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[swatsflies]

@ZD
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((OOC: Zell may show messages to Jim Hawkins. If you do not want Jim to see/know, then please let me know.))

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[rattlingthestars]

About halfway up. It was a long time ago, though, most of it's faded. [ Jim would demonstrate but ... no, probably not a good idea. He's just going to keep his eyes on Zell's eyes, though he can't do that for long without wanting to -

Well, to do exactly what he's doing, which is to come up out of the water enough to kiss Zell across the lip of the tub. ] Has it been a moment yet?

[swatsflies]

[ At Jim’s response, Zell peeks downward. Thankfully he can discern a different color under the water that reassures him that Jim isn’t naked.

Then he’s coming in for a kiss. Moving his hand to brush his fingers up Jim’s side as he returns the kiss. Giving a dumb smile as he nods. ] Y-yeah.

[ Sitting out isn’t going to be much better for the situation anyways. Though the view is pretty great from out of the tub. ] Close your eyes. [ Reluctantly standing up and sidling over to his end of the tub. He’s not going to look at Jim to see if he’s actually following the request as he takes off the towel and climbs in. Going to playfully poke Jim’s feet with his own.] Better? [ Leaning forward to help himself to placing a hand on Jim’s ankle.]

[rattlingthestars]

Close my -?

[ Oh. Oh. Jim turns his head toward the opposite side of the tub, facing the wall, and obediently closes his eyes.

For, oh, half a second.

If Zell's looking, he might catch Jim peeking, just a little, before slaming his eyes closed again. It's not enough to get a clear picture, really, just flashes of muscled thighs and the familiar, ragged darkness at Zell's hip, and -

and -

well, that's about when Jim closes his eyes again and, this time, presses his forehead to the wall and tries to think of anything - doppler, beckett, the smell of the cabin back on the Legacy.

It's all working very well until Zell touches him, of course, and then everything's right back to hell.

(spoilers: jim likes hell, it's warm there.) ]

Hey.

[ He transfers his forehead from pressing against the wall to pressing against his own knees, but looks up playfully at Zell. ]

Way better, you're a lot closer now.

[swatsflies]

[ Tracing slowly around Jim’s ankle as he smiles at his boyfriend. He’s struck again with how incredibly cute Jim is and just how much he wants to kiss every thing above water. Shifting his own legs so he’s now cross legged as he slides his hand up the side of Jim’s calf to his knee. Leaning in close to press a kiss against where shin and knee meet. ] Hey.

[ That playful look is going to be the end to Zell. His gaze drifts from Jim’s face over to his bare shoulder. Stretching out his fingers and then curling them close as he tries to figure if it'll be a good idea to touch him. After as second, he dips his hand in the water to flick water at Jim. Starting a water fight isn’t really what he wants to do, but it’s safer than trying to pull his boyfriend into his lap or nibbling what skin he could. ]

I don't know, man. You might regret me being closer. [ Teasing a bit as he flicks more water at him. ]

[rattlingthestars]

[ As Zell comes closer, Jim relaxes his arms' hold on his legs so that he can prop both hands on Zell's knees under the water. He thinks, for a moment, about moving them up - but then it's broken by Zell flicking water.

Jim makes an outraged noise and, predictably, retaliates. He's careful not to send any of the precious warm water out of the tub, but he's definitely aiming for Zell's face. ]

I will if you get soap in my eyes, you jerk. [ The insult's affectionate, accompanied by a tug on Zell's hair for punctuation. ]

[swatsflies]

[ Whoops cockblocked himself

Laughing at the noise and the retaliation. Moving to capture one of Jim’s hand in his own and sliding his fingers between each of his boyfriend’s. Pulling to his mouth to press a kiss against his wrist, ignoring the soap taste. ] I’ll be careful.

[ Might mean about something more than just the soap. Reaching to snag his other hand to hold. Once he’s sure he has Jim, he’s going to steal a look over. ]

Can...can I? [ Letting go of one of the hands to reach out for Jim’s shoulder, but he’s not touching him yet. Waiting for a confirmation first. ]

[rattlingthestars]

Can you-?

[ Jim prompts, gently, not entirely sure what Zell's asking as he lets Jim's hands free again. Jim takes advantage of it to clasp Zell's neck, just below his jaw, without stopping to ask. There's a question of 'is this okay' in his eyes when he meets Zell's, though, even as his thumb reaches to nudge at the earring he'd given Zell.

It's healing nicely, Jim thinks, and he's never going to get over the little thrill of happiness every time he catches sight of it. ]

[swatsflies]

[ At the questioning look, Zell smiles warmly. This is nice. It feels pretty intimate without gloves barring skin, and sitting together almost completely naked. Tilting his head to press a quick kiss against Jim's arm.

