The Ripper

William Jack Holloway

It was only out of his concern for the blonde girl that had his fingers roaming to make sure she was alright and had no cuts or breaks. It was the same concern she herself had used on him the night before, and truly the man made no notice of what she was wearing or the blush that crept up to her ears. No, he was only concerned in making sure she wasn't hurt. As it was, it was her words that threw the Victorian Duke rather than her appearance, his own cheeks flushing at the words she so abruptly cut herself off of saying. Sexual... what now? He, too, looked away from the girl as he tried to compose himself, an awkward noise escaping his throat. He had yet to consider any of those feelings with the girl in front of him - after all, it wasn't as though those feelings were ones he'd explored on in his youth or any time really in the passing two centuries. And yet he couldn't deny that she was... Clearing his throat, he looked back up at her as she finished explaining, nodding in understanding. "I er... I understand."

"What was that thing you did?" William asked, tilting his head to the side as he spoke his clear misunderstanding of the gesture that she had given the wall. He looked at her then, raising his own middle finger in an attempt to explain what he had meant. "I am not familiar with..." He asked, watching as she explained that she had not meant to fall. He didn't miss the smile on her lips nor the almost ghostly way she seemed to be lost in thought. "What is bothering you?" He asked as he leaned his head over on her shoulder. He wanted to curl into her and pull her down on the mat and kiss her over and over again. And perhaps he might have done so if not for the stiff posture of the woman beside her. Instead he continued to ramble at her in his sleepy British English, completely unaware that the words might not be ones that the woman was familiar with. At her voicing such a thing, he gave her another one of those lopsided grins. "I'm tired," He speaks, enunciating the words that she would not have understood. "I was sad when I woke up and you weren't there. I missed you."

His eyes followed her as she made him sit up and positioned herself in front of him. He reached up once more to run a hand through his hair and further making his hair stick up in every direction. His eyes travelled then, looking at the exposed skin of her stomach. Without thinking, he reached forward and let his fingers drift along the muscles of her stomach, a soft exhale leaving his lips at the feeling before, finally, he jerked his hand back. "You're beautiful," He murmured just as she spoke of needing to check the wounds. "I'm fine, Vhalla. I..." Still, he didn't hesitate as she stepped behind him to pull at the bandages to check the wounds. Instinctively, he winced. That long cut still felt like fire on his skin even though it would be healing by now, and the movement of the bandages only hurt more. At her scolding, he rolled his eyes. "You weren't in bed and I wanted to see you." He offered by means of explanation, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

It was the press of lips to his skin that caused the man to jump just slightly from the unexpected gesture. Still, he allowed his lips to spread into that warm smile. How he wanted to let her kiss any bit of him she wanted. Her lips were warm against his cool skin, and how he ached for her touch. But too soon she was on her feet once more and hauling him to his feet. "I'm okay, luv, I can walk," He insisted as she helped him put his arm across her shoulders. Still, he didn't move from the gesture. He was tired and he couldn't deny him leaning into her side to help him up those stairs once more. By the time they reached that landing, William was slightly breathless and his legs were shaking. God, how long would he be weak like this? He tried to control his breathing as she sat him down. Judging by the pain in his back, his wounds had opened once more at the effort.

He watched as she moved away from him and into the kitchen, offering her a small smile as she leaned against the stove. "Tea?" He asked, his body perking up just a bit at the idea of the beverage. Tea, however, was not a breakfast food. His brow furrowed slightly as he thought before he finally offered her a shrug - a gesture that made him wince. Yeah, his back was definitely bleeding again. Dammit. "I er. Eggs?" He asked, leaning forward to place his elbows on the counter. He rested his chin in his hands as he regarded her. "I like your outfit, Vhalla." That devilish grin appeared back on his features as he regarded his assassin. "You look sexy." The word sounded entirely foreign on his Victorian, British tongue, and yet he found himself entirely meaning the words.

But darling -- it's only human nature.