Steven was in his element. A cave. What was different this time around? Ruby, his perfect partner was down here too.
And in no way was he as troublesome and meddlesome as Steven had thought he would be when he had just met him.
"Steven, I think there is something… here…" Ruby murmured, looking at the last pile. Steven crouched down and started looking through them too. "Brush."
Ruby passed it to me.
"Thanks."
"Welcome."
Steven started brushing off the rocks and dirt. "I think you are right" he said, picking up a pretty stone.
"What is it?" Ruby asked curiously.
"A fire stone."
Ruby looked at the small, uncut stone. "Really? It looks nothing like the one Sapphire bought."
"Well, the ones they sell in the shop are often cut to shape and polished up."
"Oh."
Steven chuckled. "Adorable" he murmured, looking at Ruby.
He blushed and leaned against him. "I am glad that you know what you are doing."
"You do too."
He giggled. "Hardly."
"You do."
He kissed his forehead. "Just cause you are teaching me so much."
"I haven't told you hardly anything."
"I have learned heaps!"
Steven smiled and kissed him. "Babe-"
"You never call me pet names."
"You look so damn cute all rugged up like that. Plus the dirt on your face is a plus" Steven chuckled.
"Ugh" Ruby shook his head. "Idiot."
Steven just smiled and started picking at the walls again, humming. This cave was amazing. He was glad he had made the journey here.
There were three other chambers similar to this one. He wanted to see them all. However, they were down further than this one. He was sure that Ruby would be fine. He looked at the teen who was sitting next to the tools Steven had. He was glad that Ruby was doing so well. He was sure that Ruby would be able to go to the other chambers once they were done. What was even better was that once they got through to the last chamber there was another exit, although it might be difficult to get out of. He would worry about that when they got there. All up the cave had four ways in and out. Two of them were pretty much linked to the chambers. The way they had come in, and the way they would leave.
Ruby looked up at him. "You okay?"
"I am. Thanks."
"You just stopped working… I thought you might have injured yourself."
"I'm fine, don't worry" he smiled.
Ruby nodded.
"Do you want to have a go at my job?" Steven asked.
Ruby shook his head. "No, uh, I'll be fine. Thanks."
Steven smiled. "How about after I check this section we will break for the day, how about that?"
Ruby nodded. "Okay."
Steven smiled.
Ruby watched as Steven continued to work.
He looked at a few more sections of the wall before nodding. "I think we should call it a day" he shrugged.
Ruby frowned and looked at him. "Your shoulder-"
"It's fine."
"But when you shrugged you flinched."
Steven sighted. "I think it's just a pulled muscle."
"Sit down."
Steven sat down, obliging Ruby.
Ruby felt Steven's shoulder through his shirt. "Oh… it is a pulled muscle."
Steven looked up at him.
"Can you remove your shirt?"
Steven nodded and unbuttoned his shirt, slipping it off. He could hear Ruby's breathing get a little louder. "Are you okay?"
"Fine. I'm fine."
He smiled to himself as nervous hands started feeling their way over his shoulder. He felt the light pressure. Ruby's hands were soft, really soft, but he worked with skill, massaging the tension out of Steven's shoulder and back.
Ruby hummed softly to himself. "Tell me if this gets painful." He pressed in deeper.
Steven grasped.
"Sorry Steven."
"Don't apologize. It felt good" Steven admitted. He enjoyed the touch of his boyfriend, the way his hands, so skilled at massage, danced across his shoulder.
Ruby kissed the top of Steven's head. "Do you feel better?"
"It does feel better, yes" he smiled, looking, at the teen. "How did you learn to do that?"
"I usually just massage my pokémon after contests" he shrugged. "I gathered massaging a person can't be too much different.
"Your hands are amazing."
Ruby chuckled. "I am glad you think so."
Steven pulled his shirt back on. "I think we should call it a day. I shouldn't exert myself if I am planning on doing this for a few more days."
"Steven… I wouldn't want you to aggravate it. You should probably consider resting it for a few days."
He sighed, weighing up the options. If they left the cave now, that would be two days of planned work he would miss out on, but he was sure he could make that up another time. He nodded. "Okay, we will leave tomorrow morning" he decided.
"I just think it would be best if you rested it."
"You're right. Thank you for taking good care of me."
Ruby chuckled. "It's my job" he joked.
Steven pulled him close and kissed his lips. "Thank you."
