your shoulders look tense. / @gntillesse : unprompted asks ( always open )
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 never comes from a place of physical structure . rarely does it mimic the cacophony of storm - broken branches . they should cave under the duress he sets for them : but it never gets that far . soreness alone is unseen . it’d been nothing but a mere quirk he'd neglected ; drawn back from the recesses of his mind when petra makes the passing comment and geralt realises , passively , that there isn’t any reason for his shoulders to be tense .
he wonders instead if it isn’t another subtle jab / teasing . a comment on his demeanour , as if she’d be one to talk , reporting to the worst case of a standoffish subject as she does . though he could admit his own appearance ranges much nastier than captain levi’s ; who can still pass for no more than a tired man in a foul mood . and geralt lets as much show on his face , brow coming up in question before her hands reach him . he stiffens — truly , this time — in further confusion before she kneads into the skin there firmly , over his chemise . his instinct is to stop her , fingers coming up to grip her wrists as if blocking any non - existent leverage she’d have , grabbing the muscles of his shoulders . but he halts that same position a moment later as it all finally registers . a huffed laugh escapes him .
❛ i’m sure they’re no more tense than usual , ❜ he says , hands finally losing their grip to lay back . geralt relaxes his head over the chair , a single eye kept open for his final statement before closing them again : ❛ carry on . but i hope you realise — i expect to return the favour . ❜