I grab Wren’s leg and move it over my shoulder, fully opening them to me.
Wren splays their hands out on the wall, trying to grab onto the slick tile. I cup their ass, tugging them right onto my face and take it in turns, thrusting my tongue into them, then sucking on their clit.
I take my cues from the way Wren’s body responds.
Being gentle does nothing; being firm sets them off like a firework.
I add a finger that moves in time with my tongue. Wren’s hips join in the action, slowly letting go of their inhibitions.
“River, please,” they beg as I bury two fingers to the knuckle while biting and sucking on them like a starving man.
They come on a sharp gasped wordless cry, their thigh trembling against my shoulder. Their pussy strangling my fingers.
I stay with them. Easing them down gently. Eventually, I slide my fingers from within them. I kiss their hip, their stomach, the space just below their tits.
When I finally stand, I kiss their lips. Our bodies are slick as we hold on to each other, the water beginning to run cold.
But I don’t let them go.
Wren rests their forehead on my chest. “That wasn’t just sex, was it?”
“No,” I agree. “It wasn’t. You let me see you, and that’s everything.”
Wren’s breath hitches. “You matter to me, River. More than I know what to do with. I don’t want to lose you in the process of trying to save me. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”
I brush my lips against their temple. “Would it help you to know that this all scares the shit out of me a little too?”
“Which part, the feeling more than you are comfortable with, or the ‘you dying trying to save me’ bit?” There’s a wry twinkle in Wren’s eyes as they ask the question.
“The feelings bit. The dying to keep you safe part is easy.”
Wren shakes their head and steps out of the shower, before angrily snapping a towel off the rail. They wrap it around their body, their hair wet and dripping. “I don’t want that. I can’t describe it, River, but I don’t want to be protected in that weird paternalistic way. Contrary to recent events, I can look after myself. I don’t want you killed or hurt trying to do something. I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t spoken to Calista and Vex, because now I’m in this world. I should just go to the airport tomorrow and get on a plane. To Europe, so I can lose myself in the train system and never need a visa.”
I turn off the water, step out of the shower, and grab my own towel, tying it around my waist. Wren reminds me of a spooked mustang.
“You’re freaking out, Wren.”
They narrow their eyes at me. “I’m not. It’s the truth. Intellectually, I always knew this life would lead to me having to move, constantly. I?—”
“We’re fine.” Wren’s words make me wonder if they’re living here with one foot already out the door. “I’m safe. You’re safe. And you’ll stop this nonsense about running off to Europe where I can’t follow.”
Because while this thing between us is new, it’s powerful. At least, for me it is. I feel like Blaze is standing on my chest. And Wren’s fears are so powerful that, right now, I think they’d bolt without telling where they’re going just to protect me.
“That’s not what this is about. I?—”
“It is,” I say, taking their shoulders. “Ialmostgot hurt.”
Wren reaches their hand to my head. “Youdidget hurt.”
I shrug. “Barely a scratch. I almost got hurt, and it freaked you out. And then I came in here, terrified I’d find you dead. And when you weren’t, I felt nothing but fucking relief when I saw you under the water. Then, you told me to strip, and you welcomed me into your shower and sucked my cock, while I watched water run over your chest. And it put me back in my own body, Wren. So, yeah. You’re freaking out. And we aren’t going to do that. Because there’s no problem you and me can’t solve.”
Wren’s face softens, so I pull them to me and kiss their forehead.
“Stop being logical, River,” they mutter against my chest.
The last of the fractured energy I brought in with me dissipates from the room.
“You wouldn’t really run off to Europe and leave me behind, would you?”
