Bubble Bath

     “Damn weather,” Lumin melted in place, as if the raindrops outside were sinking him further into the couch. “Keeping us stuck here, nothing good to do!”

     Mulch kept quiet, eyes fixated on the window and the scenery outside. Small drops of water bounced onto the glass outside, dripping and dancing on the window’s surface. The clouds were gray and heavy, but sparse enough that the sun could still squeeze through. The sun was just setting, peacefully dozing off behind the horizon, and what came of sunlight was golden and bright. Each raindrop on the window was a little golden hour.

     “It is quite pretty,” Mulch murmured, more to himself than his partner.

     Lumin caught wind of it anyways. “Yes, well,” he sighed. “I’m glad someone is enjoying it.”

     Mulch stepped down from the bay area and away from the window, small footsteps toward his partner. Lumin made way in the couch– there wasn’t as much space for distance, but right now, he didn’t mind it. Mulch didn’t seem to do so, either.

     Rainy days like these were viewed quietly differently by the pair of lovers. Lumin enjoyed the excuse to laze around, but the quiet would only last so long before he started missing the freedom of an open space. Though he wasn’t presenting in his fay form, he could feel his shoulder blades itch with the want to spread his wings. Instead, he was stuck in the couch.

     Mulch in the other hand quite enjoyed times like these, contrary to what one could assume of a farmer. His mushrooms, Mulch’s pride and joy, thrived with a healthy dose of rain. He could relax easily knowing that the work on the field would be made for him– tomorrow, he would fix any displaced soil. Today, he left his crops enjoy the rain.

     “You seem restless,” Mulch whispered. He was used to Luminwell’s dramatic self, but today it felt different.

     “I am,” Lumin confirmed, with another sigh. Today, he was all sighs. “It’s hard to find something to do, you see.”

     “Book?” Mulch suggested, ears perking up. The other shook his head,

     “Not that, darling. I don’t believe I would be able to focus.” Lumin pulled Mulch closer, hands grabbing the smaller creature by his sides. Lumin was used to picking him up, Mulch was used to being picked up. Still, he asked, “Is this okay?”

     Mulch nodded, body limp enough that the fay could lift him without issues. He was placed on Lumin’s lap, right on top of a very fluffy blanket. Mulch cuddled closer, very much comfortable around his partner.

     “I am glad you’re here to keep me company,” Lumin whispered, wielding a teasing smile. “You look so cute today”

     “D-do I?” Mulch perked up.

     Lumin hummed in approval, nuzzling the other closer to himself. Then, “Ah, how about a fashion show to pass the time?”

     “... maybe no…?” Mulch squeaked out. Lumin laughed.

     “Alright, dear, maybe no.” He placed a tender kiss on Mulch’s head. “Do you have any other ideas?”

     “Whatever it is, something relaxing,” Mulch declared in a quiet voice. “I don’t want you to be restless anymore.”

     “It’s hard to relax while we are stuck inside,” Lumin pouted, gaze lost in the window, longing as could be.

     “... how about a bath?”

     Lumin turned to look at him, “Oh?”

     “Warm bubble bath,” Mulch continued. “Some of that shampoo you use that makes you smell good. I’ve heard those help people relax.”

     “Yes… yes!” Lumin pulled Mulch off his lap, gently placing the other on the floor. Then, he stood up, beelining it to the bathroom. “Yes, I’ll make a spa night for you! I shall prepare you the finest of baths, with essential oils and fresh flowers!”

     “B-but the point is for you to relax!” Mulch followed, fast as he could with their difference in height.

     “I’ll make you a drink you can enjoy while lounging, as well” Lumin did not listen. Playing spa seemed to be entertaining enough to put the boredom aside.

     “But–”

     Lumin halted his walk and turned around, Mulch almost crashing against him in the process.

     “Mulch,” he said, leaning down to ruffle the boy’s hair, “would you please start the water? I shall return with appropriate supplies.”

     Mulch opened his mouth to try and protest, but then Lumin turned around, and he was gone.

     Well. Best to go along with it?

     “Is the temperature to your liking?”

     “It’s perfect,” Mulch purred, sinking down into the water.

     And it truly was: cool enough to avoid discomfort, warm enough to feel like a hug. Mulch had gone from worrying about his partner to suddenly being the sole target of his affection, spa schedule included. At first, Mulch had tried his best to convince him to switch roles, that Luminwell was the one who deserved to relax, but the fay had insisted in playing the part of spa planner.

     By the time Lumin had finished preparing the bath, with the sweetest of fragrances and a candle-light ambiance, one thing became clear to Mulch: he didn’t need to relax, he just needed something interesting to do.

     And that something was pampering Mulch, it seemed, as he was greeted by a selection of warm tea and little truffles to go along with it. With Lumin’s sighs left somewhere in the process (now the man was all smiles), Mulch allowed himself to be pampered, relax, and live through this happy accident of his to the fullest.

     Lumin’s hands were on his hair. He lettered Mulch’s hair with a shampoo smelling of coconut and vanilla.

     “Are you enjoying this?” He asked, a bright smile on his face.

     Mulch nodded with a breathy noise of contempt, leaning into the touch.

     “So am I,” Lumin said, chest puffed up with pride. “This is really, fun! I adore pampering you, my sweet.”

     “Do you?” Mulch’s eyes were sparkling.

     He had never imagined he’d ever found himself in a situation like this: loved, pampered, and so sweetly cared for. The presence of his lover next to him, whispering sweet nothings as he helped him was his hair. It was overwhelming but comforting all the same, a leap out of his comfort zone that paved a new space where he could feel safe in. It was very, very nice.

     “Of course, my darling,” Lumin whispered, sneaking a little kiss on Mulch’s forehead. “I am here for you. And I love nothing more than seeing you smile.”

     Mulch melted into the touch. Having repurposed what Lumin left behind, he was now letting little sighs left and right. But they were comfortable. He was comfortable.

     “Next time,” Mulch mumbled, “let me do this for you?”

     Lumin let out a chuckle. “Of course my love, but today, let me take care of you. Is that alright?”

     Robbed of words, completely lost in the love he felt for the other, Mulch just nodded. If he were to fall asleep, relaxed as he was, he knew Lumin would make sure he was comfortable and safe.

     Maybe Lumin would stop complaining about the rain, for the days to come.