A/N: So there are mentions if nudity in this chapter but it's nothing graphic (I'll leave that up to your interpretation). And no, there is no smut involved. I've never written smut before, the furthest I've gotten is teasing it like now (hehehe bath scene😉). Maybe I'll do it someday, maybe not? Still up in the air. With that in mind, hope y'all enjoy! Don't forget to vote and comment. And happy holidays!

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In theory there were no bad ideas.

But now, with all the bubbles pouring out of the tub despite her efforts to stop them, Exusiai was beginning to wonder if the bubbly bath bombs she had chucked into the claw-foot tub was a good idea. So many of the towels from the closet were taking residence on the floor, battling back a monstrous tide. The whole bathroom smelled heavily of lavender and rose oil, the water beneath the white foam a perfect blend of pink and purple. Steam filtered through the air, making the long mirror over the bathroom sink blur up completely. Lappland and Texas hadn't moved from their spot in the entryway, apparently content to watch her struggle alone.

"I could use some help Lappland." She murmured, not bothering to turn around. The tile flooring was cold to her bare feet, making her toes and the heels of her feet numb. And also wet, because of course there was moisture everywhere.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. Just give me a second."

"We don't have all day! Think of all the water damage!"

"I know! Just hold on for me."

Something was whispered. She caught the tail end of murmured words, ears straining to hear whatever it was Lappland was telling Texas. But without enhanced hearing she remained in the dark, the only coherent noise was the small chuckle Texas let out at the end and the thud of footfalls as Lappland finally approached.

The white wolf huffed as one of the bubbles landed on her coat sleeve. It was a strange in comparison to the burgundy red that usually melded with the black as she took down enemy after enemy. "Angel, of all the things you could do of course you forgot to shut the water off." Those sleeves were in the process of being rolled up, squelching out the puff of white resting on top.

And then the other voice she cherished so much chimed in, reaching for the faucet handle uncaring of the bubbles. The arm was bare of an absorbent sleeve, pale skin dotted with goosebumps from the air conditioner whirring from the vents. Texas had already taken off her shirt. Exusiai found her attention latched to bare skin and a nice figure, facing flushing at the thoughts running through her head.

Scrich.

"Both of you are idiots. But you're my idiots." Texas announced to no one in particular. "I'm guessing this disaster was meant to help me unwind." There was no question to her words.

Exusiai paused in her scrubbing of the bathroom floor. The towels she'd been using to absorb the excess water flow as it hit the ornate tile were sopping wet at this point anyways, unlikely to hold much more water than they already possessed. One might go as far as to say the scrubbing was counterproductive, the small streaks of water from each motion growing bigger as water squeegees out like the towels were broken fountains.

"Hey! I resent that!"

"So do I!" Lappland muttered. She placed the new towels on the floor, her left hand gripping the fluffiest one tightly. There was still so much water to clean up. Flooding the bathroom was not in their plans at all, not that they really had one to begin with.

But Texas really needed to relax today. I feel like we failed her.

"Ugh, what am I going to do with you two? Should we still have the bath at this point? I'm not sure where else the water might've spread?" Sleep darkened eyes swept the room slowly, a tedious arc that made her feel all the more guilty.

Just another mess to clean up is probably what she's thinking. Why couldn't things go to plan?

"N-no. You shouldn't have to clean up anything. You should be resting." Exusiai murmured. She set her hands on her girlfriend's bare arms, squeezing lightly.

"Yeah. Why don't you just get in the bath and we'll join you in a few moments," Lappland said. At Texas's skeptical look, she continued on. "It shouldn't take long. So just get on in."

"Alright then. I will," Texas said.

"Good."

Texas still seemed a bit unsure, but listened to her girlfriends anyways. Two pair of eyes watched her strip out of her clothes, revealing the wondrous body hiding beneath the surface in all its glory. When Lappland let out a wolf-whistle (A/N: hahaha I made a pun) of appreciation Texas growled in annoyance, whacking her with the shirt she'd taken off moments ago. Lappland didn't have the decency to look the least bit chastised from the action however, continuing to admiring cast glances at Texas whenever she thought the other wolf wasn't looking.

