[ OPEN ] Hot Springs Episode!

[shri]

CHARACTERS: EVERYONE
WHERE: The Second Flight
WHEN: DAY :022
SUMMARY: The Sauna!
WARNINGS: Nekkid times.

[ A few hours after the murder, she hasn't blown the ship up, and here they are. Another knock knock on everyone's brain: ]

( For those of you that are interested - I have secured us a place at the Sauna. Free for us to be use without interruption from outsiders.

You are to be clean before you come in. )

[ Maybe you're here because she bullied you, maybe you want to soak - maybe you're the poor bastard that is standing guard at the door. Either way, welcome to the Suana, have fun. Or don't. ]

Comments

[shiro2hero]

[There's a sense of gratitude toward Lakshmi's mind. They all definitely need something like this. After the last few days. After everything that's happened. All the death and intrigue and potential for disaster.]

[He'll just... have to make use of it when no one else is around. Hopefully it won't be that big of a task. Maybe when others are "resting". And, you know, not there to poke at anything he doesn't particularly want poked at.]

[So yes, when the bath looks empty, he'll be easing into the room.]

[You'll either find him (a) at the edge of the pool, in pants and a shirt, dangling his feet in the water idly. Or (b) up to his waist in the water, wearing a towel around his shoulders, still in his pants. As close to undressed as he's going to get.]

[And trying not to make much noise.]



((ooc: whoop my only topless icon, also I'll match format!))

A!

[sizeofyourbaggage]

[ Sam is definitely not wearing a towel. Or anything, a fact which the steam and heavily scented water doesn't really make any less obvious. He's clearly comfortable in his own skin - something Shiro's probably well aware of by now, but it seems it extends outside of the bedroom. His mind is calmer and more relaxed than it's been in a while, and though there's still a dull ache of grief and mistrust - it's distant and faint, far out of focus.

At the moment he's pleasantly warm, muscles relaxed, and he moves through the water easily when he spots Shiro. He nudges at Shiro's legs until he can slide between them, lazily resting his arms on Shiro's thighs as he leans against the edge of the pool. ]

I think you're kind of missing the point of this, sweetheart.

[shiro2hero]

[He is aware of this. Very aware of this. He's been aware of this probably ever since they got together, and then... ever since Sam walked into the room. Which probably accounts for the color across his cheeks. And the abrupt relaxation once Sam's mind is more in range.]

[Of everyone here... there's someone he can let his guard down around.]

[And, you know, turn bright red when Sam parks himself right there of all places. His real fingers idly running along the other's scalp.]

Hey, my feet are in. Doesn't that count for anything?

[sizeofyourbaggage]

[ Yeah, Sam kind of suspects that the flush in Shiro's face isn't entirely due to the steam or the heat of the water.

Especially since he isn't even really in it.

His smile widens a little at Shiro getting a little hot and bothered, though, entirely unapologetic as he leans his head into Shiro's touch. His hands tug at the hem of Shiro's shirt a little before slipping under it, palms warm against Shiro's stomach. ]

I don't know, man, even your feet look like they could be more relaxed.

[shiro2hero]

[Focus. Focus...]

[Focus on ... that bit of tile across the room. And not the weight of someone against his legs. The weight of a certain someone. Part of him hates how easy it is to get a rise out of him. He should be more in control of himself, especially on a mission where they should be keeping a low profile, Sam.]

What you're doing... is about the opposite of relaxing.

[Meaning, he should really stop Sam's wandering hands, but after the last few days, part of him wants to just drink in actual human contact.]

This is really public.

[sizeofyourbaggage]

[ Sorry Shiro, Sam can't hear that over the sound of him pushing Shiro's shirt a little further as his hands drift upwards, palming over bare skin and tracing his thumb gently along one of the scars he knows from experience is pretty sensitive. ]

Hmmm. What're you worried about them seeing?

[ But he's teasing, and his mind curls around Shiro's easily, beckoning him closer. ]

( Come with me. There's a rock alcove that's private, so no one can see us. I'll keep it PG-13, I promise. )

[shiro2hero]

[His right hand is wrapped around the edge of the pool, at this point. Fingertips digging into it. That spot is sensitive, and Sam clearly knows it too well. Part of him is... a little jealous. How easy it is for Sam to just casually wind him up like this. How he doesn't even think about it.]

[Wouldn't it be nice, if Shiro could do the same?]

You know -- me.

[It does take a few moments more for him to pull together the composure necessary to answer him.]

(What are you planning...?)

[sizeofyourbaggage]

[ It would be nice, maybe. Sam certainly wouldn't complain. But Sam's not complaining now. He loves being able to do this to Shiro, to distract him and get him going like this, and to know that it's because of Sam.

If Shiro doesn't think that he winds Sam up just from that, well. Sam needs to do a better job telling him.

But that - is about what he'd expected, and where he'd have backed off if Shiro didn't want people seeing them kissing - reluctantly, and with some mixed feelings - he can't let that go. For the moment he forgets about his plan to pull Shiro away.

He leans in, arms flexing as he pulls himself a little bit out of the water to press a kiss against Shiro's stomach. ]

( You ) [ Another kiss. ] ( Are fucking gorgeous. ) [ He drags his lips over a scar, and continues another kiss to a different scar with every few words. ] ( Soon as we get some time to ourselves I'm gonna spread you out, pin you down, and go over every inch of you until it sinks in. )

[shiro2hero]

[The same part of him thinking vaguely jealous thoughts of how he wishes he were more skilled at this is, distantly, wondering if maybe Sam doesn't deserve someone who is. Doesn't deserve someone capable of giving him more.]

