Moved by a sudden impulse

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

Anytime, he said, and carried on washing her as though it was the easiest thing in the world. She wondered if he meant it, if any of it was something she could look forward to - well, except for him dying, obviously. She’d never wish for that. The shower, however, was rapidly becoming one of her favorite activities.

Zavien moved on to her legs, crouching awkwardly before her in the small space. She reached out to run her hands gently through his damp hair, marveling at the fact that this was happening. He washed her with such care that she thought she might die, leaving no patch of skin bare of suds. He even washed her feet, earning a smile that, looking down, he wouldn’t see.

When she was back on two feet, she waited for him to rise and then turned her body into the shower spray, letting the water wash the soap away. The end result was that she felt clean, truly clean, as though all of the heartache of the past had been washed away. Only when the last of the suds had whirled away down the drain did she turn to him, holding out a hand for the soap. ”Your turn,” she said softly, and there was nothing sly or flirtatious about it - just a genuine desire to care for him as he’d cared for her, to show him the same quiet devotion that he’d displayed in spades.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

The hand in his hair didn't stop him, but Zavien smiled softly, his touch lingering as he wondered casually at what he was doing. Something satisfied and utterly content had filled him in this shower. It had snuck up on him like sunlight having crept across the floor until it was washing over him. As he finished washing Soh, he came to notice it, marveling at the sensation when he released her foot to stand. 

His eyes ran languidly over Soh as she rinsed, wondering if this was her doing, if she was why he felt this way, why his mind seemed consumed by nothing but her. And when she turned to remind him of their deal, he still hadn't figured it out. But a deal was a deal. He handed her the soap and stood poised for her to direct him how and where she wanted. It had been decades since someone had washed him and he wasn't quite sure how he was supposed to act or help.

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

Now that it was Zavien’s turn, Soh wasn’t entirely sure what she was doing, only that she knew she wanted to make him feel the way that she felt: safe, protected, cared for. It had been a long time since she’d felt quite so relaxed, and unlike Zavien, she didn’t have to wonder why. She knew it was because of him - because he had been bold enough and brave enough to kiss her on the couch, and for every moment that followed.

She started at his chest, running her soapy hands languidly over hard muscle and knotted scars. Like Zavien, she didn’t linger on any of the imperfections, though her silver gaze followed their trails, perhaps memorizing each and every line of his body so that she might replay their shared bliss over and over again. She worked her way down to his waist and then back up, moving on to his shoulders, tracing the shape of his arms with slow, intentional strokes. It was almost as relaxing to wash him as it had been to be washed, and Soh took her time, marveling at just how she’d ended up in this position to begin with.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

Unashamed of his own ugly scar, Zavien didn't flinch when she brushed over it. Sensation was muted beneath the puckered skin, but it had long stopped aching, and he'd long since stopped worrying about what others thought of it. Still, he appreciated when Soh didn't pause or shrink or show any signs of caring, continuing towards his hips and then arms without err. 

It was a strange feeling. The soap and water spread easily beneath her delicate fingers, never lingering or applying more pressure than necessary. It didn't ignite against his skin or disorient him. It simply soothed and eased what little tension remained. The urge to help quickly faded as he watched her work, catching on the way she dedicated herself to the efforts. He refused to interrupt no matter how he'd usually insist she didn't need to do this, getting the sense that she wanted to do this as much as he'd wanted to run his hands along her. So he remained malleable under her cleaning, letting her direct every angle of his limbs so she could find satisfaction in the process, leaving no spot unattended.

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

Soh finished with Zavien’s arms and glanced up long enough to smile sweetly at him, enjoying herself as she ran soapy hands over his body. Then she was back to work, moving down to wash his legs. Her hands ran. Down his hips and thighs, working over his calves, and finally to his feet. She tapped first one, then the other, silently asking him to lift them so that she might show him the same care he’d shown her. When she was satisfied, she stood again, and gently reached to position him under the water, where the spray could rinse her handiwork away.

