ishisstrength | IC CONTACT

[Her skirt, underwear and shoes littered the pathway towards the bathroom as they slip inside. It isn't a small bathroom bit it isn't too large either. There is a bathtub with a shower head, two sinks and a closet in the corner of the room. Justine pulls out two white plush towels and places them on the counter before pulling the shower screen and starting the water.

It'll take a few minutes for the shower water to warm.]

Me too.

[She steps towards him and presses her front lightly against him as she wraps her arms around his neck.]

Tell me about this. [Her fingers brush against his temple, where he'd taken off the eye patch, before letting her arm drape around his neck.] Please? [Justine continues to hear a soft voice telling her that this is a bad idea but she's enjoying the moment too much to want to stop.

Being close to him, feeling the head of his skin against her, it's all so perfect.]

[ Her voice was sweet in his ear, as sweet as any of the birds who'd called to him back in Sōtenbori. Crowding about him when he turned up bleeding, turning solicitous in those evenings when he walked alone. No, he thought. Lovelier. More dangerous.

Majima pressed a kiss to Justine's temple and let his fingers play with the dark ends of her hair. ]

You already saw part of it, didn't ya?

[ His voice was quiet now -- a low rumble that started in the back of his chest. There was a little birthmark on his throat below his chin, visible now without his collar or jacket to get in the way. ]

It was punishment, Justine. I wasn't a good dog.

I know. [Her voice is soft as her fingers trail down his check and then follow the curve of his neck. She let her palm rest against his shoulder as she voices the question that she'd stopped herself from asking back then.] I saw but what did you do? [He hadn't been a good dog…

She doesn't want to imagine the pain that he had endured but what had been so important for him to return, knowing that he'd be punished?

The shower continues to run and the bathroom slowly steams as the tempered water heats.]

[ Majima regarded her for a moment or two, studying her face. He seemed hardly to notice the rising steam. ]

...I disobeyed orders. I was supposed to work together with my brother to kill the head of a rival clan, and everyone the guy had with him. But my boss changed his mind at the last minute. Told me to call the whole thing off.

Only by then, Saejima was already on his way. If I followed orders, it'd mean leavin' my brother to die.

And you couldn't leave him. [Justine's expression softens.] You're very kind Majima. [It takes a lot of strength to be kind in a cruel world.]

Thank you, for telling me. [She knows the value of secrets, of histories and pasts left unspoken, but she's happy that he's willing to share that with her. It's a strange sort of happy and the kind of happiness she doesn't let her thoughts linger on.

Her fingers lace through his and Justine kisses his knuckles before pulling him towards the shower.]

I think the water is warm.

Kind...?

[ If anything, he expected her to recoil, not take him by the hand. In that moment of surprise, he simply followed her lead and stepped into the shower, letting the first of the heated droplets touch his skin. ]

Bein' too generous, aren't ya? He's the only brother I've got.

[ It would have been smarter, certainly, to simply stay put. But maybe that was an explanation for another time. For now, he hooked a thumb into the elastic holding back his hair, and pulled it loose to let it fall back over his shoulders. ]

You're so strange, Justine. I agreed to kill those guys, even if I never ended up doing it. That doesn't bother ya?

[The warm water splays against her back while the heavy moister of the steam collects in her dark hair, sticking the strands to her shoulders and cheeks.] I've seen families torn apart by less. [Blood may be thicker than water but Justine knows that blood doesn't always hold an alliance. Majima had made a choice back then and it's one that she can understand, not from personal experience but from watching others.

Family... whether related to you or not... is a valuable thing and it should be cherished.]

People die every day.

[Her head tilts thoughtfully to the side.]

If not you, then someone else would have likely taken your place. I do believe that innocence should be protected but no, it doesn't bother me.

That's pretty gangster.

[ Majima plucked a bottle of sweet-smelling shampoo up, regarded it for a second without really reading it. If anything, it was something to do to occupy his hands. ]

...Normal people, hardworkin', respectable citizens... we're not supposed to touch them.

[ Then he turned the label on the bottle toward her. ]

This might be changin' the subject a little, Justine, but is this your secret weapon? Am I gonna end up smellin' like flowers or fruit or something?

I don't know about that.

[The world isn't a perfect place but Justine has accepted it for what it is. It is strange, given Justine's sweet appearance, but she'd seen a great deal of the worlds darkness and refuses to away from it.

Her lips curl into a warm smile as she gently plucks the shampoo from Majima's fingers.] Does that mean you aren't supposed to touch me? I'd be very sad to hear that. [Maybe she isn't normal but Justine doesn't want such a perfect day turning into weighted conversation.] This is my favorite shampoo.

[She turns the label towards Majima, showing a picture of strawberries.]

