have you been to all the baths in the castle?
there's 4 total
to be honest I didn't even know we could visit the others unless we were like
You know
Officially invited!
however, I will officially invite you to the summer baths
with a very intimate tour on the house
should I meet you in the summer wing?
I'll head on over
[ Peter will wait for him by the entrance to the summer wing in a simple shirt and trousers he was given on day one of his kidnapping. No need to get fancy when they were going to shuck it all off anyway. ]
Anyway, he makes a beeline as soon as he spots Peter, a bright, cheery smile on his face. Look, he's not well suited to playing it cool. That's more Peter's specialty than his. ]
Hey! [ DIAL IT BACK. ] Hi. You look good. Like you're ready for, ah. The baths. [ A beat, before he realizes what he said. ] Which I now realize sounds like I'm calling you dirty, but I'm not, I'm calling you handsome. Like. A romance novel guy.
Didn't think old granola men were a popular genre. Huh. You must read more than I do. [ Haha ha, no way is he going to take a line like that lying down. Always gotta deflect with dry humor. ] Dirty or not, I am ready. The summer baths'll be right up your alley, I think.
[ They're both naturey free-wheelin' smokers, after all. Down the deep rich green hallways that make up the summer wing, Peter stops them outside a pair of large doors and pulls one open. A rush of warm air begins escaping out into the hallway as he ushers Jeff inside. ]
[ WINK.
No no he's not actually winking right now. But he is following Peter into the Summer Wing, looking around with bright eyed curiosity as they make their way to the baths.
And, as he takes it all in, he can only say: ]
Fuck me, this is magical.
[ And that says something coming from an actual fucking wizard!
He's already taking his shirt off as he's admiring the fluttering fireflies. But then he stops, shirt halfway removed, and gets a sort of thoughtful look on his face. ] Do they ever land on you when you're taking a bath? I'd be scared of getting so startled I'd swat the poor things...
[ When he gets to his trousers, he turns around and shucks them off along with his underwear. ]
Anyway. He grins a little, and gets to tossing his shirt aside. The pants come off as he makes his way to the water's edge, because Jeff's a pretty good multitasker when it comes to getting naked. For as silly and anxious as he can be, it's clear that if there's one thing Jeff's totally at ease with, it's his body. There's a kind of easy confidence in the way that he strips down.
(look i even have a gif for that)
One moment, he's at the edge, naked and lean, broad shoulders and slim hips, and the next he's jumping into the water without a care. ]
What do you think? [ Slowly he wades over to the other man. Any lilypads that float in his way are simply brushed aside. ]
And up he comes again, pushing his wet hair back before stretching his arms up, niiiice and relaxed. ]
Nice scenery, good company. I can't complain.
Glad to hear it. [ He doesn't try for subtle as his dark brown eyes roam over Jeff's chest and slicked-back hair. Just like a true Cali boy, he looks good in the water. ] Now get over here, so I can get my hands on you.
[ SO EXASPERATED. ]
He's in a bathing pool with a rugged mountain man. What's not to enjoy?
So he moves on closer to Peter, getting right up in his space, practically nose to nose. His gaze flickers down to the other man's lips, his scruffy beard, before he meets those dark eyes. ]
Lucky for you, I'm a sucker for bossy guys.
Good, because I'd like nothing better than to wash you.
[ How's that for bossy? ]
Oh.
[ He's trying to think of something cool and smooth to say here. Like "oh yeah, I'm a dirty boy--" no, no definitely not that.
"Scrub a dub dub, baby--" that's awful.
Rather than attempt a smooth line, he just grins a little, tracing his fingers over Peter's bearded jaw, before he moves in for a kiss. Light, playful, and lingering just long enough to give a taste of... apples, probably, since that's the last thing he ate. ]
Right on.
Take a seat in one of the alcoves. [ I'll be right back. He leaves Jeff with another kiss, thumb and forefinger holding him in place by his chin. Then he swims off to one side of the spacious bath where toiletries, oils, towels, anything a Favored might need sat along the side. He grabs a washcloth and a few small bottles in one hand before returning to Jeff. ]
He looks a little smitten and dreamy after the second kiss, but it's only a moment before he seems to shake himself of it and offer a teasing salute. ]
Aye aye.
[ He moves back to one of the alcoves, looking all laid back and casual, even if there's some nervousness pooling inside him. It's easy to jump all over a handsome guy and get physical, but sitting still and letting someone do something as intimate as bathing him?
That's something Jeff doesn't have a ton of experience with. At least, not in a long time. ]
So what've you got for me?
[ Sure, he can assume the bottles are, like, oils or conditioners or what-have-you, but he means what's the signature scent here? Is he gonna come out of this smelling like flowers or like sandalwood. ]
[ Popping the top of one bottle, he dribbles a little in his hand. When there's no internal reaction he takes a seat by Jeff. ] Kinda citrusy. That all right?
[ Jeff's brows lift at the mention of aphrodisiacs, much more apprehensive than intrigued by that prospect, but he quickly moves past it when Peter asks his question. ]
Sounds good. I'm easy. [ A beat. ] Okay, that sounded like a cheap come-on, but I think we're past the point of worrying about that kind of thing.
[ Though Jeff is an OLYMPIC LEVEL WORRIER. He lets his gaze linger on the man next to him, before clearing his throat and adding: ] So. How do we... I mean, I know how baths work, just-- do you want me to turn around or...?
Well, [ He pulls Jeff's arm out of the water, keeping a gentle hold around his wrist. ] like this will work. Or, I can make room for you...
[ Then Peter adjusts his seat on the step, moving back to make room for a second body between his legs. Either works for Peter, he's not picky. ]
[ His smile returns, warm as he relaxes a little. Any anxiousness calms when Peter takes his wrist, and when the other man shifts to accommodate him, he takes him up on the offer, settling between his legs. It's at once more intimate and comfortably anonymous, bodies touching, warm and solid, without needing to hold eye contact throughout.
Not that he has a problem with eye contact on principle, but it's occurring to Jeff that they hardly know each other, and this is so intimate, that maybe the little barrier of turning around will keep things from getting awkward.
He leans his head back, against the other man, looking up at him with a sunny grin. ]
Looks like this works.
[ And likely Peter will fall victim to it, too. What a terrible demise, huh? It's with that warm thought he is spurred into action, spreading soapy hands along the man's shoulders and down his neck since all he can really reach right now is his front. ]
But then he seems to sober a little, the ghost fading away as he shuts his eyes and hums softly under Peter's touch. ]
It's gotten me out of trouble a time or two. Probably gotten me in trouble, too.
[ Opening his eyes again, he looks up at the other man with genuine curiosity. ]
What about you? You seem like a guy who's never had a problem handling trouble.
[ Got any crazy stories to share? ]


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