OOM - upstairs with Sinric

[i_am_your_host]

During Emcee's recovery in his room, he became a recluse. He couldn't find the motivation to go downstairs (too tired, too lazy, too sad, too unsure of himself), so he would ask George to see if any of his friends were around. To talk, and perhaps to let the talking lead to other things. Jay, Sinric...even Eric.

At least, he thought, he might be ready to take up his other old habits.

(He wasn't certain if he could feel Eric's presence. It might have just been wishful thinking. Or not.)

As it happens, Sinric is in the bar when George goes on this particular errand. He floats up to the long-haired blond and chirps out the sounds Emm See! at him, and moves backward toward the stairs as a gesture to follow.

Comments

[i_am_your_host]

"It will be worth the effort," he assures him, though he's sure his own knees won't fare any better.

Once Sinric has gotten off of him, he sits forward with an oof, and makes an attempt to stand. He's a little wobbly, but he'll make it.

He thinks about doing up his trousers for a moment, but has a more practical idea. They have to be laundered anyway, so he strips himself of them and goes to fetch a cotton robe in the bathroom, when--

"Oh!"

George is hovering over the sink, and he beeps at Emcee.

"Oh, darling, you've been hiding here this entire time! I'm so sorry! You must have been bored, you poor thing."

Emcee grabs the robe off a hook on the back of the door and pulls it on.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric chuckles and holds a hand out to help Emcee up, fetching his slippers from the door while Emcee dresses.

George gives a low little buzz and nonchalant whistle like someone pretending not to notice anything.

"He's one of Jay's little friends, is he not?" Sinric asks, holding his hand out as George follows Emcee. "I believe they are rather fond of music."

He addressed George. "I have quite a lot of music in my room if you'd like to come listen while Emcee and I are bathing?"

[i_am_your_host]

Living with someone like Emcee for the past few days, George has become accustomed to human nakedness.

"Yes, Jay helped to raise a colony of them, and George is one of the younger members. And they most certainly do enjoy music a great deal. One of them even crafted this music box out of glass."

He shows Sinric the sparkly blue and silver music box, which he keeps on his dresser.

Meanwhile, George responds to Sinric's offer with excited beeps and chirps. Music and a new place to explore are welcome treats!

[thewidewideworld]

The music box makes Sinric smile brightly with wonder. "Oh it's beautiful. You must be so very clever."

George's green shell blushed warmth to the praise and preens with a purr.

Sinric offers Emcee his arm. "Shall we?"

Sinric's new room is up a floor and at the east end of the corridor. Inside they are frankly ridiculous. Romanesque with vaulted ceilings with edges with frescos of animals, rich tiled floors that are warm underfoot.

The cross shaped layout and columns create discreet niches - one with a large bed; another lined with books and a map of the world as known in his time painted on the wall, a third holding several large couches circling his harpsichord.

The east side opens onto a glassed-in portico with a stunning view of the snow speckled garden.

A door off the bed chamber leads to a more modern but still Romanesque bathroom with a bath easily large enough for three.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee pulls on his boots and slips his hand into Sinric's arm.

"Let's," he agrees, and they head out, with George trailing behind them.

Once inside Sinric's chambers, Emcee stops at the threshold and gapes in awe.

George zooms in over their heads and flies under the arches and around the columns with glee, enjoying the way his cheerful beeps and buzzes sound in the spaciousness.

"Oh my god," Emcee murmurs, stepping in further and craning his neck to take everything in. "That's it, I'm moving in with you," he jokes.

[thewidewideworld]

"You're very welcome, my mirror." Sinric smiles, "Any time."

He steps over the the centre of the music space and holds a hand out to George. "Just here, little friend." He sings a short, wordless melody. The shape of the roof reflects it back, making it sound like a sweet, unearthly choir rather than just one voice.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee blinks at Sinric, and then chuckles, shaking his head.

"Oh, I jest," he says, "but I will probably be a very frequent visitor from now on."

Before he wanders any further, he toes off his boots and leaves them by the door. He's cleaned the dried blood off their soles, but they are such grungy things that it doesn't seem proper to be wearing them here. He utters a note of pleasant surprise when he finds that the floor is warm under his bare feet.

Forgetting his wobbly knees, and padding over to the windows, he looks out at the garden. And then glances at the library when his attention is drawn by Sinric's singing. Making his way over, he marvels at the sound.

"Incredible acoustics!" he exclaims. "I have never heard anything like it."

[thewidewideworld]

"I know. But I do mean it. You're always welcome here."

George squeaks happily and croons along, making the sound even more complex. Sinric laughs and kisses the little drone. "Beautiful. Now, let me find you come music."

Next to one of the couches is a little side table with a tablet, a little stereo system and a set of large headphones. The big padded headphones fit perfectly either side of George and Sinric plugs the tablet in and selects a range of unusual musics that might interest the little drone.

