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

[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.

[thewidewideworld]

"Yourself, I'd hope." Sinric teases, reaching for a comb and very carefully easing out any knots or tangles, making sure the conditioner is evenly through Emcee's hair.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee snorts a chuckle. "No, not even me," he says, swishing his fingers back and forth across the water's surface, creating soft ripples.

"Though yes, I do get to use these luxurious soaps while I'm here. But I must admit that self-care is-- not my strongest point. I tend to let myself go when I am at my lowest, and rather depend on others to drag me by my ears to shave and shower. Herman, especially. Have I told you about him? It seems as I can never speak enough about him."

[thewidewideworld]

"Must I teach you how to enjoy the pleasures of caring for one's self?" Sinric teases warmly, kissing Emcee's neck, "I was a lesson I had to learn as a boy."

"I believe you have mentioned him as a friend and lover. Tell me more about him?"

[i_am_your_host]

He hums a softer chuckle, a little more inwardly this time. "Perhaps you must. I don't think I ever learned how."

Leaning back into the water, Emcee lets the warmth envelop him.

"Herman played the piano and was the music director at the Kit Kat Klub. He gave me piano lessons, too. He really is quite gifted, considering that he's just a farm boy who never went to school and whose parents drove him out of their family. I remember the first time he showed up at the Klub, looking for a job." Emcee sighs deeply, a fond smile on his lips. "God damn, he was handsome. Still is. Tall, blond, blue eyes, broad shoulders and chest, and a very serious face for such a young man. He was quiet and polite, and for a while the rest of us thought he was quite humorless. It was just teasing, though. I even worked it into the show. I introduced him saying that the funniest thing about Herman is that there is nothing funny about him."

He chuckles again. "The more I said it, night after night, the more Herman began to find it funny."

Growing quiet, he blinks what may be water droplets from his eyelashes, or maybe tears. "I fell in love with him several times, though I always convinced myself that it was better for the both of us not to. I know he loves me. He would do anything for me. He is just that kind of man. He saved my life and took care of me when I was sick on drugs. Repeatedly. He's seen me at my worst, and yet--there he is. Always there for me."

[thewidewideworld]

"I can teach you what Kilída taught me. He was first among the Birds when first I came to the palace. He was very strict that we must clean and care for ourselves every morning and evening. At the time I found it unfair but it has become so engrained in me I can't imagine not doing it."

He listens with a soft smile, massaging Emcee's scalp before reaching for the finishing oil. Emcee will certainly notice how much softer his hair will be for the next few days.

"He sounds lovely. A big, gentle protector."