Exusiai said nothing about the exchange, finding enough enjoyment out of simply watching her two lovers have a good tease. But once Texas made a move to step into the bathtub she moved forward, helping her carefully step into the awaiting warm water. Under normal circumstances Texas might've shrugged off her gesture of help. This time she accepted it with a tired look of thanks.

"In you go."

"Mmmppph."

Splash. Splash.

The bubbles floated into the air, water sloshing over the corners to sputter on the tile floor for the third time that day. Exusiai went to get it with the towel, only to be halted by Lappland placing a hand over her own. She tilted her head in question. Lappland's expression revealed nothing, nor did the flick of her white tail. What's she up to?

"Make sure she's comfortable, okay? I can finish up here." Lappland's wolf ears angled up at the awaiting tub, a small drop of water splattering on her nose like an afterthought. The sneeze it garnered was like a kitten cough, surprisingly adorable as her nose scrunched up cutely.

Understanding crashed at the walls of her mind. "You're serious."

To be fair, it was rare for Lappland to take the charitable route in this situation.

And to be even more fair, with her in this relationship —an actual angel— the competition admittedly wasn't very fair. Though Texas beats sometimes somehow.

"Yep. I'm serious. And make sure she's actually relaxing too. You know how Texas gets."

They all knew how Texas got.

It was why she had to be forced to go on vacations like this one.

Because Texas would work herself to an early grave if not for them.

"Yes, that I do."

Lappland grinned. "Then get to it."

Exusiai gave a hum of agreement before getting up off her knees. Taking off her skirt, socks, shoes and leggings was easy. The shirt provided a bit more of a challenge, courtesy of her wings and halo (A/N: like, if she can't wear a hat I can only imagine how difficult it must be to deal with wings and clothing👀), but she managed as she always did. With all those articles of clothing shed Lappland opened her mouth to whistle again. A small part of her was just about to wonder if telling her to head on in had held ulterior motive, but the train of thought was rushed to a close when Texas spoke in a droll tone.

"Leave her alone Lappland. And Exu, don't just stand there. Get in."

"Okay Tex! Scoot over!"

"Sure."

Splash. Splash.

Her girlfriend carefully slid, anything below her shoulders hidden by the abundance of bubbles. When they'd first bought this place she remembered how they all agreed about the need for their to be plenty of space in the tub. This had ran true for just the two of them and even more so now that there was three people in their relationship. Warm water made her sigh, the brush of her toes against Texas's hidden limbs made her feel tingly all over. They managed to sit comfortably on opposite ends of the tub. Texas curled both arms on the rims of the cold tub walling, the blissed out look on her face made her sport a similar one. It really was nice to relax like this. It was so rare for all of them to be together and without missions and jobs to deal with.

And that isn't going to stop anytime soon.

The idea of settling down into the simple life was near impossible for people like them. She'd had that dream once, a long, long time ago, but it effectively crashed to halt after what happened to her sister, before diving off an endless cliff when she decided to follow the recently fallen Mostima to Penguin Logistics. The rest was history.

"Comfortable?" Texas asked once she was settled.

The rippling in the water had stopped once she sunk down so the water licked at her shoulders. The lights in the bathroom seemed extra bright, thought the addition of her halo probably served to amplify that brightness. Texas had once asked her if it could turn off, if she could make her wings and halo dim at will? They had started dating very recently at that point, so it was a rather bold question to ask. At least, she'd thought so. Texas seemed to think of it as a simple inquiry. Which made sense, seeing as the only people Texas was close to before Penguin Logistics were other Lupos apparently. And the ending of that conversation resulted in a fun night in, entangled in one another as things grew increasingly passionate and heated. What she would give for a similar repeat today.

But this is for Texas, so only if she wants it too.

She had a feeling Lappland would be happy to agree; Texas was unpredictable, the one to test the waters with.

"Yeah! Though I know what would make it even better." She murmured.

