?
Lachlan draws a bath while Jules brushes his teeth.
The warmth of a bath will help settle him.Lachlan dumps plenty of bubble mixture into the water, swishes it with his hand to keep busy while Jules strips down and then politely dons a robe.
Lachlan turns off the faucet.‘It’s ready.I’ll be outside if—’
‘Stay?’
Heshouldn’t.‘Sure.’
Keeping his back turned until he hears Jules is in the bubbly water, then he grabs a hand towel and comes to kneel beside the tub, offering it to Jules who takes it.‘Better?’
‘Much, thanks.’
‘How’s the scar?’
‘My little rose healed fine.’
‘Good.’
‘I still want to go out.’
‘I know.’
‘One bad experience doesn’t mean—’
‘I’m not gonna lock you up again, don’t worry.’
‘Thanks.’Jules washes himself all over.Lachlan doesn’t watch, looks instead around the bathroom, fascinated by nothing.‘I’m trying, y’know?’
‘Trying what?’
‘To getoveryou,’ Jules says between clenched teeth, scrubbing his skin a little too hard.Lachlan instantly regrets asking but his social skills are returning slowly after going intoFocus Mode.
It takes a while to feel human again.
‘Over…’ he echoes dumbly, blinking and then it lands.‘Oh.’
Jules rolls his eyes.‘Yeah,oh.’
‘You don’t like me.’
‘Don’t tell me how I feel.’
‘I just mean.’Lachlan should stop talking.‘I mean that you don’t really know me, y’know?I’m a bad person.Ugly.’
‘Iwishyou were ugly.’
‘On the inside I am.’
‘You’re capable of things that I’m not and that makes you different, but it’s not ugly.You love her.You protect us both.’
‘I’m a killer.’
‘Do you think I’m grossed out by it?I just don’t want Brayden fucking Matthews to die because ofme.If he hurt anyone else, I’d say go for it.’Jules lifts the cloth to his face with similarly ferocious energy, but Lachlan stops him with careful hands.
‘Slow down,’ he warns gently.‘Your lip.’
