The tap squeaked loudly as Steven twisted the handle with a sigh; smiling when water burbled out into the bathtub. There was no better way to end a shoulder-tensing day than taking a bath.

He wandered into his bedroom, proceeding to shuffle out of his clothes and throw them in a corner that he'd take to the Laundromat later. A small sound emitted from his Queen-sized bed and he chuckled. The narrow head of a Siamese cat caught in a yawn raised from the crumpled duvet and Steven passed a hand over her back. "Hey you." He whispered and she meowed in acknowledgment. After pressing a light kiss to her head, he wandered back into the ceramic room where water was collecting.

Steam had already started to mist the mirrors and he wisely placed his glasses on the marbled counter that cupped his sink.

It was probably considered the gayest thing ever but Steven really liked bubble baths. He laughed self-consciously to himself as he poured some mint-scented soap into the water and watched the bubbles froth. There was another reason for it too but he'd never admit it because it was childish.

A relieved sigh passed his lips as he sank into the water and rested his head back on the cold ceramic basin.

Just for a moment he relaxed with nothing to do.

Then he sat up and reached over the side and grabbed a pile of note cards and started shuffling through them, mentally answering the questions posed. He had an English exam next week and he was going to make that test his bitch.

"Unferth, foil to Beowulf…"

College wasn't so bad. It was easier when he had convinced Charlie to transfer to the same college. Charlie spent most of his time visiting anyway, why not just go to the same classes?

"Wife of Hrothgar…"

With the way the world was turning out, Steven was pretty sure that he and Charlie would eventually find themselves in Canada-or maybe they'd go to Switzerland. They had great colleges there.

"Naegling…Naegling?" Steven stared at his card puzzled as he tried to recall the character.

"Beowulf's sword." There was a surprised splash and an exhale as Steven dropped his head into his chest.

"Funny, Charlie. Real funny." Charlie smirked, smug that his entrance had gone unnoticed as he started pulling his socks off. "I'd like to live past the age of twenty, thank you."

"Yeah," Charlie's pointed smile dawned on his face as he teetered off balance. "So would I." Steven shook his head; smiling as Charlie chuckled. "Mmmmm, minty."

"Beowulf is a eulogy to the Age of Heroes because it was composed roughly between the eighth and eleventh century, the time before King Arthur." Steven mumbled as he fell back into his study mode and Charlie emitted a light scoff of to the side. "It's your turn to do the laundry." Steve hummed as he flipped over another card.

"I did it on Friday!" Charlie protested as Steven's mouth slanted.

"Last Friday. I did a run on Tuesday, it's your turn."

"Well," The water made a noise as it was disrupted again by Charlie's foot, "You are making dinner." Charlie slid into the bathtub, watching Steven intently.

" We're going out tonight," Over his card he saw Charlie roll his eyes and Steven couldn't hold back a grin. "It's Henry's birthday and his girlfriend is throwing him a party down at Dusty's Corner."

"Fun." Charlie stood and sprawled himself out alongside Meeks, hooking the crook of his arm around Steven's neck.

"Charlie," Steven flipped another card triumphantly as Charlie pressed chaste kisses up the back of his neck.

"mmn?"

"Studying." He replied, seemingly unmoved until his collection of cards was ripped out of his hands. "Char-!"

Charlie laughed as he held them out of reach. "Shut up would you? Now," He tipped the cards and tilted his head to read the question. " Who or what is Hrunting?"

"Beowulf's original sword that he uses in battle against Grendel's mother." Steven shot back, sour that Charlie stole his cards.

"Ding! Correct!" Charlie yanked Steven closer and pressed a kiss to his grimacing mouth before reading the next question. "Don't look so pissy, I'm helping you!"

"I know." They stared at each other for a slight of time before Steven smacked bubbles onto Charlie's nose. He sneezed sending snowflakes of foam in the air-Steven couldn't breathe he was laughing so hard.

"Imma getcho for that."

Steven's cat, watched the two interact, a safe distance away from the splashing water and occasionally wincing at an unusually loud shout of laughter or yell of protest. Humans, really.