Chapter Text
"Hand check," Jiaoqiu speaks softly, nonchalantly —as if it was something people say in any conversation—holding out his hand while he waits for Moze's response. "Let me see."
Moze sighs softly, but he doesn't protest. He puts down the dagger he was sharpening, hooking his fingers under his glove to slowly slip it off, giving his hand to Jiaoqiu.
Jiaoqiu's hand softly closed around Moze's, feeling the back of his hand with his thumb. His eyebrows furrowed a little, watching as Moze took off his other glove with his teeth and presented both his hands to him.
Silently, Jiaoqiu gently took both hands in his own, bringing them up to his face to examine them closer.
Small scabs, cracks in Moze's dry, scarred skin. He frowned a little.
"Have you used any of your lotion today, Moze?" He asked, cracking an eye open to look at him.
Moze didn't make eye contact, his head turned away from Jiaoqiu.
"Moze," Jiaoqiu scolded softly, releasing one of his hands to gently tilt his chin up to face him. "You haven't used it today, have you?"
Moze shook his head in defeat.
"Have you been scratching again?"
Moze nodded.
Jiaoqiu shook his head, clicking his tongue in false disappointment.
"Tsk, tsk, my dear Moze, you have to at least try to remember. Do you have any on you?"
He opened both eyes, watching as Moze nodded again, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the small bottle of lotion Jiaoqiu had made him. He silently handed it to Jiaoqiu, his cheeks tinted with the slightest shade of pink, embarrassed.
Jiaoqiu took it, popping the lid open to squeeze out a little onto the back of Moze's left hand, setting the bottle on the ground to rub it into his skin.
Moze hissed and grit his teeth, but Jiaoqiu's grip tightened, not letting him go.
"I know, I know it hurts," He soothed, gently running his fingers over his hand, rubbing the lotion into his skin. "Just let me do this, then your other hand, and we'll be all done."
Moze nodded through gritted teeth, shaking slightly as he fought the urge to pull his hand away.
"It's alright, you're doing well," Jiaoqiu soothed, scooting close to Moze so he couldn't get away. "Just try to relax."
After he finished Moze's left hand, he gently grabbed his right, starting the process over again.
Another few minutes passed before Jiaoqiu was satisfied, carefully removing his grip on Moze's hands.
"There. All done. Feel better?"
Moze grunted, rubbing his hands together, "...feels a little wet still."
Jiaoqiu smiled softly, "Just wait a few more moments until it's dry, then you can put your gloves back on, okay?"
Moze nodded, watching Jiaoqiu smile at him and turn back to the little cookbook he'd been writing in.
After a moment, he slipped his gloves back on, returning to sharpen his dagger as if nothing had happened at all.