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[ He's glad for it, because it seems complicated and his ability to think it through and make any kind of an assessment is hazy at best. He's not totally out of it, the more time that passes but he's also not in a hurry to leave behind that stupor.

It might have seemed like he nodded off if Marc hadn't mentioned returning the favor. One eyebrow lifting up and the corner of his mouth curled up. ] Tease. [ A sweet, low laugh slips free, something a bit too fond but he can't help himself right now. ]

I think it's perfectly fair, since you've near ruined it for me. [ His brow drops, furrowing a bit as another chuckle dies in his chest. Finally cracking his eyes open to stare up at the roof, as much as it sends a pang of longing through him, he can't escape reality forever. ]

You ought to worry less about that mate, than what I'm going to do when I've finally got my hands on you in return. [ A drag of short-cropped nails over his stomach, scraping against the skin as he sighs. He'd make up for what he lacked in experience with enthusiasm, and creativity, hopefully. ] To boot, _{if you wanted to see, all you have to do is ask.}

Ruined it? [There's a laugh at that.] Was I that good?

[He can't help but tease a little bit, but-- he's glad that Steven enjoyed it. He's glad that they were able to have-- something at least.

... And that 'threat' definitely piques his interest.] Yeah? Mm, are you gonna tell me what you're planning or do I have to wait and be surprised?

[He pauses at that next offer. Steven's gonna end up driving him insane.] Yeah?

... Maybe we should invest in a bigger mirror. [Not going to be the same thing, but at least Steven will see his eyes on him, yeah?]

[ A choked half-laugh escapes, his 'clean' hand rubbing over his face, up into his hair, back down to settle gains this chest lazily. ] It might not be news to you, but there's a world of difference between doing it for yourself and... not. [ He didn't have a lot to compare it to, admittedly, and was a bit to embarrassed to divulge that he's sure a large part of it is the unusual crush he's been harboring on Marc for longer than was probably acceptable.

He nods, though he has no idea if Marc can even gleen a view of him here, clearing his throat to find his voice. ] I've got to up the ante a bit, haven't I? [ He pauses, trying to think back to whatever obscene fanties that had plagued him in the past, toes nudging gently under the sheets as he finally cools off. ] Though, in the sake of not being an absolute twat, maybe you ought to tell me a bit of what you actually like, yeah? [ Last thing he wanted to do was screw things up, and as awkward as it is to ask it's a lot less awkward than giving either of them some kind of anxiety attack of it.

The mention of a mirror gets a grin, and a hum. ] Read my mind, actually. Suppose once I actually... get out of bed, I can manage that.

[He wants to point out that it was technically-- still his hand. But he's not bringing down the mood with that, not right now. He gets Steven's meaning anyway.] Trust me, Steven, I know.

[What does he like? He's not-- sure it'll be anything Steven actually likes. Even with Layla, things tended to be rough and hard and intense. Steven was getting flustered enough by a handjob... he doesn't want to ruin things. He doesn't want to make him regret any of this if he can help it.] You don't have to worry about freaking me out, you know. You'd never hurt me... I trust you. I'd be happy with just your hand on me and your voice in my ear.

[He's trying to not ask for-- more than Steven will be able to give.] Maybe I just want to sit in front of that mirror you're gonna grab, so I can watch every expression you give while you sit and touch me however you want, yeah?

Right. [ Is that embarrassment? Feels like it. He really needs to take a few seconds and think through what he says, now that he as a bit of wit back in his head. ] I mean, I can do that of course. [ That wasn't much of a problem, really, he's got to practice that sort of fine control; fronting was one thing, but he'd not gotten nearly as good at taking up a limb. Though it'll probably pose less of a problem if Marc's letting it happen than whatever struggle for dominance it had been before. ]

Yeah. [ A little heave of a breath, but then he's finally rocking forward, sliding off of the bed and stretching his arms up. Kicking the shirt over toward the pile of laundry he's 'meant to do' for the last day or two, edging into the bathroom. For a bit he's just quiet, snatching up a toothbrush and toothpaste, laying on a little too much and shoving it into his mouth. ] You said maybe. [ His hand grasps the end of the brush, and he's just gliding it over his teeth when his gaze flickers up to the mirror, and maybe it's a little accusing, but more than that he sounds... amused? It's hard to say because he's back to brushing his teeth with one hand and rooting around for a washcloth with the other. ]

You're funny sometimes Marc. [ A little rumble of a laugh from him as he turns the water back on, waiting for it to warm up enough. ] But I'd like that anyway.

I'm funny? [He shakes his head, lips curling up as he watches Steven in the mirror.]

Look-- I'm just trying to give you options. You're-- [Shit, he doesn't want to sound ridiculous and sappy, but.] special, you know. I want you to feel like you are. This isn't the usual hook up I might've done in the past. And it's not--

[Like with Layla is what he means to say, but he doesn't want to make things weird with Steven, or make him think it's a comparison.] You know what I mean. You're already giving me so much more than I'd hoped for, just not... demanding I go away or something..

