I imagine the lack of seeing the room spin helps, hm?
[ There's a laugh inherent in that response, easier now that they've pushed their way past the initial awkwardness of this whole affair. That doesn't stop Charles' unease completely: he still very much hates needing help in this regard or even asking for it, but it helps when it's approached with such casual disregard. (Or at least seeming disregard; they both know the reality check that necessitated this to begin with).
The sweater is set aside to free up his hands as they come to the actually awkward portion of actually getting his pants off. He braces against the edges of the counter to redistribute his weight. ]
[ Arthur has little experience with this sort of thing but he can also tell that Charles doesn't want to be treated with kid gloves. And so he never has. He is considerate of his needs but that's where it ends. It would be insulting to baby a grown man just because he's in a wheelchair. (Though Arthur can't help but wonder what it would be like if he could walk.) ]
It does. Too bad I can't put any mood music to this stripping.
What was it? George Michael with the saxophone?
[ But despite the joking, he's careful in getting the pants (and underwear) off, not wanting to pull Charles off the counter accidentally. Once those are off, he places them by the sweater and goes to check on the tub, leaving Charles to get his shirt off. ]
[ Charles just sort of scoffs. ] I'm not sure it's a show really worth all that.
[ Of course, this is still punctuated with his attention focused on the buttons of his shirt, which are at least much easier when his focus isn't caught in a drunken haze that makes the whole act of getting undressed a frustration. That too is folded and then set aside with the rest. ]
And that solo honestly necessitates one.
[ "Careless Whisper" is a seminal classic, goddamn it. ]
[ He's keenly aware of his situation here, and while the situation itself and his aversion to help may be awkward, it would be strange to look at this as anything other than what it is. He shakes his head and pulls Arthur back across the small bathroom. ]
Don't be ridiculous. Honesty doesn't have to be modest.
[ Arthur goes where he's pulled, an arm loosely going around Charles' shoulders. ]
Nice save, there.
[ His smile is a small, smug one before he's leaning in to kiss the other man again. This time a little less chaste but just as short before he's pulling away again. ]
[ The smile it elicits, one of the first since he'd showed up on Arthur's doorstep, is small, but genuine. Though it doesn't last long and is followed by something of a pout as Arthur pulls back away. ]
[ He is and he isn't, both. He's still wary about this level of vulnerability, and even years of it hasn't dulled the awkwardness of opening it up so blatantly like this, but he had brought himself here of his own volition, and perhaps that speaks to trust he hasn't been sure how to voice otherwise. He'll have time for the litany of thanks later.
Charles regards that brief touch at his hips, the sensation still spotty in places, with as much a smile as he can continue to muster, and nods. He doesn't quite trust his voice at present. ]
[ And when Charles does that, his arms will loop under the knee of each leg, reversing the way he carried him earlier. His muscles are tight and starting to strain by the time he steps into the tub, each step slowed down with how careful he's trying to be. The water sloshes and soaks the lower half of his sweatpants but he hardly pays it much mind. His breathing a little harsher from his nose, steady puffs of air against the other man's skin as he lowers the other man into the water.
At least to a point, ]
I'm going to let your legs go; can you lower yourself the rest of the way?
[ Mainly so he can brace against the walls of the bath-shower while letting Charles do the rest. ]
[ Every time Arthur does this, it seems to get a little better, and it's enough to clear at least some lingering melancholy. He takes the question as a warning, and shifts to brace himself against the sides of the tub with a quiet nod in confirmation. (He could have, reluctantly, gotten this far on his own in a good five times the time and aggravation, and it's...nice to not have to answer endless questions about it or have to apologize for the inconvenience--even if the latter urge still exists).
He risks a glance back upward, a ghost of a smirk as he allows Arthur to pull away. ]
[ He knows his inexperience with this is showing pretty badly but he also likes to think he's getting better at it the more he tries. Since his bathroom (and apartment as a whole) isn't handicap accessible, they have to make due. And both of them trying to have a sense of humor about it is, in his opinion, the best thing they can have during this.
He looks down at that, not bothering to hide a bit of a smug lop-sided grin, ]
I always want the show.
[ But waits until Charles is down in the water before stepping back out of the tub. He sloshes water all over the floor but that's what towels are for. And he's got a few he can spare on it. ]
[ Luckily Charles is acquainted enough with the lack of access anywhere that isn't his own house (and even then, it's not always a perfect transition), but the unspoken appreciation of Arthur's earnest attempt is there regardless.
Not many people would do this. Offer, let alone take it with such grace (levity included--it's a necessity, otherwise this would have only stayed droll and upsetting). ]
I'm not going to wake up one day to all my sleeves cut off, am I?
[ He talks big, but that amusement is interrupted quickly at the introduction of warm water to his frayed nerves. It doesn't quite leave him speechless, but his focus shifts dramatically for a time. It's difficult--impossible now that he's not even trying--to hide how much he's needed this. ]
[ Arthur, for all his coldness and distance with most people, can handle a lot if given the chance. And when it comes to people he cares about, there's little he won't do for them. Charles is now among those rare few. ]
I reserve the right to plead the Fifth and not give my future plans away.
