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“Come.”
Tav’s brows wrinkle with confusion as he takes Gale’s hand. His skin is warm and Tav’s stomach flutters, the same way it always does when he’s allowed to touch Gale.
Gale gives him a fond look, one that disarms Tav immediately, putting all his worries and questions away. “Come, love. Trust me.”
“Where are you taking me?”
“It‘s a surprise, one I think you’ll appreciate.”
“Gale,” Tav says softly, “we have so much to do before tomorrow.”
“I am quite aware.” Gale brings his hand to his mouth, kissing Tav’s knuckles as they walk through the street. “I want to make sure we’re properly prepared. We’ll be embarking on a journey through the sewers but there’s no reason we can’t do that clean and well rested.”
Part of Tav wants to argue against the distraction but even so, he feels his shoulders falling away from his ears, his feet carrying him along without much of a fight. He trusts Gale to take care of him. They could use the break before they have to head into the belly of the city in search of Orin.
He’s really not looking forward to that.
Usually, Tav and his entire group have been staying in the inn since coming to the city but Gale leads them away from the hustle and bustle of the town. Everything falls away and it doesn’t take long before they’re on the outskirts, at the same campsite they used when first coming to this area. It’s empty but for the two of them.
Tav starts walking towards the fireplace, intending to get a fire going, but Gale pushes him in the other direction, guiding the two of them to the little shed here.
Gale stands outside it for a moment, a look of contemplation on his face. He swirls his hands in a circle, the familiar pull of magic flitting through the air. Purple sparks light up around his hands as he casts a spell. It reminds Tav of the night Gale brought him magically to his tower in Waterdeep. His stomach warms at the sight and a smile tugs at his lips.
Tav wonders if maybe tonight will have a similar carnal ending as that night.
“After you,” Gale says, pulling Tav from thoughts of cosmic ecstasy. He does his best to ignore the heat in his cheeks as he pushes open the doors of the shed and steps inside.
“Oh, Gale,” he breathes out, looking around the room in wonder. The shed has been completely transformed into a tiny bathhouse. The ceiling appears to be a skylight, the stars brightly shining down on them, the walls purple tapestries depicting sparkling magical scenes. The warmth of the room sinks into Tav’s skin and he smells lavender in the air. It’s perfect.
Tav turns to Gale, finding his eyes already locked on his face. Gale’s hand comes up to his face, gently cupping his cheek, like he’s something precious and soft.
“Let’s get you into something a bit more comfortable, shall we?” Gale says, a smirk playing at his lips.
Gale’s hands are gentle as they help Tav out of his robes. Nothing feels rushed or heated. There’s a soft domesticity to tonight, one that has him longing . He wants this every night. He wants late nights in Gale’s tower tucked side by side with a book. He wants luxurious baths together. He wants to see Gale come into his powers and do real good for the world.
He wants it all, but that will have to wait until they’re able to deal with the Absolute so for now, Tav enjoys tonight with the man he’s come to love.
Gale touches the side of the tub, murmuring softly under his breath. Using a modified burning hands spell, he heats the tub until steam is billowing up.
“In you go,” Gale says, pulling an arm around Tav’s waist and helping him into the tub. Tav lets out a long sigh as he sinks into the water. It’s the perfect temperature, allowing all of his muscles to slowly relax.
Tav tilts his head back against the lip of the tub. “This is so beautiful. Thank you, Gale.”
“It’s all for you. Every last detail.” Gale kneels, his knees cracking as he settles himself down. “Wizards are not made for kneeling until it’s at the feet of a man they love,” he says with a soft smile.
A chuckle of amusement leaves Tav’s lips. He shakes his head, pulling a hard from the water in order to touch Gale’s face. Gale turns his head, kissing the center of his wet palm.
“You put the stars to shame,” Gale says, his voice soft with devotion. Tav’s heart clenches in his chest, overwhelmed with how much he loves this man. “Let me care for you tonight.”
Gale pulls a bar of soap and a cloth from somewhere nearby, dipping it into the bath. He’s achingly soft with his movements as he cleans all the dirt away from Tav’s body. The entire time, Tav can do nothing but sit there and take it, letting Gale show his love and devotion in such an intimate way.
The room is quiet but for the sound of water trickling back into the bath as Gale cleans him. There’s warmth simmering in the pit of his stomach. Everyday is a day they could lose themselves or each other, yet they always manage to find each other when it is all said and done.
Tav is so thankful that he ran into that portal and took a chance in pulling Gale out. It might literally be one of the best decisions he’s ever made.
“Thank you for this, Gale.”
Gale’s eyes snap up to his face. “It’s what you deserve. After everything. You’ve been thrust into a position of power as our leader and haven’t taken that role lightly. The least I could do was take care of you, just for a little bit.”
“You’re so good to me.” Tav grabs Gale’s wrist, holding on tight. “ You are so good .”
Gale looks away, the tiniest smile playing at his lips. “You see me as I am,” Gale says softly, just barely above a whisper, “and do not find me wanting.”
“Of course not. How could I?”
“To know you love me for the man I am, and not the magic I command. None have loved me so purely before.”
Tav grabs the back of Gale’s neck, pulling him forward in order to kiss his lips. Gale makes a surprise noise at the back of his throat before he’s melting into the kiss. Tav’s tongue nudges Gale’s bottom lip and a moment later, Gale is opening for him, letting their tongues connect.
That warmth at the pit of Tav’s stomach flares, going from a soft simmer to a blazing fire in the matter of moments. Despite the heat welling up inside of him, Tav is more than content to keep their kisses just like this. It’s soft and easy yet all encompassing.
When they pull back, their forehead press together, not wanting to pull away further than that. “I love you,” Tav says, needing Gale to know. “I love you and I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
Tav smiles before pulling away and casting his own spell, a modified enlarge spell that makes the tub stretch and grow. Then he looks at Gale with a grin. “Care to join me?”
“There’s nothing that would please me more,” Gale says with a warm chuckle. They spend the rest of the night like that, held together in their own bubble of warmth and domesticity. Tomorrow the horrors persist but through it all, together, so do they.