rattlingthestars | IC Inbox II

[ 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.

Not arguing.

[ As of now. That was the last of the arguing. Jim relaxes, going quiet as he stares up at the ceiling and tries not to think about anything beyond how nice it all feels for once. ]

[ It's nice like this, even if he's still in pants while in the water. Everything is warm, Jim is here, and for once he feels safe. Like nothing can his boyfriend away. That nothing can get them while they are inside the confines of the tub.

He feels the tension melting away as he rubs and works at every bump and tense spot he feels.

After time passes, he moves his hands from Jim's back to his sides. To pull him closer to him. Planting another kiss against his shoulder before resting against him. ]

It's almost like being at the Inn again.

[ Dropping his hand into the water and then lifting it up to watch the droplets fall. ]

I can almost go to sleep like this.

Heh.

[ The inn at the bathtub was a little different, but it's a good memory all the same. They'd been riding so high on a victory that night, warm and close and getting somewhere with all this madness, and things had just spilled over.

Now Jim's comfortable and warm; they're putting themselves back together after everything and there's not a thought in his head except savoring the time. ]

Wouldn't mind it.

[ Jim rubs Zell's knee through his jeans. ]

You make a good pillow. Missed it.

[ Instead of feeling lighter, his heart twists uncomfortably at that. Missed it.

Kissing his shoulder lightly as he gives Jim a squeeze. ]

I missed it too. I missed you so much, Stars.

[ He knows they covered this, but the ache is still there. That something is wrong or Jim may choose to leave without word again. ]

I was really scared when I couldn't find you.

[ Jim goes tense in Zell's arms, muscles tight where they'd been starting to relax. Scared, and Jim knows it. He knows how bad it had been for Zell, had known even through the haze of panic and pain that had been the transformation. ]

I told you as soon as I could.

[ It hadn't been soon enough, but he had tried. ]

[ He feels the change immediately. Wrestling with the feeling of wanting to soothe the stress and everything away. Resting his forehead against his shoulder. ]

You told me as soon as you were far away enough.

[ Should he really be doing this now? He has Jim. He should make the most of it. But

But. ]

I would have understood, Stars. I would have let you go.

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do we want to relocate this soon?

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totally arguing with back rubs

yes much fighting very conflict

such whoa

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