). Alucard would probably appreciate some sweats to lounge in, anyway; compelling forth clothes might take energy he simply doesn't have.
He ties the towel around his waist, stepping out to first retrieve underwear from his room, then grab some sweatpants and a shirt to toss in Alucard's general direction- which is to say, they land directly on Alucard's face.]
Are you going to lie down, or have you done enough lying down recently? I can bring some bags to your room, if need be. Just try to aim for the bin I've put in there when you're finished with them.
[ alucard takes a while to dry off. it's an effort he doesn't really feel like putting forth, but if he stays wet he's just going to get everything damp and gross and cold.
he does watch anderson trail out of the bathroom though, and he's in the hall in a towel when the clothes get thrown at him. he scowls but doesn't complain, dragging the fabric down and changing into them quickly. for a guy as exhibitionistic as him, he likes being covered up--doubly so now, with the ugly scar in his chest.
at the question he sighs, shrugging and scrubbing at his hair with the towel just in case. ]
You'd think being dead would be restful, but I'm exhausted. I'll probably try to sleep some. That--would help, thanks.
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no subject
An impressive feat, on your part.
[Curling a hand over Alucard's shoulder, he carefully eases him back, seating him properly against the ceramic before tearing into his arm. A bigger cut, this time, so it'll linger long enough for a proper drink.]
No teeth. [An odd thing to specify after last time, but he has his reasons. He holds the limb back over Alucard's mouth.]
Rip was distressed about your absence. And Integra asked after you. If you haven't already, send them a message once we're done here.
[Not that he needs to be reminded, in Integra's case, but Rip, well- he might not think to without a reminder.]
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[ teasing. kind of. he's certainly less agitated than he was to start with, probably a combination of being talked down and sinking into the bath. he's pliant when he's moved, though his gaze is hawk-like when anderson tears into his arm.
he hums to indicate he'd heard, and though he's curious why he's not in the mental space to ask after it right now, and especially not when he's still hungry enough to latch onto the wound in a manner almost desperate. so he drinks carefully, not biting down, just gulping down blood until the wound heals. then he just--lingers a moment, eyes lidded, before he sits up a bit. ]
Mm, I--texted Integra while I waited for you to come and get me. [ so he responded to anderson's messages first? his was the most recent, after all. ] I'll... text Rip later.
[ he sighs, using this moment of lucidity to start to wash off the lingering 'morgue' aura. ]
I gave Integra your information when she arrived, in case she needed to contact you. I didn't imagine she'd need to that soon. i was going to tell you she was here when I got home from work, but since I got murdered on the way to work, that kind of ruined my plans for the evening. I'd just found her the night before, and I didn't see you that evening.
no subject
The spiel prompts him to arch an eyebrow. He hadn't thought his comment insinuated anything, but maybe it did.]
That's detailed of you. [Almost sounds like he's coming up with an excuse on the fly, since people tend to over-compensate when doing that.] There's no need to be- odd about it; not everything in your life has to be my business.
[Sure, he took it personally, but that's irrational, and he knows that; it's been in the back of his mind that things would change if Integra returned, and certainly would change if they ever returned home, and it was just- foolish, to let himself get so attached. It's his own fault that he's hurting.
He runs the loofah across Alucard's clavicle.]
Do you need more hot water, or does this suffice? [His free hand finds Alucard's knee, pressing it back to test its flexibility.]
no subject
(he really doesn't understand emotions.)
he shakes his head, scowling. ]
I'm not being odd about it. I'm mad being killed ruined my plans. I thought someone from home appearing was pertinent information for you to know.
[ god!!!!
anyway. his knee bends properly, and he watches it, testing out his arms as well and shrugging. ]
I think I'm alright now.
[ eventually he sighs, leaning in to brush his lips along anderson's jaw. it's affectionate, openly so, in contrast to his earlier agitation. ]
Thanks. For helping me out.
no subject
He snorts, but lets that subject drop, since Alucard clearly isn't pleased with it and he did just die. A little rest and relaxation is required.]
No need to thank me. Being helpful to each other is generally how we function.
[Sorry, that sounds awkward. Thinking about Integra has made him awkward.
Anyway, he continues to clean off Alucard's shoulders, and arms, and chest, steadily scrubbing away the scent of the morgue. He'll smell like banana, once he's out of here (don't judge Anderson's choice of bath scents. He discovered Lush recently, okay).
In response to the lips at his jaw, he drops his head, slipping out from under them. It's discreet enough that it would be easy enough to shrug off as absentmindedness.]
I'll have to find out where Alessandro's residence is. Mr. Sim's ought to know- though the man isn't my biggest fan, at the moment, so I'm not sure how readily he'll give me that information. [His hand descends beneath the water, running the loofah down Alucard's navel.] I may be in for a hunt.
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[ it does sound awkward though. he's the one being weird, and alucard doesn't get it. he likes it best when there's an ease between them, and that is--not this. the way anderson avoids his kiss bothers him too, though it shouldn't: clearly he's just not really paying attention.
