M decided to unbutton it but hug it close to his chest. If he changed his mind he’d just be able to toss it off. He carefully pawed off his belt and scooted into the water much too quickly, but the hot water purred and cradeled his skin plesantly.
Maelia felt the disturbance of M getting into the water and resurfaced slowly. The heat and her own fire magic had flushed her skin enough that she looked like she was glowing faintly. She carefully swam over to his side, gently prying one of his hands away from his chest. "Tell me what has happened to you?"
M chewed on his lip and looked away. “I don’t understand what you ask, my lady.”
Maelia looked more concerned than anything else as she lifted his hand to her cheek. "You have health advisers, M. Obviously something has happened to you."
M held his shirt together with his other hand, his eyes jolting down to the hot pool.
“I…Every detective needs a health advidor but… I just need more.”
"Why?" Maelia asked, skewering him with a look that meant no funny business. The current in the small pool drifted her closer to him and her long hair swirled around in the water between them.
M swallowed lightly for the umpteenth time that night. “I’m just… older. I’m not as fit as I was when I first started.”
Maelia nodded, not believing him for a moment, but accepting that he wasn't going to tell her. She lifted her cheek from his hand, releasing it entirely as she ducked back under the water. She didn't know what to do, he wouldn't listen to her. She wanted him to be as happy as he wanted her to be.
M blinked a couple times as she ducked away from him, and he backed away slightly to lean against the wall of the spring. He slunk down a bit deeper, wrapping his other arm around his tummy again as the water washed over his already throbbing wounds.
Maelia stayed under the water for a long, long time, thinking. Finally she came up with an idea. "M!" She said, as she sprung up out of the water, probably startling the hellfire out of him. "I would like to leave now." She continued, ignoring his shocked face.
M had slowly relaxed into the pool, sighing. But he was interrupted with her crashing out of the water, which made him jump out of the warm water with a gasp.
“WhO-whA… oh. O-okay…” His heart was pounding against his somewhat pained cold-warm mixed chest. “Where are you going, if I may ask?” He glanced up at her, balling his hands up into fists.
She smiled, swimming up to his side and wrapping her arms around him in a gentle hug. Resting her head on his chest she murmured, "Anywhere. As long as you come too."
M hugged her back slowly and at that exact moment he remembered he was in a pair of boxers. His face reddened but in the dark it wasn’t all that visible.
“O-alright. Could we stay here? It’s nice.”
Maelia froze, cursing that her plan didn't work. She relaxed against him, fitting her head perfectly in the grove of his shoulder. She was motherhenning over him. If he believed he would be okay, then she just needed to trust that. "Yes…It's very nice isn't it? The water is a bit cold though no?" She glanced at M's flushed skin and the steam that was rising thickly off the water. "Oh…It's actually really hot isnt it?" She asked him, awkwardly.
M rubbed her hair carefully, shrugging and looking down at the water. “It’s quite nice. Hot. But nice.” He hadn’t been able to enjoy such heat like this before. He was really, truly, enjoying it.
(Bump)
"Oh." Maelia said surprised at how genuine he sounded. "Well I suppose we can stay for a little longer." She shut her eyes, content with listening to M's heartbeat.
M glanced at her, chewing on his lip. He wanted to sit back down and hide his entire lower body again. He was getting chilly in regions he did not like to be cold in.
“So… where to after this?”
"Hmmm? Oh…I haven't the faintest idea. Wherever I suppose." Maelia said somewhat sleepily. The warmth was lulling her fire magic, making her super relaxed and cozy.
“Alright… would you like to sit down again?” He asked tenderly, carefully moving down anyway into the water.
(Bujuj,ppcn4rkcr)
Maeliea only nodded, adjusting as M sat down so that she was cuddled up into his side again. Her eyes remained closed, the water around her heating up the tiniest bit more because of her magic.
M stayed tense against her for a bit, then slowly relaxed into her as the water heated. The soft silence of the springs pressed into his eardrums. He sighed slowly, trying to break the silence.
"Something on your mind?" Maelia asked, feeling his sigh, rumble through his chest. She was practically sitting in his lap, and she should probably move, but she was so so comfy.
“Hm?” He asked gently as to not disturb her. “No. I’m quite alright.” He hugged her a bit tighter to his chest, leaning back into the wall.
Maelia smiled thoroughly enjoying herself. She hadn't been this close to someone since– The thought derailed, causing her eyes to snap open and her bod to tense. Of all the things to think about right this moment. She chastised herself, trying once more to relax into M.
M felt her tense and his eyes blinked open. He hadn’t noticed that he closed them.
“Are you okay, my lady?” He asked softly, dipping his head to look at her tenderly.
Maelia blinked up at him. "Everything is perfect." She responded a little too quickly, but she wasn't lying. The healing waters were working wonders on her tense body. Not to mention being in his arms was proving to be heavenly.
M blinked, taken aback though honored. “Thank you. I think I can agree as well.” He smiled shyly. He didn’t usually express himself, but she expected something different.
"Well good! It would be awkward if you weren't." She chuckled against his chest.