I love strawberries. I do have regular soap too. If you'd prefer not to smell like me.

[Everything that Justine touches manages to smell like strawberries.]

[ There was a faint, answering smile on his face. ]

I told ya it'd be complicated.

[ But maybe he could leave the explanations for another time. For now, Majima bent to brush his lips against hers, which conveniently also brought him within easy arm's reach. ]

...And I don't mind if you don't.

[ And then he snuck a hand past her to pick up a loofah. There was something oddly canine in the way Majima tilted his head at it. 1988 was before things like liquid bath soap were popular, and certainly before someone like Majima would have heard of exfoliating. ]

What's this poofy thing for?

[His lips are warm and inviting, pulling Justine an inch or so out of the water to meet the pressure of the kiss. It's quick but it takes her a moment to remember what it is that they were talking about.

Her fingers run down the toned muscles of his chest and she exhales a warm sigh as her train of thought returns.]

I think I can handle complicated. [As long as there is a whole lot of touching.

Justine's attention is pulled towards the loofah and her smile turns into a warm laugh.] That? It's meant to wash yourself with. [She runs her fingers up his chest and then down his arms, enjoying the simple pleasure of his skin beneath her fingertips.] I can show you if you'd like. It feels good. I promise.

[It's been awhile since she's gotten to wash someone.]

Huh?

[ For some reason, this seemed to throw him for a bit of a loop. And maybe understandably so; sex was one thing, showering together was another... but letting someone rub some floofy thing on him? Wasn't that sort of... intimate? Majima ducked his gaze away for a second to buy himself a second to recover. ]

Uh, sure. Why don't we trade, then? I'll wash your hair for ya. Not to brag or anything, but I've gotten pretty good at handlin' long hair.

[ This was going to take some getting used to, going from being careful not to be overly familiar in his touch to... where they were at now. Not that that was an unpleasant idea, mind. ]

[Dark eyes shine with warmth as Justine takes the loofah from his hand.] Deal. [She grabs a light gray bottle of soap and pours a bit onto the loofah. It isn't the same as the strawberry shampoo that Majima had picked up earlier but this soap does have the subtle hint of orange mixed into the fresh clean smell.]

You have very lovely hair.

[She drags the loofah down his chest, gently pushing forward so that he steps out of the spraying water. Justine's strokes are methodical and meant to help clean his chest and arms but she takes her time and enjoys watching the soap bubble on his skin.]

Is this new?

[She asks after a pause, her eyes glancing up to meet his gaze.]

Hey, thanks. [ He smiled, a bit sheepishly. ]

I like yours a lot, too. It's all soft and curly at the ends.

[ Which probably explained why he seemed to enjoy playing with those curls so much.

Majima seemed a little surprised at first at the sensation -- not as soft as he expected. In fact, the loofah was sort of pleasantly abrasive against his skin. And it seemed to lather even better than washcloths did, was this one of the wonders of modern science? By the time Justine had moved onto one of his biceps, he was genuinely enjoying it. ]

New? Sorta. I've showered with someone else before. [ He reached his free arm around her for the shampoo, but was careful to keep the other still and semi-extended, so she could easily reach. ]

But there's more... dancin' around, I guess you'd call it. Usually I'm not touching a lady's shampoo on the first date.

[ Yes, clearly the shampoo was the important thing here. ]

[Majima's compliment earns him a bashful smile and a light pink blush as Justine refocuses on cleaning him. It isn't that she doesn't get compliments often but they feel weightier now and it makes her heart flutter nervously in her chest.]

Thank you.

[She drags the loofa down his arm and then back across his chest. She lets the scruffy material linger around his waist before pausing and biting her lower lip.] Is that so? [She wonders what he means but she's too interested in other things to focus on Majima's past shower experiences.] Would you be opposed to me cleaning lower? [She'll still get his back but Justine assumes its safer to ask how much of him she's allowed to wash.]

And this is a date?

[Her smile widens.]

Are we going to have a lot of shower dates?

[In that case she's cleaning every part of him that she can reach.]

Not at all.

[ It was probably a testament to how damn relaxed he'd somehow ended up feeling around Justine that the answer was out of his mouth before he knew it. He really didn't mind, but she looked so damn cute when she blushed... ]

And I figure we can have as many as ya like.

[ This time Majima was the one getting a little red. He had no idea while he was getting shy now, but go figure. All the same, he leaned in to press his forehead lightly against hers, hands lightly holding her own from below. ]

I was thinkin' it'd be nice to go out somewhere fun, though. Pizza and karaoke, maybe?

[She inhales a sharp breath, her lovely dark eyes rising to meet his as he leans forward and lightly presses his forehead against hers. It's a sweet gesture and chaste compared to what she's used too.]

