Blub Blub.... (Oriel)

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There was nothing wrong with this, right? Nahh... They weren't gonna hurt anybody by doing it. Sure, the pool was probably technically closed this late at night, and it would be pitch-black in the room until they turned on the tub lights, but they meant no harm. It wasn't all that hard to get in, either, so Phen told himself that he and Oriel had no reason not to spend a little time relaxing in the hot tub by the pool.

They didn't want to come earlier, obviously, because being the type of people they were, they wanted to be alone. Phoenix wanted to get Oriel's bruises soaking in some warm water to help him heal, and also wanted to take a closer look at them to make sure he was healing okay (even if Nik was far more qualified and assured them they would both be fine). It probably wasn't really necessary, but it sounded nice, so they were gonna do it.

Phoenix fumbled his way around the dark room towards the tub, making sure to make a very, very wide berth around the threatening depth of the actual pool lest he fall in and drown (he shuddered at the memories associated with that fear). Keeping close to Oriel, he reached the largish tub of hot water and, flicking on some nearby lights that weren't all that bright but at least provided something to see with, Phen glanced around and shrugged off the duffle bag containing towels and other things they might need. Giving a small chuckle at their antics, he tugged off his shirt and stripped down to just his boxers, waiting for Oriel to do the same before he pulled his lover closer into the light and examined his bruises.

"Y'don't look so black an' blue anymore," he told him, running his fingers down across the boy's chest and to his stomach, which had taken the brunt of Kodi's hits. There was still some mottling, but nothing that looked too bad. "How d'you feel?" Phen glanced up from where he was bent over, not noticing for the first time that Oriel seemed to be getting just about as tall as he was now. His boy was apparently growing.

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Considering all the trouble Oriel had been in already, he wasn't too concerned with getting busted over something so small. After all, the only thing more they could do was give him more detention and he already had that for life. Maybe also an essay.

And somehow, the innocent Phoenix Tang had managed to once again convince Oriel to go to the hot tub with him, after hours, late at night, with no one else around, to look over Oriel's bruises and make sure they were Ok………..because Phoenix loved him.

Because he……..

Oriel followed Phoenix though the darkness, not taking notice of how far he kept himself from the swimming pool proper, and squatted down to help pull items from the duffle bag. "Really?" he said incredulously as he held up a rubber ducky. He squeaked it, smiling up at Phen. Oriel tossed it into the tub.

It took only a second to disrobe, the clothes were left in a pile off to the side. "Was nothing," Oriel said, smiling at his….Phoenix. He shrugged. "Still a little sore, but…nothing I can't handle." Oriel too, touched the bite marks still on Phen's neck. He snorted. "You look like a vampire's last meal."

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Had Phoenix known Oriel had heard his heartfelt whisper the other night... Well, he wasn't sure how he would be behaving. More nervously, probably. Hoping Oriel wasn't scared away by his confession. But as it was, he was just happy to get away from their rooms in a place that wasn't outside and freezing.

"How the hell did that get in there?" he snickered, watching as Oriel tossed the stupid toy into the tub. At least Oriel hadn't thrown in any other 'toys'.... That he was aware of. Phen was planning to keep this at least somewhat non-sexual, but... Who was he kidding?

His finger fell into one of the little divets that lined Oriel's stomach, humming pleasantly at the defined lines of his abs as the boy assured him he was fine. "If y'say so," he murmured, tilting his head to the side as Oriel pointed out the puncture wounds. "Well, I tell ya what, bein' bitten like that ain't as sexy an' erotic as they make it seem in movies," he snorted, chuckling as he caught sight of the bite on Oriel's own arm. "Though I'm sure I don't gotta tell you that," he added a little more softly.

He stood, brushing his hands up the sides of Oriel's hips and giving them a quick, teasing pinch. "I'm freezin'," he announced, stripping down completely and carefully lowering himself into the tub, wincing at the initial heat before his body got used to it and he relaxed against the side. He let out a sigh, tilting his head back and closing his eyes. "Mmmm," he hummed.

