THINGS TO DO ON A NIGHT IN
@lorebled : [ HAIR ]: fred and zaf bathe and style one another’s hair.
hot water was a luxury since they’d carved out a home in the merciless pile of rocks that was ketterdam. but she’d managed to scrape together enough kruge to book a small pool at one of the nicer bathhouses — one that guaranteed they’d at least be given fresh water and not forced to reuse any. it was a token, one of the little things she could give to him, and in part also give to herself.
there are sweet smells swirling in the steam as hot water — almost hot enough to burn — lapped at their shoulders, her fingers lost in a mess of golden curls, darkened and dampened by the bathwater. she traced the constellations of freckles on his shoulders where they met the water, and scrubbed gently at his scalp with the soap so kindly provided. droplets echo against tiled walls, as they sit there, becoming warm prunes from the lovely bath, an extravagance they likely will not be able to afford for another little while.
but for the time being, it’s perfect. the scent of dried flowers, fred’s hands scrubbing a soft soap across her shoulders, the back of her neck. fingertips cleansing her, nearly absolving her of her sins, with all the care in the world.
[ ... ]
he doesn’t let her rise right away, once they’ve dressed and bundled up against ketterdam’s bitter cold winds driven toward the city by a merciless ocean. zafiya doesn’t know where he learned how to braid, but he keeps her sat before him, crossing locks until they’re secured at a small tail, strands folded perfectly behind her. it’s not difficult to take his hand, to leave the few moments of reprieve they’d fought for, to reenter the drab and violent world they now belong to. not when they’re together.
