Wash that man right out of your hair

[madmeemey]

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!

Comments

i apologize for the slowness

[fannan]

( Joe instantly feels more at ease when Nicky's fingers roam over his sealed-up skin. He leans into the touches like they are what heal him, and in a sense, they are. Joe never feels completely put together again until they follow this routine, both of them assured that the other is whole and unbroken.

He reaches up to cup Nicky's face for a moment. The pad of Joe's thumb traces the vein on Nicky's neck, so soft and exposed, though Joe knows that his Nicky is anything but fragile. But vulnerability and fragility are two different concepts, and Joe is both as his strongest and most vulnerable when they are with each other. That's what this kind of love requires; it stopped scaring him eons ago.

Nicky hardly has to steal anything from Joe, least of all a kiss - it's given freely, eagerly. He considers making a quip about how there's no need for his lover to do any of this, but decides to acquiesce. He's bone-tired and those strong hands of him have always brought him back to life.

He steps into the water, letting out a little sigh at the warmth, before sitting down and crossing his legs. Automatically, he turns his head to make sure Nicky is in his line of vision, even now. Some days, it's just harder for them to not keep their eyes on one another, no matter the physical distance. )

take your time! i backtag forever

[broadswords]

[ He too, leans in. The assurance of gentleness, the fact that Yusuf can act freely — are both healing in themselves. To have watched him strapped to a table unable to act in his defence had been the greater torture. Its claws have receded, but the impression lingers. ]

[ At least there is the water, for that. Nicky steps into Yusuf's vision as he looks up, leaning over, loosely wrapping his arms around him, for another kiss. He'd have liked to steal, but all things are freely given. That's what this kind of love requires; his heart is an overflowing jug, when it comes to bringing Yusuf joy and comfort. ]

Hayati.

[ I'm glad you're alive. I'm glad we are here together. I should like you with me today. All things that compress neatly into a single word. Nicky has made his own language of action, and it was Yusuf who unravelled and documented it well before he himself was ever aware, but it's been his greatest instrument since. ]

[ He kisses Yusuf's forehead, and starts kneading the shoulders. ]

[fannan]

( Joe hears all Nicky says in his actions and in the span of one word, and he hears more. Nicolò’s actions have always been louder than words. Joe listens, and is grateful, a familiar warmth starting from his heart and spreading over the rest of his body as serenely as the water that surrounds him.

He lets out a small sound when Nicky kisses his forehead, something content and easy, and his breathing becomes deeper as those familiar hands work the muscles in his shoulders. One touch from Nicolò is always enough to make him melt, but he enjoys the dedicated ministrations. Under his attention, he closes his eyes; he doesn't even think about the decision to trust Nicolò to watch over them both. It's as easy as breathing.

His fingers still itch to hold Nicolò, but he can be patient. They have nowhere to be but here. They linger in comfortable silence a while, Nicky's deft fingers wiping away every ache that lingered in his muscles. But after a time, Joe’s need to return the touch and care that his heart lavishes on him starts to grow. )

Your touch will always bring me back to life. ( A poetic sentiment, maybe, but Yusuf does not consider it untrue. He opens his eyes and turns partway in the tub, a hand resting on Nicky’s bicep, eyes dewy. ) Join me, so I can return the favor.

[broadswords]

[ He doesn't speak, or hum. The water ripples and splashes as some of it spills over the side of the tub, and there is only Yusuf's breathing. He commands his lovely voice so often to soothe Nicky, but all that is truly ever required is the steady onward march of his heart. ]

[ He slows, and sinks, arms loosely wrapping around Yusuf's shoulders and torso, nosing at him. He can feel the scrutiny, the touch on his arm, everything that calls him home. ]

In a moment.

[ A whisper. Nicky rises slowly, stripping the shirt, the jeans, uncharacteristically simply tossed to the rack instead of folded or hung, as Nicky slips into the tub with him, easily curling near, resting his head on Yusuf's shoulder. He reaches up with a hand to caress his cheek. ]

What more poetry do you have for me?

[ He knows he should perhaps tease, or offer some rebuttal, or play, as he often plays hard to get, but he longs for something soothing now, something quiet and theirs. ]

[fannan]

( His Nicolò spoils him, really, but Joe basks under the attention like a reptile in the sun, wriggling happily when he feels Nicky's nose at his neck.

Having his love in his arms will always be best, though. He pulls Nicolò close as soon as he is in the water with him, not caring about the splash he makes, pleased at having his other half at his fingertips, in the warm water with him. )

Hm. ( He ponders, leaning into the caress like a flower opens to the light. Joe brings his own hand to rest at the nape of Nicky's neck, fingers absently playing with the tips of his hair. )

I'm afraid you'll get sick of me comparing you to the moon in a starless sky, the northern star when I'm lost at sea. (These are old words, and Joe doesn't worry, not really. He will say them a million more times, and they'll never stop being true. )

[broadswords]

[ He's always so satisfied, when Nicky gives in to him. He permits the pull, towards the centre of his world — the water barely rippling where he is, but splashing over the side when Yusuf wraps him in his arms. Nicky kisses his cheek, canting his head into the touch. ]

[ There are times when he first turns up his nose, makes his soft noise of disapproval, and then they play the game of making him give in. But now, he hangs off every precious word, the honey of it whispering over his lungs. ]

You always say this.

[ They're old words. They get him every time. ]