[ There really isn't enough room in this shower for the both of them. In spite of their difference in width, it's still not that easy to navigate without Locus banging his elbow against the wall ( which he does several times ) or the shower curtain ( which gets bunched up and knocked out at one point leading to a slight watery mess just outside of the tub ) or knocking into Felix ( which he does several times, also, without meaning to ). In the heat of the moment the space is fine because it keeps them closer together. And it would be an easy thing for Locus to position Felix right against him so they were flush and wash him himself.
But, that's not something Locus would really consider. Not right now. Not when he's still trying to remember how emotions and intimacy actually work and are applied to an actual person and not just a fantasy.
Eventually he does finish—being in the military and being a mercenary have taught him quick shower habits so he doesn't waste time—and gets out. As he predicted, the mat is soggy from shower water and uncomfortable to walk on with bare feet. He huffs a small noise but doesn't say anything and just gets his towel to dry off with. To further prove the point of Locus actually being relaxed, he doesn't complain about it, nor does he pick up his clothes. He simply wanders into the bedroom and finds a clean pair of pajama pants to put on. Task done, he sits on the edge of the bed, waiting for Felix to come out and when he does, he decides to give an offer. ]
We can finish the tree tomorrow. [ Because they do have to go get more lights, considering Locus cut up one of the strands and they didn't have enough to begin with. He clears his throat and feels so stupid saying the rest; ] And watch one of those movies you like up here.
[ Tomorrow morning he's cleaning everything up though. Early. ]
[ They really need a bigger shower. By the end of it Felix feels like he took a spin through the archaic washing machine that lives in the little laundry room. But he's clean and no one fell out of the tub, so he's chalking it up as a win. Even when he steps out onto a soggy bath mat. His nose wrinkles at the cold, squishy sensation, but he doesn't complain. Just hops off of it in a hurry, slips on the tile, and staggers his way over to his towel. He dries off, wraps it around his waist, and runs a comb through his hair quickly.
About to set it down and leave the bathroom, he pauses, considers it for a moment, glances between it and the door, and then heads out still holding it. He's surprised to see Locus sitting there, but the offer stops him halfway toward retrieving his own pajamas. ]
Yeah? Okay. That's—Sure.
[ Like Locus might change his mind, Felix yanks on a pair of pants, flings the towel into the bathroom, and approaches the bed. The comb's in one hand and the other's raised in a placating gesture. ]
Hear me out before you say no. [ He waves the comb for emphasis. ] Let me comb out your hair. It feels better when someone else does it. [ He gives a nonchalant shrug. ] And then it won't get all tangled while we're watching the movie.
[ This is such a strange night. Not the worst they've had—here or otherwise—but still a little strange. He can't really offer a complaint, though, which might be the strangest part of all. ( He could, but he doesn't feel a pressing need to have any burble up to the surface. )
Just as he's pushing back to settle on the bed and flick the television on—which it does flicker on to that ridiculous channel with the equally ridiculous movies—that request comes and Locus pauses midway through what he's doing. Part of him feels a little silly accepting it. The other, more sedated part of his mind, tells him to just do it because it will feel nice and maybe help bleed out the tension that's crawling its way back into his body.
He sighs softly and just arranges himself comfortably to sit on the bed with enough room behind him for Felix. He gives a small wave of his hand to give the answer for him before he speaks. ]
Fine. [ Again his tone isn't sharp. ] If that's what you want to do.
[ Hesitation can cost a man, whether that's in the middle of an assassination or an attempt at brushing a partner's hair. Felix doesn't give Locus time to change his mind. The second he's given the go ahead he moves over to the side of the bed and then slips easily into the space Locus has left for him. It's tempting to plaster himself against Locus' back and just... he's not sure. Wrap around him and refuse to let go maybe. It's a stupid impulse, one he immediately suppresses, but it lingers there like an itch he can't scratch. ]
Hair's weird. [ He says it casually, a normal conversational tone as he separates Locus' hair into sections and startz working the comb through the bottom of the first. ] It feels really good to have someone brush it when it's short and really good when it's long, but that in the middle shit? It's just not the same.
[ Locus' hair isn't a huge tangle. A few gentle strokes of the comb loosens the first section and Felix spends half a minute just pulling it through the wet strands, from Locus' scalp to the very tips. ]
Your hair's a good length for it. [ It's normal, boring conversation that Locus can ignore if he doesn't want to listen. It's normal, and Felix thinks maybe he wants normal after what they've done. Maybe also because of what they're doing now. ] I like your hair.
