rattlingthestars | IC Inbox II

[ Keeping that hand then. He will wiggle his hand around to interlock their fingers together though. Moving over to the door and opening it enough to poke his head out.

He doesn't see anything. ]

It's clear. They- it's gone.

[ Opening the door completely and giving his hand a squeeze. ]

Let's get my tablet then.

[ Was it real? Was it a shared delusion? He's not really sure, but he knows the weight of Jim's hand feels real. He knows the warmth there. Leading him to the bathroom. ]

I was in here. The last we talked yesterday before you came.

[ ~~pls imagine Zell sitting alone in the bathroom crying~~ ]

[ There's nothing there. Jim stares, blankly, after Zell opens the door, but there really is no memory. He wonders if his knife will be clean if he looks at it now.

He squeezes back and follows close to Zell into the bathroom. Before you came, when Zell had sounded completely terrified. Jim looks around blankly. ]

Did they try to attack you?

They were saying things.

[ He keeps a hold as he leads him into the bathroom. Reaching down to pick up the tablet. ]

About the light and what it means. About what they really are... They wouldn't stop. They kept following me close and I couldn't.

[ He stops himself there as he realizes his breathing is picking up. Squeezing his eyes shut for a moment to count down. ]

They weren't attacking. Not physically.

-Not physically.

[ Jim repeats it, with meaning, but he doesn't push for more. Instead he gently turns Zell around until they're facing one another so that Jim can cradle Zell's jaw with both hands and feel him breathing.

He falls into the pattern himself, reinforcing it, until it felt safe to talk again. ]

They're gone.

[ He stops himself from saying for now. Covering Jim's hands with his own and gently rubbing to make sure he's okay too. Opening his eyes to meet the pair of blues looking at him. ]

Yeah, it's done.

[ He doesn't want to touch on the not physically part. The faster he puts it behind him, the better. Squeezing his hands as he sighs. ]

Can we take our time here?

Edited 2017-08-26 05:22 (UTC)

Yeah, we can. We've got time.

[ There are still mysteries to solve and doors to unlock, but they've got time to catch their breath, and Jim needs it as badly as he does. ]

I need to... clean up.

[ Since they're already in the bathroom. ]

[ Pulling his hands off his face and keeping them captured in his own. Closing he space to just nuzzle against the side of his head. ]

I can help.

[ And then looking at the tub. ]

We can heat up some water.

[ Much easier to think everything is good and normal by throwing yourself into a task, right? ]

[ A lot easier with something he can do. Jim glances at the tub and nods; he would've been okay with a cold scrub-down, too, but this sounds a lot better. ]

-Yeah, alright.

[ He makes himself separate from Zell to go get the pots and pans they'll need, but he keeps hold of Zell's hands. No splitting up just yet. ]

Might be time for a trim.

[ He'll gladly keep a hold of that hand and taking any pots or pans with his free hand if Jim needs him to. He isn't ready so split either. ]

A trim? For you or me?

[ Looking at Jim's hair and trying to remember how much shorter it used to be when they first met. It's hard to imagine at times. ]

Both, maybe.

[ In reality, Jim just wants an excuse to touch Zell, and be touched, for as long as they can. The fact that his hair's starting to get out of control is neither here nor there. ]

Think that's everything?

[ After he's done with fishing things out, Zell will run his free hand through Jim's hair to check the length. Smiling a little bit as he's reminded again he can feel this. How much he missed this. ]

Yeah, I think it's everything. I have scissors in my stuff. We can trim each other after cleaning up.

[ Jim hums happily with Zell's hand in his hair. It pushes him on to drag Zell into the bathroom where they can set to heating the water. ]

Better not make it crooked.

I cut Zack's hair just fine.

[ Not that you could notice from how he styled his hair. Shuffling back to the bathroom, and already wanting to just touch some more. They have a task to get through first.

He can't stay away from long, and at every chance he'll brush his hands against Jim's, or snake his arm around him. Just in case this place isn't done yet. ]

How could you tell?

[ The thing Zell missed most about Jim was his commentary, right? Right.

As they work in the small bathroom, Jim lets himself be caught every time Zell wants him. Sometimes he stops and just looks, taking Zell in, like he can't quite get enough. ]

[ Snickering, and only offering a shrug. ] They aren't super huge yet?

[ Walking his hands up to just rest on the back of Jim's neck with the tips of his fingers lightly teasing his hair. It's all gentle touching. ]

[ Jim huffs with laughter, though it's unclear if he's laughing and Zell's comment or just being ticklish. ]

Think it's ready?

Yeah, it might be. [ Dipping his hands in the tub and then flicking the water out at Jim. ]

Just missing one thing.

[ Going to just put his arms around Jim to give him a smooch on the cheek. Waiting for Jim to inquire through words or a look about it's missing before he lifts him up and drops hm in the tub. His clothes probably needed to be cleaned too, right? ]

[ Jim flails at the surprise pick up, but where once he would have panicked at suddenly being grabbed, now he's only objecting to the fact that he's being dumped unceremoniously into a tub of water.

He sputters, but it's only a cover as he twists and grabs Zell by the knees to pull him down, too. Even if he fails, Zell's pants are soaked. ]

[ Letting out a startled sound as he's grabbed, knees hitting the tub, and down he goes. He manages too grab the side of the tub to keep from crashing into his boyfriend, but his legs hit and water winds up splashing. So he's wet, and kind of all over comically.

Laughing again as he sits back and starts trying to peel off layers. ]

Looks like we'll have to stay here a while to let or clothes dry.

[ Beaming at the idea. Maybe after they clean up they can message the others about where they are. ]

[ Jim huffs. ]

Already said we could stay, you didn't need to dunk me to seal the deal.

[ Not that he minds, exactly. At least it will clean up what's left of his clothes. ]

[ Laughing again. Shirt is tossed to the sink. He might need some help with wrestling wet pants off, but for now...

He's moving in close to kiss Jim's cheek. ]

Maybe, but then I wouldn't see this.

[ Jim is a cute, drenched cabin boy. Hooking his hands under Jim's shirt to give a tug. ]

[ Jim stares up as he slips out of the shirt, a little awe-struck even now that Zell is his boyfriend. Even more awestruck that Zell wants to see this, after everything that's happened the past few days. ]

-Careful.

[ It's stills sore where Zell's pulling the fabric over his back. ]

[ Stopping for a moment, his eyes searching Jim's a moment and then he looks away. Giving a nod. Being careful as he helps Jim out of his shirt. ]

Turn around. I'll rub your back while you get the rest off.

[ Even though he still has things to remove himself. ]

It'll get cold.

[ It's a warning, but Jim turns readily anyway. He wants all the contact Zell will give. ]

I'll warm you up again.

[ Pressing a kiss against the back of his neck. And then he starts working on rubbing circles along his spine. ]

Just after this.

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sorry it's lame

it's not lame <3

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do we want to relocate this soon?

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totally arguing with back rubs