[AN: i don't know how fluff works.]

'I'm tired.'

Vyvyan closes the door behind him, sinking to the floor before he even reaches the bath. He slides himself the rest of the way, folding his arms over the lip of the bath and resting his head on top.

Rick pulls his knees up to his chest, mildly embarrassed at the motion. Embarrassed that he's still embarrassed around Vyvyan. Vyvyan's breathing echoes in the cavern of his arms.

'When did you get back?' Rick asks softly.

'Just now.' One of Vyvyan's arms stretches, fingers trailing over the water. He turns his head to look at Rick, squinting against the light. He smiles slowly, one eye half-closed. 'Are you sitting up because of me?'

'No, I just— I'm—'

'I've seen it before, Rick. Unless you've sprouted warts, but I've seen worse in my textbooks. Pus. Stuff.'

Rick grimaces.

'Yours is quite nice.' It's off-handed, trailing into a yawn. Vyvyan's wet hand half-rises with intent to cover his mouth, but stops by Rick's waist.

Rick wiggles his toes in the water, feeling stupid and happy. Vyvyan is often too blunt to be polite, and his honesty cuts deeper than Rick is comfortable with. Sometimes, though, in times like this... sometimes it's nice. Sometimes it doesn't feel like the calm before a storm.

Vyvyan groans, turning his head back down into his arm. His fingertips brush against Rick's skin.

'I'm really tired,' he huffs.

'You should go to bed.'

Rick waits for a snide remark to break the atmosphere, an innuendo or maybe just something angry. You never know with Vyvyan.

'Yeah,' Vyvyan sighs. 'I think I will.' His hand splashes down in the water again, swirling leisurely. 'I just wanted to see you.'

The words settle warmly in Rick's stomach. He tugs his knees up higher, relaxing his shoulders.

'Well I'm not surprised, with a face like mine.' He keeps his voice quiet, settling in the drowsy atmosphere. When Vyvyan is unresponsive, Rick curls himself to the side and sets his head on the cold ceramic. Vyvyan's one visible eye is closed, and Rick watches for a while before Vyvyan's shoulders jerk, startling him. For one horrified moment, Rick thinks something may be wrong, but then Vyvyan lifts his head and he's laughing.

'You're a prick,' he says, sitting back on his heels. 'I'm too tired for this.'

'You are,' Rick agrees slowly.

'I'm going to bed.' Vyvyan stands and stretches, shoulders cracking and joints popping. Then leans over and braces his hands either side Rick's head. 'I'll see you tomorrow.'

Rick lifts his head for the kiss, short and dry, and Vyvyan hesitates before leaning in again.

'Don't let it go to your head,' he says, and kisses again.

Then he's gone, door clicking shut behind him, and Rick stretches his legs out in the water, a Cliff Richard song on the cusp of his mind.