As usual the hot water in the Cuntebago was on the fritz. Orlando, citing his back injury (which Viggo had noticed never actually kept him from doing anything that could damage his back but did get him certain perks like massages from attractive girls), had claimed all the hot water.

Sean and Viggo looked at each other, both weary and sweaty after a long day, just wanting to go home, drink a beer, and collapse. Unlike the elf and Hobbits, their costumes were heavy, their armor was heavy, and the motherfucking swords seemed to weigh more every day. Viggo began to idly wonder if he would actually make it through all the battle scenes Peter had planned.

Having already been generous enough to allow the poncy elf to go first, as Sean said, Viggo was feeling a bit put-upon and wanted to go next.

Sean appeared to be feeling the same way.

They both growled a bit at each other, starting to strip off and get ready to shower, each one expecting the other to back down. Somehow they ended up crowded into the bathroom, with an emphasis on crowding and Viggo thought for sure he'd won when his hand was the first to make it to the tap to turn it on, but then they both stood, hesitating for critical moments with one hand each in the lukewarm water.

Viggo shrugged his shoulders and simply stepped into the spray, expecting Sean to give up. He was stunned when he felt another body move in behind his, into a shower stall clearly not designed for two adults of any size.

Viggo twisted around to look at Sean, incredulous. More so when he saw the grin on Sean's face.

"Bloody sick of waitin'. Just want to take me shower and the fuck out of here."

"Me too," Viggo pointed out. "Just want to rinse the sweat off, go home, and collapse before we do it all again tomorrow."

Sean nodded. "Well then."

Viggo nodded back. They both waited. And were both a bit surprised when the other refused to get out.

"Shit, can't you just give me a few minutes?" Viggo pleaded, rolling his eyes.

"No fuckin' way! I'm knackered as well. You wait."

Tension filled the air as Viggo turned around to make better eye contact. There was an element in Sean's expression that was met by Viggo's, one of short-temperedness, frustration, aggravation, annoyance. It seemed for a moment that a full-scale fight was about to erupt, naked as they were, or at least some very nasty word-slinging. But when it came down to it, they were both just too fucking tired to make a move, initiate a fight or even a quarrel. They both stood there, water pouring over them.

Viggo sighed and turned back around, rolling his eyes as he grabbed the bar of soap. Efficiently, he passed it over his chest, under his armpits, around his back, his hands brushing up against Sean's chest. Then he turned, met Sean's eyes in a challenge, and lathered up his crotch.

He rinsed off the soap, handed it to Sean, and reached for the shampoo. Sean soaped himself up, briskly but not unnecessarily so. Viggo maneuvered them around so Sean could be under the water while Viggo soaped up his hair, and Sean danced them back so Viggo could rinse the lather out while Sean shampooed his own. Another turn, with much more pressing of bodies and slippery skin that seemed necessary, and they were finished. All in silence.

It was like showering with a spouse or a long-time lover, or, Viggo supposed, a sibling when you are still young enough to have no concept of modesty. Not erotic, but still, some tingle of energy that Viggo was too tired to identify but spoke of comfort and familiarity. And a bit of a challenge, with a slight hint that one might get snapped on the ass with a wet towel later on.

Not a way Viggo had felt about a friend in a very very long time.

Viggo got out first, and saw that there were only two towels hanging up, one already wet from Orlando. For some reason, he grabbed that one and started to use it. "I'm letting you have the one dry towel, you cunt. I hope you fucking appreciate it."

Sean turned off the water, which was pretty cold by now. "That I do, mate," he said, climbing out and clapping Viggo on the back with a very wet hand.

Somehow that restored their humor and the tension that was there disappeared, although it left little flickers and sparks in Viggo's head that he was going to have to examine some time when he was less tired.

Getting all of his things together he walked towards the door. He hesitated, his hand on the knob and found himself asking, "Want to come over for a quick beer?"

Sean paused and they met each other's eyes. That same flicker of something unnamed passed between them. Sean grinned again, all teeth and pleased eyes. He nodded. "Well, now I've showered with you, I suppose I ought to at least buy you a pint."

Laughing together, unspoken things passed between them, and Viggo knew he'd made the right decision, both with the towel and the hot water.

~end~