"You got some room in there for me?"
Kotetsu gestures to the tub; specifically, the open spot of water between Barnaby's bent knees that's covered with bubbles. His legs snap closed instantly when he notices him looking, even if it was unlikely that Kotetsu saw anything and he turns his face to the side.
"Have you heard of waiting? You shouldn't just barge in on someone while they're in the bath."
"I'll wash your back for you."
"Did you even hear me? It's impolite."
Kotetsu snorts and slips off his towel. The second that Barnaby glances over at him is a second too long and he immediately averts his gaze again, choosing to pretend as though Kotetsu's bathroom wall tiling is the most fascinating thing he's seen.
"It's my bathroom and you just happen to be in it. Now scoot forward."
He'd refuse him, but he has his point.
Although, it's still definitely weird; something like this. Barnaby doesn't even know what to call him yet, but if he's already staying over at his house, then maybe it would be best for him to assume that they're more than just partners or friends now, if they were ever even that to start with. Reluctantly, he slides forward, giving him just enough space to wedge himself into the tub behind him.
He's close; really close, like if he were to lean back again, he'd be feeling all of him up against his back. When he first came to Kotetsu's house, he noticed how many places there were that felt too open and alone. His bathroom, though, was extremely cramped. For one person, it was probably quite alright, but it wasn't a place for the both of them to be in at the same time like this. Especially the bathtub.
"I really don't get you."
As if some kind of childish means of retaliation, Kotetsu drapes himself entirely over Barnaby's back and wraps his arms firmly around his waist. Barnaby holds his breath and refuses to yell at him, knowing now that he'd just be playing right into his hands.
"You didn't seem to have any problem with contact last night," Kotetsu mumbles against his neck. His breath tickles, so Barnaby waves a hand behind himself in an attempt to whack him in the head. He misses and then Kotetsu manages to get a hold of his wrist. The next second, Barnaby has Kotetsu's lips pressed against his and he just doesn't complain.
"You..." Barnaby mutters flatly once he's allowed to breathe. He says it with the most long-suffering face, like it pains him to speak it.
"Hey. Hey."
He has his neck craned at a weird angle (come on, it's so cramped) so he can see the look Kotetsu gives him in response.
Barnaby sighs.
"If you're just going to annoy me, then you aren't allowed to look disappointed when I get mad at you. And I thought you were going to wash my back."
Although he says in the kind of voice a parent uses to scold their child, it seems to make Kotetsu brighten back up. The arms around him loosen and he can hear the top of a bottle being uncapped somewhere behind him. Then there are Kotetsu's hands against his back; one scooping up some water to dampen his skin while the other works the soap into a lather. By now, he shouldn't be so surprised when he feels himself relaxing, but it's not bad.
It feels nice and it makes him happy, even if he doesn't feel like he deserves it.
When did he last feel like this, he wonders? Happy. He can't remember anymore.
Happy to score points. Happy when people idolize him. Happy when Kotetsu doesn't call him to ask him annoying things.
But happy when he does.
He can't explain why it makes him happy to feel him close. He didn't think he would ever need anyone like this because he's always been fine enough by himself. But maybe "fine" is a word that he's only loosely defined, because his definition somehow crumbled when he realized that being alone with Kotetsu made him feel more than just fine.
"Thank you."
"Hm?" Kotetsu's hands pause for a second, but then he laughs quietly to himself and moves to spread the suds over Barnaby's shoulders. "Mhmn, no problem, partner."