[ He doesn't pause as he moves onto the second section, though he does look up and fix the back of Locus' head with a curious stare. ]
[ Locus doesn't know of he'd call this normal. Normal for them is what upgrades to make to their personal armory or what brand of bullets is better or what their next move in a mission is. Sitting here talking about Locus' hair or what their shopping list for the restaurant is or any mundane topic isn't normal. For other people, sure. For them? Not so much. Beyond that, idle conversation hasn't ever been Locus' strong point. It feels awkward to talk when he doesn't have anything to say. Felix always has something to say and constantly fills up space with words. The majority of the time Locus finds them useless. Sometimes downright annoying. But right now it might be helping.
Even if it isn't normal.
Locus doesn't really say anything right away, just lets his lids droop as he stares toward the television but not even remotely watching. It does feel nice, someone else combing his hair. Especially considering he doesn't often give it much attention himself beyond combing or pulling it back onto some semblance of control. As much as Locus doesn't seek attention, he can't lie about how nice it feels.
He huffs a small, soft noise that's borderline amusement. Hurting him by combing his hair. Right. ]
No. It's fine.
[ He can withstand torture. This isn't remotely close. ]
[ No, maybe it's not normal for them. Maybe it's even more abnormal than anything else they might have done. But Felix is under the impression that normal people do domestic shit like this. The TV says that they do, anyway, and maybe it's all exaggerated bullshit, but there's got to be a ring of truth to it.
And touching Locus feels nice. Felix doesn't want to stop. ]
I don't know. I don't have long hair. [ It comes out faintly defensive, because he knows that Locus is laughing—his version of laughing—at him. But not terribly so. Because Locus is obviously enjoying it at least a little. ] Shh, I'm being considerate.
[ He moves easily onto the third section, quickly tackling the tangles so he can switch to long, smooth sweeps of the comb. He takes care to run the tips of the comb lightly over Locus' scalp for a little extra sensation. The task's almost meditative for him too, and he keeps combing long after he doesn't need to do it anymore. ]
You should let me do stuff like this for you more often. I could try my hand at a little massage too.
[ Though Locus is facing the television, he's not really paying attention at all. He's discovered he hates the movies and could really do without. They're mundane and he doesn't care about these fake problems that are easily solvable if these people weren't so blatantly stupid. And if there's one thing in the entire galaxy and beyond that Locus has no patience for, it's stupidity. So, his mind has since wandered from the 'will-they-won't-they-everyone-knows-they-are' "plot" of the movie. It hasn't been on anything in particular, the topics shifting before he can really grasp one fully to complete a thought.
Maybe this is normal. Sitting around with a partner doing mundane activities together with nothing pressing on the horizon. After doing certain things. To each other. For each other? Not that this is something he wants to make a habit of—sitting around and doing nothing—it's not the worst thing to do sometimes. Maybe it will help them both.
Sometimes. ]
Braid it.
[ It slips out as a low murmur and he didn't even really mean to say it. But it's still kind of damp and he'd rather it not stick all over his face while he sleeps. Locus clears his throat and glances back over his shoulder to get Felix in his line of sight; ]
[ That's a surprise. It's a little more participatory than he's really expecting Locus to be through this whole thing. Though, the fact that he is participating even a little is... something. Part of Felix wants to examine it and revel in it. The rest of him thinks maybe he ought to leave well enough alone, not try to read anything into it, and just enjoy it. ]
Sure. [ He tips his head sideways so Locus can see him better and offers a quick flash of a smile. ] Whenever you want me to.
[ Which puts control back into Locus' hands and Felix knows how much he likes having it. He goes back to combing, making sure that he's got all of the tangles out of it, and then gets to work on the braid. It could be fancy and intricate, but he doesn't want to push his luck right now. A simple braid will do.
It doesn't take long. Felix might not have long hair or sister, but he can braid rope. It's the same principle with hair. Once he reaches the end of Locus' hair, he pats him on the shoulder. ]
Hold still. [ Leaning over, he rummages through the dresser drawer, finds one of the multitude of hair ties they've got, and ties it off. ] You're all set. [ His fingers settle briefly against the tops of Locus' shoulders, tapping absently. ] We could skip the movie and watch a documentary. Or the news.