[ He has to sacrifice another towel to the floor but seeing Charles relax in the water like that makes it more than worth it. ]
[ It lacks real bite when he knows this is nonsense and likely sounds like it too. Leaning into the back of the tub, he reaches back out to Arthur. Normally, he'd loathe the company in this situation, but...here? Here he finds he feels more uncomfortable without it. It's a conundrum to unpack later. Right now, he simply wants what he wants. ]
[ It's said easily and with a smirk, no real threat behind it. But his expression changes into something softer again when Charles reaches for him. He sits down on the edge of the tub after kicking the wet towels over to the other side of the bathroom. ]
[ Charles nods softly, content to revel in the feeling of both that and the company. No disasters, no arguments. It's been a long time--too long--since he's simply taken the time to be. He takes Arthur's hand and interlocks their fingers. ]
It's perfect. But you know you still really don't have to do this.
[ (As it's a little late to take back, and he knows it.) It is still a strange, strange thing to consider, allowing himself to be taken care of in the same way he insists on in the reverse. Stranger still is being wanted in the same breath, and he doesn't know how he's been blessed with this--if, of course, he were to admit blessings as something tangible and real beyond the realm of reason--and he can't help but give in little-by-little to the insidious thought that something is going to happen to ruin everything. ]
[ It's touching in a way that continues to blindside him. Even though the initial shock of Arthur's insistence has long passed now, the longer this continues, the more he has to reconcile with the fact that this isn't a forced display of pity.
I wanted to. No one has ever "wanted" to. Done so as a display of friendship or loyalty, yes, but to call it any sort of desire to help is, Charles thinks, pushing it. It isn't self-pity to think so (hopefully), but realistic enough. ]
Arthur, I don't--
[ --know how to respond to this? Charles, that's an obvious fact. He sighs. This is getting ridiculously cyclical. He bites all of that back and contents himself with brushing his thumb against the side of Arthur's hand. This isn't important. ]
Thank you. But I will find a way to repay you for this.
[ It's too big to be, in all honesty. (And not a thing he can bring himself to ask of just anyone). It's sweet in a way he hasn't expected--has learned to expect the opposite of in neglect--and if there is a way to repay the gesture, he will. Beyond the part of this that has him actually laughing aloud. ]
Didn't we already establish that was half a show at best? Or is this because we're on uneven ground in that regard? [ Charles, honestly. But the innuendo--or sad attempt at it at least--comes easier and easier now. He's...content, and he's not really sure when that happened. ] Thank you. Doubly so for my inability to appreciate it, hm?
[ The laughter is more than enough to get another soft smile from Arthur. Something he finds himself doing more and more around Charles and not trying to stop himself from doing so. ]
You established it. I never agreed to the sentiment. But you're welcome.
[ He then scoots over on the edge of the tub and leans in to press another kiss to Charles' lips. ]
[ Charles reaches up as Arthur leans in, arms around the man's shoulders, fingers tangling into damp hair, in an effort to keep this from being as brief and teasing. He's had quite enough of that, thank you. It's greedy, perhaps, and a contradiction in terms given how cagey he's been about this whole scenario, but when presented with the opportunity...
He pulls back away--just so--right before he has the urge to deepen that kiss, and he smirks. It's tired and not quite as bright as usual, but smugly content all the same. ]
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specifications) wrote2017-06-22 08:26 am
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[ There's a laugh inherent in that response, easier now that they've pushed their way past the initial awkwardness of this whole affair. That doesn't stop Charles' unease completely: he still very much hates needing help in this regard or even asking for it, but it helps when it's approached with such casual disregard. (Or at least seeming disregard; they both know the reality check that necessitated this to begin with).
The sweater is set aside to free up his hands as they come to the actually awkward portion of actually getting his pants off. He braces against the edges of the counter to redistribute his weight. ]
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It does. Too bad I can't put any mood music to this stripping.
What was it? George Michael with the saxophone?
[ But despite the joking, he's careful in getting the pants (and underwear) off, not wanting to pull Charles off the counter accidentally. Once those are off, he places them by the sweater and goes to check on the tub, leaving Charles to get his shirt off. ]
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[ Of course, this is still punctuated with his attention focused on the buttons of his shirt, which are at least much easier when his focus isn't caught in a drunken haze that makes the whole act of getting undressed a frustration. That too is folded and then set aside with the rest. ]
And that solo honestly necessitates one.
[ "Careless Whisper" is a seminal classic, goddamn it. ]
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I don't know, I mean. You got the gun show going on there.
[ It's a good thing no one else was around to hear that. ]
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That's still half a show at best.
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You're gonna get modest on me now?
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[ He's keenly aware of his situation here, and while the situation itself and his aversion to help may be awkward, it would be strange to look at this as anything other than what it is. He shakes his head and pulls Arthur back across the small bathroom. ]
Don't be ridiculous. Honesty doesn't have to be modest.
