Took off the mature content filter. It seemed kinda silly since there is no apparent nudity. Besides, I've seen way more of Burns' nakedness (and other characters) on the show anyway.

{Excerpt from Bloodlust and Synergy fanfic.}

"I know it might be kind of awkward and all, considering what happened-" said Smithers, attempting to scrub Burns' back with the cloth like he always had. Burns flinched away from the touch, pushing Smithers' hand away before it even reached him.

"Yes... just forget all of that would you?" said Burns. "I don't need to be reminded of it constantly you know!"

"But I just mentioned it once, unless... you mean that you've been thinking of it constantly..." said Smithers. The truth of such an insinuation only made Burns even more uncomfortable. Burns averted his gaze to the water shamefully, annoyed at Smithers' ever prevalent perceptiveness.

"Ha... Don't flatter yourself. You see how something like that just complicates things! Maybe you should think before you go around kissing people against their will!" Burns yelled, gripping the sides of the tub, all the while trying his best to avoid the look he just knew Smithers would be sending his way.

"Sir, I believe you have selective memory. As I recall, you were the one that-"

"I don't need a replay of it Smithers! I know what happened!" Burns yelled.

"Of course sir." Smithers quickly apologized and attempted once again to scrub Burns' back with the cloth. Even now, it surprised Burns just how agreeable Smithers could be even in the face of Burns' obvious, as he put it, 'selective memory'.

Burns remained still, allowing the action. Smithers smoothed the washcloth slowly over his shoulders and along his back, all the while, Burns had to fight off the urge to push him away. He had to remind himself that there was no inherent meaning to the action other than his assistant reaching a spot on his back that he had difficulty reaching himself. His back hadn't been properly scrubbed all week. Of course, he knew that Smithers must be getting some voyeuristic entertainment out of it, but he had to admit that his assistant was good at his job.

"That's enough Smithers." said Burns, his sudden words causing Smithers to fumble with the bar of soap, dropping it into the water.

They both paused awkwardly. Neither making a motion to retrieve it. Logically, Burns could have just gotten the soap himself, but his hesitation must have seemed like an invitation as his assistant slowly delved his hand into the water, brushing against Burns' leg and startling him back to reality.

"Smithers, What the h*** is wrong with you?" Burns splashed the water in Smithers' direction drenching him from head to toe.

"I'm s-sorry sir!" Smithers quickly stood, his hands raised in front of him as if surrendering to the cops.

"Just forget it and go get breakfast started." said Burns.

"Sure thing sir." Smithers was still soaked, his hair matted down with water and soap suds. He was pretty much a pitiful sight to behold, yet he continued on to the kitchen without even drying himself. Burns wondered just how many times Smithers had gone on with business as usual, neglecting his own needs in favor of Burns'. He also wondered why he even bothered to give it much thought.

Original fanfic posted at [link] Warning: Rated M.

Non-profit fan-art/fan-fiction.