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Oriel's grin only widened with Phen's snickering. Of course, Oriel was the one who threw it in there. Just for laughs. Nothing else though. After all, other people used this place too.

As Phoenix touched his stomach, the muscles twitched in response. "Course I do," Oriel spoke in a low, grainy voice. He was enjoying simply watching and looking over the lines that streamed his slim figure. Phen had been filling out over the past few week…couple months? Slowly but surely, he didn't look quite like the malnourished druggie that he'd met only three months ago. He couldn't stop smiling. "Well, you know, I think it's just a matter of who's doing the biting," Oriel leaned in and kissed Phen gently. "And who's being bitten."

Oriel squirmed slightly, trying to keep his tickle reflex down as Phoenix pinched his sides. "I'll bet," he commented as Phoenix stepped into the hot-tub. "You're still skin and bones as far as I'm concerned." Oriel too stripped down and followed after his lover. The warm water felt good against his skin, he could feel goosebumps popping up over his skin as the rest of his body chilled and then settled down again until he was completely submerged. "…..ok, I admit. This was a good idea."

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While it had been hard at first, Phoenix was slowly getting used to getting onto a somewhat regular, healthy eating schedule, still not having a huge appetite but managing to scarf down larger portions more often than he had a couple months ago. Oriel cooking for him was a huge part of that, and he had no idea how to repay his lover for his work and effort. His pants were fitting a little tighter around his thighs and hips, which seemed to have been packing on the majority of the pounds he had gained, but his shoulders weren't quite so bony either, and his ribs didn't look quite so painfully protruding. It was weird, but... Not entirely unpleasant, especially because Oriel told him that he liked it. "That's true," he huffed with a chuckle, meeting Oriel's lips in the sweet kiss. "Y'can do it anytime, gorgeous."

He pretended to pout as Oriel pointed out his still-thinness. "I can only be stuffed so much until I explode," he complained playfully, prodding a finger gently against Oriel's more built figure. "Not all of us can look as good as you." Once the boy had settled down beside him, Phen snuggled up close to him and took his injured arm gently in his hands, letting the tips of his fingers brush over the bite mark. "Told you," he murmured, kissing the top of Oriel's head. "Is it just me, or are you gettin' taller?" he asked, resting his chin on the boy's shoulder and pursing his lips. The toy duck floated over within reach, and Phoenix grabbed it, snickering as he placed it on Oriel's head.

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Oriel scowled at the name, pretending that he didn't like it. "I'm going to hold you to that, my sweet," he joked. But then he almost immediately wished he hadn't. What if Phoenix took that the wrong way? Or something? It wasn't like he wasn't saying it affectionately, but what if he thought it meant something more….? ……..did it?

Oriel really needed to stop thinking about things. He was going to drive himself crazy. They were just……words….nothing more….right?

"I'll take that challenge," Oriel countered, leering at Phen mischievously. "If I had it my way, I'd stuff you everyday until that pot-belly was permanent." Oriel dipped his hand under the warm water and poked his lover's skinny belly.

Oriel scrunched his head down as Phen kissed the top of his wavy mane. "Fuck if I know," he answered back sinking himself until the water was just under his ears. Both his eyes shot up as Phen placed the ducky on his head. "What…are you doing…?" His lips curled into a tiny pout.

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My sweet. Phoenix immediately blushed at Oriel's choice of wording, his lips parted in a small gape before he shook his head and managed a small laugh. The nickname had sent butterflies all up and down his stomach and made him feel higher than the largest dose of dust could ever make him. He... Hoped... Oriel meant something by it, but it was always hard to tell with him. "You're on," he replied weakly, having almost forgotten what they were talking about in the first place.

He huffed as Oriel poked him, swatting his hand away with a playful smile tugging at his lips. "What, you want me t'be fat?" he retorted, holding his own thin waist for a moment before wrapping his arms around Oriel. "I don't think you'd like that." But then again, what did he know what Oriel might like? "Maybe someday I'll eventually start workin' out," he hummed, wondering if there would be weights light enough for him to start with so he wouldn't break himself right from the start...

"Hmm," he considered, eyeing Oriel's sunken figure, before deciding to just drop the subject. The look Oriel shot up at the duck made him giggle though, and he prodded it a bit before removing it and tossing it back onto the water as he shifted over to settle on Oriel's lap facing his lover. "Y'look beautiful in this light," he announced with a tiny, mischievous smirk, bringing his arms up to rest on Oriel's shoulders and wrap around his neck. He watched Oriel for a moment before his smirk widened and he shoved a small splash towards his lover, not enough to drench his face, but enough to get some droplets in his hair.

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If a blush had managed to color his cheeks, Oriel was hoping that either Phoenix was too preoccupied with soaking to notice or that it was covered up by the natural flush induced by the heat of the water....or by Oriel's profound acting skills. As it was Oriel was far too into his own head, worrying about the significance of "sweetie", to notice any sort of change in his lover.

It didn't mean anything Oriel. Stop. Thinking!!

"I like a man with meat on his bones." Oriel scoffed playfully, tipping his head to allow his wavy locks to fall to the side, the tips of them already wet from the water. That didn't sound weird, right? That was normal...right? "Or jelly, I'm good either way." So long as he wasn't a skeleton, it meant Phen was healthy.

Was that too much? Was that normal? Oriel don't even know anymore and it was all Phoenix's fault because he just had to say---

STOP.

Oriel raised an eyebrow as his lids narrowed over his dark brown eyes. "Phoenix," he started, moving to furrow his brow, feigning confusion. "Are you trying to seduce me?" He arched his head to the side with a low growl and a smile when Phen splashed him. "Hey, this ain't a fucking playground, you know." Even if he did have visions of just picking up his slender lover and tossing him into the pool behind them.

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Phoenix looked down at himself, noting the still-visible peek of bones on his shoulders, the sharpness of his elbows, his pathetic, flat chest rising up and down with each breath. "Well, I'm workin' on it," he replied boldly, only that much more determined to get himself healthier if it meant making Oriel happier. "Just wait, I'll have as much muscle as you in no time." Hah.... Probably not. But he could dream.

If he noticed any different behavior in his lover, he didn't think anything of it. As far as he was concerned, everything was normal, if a little more intimate and soft because of what they had gone through, and where they were.

He tilted his head to the side, pouting his lips as he dropped his gaze down to Oriel's mouth. "Maybe," he replied coyly. "So what if I am?" It wouldn't be anything new, but he still grinned playfully at Oriel 'catching' him. "Oh really?" he teased, slipping off of Oriel's lap to the side where he could get a better angle to splash him with. And he did - a bigger one this time. "Come on," he taunted, backing a few feet away from the other boy. "Or does my kitty not like gettin' his mane wet?" Had he known what Oriel was thinking about tossing him in the pool, well... He would have stopped immediately. That shit was scary stuff, and would certainly bring back a rush of memories he had tried his best to forget.

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"What? You think you can match this sexiness?" Oriel rose his arms cheesily over his head and flexed out his muscles. He was clearly no body builder, but the tone had definitely filled out a lot more compared to when they first met. Oriel was feeling about as fit as he used to be back in NYC, only with the proper nourishment this time. And a hella lot more well-rested. Even with recent event hanging over his head, Oriel was still getting more sleep than he used to.

It was all thanks to…Phen…..for being there. How long had he…? Since when did he…?

Oriel continued to stare at him before moving in suddenly and giving Phen a quick peck on the lips. "Nope," he lied with a teasing smirk. "Not working." Though Oriel did slide his hands down to settle on Phen's thin hips. Phen didn't need to be told outright that Oriel found him attractive(even if he was super skinny)….did he?

