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Vi? An insistent noise pierces through the haze of sleep. “Vi? Vi, wake up.” Caitlyn. She lets the voice guide her to full consciousness, cracking her eyes open and seeking out Caitlyn who sits at the edge of the bed. It had barely been a couple of hours since they had fallen asleep holding on to each other. Vi should have known it could only ever be temporary.
“Hey there, Cupcake,” she says, her voice still rough. The lines between Caitlyn's brows soften instantly.
“I'm sorry to wake you, but we should get cleaned up. They won't let us into the council chamber if we appear before them as we are,” she says.
“You mean I stink, don't you?” The accusation is spoken without malice. Vi knows she must smell awful by now—of blood, sweat, and the distinct odours of the undercity. She almost feels bad for soiling the fancy silken bedsheets with the dirt they dragged in, but there is a morbid satisfaction in desecrating this sign of excessive wealth together.
“Well... I wouldn't say it like that,” Caitlyn says. Her face reddens and she scrunches up her nose a little. She gestures to the state of her own clothing. “I'd say we both stink.”
The addition draws aneasy laugh from Vi. “I'm guessing you fancy folks have fancy bathrooms to match. Show me one and I'll stop stinking up the place. Promise.”
Caitlyn seems to consider something, the same way Vi imagines her standing in front of her conspiracy map trying to puzzle out unseen connections. The impression of single-minded focus settles on her face, causing Vi to hold her breath, before she meets Vi's eyes again and says, “Come on then,” and leads the way to the bathroom.
Vi is not used to any of this. There is enough water. These people are filthy rich. Yet Caitlyn makes no move to indicate they should shower separately... and no move to indicate she is expecting anything more than a shower. She is not demanding anything from Vi, but offering continued trust and intimacy instead. It is, quite frankly, disorientating.
Despite the novelty of the situation, Vi follows Caitlyn, both discarding their soiled clothing as they go, until they reach the enormous walk-in shower, naked.
It hadn't occurred to Vi to be self-conscious before, used to communal showers as she is, but before now she had never shared a shower with a Piltie. Her injuries from the last couple of days notwithstanding, Caitlyn's body is almost unmarred and it makes Vi painfully aware of the map of scars, bruises, and cuts covering hers. Her arms itch to cover herself while Caitlyn fiddles with the shower settings, searching for the right water temperature and pressure, oblivious to Vi's inner battle.
When Caitlyn turns around, there is a soft smile on her face and a blush spreading across her neck and cheekbones as she tries very hard not to let her eyes wander too much. Vi wouldn't usually be quite as well-mannered, but she cannot seem to tear her eyes from the warm expression in Caitlyn's face.
They first begin to wash themselves, standing just inside of each other's personal space, holding eye contact. It takes Vi's nearly imperceptible wince as she tries to reach her own shoulder to break the tension.
“Here, let me,” Caitlyn says, and approaches with a soft sponge. Vi nods and turns around, letting Caitlyn form soothing circles on her skin without complaint. She closes her eyes. This is what trust feels like, she knows. She can feel Caitlyn being particularly careful when going over her bruises. How convenient that we're standing in the shower, Vi thinks. Caitlyn doesn't have to know how much these simple, caring touches are affecting her.
Once her body is cleaned, Caitlyn lovingly scratches the shorn side of her head and threads her fingers through the longer strands of hair as she massages shampoo into the tangled mess. Vi can only focus on steadying her breathing. She shudders from the prolonged, gentle contact.
Caitlyn just says, “I got you,” her voice soft and steady, as if she isn't overwhelmed by this intimate closeness that goes beyond being naked in the same space.
She isn't breaking down Vi's defences or stripping them away, but instead makes her want to lower them and let Caitlyn in willingly. The realisation is a little frightening, truth be told, but Vi feels ready to trust again.