[ He could leave and she would wave him off and happily indulge in a long soak before bed-- but no, this is fine too. A bit odd, after resettling into a life that no longer fit her, politely turning down the attention of good and proper gentlemen who would have treated her like a queen but who would probably have also been horrified at just how quickly she could take something down with a dagger and no sound whatsoever. ]
Hm.
[ Noncommittal; she's comfortable like this.
But because she is, Primrose moves, lifting herself off him and swinging her legs over to perform a neat dismount off the bed. ]
[No, it's too late, she encouraged this so now she's stuck with him. He doesn't stop her from getting up, though, even though he inhales sharply as she pulls away and climbs off. Necessary but regretful...]
As you wish. [Hmmm. He stays where he is for a little longer, looking at her--maybe considering something, or maybe just looking because he can, who knows.
But he doesn't linger too long, pushing himself up shortly after. Was there some sort of wardrobe in here in before, I don't know, but there is now. That's where he goes, rummaging around to pull out a clean nightgown for her so that they can take it into the bathroom with them. It's got a robe along with it, in case she doesn't want to put her regular clothes back on but also doesn't want to cross the hall naked, but he isn't going to force clothes on her either.
Still, speaking of--] The bath is the door right across from us, by the way. I can send my staff away from this wing for the rest of the night, if you'd prefer.
[Like, it's unlikely they'll be bothered, but still. It's a show of trust.]
[ Primrose watches him as he moves, ever-watchful, though without that edge of distrust hardening her gaze. She reaches out to take the nightgown and robe from it, shrugging into the latter after a thoughtful moment of scrutinizing it. Is it necessary? Maybe not, but at least within his halls, she can keep herself decent.
The only real sign of surprise when he makes his offer. It's not one made lightly, she knows. He didn't need to mention it at all. But he had. Even though sending his staff away means ridding himself of one additional layer of defense.
Then again, he probably has enough skill and confidence in his abilities to think that even with them gone, he could survive an assault from her. It's easier to think like that than accept a possibility of a kinder nature. That he wants to believe in her. ]
I'll trust your judgment. If you think they won't be required, you may give them an early night off. They might appreciate it.
[He would not complain if she wanted to walk around naked, but it is cold, alas. Maybe when they go vacationing somewhere else.
He meets her gaze steadily, though--patient, like he's unbothered about whatever her answers will be. She's correct in her thoughts, even the ones she deems unlikely; he is confident that he could survive her, but he trusts that he won't have to. If she were to ask, he would easily say as much, just as he hadn't hesitated to say he'd missed her presence. But he doesn't really seem like he expects her to ask. He knows her better than that, by now.]
Alright. [Bending down to kiss her cheek, briefly, before he goes back to the bed, starting to pull the bedding off. They will have fresh bedding for sleeping... but for now he's just grabbing a sheet to wrap loosely around himself, because for all that he truly doesn't care if his staff sees him, it's a little different if he's actively summoning them.] I'll do that, and I'll meet you in the bathroom in a moment?
Pray, do not tarry. I'll bathe quite willingly without you.
[ Which is entirely true, but she'll wait for a little bit, at least. She's softened considerably tonight, from memories or from intimacy or from a deeply-buried inclination to trust at least half of his words and gestures.
But he's got a staff to give the night off and she has a bathroom to find, so she curtsies in her robe and heads off very fearlessly in an intrepid quest to locate the place for a much-needed soak. ]
[The bathroom is easy enough to find--as he'd said, there's a door directly across from theirs, and the bathroom it opens into is simple enough. Fortunately, its heating devices are already going, and while the bathtub is definitely large enough for both of them, it's a fairly standard setup. The only thing that might stand out are the containers sitting along the shelf--if she investigates them, she'll find they seem to hold salts, oils, soaps, and other fancy bath things. Waow.
It would be very funny if she opened a random cabinet and it was full of knives or something. Alas, this is a weaponless bathroom.
He's true to his word, though; it only takes a couple of minutes before he enters as well, still wrapped in the sheet he'd grabbed but with clean sleepwear tucked under his arm. Presumably she came in here instead of booking it down the hallway, although she could if she wanted to.]
[ Hilariously, she does search the entire bathroom, ostensibly to acquaint herself with everything and where it is, in no small part because she wants to be prepared in case he does have weird weapons sequestered away. But no, nothing, though she thinks she could probably easily kill a less-prepared man with a bar of soap and some creativity.
But all seems well, so by the time Childe finds her, Primrose has prepared the bath to her satisfaction; steam gently wafts from the water, tinted a lighter, refreshing green from the oils she's added, and she's in the process of loosening her robe when he enters, causing her to glance over her shoulder with a mild nod. ]
[ALAS... but hey, if she feels like getting particularly fighty, she can always break some glass or use her robe as a whip or something. So many options!
