Downtime Notecard sent September 2005 to Kohaku, who asked for Bonden/Stephen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “I really ought to be getting back now, Doctor.” “Nonsense, Bonden, they’ll manage without you for another hour. This shoulder will never be back to rights if you neglect your healing, no matter how pointless or boring the therapy may seem.” “But Sir, really, I—" “Massage is considered exceptionally beneficial in many ancient cultures, I assure you. Keep still now; I’m nearly finished.” Maturin’s hands swept one more time across Bonden’s back, his oiled palms pressing down as they slid across naked brown skin. His thumbs dug one more hard circle into tight, knotted muscle, then another, leaning in with all his weight across the table; and then his hands stopped moving, their long fingers spread wide across each shoulder blade. “That’s good for the back, I think; do turn over and I’ll work on your shoulder.” Bonden’s eyes went wide and darted downward; he bit his lip once, and laid his cheek flat on the table. “I think I’d best lie here a minute more, Sir, if that’s alright.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ back