We’ll do exactly that. It’s been a long time since I’ve played hide and seek.

(Bruce wanted to kiss him. Wanted to curl tightly against him and soak in the warmth.)

Mhm. I’ll wash you too. I promise. I’ll do it good.

(Bruce practically keened at the attention. It was all he could want and more.)

—me about?

(Bruce hesitated, attempting to find the right words to say.)

I don’t see you as just someone I sleep with. You’re my best friend, so I promise that if you wanna talk, I’m here.

—or softly on his thigh.)

You don’t feel any sort of connection to her?

(Finally, Bruce couldn’t help himself, a hand resting on Johnny’s arm. It was just an attempt to be close. An attempt to bring any sort of comfort.)

Is uh… is there somethin’ happenin’ between you two that you’d wanna tell—

(Johnny’s attempt at the saying made him smile. Not because he wanted to laugh at him. Far from it. Instead, he found it extremely endearing.)

That’s close enough. It gets the point across.

(Bruce actively fighting off the urge to reach over and gently lay his hand on Johnny. Tenderly on his arm—

—hard.)

You’d find me anywhere? Didn’t know you were that dedicated.

(There was a certain strain to his voice. A real effort to stay calm. Either way, that thankfully quickly turned into surprised laughter.)

I didn’t think you would actually wash me! No complaints from me, for once.

(In the very back of Bruce’s mind, something screamed and said that was something he should be afraid of, but the majority of his brain told him instead that that was one of the hottest things Johnny had ever said to him and he was actively trying to keep himself calm enough to not instantly get—

—thinking about it.)

But yeah, I think settlin’ down with just one person in the future could be fun.

—genuinely enjoy her company. It’s just… well— I’m 20 years old. That’s a little too young to think about anythin’ too serious.

(Bruce paused, turning the idea around a few times in his head. Suddenly, his mind was so filled with the idea of a future with Johnny that he had to actively stop—

Anythin’ I want?

(Bruce teased, attempting to pass it off as a joke, but somewhere inside that excited him in a way that he couldn’t even possibly find the words or thoughts to understand or express.)

I mean… no, not really. Isla is a very good person. She’s good hearted and beautiful and I—

—(Bruce responded with a rather unconvincing whine.)

I think you’ll just have to bathe me yourself, honestly…

I can think of a lot worse things than you followin’ me around like that.

(Bruce didn’t want to sound like he was too desperate, but he meant every word he had said. Since he had spilled that thought, he decided to leave his spiel on the best places to sniff someone until later.)

I’m still tired.—