Maneuvering them both so that she was behind him was a bit of a struggle in the cramped space, but it was doable, and then she was starting on his back. She began at his shoulders, pausing to rub firm, careful circles with her thumbs anywhere she felt tension. Her hands slipped easily over his skin, aided by the soap. She took her time, pausing here and there to try to dispel any lingering tension, slowly making her way down his back.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

He acquiesced to her every request without needing a single word. When her fingers tapped gently, he lifted each foot in turn. When she guided him beneath the spray of water, he stepped back into the warm rinse. When she maneuvered their bodies around each other, he let her. Nothing she did was met with resistance or protest. He took note of the care she used, the sweet smiles and soft friction of her touch. 

When her efforts moved to his back, he let his head fall forward, water dripping and hair dangling around his face. His eyes fluttered shut, a deep breath releasing with the shifting rhythm. The pressure of her hands adjusted to the knots he thought had already dissipated, unwinding them with a skill that impressed him. 

Zavien smiled even if she couldn't see it, enjoying her resulting relaxation she left down his back as he praised her softly, "You're good at this."

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

Zavien was willing and pliant beneath her ministrations, and Soh found herself lost in the simple pleasure that was caring for someone else. Nothing she'd ever done had been quite like this, and now that she'd experienced it, she was loathe to give it up. Feelings blossomed in her chest, warm and fluttery and new, and even though they were entirely unexpected, they were welcomed. She hadn't thought to find something like this, not really, but now... now she could feel herself teetering on the brink of falling, hard and fast, and it took everything in her not to dive over the edge.

His voice pulled her from her musing. "Thanks," she said, a smile in her voice as she finished washing him. "I'm glad you enjoyed. This... is a first, for me." The confession was soft, almost shy. She wasn't quite sure why a simple shower had affected her so, had pulled her so quickly and deeply into Zavien's orbit that she wasn't sure she'd be able to escape. All she knew was that she wanted this, wanted him, and in so many more ways than she'd already had him.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

Her admission surprised him but also didn't. He supposed he didn't know enough about Soh's history to have guessed whether couple showers were something she'd done often. Other than her complicated history with his friend - who shall remain pointedly unnamed while her hands were still trailing his body - Zavien knew nothing about her experience level. 

The thought didn't bother him. She'd been open thus far, and he felt certain if he asked, she'd tell him more. But the relaxed mood between them made it feel like there would be plenty of time for that, plenty of time for learning more about each other. For now, he offered the same admission in return, smiling softly. "Me too." As she finished with him and he rinsed the residuals of soap, Zavien turned back to her so she could see the content curve of his lips when he added, "I'm glad it was with you."

In the pouring water, he leaned down to brush his lips over hers, a whisper of warmth and tenderness that felt infinite and timeless, a gesture that hinted it wouldn't be the last. 

When he finally pulled away, his hand had lifted to cup her cheek, his thumb wiping a droplet of water from her cheek as he asked gently, "Are you ready to get out?"

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

That this was a first for both of them warmed Soh's heart for some reason she couldn't quite put her finger on. Perhaps it was that this was something they shared, something that was just theirs, something that the world could never take away from them. Or maybe it was just another way that they were similar, something else they had in common. It was striking, really, just how much there was to bind them together, even before today. They'd both called Stormbreak home, both served their region as best they could, both given all they were capable of to a higher calling. And now they were both a little lost, but trying their best to pick up the broken pieces of their lives and put themselves back together.

Zavien, she knew, could understand parts of her better than anyone else, and that realization made her pulse leap even as it terrified her.

His kiss was tender, and she leaned into him as she returned it. Everything now was unhurried, as though they had all the time in the world to explore one another. When Zavien asked if she was finished, she nodded, her cheek scraping smoothly against his thumb, and when the water shut off, she stepped out of the shower, careful not to drip all over the floor as she looked for and found a few towels. Handing Zavien one, she wrapped hers around herself and methodically began to dry off.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

He was reluctant to release her. The kiss ended too soon, but Zavien held confidence that it wouldn't be long until their lips were meeting again. The water shut off and his fingers trailed her as she twisted in his grasp, moving to exit the shower. He didn't let her get far without him, no more than a step behind. There wasn't nearly as much care or consideration for his floor, Zavien letting the water drip and dribble off him onto the tile without any effort to stop it. 

Accepting the towel, they worked into an easy rhythm that felt almost routine. His smile fell on her as he worked the towel down his damp skin, head tilting to scrub at his shorter hair. The expression was warm, softer than sunlight filtering through overcast clouds, showing no signs of the rain or storms that might come later. For how, he was hopelessly happy. 

