A Spot of Hogswatch Trouble, Pt. 2

[scots_wolf]

[[from here]]

The next morning, Urquhart awakes to fine bed-linen and the unique shade of cool bright light that promises a sunny, snowy day outside.

He lifts his head, pulling his long blond hair free from the pillow where it had remained as it was, tangled from last night, while he'd been sleeping.

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[scots_wolf]

Urquhart, propped up on his elbow, reaches out to touch Moist's face.

He likes the rough edges that he sometimes shows, sticking out from under the smooth polished exterior of the professional charmer. The broad pouty lower lip. The angular wrists, and the strength of his hands. The hint of stubble on his jaw, the tousled hair, the drifts of down on his arms, chest, belly.

His fingers slowly, gently follow where his eyes are trailing.

[morethanprops]

He twitches at the touch and mutters something in Uberwaldian, trying to find his way out.

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart strokes his chest. "Hello Alfred," he murmurs. "It's me. Wake up!"

[morethanprops]

Moist finally wakes up and his accent is stronger as he says,

"Mm, morning."

[scots_wolf]

"Morning, you," Urquhart says, leaning over him to kiss him. "We have whisky to sell and a ball to go to, but first, I think, a bath and some breakfast."

[morethanprops]

"Oh yes, ladies to charm and men to bargain with. I've heard the ham from this area is quite good."

[scots_wolf]

"Ham sandwiches for breakfast?" Urquhart suggested.

[morethanprops]

"With fresh eggs and good coffee along with some nice gossip. I'm going to take a bath, you order and charm those maids again."

[scots_wolf]

"I need a bath as well," Urquhart says. "I still have tiny, tiny bits of Alfred on me in some places."

[morethanprops]

"Then clearly we'll have to have a bath together before we face the world."

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart kisses him again, then gets up and walks over to the windows, opening the curtains a crack.

Snowy morning light spills in.

"I'll draw us a bath," he says, walking over to the bathroom, which sports a claw-footed bathtub of epic proportions. He is all broad and strong and naked, hairy all over, and shimmering softly golden in the ray of light.

[morethanprops]

Moist comes up behind him and leans on his back before he runs the bath,

"I love a fresh snowfall. It always seems hopeful."

[scots_wolf]

"I love the way the snow crunches under your feet when you walk through the pristine white field where nobody has been before you," Urquhart says, turning around with a little smile for Moist as the water is running into the tub.

[morethanprops]

After some investigation, Moist adds some slightly scented oil to the bath for a few bubbles,

"Also its an excuse for baking."

[scots_wolf]

"Baking needs no excuse," Urquhart says, turning off the faucets as the bath is filled up nicely.

"I should get the cooks here to make stollen," Urquhart says, getting in.

[morethanprops]

"I'm sure you could persuade them too and bribe the cook with one of the lesser bottles. I wonder how much we could sell to them."

[scots_wolf]

"I guess one glass of the good stuff should get the head cook to worship at our feet," Urquhart says, reaching out his hand to get Moist to step in the tub with him.

[morethanprops]

"Without a doubt,"

He steps into the tub with a smile,

"Then you could share with him a secret recipe that you learned from your mother."

[scots_wolf]

"Oh, that is a good idea," Urquhart says. He pulls Moist close and gently starts scrubbing his back and washing his sweaty hair. "He'll worship us even more."

[morethanprops]

"Then I'll come in and berate you for sharing things you're not supposed to and you'll have even more sympathy,"

The scrubbing is relaxing and Moist leans against Urquhart.

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart massages Moist's scalp.

"And then they'll help me get my own back," Urquhart says.

[morethanprops]

"And we'll make a profit without having to leave here unless we want to. Though we'll both find out about the ball and I'll be a toady as you do your work below stairs."

[scots_wolf]

"We're sitting snug as bunny rabbits in a nice warm warren," Urquhart says.

[morethanprops]

"Mm, yes, and be able to leave with no trouble since we haven't done anything to cause trouble."

[scots_wolf]

"No," Urquhart says. "Instead, we plied them with wonderful drink and made the women happy with good baking."