hugtopia_logs | working at the Bath House!

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working at the Bath House!

♥ Who: Ciel + ANYONE
♥ Where: Baths | OPEN LOG
♥ When: All of June
♥ What: Working! Planning! Cuddling! Event stuff! Socializing! GENERAL OPEN LOG FOR THE MONTH.
♥ Rating: G, will update as necessary.

Like he had been since the discovery, Ciel tried to lead by example with the work on the Baths. Even if he wasn't strong enough to do the heavy lifting or breaking anything down, he could still clean, organize, plan. One of the main rooms had been his priority at the start.

With help, he cleaned it and made a resting area for the people who came to help work on it. There were two cots set up in the room, with comfortable pillows and blankets to rest if anyone needed. Sheets were folded up and packed in a corner of the room in case the weather turned sweltering but someone still needed to be covered to sleep.

There was a small cooler also set up nearby, filled to the brim with ice and bottles of water to keep refreshed. There's also a small electric kettle and a tin of tea leaves if anyone would prefer that. Anything more for drinks would have to be brought themselves. Otherwise, Ciel had also been sure to stock granola and other non-perishable, easy-to-eat, foods for groups while there.

Other than that, the room had a comfortable stock of what anyone might need if they just wanted or needed to curl up in a corner, or if they wanted to curl up with someone. And then on the far side, he had a desk set up with the blueprints (carefully copied at least twice and left at home in case something should happen) were spread across it with papers and notes scattered around, a few with tracings from the blueprint and set over the matching spot with what changes he thought best.

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Kai had been a pretty steady presence at the baths since the walls had expanded. He and Shinji had spent a pretty chunk of time on initial cleaning attempts, and Kai kind of wanted to see things through. It was a project to focus on, and luckily the rewards were both highly ideal and tangible enough to be realistic! Knowing there was someone else that just as invested was a plus.

('Just as' was kind of lowballing it. It had been pretty apparent from the other guy's network post that he was definitely Way More Invested.)

And that worked for Kai! He wasn't there every day, after all. When he did swing by, he usually had a small armful of apples and oranges to add to the snack pile. Here he was to lift heavy things and recklessly stick his hands into really gross spots without batting an eye.

Today was today, and he was here. "Need help with somethin'?"

He'll never not be thankful for all the help or the additional snacks brought along. Fresh fruit, he thinks, is much better for morale on a project like this than what he can get his hands on.

"I think the worst of the first area is done, unless you wanted to start the next? I wasn't going to see about salvaging some replacement doors for the entrance, if there are any that would fit at all. Otherwise, I was going to see what kind of cleaning solutions we could use, see if we can't make a couple rooms useable awhile. More traffic might get more hands, we could have this place finished by the end of the year."

Optimistic? Absolutely, but Ciel was used to aiming for the impossible. It used to be that he'd have a demon ensuring it happened, and beyond his best expectations, but he wanted a goal.

Kai nodded along as Ciel rattled off the options here. Getting things by the end of the year was definitely a lofty goal. Rationally, Kai knew that was kind of a stretch, but hey! It wasn't the most improbable of impossible goals, and Kai was invested enough to simply nod.

"Hm, yeah, sounds good. It'd be nice to get at least one of 'em going, really show people what they're missin' out on."

And he'd agree but even giving himself a difficult goal like that helped keep him determined, helped keep them on track. At least somewhat. And, as the year wore on, he could adjust the schedule to accommodate arrivals, departures, and the chance of seasonal weather becoming more predictable on this world.

"My thoughts exactly. Then they might be willing to help fix and clean the rest, for the sake of private parties or just the pleasure of being involved." Probably more the former than the latter.

As he had known would happen, the bath house was coming along well, and there was no shortage of people willing to put forth a little effort to see the project become a success. Community projects hadn't been a favorite of his, but it did more than pass the time, and the benefits far outweighed what it would do to simply leave the place there to continue on its path to decay.

And if it brought the gods favor, well, that was just a side effect he cared little for other than to see what improvements it made.

But of late, he had been feeling... strange, had been one way to put it. That the Earl should be safe and content was and had been his top priority, surely. Whether or not that was a direct result of his care made no difference, though they would both prefer it that way, but now...

