The Illusion of Danger

Chapter 11

Once their meals were finished, Mordecai made sure to take his time in cleaning and putting the dishes away to make sure Rocky had more time to dry. Naturally, he declined the tabby's offers to help considering the fact that he was only wearing blankets and a towel, not wanting any of those makeshift garments to fall off of him.

Setting the final spoon back in the drawer, the tuxedo cat closed it again and wiped the counter down with a rag.
"Alright, to the bathroom."
He said as he offered his hand to Rocky so that they could go together.

"Such a gentleman."
He placed his other hand on his now completely dry cheek and mocked a blushing face. The tabby clasped the tuxedo's hand and held his towel so it didn't fall, leaving the damp blanket behind on the chair for now.

Mordecai bowed his head a bit in response, he then guided Rocky back to the bathroom.
"I'll only be tending to your back and arms. Anything more and I would feel as though I've crossed a boundary, even if you've told me that it was okay to continue further."

"Well shucks."
Rocky snapped his fingers playfully in disappointment, giggling at his own joke.

The tuxedo cat could certainly admit that Rocky was a strange one. He didn't know why he was so okay with being exposed and vulnerable, and the added fact he was okay with being touched like that too.
"Will you be staying here whilst I rest? I think I can trust you enough to not burn the building down, considering you've been left alone a few times now."
He questioned as he picked up the brush that he'd set out earlier for Rocky's personal use.

"I think I will. Stay that is, not burn the building down."
The tabby smiled at the other man; hoping he might be able to get a nap in himself. He sat down on the ledge of the sink and waited for instructions from the other man.

Mordecai was grateful for that clarification, giving a firm nod in response as he made sure the brush was set for use.
"I shouldn't be very long, an hour or two at the very most. I'll ask you again not to look through my belongings. If you need a book to read, I'll be able to provide that for you."

"Sounds good to me."
The younger man swung his feet, patiently waiting for the brushing to start.

Taking the tabby's hand and guiding him to hold his arm out, Mordecai gingerly began to run the brush over Rocky's left arm to begin; starting from the shoulder and going all the way down to his wrist. The tuxedo made sure to take it slow just in case there were any hidden knots that happened to pop up during his runs.
If he was honest, he loved brushing. It was almost the same as washing the dishes. There was always a specific way to do these tasks and certain conditions that applied, and everyone that knows Mordecai knows he loves details and specifics.

Rocky was purring softly, the brushing felt so nice. He hadn't been brushed by another person since he was little and it was his auntie after his mother passed. It had always been the best part about bathtime.

After a moment, the tuxedo cat glanced to the tabby's eyes, then back down to the arm he was working on.
"I used to help my sisters with this. We would sing while we brushed because it was the only way to get them to sit still long enough."
He explained in a bit of a hushed voice.

"Singing huh? What would you sing to them? I'd love to hear it."
He was almost pleading with those big, bright blue eyes.

"Their favorite was one that our mother would sing, one that she brought from home."
Mordecai began, trying to avoid looking at the tabby's eyes again. He didn't know if the look he was giving would work, but the tuxedo didn't want to find out.
"I don't think you would enjoy it considering you wouldn't understand any of what I'd be saying, and my voice is hardly any good."