Guarded by waters [wriolette]

Chapter 3 - Basic Dignities

Notes:

I'm not gonna even try to contain certain things inside certain chapters anymore. Chapters have proven that the series of little scenes they're meant to hold will be as long as they please and the scenes will really be the focal points. Case in point: This whole first night they met was just supposed to be chapter one. Now it's looking like it's gonna be chapters one to four because I like the way shorter chapters flow.

May you readers bask in these adorable pre-relationship domestic scenes in however many chapters it takes to get through them before we get into the plot proper (Yes. This Thing Has a Plot). It's like a slow burn without the slow and instead, they do a weird little mating dance around each other for a bit until they get to the actual mating part.

Please enjoy.

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The taps squeak as Neuvillette turns them, the bathtub's faucet slowing before stopping entirely. He trails his hand through the water to test the temperature, and content that is warm enough but not scalding, Neuvillette rises to his feet to go collect his Alpha.

He's not too far. The Alpha has been sitting on the toilet seat, still wrapped in that blanket that Laith gave him. The most he's done as Neuvillette prepared the bath was silently watch him. Speaking not a word, and only nodding or shaking his head in response to the simple questions Neuvillette posed as they waited for the water to fill the bath.

His Alpha can read, and he can write. When asked if he could speak, the Alpha had also nodded, but when Neuvillette asked if he would speak with him, the Alpha neither nodded nor shook his head. Only stared, quiet and guarded. Neuvillette does not press it.

There was a case once, a long time ago, where the victim had become selectively mute after suffering the trauma of their ordeal. Neuvillette suspects it might be the same for his Alpha. No matter, they will find different ways to communicate until his Alpha feels safe enough in his presence. Until then, Neuvillette will endeavor to ensure his Alpha understands that he is finally safe and can begin his recovery.

That long road at least can start with a bath.

"May I?" Neuvillette asks as he comes to kneel in front of his Alpha again, motioning to the blanket.

At first, the Alpha seems hesitant, but he slowly unwraps himself and hands the blanket over to Neuvillette. Once more leaving the Alpha in nothing but his underthings. Neuvillette just stands and begins to fold the blanket to set it on the counter. The Alpha's gaze is on Neuvillette when he turns back towards him.

"I shall leave you to your bath, then." Neuvillette motions to the full tub and his various soap and shampoo products displayed on sunk-in shelves over the opposite side of the tub, "Please, feel free to use the shampoos and anything you wish to wash."

He turns to leave, only to be stopped when the Alpha's hand grasps his again. Tightly this time. Neuvillette turns back to find the Alpha's gaze on the tiled floor.

Neuvillette studies him for a moment before he asks quietly, "You do not wish to be left alone right now, do you?"

The Alpha nods. His face scrunches into something pained and his grip on Neuvillette's hand tightens. It is the most emotion that the Alpha has shown tonight. Neuvillette's heart breaks for him.

"Then I will not leave you," Neuvillette assures, squeezing his hand, "But I will still allow you privacy. I cannot imagine you've been afforded much, not in that wretched place."

The Alpha nods at that. His grip eases now that he is certain that Neuvillette will not leave. Neuvillette politely moves away and turns his back to the Alpha to allow him to undress. It takes the Alpha a long moment to even move, but there is eventually the quiet sound of him shuffling about. Neuvillette waits patiently and only turns back around long after he hears the water of the tub disturbed by the Alpha finally getting in.