The marble tiles were cool under Elias's bare feet when Victor set him down. Steam curled from the filled tub, blurring the winter light into pale ribbons across the water. Elias swayed for a moment, still half-drowsy, until Victor's hands steadied him at the shoulders.
"Easy," Victor murmured. His fingers slid to the first button of Elias's shirt, working it open with the same patience he used on contracts. "Let me."
Elias made a noise that might have been protest, might have been surrender. "I can undress myself."
"I know." Victor's mouth curved faintly as he eased the shirt off his shoulders anyway. "But you don't have to right now."
