(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

From here

Sinric's room is small, simple. A slightly narrow bed spread with furs, a long free-standing wardrobe and a padded window seat that overlooks the gardens. But what dominates the room is a large baroque harpsichord.

Sinric ducks his head, tucking some stray books away, hair hiding his face shyly. "I'm sorry, I know it's not much."

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

"Would you allow me to wash you?" Sinric asks softly, "When my brothers and I had had a long night, we would wash and massage each other. And I would very much like to do that for you."

[i_am_your_host]

It doesn't take long for him to consider this, and he nods.

"Yes. That sounds lovely."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles and kisses him, before slipping off the bed. "Stay there."

He vanishes into the small bathroom and returns with a silver basin that steams with hot water and the scent of exotic oils.

Sinric sits in the bed at Emcee's side, resting the basin on the beside table and rings out a cloth, stealing another kiss.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee had thought that they would bathe, together, in the bathroom. But at Sinric's insistence, he stays put, wondering what he has in mind.

And then he emerges carrying a basin of fragrant water.

A rather incredulous smile spreads across his face and he shakes his head.

"All right," he chuckles, licking Sinric's kiss off his lips, "I didn't expect this."

[thewidewideworld]

"In the palace, we had access to one of the big communal bath houses but after a long night, none of us would feel much like dealing with other people. We had a large copper hip tub but the time it took to hear the water was more than we could be bothered with."

He rings out the cloth and starts by washing across Emcee's brow, over his temple and down to behind his ears, repeating the path on the other side.

"So we would do this for each other instead."

[i_am_your_host]

He lays still under the touch of the warm, damp cloth, a little unused to such attention, but he likes it all the same.

"Quite a practical idea. And one where you can indulge in each other as well. I feel spoiled already."

[thewidewideworld]

The water is just the bearable side of hot and the oil is sweet and spices.

"We were all slaves, all of use sold young. We were all the family any of us had. How could we but love each other." He refreshes the cloth and gently closes Emcee's eyes with his fingertips before sliding the cloth over his eyes.

[i_am_your_host]

"You were fortunate to have one another," he murmurs as he lets his eyelids fall closed. When Sinric draws the cloth away, it's stained with black makeup.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric's use to make up of a sort and wipes it away carefully, making sure not to leave streaks on Emcee's face. "We were. There were arguments from time to time, like all brothers I'm told but never more than squabbles."

He rinses the cloth and moves over Emcee's cheeks and jaw, smooth and gentle.

[i_am_your_host]

Eyes still closed, Emcee lifts his chin a little to give Sinric better access to where he wants to wash him.

"Mm. I have no blood siblings either, at least none that I know of, or parents for that matter. Those without families either make do without them, or create them from the people closest to them."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric plant a soft kiss in his jaw, another on his throat as that too his washes with care. "And which of those are you? Or does it change with the needs of your boys and girls?"

[i_am_your_host]

He hums a little, at the kisses, and at the questions.

"I am neither, I think. I seem to find myself taken in by groups of people. Rather like a stray cat," he adds with a chuckle. "As a child I was taken in by a house of prostitutes, and they became my family. When I got older, I lived with artists and actors and all sorts of entertainers, and then they became my family. And then I was hired at the Kit Kat Klub, so now our ensemble has become my current family. We all do our best to look out for each other, especially in these trying times."

A beat.

"And the occasional post-show dressing room orgies are nice."

[thewidewideworld]

"Making the most of the family you have by you." Sinric nods. "Sounds like a wise way to live. I confess, as much as Yan has welcomed me into his household and I am fond of his children, I don't feel the same familial connection with them."

He rinse his cloth and moves down onto Emcee's neck, sweeping gentle strokes out to his shoulders.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee breathes deeply, inhaling the warm, rich scent given off by the steaming water.

"Not all connections work, unfortunately. Do you still feel like an outsider?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I am an outsider there. But I think I'm becoming more accepting of that, now that I am reminded of myself. I will never fit in there and should celebrate than instead of trying to hide that."

[i_am_your_host]

He opens his eyes to look at him, and he nods.

"Yes. People will say and think what they will of you, no matter what you do. You might as well be yourself. I would do the same in your position."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles as he smoothes the cloth over Emcee's chest, leaving a slight sheen of spiced oil on his skin. "I think I now know every iteration of whore in Sinese."

[i_am_your_host]

"That ought to come in handy some day," he says wryly.

He reaches over to give Sinric's arm an reassuring touch.

"Just hold your head up high, darling. Wherever you are, wherever you go."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles and leans in to steal a kiss. "Thank you. You know I almost find it funny. Of all the things I have been, I have never actually been a whore. Whores get paid. Slaves don't."

[i_am_your_host]

He smiles at the little kiss.

"Yes, there is that distinction. Being a whore isn't so bad, as long as you don't become desperate enough to accept any old offer."

It's happened.

[thewidewideworld]

"Oh no. I mean no disrespect. And I have thought that selling my company might be a way to pay for my travels if I need to. But I see your meaning. It's not good to grow too needy."

[i_am_your_host]

"No offense taken, darling," he assures him. "I'm just saying that in any situation, it is better to at least have a choice. And not necessarily growing needy in want for sex, but for the means to survive. A whore has little more choice in what kind of partner they lie with than a slave when there is barely any money to eat or keep a roof over their head. However, I can imagine that your companionship would be a great commodity, and you are now free to choose if you want to get paid for it."

[thewidewideworld]

"I understand." He nods, working his way over Emcee's chest in intricate patterns with the cloth, punctuated with kisses. "I have not felt needy for sex since... well, since I was here last, all those years ago. I thought perhaps my want for it had died with Constantine. But now I know it was sleeping within me, for want of those I trusted with my desires."

[i_am_your_host]

"Trust is important," he says. "Especially if you don't want to be monogamous. You might find a circle of people you are comfortable with. Friends with benefits, as I have heard them called."

[thewidewideworld]

He laughs softly. "What a strange way to term it." He moves down Emcee's arms, massaging as well as washing.

"Here I have lovers I trust, people who understand me in my ways and are bound to rules that protect us all."