Late into the evening, Undertaker held a brush wet at the tip with a soft blue paint against one of the finished walls of the main lobby, reworking a mural of some unimportant but beautiful grandeur that had been agreed upon by all involved some few days ago. For all of his progress on the image, the brush had ceased to move some time ago as the grim reaper's thoughts strayed, agitated underneath a calm outer appearance.

Astre was trying to find things he was strong enough to do but the further along in the restoration they got, the less he found he was able to do besides cleaning up and planning or organization. Even if they had only gotten through part of the Baths so far.

A bit bored and trying to find some way to feel helpful, he wandered towards Undertaker to see how he was doing, if he needed anything, and found that paintbrush still and the reaper seeming lost in thought. And he can't quite help himself, the teen slipping up to his side and touching the tip of the brush to get some paint and then reaching to tap the reapers cheek.

"Penny for your thought?" Asked with a laugh.

He isn't so lost in his distraction that he missed the sounds of someone approaching. That hand reaches out to his painting and phosphorescent green eyes twitch over to it, following its path first to the blue he had been working with, then to his cheek - as best he can, to a point.

A smile splits his face, more reflex than anything, and he looks over at the Earl, fighting and just barely winning the urge to reach out and touchtakehold. "The waves don't look quite right, do they? I think I've gone and made a lovely mess of things."

He couldn't help another soft laugh, loving the sight of a smile on Undertaker's face. That he could be the one that made him smile meant the world to him, not that he would comment on that too much, if at all. Instead, he just treasured those smiles and let
them warm him when he thought about them.

"A mess? Not at all, I think it looks lovely. And I'm sure they know there's no way we'd do a perfect restoration, with how much they've lost." And now they have a mark on this city, this world, in the form of the repairs and Undertaker's mural.

"You've been working hard though, do you need a rest?"

A rest. There was the opening he had been hoping to find. Not that he needed any. The years had seen them far more comfortable with each other than ever they had been before, something he never would have imagined possible had they stayed in England in 1889.

No invitation was needed, and still Undertaker nearly leapt at the opportunity, going so far as to step closer before he knew he was moving. He caught himself a moment late and brushed it aside with a grin, taking the time to set his brush in a bowl of water to clean later. The paint mark on his cheek went ignored, something easily removed in the future. For now, Astre stood there before him, the object of his strange and suddenly fierce obsession.

"Why, thank you, milord. I do try my best, as you know. But rest does sound good, and I think you could use one as well. What had you in mind?"

If they'd stayed, Sebastian would have kept isolating him from people who cared, continued to feed into his hatred of Undertaker and his own twin. It was an influence he was glad to be free of now.

"Perhaps some tea and something to eat? I brought a water heater and some tea along in case anyone wanted but we could go home too. It's been a long day, no one would blame us for calling it a night."

If they went home, they could curl up on the couch with their tea and a blanket. And he would prefer it, he thought, seeing Undertaker step closer and he grinned up at the man.

With a bit of effort, Undertaker turned his gaze back to the mural without any real interest. The waves he had been painstakingly working on were coming along well, rising farther than they should have to crest over a shoreline of porcelain and soap suds and shampoo bottles and incense sticks.

His interest in it, what little there had been, waned almost instantly, and soon he was watching Astre again. Soon after that, he was stepping closer, hand reaching out for the teen's shoulder.

"Tea would be perfect. I might be so inclined to pull together a few of those fancy little finger sandwiches we've grown so fond of."

He moved right into Undertaker's hold, leaning his head against him and closing his eyes for a moment, smile on his face as the brief thought of 'MINE' crosses his mind. He's not sure where it came from and it's gone just as quickly but it startles him for a moment before he melts back against Undertaker.

"Mm, tea and finger sandwiches. We should absolutely head home, I won't want to anything but relax on the couch while we enjoy those." Maybe play some music, they deserve to just have a peaceful night, hard as they've been working.

Taken with the notion and since Astre had given him more of an opening, he drew the boy in close, hyperaware of what and who all was around them. Were they coming closer? Were eyes glancing in their direction?

In himself, he didn't make sense even to him. Since when did he care so much about who fancied the Earl or who the Earl fancied so long as they meant Astre no harm? And yet now, he did. Very much so.

