bakerstreet | the intimate bathing meme

the intimate bathing meme

the intimate bathing meme;

Grooming is an important part of many species' rituals. It keeps them clean, healthy, and content. And a good bath? It can change the whole tone of a day from terrible to relaxed and blissful.

But nudity is sometimes viewed as a weakness - and it is almost always sexualized - so bathing is often kept a private matter. If you do share these moments with someone, they're almost always a significant other or a sexual partner.

Like you're doing now.

Whether it be after a battle or after sex (or before sex, even), the two of you are going to get clean. Be sure to help each other out with that, won't you? After all, there are places on the back that just can't be reached...

HOW TO PLAY:
Comment with your character, your prefs, etc.
If there are other grooming-related practices or kinks you'd like to include, like shaving, hair washing, mention them!
Reply to others!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Bathing has been a more difficult process for them both since they had left Cuba and set up the school. Erik knows he is increasingly protective of Charles and a little dramatic about it but he can't help himself; tied in with his guilt and regret is a need to make sure nothing else hurts Charles for the rest of his life if he can help it. He wants to smother him in affection but, in his awkwardness, isn't entirely sure how to go about it without making a fool of himself.

One of the things that Erik can become fussy about is bathing. He likes to be with Charles as often as he can be, seeing as they're separate throughout the day due to their various jobs and lessons, so spending time with him in the evening is always special. He wants nothing more than to spend all his time attached at the hip to his partner and he would do it if he could, a never-absent bodyguard that would never let him out of his sight.

Running the bath is easy, as is getting himself in, but what Erik likes most is helping Charles in before sliding in behind him, settling with Charles' back against his chest with his own arms stroking along the other man's chest tenderly. He kisses the back of his neck once, twice, then leads a trail down across his bare shoulders, feeling a warmth spreading through him at the simple joy of being pressed against him so intimately. ]

Is the water hot enough?

[between running the school and various lessons, not to mention hank's rigorous physical therapy routine, they hardly saw each other through the day. he takes erik's dramatic flair with grace, and tries to ease the other man's guilt as often as he can. he knows that some days it can be a fruitless task.

charles is worn down to the bone, a very long day that only just ended an hour or so ago. he'd done the training with hank. he'd also helped him do some calibration tests on the new set up for cerebro. he doesn't have it in him to want to wrestle with the various bars and such to get himself in and out of the tub.

so he's more than happy to let erik manhandle him into the tub, giving a soft hiss at the first shock of the hot water, and waiting until erik settles at his back, pulling him close. he lets his head drop back on erik's chest, smiling.]

Yes, I think so.

Good.

[ He could adjust the taps easily enough without even moving but he'd much rather focus on Charles and the warm, heavy weight of him against his chest. They're able to have peace here, a quiet moment together that no one dares interrupt. All of the children and staff know that their few sparse hours together in the evening should be kept sacred and would only dare knock on the door if there was a real emergency that required the both of them. Otherwise, they're on their own and it's beautiful.

Erik's fingers run along Charles' chest still, brushing over his skin and enjoying the slight drop of freckles here and there, a dash of colour, even the few scars that are scattered over his body. He continues to press kisses along Charles' neck and shoulders, nuzzling into him and breathing out softly before he continues to speak. ]

I will do your hair after we've had a moment to relax. I think today has been a rather long day for the both of us. [ They had earned this. ]

[he gives a soft, content sound as he rests against erik. he remembers the first time charles had been too out of it to realize a teacher had made their way into the room with a question, and had, well, they left rather quickly. they couldn't look at either of them in the eye for days, it was amusing.

charles may be tired, but he reaches up to capture erik's hand as it trails down over his skin, and lifts it so he can kiss each finger. he lets his head drop to the side at the other man's kisses dropping along his neck and shoulders.]

I'm in absolutely no rush at all. [his lips find the inside of erik's wrist and press there. he casts a glance up at him.] You like it long? I'm thinking of letting it grow out a bit more, actually.

[ Erik is drifting a little, relaxed for the first time in days. They don't get to fall into the bath together often enough for his liking, not when he considers the closeness it offers, the chance to simply bask in one another and enjoy how good it feels to be pressed body to body, even without the burning heat of sex at the back of their minds. He can just hold Charles and not be judged for it (because, sometimes, he'll tug the other man close and some people will wonder, he's sure, how Charles lets him close enough anymore all things considered).

He pauses in his kisses at the question, lifting his hand to stroke through Charles' hair with a soft touch, humming a little in thought. ] It does give something to hold on to when we're a little distracted. [ He shifts, trying to ignore the very base reaction that Charles' soft, innocent kisses are igniting in him, focussing instead on his hair and actually getting around to washing Charles instead of mauling him. ]

But I also enjoyed seeing it short. It was very scholarly. Either way is fine.

[he can sense the tension draining out of the other man, and he's more than happy to just laze about in the water until it goes cold. certainly, people wonder, but charles dismisses it. they are both grown men and are allowed to make their own choices.

he hums softly at the hand through his hair. he always did have something of a soft spot for it. he grins at his first comment, he rather liked it when erik did that. they could get clean and have a bit of fun at the same time. all work and no play, erik.]

That's hardly an answer. [he murmurs]

Do you want me to pick your clothes for you next, Charles?

[ He's only teasing, though, really, and he leans in to kiss the crown of his ear gently to soothe any wound that it might have caused. His fingers keep brushing along Charles' body - not that he intends to arouse him in any way or to ignite anything but because he's rather enjoying being able to go out of his way to touch him, to draw him closer and press their warm bodies together. Charles is his, after all, and his possessive nature is smothered best when he's close to the other man. ]

I like it the way it is now. Perhaps a little longer, if you'd like. Not too long; you aren't homeless, my friend.

