Pot and Kettle

Sebastian started to scoff at her words, but found he couldn't maintain the necessary attention to it. Her thumb running over his skin like electricity. Not just you, he finally managed after a moment.

As much as either of them may have wanted to relish in the moment, things changed in an instant. Sebastian yelped slightly as he was yanked in closer to Aoife. His hand that had been on her chest slipped immediately at the shift in position, landing on her leg under the water. Briefly, his face hit water before he was able to react and lift his head to look at Aoife.

Of all the things to be concerned with, it was the fact that she was naked... in a tub? Was that what was happening? It took his mind a moment more to catch up to the situation and scarlet spread across his cheeks. Bodil would not leave so easily.

Maker's Breath, he wheezed, shaking his head a bit as water dripped off his face. He looked over his shoulder toward the door, then back at Aoife. Not that I don't enjoy being this close, Aoife, but Bodil is not likely to leave. The color in his cheeks flushed deeper, likely a mirror to her own embarrassment.

Bodil frowned at the commotion; it sounded like something had fallen into the tub, maybe Aoife herself. She shifted the platter of tea and snacks to the maid that stood beside of her. She heard voices, as well, and frowned. One hand on her key-ring, she tried the door first. It opened with no fuss, and she turned to accept the tea from the younger maid. There had never been another person hired to run the household; Bodil ran it. She'd hired each servant that dealt solely with household things, ensuring they were to her liking.

Which meant, most of the maids were women in poor situations, that needed an out and she gave it to them. And she treated them with respect. It was the kind of job one wouldn't give up willingly. 

The sight of Sebastian's favored pet curled up on the bed made the woman smirk. Maire, will you inform my husband that we've found the Prince and Tofa? The younger maid flushed at the implications, and curtsied before she disappeared down the corridor. Bodil opened the door fully, to step inside. You worried us, Sebastian. Her tone is scolding, much like a parent might scold a young child. She settled the tea tray on the nearest surface, and bumped the door closed with her foot.

[font=Arial, serif]It was bittersweet really. Knowing he had felt the same and had equally said nothing. All that time, alone when they could have..[/font]

[font=Arial, serif]And then it all came crashing down because she could keep a reign on her tongue. [/font]

[font=Arial, serif]If there were even the slightest chance a portal to the Nightmare was available, Leaf contemplated leaping for it. She was under the assumption she’d suffered every imaginable torment known to exist but this, this was worse. Seb spoke and it only earned him a silent stone faced, [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]Why, the fuck, are you talking?[/font][/color] but it was too late, Bodin was making her way in soon after hearing his voice. [/font]

[color=#c14700][font=Arial, serif]You’re screeching didn’t exactl-[/font][/color]

[color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]Now is NOT the time for you to-..[/font][/color]

[font=Arial, serif]Relaxing her almost death grip hold, Leaf finally began to become aware of their entanglement. The hand on her thigh, under the water had her swallowing, throat suddenly parched eventually finding it with her own to help right him back. Their faces matched, but Leaf’s gaze couldn’t quite meet his with the housekeeper beginning to cross the threshold into her chambers. [/font]

[font=Arial, serif]In a choice between facing it and the water, Aoife chose the latter, retreating under the suds. Hidden under the bubbled surface she’d curse herself, the complete loss of her mind and the utter humiliating introduction to a woman close to him. [/font]

[font=Arial, serif][color=#c14700][font=Arial, serif]A solid performance, Hawke[/font][/color]. Korr chuckled, in her mind. [/font]

[color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]I’m never, ever, going to hear the end of this. [/font][/color]

[font=Arial, serif]Resurfacing so only her head came above the water, Leaf would choose to remain hiding and letting Sebastian deal with his staff. Her mouth had done enough damage already. [/font]

Aoife had gone silent and, based on the look she gave him, Sebastian knew he'd be having to deal with this. It wasn't a look he'd seen often, but enough that he'd understood the meaning. With a sigh, he was finally freed enough to disentangle himself from her as she slipped below the waterline.

What he couldn't do, however, was resist the urge to brush his fingers up along her bare stomach before he completely removed himself from the water. A smirk tugged at his lips before he leaned back, shaking more water away from his face and eventually his arm.

