"Oh..." Viktor blinks at Barcus' explanation, and then his pale cheeks colour just slightly. It takes him a minute just to process that Barcus is referring to him as a respected authority figure, let alone say any words about it that are coherent, but he does like it. "That— I..." He stammers, and then Xander saves him from his floundering by entering again.
He knows that his partner must be in pain, and he knows him well enough by now to see even the tiniest signs of it, even when he is gritting his teeth and bearing it. Plus, that wheeze...
"Xander..." His tone of voice makes his concern obvious. He deliberates for a moment, brow furrowed. He'd get up and do it all himself if he could, but he's worried he might get faint when he stands.
He looks to Barcus again, hand on his arm.
"Barcus, would you run the bath, please? Xander needs to rest." Should Barcus agree, he will have Viktor's thanks, who will then beckon his partner back into bed with him and sit on the edge of it to get them both some water.
He boops Viktor's nose gently. "Think about it. If you hate it, I'll restrain myself."
He doesn't look like he hates it, though.
Barcus looks downright perky compared to the two of them, and when Xander reappears with a cart, his pale eyes flick over him, gauging how much he's suffering for their earlier exertions. He knows little enough about their health conditions, either of them. It never seemed quite right to ask.
"Of course," he says, in response to the request. "Let me change the sheets, too, afterwards. It's the least I can do." There's a hint of a smirk for a moment. Really, he's had a lovely time.
When he rises, he has to take a second to stretch and steady himself, less worn out than them, but still a bit bruised. He makes a faint grunting noise, rolls his shoulders, and then makes his way to the bathroom, leaving them to confer and comfort one another.
"That is not—" he knew it was pointless even as he spoke, so Xander instead replied with: "thank you, Barcus," and settled on the edge of bed beside Viktor. Between their exciting romp and the venture into the tavern for supplies, Xander's wheeze was more prominent than usual, and most movements made him wince. Still, he looked to Viktor, laid a hand on his back again, and leaned over to kiss his cheek, taking a glass of water after.
"I don't," he says to Barcus. He does not hate the name, he can at least say that much.
"Thank you, dear," Viktor murmurs, and as Xander kisses his cheek, he catches his lips for another soft kiss while rubbing his back. Despite his own exhaustion, he can't resist pressing a little magical healing into his partner's lungs to help with that wheeze.
"Quite," Viktor agrees, leaning against his lover again as he sips at the water.
"... Barcus was calling me master in gnomish." Yes, he is still processing that, and is curious what Xander thinks of it.
"He said a better translation would be boss or chief, such as a mining foreman. As Gadriel and I call him Archmagos, a highly respected sort of engineer in Gadriel's world..."
He's trying to make the whole thing sound professional. He knows it's not.
Xander was a very reasonable man who definitely could logic his way through this. But he was also really tired and achey and he didn't like the way his stomach dropped.
He leaned in to nuzzle his face in the crook of Viktor's neck, exhaling a huff of displeasure. "Seems to take a different meaning when he is moaning it in bed, doesn't it?"
"Oh, come now, darling." Viktor pets the back of Xander's head, half-cooing and half-scolding, but mostly just amused that he fucked another man right in front of Xander and this is what makes him jealous.
He sighed, opened his mouth, and pressed his teeth to Viktor's neck, just hard enough to leave a little mark of red that he promptly soothed with a kiss.
"No... if you do not think it an issue, I suppose I should not either. So long as this is not meant to spawn something beyond a bit of bedroom fun."
"Is that so?" He asks curiously, using his free hand to run his fingers through Xander's long curls. "I will try to abide this, then, darling." He clasps the back of his head and lifts his chin to kiss Xander's forehead.
Barcus pokes his head out of the doorway first to make sure they're not in the middle of something too intimate to interrupt. He smiles gently, in time to catch the kiss. "It's ready. Have you two been to Night Sky's shop at all? She sells bath oils as well as more intimate lubricants; they go very nicely after this sort of activity."
There is unquestionably enough space in the tub for a human and a gnome, and probably enough for two humans, but is there enough space for two humans and a gnome? Ehh, they can take turns if they must.
"Thank you, my love." He closed his eyes, relishing in the press of soft lips against his skin, and opened them again to look over at Barcus, his cheeks slightly flushed. "Oh, I ‐ there are a few oils in the washroom, actually. I have been to her shop a handful of times." AHEM.