He's not quite sure how to put it in words, so he'll reach out to touch Jim's shoulder. Sliding his fingers down his arm and up again as he watches Jim carefully for a reaction. After a moment he'll walk his along Jim's pecs. ]

Touch. [ Taking a deep breath. Exhaling slowly as he tries to steady his heart, which is beating like crazy. ] Let me know what makes you uncomfortable. [ Other wise he might get a little carried away. Putting his hand over Jim's heart and stretching out his fingers. ]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim's hand drops down along Zell's neck to rest on his shoulder. Silent. Studying Zell again before he breaks away. Not for long: just to retrieve a somewhat-pitiful bar of soap and a wash cloth, both of which he hands to Zell. ]

Help me?

[ Not a direct answer, but Jim thinks Zell will know what he means. Zell can touch. He can look. And then Jim will get his own turn. ]

[swatsflies]

[ Taking the bar of soap and wash cloth as he tilts his head. Then he fumbles with the soap as he understands what Jim is saying. Giving first a guilty smile before it morphs into something warm and affectionate. Dipping the cloth into the water and rubbing the soap on it to get it nice and sudsy. Balancing the bar on the edge of the tub. ]

As you wish. [ Snagging his hand to lift it out of the water and drag the cloth up slowly. Stealing a look over at Jim as he scrubs his shoulders and across his collarbone to reach his other arm. Once he deems both arms are good, he gets an idea. ] Can you turn around?

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim raises both eyebrows at the guilty look but returns the smile as he lets Zell do whatever he's going to. The time he takes to suds it up just builds anticipation. It doesn't break as Zell grabs his hand, just keeps building when Zell drags the cloth over his skin. Jim sits in silence, biting his lip, until Zell asks- ]

Yeah. Scoot back a minute, okay?

[ He needs the room to turn around without sploshing their precious hot water everywhere. ]

[swatsflies]

[ It's good that he's pretty focused on completing his task because that lip bite... he does take a second longer than usual for his brain to reboot as soon as he notices though. What did Jim say? ]

Scoot back?

[ Oh. Oh yeah. He scoots back to his end of the tub. ] This better?

[rattlingthestars]

Yep.

[ Jim boosts himself on the tub. Rather than turn, though, he just uses the leverage to lean forward and kiss Zell.

Okay, then he turns around. He's being good, see? Except that he's craning his neck to see what Zell's doing now. ]

This okay?

[swatsflies]

[ Licking his own lips after that kiss as he immediately misses the feeling of Jim there. Giving a nod. ]

Y-yeah, it's okay. [ More than okay. Scooting close as he helps himself to putting his legs on either side of Jim. Leaning in to press a kiss against the back of his neck. Pressing the wash cloth against his back as he scrubs in circles. He lets his gaze drop down Jim's spine as he entertains for a moment doing something less than wholesome to his boyfriend. Thankfully seeing the remains of his writing gave him something safe to talk about. ]

We should do that. [ Instead of specifying what he means by that, he touches his handwriting on Jim's back. Tracing it with his finger. ] Later. [ Back to scrubbing Jim's back as he looks up to watch him. ]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Oh. Jim's very aware of Zell - who isn't wearing any clothes - on three sides of him. Even where they're not touching. Maybe especially where they're not touching, because if he moved just so they would be.

Jim takes a deep breath, probably visible from behind, and chokes on it when Zell touches the spot on his back. It brings back a sense-memory of when they'd done the marks and Zell had kissed his spine. ]

--Uh?

[ Those weren't words, cough and try again. ]

-Yeah. We'll need to fix them when we're done.

[swatsflies]

[ Just as Zell is aware of every sound and move Jim makes. Frowning a little in response to the choking as he places his fingers between his shoulder blades. Rubbing circles against his spine. ]

Something up, Stars? [ Leaning close to nuzzle against the nape of his boyfriend’s neck. Feeling a little bold he presses a quick kiss there. Putting the wash cloth on Jim’s shoulder as he moves his hands to his sides. ]

Want to lean back? [ So he can get Jim’s chest easier. Yup. That’s it. ] You can lean on me. [ Without touching certain things. ]

i see what you did there

[rattlingthestars]

[ It's a good thing for Jim's non-existent dignity that Zell can't see Jim's face just then as the decision making process plays out way too clearly. Were this an anime, it's possible crossed eyes and a small nose bleed would be involved.

As it is, there's just the audible sound of Jim swallowing and, after a long moment, him easing back to lean just his upper body against Zell. His head rests on Zell's shoulder, titled up toward the ceiling, and he's quiet as he readjusts. ]

We're - this is... [ Overwhelming is the word he's looking for, but good luck getting him to spit it out. ]

I did nothing :3

[swatsflies]

[ Jim might be able to pick up Zell's heart racing as Zell ponders his choices. This is certainly much more safer than if they were facing each other while Zell tried to scrub his chest. Gulping down air as he tries to count down to try to calm himself down, while desperate trying to ignore how small the space between them is.