He rocked back on his heels and sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose with his wet hand. Bodil, please. What was he going to say? Remind her he was an adult and didn't have rules or curfews to abide by? That on top of it he was a prince that could go where he pleased and do as he pleased?

You needn't shadow my every step, I am quite capable of handling myself. Was he really, though?

At movement from the tub, he cut his gaze over toward Aoife. She clearly wasn't going to say anything else, though, and he looked back at his former nanny. Sebastian struggle, though, with what to say next? Did he just accept whatever Bodil was going to throw at him? Did he try to offer an innocent explanation?

I was helping her wash her hair, he finally settled on. It wasn't a lie. I tried to shift and lost my balance, nothing to fuss over. It wasn't a total lie. An exaggeration, perhaps. Balance lost by an outside cause was still balance lost, after all.

Bodil raised her eyebrows, Sebastian. If you didn't want me to shadow your every step, you would have let me go once you were of age. Movement from the tub caused her to study the woman hiding in the water.

Embarrassed, no doubt. And when Sebastian spoke, she's scrutinizing him. As if she might know his tells, and call him on a lie. Ah. Helping her wash her hair... and that was all you were doing? Honestly, you're never going to give me a baby to nanny if that's all you're doing.

She rolled her eyes and huffed at him, as if not having a baby to care for was really the worst thing in the world. Well, when she's decent, I expect to meet her properly. And for Maker's sake, she'd turned her gaze back to the prince.

Next time, lock the door. And own up to being in the room, instead of letting your guest embarrass herself. Scolding, chastising. There was a constant undertone of love in each word, though.

[font=Arial, serif]Hips bucked under the water, the water lapping at the edges of the tub with the disturbance. Aoife just managed to keep the sound from herself just to a sharp inhale, eyes catching that tug to his lips. The bastard. Already knocked off balance with the intrusion she should have expected the cheeky jab, she’d quite literally pulled and landed him in this situation. A little revenge was warranted, but later, not while the woman was mere feet away. [/font]

[font=Arial, serif]Any other time she might have found the scolding endearing, especially since the bulk of it didn’t involve any shots at her. Until of course the topic of small princes and princesses came up. Aoife couldn’t suppress the groan, a quiet, [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“Oh gods,”[/font][/color] and once again dipping back under. The thought of briefly drowning herself to escape this sheer torture flickered through while clearing the remaining soap out of her hair. [/font]

[font=Arial, serif]She remained silent once resurfacing, until Bodil left, the woman’s footsteps fading into the distance. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“I’m… never going to hear the end of this, am I?”[/font][/color] her face fell into her palms, a soft chuckle playing out despite nothing about the past few moments being remotely amusing. She could feel tension returning, their moment now gone, ruined by her inexperienced panic. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“Would… you pass me the towel, please?”[/font][/color] She’d ask, finally uncovering her face to squeeze the excess water out of her hair.
[/font]

Something about seeing Aoife react as she did couldn't have kept the smirk off his face, even if he tried. Not that he did. Sebastian knew exactly what he was doing and was fully willing to accept whatever hell might rain on his head after Bodil was gone.

I was sent away when I came of age, Bodil, or has senility taken your mind? There were few he'd dare speak to in such a manner, but he'd been literally raised by this woman. He knew her better than he'd ever known his other mother. Sebastian's gaze darted from his old nanny back to Aoife in the tub as she was scrutinized.

Maker help them both.

His voice hitched in his throat. After this scene, that was her concern here? He couldn't decide if that was better or if suffering yet another sex talk from her might have been better. He'd lost count in his childhood how many she'd given him.

In an instant, Sebastian found his voice again as he gave a half-hearted scowl. Andraste preserve me, Bodil, you would not be stopped by a locked door. She held the keys to the castle, so to speak. Even had a habit of randomly barging into his locked room if he'd not been seen in an hour. Usually he was writing. And usually it was letters to Aoife that had never been sent.

Finally, he'd gotten to his feet and stepped to block further view of Aoife in the tub from his old nanny. You'll meet proper tomorrow. Now go, Ciaran has probably lost you by now. He gestured for her to shoo back to the door. He loved the woman like a mother, but Maker help him she was too nosy for her own good.

Maybe it was never any advisors or members of court that sought for him to bear an heir. Maybe it was all just her whispering to whomever might hear her complaints of no child to raise.

