Don't wake the sleeping traveler

[startraveler]

[There are times when the bed is just calling to you, wanting you to stay in the warmth and softness for as long as possible. It's that sleepy, lazy kind of morning, when you don't have to hurry anywhere. Even Aether has mornings like these.

Someone enters the room, a familiar voice calls to him, before attempting to pull the blankets away. It's Heizou. Aether knows this voice all too well, but he chooses to keep his eyes shut, a small whine escaping him in protest as he wraps the blankets tightly around himself.]

I'm not leaving the bed. It's cold outside.

[It's not. They are in the Serenitea Pot's domain, where the temperature is always perfect, but that doesn't matter. The traveler is not getting up.

A different idea starts brewing in his head instead.]

Comments

[startraveler]

[Seeing Heizou relax in his arms like this brings another fond smile to Aether's face. He continues on with soft brushing of his lover's hair, happy that they can be like this. His eyes would close for a moment longer, before they finally move on to the bathroom... But that doesn't happen. Aether's thought's are suddenly interrupted by the other's words and the traveler blinks.]

Carry... me?

[There's a very prominent blush spreading on his face, before he mimics Heizou with a small pout of his own.]

Or maybe I should carry you.

[It doesn't matter that it's his day off!]

[book2thehead]

Oh?

[Heizou leans in close, a glimmer of mischief and amusement in his eyes and flirty little smirk spreading across his face. He sees that blush, Aether! Don't bother trying to hide or deny it!]

It seems you quite like the idea of being carried, though...

[startraveler]

Do I really?

[Don't look at him like that! He will try to deny everything as much as he can!]

Uh... Well, if you really want to carry me so much... I guess I can agree.

[He is very embarrassed.]

[book2thehead]

[He leans up nice and close, letting their noses press together with a happy hum.]

I do~ I like that it means you trust me.

[With his arms still wrapped around Aether like this, it's just a matter of hauling them both upright and getting out of the bed. Heizou's short, but he's stronger than he looks, so it really isn't even all that hard to do. And just like that they're both on their way to the bathroom!]

[startraveler]

[When his partner gets so close to him, saying those things, Aether takes a deep breath in, then slowly lets the air out.]

Of course I trust you.

[He does. He could trust Heizou with everything.

When he's lifted up, it feels a bit strange at first. He really isn't used to this kind of treatment but he gets used to it eventually. His gaze is on Heizou at first, before looking down and just leaning into the warmth of his partner.

The bathroom is close, so this entire journey doesn't last long. Considering they aren't even properly dressed and likely have visible marks of the time they shared, it's probably for the best. Aether looks at the bathtub, before asking:]

Um... I could prepare the bath for us?

[book2thehead]

[He only starts to lower Aether once they're properly in the bathroom, and when he does it's to set him down comfortably on the edge of the tub. But he's still hesitant to really separate from him fully, pressing a kiss to the top of Aether's head with another soft, happy noise.]

Yes, thank you, my dear! Ah, but first...

[As he finally moves away, he reaches down to start pulling Aether's shirt up and over his head.]

Let me get this off you~

[startraveler]

[He also feels the same. He wants to feel Heizou close, unable to part from his warmth. The kiss to the head is nice and makes him hum softly. Then he blinks, surprised when the shirt is pulled up.]

Ah, s-sure.

[He lifts his arms to help and the shirt is gone in no time, leaving him bare on the edge of the bathtub. Despite the closeness and intimacy they shared before, Aether still blushes and somewhat awkwardly reaches to the tap to start the water flowing.]

[book2thehead]

[He can't help himself. That embarrassment in his face is just so cute. So once Aether's shirt is off Heizou presses yet another kiss to his head before stepping back to discard it in the right place. The shirt he's wearing also goes with it, and just like that Heizou is back at Aether's side, gently carding fingers through his hair.

There's... so much of it.]

Man alive... How do you manage all this on your own, Aether?

[startraveler]

[He may be still blushing, but he leans into that kiss with a more pleased expression than embarrassed one. The water continues to pour into the bathtub, the warmth of it slowly filling the air.

As Heizou joins him, Aether focuses on the water, but again, the attention his lover is giving him is just so nice. He really likes when the detective plays with his hair.]

It... can be a bit troublesome, but I'm used to it.

[He glances at the other, smiling softly.]