Check one angel and boy.

[valueofnothing]

[There's a new face wandering confusedly around Campus today! It's a young boy who's age is hard to tell -- likely somewhere between 14 and 17 -- who's dressed in some kind of weird medieval hoodie and pants with rather thick, metal-plated boots. The bag slung on his back is definitely big enough that he must be hauling a bunch of stuff, while the sword tied to the top of it has an odd sheath that's almost too ordinary.

Whoever he is, he appears to be completely lost, occasionally peering out of windows or looking into doors, as if he's trying to find someone or something. He looks almost terrified of any actual technology that he stumbles across and sometimes just stops in the middle of the hall to tilt his head, as if he's listening to some far-off voice.

For anyone with a high magical or spiritual sense, the boy is absolutely radiating a holy, angelic aura, to the point that it's almost visible. For everyone else, he seems completely normal, if with an odd, comforting aura instead.]

Comments

[valueofnothing]

[The smile only kindles his a bit more, and for a moment he really does look like nothing more than a simple child.

Bath... that sounds like the better option, so he holds up two fingers to try and indicate it. It wouldn't be the first time he's worn oversized clothing, after all. They didn't tend to make armor or adventurer garb in child sizes.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Setting the bath waters running, he kneels beside it and keeps testing the temperature with his hand. It takes an irritatingly long time to fill up, but when he turns the tap off, it's full enough to be luxurious. There's a lot of bubbles too, since Ryou never really did grow out of that phase.]

There we are!

[Getting up off the ground, he turns his back so that the boy can get undressed and get in in peace.]

If it's too hot, just put some more cold water in, okay? We've got a pretty limitless supply of most things here.

[valueofnothing]

[Bubbles.

Bubbles.

Bubbles!

Zero can't help but stare in awe and delight at those, though he patiently waits until Ryou's done messing with it. He blinks a little confusedly at the turning around, but drops the armor in the corner, out of the way for now so he can clean it later.

After a moment of thought, he puts his clothes up on the counter, then carefully gets in. It is a little hot, but it's a pleasant kind of heat, and definitely not too much.

Now that he's actually in it, of course... he can't resist playing with the bubbles, giving a soundless laugh even as he does.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Ryou glances around and giggles a little at the sight. He really is a child at heart, huh? They're going to get along famously, he can tell.]

I'll be back in a minute, okay?

[Taking the boy's clothes, he disappears into the kitchen to put them into the washing machine. That done, he carefully picks out some of his own clothes for him to wear, bringing them back in with him and setting them on the counter.]

Here you go.

[valueofnothing]

[He's not seen this kind of thing for a long while, so it's a blessing he never thought he'd have to just play around and forget for a while. He looks up when Ryou comes back in, waving a little and still grinning brightly.

Curiously, he leans on the side of the tub a little to peer at the clothes, wondering a little. How did that kind of thing feel? It looked different...]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He waves back, wondering curiously how long it's been since Zero got to relax like this. Probably a long time. If he was an adventurer, like Rufael had said, he probably had a hard life.]

Take as long as you need. There's no rush.

[valueofnothing]

[He blinks a little at that, smiling again and nodding. Oh, he'd be happy to!

...first, however, he feels a bit mischievous. Grabbing a handful of the bubbles, he leans out and blows them at Ryou.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Ahaha! Zero-kun!

[He blows them back at him, unable to stop some of them landing on his nose.]

[valueofnothing]

[Zero giggles a little, swatting at the bubbles playfully even as he tries to splash Ryou some.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Pff- [He splutters and grins, retaliating by splashing him back. It's like he doesn't mind the soaked clothes at all. Hell, water was better than blood.]

[valueofnothing]

[!

Zero is definitely surprised by the resistance, shaking his head a little and giving a glare that's so far from actually glaring that even Ryou could easily tell. After a moment, he reaches over and grabs the other boy, yanking him with the intention of pulling him into the tub.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Ah-?! [He falls into the tub in surprise, spluttering a little and laughing. That was unexpected. Guess the kid isn't really shy, that's for sure.]

