The Nights We Stay Awake (TemperancexReader)

51. "Shower thoughts"

Temperance pov

The morning light filters through the curtains, casting soft, golden hues across the room. I slowly blink awake, feeling the warmth of Y/n's body beside me, her breath steady and even as she sleeps. It takes me a moment to register where i am- my bed, tangled sheets, and... her. I turn my head slightly, and there she is, lying on her side, her face soft and peaceful in the early light.

I don't move at first. I just watch her, the weight of everything that's happened settling over me. The night before had been an explosion of emotions- desire, anger, fear- all of it culminating in the most intense, passionate night i've ever had. Admitting my feelings for her had been both terrifying and liberating. But now, in the quiet of the morning, the realty of it all sinks in.

I carefully slip out of bed, trying not to wake her. My body aches slightly, a dull reminder of how far things had gone last night, but it's a good ache. Satisfying. I gather my discarded clothes and head towards the bathroom, the cool air hitting my bare skin and making me shiver.

Once in the shower, i turn the water on, letting the steam rise as the warm water cascades over my skin. My mind is still racing, applying the moments of last night, the heat of her body against mine, the way we'd moved together so naturally, as if every barrier we'd built had finally crumbled. As if she have loved me for as long as i have loved her.

I close my eyes, letting the water wash away the remnants of my doubts, though a small voice inside me still whispers that this might be too dangerous, too much.

The sound of the door creaking open pulls me from my thoughts. I glance over my shoulder, and there she is - Y/n - her eyes half-lidded, hair tousled, and completely unapologetic for following me in.

"Couldn't wait, huh?" I tease, though my voice is softer, more vulnerable than i intend. There's a part of me that's still adjusting to this- to having her so close, so intimately.

Y/n grins, stepping into the shower with me, the water immediately soaking her skin. "You left me alone," she murmurs, her hands sliding around my waist, pulling me into her as if she can't bear the distance between us for even a moment longer. "And you know i'm no good at that."

I sigh, leaning into her touch, unable to resist her. Her lips find my neck, trailing soft, teasing kisses down to my collarbone. My breath hitches, and i feel that same heat from last night flare up again.

"You're still in pain," i manage to say, but my resolve is already wavering. The way her hands roam over my body, the way her lips brush against my skin- it's intoxicating. "You should be resting."

"I'll rest when i'm dead," she says, her voice a low rasp, full of playful defiance. Her hand cups my chin, turning my face towards her, and our eyes meet. "Right now, i just want you."

Her lips crash into mine, and suddenly, it's like last night all over again- the passion, the urgency. The water from the shower streams over us, and if feel her hands running up my sides, tracing the lines of my body. My back presses against the cool tile as she moves closer, her touch igniting every nerve in my body.

Despite the lingering pain she must feel, Y/n is relentless. Her mouth is on mine, her tongue teasing my lips open, and i give in, my hands gripping her shoulders as we stumble under the shower's spray. The water pours over us, but we're lost in each other, the rest of the world fading away as our bodies tangle together, desperate and unrestrained.

We don't talk- there's no need for words. Every kiss, every touch speaks volumes. Her hands slide down my back, and i gasp as she pulls me even closer, her fingers pressing into my skin like she's afraid i might disappear. I can feel her heart racing against mine, and the heat between us is overwhelming, consuming. My own hands explore her body, tracing the familiar curves with a new sense or urgency to remember.

We don't stop until we're both breathless, leaning agastin each other for support, the water still running over us. I rest my forehead against hers, our breaths mingling as we come down from the high.

"I love you," i whisper, the words slipping out before i can stop them. But i don't regret it. Not anymore.

Y/n's eyes soften, and she smiles that smile that's always made me weak. "I love you too, my Temperance," she murmurs, her voice tender but filled with that same fire i've come to adore. "Always have, always will."

We step out of the shower, drying off in comfortable silence. The air between us is lighter now, less charged with the feat that had hung over us for so long. I feel... free. Right.

Once we're dressed and back in the bedroom, Y/n flops onto the bed, a grin on her face. "So, that's the plan for today? I'm thinking we spend it together- no distractions."

I raise an eyebrow. "You're supposed to be resting. I'm serious, Y/n. you're still recovering."

She pouts, sitting up to look at me. "I'll rest later. I promise. But today... just let me have this. Let me have you."

I cross my arms, trying to hold firm, but it's impossible. Especially when she looks at me like that. "Fine," i relent, sitting beside her on the bed. "But you have to take it easy. No overexerting yourself."

Y/n grins triumphantly, leaning in to kiss my cheek. "Deal. But only if you let me take you out on a date."

I laugh, shaking my head. "You're impossible."

"Maybe," she says, her voice teasing as she throws her leg over to straddle me, "but you love me for it." And so she kisses me again, as passionately, as... lovingly, as last night.

I can't argue with that. I do. So much it scares me. But for now, i push the fear aside and just let myself enjoy being with her. For the first time in a long time, it feels like everything might actually be okay.