Finishing with his own drying off, Zavien gave a wispy chuckle. "I know I offered food earlier, but the bed is quite a bit closer and I'm feeling a little too relaxed to eat. Unless you're hungry?" In which case, he'd find the motivation to travel back outside the room to scrounge up whatever snacks he might have (spoiler: nothing good).

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

It was so strange that something so new could feel like such an established routine. Soh toweled off quickly and efficiently, eager to be back in Zavien's arms as quickly as possible. It was as she was drying and wrapping her hair in the towel that he spoke, offering food, but Soh couldn't have cared less about eating at this particular moment. "Bed sounds wonderful," she said instead, smiling at him. Now that she was mostly dry and his bed had been offered as an option, she was very much ready to curl up with him - whether to talk and laugh and sleep, or for another round, who could say? Por que no los dos?

She led the way back to the bedroom, comfortable in her nakedness even though the slight chill in the air pebbled her skin. Tossing a grin over her shoulder, she flopped onto the bed. "I know you invited me to stay to see the sunrise," she mused, watching him with a playful smirk. "But I have to admit this wasn't exactly what I had imagined at the time." Not that she was complaining - she'd do it all a thousand times over without a care in the world.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

"Good," he replied with a smile, eternally grateful he wouldn't have to offer a dinner of bland bread (he was saving that to burn in the morning). 

With the plan decided, Zavien was like a dog on her heels, adoration skirting his gaze across her now glowing skin. The quiet intimacy of the last few minutes began to fade in favor of something playful and bright again - not that he minded. He wouldn't soon forget that feeling, the trading of such gentle care was unlike anything he'd experienced before, but he didn't try to cling to it, cherishing it just as much as the glint in Soh's eyes, the grin on her face that spelled trouble. 

Drawn in by her energy, he cast aside his towel and joined her on the bed, only slightly more composed. His low laughter filled the room, briefly acknowledging the unimaginable situation they now found themselves in. "I promise that my invitation had been nothing but pure at the time." Even if the look in his eyes was anything but, echoes of heat flickering in their green depths when he placed an instinctual hand against the slope of her waist, subconsciously needing that contact.

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Sohalia

Say my name
And every color illuminates

The bed creaked faintly as Zavien joined her, and Soh turned readily to face him, propping her head up on one hand as the other sought him out. There was just something magnetic about him, as though she could no longer resist the urge to touch him, now that some invisible boundary had been crossed. He'd told her she was trouble, and she couldn't argue now - not when she turned playful again, brightening the mood and bringing some energy back into the room.

But really, she was in trouble. She just didn't realize how much yet.

"Mm, and my acceptance was entirely conditional on my sleeping on the couch at the time," she teased. Then, softening, she added, "This is a definite improvement." Snuggling closer, she tucked herself against his naked body, looping an arm loosely over his waist. Her damp hair spread behind her over the pillow, and she closed her eyes as she gave a happy sigh. "I don't know about you," she murmured, "But this is the happiest I've been in a while." And the most at home, but that seemed a bit too heavy for this particular moment, before whatever this was had even been defined.

We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

His head was immediately shaking, arguing over a very fictional scenario that was long past. "Oh no. I would have taken the couch. You'd get the bed." He would never let a woman sleep on his couch while he lounged happily in his bed. No matter how 'weird' it might have been to sleep alone in his bed, Zavien would have insisted purely on principle. 

But he couldn't argue that sharing the bed was a much easier solution - one he was already enjoying immensely. His arm pulled her naked body closer to his chest where she could hear the slow, content drag of his heartbeat. He hummed in response, his hand running an easy path down her back as he closed his eyes. "Definitely happier than I've felt in a long time."

He drank in the scent of her damp hair against his face, the warm feel of her skin, the quiet drawl of her voice. It snuggled into a small hole in his heart, neglected and full of cobwebs he hadn't bothered to clear out. Inexplicably, it fit perfectly, filling it to the point that he was aware of every heartbeat, a faint light pulsing to illuminate every crevice, leaving nothing but this moment and the woman in his arms.

Zavien

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.