"I think I rather agree. Allow me to make short work of the trip, then." Without waiting for a reply, he bent down to slip an arm beneath Astre's knees and lifted him effortlessly, cradled him against his front securely.

He made no objection when he was scooped up, arms instinctively wrapping around Undertaker's neck and head resting on his shoulder. It feels natural, at this point, to relax so completely against the reaper.

"Seems you're just as eager to get home and relax." He grinned against him, still not objecting. And why would he? He and Undertaker had become so comfortable with one another over the years, they knew what one another liked from tea to how they liked to sleep and anything in between.

"If you like, I can help with the rest of your mural tomorrow. Though I know you have a vision for it."

One step forward was all of it took to see them back into their apartment with his grim reaper's abilities. Eventually, they would find tea and food soon, now that they were home, but his first stop was to the couch in their small living room to settle down with Astre on his lap.

Here, in this space, it's just the two of them. Here in this space, although it didn't matter to him one way or another what anyone else thought or said, they are themselves, unyieldingly and unapologetically. And here in this space, Astre is his.

The thought arose unbidden, clearly, in his mind, prominent now where it had been a mild itch at his being. Fingers curled around the teen, firmly but gently. If Astre protested and wanted to rise, he would allow it, but he would also follow, staying close, lingering contact.

"Visions are always changing. I wouldn't say no to your suggestions."

He didn't let go for even a moment, happily laying against Undertaker on the way to the couch and only shifting a little once they're settled, making sure they'd both be comfortable. No cramped or numb limbs for either of them.

"I do love what you're doing with it though." He wasn't sure what he'd add that could possibly improve it but he was enamored with the idea of helping the man with it, spending more time with him. And that's all he wanted really.

More time with his reaper.

The thought, this time, was more his own that the invasive, possessive thought that had invaded earlier. And Undertaker seemed more than happy to have Astre curled in his arms, laying against him and giving a little nuzzle.

"What else were you thinking of doing with it?"

He hadn't thought Astre would want to escape him, and found himself no less pleased when the teen curled against him instead of making for the kitchen. They rarely did unless they were famished, and that had yet to happen in their time in this odd world where touch meant so much. Idly, he wondered just how much their cuddling pleased the gods here.

In truth, he wouldn't have cared if it did or not, so long as they left the two of them alone. Fingers loosened from Astre's shoulders and he tilted his head into the nuzzles given, returning with affection of his own.

"Just a simple water aesthetic, not much more. But it will be the pattern that really catches the eye." One finger reached up to poke lightly at Astre's cheek. "As I think it already has done with yours."

He never did, it would be a surprise for everyone if he ever tried. Instead, same as he usually did, he was happy to continue snuggling into his arms and his lap. They both had a long day and they deserve to just curl up.

"It has. It really is beautiful so far and perfect for the Bath House. Kind of washing away the past for whatever we make of it and this world now."

There was a bit more nuzzling and he can't seem to smother the urge to kiss at his skin. For now though, it was only an urge but strong. It was so warm and cozy against the reaper.

"You could be anything that you want, can't you? A mortician, a doctor, a baker, an artist- is there anything you can't do?" Astre asked softly, clearly fond of him. As if that was ever up for debate.

If Astre wants to stay like this a while longer, he certainly won't complain. This is his boy now, all his.

"That's a nice catch phrase, if you'd like to go with it. If we're all to be stuck here like we were in so many other worlds, why not start over again?"

It had been more for the sake of the conversation, but he can't deny Astre's affection contending with his own want to return the sort. He lifts a hand to play at the teen's hair, for the sake of it. "I've lived a longer life than any human should see and gone places no one in our own world would ever have visited. It's given me quite a lot of time and opportunity to dabble in things I might not have otherwise. You could do the same, given enough motivation."

Or boredom, whichever came first.

He won't hear arguments. And he wants to stay like this until hunger or other needs force them to get up. If that means they risk falling asleep like this? So be it.

"Is it?" He considered it for a moment, thinking over his words before nodding against Undertaker's shoulder. "Mm, I suppose it is. I hadn't thought about it before I said it but you're right."

"Maybe not as much as you've managed but I may well do that. We've already discovered that I enjoy cooking and baking." Mostly with Undertaker, he couldn't have as much fun and they usually do if he ever got a job like that.