A sigh once she was gone as he turned to look back at Aoife. Neither of us will, I'm afraid. It's in her head now and she's already been hounding me since I returned. Stepping to the side, he reached for a towel and held it out for her to step into at her request.

He paused, then chuckled, releasing the towel once she'd take it for herself. I suppose it's a good thing she didn't notice what I brought for you to wear. Reaching for the oversized tunic, he held it out for her with a shrug. It's the best I can do that's clean and doesn't belong to a dead family member, he added, a little twinge of awkwardness lingering behind his voice.

[font=Arial, serif]Her gaze slowly found his again, drawing her hair over one shoulder to twist out the water. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“I’m sorry, if I’ve just caused…”[/font][/color] forgoing finishing it for flashing him a grateful smile and taking the towel. Why did she always seem to bring people trouble, even harmless chiding? Shivering, Leaf pulled the fabric tightly around, a corner kept loose to pat dry along an arm. [/font]

[font=Arial, serif]Her brow furrowed, unsure what he meant to begin with until producing his tunic. Lips curled into a soft smile with the gesture, warmth replacing faux amusement. Drawing closer she’d reach for it, not quite taking it until she tiptoed herself to whisper in his ear, [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“Don’t think, for a second, this lets you off the hook for earlier.” [/font][/color][/font]

[font=Arial, serif]A chuckle, and a quickly stolen kiss to his neck, Leaf would snatch the bundle aiming to flee off behind a screen to slip over her nightgown for the evening. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“It’s perfect. Even smells safe.”[/font][/color][/font]

Don't apologize to me, he replied with a gentle chuckle as she took the towel. You're... well, as fucked as I am now about this. He shrugged. Not many other words to describe it where Bodil was concerned. Especially once something was in her head.

Sebastian blinked at her, arching a brow and feigning confusion. My lady, I've done nothing wrong. The look fell almost immediately as a shiver took over when she kissed his neck. A flush blossomed from the spot, creeping up his neck and over his cheeks. The original moment had passed, but maybe it wasn't totally gone.

He moved away as she went to put the tunic on, heading toward the bed and a certain comfortable pandalope. Tofa, he murmured, prodding her a bit on the rear. All he earned, however, was a slight flick of her ears. She'd heard him, didn't care. Sebastian sighed.

It... Aoife's words caught him off guard. He shifted his attention back toward where he'd left her. I'm glad. He landed on, smiling in her direction. Keep it as long as you like, I have plenty more.

Turning back to the bundle of stubborn fur, however, he frowned at Tofa. Would she want to stay once he left? Did he just scoop her up and go? What even was the protocol after what just happened?

I suppose I should leave you for the night, I... would you like me to take her? he gestured at the obstinate, "sleeping" pandalope.

[font=Arial, serif]Before she slipped past the screen, Leaf turned, fingers pointing to her eyes and then him. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“I know you,”[/font][/color] she’d warn, chuckling at the end. She’d change, slipping over the fine fabric. It fell to her knees, though the sides gathered higher to reveal the skin of some of her thighs. The collar was another issue, half slipping over one shoulder. [/font]

[font=Arial, serif]Yet Leaf wouldn’t be perturbed, returning to the open with the collar gathered to her nose. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“...The smell will fade eventually though…”[/font][/color] eyes still not quite able to meet his, Leaf instead moved to spy on the snuggled pandalope beside him. A hand found his, threading fingers through while her thumb tracing the skin on the back of his hand idly. The other pulled through wet strands, untangling the worst of the knots with her fingertips before she’d later find a hairbrush. [/font]

[font=Arial, serif]Aoife didn’t want him to go. Though as her eyes made a sheepish glance at him and the pet, reason would have her agreeing with him. Her head nodded. Servants would only keep their tongues held for so long, and by morning, or the end of the next day a rumour or two would be flying around. Bodil or no Bodil.[color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif] “I don’t believe for a minute she’s sound asleep,”[/font][/color] her grin light, the sigh that came out held an air of forlornness. [/font]

[color=#c14700][font=Arial, serif]You’ll see him tomorrow, idiot. [/font][/color]

[font=Arial, serif]The obvious truth had warmth return, though this change in dynamic was new, untread before by her specifically. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“Let me do it..”[/font][/color] crouching down Aoife gently reached, allowing her hand to pass near the creatures nose to catch her scent before laying hands and drawing Tofa to her chest, cradling her. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“... Khali, would possibly crush you rolling over. It’s best you go with Seb, yes?” [/font][/color]
[/font]

Sebastian couldn't help but let out a short laugh. I suppose that means you'll eventually need to find my stash. Truthfully he didn't care. He had entirely more articles of clothing than any one person needed. Who knew such frivolity might one day be... helpful.

