I’m still not sure I want a bath, but watching Ezekial lean back over the tub to trail his fingers through the bubbles, testing the temperature, before turning off the tap with a small nod, it makes me want to try. For them.
“So, I just get in and… sit?”
Ezekial stands and lifts his arms towards me, like I’m meant to be handed off again. “We can help if you—”
“Oh, no.” I give him a wry smile. “No, thank you. I think I’ve felt enough embarrassment already.”
He frowns. “Why would you be embarrassed?”
“The carrying is… nice, I’ll take that.” Kane’s arms pull me a little closer. “But only because I’m still recovering from…” Ezekial’s frown tips into a smug smile. Kane’s lips quirk against my temple. “But I’m very capable of undressing and washing myself—”
“We can help.” Ezekial moves closer, silver gaze darkening, his low voice thick with heated suggestion.
“And I appreciate the offer, but…” I squirm in Kane’s grip, a subtle hint to be set down. Which he ignores. I look up at him, raising my brows until, with a quiet sigh, he lowers me to the floor.
I step closer to the tub, tugging down my skirt as I go to regain some semblance of dignity. Even if my underwear’s long gone and my blouse is half-open.
“I can do this,” I say, leaning back against the edge of the bath to face them. “Alone,” I emphasise, but neither of them look pleased, if anything they seem… worried. “What’s wrong? Why do you feel like that?”
Ezekial struggles to hold my gaze, glancing at his brother before fixing on the tub. “You want us to leave.”
An icy ache blooms in my chest, sharp and stinging, like a thousand frosty nettles.
“We rushed you.” Kane’s words are so soft they barely sound like him.
“You’d just found out about your age, and I…” Ezekial grimaces, his eyes finally meeting mine. “If you need space. We understand.”
They think I regret being with them? They think I’m pulling away?
“Listen, that was… perfect,” I breathe, and their eyes lock on me. “You were bothperfect.”
Neither of them speak, but they stare, their faces filled with disbelief, like I’ve given them something they didn’t know how to believe, didn’t know they needed.
“I want to do this alone because I’m about to get into a bath for the first time, and I do not want my bonds witnessing what could easily turn into a comedy sketch.” I smile, they don’t return it. “But as soon as I’m in, you can come back.”
They’re still silent, still lost in my previous words.
“You didn’t rush me, I promise.”
The tension finally drains from them a little, and the prickling ache in my chest thaws.
I nod to the door, and thankfully, they take the hint. Although they both glance back when they reach it.
I offer another gentle smile.“Go on.”
Ezekial places a hand on his brother’s back, steering them out rather than flitting, and the door clicks softly shut behind them.
Now alone, I turn to the bath.
Did they have baths? Ezekial must, he prepared this like an intricate ritual. But Kane… The thought of him in a bath surrounded by bubbles has me giggling.
“What is it?”
My mouth drops open. “Are you standing behind the door?”
A pause. Then, Ezekial again, but from slightly further away. “Not now.”
I huff out a laugh before making quick work of my clothes.
