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

[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."

[capture_eternity]

"We'll have to re-dirty you before you leave, too," Dorian says. "Because you're squeaky clean now."

He gently pulls on Athelstan's soggy beard.

[athelstanthescribe]

"The forest might take care of that, too", Athelstan returns mock-thoughtfully, catching Dorian's hand and pulling it away from his beard. "Why do people keep doing that?"

[capture_eternity]

"Because it's a nice little beard?" Dorian says, leaning in for a slightly apologetic kiss.

[athelstanthescribe]

He returns it, accepting the apology with only a small mock-sulk.

"It will be a better beard one day."

[capture_eternity]

"It's quite a good beard already!" Dorian declares.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan gives him a sidelong look.

"You were at Uppsala. You know it can hardly compare."

[capture_eternity]

"I wouldn't want to compare an elegant grove to a dense, impregnable jungle," Dorian says, smiling.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Elegant? It looks like a rat's tail. But I can't give up and shave it."

If he did that, he'd have nowhere to keep Gyda's bead.

[capture_eternity]

"It does not look like a rat's tail," Dorian says, quite aware that simply negating Athelstan's claim isn't a very convincing argument, so he leans in and kisses him again.

"I like it."

[athelstanthescribe]

"...well." He smiles slightly against Dorian's lips. "Perhaps I might keep it as it is, if I can get the braid just a little wider."

[capture_eternity]

Dorian gently teases the little tuft on the end. "It's wide enough for the bead to stay put," he says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Gyda did it", he says simply, and manages - mostly, he thinks - not to let the stab of grief show on his face. "Delicate little fingers."

[capture_eternity]

"Oh, Athelstan!" Dorian says, his voice full of sympathy at that very visible stab of grief. "You'll always have something of hers with you, carrying her memory into the future."

He leans in to kiss Athelstan again, and reaches out to open the faucet again -- the bath could use a bit more hot water. They've been here for a bit.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'll carry this bead on me all my life", Athelstan agrees softly. He reaches for Dorian's free hand, the one not operating the faucet, threading his fingers between Dorian's for the sake of contact.

[capture_eternity]

While the water runs, Dorian cradles Athelstan's cheek in his now-free hand, and leans his forehead and nose-tip against his, just providing closeness and contact.