[ 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. ]
[ He smiles into the kiss when Charles makes it pretty clear he doesn't intend on letting it end as quickly as the others. He returns it, not at all minding. It's good to see the smirk when they part, a lazy sort of smile on his own face in response. ]
[ He says with a pause, expression never wavering as he glances up with those "ridiculous" blue eyes. ]
But I think it's better left observed.
[ And with that, he simply tugs Arthur right into the tub with him. Clothed and all, no thought spared for the water displacement that results. (He's too busy laughing). ]
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specifications) wrote2017-06-22 08:26 am
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
Is that so? What way would that be?
no subject
[ He says with a pause, expression never wavering as he glances up with those "ridiculous" blue eyes. ]
But I think it's better left observed.
[ And with that, he simply tugs Arthur right into the tub with him. Clothed and all, no thought spared for the water displacement that results. (He's too busy laughing). ]