[He always thought Steven would want him to if he found out what he was thinking about him.]

Yeah, I don't think you mean to be, though. [ And he's clearly taunting now, not that he'll make eye contact to confirm it. Rinsing the brush he pauses with it hanging out of his mouth to run the cloth under the water and to wash his hand off. He should take a proper shower, honestly, but right now he's just in the mood to get moving, so he idles, waffling on his options. ]

Sweet. [ And it's a little bit of a joke, too, till he realizes Marc is serious and he comes up short. ] I mean, is anything between us the usual? [ A little laugh before he leans down, spitting into the sink and cupping some water to rinse his mouth out, it gives him time to pick out his words. And to once again avoid eye contact when he speaks. ]

Marc, if there's one thing I do not want it's you going away. [ A little laugh, but it's weaker as he washes his face off, tossing the toothbrush back into the cup. ] I mean, I can't-- I don't have the experience to really say, but I do know you're something special, too. Even if you're too stubborn to see it.

I'm not going anywhere... [Not any time soon, anyway. He huffs out a sigh, rolling his shoulders a little in the reflection of the mirror. He's not going to argue about whether he should or shouldn't be special to Steven. All he does is offer up a tight lipped smile.

He might have blown through his five words for the day. Steven's always the better one at talking.

That said--]

C'mon, buddy. Get in the shower. [He can nudge him into taking care of himself properly.]

Or let me tag in and do it.

[ There's a lingering moment where it seems like he might say something but chooses not to, instead he seems to be considering the offer. ]

Yeah, yeah, you're right. [ A tired drawl escapes his lips before he shakes himself up a bit. One hand yet again combs through those curls as he drifts toward the shower, turning the water on.

For a second he really just stands there staring at the tiles before he nods. Tag in, right. It was better to share some little bits in the day, he thought, if only because being in the dark was still stressful as far as he was concerned.

Sure they could share too, but it was easier to delegate sometimes. A little breathy sound escapes before he closes his eyes, and tries his best to relax and facilitate a full switch. ]

[Marc-- doesn't mind it, really. Maybe he should. Maybe he shouldn't be content with living in the shadows, taking over when Steven needs him to. He comes out, of course. But there's something... comforting about withdrawing.

But he also doesn't mind taking over to take care of Steven a little bit. There's a brief glimpse over to the mirror, a slight smile, before he's going to get the water started and heated up, a sigh passing his lips.]

We'll get to bed after this, alright?

[ He's there, as expected, looking a little bit like a crumpled shirt. Hair ruffled, gaze tired but fond. Hands carefully tucked in front of him. He's better about being out of control now, than he was before, at the very least-- but a part of it is always going to feel a little suffocated. Maybe Marc had gotten used to it, considering he'd done it so much longer, but Steven didn't find it comfortable unless he was tired.

Being worn out made it so much easier for him to just kind of float in the aimlessness it offered. Trusting he won't be trapped also helps. ]

Yeah. [ A little quieter now, less energy slipping into his words, but there was still a fondness to it. ] Can you wash that mess of gel out, too? [ A little teasing is pretty much irresistible at this point. ]

Oh, complain all you want, buddy. But at least I make us look like we don't regularly lose fights with combs. [The curls are tamed... even if Steven does look-- endearing with his mussed hair and too large clothes. Still, he ducks under the water and reaches for the soap.]

Guess we missed Jeopardy... gonna have to catch a repeat.

Not like it's a fair fight. [ He grumbles, mirth slipping in easily. Some part of him regrets slipping back, sure the heat of the shower probably eft pretty good right now. The rest of him was fine with it, considering he felt damn near just like sitting on the floor of the shower and taking a nap.

Wouldn't be the first time. ] Jeo-- oh. Right. [ Someone had completely forgotten about that... ] This is one very drastic plan to get out of a little trivia show, Marc. I'm shocked. [ He's trying really hard to sound incredulous right now, is it working? ]

Uh-huh. [Steven could just admit that he doesn't care if he looks curly and frazzled all the time...

He huffs out a laugh as he makes quick work of washing their body down.]

Oh, no, it wasn't that tonight... but I'm definitely planning on using it as a distraction in the future. Next time you're making me watch a-- cartoon or something?

[Or anime or whatever the hell Steven calls it.]

[ Admit to things? Acknowledge he looks like an overly rumpled chia-pet because of his own doing? No thanks. ]

That's not how negotiating works. [ Not that they were actually striking any kind of a bargain, but alas- ] You're supposed to pose something you want to watch, that I don't and we uh... [ He does not want to say 'even the scales' and there's a lingering pause where he hunts for the right words. ] compromise.

Also, it was a good show, you'd know that if you paid attention.