He offered Viktor his hand as he stood, bracing on his cane. "I insist you get in first, Viktor." He could go with Barcus if he liked, so long as he wasn't being called master the whole time—
"You have?" He asks it innocently, stupidly. Of course he had to have gotten the lubricant from somewhere. Somehow, Viktor had assumed that Xander just... Always had lubricant on him, like a byproduct from his own world. How silly.
Viktor grabs his crutch, using that and Xander's hand to haul himself to standing, then puts his free hand firmly on his partner's shoulder to steady himself as his vision darkens for a moment. He blinks and breathes until it clears, and then shuffles slowly, carefully, to the bathroom, still relying heavily on Xander and his crutch for support.
"Oh? I didn't want to snoop. If there are any you favor, I can add them now." Barcus has looked around well enough to set out towels, washcloths, and soap, though.
He watches them make their way across the room, smile dimming slowly with concern. "Will you both be all right? Is there anything else I should be doing?"
"I have. We can go together whenever you like." He offered with another clearing of his throat. Anyway.
Xander stilled long enough for Viktor to recover, his arm slipping around his middle as they slowly shuffled to the bathroom. Once inside, he helped lower Viktor onto the edge of the tub. However long he needed to take, he would gladly stand by and assist until his partner was safely in the tub. "I have vanilla and lavender oils, in the vanity," he said absently to Barcus, knuckles stroking along Viktor's cheek. "We will be fine. I do not know if Viktor would be open to it, but there is plenty of room for you to join him." Jealous about the 'master' comment? Yes. But he would not say shit about the efficiency of a shared bath.
Viktor makes a somewhat surprised and thoughtful hum, at that. The sex shop had never occurred to him, and if it had, he would have assumed Xander would be too embarrassed to go there. But as a possibility, it now intrigues him. Plus, bothering Night Sky at her place of work might be a nice turn of the tables.
Having Xander's arm around him mitigates his fear that he may fall, although if he did fall he would likely take Xander down with him... But still. He slips in to the bath without incident thanks to his partner's assistance, and lets out a long exhale as he sinks back into the hot water. His eyelids flutter, and he catches Xander's hand and presses a kiss to the back of it, looking up at him gratefully. A bath is a lovely thing- even if you do no work at all besides getting in and out, you will still be far cleaner than you were before.
"I favour vanilla," he murmurs. "And either of you are welcome to join me. Perhaps both?" Viktor bends his knees and opens his legs as he leans back against the side of the tub. He's thin as a rail, so there seems to be plenty of room, still.
The gnome fetches the vanilla oil--personally he prefers earthier, less sweet scents, but no one asked for his opinion--and adds a few drops into the water, at the end of the tub opposite Viktor. He puts his fingers into the water to stir the scent a little before withdrawing.
The invitation is certainly welcome, but he looks at Xander as if to confirm he's equally okay with it. "Why don't you get in first, and then if there's room for me I can join as well?"
Put the two bigger people in, then see where the little one can squeeze into the space remaining.
"If I am getting in, it will be behind you. I will not be tricked again, Viktor." He said it playfully, but there was a hint of seriousness. Last time he tried to dote on him—
Let's just say it ended on a good note, but still! He gently nudged his lover forward, removed his robe, and carefully slid in behind him. Which did leave room in front of Viktor, of course, if the gnome decided to take it. Xander made no obvious objection.
Barcus, you literally asked them what they favour!
"Tricked?" Viktor looks up at Xander with a wounded innocence. He knows he's joking, but actually has no idea what he's talking about.
In any case, Viktor is pleased to move forward and let Xander behind him. It makes him feel warm and fuzzy and cared for, physically and emotionally, and he smiles with lidded eyes as he relaxes against his love. He spreads his legs again and beckons Barcus to sit in front of him. Surely there's room!
"Tricked?" Barcus echoes, sensing a story. It may not be a story they want to share, though, so he just shakes his head, amused.
"Well, you'll have to sensually wash one another's hair; I won't be able to reach from within the water." He waits until they're both cuddled up together, watching with soft eyes, and finally, gratefully accepts Viktor's invitation.
There is room. It's rather like having three bowls stacked together in a dishwasher, but it works somehow. Barcus fishes one of the washcloths up from the edge of the tub and makes a quick job of washing his face before really settling down against them.