[valueofnothing]

[It seems not... because now, he's moving to snuggle against Ryou again, even despite the wet clothing and... well, utter lack of such on his side.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[His face burns a little, but he's sure there's no ulterior motive to this, so he hugs him close again.]

[valueofnothing]

[Zero blinks a little, pulling back to look up at Ryou curiously. He tilts his head, then reaches up, pressing his hands against Ryou's cheeks questioningly.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Ehe... Don't worry. I'm not thinking anything weird. It's just kind of strange, being hugged by someone who's in the bath. Where I come from, it's considered inappropriate for me to even look at you like this. Kind of silly, huh? But it's how I was raised. Usually, you only see family naked until you get married.

[Scooping up a handful of water, he casually pours it on Zero's head.]

[valueofnothing]

[Ah! Zero suddenly looks embarrassed, glancing away and rubbing his arm sheepishly. After a moment, he looks back at Ryou in apology, moving back some so he can get out easily.

...and then the water falls on his head and he jumps a little, pulling his bangs out of his face and blinking.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hehe. I told you. I'm not thinking anything weird. You give off more of a little brother vibe than anything else.

Even if it's a little embarrassing, if it makes you feel more at ease, I don't mind.

[Retrieving the shampoo, he moves Zero carefully so he can reach his hair, beginning to lather it up.]

[valueofnothing]

[Ryou...

It's been a long time since he's felt this warm, both inside and out, and he smiles again, nodding in understanding. He moves without a fuss, trying to settle as Ryou directs him and resisting the urge to shift as he feels the hands go through his hair.

Little brother... he was already being treated as something like that, and he wants to keep that forever.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Zero has really pretty hair. His fingers carefully work through it, trying to ease the tangles as well as clean it. He can brush it properly again once it's all done, but for now, he's just pampering the boy as best he can. He needs it.]

If you want, I can plait your hair later so it doesn't get in the way if you need to do anything. But it's not needed if you like it loose.

[valueofnothing]

[He almost feels like falling asleep right now. The gentle fingers through his hair, the warm water, and this safe feeling... without thinking, he mouths the word on his mind before -- "brother" -- even though he knows Ryou can't see it.

Ah, well.

He tilts his head a little at the offer, as if thinking, the nods slightly -- enough, he hopes, to get the idea across without jerking Ryou's hands free or something like that.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He can tell the boy is feeling sleepy, and that worries him. He doesn't want Malik to cause any trouble for this kid, if he comes home and finds him. Well, if he's tired, it can't be helped.]

Just got to rinse this out now... You should cover your eyes, to stop the soap getting into them.

[He waits for him to do it before he pours the water over Zero's head.]

[valueofnothing]

[Thankfully, being an adventurer meant that he had plenty of practice fighting off tiredness when he needed to. He can sense Ryou's discomfort, and it's easy for him to figure out that the other boy doesn't want him to stay here for whatever reason.

His stomach twists a little, wondering why that is, but he pushes it away to try not to think about it. It could be any number of things! Right?

...Right?

He puts his hands over his eyes when bidden, feeling that shampoo easily rinsed off. Waiting a moment or two to make sure more water isn't coming, he drops his hand and shakes his head in an almost dog-like manner, spraying water everywhere.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hehe...! [That feels strange, being sprayed with water like that.]

There we go! It'll need brushing again once we're out of the bath, but that's it pretty much done.

[At the very least, Ryou seems more relaxed now.]

If you're tired, you can rest here for a while, but I'm afraid you can't stay here properly. My roommate doesn't want anyone else staying here long-term. But I can help you find a room nearby to stay in, if that's okay.

[valueofnothing]

[Zero seems relieved by the explanation, nodding some at the second part. That'd work out just fine, yeah... he couldn't blame the other person for not wanting people here, but being nearby would be fine enough.

He swings his leg over the side of the tub, clambering out of the bath still without a care to his state as he begins to wring out his hair with the motions of someone used to lacking towels.]