He was sure there would be one eventually, but he didn't find it one bit fair that it happened like that.
He cannot believe how badly he feels the need to shower, as though he hadn't done so in a week when he'd only stepped out of one four hours ago. He despises when she claims it's his turn to take care of the Strahl's maintenance. After all, it isn't his fault his hands aren't as skilled in said department as hers. And now, after thrice the amount of time it would have taken his partner, he is covered from head to toe in grease, oil, dirt, grime, and Ultima knows what else?
He grumbles to himself as he stomps through the airship toward the bathroom. He throws the door open and stops short, feeling as though he's just had the wind knocked out of him. He stands there, staring like an idiot at his rather startled Viera partner who's just had her bath interrupted. He feels himself go slack-jawed.
He is mystified by the way her hair swirls around her, floating on the surface of the water like mist, at the way the hot bath water makes steam rise off her skin. Her sopping bangs are slicked over her face and beads of water cling to her eyelashes. The water trails over her body in the most erotic of ways, sliding down the valley between her breasts and over her bare shoulder blades. Her entire lower body, all but her knees, is submerged in the bath, but he can still follow the slender curve of her legs, the swell of her hips, and the roundness of her bottom beneath the clear water. Even though her scant leather armor leaves very little to the imagination, this is still the first time in which he has ever seen her completely exposed.
He realizes now that she is staring at him peculiarly and he suddenly feels very self-conscious of his black grease-stained skin and clothes and the unruly state of his hair. He opens his mouth to make a joke about bathing together to save on water supply, but closes it with an audible snap before he embarrasses himself further, especially considering the currently rather snug condition of his trousers. He clears his throat and straightens himself in an attempt to regain his composure before looking her square in the eye.
"I finished the maintenance."
Before she can respond, the bathroom door has slid shut behind him, and he has hurried back down the hallway to take refuge in his bedroom. No, he thinks. Not fair at all.
