"You said you were decent," he closed the door behind him, noting that he should be on the other side of it.
"No, you asked if I was decent and I said 'mmmm '," she repeated the non-committal noise, not bothering to look up at her friend. Instead, the woman was very content to remain basking in the warm bathwater. Her head was tilted back, neck and clavicle bared, eyes closed. Her knees emerged from the surface of the water, twisted so they rested against the side of the basin.
"You could have said you needed a moment," he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"The thing is that I don't need a moment," she smirked. "I don't plan on leaving this tub for a very long time, and you are very intent on going over that report before you retire which I assume will be soon." She shrugged, "Now we compromise."
"Daine," he sighed, exasperated. "This really isn't appropriate."
"Oh, hush. There are bubbles." She waved the goblet perched between the tips of her fingers at him, dismissing his concerns.
"There were?" He trailed off, eyes following the goblet.
Daine shrugged again, the motion pulling the tops of her breasts from the water. "You've seen me naked more times than I can count."
"Not like—" he faltered, shifting uncomfortably. "Setting and situation matter, magelet." He chided her, "Would you please dress?"
"No, but you may relay the report if you wish." She lifted the goblet to her lips, drinking deeply.
"I know this has been a very trying journey but I would appreciate you meeting me halfway."
"I already told you this is my compromise," she peered at him from over the goblet. "I am offering to work on the report matters with you. I understand my determination to embrace some source of enjoyment is vexing to you, but there you have it."
"Your obstinance, you mean." He sighed when she shrugged and took another drink instead of replying. "Are you drunk?"
"Not yet." She met his eyes, not giving any ground even when he crossed his arms and fixed her with a stare that usually made her rethink her stance. "You're the one staring," she raised an eyebrow, pleased with the blush that rapidly spread up his neck as he looked away. He opened his mouth as if to speak but closed it again, suddenly very fixated on the fire. He recognized a losing battle.
"Oh hush, I'm just teasing," she sat up, leaning over the edge of the tub and reaching for the decanter perched on the small stand. She refilled her goblet, placing it on the floor, before filling a second. "Come," she extended the goblet to her friend, resting her chin on her other arm that lay upon the rim of the tub.
He hesitated and, just when she thought he may decline, sighed and closed the distance between them to accept the drink. As he brought the goblet to his lips she took up her own and leaned back again so that her elbows rested on the rim, her breasts barely submerged. She lifted her goblet in a small toast and he returned the motion. He broke eye contact and his gaze moved down her form as he raised the wine to his lips. Swallowing hard, the dry liquid sharp on his tongue, he met her eyes once more. She was still looking at him, the ghost of a smile gracing her lips. Something between them lay heavy in the air—a challenge, or an invitation. Both, perhaps.
Numair sighed, taking another swig, and sat on the floor so that his back rested against the tub and he was facing away from her, disconnecting from the unexplored territory between them.
"News from Jon," he unrolled the parchment and Daine shifted to hear him better, the soft sloshing of water and the gentle rush of air against the back of his neck the only indication of the movement.