Kindred Spirits leads to Companionship

[la_grand_vie]

WHO: Veronika and Francis
WHEN: March 29th, late evening
WHERE: Francis and Gilbert's apartment
WHAT: Lonely times call for a meeting of the souls and of the flesh.
RATING: ...It's these two.

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[pravdadomina]

The text had been unexpected, really.

Veronika had been lounging at home, curled up on her sofa with a pile of graded quizzes stacked neatly on her coffee table. She had been rewatching Sade, if only to pass the time before she thought it appropriate to sleep. It was sad, when she thought about it, to be spending her weekdays like this. Alone with only grading and the glow of her television as company. Oh, she had Dewi, but his company only went as far as their lunch dates and visits on the weekend, where he would sleep over and-

She had to wonder if perhaps that's all their relationship consisted of. Amicable lunch dates, Veronika teasing the flustered man by 'accidentally' starting a game of footsie under the table, only for those meetings to culminate with sex before Dewi was off again. Rinse, repeat, rinse, repeat.

But Veronika wasn't one to complain. It was enjoyable, if fleeting. But she wasn't going to bother thinking too deeply about the odd feeling inside of her when it seemed as though her colleague was content with what they had.

She wouldn't push it. It was uncharacteristic of her, but she didn't want to bother with it just yet.

Though, that probably had a bit to do with why Veronika found herself so easily swayed to visit the man whom she wasn't sure to pity or abhor. But it didn't seem to matter anymore. She was there, lips quirked in an almost bittersweet smile as she brought her wineglass up once more. "It is no problem, miláčku." Her eyes flickered toward the kittens with a softened expression. "Liberty does not seem to treat its lonely citizens with much kindness, it seems."

[la_grand_vie]

"It has never been very kind to them, non," Francis agreed quietly, taking another sip and shaking his head, letting a humourless chuckle trickle from his lips and over the spotless wine glass. The clear glass quickly fogged from the heat of his breath and just as quickly disappeared- fleeting, just as any hope or chance at company. Just as this night would surely be- if in fact it lead to anything at all. "I 'ave been here for the greater part of... Oh Dieu. It has been- twelve years, this July."

A weak smile, the mere words making him think about his creaking bones, waning vision, the grey hair he'd found just the other night. But as if to add insult to injury- "Seven of them with virtually no relief from this nearly hermit life. Ah- but I am afraid I am being overly dramatic-"

"Did I interrupt anything by inviting you over? I follow your blog on occasion- and you seem to 'ave a fondness for one of the Kirkland siblings?" he questioned.

[pravdadomina]

"So I've noticed," Veronika responded softly after another sip of wine. Her fingertip idly traced the rim of the glass as a slight distraction before she raised her eyes to stare at the blond, eyebrow quirked and faint smile back on her lips once more. "I believe it has been more or less the same for myself, miláčku." She said after a moment's pause, shoulders slumping ever so slightly.

"I have dated, on and off. And I have had, ah, subs as well. But both never lasted long. The men, and women, I dated would only be with me for a month or so until I told them about-" She bit her lip, bitter grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Before I told them more about myself. They usually left running after that," She exhaled softly, chewing on the inside of her cheek thoughtfully.

"It is funny. I teach a class that demands acceptance and understanding and yet I have not once found that-" Not with someone that hadn't been Rory. "And Kirkland-? Ah, you mean Dewi. Yes. Well. We are close. But he will probably run off sooner or later."

Here, Veronika leaned back against her chair, her normal haughty expression, or a ghost of it, back on her face. "Granted, I am surprised you are not flinching away from me right now, miláčku," she teased half-heartedly.

[la_grand_vie]

"Why would a flinch away from such a wonderful woman?" Francis asked softly, voice nothing but sheer honesty as he watched her quietly. Blue eyes piercing whatever front Veronika might attempt to put up- after all, it took someone aching for companionship, to know and recognize another. He offered a small, warm smile and shook his head.

"I find it amazing you are not running from me, knowing of my own reputation and having... well. You ran into my uncle," he shook his head, draining the rest of his wine before setting it down. He reached over, placing a hand lightly over Veronika's and pulling it closer, pressing his lips against the back of it. "I can understand your needs, I may not share them... as strongly as you do, but I would never condemn you for them. We all have our likes and dislikes, I can only hope that Dewi will give you everything you deserve and more."