"Oh. Do tell." Texas wore a smirk now, a knowing look in blue-amber orbs. Exusiai would indulge her in the act, it was the least she could do considering the accidental spill from before.

Splash. Splish.

She leaned forward, letting her hands grab at Texas's legs as she pressed closer. Their lips brushed lightly at first, and then pressed harder as Texas got into it. Suddenly hands were at the nape of her neck, digging into her scalp. Exusiai let her fingers trail to grip Texas's sides as they pressed against one another, sharing in the heat.

"Mmm. This is nice."

Exusiai sighed when they finally parted. Texas's wolf ears were not erect for once, laying lamely against her head. The smudges beneath her eyes seemed less prominent now that she was soaking in the hot water, muscles loosing the built up tension from months of hard work. It was a sad reality that the tub was used so little. Unfortunate but true.

"Yeah. It really is."

"Wanna keep going?" She found herself asking.

"Do you even have to ask?"

And then they were pressing up against each other again. Exusiai slid onto Texas's lap easily enough, straddling her with her hips. So close together the heat in her veins buzzed along happily. The light that was inside all angels like herself was pulsating as pleasure grew. The kisses that started off as chaste and gentle turned increasingly heated, tongues dipping in to taste one another. Texas always had a tang of wildness to her, but the forefront of sweet chocolate from her pocky sticks tucked it out of view to a partner who wasn't aware. When they'd first started dating Exusiai had known so little of the dark wolf, of the secrets she buried within the deepest depths of her heart. But as their love grew so did their trust. And growing as a person paved a path for forgiveness too. So when the time came Lappland was given a second chance.

And, speaking of Lappland . . .

White ears shot into view followed by an all too familiar smirk. When had she gotten naked? When had she gotten into the tub? Exusiai didn't know, too busy getting lost in Texas's arms. Lost in the sensation of all those light touches that somehow drew her wild. So she found her face pressed into Texas's shoulder as the blood rushed up to her cheeks. It was a little embarrassing to be caught unaware like this. Both of her wolf lovers (especially Lappland) liked to tease her for a lack of awareness. She tried to be more observant, but something told her she'd never be at their level.

"Haha! Didn't realize I'd be interrupting something."

Exusiai peeked up to see Texas's expression, a bit of it hidden by the pink bangs hanging over her eyes. She looked unperturbed, and a little flushed. A small glare made its way to the dip of her eyebrows, her response flat. Texas didn't look the least bit bothered by Lappland's sudden appearance, whatever she might've truly been feeling hidden behind an onset wall.

"We both know that's not true."

"Awww, come on Tex. Can't you let me tease even once. It makes Exu turn the prettiest shade of red after all." Lappland was grinning wolfishly (A/N: hahah another pun).

And if that didn't make her blush darken she didn't know what would. Exusiai buried down more into Texas's shoulder, so much so she could've sworn something popped. A slight wince from Texas had her up in arms immediately, trying to scramble away. But Texas was much too quick for her, a hand pressing firmly at the small of her back. So she froze. The water sloshed somewhere behind her, presumably Lappland moving closer.

Her suspicions were confirmed by a kiss between the junction of her neck and shoulder, the intensity of it near bruising. Wolves were all territorial to some degree. Marking tended to be Lappland's expertise. The idea of having physical proof of the love they all shared made her extremely pleased.

"You look so pretty with my mark." Lappland breathed into her skin.

The sound of skin knocking skin. The steady stream of hot breath disappeared.

"Don't be shy our angel. Please look up." Tenderness. That was Texas.

Her girlfriends were equal measures of light and darkness, constantly balancing each other out. When Lappland had first joined their relationship she'd wondered if Texas would lose interest in her, if she'd stop feeling the same way. But their love knew no bounds. It expanded and fit the new boundaries of a trio.

So she looked up to see Texas's smiling face, Lappland's happy rumble off to the right. While this day hadn't gone totally to plan it would still end on a high note for sure.

They all remained in the bathtub until the water grew cold and the bubbles disappeared.

What happened in that tub would stay just between the three of them, like it was meant to be.