The boy didn't seem to get that Oriel needed him, wanted him to stay by his side….did he really have to say these things out-loud?

"Ack!" Oriel closed an eye as he moved away from the splashing. "Oy, what'd I just tell you?" Oh it was on! No way this boy was gonna best him in a little spacing contest. Oriel moved to the center and dunked himself under the hot water. He pushed himself forward and grasped Phoenix around his waist, straightening himself to lift Phen clear out of the water, draped over his shoulder. "Two can play at this game," he mumbled as he started marching out of the spa.

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Phoenix made no effort to hide his staring as Oriel flexed his arms out, letting his eyes wander over his nicely toned muscles under the dim light. He paused. "Not really," he admitted finally, chuckling quietly. He would never find himself as attractive as his lover, but... Well, he supposed he was a bit biased. Oriel really did seem to have been going through some growth lately though, and it made Phoenix giddy to see where it would go. "I think I just have t'settle with bein' the less attractive one," he sighed dramatically.

It was all just teasing, of course. He knew Oriel was kidding.

"Mmf!" he let out a muffled laugh at the kiss. "Aish, I was tryin' so hard," he grumbled, eyes twinkling with mirth and something else. His fingers toyed with the damp ends of Oriel's hair as his lover's hands settled against him, pursing his lips as a few moments of silence hung between them. It was soft, intimate... If Oriel felt any awkwardness about it, Phoenix couldn't tell.

God, he loved him...

His thoughts were full of fuzz and mush until he broke out of his haze and laughed at Oriel's reaction, sticking his tongue out with a wink in challenge. "You didn't fight back~" he taunted, giggling as Oriel disappeared under the water for a moment. What was he doing? Phen closed his legs automatically just as he felt Oriel push forward and grasp him around the waist, lifting him out of the water. "Hey!" he complained with a gasp, shivering as his damp body hit the chilly air. He hit Oriel weakly on the back as he was carted out of the tub like a limp doll, laughing and squirming a bit until he peered over his shoulder to see what Oriel was doing. His smile dropped as he saw him approaching the pool. "Oriel, what're you-" he began to ask, his muscles tensing at the closing distance between them and the frightening abyss.

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Yup. Oriel knew he was hot. Mmmmhmmmm…..

No Oriel was not vain, that's why he spend so much money on that special conditioner all the time. And working out, but that was for health reasons and fun more so than vanity.

"Guess so," Oriel hummed, leaning in again to Phoenix, lowering his arms around his neck. "But don't you worry. It's like I always say, 'ugly people need some good-lovin' too.'"

Damn, what if he took that the wrong way? Even though Oriel clearly just had on his seductive-sexy-playful face. It wasn't any different than how he usually flirted with Phen, right?

Oriel may not have fought back initially, but he definitely was now. He was surprised how heavy Phoenix was despite his size. He really was putting on the pounds. Oriel smirked as Phen cried out as he hefted him up. Then Phoenix started to cling to him as he stepped up to the edge of the pool. "Want me to fight back, huh?" Oriel gave Phen no time to protest before he grunted and lifted Phoenix clear above his head and, with another heave, tossed him into the middle of the pool. He snickered at having "won" that little game.

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Fortunately Phoenix knew Oriel was just teasing; he had gotten to know him well enough for that. "I didn't say I was ugly," he retorted, smirking as he reached up and gave the lobe of Oriel's ear a tug. It was true he had never had the best self-esteem, but... He knew he had some sort of slender attractiveness about him. And at least he usually didn't have the purplish bruises under his eyes and the sort of hollowness in his cheeks that he used to.

But all of that was forgotten as a well of terror began to open inside his chest at the approaching water, and he couldn't even find the voice to make Oriel stop. The pool was even more intimidating in the dark than it was during the day, the water black and deathly in the cold room. He scrabbled desperately against Oriel's back, which the other boy probably just took for him playing along with the game. It wasn't until he felt himself being hefted up and out that he managed to scream,"I can't-!"

