Issa’s half-hearted response to their question did little to assuage Lec’s paranoia, and they watched him, trying to read beneath the single word he gave them. His insistence that he was only overwhelmed helped a little; it was difficult to not be overwhelmed in such an unfamiliar place. Hell, Lec was overwhelmed, and they knew how these things worked. They nodded softly, though they wondered if Issa’s quick dismissal meant he was avoiding telling them the truth.

They took their time evaluating the soaps, delighting in all the options that the bathhouse in Evimaire lacked. Lec chose one of the new scents and checked to see how Issa was faring. It occurred to them then that he would have a hard time choosing if he couldn’t read any of the labels, though he was sniffing each option, managing fine on his own. Once they were both ready, they started off towards the baths together.

This place was gorgeous, further confirming Lec’s suspicion that this was a tourist attraction more than a community hub. People were scattered about the different baths, seemingly unaware of the beautiful architecture all around them. The various statues and fountains were all expertly carved, but beyond that, Lec could feel the call from something deeper within. Earth and fire and water were coming together so fluidly that it could only be explained through magic. Lec could feel it in their veins, a call to join with the mages at work keeping this place functional. Lec marveled at it, wondering how many mages it took to power a place as large and intricate as this. They sent those folks their silent thanks and took another step towards the baths.

They nearly walked right into Issa, and as they uttered an apology, they followed his gaze. Issa was gaping at the fountains, more amazed than they were. The sight of his awe-struck lips, his innocent eyes was a precious, beautiful thing, and when Lec looked out at the baths again, they saw them through Issa’s eyes for the brilliant invention they were. Lec let out a sigh, smiling to themselves as they walked with Issa to the water’s edge.

Issa’s question deepened their smile, and they nodded to him. Lec set their soap selection and towel beside the edge of the water, then took a seat. They sighed as they slid their legs into the gentle, warm waves, and they wiggled their toes. After a second, they hopped in. The water welcomed them, spreading divine warmth through their whole body and instantly washing away their exhaustion. They hadn’t realized how much they had needed this. How much they had missed this. Lec sank deeper into the water, and droplets pooled in the depths of their collarbone, dripped from the tips of their hair. They were struck with memories of Evimaire, of the bathhouse they would maybe never return to.

Their smile fell. Lec tried to shake the dread, clearing their throat and turning to Issa, then motioning him to join them in the water. He seemed reluctant, but as he followed after them, Lec found it a bit easier to smile. They wondered if he missed home too, the ponds or rivers he once bathed in, but they thought better of asking. It was time to relax.

They let the water wash over them, and as they did, Lec glanced around the baths. There were so many people here, and they shied beneath so many strangers. They tried to focus on Issa instead, and on why they were here. Soap. They waded back to the water’s edge, where they retrieved their bar. “Feels nice?” they prompted Issa, who looked like he was enjoying the warmth as much as they should have been. While Lec began lathering their hands and arms, their eye caught on a family not too far away.

A boy no older than eight was playing in the water. His parents were watching as he created bubbles in the shapes of fruits, stars, and vague animal forms. The strange bubbles floated to his parents’ eye level before popping, and he giggled. He was a wind mage, Lec surmised, and watching him reminded Lec of Soren, of all the trouble their brother had gotten into with his tiny flames. A smile returned to their lips. Issa had mentioned being overwhelmed; maybe they could help him unwind.

Lec mimicked the boy, creating pockets of air in their submerged palms. They poked their fingers into the bubbles, and from their fingertips they created fire, small flames that moved sporadically within their bubble containers. Lec made a few of these burning bubbles, and then they dragged the water, pulling the bubbles in a dance around Issa, creating for him a show of sparkling lights floating in the water all around him.

A bead of sweat trickled down their face as they worked their magic. Lec had come here to relax, and they knew how exhausting their magic could be, especially blending different elements like this. What were they even doing? Trying to entertain Issa? They wanted to help, wanted him to feel better about the impossible situation they had both been thrown into. Lec raised their gaze to his face, wondering if it had worked. Despite how taxing even this small bit of magic was, it would be worth it if they could bring a smile to his face.

The boy from before giggled, pointing at the show, and Lec was suddenly aware of how many eyes were trained on the two of them. In Evimaire, most everyone knew about their strange affinity for magic, but here, their penchant for the elements was an anomaly to be gawked at. “Wow,” cooed the boy, and his father beside him remarked, “Isn’t that something?”

Lec blushed. They flicked their wrists, popping the bubbles, and the small flames sizzled out in the water. Lec pulled closer to Issa, trying not to look at anyone else. They let out a nervous laugh. “I forgot I’m weird here,” they mumbled awkwardly, not realizing Issa would have no idea what they meant. As the people around them whispered, Issa heard a nearby conversation, where someone called Issa their sweetheart. Their face burned hotter. Was that how this looked?

They looked at him again. With the water glistening off his bare skin, and with their magic reflecting in his dark eyes, he was a beauty to behold. “Pretty,” they mumbled to themselves, and it was only when Issa’s expression changed that they cursed themselves for speaking aloud. “The— The bubbles,” they added, knowing full well that wasn’t what they’d meant.

In that moment, Lec wished they would drown. They coughed and turned away from Issa, thankful for the distraction of their soap. They were, yet again, making things irreparably weird. Lec cleared their throat. “I’m sorry,” they mumbled. “We should… actually bathe.”