[pravdadomina]

"I believe it has something to do with the BDSM and my other, ah, profession," Veronika replied with a teasing smile before finishing the remaining drops of wine. She would have to refrain from asking for more, of course. While wine was normally never enough to get her even the slightest bit tipsy (depending on the amount of glasses, that is) she felt it would be better to keep her thoughts as coherent as possible. Especially if she planned on driving home as soon as this little get-together was over.

Glancing at the hand suddenly pressing lightly against hers, Veronika allowed her smile and gaze to soften as she heaved a small, melodramatic sigh. "Your uncle was not someone I could not handle, so do not fret, miláčku." She hesitated for the briefest of seconds before swiping her thumb against his bottom lip in an almost affectionate manner as she continued to smile. "Mm, but that is what past lovers also told me and as soon as things began to go underway-" She waved her hand airily. "Poof. They left. My, ah, pets, however...things became complicated. Their love proved to be, while enjoyable, rather clingy and obsessive in some cases. In others, it just went away."

Her hand moved to cup Francis' cheek with a tiny grin as she shrugged noncommittally. "I do not yet know exactly what I feel for my colleague. Save for my thinking he is both flamboyant and cute when he wants to be. But I do not mind keeping my relationship with him as is." A half-lie. "He is free to do what he wants, as I am free to do what I want. And while I am not afraid to ask another person out for a date, whether it be man or woman, I like to have my feelings at least sorted out somewhat before I make such a move."

Usually, that is.

[la_grand_vie]

Francis' eyes were drawn up again to her own, lips still slightly parted and a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He chuckled and straightened again, shifting on his stool and blinking as the soft hand cupped his cheek. His eyes were most definitely locked onto hers now, curiosity and amusement in his own as he watched her, listening to her carefully. "You picked a risky profession for the heart," he said softly. "I will not lie. I am not sure that I personally could do what you have- But I would never fault you for it. On the contrary, it is rather... the other way around."

He reached up, fingertips brushing along the back of her hand as he chuckled. "I suppose I might be puffing myself up a bit... but old habits die hard hmm? I do not often find myself attached to a person- and while I might not be... one of your 'pets', I would not protest to... be something of yours," he trailed off quietly, eyelids sliding half shut as he turned his head, pressing his lips to her palm and sighing out quietly.

"Especially if you find yourself... unencumbered, n'est ce pas?"

[pravdadomina]

Veronika watched him, slight disbelief coming to her eyes before it quickly vanished as she tossed him another small grin. She made to pull her hand away, though not before sliding her fingertips against his cheek and stray wisps of blond hair. "Something of mine? Whatever do you mean?" The older woman repeated lightly, her finger tracing the rim of her wineglass thoughtfully.

There was a brief moment of silence before she placed her fingers delicately beneath his chin, eyebrow raised and eyes shinning with a playful sparkle. "Are you trying to tell me something, miláčku? Or, rather, are you trying to ask me something-?"

[la_grand_vie]

"It may be forward of me," Francis said gently, his chin tilting up against the touch, not pulling away as much as submitting and allowing her to do as she pleased. He smiled lightly, a knowing look in his eyes as he reached up and touched her wrist. "But, we are both lonely. Both not quite able to find a companion of the heart... Would you not call us something of kindred spirits?"

A warm smile spread across his face and he slipped his hand up, lacing their fingers together. "I am not suggesting friends with benefits," he said quietly. "I am sure we could both fill our beds with warm bodies but... Perhaps that could be one aspect of it. But... A companionship of sorts, dates, sharing the same cushion on the couch. But with no ties. Just simply... Together. A relationship of convenience."

....I don't know why that icon amuses me. :U

[pravdadomina]

"...A relationship of convenience?" Veronika echoed softly. The phrase slipped off her tongue awkwardly, but it wasn't entirely unpleasant. Not when she took the moment to briefly go over her relationship with Dewi. When compared to what Francis was suggesting, she had to admit, once more, that what she had with Dewi fell along the lines of friends with benefits.

She bit her lip, considering it further before a small, genuine smile bloomed on her lips. Giving his hand a brief squeeze, she gave a mockingly reluctant sigh. "I think-" She paused to lean down, breath fanning against his lips. "I think I would not mind that at all."