Childe would unfortunately have a great time if she did that--but he also just seems pleased by her indirect praise, neatly setting the clothes aside before he discards his sheet.]
Oh, it smells nice in here. [WHY DOES HE SEEM SURPRISED. THIS IS HIS HOUSE.]
[ But she steps carefully into the bath, offering him her hand. As ever, she has no qualms with being naked in front of him, just tilts her head invitingly as though the hand isn't enough of an offer for him. She'd been a little spoiled from the last time they'd bathed together; she'd missed his chest at her back, his arms loosely wrapped around her. Not so much the vibrators, though. ]
[In truth, he had too; even at the station, he hadn't really been one for luxuriating in the bath, and it's certainly not a habit he's ever had here at home.
Fortunately, they're safe from vibrators here. He takes her hand willingly, joining her, and if he has any complaints at all about the way she's prepared it, he doesn't voice them, simply settling carefully into the water. Concussions are not sexy.]
[ Neither is drowning if you insult the way she prepared the water, so hey, it's a good thing he's capable of subtlety.
Which is to say Primrose hums a little in response, properly tired now that she's letting the events of the day (and the night) roll over her ever so slowly. She's never fully relaxed, but he'll feel at least some of that tension leave her as she fits herself between his legs and leans back against his chest like this is fine. It's Her Spot now. ]
Well, if only you'd bet me something, you'd be able to collect it at this victory.
[He is indeed, though fortunately there's no need for it--it's a very nice bath, even nicer with her close like this. It's exceedingly rare for him, and he wants to savour it while it lasts.
...Not that he wouldn't leap at the chance for a fight, if she wanted one. Because he would. But at the very least, he doesn't seem like he's going to start one right this minute.
As she leans back, he wraps his arms around her, though he leaves his grip loose enough that she can move and grab soaps and things if she wants to.]
Haha, it's a shame I'm not much of a gambler. But I've already got what I would've wanted as a prize anyway.
[A light squeeze to her arm, as though there's any chance she wouldn't pick up on his meaning.]
[ she's definitely reaching out to grab soap, idly lathering up her arms as she reclines back against him in sheer, luxurious comfort. Not that she hasn't had Very Nice Baths before, and she still remembers all of the ones she'd enjoyed growing up, but this is still... nice?
Yes, Primrose thinks idly, it's rather nice. ]
An evening spent quite literally soaking in my company. I see. Yes, I suppose that did work out nicely, didn't it?
[ Because if he implies she herself is a prize, the threat of drowning will increase. ]
[For better or for worse, Childe is a dumb man and didn't really think about it in much detail beyond "bath with Primrose = winning lol". He is happy to go along with her phrasing and agree because it doesn't actually occur to him that there's a potential insult to be had, here.
So he just drops a kiss to her shoulder, humming.]
[SHE SURE DIDN'T. It's a good thing Childe just lets people he likes do whatever they want, or else he'd probably push back against her "orders", if only just because he could.
But he doesn't; he just hums in agreement, taking the soap from her and leaning back, reluctant though he is to put space between them. He moves her hair out of the way and gets to work, humming a song she won't recognize as he does--
--and hey, if he playfully pinches her side on the way, well. He never said he'd behave.]
[ She doesn't know the song at all, though she has her head tilted slightly to listen to it; performance habits to try and learn the melody and cadence, perhaps, even when it doesn't necessarily matter. And it's a soothing sensation, having someone scrub her back.
But then he pinches her side and she pinches the soft skin of his inner thigh in retaliation. ]
[Her vengeance earns her a soft laugh, because of course it does.]
Haha, I wouldn't go that far. But I suppose you could say it's an occasional habit. [A light shrug; he sets the bar of soap aside in favor of using his hands, though it's not long before it drifts into more of a massage than an actual effort to help her wash.] It's just an old folk song from the village. Distractions and fire-water are the only way to combat the bitter cold, sometimes.
[He'll sing it properly for her if she wants to hear it, though.]
I can only imagine. [ said with a light shudder at the thought of Cold, because she's spent far too many years in Sunshade. She's grateful Childe bundled her up earlier, honestly.
And also grateful for his hands nudging firmly at her back. She'll take a massage without complaint. ]
But I'd like to hear it, in its entirety. If you wouldn't mind. Folk songs often carry wisdom most would discard.
[A fair and valid reaction tbh. Childe grew up here, but the unnatural chill of eternal frost isn't really something to get used to.
But he doesn't mind! He makes a quiet sound of agreement, and begins to sing.
