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"Easy, easy."
It didn't actually seem feasible, but they'd set themselves on a mission, now.
That, and Luz told them they could back down whenever, and that she would be here throughout. So.
Yeah, that helps.
They'd blurred through it, for the most part, only half looking and seeing when Luz puts a whole bunch of stuff in the still slowly filling bathtub.
They lose track of themselves for a bit, and then find themselves actively slipping themselves into the water. They feel a spike of fear coming through, but also Luz's encouraging words and a warm hand on their shoulder. It feels like she's guiding them, so they push forward.
And then they're slumping against the bathtub, the water enveloping itself around their chest and squeezing but also just, being there.
They take a moment to regain themselves, and Luz doesn't look away.
Aerial is taking a bath right now.
They move their hands curiously, the feeling of the water against them is both a feeling similar to flying and something that makes their skin crawl a little. They pick up the bubbles, inspecting them.
"So... How are we feeling?"
Luz speaks up from where she's leaning against the egde of the tub, arm resting against it.
"Okay, I think. We can probably see this through."
"You don't have to, though."
Aerial sighs, dropping the bubbles along with their hands back into the water. Their body cringes a little at that.
"I know."
The room falls silent after that. Aerial wonders if Luz has her phone on her, music might be interesting right now.
"I think it's cool that you can do this at all. I wouldn't be able to."
They frown. Craning their head to look at Luz, they find that she's staring elsewhere, at the bubbles, actually.
"That's... fine though. Aren't you the one constantly going on about how progress will look different depending on the people?"
"Yeah sure, but I'm not the one who—"
She cuts herself off, looking at the water like it personally offended her. She looks a little horrified at herself, and Aerial can't help but,
"Got thrown in a lake?"
"...Sorry. I made it about me, I shouldn't have."
From where they are, it really looks like Luz wants to run away. From guilt, or embarrassment maybe.
She doesn't.
"Hey, Luz. Put your arm in the water."
She furrows her brows, making eye contact with them in a way that truly indicates how confused she is.
She does it anyway, dropping her arm over the edge of the bathtub and letting it soak in the bubbly water. If she's bothered by the contact at all, Aerial can't tell.
"How is it?"
"...Hot. How can you stay in here when the water's this hot? What the hell?"
She says it with amusement, retracting her arm and instead playing with the bubbles. She grabs a handful and chucks it in their direction. She misses spectacularly.
"See, lake water is cold, usually."
"Oh my god. I'm going to kill you, shut up."
"I've been killed once, wasn't a fan."
"Aer!"