The Dreaded Talk

As Malachi showered off last night's loving debauchery, he took special care to wash the soap off his body as slowly as humanely possible. 

Not because he feared that he might be leaving traces of dirt behind, but because he was desperately trying to put off the reality that would be waiting for him once he stepped back outside. 

He could still remember the shocked looks on the faces of his mother and Joanne when they first showed up and he wasn't sure if that was due to surprise or fear. 

He didn't think he wanted to find out that badly either...

"Honey... I think we've been in here long enough."

Malachi opened his violet eyes and found Sei standing under the water with him. 

Her skin had already started to turn red from such prolonged exposure to the hot water, and her fingers had long since started to prune up. 

Malachi smiled apologetically as he pushed her wet hair out of her face.