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[ God, they could be in his laughably small tub back home, his legs dangling over the sides, and he'd still think it's heavenly. Wrapped in that cozy feeling not just from the warmth of the fragrant water, but feeling David drape himself against his chest. Wade feels an overwhelming surge of affection and romance when he looks at David silently seeking a kiss. Wade slips his arms around his waist, one hand petting up to his chest as he tries to pour those feelings into the kiss, soft and slow.

Wade sighs through his nose, feeling the comforting heat seep into his body and the gentle flow of manna from the intimacy they're sharing in this moment. All joking, playful banter and teasing aside, he feels really good right now. With David. When their lips part, he looks at him, his scarred hand emerging from the water to deposit a dollop of foam on the tip of his nose. ]

I think I could actually drown in this tub. [ Or in your eyes. Ugh, he's got it so bad. ] ...Comfy?

[This tub was fucking expensive, but right now David feels like it was worth every single penny. He'd splurged on an oversized model, perhaps for this very reason, and it's paying off for the sheer fact that two grown men can fit comfortably inside with no overspill. David scoffs, blowing a stream of air at his nose to remove that dollop of bubble bath.]

Please don't. [He settles his head against Wade's collarbone comfortably, his hands scooping soapy water over his chest and shoulders.] Very. But actually, hang on—

[Something occurs to him, suddenly, and he glances up at Wade, a warning in his expression.]

No fart jokes or I promise you I'll pull the plug on this bath. Just...

[David inhales, and light from an unseen source flashes across his amethyst. When he exhales, the water around them begins to bubble like they're in a Jacuzzi. There are no jets, though; it's all David, who exhales a heavenly sigh.]

That's what was missing.

Edited 2022-01-30 01:12 (UTC)

Obviously, I wouldn't stay drowned... but don't let that stop you from giving me mouth to mouth.

[ Wade noses the top of David's head, breathing in the scent of whatever product he uses, wrapped in the warmth of the bath to notice anything is awry until David looks at him. His eyes flick to various points of the bathroom, trying to figure out what's going on until the light catches his attention. When the water starts to bubble, Wade jolts under him, disrupting the water with a splash before he realizes little bubbles are sliding all around them.

Oh. Okay, NOW he gets it.

Wade gasps dramatically, eyes flying wide open. ]

Uh, what?! Are you a fucking natural or something? Where did you learn that trick?

[ Naturally, it would be like David to find luxuriant applications for his gembonded powers. ]

I truly don't need a replay of the window incident.

[Which had rapidly turned into a knife-in-the-head incident, for which there will never be enough brain bleach. But Wade's reaction to his magic special effects is satisfying as hell, and David laughs as they're both enveloped in their own personal hot tub.]

Nowhere! I just...thought of it and wanted to try it. Sometimes I forget how useful having air magic is.

[ Wade looks back at him, stunned. ]

You just came up with it. That's just, just brilliant! [ Wade slides his hands up David's arms and over his trapezius, massaging his shoulders. ] I wonder what happens if we tried to combine the two. Yours and mine?

[ He stops rubbing, clearly thinking about it. But his brain is quick to switch gears: ]

So does that mean I shouldn't drop by if I'm missing a limb or two? They grow back, but they kinda have to plow through the whole puberty thing, yadda yadda yadda...

[ That was so not the worst David can possibly see. ]

It's nothing, really. [Since when is he being humble? Maybe since he learned to trust someone enough not to worry about seeming flawed in any way.] Hmm, mmm. [A thoughtful sound, followed by a sound of enjoyment as Wade rubs at his shoulders. Well, air and fire...]

We could probably make a pretty big flame, [he posits. And then he grimaces at the mental image Wade is presenting, craning around to give him a look.]

I'm not huge on the idea of, um, limb puberty? But I also...like being with you more than I hate that, so. More importantly, what are you doing on any kind of regular basis that results in limb loss?

Presently? Not much. [ Weirdly, not a lot of business here for a contract killer. Although if the political climate continues to suck, his services might suddenly come into demand. Who knows? ] I'm kinda between jobs, although technically fucking you has been really profitable... kinda feels like I'm cheating at life.

[ It's not just the sex, though. Wade can feel a steady stream of Manna right now, keeps his mutated cancer in check, everything running the way it should. His particularly voracious need for Manna aside, he also feels genuinely close to David. That's a very rare and precious thing. ]

You really must like me a lot, if you're willing to tolerate the ugly stuff. [ There's a pause here, Wade's thinking of something. He rubs circles into his muscles with his thumbs, gently continuing the massage. ] If I were to get back into my the business, would that upset you?

Oh, yeah? I'm not going to lie, I kind of like being your full-time job.

[Maybe that's a little more candid than he should be. Reveals a little too much, a card he'd been playing close to the vest. But he feels safe right now, ensconced in this cozy tub with Wade's thumbs pressing into his stiff muscles, so he tries not to dwell on it.

The ugly stuff catches his attention, though, and he shrugs, his fingers drifting through the layer of bubbles floating on the water's surface.]

Why would that upset me? It's your job. You were very up-front about that. And it's not like you can die, right?

[He's fully aware that it's a simplistic way of looking at it, but in a world as complicated as Noctium, he feels like it's probably better to take the path of least resistance.]

[ I kind of like being your full-time job.

Wade's eyes flick toward David and he stares, his mouth instantly going dry. So much for getting his heart rate under control. He has a dizzying thought that it's actually wrong to ask him this. To even think about getting back into the mercenary business when the last time he did, his loved ones were the ones who paid the ultimate price.

And David is that loved one this time. God, he is so fucked. ]

You are a lot more in the morally grey area than I thought you were.

[ Wade wraps his arms around him and tries to interlace their fingers beneath the water. ]

I'm such a bad influence on you.

[David shrugs, feigning nonchalance, glad that the hot water is turning his skin pink so it camouflages the flush creeping up his chest. Glad, too, that their current position means Wade can't see his face, or the bitten-off smile he's fighting off as best he can, which is to say not at all.]

I mean, I grew up around...rich people. Powerful people. Everyone has secrets, and if you have enough money you don't even have to do a good job hiding them.

[Their fingers lace together, wreathed in soap. They feel so right, interlocked like that, David's perfect cuticles and Wade's gnarled scars.]

So, you know, don't give yourself too much credit.

Edited 2022-02-02 01:52 (UTC)

[ Wade's fucked up, he knows he's probably doing that thing where he drags everyone else around him a little bit more to his despicable level. It probably doesn't speak well of him that he doesn't feel too guilty about it, but it just means whatever he does... he has to keep David safe. Not fuck this up. Not like he did with Vanessa.

Because this is too nice to give up, and some part of him is always waiting for the dream to end, he's always said to hold onto love tight and never let it go. ]

What, because you come from the rough streets of Soho?

[ Or, well, enter any expensive neighborhood in New York. Carrying David's hands with his as he pulls him into an embrace, he laughs and sighs. ]

Fuck rich people.

No, [he retorts immediately, craning around so he can narrow his eyes up at Wade.] Just that you're not the first morally-ambiguous person I've run across. I've dated some real psychopaths, too.

[Not going to dwell on how that reflects on him personally, either, just breezing right along, his arms wrapping around Wade's to return that embrace with one of his own.]

Fuck rich people, [he agrees. He's had a few years' distance from the title himself, so he feels pretty okay writing them off as a whole.]

[ The complete lack of hesitation in David's reply leaves Wade staring wide-eyed back at him. He blinks a few times and lobs back: ]

W-well, I'm... glad I could contribute to your unbroken streak of bad choices. Consistency is good.

[ A pause and his mouth tugs into a smile, amused. Obvious intimacy inherent from sharing a bath together aside, he feels really comfortable with David and it loosens his tongue, exposing a little more of the vulnerable underbelly of his heart. ]

For the record, I think you've been a good influence. On me.

Edited 2022-02-04 18:56 (UTC)

Um, I don't think I said that? [Wade gets a few droplets of water to the face for that one, flicked his way along with a smirk on David's face. Putting words in his mouth, the dick.]

That's a new one on me. Usually it's more like, I don't know, 'my life would be better if we'd never met.'

[There's definitely a vulnerability established between them, here, and David is dancing lightheartedly around the edges, anxiety holding him back from being too real, revealing more than he already has.]

Besides, if I'd really been a good influence, you wouldn't be wearing those abominations you call footwear around your apartment.

[The Crocs. He means the Crocs.]

Mmm. I'm gonna need you to name all of the exes who said that and their last known locations.

[ Wade replies, his tone sunny but with a dangerous edge. He's thinking of violence even as he kisses the back of David's head.

Ah, yes. The Crocs. ]

Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. They're so comfy!

How would you dress me up, exactly? I'm more of an ugly Christmas sweater guy with a thrift store vibe. [ Wade's hands slide up and down his thighs, up to his waist, his touch becoming more amorous. ] You're designer sweaters, drop crotch pants and kilts.

Oh, God. I don't hate any of them that much. Besides, none of them are here, to my knowledge. [He shudders a little at the possibility of getting stuck here with Sebastien Raine. Ugh, no thanks.

David stretches out a little as Wade's hands start to wander, the interest that's been simmering under the surface of his skin making a reappearance.]

Um, God, where do I even start? Definitely wouldn't put you in a kilt. That's not really your vibe. I'm thinking more...jeans that didn't come pre-bedazzled at the Buckle? Nice, Italian leather boots. A sweater without mustard stains. You, but elevated.

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