Archer nodded so quickly he looked comical. Romilly didn't laugh, though. He didn't want to offend the sweet boy. Instead, he removed his own clothes until he was bare as well. It hit him then that there was no hiding his desire any longer, no keeping it from Archer.
His boy's eyes trailed over the muscles of his body, noting every inch of him. Romilly smiled when Archer's gaze landed on him fully. The boy's mouth dropped open for a second, then he licked his lips. Romilly's pulse jumped at the insinuation behind the movement. There would be time for that later, though. Right then, his boy needed to be cleaned up.
Romilly lifted Archer again, pressing their bodies close together as he opened the shower stall and stepped inside. Some water pelted his skin as he backed into the space, not wanting to expose his boy to the temperature before he knew if it was comfortable for him.
There were still things he had to learn about Archer's preferences, and water temperature was definitely one of them. Whereas Romilly didn't mind the heat, his siblings ranged anywhere from cold showers to scalding hot.
Archer sighed as water splashed off of Romilly's shoulders and onto him. Romilly chuckled at the sweet sound, then eased his boy to stand on his good leg. "I'm going to support you, little one, but I need to also get the soap and cloth to clean you."
The helpers around the castle were always sure to keep guest rooms fully stocked. There were towels hanging outside of the shower stall, and there was also a washcloth inside ready for use. Romilly appreciated the gesture because it meant he could grab what he needed without stepping back out. He hadn't even thought to prepare beyond getting his boy in.
Romilly added soap to the cloth and began scrubbing his boy gently. Archer sighed, closing his eyes and leaning into the touch like he was starved for affection. Romilly wondered how that could possibly be. This boy was too precious, too perfect not to be doted on. The people in his life had done him a disservice by not spoiling him.
Then again, Romilly appreciated the fact that they hadn't. Because maybe his boy wouldn't have come to him if they had. Maybe his mate would still be somewhere else in the world, away from him, instead of in his arms, warm and perfect.
Romilly kept his focus steady as he cleaned Archer from head to toe, being careful with the covered parts. By the time he finished, Archer was nearly asleep. Well, almost. His little one's body was responding in a way that told Romilly his boy wasanything but unaffected. He wanted to pull him closer, wanted to taste him. Instead, Romilly eased Archer back to stand on his good leg.
"Little one," he said, voice soft, pushing some of Archer's curls away from his forehead.
"Mmm," Archer mumbled.
"I need you to stand here while I clean myself off, okay? I do not need you falling. It will worry me."
Archer cracked his eyes open, taking in the situation. He was fine until he noticed his own state. Then he turned beet-red and attempted to shuffle away from Romilly. Inside his mind, Romilly's dragon growled loudly, unhappy with the move. Before Romilly could think better of it, he pulled Archer closer, his hand moving to the boy's lower back and drawing him gently against his body.
Archer groaned, arching his back and gripping Romilly's bicep with his good hand.
"Do not be embarrassed, little one," he said. "I am having the same reaction. You are perfect just as you are."
Archer nodded, then looked down and cleared his throat. "What did you need me to do again?"
Romilly had nearly forgotten what he'd asked. His mind was too deep in want for his boy, too enamored at the reactions he was getting. Instead of responding with words, he eased Archer down slowly until the boy was standing on his foot. "I want you to lean against the wall and hold on to me. I need to clean myself quickly and then I will rinse us off and get you settled."
Archer followed instruction perfectly, moving backward as Romilly eased him against the shower wall. He hissed at the cold tile but didn't complain. His good hand held tight to Romilly's bicep. Romilly grabbed another clean cloth and washed himself as quickly as possible, reining in every urge that rose up in him.Once he was finished soaping up, he lifted Archer again, placing the boy on his hip and moving under the water.
Archer giggled as Romilly shook his head under the stream, his short hair splashing Archer. It was just what the pair needed — a humorous moment to break up the tension between them.
Romilly made sure to dry Archer off thoroughly before taking care of himself. Back in the bedroom, he kept a towel around his waist since he had no clothes there but went about dressing Archer in comfortable pajamas and easing him into bed. He then unwrapped the plastic coverings from his boy's bandages before tucking him in.
Since they had brushed their teeth while getting dried off, Romilly knew both their breaths were fresh, and the temptation to kiss him was so strong Romilly couldn't resist anymore. He leaned forward, his gaze moving from Archer's eyes to his lips and back. The closer he got, the faster Archer's heart rate picked up. Romilly couldn't tell if it was excitement or panic. Instead of kissing his boy as he wanted, he decided not to take the risk and kissed Archer's forehead instead. He lingered for a moment, then pulled away and said goodnight.
Archer whispered the word back, then wiggled under the blanket to get comfortable.
Romilly stepped out into the hall and pressed his forehead against the door as he worked to calm himself. He’d almost pushed too far. He’d almost taken what wasn't his to take.
It took him a long time to finally leave. His dragon wanted to stay close, wanted to camp out at the bedroom door until morning to make sure nothing and no one bothered his boy.
But there were other things to take care of. Things Romilly had let go of. He left Archer sleeping, his heart rate steady and breath even, and stormed through the halls to Eden's room. He shoved the door open without knocking and found his youngerbrother with his legs kicked up on the bed, flipping through some magazine.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your anger, brother?" Eden said, voice drawn out.
"You will be nice to my mate," Romilly growled. "No more teasing him, or else."
Eden stopped flipping the magazine and looked up. "Or else what? You'll put me in timeout?"
Romilly smirked. "Worse. I'll coordinate an arranged marriage for you. It's my right as king."
Eden sprung up to his knees on the bed, shaking his head quickly. "You wouldn't dare. That's cruel."