Much to his surprise, she was taking his hand in hers. Their fingers intertwining, even as she seemed to focus more on her hair with her free hand. As if it was nothing to simply hold hands. He wondered quietly if he was more keenly aware of the action simply given the way things had seemed to escalate so quickly. At least beyond the normal bounds of their long-standing friendship.

Attention drew back to Tofa and he smiled. Quite the actress, though, isn't she? The smile only grew as he watched the gentle way Aoife interacted with his companion. The pandalope was by no means overly fragile, but seeing the care threw a few flutters at him he was not expecting.

Tofa had yawned, peering up at Aoife with large, sleep-filled eyes. But a dramatic huff so indicated she quite understood what was happening. Though willing she was not, instead flopping over as if jelly made up her bones.

Sebastian caught himself in a snort at the little drama queen's acting. This was not the first time she'd done this, nor would it be the last - far from it. After a slight shake of his head, he carefully maneuvered his hands to scoop the jellified Tofa from Aoife's arms.

I'll just... there, he finished, triumphant as the pandalope flopped dramatically over his shoulder. Unfortunately, she does this quite a lot. He shook his head again, this time chuckling.

Before he stepped away from his friend, though, he reached his free hand down to take her hand again. This time, though, he merely lifted it to his lips and offered a gentle kiss. Before releasing her with a hint of a smug grin.

Rest well, Aoife. Come find me tomorrow.

Steeling himself against the wish to remain, he shifted one hand to cradle part of his companion so she'd not be jostled off his shoulder. And he headed for the door, ducking out quietly and pulling it closed gently behind himself. Sebastian hesitated at door for a few moments, his mind racing with what all this new meant with her. Though not wishing to be caught out by a servant - or Bodil - he collected himself enough to head back down the halls to his own room for the night.

[font=Arial, serif]Aoife cast him a look, eyes rolling playfully. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“I doubt it’ll be hard, I’ll just look for the big giant walk-in closet.”[/font][/color] She didn’t believe that one existed, this wasn’t Orlais or some stuck up brats pad. He was sensible these days.[color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif] “I’m not going to raid through your drawers, Seb.”[/font][/color][/font]

[color=#c14700][font=Arial, serif]Not those drawe-[/font][/color]

[color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]SHUT. UP. [/font][/color]

[font=Arial, serif]Finding his hand helped give her the will to push the demon out of her mind. Playing with her hair took Leaf’s mind away from the fact he kept a hold of it. She fought, smiling wider, eventually peeling contact away to attempt relocating the pandalope. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“Khali is just as bad,”[/font][/color] nodding to see the mabari slowly rising from under the desk. Tofa just made being difficult all the more adorable. The pet proved to be more unwieldy than first assumed though, but with his help Aoife sheepishly set a limp Tofa into his arms. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“It’s those eyes, they trap you.” [/font][/color][/font]

[font=Arial, serif]Hers followed his reaching for her hand, letting it be guided to his lips. Heat rose again at the back of her neck, but before releasing her she gave him a brief squeeze. She couldn’t quite keep his gaze without her grin stretching out, [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]"Yeah,"[/font][/color] Leaf cleared her throat. [color=#0074d9][font=Arial, serif]“Yeah. You too. I’ll… I’ll see you tomorrow.” [/font][/color][/font]

[font=Arial, serif]She bottled her feelings until the echos of his footsteps fainted into soft pads against the slab work. Heat pressed into her calf, Leaf didn’t need to glance down to see Khali.[color=#0074d9] “... That happened right?... I’m not going to wake up and we’re still on the road?”[/color] The hound would sigh, only nudging her mistress towards the bed. These were thoughts that could be dealt with in the morning.[/font]