[ Maybe it's just the events of the day that have lead Locus into this sort of haze. He's content enough right now, relaxed in a way he can't remember being for a long time. If they do something else, he wonders if it will shatter the peace that's settled over them. Perhaps oddly enough, Locus doesn't feel like it. Might be a passing fancy. Might be because of something else. That requires more thought and study.
On a different day.
Right now, Locus is calm. Sedated enough that he doesn't care about the stupid movie. Right now, Locus could likely fall asleep pretty quickly. So, he simply shakes his head an murmurs a low noise in the negative. Then, he's moving over to his side of the bed and maneuvers himself under the covers. He opens his mouth to say something, but closes it and exhales heavily out of his nose. Reaching under the covers he grabs something then tosses it over onto the floor. The answering jingle should alert that it is a toy of Leon's that shouldn't have been on the bed to begin with!!
He settles on his back against the pillows with one arm bent under his head. The position is open enough that if Felix wants to sprawl over him, he can for now. ]
[ Leon does what he wants! Though in all fairness, Felix doesn't try to curb either. He doesn't think about it in so many terms, doesn't really think about it at all, but in a way, it's his unconscious attempt to let Leon be who he is. God knows Felix enjoys being who he is.
And Locus isn't complaining about it. In fact, Locus looks like he's going to bed, which gets confirmed a moment later when he announces that intention. Evidently he's the sort of person who rolls over and goes to sleep after getting off. Felix isn't exacty surprised by this revelation, but he files it away for later anyway. ]
Okay.
[ Felix doesn't care what they watch anyway, though if Locus is going to sleep he may as well watch this stupid movie and learn more about the 21st century.
Getting into bed, he takes the invitation by plastering himself to Locus' side, throwing an arm over his waist, and resting his head against his chest. He can hear Locus' heart beating, proof that he's alive. To a dead man who spent his life trying to keep him this way, it's a comforting sound. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
But, that's not something Locus would really consider. Not right now. Not when he's still trying to remember how emotions and intimacy actually work and are applied to an actual person and not just a fantasy.
Eventually he does finish—being in the military and being a mercenary have taught him quick shower habits so he doesn't waste time—and gets out. As he predicted, the mat is soggy from shower water and uncomfortable to walk on with bare feet. He huffs a small noise but doesn't say anything and just gets his towel to dry off with. To further prove the point of Locus actually being relaxed, he doesn't complain about it, nor does he pick up his clothes. He simply wanders into the bedroom and finds a clean pair of pajama pants to put on. Task done, he sits on the edge of the bed, waiting for Felix to come out and when he does, he decides to give an offer. ]
We can finish the tree tomorrow. [ Because they do have to go get more lights, considering Locus cut up one of the strands and they didn't have enough to begin with. He clears his throat and feels so stupid saying the rest; ] And watch one of those movies you like up here.
[ Tomorrow morning he's cleaning everything up though. Early. ]
no subject
About to set it down and leave the bathroom, he pauses, considers it for a moment, glances between it and the door, and then heads out still holding it. He's surprised to see Locus sitting there, but the offer stops him halfway toward retrieving his own pajamas. ]
Yeah? Okay. That's—Sure.
[ Like Locus might change his mind, Felix yanks on a pair of pants, flings the towel into the bathroom, and approaches the bed. The comb's in one hand and the other's raised in a placating gesture. ]
Hear me out before you say no. [ He waves the comb for emphasis. ] Let me comb out your hair. It feels better when someone else does it. [ He gives a nonchalant shrug. ] And then it won't get all tangled while we're watching the movie.
no subject
Just as he's pushing back to settle on the bed and flick the television on—which it does flicker on to that ridiculous channel with the equally ridiculous movies—that request comes and Locus pauses midway through what he's doing. Part of him feels a little silly accepting it. The other, more sedated part of his mind, tells him to just do it because it will feel nice and maybe help bleed out the tension that's crawling its way back into his body.
He sighs softly and just arranges himself comfortably to sit on the bed with enough room behind him for Felix. He gives a small wave of his hand to give the answer for him before he speaks. ]
Fine. [ Again his tone isn't sharp. ] If that's what you want to do.
no subject
Hair's weird. [ He says it casually, a normal conversational tone as he separates Locus' hair into sections and startz working the comb through the bottom of the first. ] It feels really good to have someone brush it when it's short and really good when it's long, but that in the middle shit? It's just not the same.