He's clearly not a professional singer, but he can carry a tune--he'd probably be pretty decent if he had any desire to actually learn (he doesn't). More importantly, he sings it in Snezhayan, but after:]
I've heard people say it's from the Archon War, but that was thousands of years ago, so I'm not sure how true it is. [An evolution of something back then, maybe, or just a song from a different war period--he's never really cared enough to research it.] It sounds a little different if you translate it, but it's something like...
Hey, a song, the song of the young girl, Fly and go after the bright Sun, Find a soldier on the distant borderlands Say hello from Katya waiting long for him.
Let him remember the young and simple maiden, Let him hear the song she now sings, Let him protect his Motherland for sure, And their love Katyusha will protect.
[It was very tempting to pick the lullaby about getting eaten by wolves but maybe that can be a second date song (no)]
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Oh, kiss. That's nice. He lets his eyes drift shut and lazily threads his fingers through her hair, losing himself in the kiss until she speaks again.
It would be very funny if he said "actually yeah anyway I'm out"--but no, he just grins at her before he steals another kiss right back.]
I think we'll manage somehow.
[Ohhhh noooo whatever will they do if it's a tight fit... guess they'd just have to cozy up...
It's a moot point because if the bath can fit him then it can certainly fit her, but, y'know.]
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Hm.
[ Noncommittal; she's comfortable like this.
But because she is, Primrose moves, lifting herself off him and swinging her legs over to perform a neat dismount off the bed. ]
Shall we see, then?
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As you wish. [Hmmm. He stays where he is for a little longer, looking at her--maybe considering something, or maybe just looking because he can, who knows.
But he doesn't linger too long, pushing himself up shortly after. Was there some sort of wardrobe in here in before, I don't know, but there is now. That's where he goes, rummaging around to pull out a clean nightgown for her so that they can take it into the bathroom with them. It's got a robe along with it, in case she doesn't want to put her regular clothes back on but also doesn't want to cross the hall naked, but he isn't going to force clothes on her either.
Still, speaking of--] The bath is the door right across from us, by the way. I can send my staff away from this wing for the rest of the night, if you'd prefer.
[Like, it's unlikely they'll be bothered, but still. It's a show of trust.]
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The only real sign of surprise when he makes his offer. It's not one made lightly, she knows. He didn't need to mention it at all. But he had. Even though sending his staff away means ridding himself of one additional layer of defense.
Then again, he probably has enough skill and confidence in his abilities to think that even with them gone, he could survive an assault from her. It's easier to think like that than accept a possibility of a kinder nature. That he wants to believe in her. ]
I'll trust your judgment. If you think they won't be required, you may give them an early night off. They might appreciate it.
[ Or gossip about it. ]
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He meets her gaze steadily, though--patient, like he's unbothered about whatever her answers will be. She's correct in her thoughts, even the ones she deems unlikely; he is confident that he could survive her, but he trusts that he won't have to. If she were to ask, he would easily say as much, just as he hadn't hesitated to say he'd missed her presence. But he doesn't really seem like he expects her to ask. He knows her better than that, by now.]
Alright. [Bending down to kiss her cheek, briefly, before he goes back to the bed, starting to pull the bedding off. They will have fresh bedding for sleeping... but for now he's just grabbing a sheet to wrap loosely around himself, because for all that he truly doesn't care if his staff sees him, it's a little different if he's actively summoning them.] I'll do that, and I'll meet you in the bathroom in a moment?
[yeah they'll definitely gossip about it]
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[ Which is entirely true, but she'll wait for a little bit, at least. She's softened considerably tonight, from memories or from intimacy or from a deeply-buried inclination to trust at least half of his words and gestures.
But he's got a staff to give the night off and she has a bathroom to find, so she curtsies in her robe and heads off very fearlessly in an intrepid quest to locate the place for a much-needed soak. ]
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[The bathroom is easy enough to find--as he'd said, there's a door directly across from theirs, and the bathroom it opens into is simple enough. Fortunately, its heating devices are already going, and while the bathtub is definitely large enough for both of them, it's a fairly standard setup. The only thing that might stand out are the containers sitting along the shelf--if she investigates them, she'll find they seem to hold salts, oils, soaps, and other fancy bath things. Waow.
It would be very funny if she opened a random cabinet and it was full of knives or something. Alas, this is a weaponless bathroom.
He's true to his word, though; it only takes a couple of minutes before he enters as well, still wrapped in the sheet he'd grabbed but with clean sleepwear tucked under his arm. Presumably she came in here instead of booking it down the hallway, although she could if she wanted to.]
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But all seems well, so by the time Childe finds her, Primrose has prepared the bath to her satisfaction; steam gently wafts from the water, tinted a lighter, refreshing green from the oils she's added, and she's in the process of loosening her robe when he enters, causing her to glance over her shoulder with a mild nod. ]
Just in time. As you stated.