He'll find that, that hand playing with his hair, only served to make the teen relax and go almost completely boneless against him. "Would that I could have forever, trying everything you've done and new things with you. I'd like that."

It won't be the first time either of them have fallen asleep on this couch, and it certainly won't be the last. Undertaker will make sure of that if nothing else. For now, he has Astre with him and they're both about as comfortable as they can get.

"Among your many hobbies. Perhaps we could both use one or two fewer sweets when we get older and slower, but for now we'll manage." And it's a good life skill to have, if nothing else. A shame more boys weren't taught all about the kitchen in their schooling.

Then he grows quiet, wondering over the boy's comments. Things aren't quite the way that he'd known them here, but being that they were from the same world, it might well have been. He runs long nails through that hair, over that scalp. "Forever is a long time, milord. Are you so sure about that?"

"You mean not thinking before I say something?" He teases gently, thinking about how silly a hobby that would be. More a terrible habit but at least Undertaker never let his running mouth ruin either of them.

Astre is quiet for a moment as well, eyes closing as he just enjoys those fingers in his hair, on his scalp, listening to Undertaker's heart.

Would he want that? Would he really want that? It's hard to think about, as young and human as he is in comparison to Undertaker and so many other people here, but he knows he'd at least have something with him for all that time. He wouldn't have to be alone. Not always.

"I think so. I could learn so much from you and then learn new things with you. We could see the world, every world. It would be an amazing adventure."

As they had discussed before, Verstael had his eyes on the factory. But just because he had his own work to do didn't mean he wouldn't stop by to see what progress was being made. Considering the immense amount of work he'd done setting up laboratories and factories back home, he might be able to offer some input on how to proceed should Ciel find himself stuck. Plus, it was possible a new discovery had been made in the cleanup.

He didn't announce his coming beforehand, stepping into the bathhouse and scanning the area before going further in. It looked like some cleaning had been done, and some supplies were stocked.

Of course, this was occurring after his encounter with Ciel as a child, but as far as he was concerned he'd done nothing to harm Ciel, so he saw no reason for it to cause tension.

"Ciel Phantomhive." He announced his presence with an official air when he heard some cleaning in another area, immediately heading towards it. He would look around himself, but it would also be good to hear about updates from the man arranging the rebuilding. "It would seem your work is coming along. Have you found anything of interest during cleanup?"

Direct and firm in a way that a boss would demand a status report, but also jovial and congratulatory about a job well-done.

He only wished they'd discovered something worthwhile in the time they'd been working on the Baths. He would think the best they had was the fact that the plumbing was more or less intact. Enough so that the baths they're nearly done with would hold water, fill, and not carry any contaminants. At least, after they've let it all run for a bit. He had the thought to let the water in each room, regardless of size, run over night as they finished each one to ensure it ran clean before use.

So when Verstael stopped in, Ciel was busily trying to plan out the final preparations of opening up one of the rooms. Hearing his name though, the young man lifts his head and gives him a smile.

"Chief Besithia. Pleased to see you." He glanced around the room and shook his head briefly. "Unfortunately not. Aside from the plumbing still being surprisingly functional if needing to be run for awhile until it flows cleanly."

"That is quite fortunate. While possible, replacing the plumbing would be quite a task."

A task they weren't well-equipped for at the moment. He headed towards the room with the running water, looking it over curiously.

"Perhaps this was built before they had individual bathing quarters. It would seem strange for a group of people to bathe together otherwise. ...Unless they were polyamorous."

He mused aloud. Coming from a place that constantly suffered from blizzards, public baths hadn't been much of a thing for him.

"It's definitely not a task I would want to have to undertake." He can imagine, vaguely, how long something like that would take. Although, he would hope that the natives would offer some kind of aid for a task that colossal.

He considers that for a moment but the first idea doesn't seem quite so plausible. The world seems like they've been incredibly advanced for as long a period of time as the baths existed if not more.

Though maybe they were just good at upkeep and specific aesthetics.

"Perhaps but perhaps not. England is one of the most advanced countries in the world and yet there's a city with Roman Baths that are kept up for their beauty and public bathing. They're built over natural springs and heated naturally too."

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working at the Bath House!

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