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Nice save, there.
[ His smile is a small, smug one before he's leaning in to kiss the other man again. This time a little less chaste but just as short before he's pulling away again. ]
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My vanity aside, if I'm modest, you're a tease.
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[ He's got to turn the water off, Charles. He's coming back over as soon as he does, his hands going to the other man's hips. ]
Ready to get in?
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Charles regards that brief touch at his hips, the sensation still spotty in places, with as much a smile as he can continue to muster, and nods. He doesn't quite trust his voice at present. ]
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Arms around my neck. Hold on.
[ And when Charles does that, his arms will loop under the knee of each leg, reversing the way he carried him earlier. His muscles are tight and starting to strain by the time he steps into the tub, each step slowed down with how careful he's trying to be. The water sloshes and soaks the lower half of his sweatpants but he hardly pays it much mind. His breathing a little harsher from his nose, steady puffs of air against the other man's skin as he lowers the other man into the water.
At least to a point, ]
I'm going to let your legs go; can you lower yourself the rest of the way?
[ Mainly so he can brace against the walls of the bath-shower while letting Charles do the rest. ]
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He risks a glance back upward, a ghost of a smirk as he allows Arthur to pull away. ]
You just wanted the show, didn't you?
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He looks down at that, not bothering to hide a bit of a smug lop-sided grin, ]
I always want the show.
[ But waits until Charles is down in the water before stepping back out of the tub. He sloshes water all over the floor but that's what towels are for. And he's got a few he can spare on it. ]
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Not many people would do this. Offer, let alone take it with such grace (levity included--it's a necessity, otherwise this would have only stayed droll and upsetting). ]
I'm not going to wake up one day to all my sleeves cut off, am I?
[ He talks big, but that amusement is interrupted quickly at the introduction of warm water to his frayed nerves. It doesn't quite leave him speechless, but his focus shifts dramatically for a time. It's difficult--impossible now that he's not even trying--to hide how much he's needed this. ]
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I reserve the right to plead the Fifth and not give my future plans away.
[ He has to sacrifice another towel to the floor but seeing Charles relax in the water like that makes it more than worth it. ]
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[ It lacks real bite when he knows this is nonsense and likely sounds like it too. Leaning into the back of the tub, he reaches back out to Arthur. Normally, he'd loathe the company in this situation, but...here? Here he finds he feels more uncomfortable without it. It's a conundrum to unpack later. Right now, he simply wants what he wants. ]
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[ It's said easily and with a smirk, no real threat behind it. But his expression changes into something softer again when Charles reaches for him. He sits down on the edge of the tub after kicking the wet towels over to the other side of the bathroom. ]
Is the water warm enough?
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It's perfect. But you know you still really don't have to do this.
[ (As it's a little late to take back, and he knows it.) It is still a strange, strange thing to consider, allowing himself to be taken care of in the same way he insists on in the reverse. Stranger still is being wanted in the same breath, and he doesn't know how he's been blessed with this--if, of course, he were to admit blessings as something tangible and real beyond the realm of reason--and he can't help but give in little-by-little to the insidious thought that something is going to happen to ruin everything. ]
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He says after it's already been done.
[ He had to get that in there, okay? But he can tell the other man isn't used to this. The caregiver types normally aren't, sadly. ]
And I know I didn't have to. But I wanted to.
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I wanted to. No one has ever "wanted" to. Done so as a display of friendship or loyalty, yes, but to call it any sort of desire to help is, Charles thinks, pushing it. It isn't self-pity to think so (hopefully), but realistic enough. ]
Arthur, I don't--
[ --know how to respond to this? Charles, that's an obvious fact. He sighs. This is getting ridiculously cyclical. He bites all of that back and contents himself with brushing his thumb against the side of Arthur's hand. This isn't important. ]
Thank you. But I will find a way to repay you for this.
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You don't have to. This isn't a favor. This is me giving you something you don't... seem to get that often. You don't have to repay me, Charles.
[ He adds, dryly, ]
And, if we're honest, seeing you naked again is payment enough.
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[ It's too big to be, in all honesty. (And not a thing he can bring himself to ask of just anyone). It's sweet in a way he hasn't expected--has learned to expect the opposite of in neglect--and if there is a way to repay the gesture, he will. Beyond the part of this that has him actually laughing aloud. ]
Didn't we already establish that was half a show at best? Or is this because we're on uneven ground in that regard? [ Charles, honestly. But the innuendo--or sad attempt at it at least--comes easier and easier now. He's...content, and he's not really sure when that happened. ] Thank you. Doubly so for my inability to appreciate it, hm?
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You established it. I never agreed to the sentiment. But you're welcome.
[ He then scoots over on the edge of the tub and leans in to press another kiss to Charles' lips. ]
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He pulls back away--just so--right before he has the urge to deepen that kiss, and he smirks. It's tired and not quite as bright as usual, but smugly content all the same. ]
You know, there is a way to get a better view.
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