Thomas likes his baths boil-a-lobster hot (even before you know what happens), meaning every time he gets out of one his whole body is bright pink. James thinks it’s the cutest thing on the planet.

iwt-v:

jamesflintmcgrawhamilton:

james is so right 

His body hadn’t felt this relaxed in weeks, but his finger
pads were beginning to prune.

Thomas cracked one eye open and forced his head off the back
of the tub to look at them. They were pinkish as well. But the water was still
so warm and was making his very bones feel soft. The knock at the door cut
through his serenity and he groaned.

“Pardon my lord, but Mr. McGraw is here.”

Thomas smiled to himself. If he had been interrupted for any
other reason he might have yelled back a retort.

“Very good, Cedric. Show him up,” he said instead.

He knew he needed to get out of the tub and dress but…another
minute or two wouldn’t hurt.

And it wasn’t as though he’d be in his clothes very long
with James anyway.

Thomas wiggled a little and closed his eyes until he heard
the knock at the door. It used to be soft and polite when they had first
started seeing each other. Now it was strong and confident.

“Come.”

The door opened and closed and he opened his eyes to a
bemused James.

“How long have you been soaking this time, my lord?” James
asked with a wry grin.

“Too long, I’m sure,” said Thomas.

James approached the tub. He took in the sight of his lord—rather
lavaciously Thomas happily noted—but then he snorted.

“Thomas, there’s still steam
coming off the water.”

At last Thomas made his relaxed body move and sit, then
stand. James grabbed the bath towel.

“Thomas!” he exclaimed as his eyes traveled over Thomas’s
body. “You look like a sun-burnt raisin!”

Thomas glanced down at his body. Well, he was exceptionally pink. And wrinkled.
Everywhere.

“Hmm, perhaps I did have it a bit too warm this time…”

James stood there, not handing him the towel. His grin
turned amused, eyebrows raised.

“Oh you find this funny, do you?” asked Thomas, indignant
but feigning it just a little.

“Well look at you!” said James. He waved the towel at him as
if it were a fan. “You need to cool down first.”

“You scoundrel. Give me that!”

James chuckled as Thomas yanked the towel from him and dried
off. When he was through he discarded it and moved to the bed but James
intercepted him. He wrapped both his arms around Thomas and pecked a kiss to
his lips. Thomas melted a little.

“It was a bit too
hot,” Thomas admitted, looking at James coquettishly through his lashes.

James cocked his head and sucked in his bottom lip. He
released Thomas, who then flopped down dramatically on the bed, limbs spread
out.

“James?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you dare laugh but…would you mind fanning me again?”

***