Blinking a few times I finally woke up, the light of the midday sun dancing around on the wooden walls as I sat up. To my surprise the covers that had kept Icarus warm during the night had been placed on me, probably from this morning as the man that had shared the bed with me was nowhere to be seen. I had restlessly paced back and forth during the night, unsure if I should take his offer or not, but in the end I’m pleased that I gave in as I hadn’t slept this good in days. The only thing I regretted was the fact that Icarus had woken up before me, which meant he had seen me sleeping beside him, a sight I don’t let many souls live to see. 

I stretched my arms above my head, cracking my neck before scooting myself to the edge of the mattress. I could feel my general state getting worse, my mind becoming more muddled and my body growing much heavier. 

I had just gotten up from bed when Icarus walked into the room, our eyes only meeting for a second before he walked up to his desk. He didn’t seem to pay me much attention, flipping through his papers and books as he let his hand comb through his thick blonde hair. Not thinking much about it I made my way over to the other side of the desk, placing myself at the edge of the table as I followed the movement of his hands with my eyes. 

- I would like a bath.

The thought had pretty much come from nowhere, the warmth and relaxation being something I longed for since I parted from my ship. Icarus movements stopped in the middle of shuffling around some documents, his eyes now finally meeting my own, eyebrows slightly drawn together.

- I will see what I can do.

- And how long will that take?

- When I have time.

- And when will you have time?

He let out a loud sigh, before swiftly letting go of the papers. Eyes still locked on me, I watch how he lets one of his hands comb through his hair out of frustration.

- Not today, I have more pressing matters.

- I don’t need anything fancy, just a warm clean bath.

- You should be grateful I'm not just tying you to the end of a rope and dipping you in the ocean instead. If you want a warm clean bath, you will have to wait.

I didn’t break the eye contact as I took up one of the papers on the desk, handing it over to Icarus as I let him pull it out of my grasp. 

- Let me wait much longer and I might just jump into the sea myself.

I let the words roll off my tongue, pushing myself off the desk before taking my place by the window like a given routine by now. Icarus didn’t say anything else, taking the paper as he headed out onto the deck once more. I let the empty silence and faint sounds of the sea distract me from any unwanted thoughts. I took a deep breath before looking out of the window onto the specific spot at the horizon where I could feel Spectras presence, sailing on the waves miles from here. 

I was still tired from earlier, feeling my eyes grow heavy as I rested my head onto the cold window. I only planned to rest my eyes for a short time, not exactly expecting that I would fall asleep yet again. But the faint sounds of footsteps along with other loud noises was enough to wake me up from the unexpected nap I had given myself. 

- What are you doing?

I sat up, feeling how my back was a little sore from the uncomfortable position I had slept in. You could clearly tell where I had been sleeping as there were traces from my breath onto the window. The sun had begun to set and so yet another day had almost passed on this ship. 

- I’m drawing you a bath.

At the mere word I froze up, thinking I was still sleeping or had imagined hearing the word bath.

- I’m sorry I must still be sleeping, did you just say a bath?

- If you don’t want to, I would be more than happy to take a bath myself.

- NO, I just- I didn’t think you had the time-

- I found time. Do you still want to or not?

- I do.

With that Icarus returned to finishing prepping up the bath, before standing himself back up on his feet as he turned around, now facing me as I had been watching him like a hawk from behind as I waited for the bath to be done.

- You have two options. Either you have a bath whilst still in chains, or I remove them but I stay in the room.

- Or I take the third option. The one where you take the chains off and wait outside?

- No. Mine are your only options. Either that or you watch me take a bath. 

- Wah, okay fine. 

I couldn't help but let out a small huff as I gestured at the chain with my eyes.

- Take it off.

Icarus did so without any complaint, bending down to the floor as he took out the key, putting it in the keyhole. With the faint sound of the key turning, the hold of the shackles around my ankle finally eased up as Icarus let the chains fall to the floor. I had almost forgotten how nice it felt not to have something noisy constantly being dragged behind you. 

As I was ready to finally get into the bath I couldn't help but notice how Icarus was still watching me intently. Imagining him holding that intense stare as I would undress sent shivers up my spine, giving me goosebumps along my skin.

- You wouldn't mind turning around as I undress?

I was expecting him to say no, hearing the now worn out excuse of you will just try to escape, but to my surprise he didn't, only letting his eyes rest onto me momentarily before turning around, just as I had requested.

Feeling a little more comfortable, I turned to face the bath, taking my clothes off one by one and laying them onto the nearby chair before getting in the warm bath. As soon as I sat down it felt as if I was in paradise, making me breathe out in pure relaxation as I sank further down into the warm water.