"If you do still want me to stay the night," he says after a moment, "I insist on bringing breakfast up for you from downstairs, so you can lie in."
Once settled behind him he wrapped his arms around Viktor, lips pressed to his shoulder in a kiss. "I attempted to dote upon him last time we needed to wash up, and ended up with him taking care of me instead." And also fucking him stupid after, but that was irrelevant. Xander leaned back, a hand on Viktor's chin to tip his head back so he did not splash water in his eyes when he wet his hair with his other hand. "I will not be thwarted this time."
Then, to Barcus: "that would be lovely. We are quite close to the bar." And downstairs! "I am sure Finnick will have much to say with that grin of his."
There will be no argument from Viktor whatsoever; he is more than happy to be doted on by Xander this time. Especially since it means he won't have to do any work to get clean. He closes his eyes, hums, and smiles contentedly as he leans back into his partner's touch. Happy as a clam.
"Very kind, Barcus," Viktor purrs, ghosting his fingertips up and down Barcus' arms under the water.
"Ah Finnick... I am sure he knows exactly what we're up to." The man seems to have a sixth sense for these things. That, or he's just extremely nosy.
"Oh, to be forced to be cared for! A terrible fate." He's amused, although he does understand the complaint. Which isn't really a complaint. "Just shows what a good partnership you have, you already know one another's soft spots."
The stroking feels good. Soft, reassuring. Barcus leans to the side a little so as not to put any of his weight on them, but makes sure he's pressed skin-to-skin with Viktor for the sake of comfort and affection. "Mm. Well, that sounds like a plan, then. We can talk over what you want me to fetch in the morning."
He chuckles and nods. "Finnick is quite savvy, yes. I don't mind; let him have his fun, he's been generous with us all."
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He knows that his partner must be in pain, and he knows him well enough by now to see even the tiniest signs of it, even when he is gritting his teeth and bearing it. Plus, that wheeze...
"Xander..." His tone of voice makes his concern obvious. He deliberates for a moment, brow furrowed. He'd get up and do it all himself if he could, but he's worried he might get faint when he stands.
He looks to Barcus again, hand on his arm.
"Barcus, would you run the bath, please? Xander needs to rest." Should Barcus agree, he will have Viktor's thanks, who will then beckon his partner back into bed with him and sit on the edge of it to get them both some water.
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He doesn't look like he hates it, though.
Barcus looks downright perky compared to the two of them, and when Xander reappears with a cart, his pale eyes flick over him, gauging how much he's suffering for their earlier exertions. He knows little enough about their health conditions, either of them. It never seemed quite right to ask.
"Of course," he says, in response to the request. "Let me change the sheets, too, afterwards. It's the least I can do." There's a hint of a smirk for a moment. Really, he's had a lovely time.
When he rises, he has to take a second to stretch and steady himself, less worn out than them, but still a bit bruised. He makes a faint grunting noise, rolls his shoulders, and then makes his way to the bathroom, leaving them to confer and comfort one another.
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"I am jealous of his energy." He half-joked.
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"Thank you, dear," Viktor murmurs, and as Xander kisses his cheek, he catches his lips for another soft kiss while rubbing his back. Despite his own exhaustion, he can't resist pressing a little magical healing into his partner's lungs to help with that wheeze.
"Quite," Viktor agrees, leaning against his lover again as he sips at the water.
"... Barcus was calling me master in gnomish." Yes, he is still processing that, and is curious what Xander thinks of it.
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Xander nearly choked on his water, and he had to take a second to clear his throat.
"I... I'm sorry?" Should he be worried?? Offended? Should he be hitting Barcus with his cane? What do you MEAN.
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He backpedals.
"He said a better translation would be boss or chief, such as a mining foreman. As Gadriel and I call him Archmagos, a highly respected sort of engineer in Gadriel's world..."
He's trying to make the whole thing sound professional. He knows it's not.
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He leaned in to nuzzle his face in the crook of Viktor's neck, exhaling a huff of displeasure. "Seems to take a different meaning when he is moaning it in bed, doesn't it?"
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"Would you like me to tell him not to?"
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He sighed, opened his mouth, and pressed his teeth to Viktor's neck, just hard enough to leave a little mark of red that he promptly soothed with a kiss.
"No... if you do not think it an issue, I suppose I should not either. So long as this is not meant to spawn something beyond a bit of bedroom fun."
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"What would it spawn? Me bossing him around in the workshop?"
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"Perhaps. But maybe I only want you to boss me around."
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There is unquestionably enough space in the tub for a human and a gnome, and probably enough for two humans, but is there enough space for two humans and a gnome? Ehh, they can take turns if they must.
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He offered Viktor his hand as he stood, bracing on his cane. "I insist you get in first, Viktor." He could go with Barcus if he liked, so long as he wasn't being called master the whole time—
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Viktor grabs his crutch, using that and Xander's hand to haul himself to standing, then puts his free hand firmly on his partner's shoulder to steady himself as his vision darkens for a moment. He blinks and breathes until it clears, and then shuffles slowly, carefully, to the bathroom, still relying heavily on Xander and his crutch for support.
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He watches them make their way across the room, smile dimming slowly with concern. "Will you both be all right? Is there anything else I should be doing?"
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Xander stilled long enough for Viktor to recover, his arm slipping around his middle as they slowly shuffled to the bathroom. Once inside, he helped lower Viktor onto the edge of the tub. However long he needed to take, he would gladly stand by and assist until his partner was safely in the tub. "I have vanilla and lavender oils, in the vanity," he said absently to Barcus, knuckles stroking along Viktor's cheek. "We will be fine. I do not know if Viktor would be open to it, but there is plenty of room for you to join him." Jealous about the 'master' comment? Yes. But he would not say shit about the efficiency of a shared bath.
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Having Xander's arm around him mitigates his fear that he may fall, although if he did fall he would likely take Xander down with him... But still. He slips in to the bath without incident thanks to his partner's assistance, and lets out a long exhale as he sinks back into the hot water. His eyelids flutter, and he catches Xander's hand and presses a kiss to the back of it, looking up at him gratefully. A bath is a lovely thing- even if you do no work at all besides getting in and out, you will still be far cleaner than you were before.
"I favour vanilla," he murmurs. "And either of you are welcome to join me. Perhaps both?" Viktor bends his knees and opens his legs as he leans back against the side of the tub. He's thin as a rail, so there seems to be plenty of room, still.
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The invitation is certainly welcome, but he looks at Xander as if to confirm he's equally okay with it. "Why don't you get in first, and then if there's room for me I can join as well?"
Put the two bigger people in, then see where the little one can squeeze into the space remaining.
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Let's just say it ended on a good note, but still! He gently nudged his lover forward, removed his robe, and carefully slid in behind him. Which did leave room in front of Viktor, of course, if the gnome decided to take it. Xander made no obvious objection.
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"Tricked?" Viktor looks up at Xander with a wounded innocence. He knows he's joking, but actually has no idea what he's talking about.
In any case, Viktor is pleased to move forward and let Xander behind him. It makes him feel warm and fuzzy and cared for, physically and emotionally, and he smiles with lidded eyes as he relaxes against his love. He spreads his legs again and beckons Barcus to sit in front of him. Surely there's room!
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"Well, you'll have to sensually wash one another's hair; I won't be able to reach from within the water." He waits until they're both cuddled up together, watching with soft eyes, and finally, gratefully accepts Viktor's invitation.
There is room. It's rather like having three bowls stacked together in a dishwasher, but it works somehow. Barcus fishes one of the washcloths up from the edge of the tub and makes a quick job of washing his face before really settling down against them.
"If you do still want me to stay the night," he says after a moment, "I insist on bringing breakfast up for you from downstairs, so you can lie in."
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Then, to Barcus: "that would be lovely. We are quite close to the bar." And downstairs! "I am sure Finnick will have much to say with that grin of his."
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"Very kind, Barcus," Viktor purrs, ghosting his fingertips up and down Barcus' arms under the water.
"Ah Finnick... I am sure he knows exactly what we're up to." The man seems to have a sixth sense for these things. That, or he's just extremely nosy.
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The stroking feels good. Soft, reassuring. Barcus leans to the side a little so as not to put any of his weight on them, but makes sure he's pressed skin-to-skin with Viktor for the sake of comfort and affection. "Mm. Well, that sounds like a plan, then. We can talk over what you want me to fetch in the morning."
He chuckles and nods. "Finnick is quite savvy, yes. I don't mind; let him have his fun, he's been generous with us all."
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