I'd like that. [Justine hasn't ever been to karaoke before but it sounds like fun.] I don't know if I've ever been on a proper date. You might have to tell me how it goes. [Which also means he'd likely have to plan it all.

For a second, Justine hovers in place and then her hands move again. She's cleaning but she does make her that all of him is clean before dragging the loofah back up his chest.]

If you turn I can wash your back.

You serious? That's practically a crime.

[ How anyone could get to know Justine and not want to spoil her was beyond him.

Majima swept his hair forward, over his shoulder, and presented his back to Justine. One more thing he rarely showed anyone else. His tattoo continued over his shoulders to cover most of his back with the same whorls of black with red blossoms. In the center of the design was the image of a white demon mask -- one that strongly resembled the one that he'd worn at the Masquerade.

He glanced over his shoulder at her as he spoke. ]

There's no one way to do it, but I'll try and plan somethin' fun. You can tell me how I'm doing, how's that?

I don't know about that. I've been to Aruba.

[Her voice was light and warm as she drags the loofah across his shoulders and back. Justine doesn't follow any particular pattern but Majima might feel her tracing the different parts of his tattoo as she glides the soapy rough sponge over his skin. She dips towards his lower back and makes a point to run the loofah over his ass before letting it glide in between his shoulders blades again.]

I like that plan.

[A real date. It sounds very normal and perhaps more tame than what it makes Justine think of.

She continues to circle the mask on his back before releasing him and letting him turn back around.] All clean. Hey, Majima, do you remember when we first met at the masquerade? I was trying so hard to keep who I was a secret. [their pretense all seems very silly now but it'd been enjoyable for the first half of the evening.]

[ Majima's build was long and lithe; sharper than Justine's, and suited for speed as much as power. He raised his eyebrows at the pointed attention, but truth be told? He kind of enjoyed it. Justine didn't shy away from him, had never seemed afraid of him, whatever his appearance. It was easy to forget what that was like at times. ]

I remember. You were wearin' white lace, and you had these little flowers in your hair.

[ He turned back around to face her, gathered up some of the strawberry scented shampoo, and combed his fingers lightly across her scalp -- working up a warm lather from the raven-black curls. His touch was gentle, as much massage as anything else. ]

Why did ya want to keep it a secret, anyway? I never did ask.

[Her lips curl into a smile as his fingers slide through her hair. Justine leans forward and hums softly as Majima begins to massage her scalp. It feels amazing and she doesn't want him to stop.]

I bet you remember everything, don't you? [Her eyes closed and she continued to speak in a soft voice.] It wasn't about keeping a secret. I was at the ball in a lovely dress and I had met a handsome masked stranger. I had wanted it to be like a fairy tale, without the mess of life. [Her smile falters.] Deerington had other ideas but it was nice, while it lasted.

I loved dancing with you.

[Justine opened her eyes and met his gaze. She's seen what Majima is capable of but she's never been scared of him. She'd had no reason to be scared of him.]

That's... [ Guilty. Majima paused for a moment before smoothly working his way down towards the nape of her neck. ]

You're pretty hard to forget.

[ He took her hand in his and gently led her forward, into the warmth of the falling water. Once she was there, he'd bend slightly and press a kiss to her temple. ]

This might not be a fairy tale, but I'm glad we're not strangers any more. So let's go dancin' again sometime, Justine. Maybe without the masks?

[It's very hard to focus as the pressure of his fingers begins to massage her neck. Justine's lips part slight and she inhales a soft relaxed sigh.]

I could say the same about you.

[She takes a step backwards and shivers as the hot water chases the chill from her bones.]

Yeah. [Justine looks up at him, her smile kind, sweet and strong.] I'd like that. I think- the best part about fairy tales are what's never written. When strangers become friends and more. Learning about someone and growing close to them is the real fairy tale.

[ Well, he was in trouble now -- how could one person be so kissable? But as tempting as it was to lean in and brush his lips against hers again, he really ought to restrain himself....

...So he'd only kiss her once, fingertips brushing along the underside of her chin as he pulled away, the corners of his mouth curved upward in a little smile. ]

I'm lookin' forward to it.

[ Then he picked up the loofah. ]

So, should I return the favor?

[A soft pained little whine echoes from Justine's lips as Majima's fingers brush against the underside of her chin. His lips are warm and even at the lightest kiss she feels the eager energy and careful restraint of his action. Selfishly, she doesn't want him to restrain himself but she understands.

This isn't normal for either of them.]

Yes, I'd like that but only if I'm allowed to wash your hair.

[With her hair cleaned, she steps out of the water, letting Majima enjoy the steady wet heat of the shower while he's running the loofah over her frame.]

IC CONTACT

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end? /handwave adorableness