"Does Palomo know which side he's aiming at, is the question." The jibe could be a lot crueler than he makes it, but it's tinged with good humour. He kisses back, catching every bit of skin that he can until York pulls away.

"Wow, you really did think of everything," Wash says when he hands the hub over. "Is this part of some nefarious plan I should be worried about?" He's touched by how thoughtful it is.

And then comes the stretches. And those Wash happily observes, lying on his back, head tilted over the edge of the bed as he watches York do his workout.