[ She means she approves. ]
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Childe would unfortunately have a great time if she did that--but he also just seems pleased by her indirect praise, neatly setting the clothes aside before he discards his sheet.]
Oh, it smells nice in here. [WHY DOES HE SEEM SURPRISED. THIS IS HIS HOUSE.]
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[ WHICH HE CLEARLY HAS NOT DONE OFTEN ENOUGH?? ]
So I hope it's to your liking. Otherwise, I'll enjoy it on my own and you can make your own choices for your bath.
[ Why does anyone like Primrose. ]
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But he laughs, because he likes Primrose, just like everyone should like Primrose. It's the law!!!]
I'm not picky! Besides, it'll be better than washing up in a river no matter what.
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[ But she steps carefully into the bath, offering him her hand. As ever, she has no qualms with being naked in front of him, just tilts her head invitingly as though the hand isn't enough of an offer for him. She'd been a little spoiled from the last time they'd bathed together; she'd missed his chest at her back, his arms loosely wrapped around her. Not so much the vibrators, though. ]
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Fortunately, they're safe from vibrators here. He takes her hand willingly, joining her, and if he has any complaints at all about the way she's prepared it, he doesn't voice them, simply settling carefully into the water. Concussions are not sexy.]
See? I told you we'd fit.
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Which is to say Primrose hums a little in response, properly tired now that she's letting the events of the day (and the night) roll over her ever so slowly. She's never fully relaxed, but he'll feel at least some of that tension leave her as she fits herself between his legs and leans back against his chest like this is fine. It's Her Spot now. ]
Well, if only you'd bet me something, you'd be able to collect it at this victory.
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...Not that he wouldn't leap at the chance for a fight, if she wanted one. Because he would. But at the very least, he doesn't seem like he's going to start one right this minute.
As she leans back, he wraps his arms around her, though he leaves his grip loose enough that she can move and grab soaps and things if she wants to.]
Haha, it's a shame I'm not much of a gambler. But I've already got what I would've wanted as a prize anyway.
[A light squeeze to her arm, as though there's any chance she wouldn't pick up on his meaning.]
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Yes, Primrose thinks idly, it's rather nice. ]
An evening spent quite literally soaking in my company. I see. Yes, I suppose that did work out nicely, didn't it?
[ Because if he implies she herself is a prize, the threat of drowning will increase. ]
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So he just drops a kiss to her shoulder, humming.]
You certainly won't hear me complain.
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[ wryly, as she passes him the soap. ]
To commemorate my company, if you would be so kind as to get my back?
[ wow, she just didn't. Ask, did she. Not really. ]
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But he doesn't; he just hums in agreement, taking the soap from her and leaning back, reluctant though he is to put space between them. He moves her hair out of the way and gets to work, humming a song she won't recognize as he does--
--and hey, if he playfully pinches her side on the way, well. He never said he'd behave.]
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But then he pinches her side and she pinches the soft skin of his inner thigh in retaliation. ]
I hadn't realized you were so musically-inclined.
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Haha, I wouldn't go that far. But I suppose you could say it's an occasional habit. [A light shrug; he sets the bar of soap aside in favor of using his hands, though it's not long before it drifts into more of a massage than an actual effort to help her wash.] It's just an old folk song from the village. Distractions and fire-water are the only way to combat the bitter cold, sometimes.
[He'll sing it properly for her if she wants to hear it, though.]
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And also grateful for his hands nudging firmly at her back. She'll take a massage without complaint. ]
But I'd like to hear it, in its entirety. If you wouldn't mind. Folk songs often carry wisdom most would discard.
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But he doesn't mind! He makes a quiet sound of agreement, and begins to sing.
He's clearly not a professional singer, but he can carry a tune--he'd probably be pretty decent if he had any desire to actually learn (he doesn't). More importantly, he sings it in Snezhayan, but after:]
I've heard people say it's from the Archon War, but that was thousands of years ago, so I'm not sure how true it is. [An evolution of something back then, maybe, or just a song from a different war period--he's never really cared enough to research it.] It sounds a little different if you translate it, but it's something like...
Hey, a song, the song of the young girl,
Fly and go after the bright Sun,
Find a soldier on the distant borderlands
Say hello from Katya waiting long for him.
Let him remember the young and simple maiden,
Let him hear the song she now sings,
Let him protect his Motherland for sure,
And their love Katyusha will protect.
[It was very tempting to pick the lullaby about getting eaten by wolves but maybe that can be a second date song (no)]
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I see... it's lovely. And a bit wistful. Very fitting for a song that apparently hails from a period of war.
[ She wouldn't mind a wolf-nomming song, okay. ]
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We're not really a gentle people. Most of our songs are similar.
[Not all of them, of course, but... well. They didn't become enemies of the world by being soft and sweet.]
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