(which also agitates him slightly, since we all know how alucard feels when he's being ignored, even accidentally. it doesn't occur to him that anderson would actively avoid the affection, especially since they're already in the bath together, you weirdo. )
he pushes past it though, for now, telling himself it certainly wasn't on purpose, and then he nods. at some point during this he's grabbed shampoo to work on his hair, both because there's blood in it and because it smells like death. ]
It'd be easiest if there were a directory, but that's just inviting problems for the innocent. [ surprisingly, he makes no raunchy comment as anderson's hand dips lower. maybe he's too tired. ] A hunt, though--if I thought I'd be any use against his shitty methods, I'd ask to join you for the fun.
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The loofah moves up his thigh next, over his knee, and then down the length of his leg, with Anderson shuffling back to scrub at the hard to reach crevices.]
Are you really that helpless as a man? You were a war lord, once, and he wouldn't have the jump on you this time.
[Not that he's going to invite Alucard along, because he's not entirely sure what being turned human again would do to Alucard after he was in the morgue for three days.]
Or do I need to start taking you to the gym? I could tie him to your back while you have a go on the treadmills. Double the exercise.
[Don't go to the gym with Anderson. Clearly it wouldn't end well.]
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he rolls his eyes and doesn't answer at first, briefly dunking himself under the water to rinse his hair. sure, it makes him tired again, but it's a necessary evil. ]
I'm not helpless. Look, it just makes me uncomfortable. Being human. I don't deserve humanity, and I don't like it being forced on me, either, even if it's temporary during a fight.
[ ooh, now he's grumpy again. his eyes narrow, but then he just says, childishly: ]
I don't need to go to the gym. That's ridiculous.
no subject
That's fair enough. But you might benefit from brushing up, all the same. You've been relying on your endowments for too long. If we ever got depowered in the middle of a battle, for whatever reason, I'd like you to be able to hold your own.
[Once again, he draws the knife deep into his forearm and presents the wound.]
It might be a better idea to spar on the beach. I'll remind you how to fight like a man.
[Maybe a tiny bit of teasing in there, since Alucard's childishness invites it.]
no subject
Mm. You have a good point. I suppose I should work on it.
[ with a sigh, he sets his mouth to the wound again, urging out as much blood as he can get before the skin closes up again. his lips brush in another casual affection, even if he is a bit hilariously pressed about being made fun of. ]
You know I'm always ready to spar on the beach, man or monster.
[ he looks at him, running his tongue over his teeth, and smiles sharply. ]
no subject
To Alucard's sharp smile, he offers one of his own.]
None of those bells or whistles of yours. Just your fists and that sword. I'm curious to see how you'll do.
[He resumes washing Alucard, making quick work of the rest of him, scrubbing his legs and stomach and hands, taking care to reach every inch. The banana scented soap is doing its work: he smells much better.]
Though you do have a hard punch. That, I'm well aware of. Last time we fought with fists, I haemorrhaged internally and spat blood for the following thirty minutes.
no subject
the thought of a fight is exciting though, and cants his head to look at him properly, eyes just as sharp as his smile. ]
We'll do that, then. I assure you, I'll hold my own.
[ he barks a laugh at that last comment, shaking his head. ]
I put a lot of power into those punches, you know.
[ he puts a lot of power into everything he does. once he's all clean he does feel much better, even if he does smell like bananas now. it's not a bad scent, just, you know, fruity. he rinses off, considering just--lingering in the tub, flopping down against anderson, but some tiny part of his brain tells him no, and instead of going through with it, he listens.
the water is cooling down and he's pleasantly room-temperature at least, and eventually, eventually, he starts to claw his way out of the tub. mostly because he wants a nap. ]
no subject
[And Anderson's gives back just as hard. He probably lost a few souls through that fight alone.
The scent of bananas is strong enough that it lingers on both of them when they vacate the tub. Alucard more so than him, obviously. He hands Alucard a towel before he grabs one for himself, making a thorough job of drying since he doesn't much enjoy walking around while damp.]
Oh damn- I forgot clothes.
[Ugh, he hates walking out of the bathroom naked, but he'll just have to endure it since the alternative is putting on underwear he's already worn (he's a little unnecessarily finicky about these things, at times). Alucard would probably appreciate some sweats to lounge in, anyway; compelling forth clothes might take energy he simply doesn't have.
He ties the towel around his waist, stepping out to first retrieve underwear from his room, then grab some sweatpants and a shirt to toss in Alucard's general direction- which is to say, they land directly on Alucard's face.]
Are you going to lie down, or have you done enough lying down recently? I can bring some bags to your room, if need be. Just try to aim for the bin I've put in there when you're finished with them.
no subject
he does watch anderson trail out of the bathroom though, and he's in the hall in a towel when the clothes get thrown at him. he scowls but doesn't complain, dragging the fabric down and changing into them quickly. for a guy as exhibitionistic as him, he likes being covered up--doubly so now, with the ugly scar in his chest.
at the question he sighs, shrugging and scrubbing at his hair with the towel just in case. ]
You'd think being dead would be restful, but I'm exhausted. I'll probably try to sleep some. That--would help, thanks.
[ he'll aim for the bin, but no promises. ]