Oh, yeah? I don't know what you dislike watching though... Action movies? Horror? [But Marc isn't too big on horror either. Their life is enough of that as is.]

Who said I didn't pay attention? I did. Mostly.

Not big on horror no. [ Not that he thought Marc was super interested in it, what else did he not like? ] I don't know, things that are too sad. [ He easily found himself crying at sad movies, sometimes happy ones. Honestly, they could be worse, but he didn't feel inclined to divulge that information. ] Maybe negotiate for something else, I don't know.

[ A little huff of a laugh, the ghost of Steven muttering something to himself but the words never really come out. ] Alright. I suppose I misjudged. Forgive me? [ And there's a teasing hint to his words but it softens. ]

Gonna have to shave tomorrow, already feel a bit scruffy.

Or we could skip the negotiating and just jump right to the fun... [Marc suggests as he cuts off the water and grabs for a towel to start drying himself off. He moves back to the mirror, using his palm to clear away any haze lingering on it to inspect the body.

Yeah. Yeah.]

Definitely need a shave. Unless you want that hobo chic look going out. [But Steven already looks so disheveled enough...]

It'd go with the messy hair.

Isn't that what we just did? [ An airy chuckle, but he sounds at least moderately distracted. Fortunately, when the mirror is cleared he keeps himself out of the way, mostly. Though there's a curious glimpse from the faucet before that too fades away. ]

Rude. [ He snips in return, the threat of retaliation felt in a slight tingle at his fingertips but he doesn't actually do anything with it. Not at the moment. ] You don't like my hair? [ A little flit of something, just far off enough to the side. ] I guess I could spend an extra half hour in the morning preening like you.

Preening? Really? It's called grooming, buddy. Besides, you should be grateful. I've heard the compliments that new cologne's gotten us. [Not that Steven's ever smelled bad or anything. He's always-- apparently smelled like Marc, according to Layla.]

I don't not like your hair. It-- suits you. It's cute. [There's a teasing smile flashed in the mirror.]

You know, for a guy who never picks up a brush.

[ There's a quiet few seconds where he can't figure out how to respond, and Marc isn't wrong-- even if he has no idea what to do with a compliment about how he smells. Ramble a bit awkwardly till they realize they're not as interested as they first thought. Maybe. A soft scoff follows. ]

Cute. [ He repeats, and it's hard to tell if he finds it complimentary or not. Probably wouldn't have if it came from almost anyone else, but he likes getting any kind of compliment from Marc so it's a unique experience. He lingers on it till he's getting teased again and there's a flicker of change before the reflection is more him than Marc. ]

Oi, I've picked up a brush plenty of times when you don't put it back where it goes. [ Which, admittedly, is less often than he's trying to make it sound, but he's got to sass him back some. ]

Cute. Unless you're moaning for me. [Then that was just sexy, if he's being honest. His eyes narrow a bit on the mirror at the remark. Really?]

Says the guy who's practically a hoarder. Do you even know what books you've got in your collection? [Stacks and stacks that are either a fire hazard or a concussion waiting to happen. C'mon.]

[ It's clear he wants to say something if by the way his lips part slightly and he takes a breath in, but his brows furrow and his face reddens. There are a few seconds where he tries to think of something before he just diverts his gaze, struggling to maintain both his composure and his ability to be annoying now that the heady daze of getting off wasn't rolling around in his head. ] I'll make sure to see how cute your before and after is. [ His tongue skims against his teeth, but the mention of being a hoarder gets an eye roll. ]

First my hair and now my books, really quite a charmer. [ A drag of his teeth over his lip before he scoffs. ] Besides, I've read quite a lot of them thanks to you.

[He huffs out a laugh, although it's not particularly unkind. His attention is diverted to the mirror, watching Steven struggle and flush and... he likes it. Likes getting to watch him properly and see his reactions properly.

... Although maybe that last jab hits a little too close to the guilty bits, makes his expression twitch and fade a little bit. There are some things-- he's not sure he'll ever be able to properly make up for.

He's not even sure he should be able.

But that's not something to toss on Steven, so he manages a more proper smile and shakes his head.] C'mon. You know I'm teasing. There's no one else I'd rather spend my time with.

[All the way up through eternity, if the Duat is any indication for Steven.]

[ Despite all his indignation and bluster, the words soften him up so easily. He's pined for any kind of affection for so long, and that of MArc especially, it's hard to keep up his irritable demeanor when he's right there, smiling. ]

You're lucky you're handsome. [ He says in a way that's probably supposed to sound petulant or demeaning but instead just sounds a little wistful.

When the moment of him not so subtly watching MArc passes, he seems a little more at peace. Whatever that means. ]

Yeah, [ It's sheepish but pleased, there's no hiding the way satisfaction twists his tone into something a little too intimate, never good at keeping his emotions under wraps. ] Least we don't have to fight over the blanket, right?

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