Pressing a kiss against his hair as he snags the wash cloth again. Adjusting his arms to circle around him to touch his chest. Dragging the cloth across Jim's chest ]

W-what? We're what? [ He swallows down the lump forming. He's a mixture of nerves and excitement. ]

Uh-huh.

[rattlingthestars]

Close, [ Jim manages, finally. He can feel Zell's heartbeat on his back, and wonders if Zell can feel his. Or hear it, for how loud it sounds in Jim's ears. There's no real calm at this point, just staring up at the bathroom ceiling and waiting for whatever Zell is going to do next. ] -Really... close.

You're going to kill me.

O:3

[swatsflies]

[ Yeah, they were close. They have been closer before, but not like this. Not without layers of clothes like this. Pressing a kiss against Jim's hair as he hums in agreement at the close comment.

He should... get the soap. Carefully snagging the soap from the rim of the tub, while trying his best not to bump anything new against his boyfriend. Giving another kiss to his head as he snags it. Rubbing it against the cloth to get it all soapy again. Whoa. Wait.]

Bwua? [ There is almost a what in his words. ] What do you mean by that? [ He hesitates a moment and then gets back to work scrubbing Jim. Working his way down his stomach. He has a task to do so he should finish it, right? Just clean is almost completely nude boyfriend in the tub and let him-

He's not even sure if he can let Jim reciprocate this. He might lose whatever control he has left and eliminate the space between them. Thinking of that is making it hard now to really focus on the task and what Jim might say in response. Making a soft whine as he lets the wash cloth go to trace against Jim's stomach with his fingers. ]

surprisingly i have no icons for 'about to die of being a teenager'

[rattlingthestars]

Do you ever feel like that?

[ Jim's voice is unusually hushed, still, and it sounds a little like it costs him something too say it. The vulnerability on his face, the way his eyes are closed, is hidden by their relative positions. The way his breath catches as boyfriend drags soap over his stomach. ]

-Like you want something, but you don't at the same time, and - [ And it's going to kill him. He's going to explode and revive across town, and cause of death will be listed as Zell's hands. ] and -

;D

[swatsflies]

people don't die of blue balls dude

I HAVE A COUPLE and let me know if this is okay DROPS WORDS ALL OVER

[swatsflies]

[ He really hasn't felt like that until Jim came into his life. Finding himself drawn to him and wanting to make him laugh or smile. Wanting to touch him more and more...

It was never to the extent feeling like he could die from it until moments like these. Moments where Jim is incredible, warm, and right there. Where he puts some cake in his mouth before sharing a kiss or when Jim teases when it's the two of them. Zell finds himself wanting more and more.

When things get really heated between them, Jim usually pulls away or says his name. Right now none of that is happening. Swallowing as he nods mutely, not quite trusting words immediately as he trails his finger up Jim's stomach and chest. Kissing his boyfriend's shoulder as he takes a deep breath. Keeping his hand over Jim's heart beat as he reins in his thoughts on what he'd like to do to him in the tub and concentrate on what they should do.

Jim did say that he wants something, but doesn't at the same time. If this is about the same thing Zell is thinking of, then he needs to say something. ]

Do you mean...this? [ Lifting his hand out from the water to gesture to them in the tub. ] If it's this- [ Rubbing his face against Jim's neck as he lowers his voice] this, then I want to. I really want to. [ There might be a pretty big hint on just how much he wants it from the sound of his voice. Jim can be the biggest tease ever and he doesn't even know it and all he has to do is scoot back just a tiny bit to feel how much he wants him. ]

But only when you want to, Stars. I'm willing to wait however long it takes.

[ And he might have a use for those extra pair of socks while he waits. ] One step at a time.

aand fade to black?

[rattlingthestars]

[ None of that is happening. Jim's not pulling away, and while he might say Zell's name, it's not a warning or a request to stop. He's just still, heart beating hard enough that Zell can probably feel it stutter under his palm. ]

What if...

[ He hesitates. There really might be no turning back, once he finishes that sentence, but unlike the other times they've found themselves here, Jim thinks that's okay. They're warm and comfortable and safe, and he can't imagine anyone else in the universe that he'd rather be here with. He doesn't want to do this because he's afraid of losing Zell, he just wants Zell, and Zell wants him.

There's really no reason to make it more complicated than that, he thinks as he twists around to meet Zell's eyes. ]

What if I don't want to wait anymore?

[ And he doesn't, not even for an answer in words, as he presses ahead. ]

let me know if this is okay :3

[swatsflies]

[ After bath time, drying off as best as he can, and pulling some shorts on, he's plopping down roughly on the edge of the bed. There is a smile plastered to his face that might not go away for the rest of the night. He gestures for Jim to come over. ]

Need any help with that? [ That refers to the toga. Jim is finally joining the ranks of toga-ing, while their clothes are going to the wash. Though Zell doesn't have plans on actually helping him until they actually have to leave the room. He has other ideas in mine that consist of dragging Jim into bed and just curling up against each other. ]