Author's Note: I very rarely get OT3s, but when I do, they really manage to grab me. I just love these three's interactions together and wish they got more love in general. So please enjoy some dumb fluff for the sake of dumb fluff.
Of Canvases and Paints
"Um…the paint's going to go…where?"
Ignatz's face heated. Despite all of his recent confidence boosts, Marianne's question had him (metaphorically) falling flat on his face. Maybe this had been a bad idea after all… Why had he suggested this, again?
"Your backs," he repeated quickly. "Unless, of course, you don't want to—"
"I, for one, think it's an excellent idea," Lorenz replied, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "How about you, dear?"
Marianne paused, apparently mulling it over. Finally, she nodded, and Ignatz let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. It was fine; he didn't need to be so embarrassed about it after all.
"It does sound kind of relaxing," she agreed. "So…how are we going to do this?"
"Well, it would probably be easiest if you two laid down somewhere," Ignatz mused. "So, ah…I can go get some paint while you get ready?"
"Certainly." Lorenz nodded. "We'll be here in the room as soon as you're prepared, Ignatz."
He smiled, though Ignatz sighed again as he walked out of their shared quarters. The idea had occurred to him somewhat randomly, to be honest. Ignatz wanted to do something special for them, and this was the first thing that had come to mind. Then, he'd debated whether or not something more "permanent"—like a regular painting—might be better.
But…well…like Marianne had suggested, this seemed like a good way for the three of them to relax together. Lorenz and Marianne so rarely had free time, thanks to ruling their newly-combined territories. Meanwhile, Ignatz had gotten so many commissions thanks to Lorenz's vocal advertising that he hadn't been able to do many personal pieces.
(Of course, he appreciated Lorenz going out of his way for him… Ignatz would always be grateful for that. But, still, doing something a little more casual would be nice.)
Finally, Ignatz found the closet where he stored most of his paints and brushes. It was next to a large room Lorenz had set aside for him as a studio. Normally, that was convenient, but it was a good distance away from their bedroom… Well, he wouldn't need too much. Ignatz was planning on something simple, so he only needed a few colors and brushes.
Carefully, he made his way back to their room, fortunately managing to balance everything on the way. Marianne and Lorenz were both already lying on the bed, bare backs facing upwards; her blouse and his shirt were folded and set aside on a nearby chair. Ignatz set his tins of paint on the bedside table, absently biting his lip as he thought about where to start.
"All right, let me know if you get uncomfortable, I guess? I'll go on and get started."
They nodded in agreement, and Ignatz began working. He started with the blue, dipping a broad brush into the tin before dabbing color onto Marianne's shoulder. She laughed at the touch of the brush, and Ignatz paused before going on. Was that a nervous laugh, or…?
"Oh, nothing's wrong," she said reassuringly. "It just surprised me, is all."
"Okay," he replied. "You're sure?"
Marianne nodded again, and he kept going. Ignatz paused to tuck some of Lorenz's hair aside as he worked, going as slowly and gently as he could. He could see both of them relaxing as he painted, and Ignatz smiled to himself. That was a good sign; they'd assured Ignatz they liked the idea, but it was still nice to see them enjoying it.
Finally, Ignatz finished up, rinsed off his brushes, and set them aside. He leaned back to examine his painting; it was a simple landscape beneath a large expanse of sky. Despite stretching across both of their backs, it met in the middle and formed a complete scene. Ignatz had also, rather indulgently, subtly shaped the clouds and plants at the part where the two halves lined up so they resembled hearts.
It was a little ridiculous, really, but…he couldn't help it. Somehow, it just seemed appropriate.
"All right, I'm finished," he announced. "Would you like to see?"
"Of course," Lorenz replied, carefully getting up to avoid smearing some of the still-damp spots on his back. "Marianne?"
He offered her his hand, and the two of them stood up. Nearby, Ignatz arranged a pair of mirrors so they'd be able to see their backs in the reflections. Then, he quietly stepped back and let them examine his work.
"It's lovely, Ignatz," Marianne commented, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I like the clouds, and—oh, are those lilies of the valley you gave me?"
"I believe so," Lorenz commented, leaning around slightly for a better look. Then, he glanced back in the mirror and added, "Those roses you gave me are an excellent touch, by the way."
"Of course; I know how much you like those, so…"
He beamed as he watched Marianne and Lorenz examine his work for a few more seconds. (Ignatz felt ridiculous for how happy he was, too, but…he just couldn't help that, either.) Then, Lorenz turned to him with a grin of his own.
"I think it's only fair that we should get to paint you as well. We need to express our appreciation for you, too. Don't you think so, Marianne?"
"Of course; I think that sounds lovely!"
"Oh, er—" Ignatz wasn't quite embarrassed by the suggestion, but somehow he hadn't expected it, either. "Well, all right. I'd love to see what you come up with!"
He obligingly removed his tunic and draped it over the chair where their still-folded shirts were sitting. ("It would hardly do to smear the paint already when you worked so hard on it," Lorenz insisted as Ignatz lied down.) Finally, Marianne and Lorenz sat on either side of him, each with a paint brush in hand.
As the slightly cool, ticklish sensation of paint-coated brushes spread over his skin, Ignatz decided he really was lucky. He hadn't expected to find one partner who was so supportive of him, back when he'd been at Garreg Mach, let alone two—and he wouldn't trade them for anything.