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The two of them stumble into the lounge, limbs tangling in their desperate struggle to separate. They finally collapse on the couch, chests heaving and faces flushed.
“Well.” Wadsworth wheezes out, looking at Plum and then looking… well. Anywhere but him. He can hear the professor panting beside him, the other man warm against the butler’s side. He’d never admit it, but the man had become a bit of a comfort in these dark halls. Wadsworth at least has the comfort of knowing that Plum was far too stupid to ever kill him, at least.
“Well.” The professor parrots, eyes closed as he tries to catch his breath. Wadsworth allows himself a moment of weakness, his eyes traveling the other man’s lean frame. He’s always found Plum attractive - from the moment he walked through that door. Somehow, though, the professor is even more attractive in his disheveled state. Wadsworth smiles gently, quickly looking away when Plum opens his eyes.
“That certainly was… something, wasn’t it? Quite a wild dance.”
“You dipped me!”
“Indeed. I wish I could tell you what came over me.” Wadsworth sighs, sitting up and smoothing his coat. “Honestly, between the flying pipe and the ghosts, I’m surprised I even remembered how to dance.” He pauses for a moment, raising an eyebrow at Plum. “I wasn’t aware you were such a good dancer, however.” He rolls his eyes as Plum puffs up, bracing himself for the man’s ego.
“I have had practice. You have to go to so many boring parties as a doctor, you wouldn’t believe. Either I learn how to dance, or I get laughed out of the house.” Plum sighs, leaning against Wadsworth. The other man stiffens for a moment before relaxing, the contact more comforting than strange.
The sounds of scuffling snaps the two of them out of their blissful moment, however. Wadsworth perks up as he hears voices traveling through the vents, head cocking to the side not unlike a small dog.
“... I found Professor Plum’s stupid pipe in the study!” Scarlet says triumphantly, Mustard’s response too quiet for Wadsworth to make out. He turns to the Professor, shocked to see the man almost looks hurt by Scarlet’s comments.
“Don’t worry, Professor. I don’t find your pipe stupid. In fact, it’s quite a lovely pipe.”
“Lovely, hm? How about the size, Waddy?”
“Size?” Wadsworth raises his eyebrows at Plum. “Well… it’s quite a large pipe. Almost hangs out of your pockets at moments.” He looks at Plum, baffled as the other man breaks into laughter.
“Would you like a puff on my pipe? A little suck, maybe?” The professor breaks into delighted laughter again, simply losing it harder when the meaning finally sinks in for Wadsworth. The butler squawks indignantly, face flushing red.
“That’s! You!!” He shoves Plum to the side, holding back a smile of his own. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” He smooths his coat, taking a beat before looking back at Plum. “Though, when this whole murder business is over and we can get out of here, I might… look at your pipe, just a bit. It is a beautiful item.” He sighs as Plum perks up, waving the other man away. “Don’t get too excited, Professor. Desperation is not a good look on you.”
“Oh? And what’s a good look on me, hm?”
“What you've got on right now. Really… accentuates your best features.”
“My pipe?”
“God, you're incorrigible.” Wadsworth chuckles, gently whacking Plum on the back of his head. “Your face. You've got a lovely face shape.”
“Ladies can’t resist! And, I suppose - neither can men,” Plum responds with a sly smile, leaning into Wadsworth again. The butler smiles as well, ruffling Plum’s hair affectionately.
“I must be weaker than most to fall for your charms.”
“Hey! I have many charms!”
“I’ll let you believe that.”
The two of them are interrupted by a clatter nearby, and the squawk of a… well. A Peacock. Mrs, to be exact. Plum swears under his breath, pushing himself off the couch.
“Christ. I bet that idiot’s gone and gotten herself killed. I’d better go check on her.” He smiles apologetically at Wadsworth, who simply waves him to move. “I’ll see you after, then?”
“Certainly. I look forward to it,” Plum hums, leaning in. Wadsworth starts as Plum leans in and kisses him on the cheek before hurrying off to find Peacock - leaving the butler flustered on the couch, searching for the right words to say in response.