OOM -- for Athelstan

[capture_eternity]

Dorian's room still looks much the same like the first time when Athelstan came up to have a bath.

It looks a little more lived in now -- some books lying around in a half-read state, and some electronic devices, which Dorian seems quite fascinated by. There's another one on his tray with the tea, the paradoxes and the little bowl of awesomesauce, after all.

"Here we are," he says, putting the tray down while kicking the door shut.

He slings an arm around Athelstan's shoulder again.

"Bath now?" he murmurs against the soft, fuzzy dark beard on the ex-monk's face.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan returns the favour, scooping up some of the foam and rubbing it into Dorian's shoulders as well.

"I'll smell like a forest when I go home."

[capture_eternity]

"I don't think anybody will notice," Dorian says, softly.

After all, the two ladies most likely to have noticed are dead.

[athelstanthescribe]

"...no", he says quietly. "You're most likely right."

[capture_eternity]

Dorian leans forward and kisses him again, because Athelstan is so sweet and sad, and his pain is more real than many of the things Dorian sees every day in his own world, and he just wants to comfort his friend.

And kisses won't make the pain go away at all, but they can soften things.

[athelstanthescribe]

They can help him not think about it, for a minute or two at a time, and that's the best he hopes for right now.

He leans into the kiss, just a little more firmly than before, and his fingers comb through the long hair at Dorian's neck.

[capture_eternity]

Dorian keeps kissing him, pulling him closer, scooping up creamy, forest-scented foam to rub over Athelstan's back and shoulders, exploring the planes and angles of his muscles. He's quite nicely put together...

[athelstanthescribe]

He is, though a touch thinner than is ideal after his illness. His own hands begin to explore, slow and relaxed.

[capture_eternity]

Dorian gives a little pleased sound at Athelstan's hands sliding over his wet skin; he dips his head to kiss his neck, at the corner of the shoulder, and then moves forwards, towards Athelstan's throat.

[athelstanthescribe]

He makes a soft sound at the feeling of Dorian's lips on his throat, that region being sensitive, and his hands tighten a little.

[capture_eternity]

Dorian notices, ghosting his lips over Athelstan's throat to then bestow a lingering, suckling kiss underneath the edge of his jaw.

His fingers tangle in Athelstan's hair.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan's head tips back, exposing more of his throat, and his hands slip lower to Dorian's hips.

[capture_eternity]

Dorian slides closer in the warm water, and kisses a tightly dotted line down Athelstan's exposed throat.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan puts his arms around him with a soft groan, drawing him as close as possible.

[capture_eternity]

Hooking one leg around Athelstan, Dorian pulls him closer until they start touching, leisurely afloat, underwater.

"Lean back," he murmurs.

[athelstanthescribe]

He looks into Dorian's eyes, nods once, and leans back. Still touching him, wherever skin comes within reach.

[capture_eternity]

Dorian holds on to him, safely, and scoops up water to run through Athelstan's hair while gently nibbling on his throat and shoulders.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan's eyes drift closed as he lies back in Dorian's arms, trusting, letting him do what he will - but he's not asleep, just increasingly relaxed.

[capture_eternity]

Dorian continues to wash Athelstan's hair and gently nip his skin with his lips.

After a while, he cranes his neck to kiss his mouth again -- he doesn't want Athelstan to fall asleep in his bath, after all.

[athelstanthescribe]

He doesn't open his eyes - but he does respond to the kiss, his lips moving against Dorian's and parting a little, and his hands stroke repetitively over Dorian's skin where he's touching him.

"I'm awake", he murmurs softly.

[capture_eternity]

"I hoped so," Dorian says, running his hands down Athelstan's sides.

[athelstanthescribe]

"You have magic in your hands", Athelstan tells him, mostly joking. "I haven't felt this well in days."

[capture_eternity]

"That's rather the point," Dorian murmurs. He scoops up some of the creamy foam, and spreads it over Athelstan's chest.

[athelstanthescribe]

Finally, he opens his eyes, peering down at his chest.

"What are you doing?"

[capture_eternity]

"Make you smell like a forest even more," Dorian says. He leans over Athelstan, smoothly sliding up with the slippery foam.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'll have to go hunting", he says seriously, leaning back against Dorian's supporting arm. "Come back from the real forest so they can see me."