[It's overruled about as soon as the kissing starts. Right there of all places. Sam's voice in his head, punctuating every kiss, only helps spread a flush from his hairline right down to his collarbone. Breathing picks up -- but, okay, he can do this. He can hold this together.]

[... pin you down... ]

[That hand wrapped around the edge of the pool, braced tight, fingers clenched... suddenly goes right through the stone. Jerking Shiro sideways in the process.]

[And, you know, consequently, making him flounder into Sam.]

>> b

[otrazhenie]

[ It's been about a week since she'd lamented over not being able to use the sauna tents that had been set up after one of the days of competitions, so now that this opportunity has presented itself, Elena's making use of it. She's not entirely comfortable with showing off all of her assets though, so when she steps into the room, she's wrapped in a towel, her hair twisted up off her neck. The damp heat of the room clings to her skin as she looks around, spotting a very familiar figure in the water, and she doesn't hesitate to walk over to the edge of the pool beside him. ]

Mind if I join you?

[shiro2hero]

Elena--!

[It's a guilty jump. A totally guilty one. Not that he has a reason to, considering how wrapped up he is. Maybe because he'd been anticipating turning around and ... well. Being confronted with a situation like Seviilia or Aloy.]

[He relaxes, though. Shifting his grip on his own towel-cape setup to wave sheepishly at her.]

No. Go for it.

[otrazhenie]

[ Had he not relaxed after that jump, Elena would have been concerned, but since he does... Well, she can't stop the smirk that spreads across her lips, or the amusement blooming through their mental connection. ]

Thanks.

[ While Shiro seems to be clinging to his towel for dear life, she unwraps hers without hesitation, revealing the blue underwear set that's serving as a bikini substitute. It covers more than a lot of the bikinis she's seen, actually, and she's not at all concerned with what she is showing - she's always been athletic, and she's not ashamed of the body she has. ]

You seem kinda on edge. Everything okay? [ There's concern there now, and she slips into the water and settles beside him before turning a questioning gaze on Shiro. ]

[shiro2hero]

[For a second there, he's concerned she's going to be like a certain Death Knight he knows, and this is going to result in whiplash from him looking away as fast as possible.]

[But she's in... a bathing suit? Maybe? Forgive him, Elena, he's a stupid boy and wouldn't know the difference unless there was tactile contact. Which he has no intention of doing. Either way, better than trying not to offend Seviilia.]

I'm all right. Startled me. [Truth.] I guess I already forgot how to relax.

[otrazhenie]

[ Shiro's lucky that she isn't like Katherine; Elena's entirely certain her doppelganger would have stripped right there and delighted in showing off and causing other to both squirm and watch in fascination. ]

I'm pretty sure if you say that around Sam, he'll make it his mission to fix that for you. [ She says it with humor and affection, her adoration of the other man broadcasting loud and clear to Shiro. ]

[shiro2hero]

[Since he's just wearing a towel around his shoulders, the blush goes clearly from the edges of his scar, all the way down to his collarbone. Thank you, Elena. Thank you for that.]

He -- should probably not be doing that where everyone can see.

[Humor is good. Humor is less flustering.]

[otrazhenie]

[ It's a good look on you, Shiro. Elena approves. ]

I have a feeling that won't stop him.

[ She's trying so hard to keep a straight face as she says it, but she fails miserably, a grin breaking out at the end and a giggle slipping out. The both of them mean the world to her, and she loves the two of them together. ]

[shiro2hero]

[Her feeling is probably extremely accurate.]

[He makes a face that... is way more flustered than actually annoyed. Because a good part of him isn't upset at all. Maybe it's her amusement. Maybe it's the warmth coming off her.]

[... he'd wonder if this was what it was like to have a sister your own age, if it occurred to him.]

I'll tell him you said that. I don't know what that's going to prove, but. Something.

b

[shri]

[ She has absolutely no interest in that kind of modesty. Obviously so, wearing the water like the only clothes she'd ever bothered to have. She is so very comfortable, right now, her arms hooked back and open against the pool ledge, legs curling loosely in the water. ]

Something the matter, Shiro?

[ She's smiling, if faintly, enough to say she might be teasing. ]

[shiro2hero]

[He turns, at her voice. And then abruptly turns around the other way. Back to her. Just how many people are going to do this? First Seviilia, then Aloy, now Lakshmi...]

Nothing, ma'am.

[Just got to make sure the towel-cape over his shoulders is still there.]

Thank you, for doing this.

[shri]

[ Setting the precedent for not giving a fucking since 1827. And with that, she doesn't even bother to remark on his discomfit or bother to ease up on it. ]

It is my pleasure. It is a luxury we should all have.

[shiro2hero]

Would you... prefer to have some space?

[How do you diplomatically ask someone if they want to be alone? While not letting it drop that you're doing your best not to offend them.]

[He's still talking with his back to her, though.]

[shri]

[ Oh Shiro, if she were a younger woman and you were a little bit older, the fun she would have with you.

But luckily, she mostly sounds incredibly amused, but not pressing. ]

Why? Do you think I should?

[shiro2hero]

I'm not going to... tell you what you should do.

[Just trying to maintain some kind of dignity here. In a pool where everyone seemed perfectly find with showing off everything they had.]

[Maybe it had something to do with the hive-mind aspect. But if it did, he apparently missed out on that part.]

[shri]

Shiro.

[ She cuts across that - because when does she have the time ( so much time, at present ) or the patience ( the more exact problem. ) ]

What is the matter with you?

[shiro2hero]

[STILL WITH HIS BACK TO HER...]

I'm trying to respect privacy. Is that a problem?