He returned a mont later, arms packed with soft, folded towels. One large bath sheet, a smaller towel, and a couple of washcloths. He dropped them onto the end of the bed.
"Alright, operation Bath ti is a go," he announced, rubbing his hands together. "How are we going to get you in there? Can you hop? Or do I need to carry you again? I’m not complaining about option two, just saying."
My cheeks were still warm, but the initial mortification had faded, replaced by a comfortable warmth. "I think... maybe carry is safer," I admitted. "I don’t want to put any weight on it by accident."
"Excellent choice, buttercup," he said, already moving towards the side of the bed. He knelt down again, his movents easy and familiar. "Just tell how you want to do this."
I wrapped my arms loosely around his neck, my non-injured leg swinging free. He carefully scooped up, supporting my back and knees, making sure the injured ankle was held safe and steady.
"Alright, off to the watery depths," he murmured, his chin brushing my hair as he stood.
He carried through the bedroom door, down the short hallway, and into the attached bathroom. It wasn’t huge, but it was functional, with a sink, toilet, and a standard tub-shower combo. The space was usually filled with the scents of my various lotions and potions, but right now, it just felt... small, with Adrien filling so much of it.
He lowered gently onto the closed toilet seat, keeping a supportive hand on my back until I was steady. "Okay, first things first. You need things, yes? Soap? Shampoo? Conditioner? And how are we navigating clothes?"
My blush was back with a vengeance. "Uh... the toiletries are under the sink and in the shower basket. And... I can manage the clothes. Just... maybe turn around for a second?"
He grinned, a purely wicked glint in his eyes. "Turn around? Are you sure? You know I’m a gentleman, but my curiosity levels are peaking."
"Adrien!" I protested, punching weakly at his arm.
"Fine, fine," he accepted with a chuckle, though he didn’t move imdiately. He just stood there, watching , that knowing smirk still playing on his lips. The air felt thick with anticipation, even with the practical task ahead.
"Go," I prompted, trying not to squirm under his gaze.
"Alright, alright." He finally turned, facing the sink, giving my privacy. "Just shout if you need anything. Or... if you just miss my company."
I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips. I quickly fumbled with the buttons of my borrowed shirt and the waistband of my pajama bottoms. Getting them off with one leg useless and trying not to fall over was a clumsy process, but I managed, discarding them in a heap on the floor. I was suddenly very aware of being in just my underwear, facing away from him.
"Okay," I called out, my voice a little shaky. "I’m... ready for the next step."
He turned back around. His eyes lingered for just a fraction of a second before he seed to deliberately shift his gaze to my face. "Alright. Now, the tub. We need to fill it. How hot do you like it? And do you want bubbles after all? I could make a surprisingly good bubble-maker, I bet."
"Just warm, please," I said quickly, avoiding the bubbles topic for now. "And maybe just fill it halfway or so, so it’s easier to get in and out."
"Got it." He turned on the water, adjusting the temperature by hand. While the tub filled, he grabbed a washcloth and soap from under the sink. "Here are the essentials. Anything else you need? A loofah? A rubber duck?"
"Very funny," I muttered. "Just... help get in when it’s ready."
He leaned against the doorfra, watching the water rise, a relaxed but attentive presence. The silence stretched, comfortable after our earlier exchange. The sound of the running water was the only thing filling the small room.
When the tub was about halfway full, he turned off the tap. "Okay, llove. Let’s get you settled." He moved to stand right in front of , offering his hands. "Can you stand for just a second, leaning on , while I help you turn?"
I nodded, reaching out and grasping his arms. He was strong, steady. Leaning against him, I carefully pushed up with my good leg. He supported completely, keeping my weight off the injured ankle. He guided , a slow, careful pivot, so I was facing the tub.
"Alright, now we just need to lower you in," he said softly. He kept one arm securely around my waist while the other helped balance as I carefully lowered myself onto the edge of the tub. This was the tricky part. My injured ankle was a dead weight.
"Here, lean back against ," he instructed, positioning himself behind . His chest was against my back, his arms wrapped around , one hand holding my injured leg slightly elevated as I eased my bottom into the warm water. It was awkward, intimate, and strangely comforting. He moved slowly, patiently, making sure I was stable at each step.
The hot water was a welco relief against my skin. I let out a soft sigh as my body relaxed into it.
"Good?" he asked, his voice a low rumble near my ear. He was still holding my leg, carefully positioning it so it wasn’t resting on the bottom of the tub or hitting the faucet.
"Mmhmm," I humd. It felt so good.
He carefully lowered my leg the rest of the way, positioning it gingerly in the water. "Okay. How’s that? Comfortable?"
"Yes," I said, opening my eyes. I was finally settled, half subrged in the glorious heat.
He smiled down at , a genuine, sweet smile. "Good. Now, do you need any help with... the washing part? I’m a surprisingly good scrubber." His eyes twinkled.
My cheeks flushed again, but this ti it wasn’t from embarrassnt. It was just... warmth. "Adrien! Stop it!"
He chuckled, finally straightening up and taking a step back, though he didn’t leave the bathroom. He leaned against the sink, crossing his arms, still watching with that playful, intense gaze.
"Alright, I’ll stop." He paused, that glint returning. "Just rember what I said about surface area in a bubble bath. Potential for... creative exploration."
"Oh my god," I mumbled, shaking my head, a wide smile spreading across my face despite myself. He was impossible.
"Enjoy your bath, sweetheart," he said, his voice softening. "Just... be careful getting out. Knock if you need . Or if you decide you do want that full-service bubble bath assistance."
He winked, a slow, deliberate wink that sent a fresh wave of warmth through . Then, he finally turned and stepped out of the bathroom, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.
The sound of his soft footsteps faded as he presumably went back to the bedroom. I was alone in the quiet bathroom, the warm water surrounding , the scent of my usual bath soap filling the air. But the scent of Adrien seed to linger, and the feeling of his arms around , his body pressed against mine, was still vivid.
He’d brought to my room, kissed senseless, nearly convinced he was about to "do it," then pivoted to helping bathe, all while managing to be both incredibly helpful and utterly infuriating.
And sohow, despite the confusion and the teasing, I felt more cared for, more seen, than I had in a long ti. My heart wasn’t hamring with frantic anticipation anymore, but with a steady, warm feeling. Adrien was taking care of . And even though he’d pulled back from that kind of intimacy, the physical closeness of him helping into the bath, the low hum of his voice next to my ear, felt just as profound, in a different way.
Okay, Bath ti. Ti to figure out how to wash myself one-legged. And try not to think about Adrien just on the other side of that door, wearing my apron and probably thinking about bubble baths and creative exploration. Good luck with that.
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