[ He reaches, then, to get the shampoo and body wash, bringing them closer and shifting in the water to get a better position so he can start to help Charles wash up. He likes this; being domestic. It leaves a warmth in his heart. ]

[he scoffs at that, cupping a bit of water in his hand, and splashing at erik. he hums in a disapproving tone, but relaxes and relents. he sighs at the gentle and lingering touches.]

Not homeless? [he says in a mock offended tone. he frowns, even goes so far as to let his bottom lip jut out.]

You say the sweetest things, Erik, truly.

Come along, Charles. We both know your hair is a little...

[ He waves a hand before he pours a little shampoo into his palm, lifting to start to rub it into the other man's damp hair. It's a simple process, one he relishes, and he's careful to be gentle with his fingertips. It allows Charles to speak, though, and he hums in agreement, careful not to get any of the soap in his eyes. ]

I know. But you must admit that any more hair and you might look a little... Ridiculous.

[he gives an offended look, and proceeds to cross his arms over his chest.]

Right, all right, I have perhaps heard more murmurs of dissent over the state of my hair in recent months than just from you. Perhaps a trim is in order.

[his arms crossed over his chest doesn't last long. erik's fingers sliding through his hair, he's always had a weakness for anything really to do with the hair, threading, tugging, pulling, and sighs, argument bleeding out of him.]

[ Erik just laughs, a deep chuckle, before he moves to wash the shampoo out of the long hair, stroking his fingers through it tenderly. A trim might do him good - Erik doesn't need it, of course. He keeps his hair almost religiously short, enough that it might be frustrating to anyone who knows his routines.

He wonders if Charles would like his hair longer. ]

We'll find a barber for you. Perhaps you would let me cut it for you? I do cut my own hair, if you recall.

[ He kisses the back of Charles' neck before he bites, gently, just teasing him. ]

[the laugh is deep and full of warmth, and it warms charles more than the water to hear it, and feel it shake through him. he casts a glance up at erik, mouth pursed in thought.]

I could be persuaded.

[the bite earns a chuckle and a small gasp.] I hardly think you're thinking about grooming practices at the present moment. [he shifts his upper body, tilting his head to nuzzle at the side of erik's face.]

I have always been particularly good at persuading you, Charles.

[ He grins, though, his fingers moving a little lower, brushing against Charles' hip and thigh under the water. He doesn't mean to take it too far, not really, but he teases all the same, shifting his weight so that he might lean in and kiss his lover hard, biting at his mouth. When he leans back he continues, as though he had never interrupted himself. ]

You're right. I was going to put conditioner in the ragged mess you call your hair. Hold still.

[he returns the kiss, giving a gasp at the promise of teeth, but then it is over as soon as it has begun. he doesn't have it in him yet to be too upset by the touch and go tactics.]

It's true. I developed something of a weakness for you early on, I believe.

[he sighs softly, then gives a soft whine as erik makes yet another jab at his longer hair, huffing softly. he does hold still enough though. ]

Keep that up, and I won't let you anywhere near me with a pair of scissors.

[ Erik merely grins to himself, moving to begin to massage conditioner into Charles' hair. Truly, he doesn't mind the length as much as he might say - it's just too much of a reminder, at times, of the things he had done wrong, the fact that Charles had lived alone for so long with a man enabling his pain instead of helping to stop it. ]

I'll simply have to do it when you sleep, then, my friend, won't I?

[ He grins, tilting Charles' head to give him a kiss on the cheek, soft, sweet, everything he isn't. ]

[he sighs as the fingers wind through his hair and massage his scalp. if there was ever one thing he would hope erik would learn to do, is to let go of the guilt he carries so needlessly.

he has already been forgiven.

he huffs softly though, tilting his head so that he can look at him, and raises a brow.]

If you do that, my friend, you will spend some time believing you're a five year old girl.

[he smiles then, as if he hadn't just threatened something like that.]

[ He leans close and kisses Charles' jaw, kisses his cheek, before he leans back and strokes his fingers through that lovely hair. It's soft, now, from the conditioner, but it's still damp-- lovely, really.

He tugs Charles closer, hooking a leg over one of his and grinning.

His man. His Charles. ]

I never realised your tastes ran so young, Charles.

[he sighs, happily at the smattering of kisses along his jaw and cheek. the fingers through his hair are relaxing. he wraps his arms around erik's as he's tugged closer, laughing as he seems intent on doing his best impression of an octopus by wrapping around him.

only then he says that, and it earns him a splash of water as he chuckles.]

Oh, you didn't? You're absolutely incorrigible.

[ They're a tangled mess of men, now, their legs wrapping around each other as Erik moves and draws Charles closer, kissing at all the skin he can reach. He keeps stroking fingers through his hair and he tugs gently.

He leans in for more kisses, biting gently, making a soft, pleased little noise. ]

I am not. You're terrible.

[they are indeed. one might wonder where one ends and the other begins, but charles hardly minds it at all.

he returns the soft bites and kisses in kind, pausing only to speak between them.]

Am I really so terrible?

You are. Utterly dreadful. Abhorrent. I don't know how I survive you at all.

[ He kisses along Charales' jaw and lips before he shakes his head. ]

Don't be silly. You are perfection.

[his shoulders shake as erik extols how fantastically awful he is, eyes crinkling at the corners as he chuckles.]

Mm, I don't know. I think someone else might be in contest for that title.

[it is said with no small amount of fondness as charles tilts his head to nose at erik's jaw.]

[ He huffs out a noise, shaking his head and leaning closer to Charles to press up for a kiss. ]

Yes, well. Only one of us in this bath is perfect, Charles, and it certainly isn't me.

[their mouths find each other's again and he can't help but chuckle softly.]

We'll have to agree to disagree then.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

the intimate bathing meme

our cuba au!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject