"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."
"Yes. Truly awful to be adored by such a beautiful, kind soul." Xander agreed playfully, kissing just under Viktor's ear and then easing back so he could lather some soap in his hands and massage it into Viktor's scalp.
"I will admit, I was a little hesitant to invite another into bed, but this has been... very fun. I am glad you both enjoyed yourselves."
"Oh, stop," Viktor mutters with a small, wry smile, and flicks a tiny bit of water at Xander's face. This seems to be their dynamic; whoever is more miserable in a given moment gets the other aggressively tending to them, sometimes nearly to the point of bickering over it, but not quite. Right now, he can't imagine arguing against Xander's care; he does feel like shit, and this is helping immeasurably. He feels immensely loved, and it is pure bliss.
"I do not have license to say anything critical of Finnick, given all he has done for me, yes. He is sure to tease me, but I will bear it." And, he might tease Xander too, which would be funny.
"I enjoyed it very much. I never imagined myself doing such a thing, but... I quite liked the role." He lazily lathers some soap on his own hands and runs them over the curve of Barcus' shoulders and biceps, mostly an excuse to touch him a little more.
As far as Barcus can tell, that's the fairest and best way to handle the burdens in a relationship. He hasn't been in a serious one for a long while, until Caldera, but he's learning fast. So, it seems, are they.
"Mmm..." he sighs and his eyes fall shut as Viktor runs his hands over him, quiet for a moment, but then he tilts his head to look past Viktor at Xander.
"It was good of you to agree. Viktor knows me far better than you do, and vice versa. I hope we can remedy that, in time, and become better friends. Mind you, should the two of you want to do this again, I would be delighted, but I won't expect it. You're clearly a matched set."
"For a few moments there, I felt almost like an extension of the two of you, or a toy you were both sharing, and it was...very erotic."
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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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"I will admit, I was a little hesitant to invite another into bed, but this has been... very fun. I am glad you both enjoyed yourselves."
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"I do not have license to say anything critical of Finnick, given all he has done for me, yes. He is sure to tease me, but I will bear it." And, he might tease Xander too, which would be funny.
"I enjoyed it very much. I never imagined myself doing such a thing, but... I quite liked the role." He lazily lathers some soap on his own hands and runs them over the curve of Barcus' shoulders and biceps, mostly an excuse to touch him a little more.
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"Mmm..." he sighs and his eyes fall shut as Viktor runs his hands over him, quiet for a moment, but then he tilts his head to look past Viktor at Xander.
"It was good of you to agree. Viktor knows me far better than you do, and vice versa. I hope we can remedy that, in time, and become better friends. Mind you, should the two of you want to do this again, I would be delighted, but I won't expect it. You're clearly a matched set."
"For a few moments there, I felt almost like an extension of the two of you, or a toy you were both sharing, and it was...very erotic."
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