Swim.

He hit the surface with a cold splash, and immediately he was taken back to that night on the pier, falling down, down into the Puget Sound, clawing desperately for the surface. He hadn't taken in a breath before he submerged, and so his lungs were already screaming as he scrambled to go up, managing to breach the surface with a terrified gasp. He was in the deep end, the water felt like it was sinking ice into his veins, stiffening his limbs and making it harder to move. Or maybe that was just the panic setting in; he might as well have been back in that icy salt water, for as much as his heart was pounding and he gasped for precious air. Phoenix tried to see where the edge of the pool was, but it was so dark and he was so disoriented that he couldn't tell which way was closest. "Oriel!" he cried out, doing his best to make his flailing limbs keep him above the surface. "Help-!"

His head fell underneath the water again, as much as his weak body was trying to keep him afloat.

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Oriel had no idea about Phoenix's fear of deep water or his inability to swim…probably for good reason because he would have laughed his ass off if Phoenix had just told him outright. With Phoenix scrambling against Oriel's bare back, Oriel did indeed think he was just either playing around or even actually scared, because, who wouldn't be? That was the point, to make 'em scream! Just like he did with those annoying Cheng twins. So Oriel thought nothing of Phen's struggling.

Oriel backed away slightly at the splash, hoping the sound hadn't altered any sort of nighttime security. He watched the water where he went down, expecting him to surface right away and throw insults at Oriel for being a super dick, because no doubt that water was freezing.

But as soon as he saw Phen flailing about and not only not looking amused but also incredibly desperate, the smile disappeared from Oriel's face. Phoenix cried out and then sank.

Oriel wasted no time as his heart leapt clear out of his chest and he dove head-first into the black water. It was dark, Oriel couldn't see anything, couldn't locate where Phoenix had sunk…..shit!!

Oriel surfaced again, taking in another deep breath, then plowed himself under a second time, flailing his hands forward, searching for anything solid that might be Phoenix. He gripped ahold of what seemed like an arm….and heaved upwards, carrying that dead weight with him to the surface and the edge of the pool, renegotiating the body until his head was safely above the water. "Fuuuucking asshole...." he grunted breathlessly. "Why didn't you tell me sooner??"

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There was a reason Phoenix hadn't told Oriel about his intense fear of deep water - he was ashamed. Not only because of the fear itself and how silly it may seem to most people, but also because of the context through which the fear really developed. Although he probably shouldn't have worried about that part of it with Oriel - the boy knew about at least a vague idea of Phen's drug-abusive past before his ability manifested anyway.

He desperately hoped Oriel would be able to tell he wasn't playing. He didn't know how deep the water was, but he hadn't felt the bottom when he was tossed in, which meant there was enough water to drown. Phen had taken a deep, gasping breath before his head submerged beneath the water again, but his racing heart did little to help him hold what little precious oxygen he had in his dust-harmed lungs.

The surface seemed to get farther away no matter how much Phoenix clawed towards it, and he heard a vague splash nearby, but he couldn't see where Oriel was. Hope filled his chest, though, knowing the other boy had realized his panic and was diving in to help him. He just hoped Oriel would be able to find him before his breath ran out.

His lungs were screaming by the time he felt Oriel's tight grip around his arm, and as he reached the surface again, he gave a gasp and began coughing and sputtering, clinging to Oriel's form as he led him to the edge. Phoenix clamped onto it like a... Well, like a drowning man. He was shivering from cold and settling panic, wincing at Oriel's question. "I d-d-didn't want you t'know..." he stammered, weakly pulling himself out of the inky water and practically collapsing onto the cool concrete floor. "It's s-so dumb..." He must think I'm pathetic, he thought dejectedly. "I... almost d-drowned once," he explained in a tiny whimper.