[ Locus' hair isn't a huge tangle. A few gentle strokes of the comb loosens the first section and Felix spends half a minute just pulling it through the wet strands, from Locus' scalp to the very tips. ]
Your hair's a good length for it. [ It's normal, boring conversation that Locus can ignore if he doesn't want to listen. It's normal, and Felix thinks maybe he wants normal after what they've done. Maybe also because of what they're doing now. ] I like your hair.
[ He doesn't pause as he moves onto the second section, though he does look up and fix the back of Locus' head with a curious stare. ]
I'm not hurting you, am I?
no subject
Even if it isn't normal.
Locus doesn't really say anything right away, just lets his lids droop as he stares toward the television but not even remotely watching. It does feel nice, someone else combing his hair. Especially considering he doesn't often give it much attention himself beyond combing or pulling it back onto some semblance of control. As much as Locus doesn't seek attention, he can't lie about how nice it feels.
He huffs a small, soft noise that's borderline amusement. Hurting him by combing his hair. Right. ]
No. It's fine.
[ He can withstand torture. This isn't remotely close. ]
no subject
And touching Locus feels nice. Felix doesn't want to stop. ]
I don't know. I don't have long hair. [ It comes out faintly defensive, because he knows that Locus is laughing—his version of laughing—at him. But not terribly so. Because Locus is obviously enjoying it at least a little. ] Shh, I'm being considerate.
[ He moves easily onto the third section, quickly tackling the tangles so he can switch to long, smooth sweeps of the comb. He takes care to run the tips of the comb lightly over Locus' scalp for a little extra sensation. The task's almost meditative for him too, and he keeps combing long after he doesn't need to do it anymore. ]
You should let me do stuff like this for you more often. I could try my hand at a little massage too.
no subject
Maybe this is normal. Sitting around with a partner doing mundane activities together with nothing pressing on the horizon. After doing certain things. To each other. For each other? Not that this is something he wants to make a habit of—sitting around and doing nothing—it's not the worst thing to do sometimes. Maybe it will help them both.
Sometimes. ]
Braid it.
[ It slips out as a low murmur and he didn't even really mean to say it. But it's still kind of damp and he'd rather it not stick all over his face while he sleeps. Locus clears his throat and glances back over his shoulder to get Felix in his line of sight; ]
If you want to do this again, sometimes, you can.
no subject
Sure. [ He tips his head sideways so Locus can see him better and offers a quick flash of a smile. ] Whenever you want me to.
[ Which puts control back into Locus' hands and Felix knows how much he likes having it. He goes back to combing, making sure that he's got all of the tangles out of it, and then gets to work on the braid. It could be fancy and intricate, but he doesn't want to push his luck right now. A simple braid will do.
It doesn't take long. Felix might not have long hair or sister, but he can braid rope. It's the same principle with hair. Once he reaches the end of Locus' hair, he pats him on the shoulder. ]
Hold still. [ Leaning over, he rummages through the dresser drawer, finds one of the multitude of hair ties they've got, and ties it off. ] You're all set. [ His fingers settle briefly against the tops of Locus' shoulders, tapping absently. ] We could skip the movie and watch a documentary. Or the news.
[ Fucking boring, but Felix can compromise. ]
no subject
On a different day.
Right now, Locus is calm. Sedated enough that he doesn't care about the stupid movie. Right now, Locus could likely fall asleep pretty quickly. So, he simply shakes his head an murmurs a low noise in the negative. Then, he's moving over to his side of the bed and maneuvers himself under the covers. He opens his mouth to say something, but closes it and exhales heavily out of his nose. Reaching under the covers he grabs something then tosses it over onto the floor. The answering jingle should alert that it is a toy of Leon's that shouldn't have been on the bed to begin with!!
He settles on his back against the pillows with one arm bent under his head. The position is open enough that if Felix wants to sprawl over him, he can for now. ]
This is fine. I'll be asleep soon, anyway.
no subject
And Locus isn't complaining about it. In fact, Locus looks like he's going to bed, which gets confirmed a moment later when he announces that intention. Evidently he's the sort of person who rolls over and goes to sleep after getting off. Felix isn't exacty surprised by this revelation, but he files it away for later anyway. ]
Okay.
[ Felix doesn't care what they watch anyway, though if Locus is going to sleep he may as well watch this stupid movie and learn more about the 21st century.
Getting into bed, he takes the invitation by plastering himself to Locus' side, throwing an arm over his waist, and resting his head against his chest. He can hear Locus' heart beating, proof that he's alive. To a dead man who spent his life trying to keep him this way, it's a comforting sound. ]
Go to sleep, Sam. I'll be quiet.