That set up, he comes bouncing over to Emcee, wobbly knees forgotten in the joy of sharing his new space.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee smiles at Sinric, warmly replying thank you, before watching with amusement as he sets George up to comfortably listen to music. Then, sliding an arm around Sinric's waist, he pulls him into a brief kiss.

"Do you think that will keep him occupied...?" he murmurs wryly.

It's like having a child around.

[thewidewideworld]

"I think so." Sinric tilts his head to accept and steal another kiss. "He seems happy enough."

He turns in Emcee's arms. "Now, I believe I offered you a bath?"

[i_am_your_host]

He chuckles, his breath warm on Sinric's lips.

"Mm, yes, lead me to that decadent bathroom of yours."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric take his hand and leads him in, gently undoing the belt of his robe as he does. He kisses Emcee, slow and sweet as he pushes the cloth away.

He breaks off with a small and steps back to run the bath.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee can't resist a luxurious bathroom like this. He casts his gaze around it for a moment before Sinric unties his belt and gives him a kiss, which he returns as he lets the robe slip down his arms. While Sinric runs the bath, he hangs the robe on the rack and idly runs his fingers over the smooth marble tiles.

"This will feel marvelous," he purrs as the steam rises. He stands behind Sinric, combing his fingers through his long hair and sweeping it away from the back of his neck.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric purrs a contented little sound. He does so love having his hair played with.

He leans back to run his cheek against Emcee's. "I haven't had a chance to test the bath yet. It will be a pleasure to share it with you." He loosens his own sash, letting the warm robe slip off.

He's grown less self-conscious about his back over time. The layers of scar and abuse, the name carved into his shoulder and later recut as a blessing. But showing that side of himself to Emcee has never been troubling. It has never felt like something he had to hide.

[i_am_your_host]

"Ooh, how wonderful," he says, smiling with delight. "A hot bath can only ever be enhanced by sharing it with someone else who appreciates such a simple pleasure."

As he takes Sinric's robe and hangs it up beside his own, his eyes inevitably flit down over the scars on his back. Yes, he is aware of them, he's seen them, he's felt them. But they make no difference to him.

He skims his hands down Sinric's arms and kisses a smooth patch of skin on his shoulder.

"Shall you step in first?" he says, holding his hand to help steady him.

[thewidewideworld]

"May I?" Sinric smiles, reaching up to caress Emcee's arms as he steps into the water.

It's warm and fragrant and deep enough to sink into wonderfully. He whispers a happy blessing in Greek.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee watches him step in like some kind of water nymph, pale and slender with flaxen hair.

He follows, a satyr-esque counterpart, and eases himself into the water. The tub is wide enough for them to comfortably sit side by side, and he sinks down nearly up to his chin.

"Ahh, this really is decadent," he sighs, pressing up next to Sinric's body and slipping an arm around him.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric happily settles against him, head tucked against Emcee's shoulder. He runs his hand through the water, making it swirl warmly around them. "So decadent. I'm very lucky."

He half turns to kiss Emcee's neck. "Will you permit me to wash your hair?"

[i_am_your_host]

"As am I," he murmurs, taking the words to heart.

He is lucky. To be here with Sinric, to be able to bathe, to feel water and steam on his skin, to be alive.

At Sinric's offer, his lips twitch in a faint smile.

"Of course, darling. I would adore that."

Emcee's hair is a bit longer now, his usual close-cropped undercut having grown out some, and the tips of his floppy bangs reaching below his cheekbones.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric kisses him again and moves, urging Emcee forward so Sinric can kneel behind him.

Gently, carefully he guides Emcee to lay back in the water, cradling his head and shoulders so he goes only deep enough to wet his hair. It's a position that requires great trust and Sinric takes it very seriously.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee has no qualms trusting Sinric. It doesn't even enter his mind to not trust him.

His closes his eyes and dips his head backwards into the water, resting his head in Sinric's hands as he does so.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric massages his scalp, guiding him gently out of the water and starting to work the softly spiced shampoo.

He sings softly, just because he can. For the simple joy of singing.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee sits upright, drawing his knees up and crossing his ankles. Eyes closed again, he lets his head fall back as Sinric begins to lather up his hair, humming a sigh of content. Sinric's voice adds another layer to the pleasure of this experience, and he's happy just to listen. He hasn't felt this relaxed in a long time.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric has a skilled hand at this, massaging the shampoo in and gently guiding him back to rinse it out. He moves on to the conditioner, again taking his time, making it as good as possible for Emcee. He loves pampering people he cares about.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee isn't used to being pampered like this, but it's happened on occasion. When he's comfortable enough with someone to allow it. Or when someone pays him for the privilege (lonely fetishists, older gentlemen who secretly prefer to dote on boys).

Sinric, of course, is of the former, but even still, he's different. He's genuine.

"There is only one other man who took this much care to wash my hair and mean it," he murmurs, slightly amused by his own wording. But he means it just the same.