Work Text:
Stella released a heavy sigh as she leaned up against the now closed door. Her eyes were still shut as she processed the chaotic shift she’d had. She dropped her bag at the door and kicked off her shoes while walking further into the loft. If there was anything to salvage what was left of the day, she’d find it in a hot shower.
In her daze, she hadn’t even taken note of anyone being home. She walked straight to her bathroom and turned on some music as she began to undress. Her muscles ached from the exertion she’d put her body through in the past twenty four hours. There were the multiple calls she responded to as Truck 81 lieutenant and then the few hours she put in at a Girls on Fire event this afternoon. She’d been non-stop, not even coming home after her shift ended this morning. Instead, she’d taken a short thirty minute nap in her jeep before grabbing breakfast, running her weekly errands, doing inventory at Molly’s, and then sweating what was left of the dissolving energy in her body at the local high school gym with Kylie and the girls.
As she continued peeling off her clothes, the bathroom door knob jiggled and Stella kicked at it, in fear, before it could fully open. The yelp she had let out was met with a snicker from Kelly on the other side of the door.
“Hey, it’s just me, open up.” He stated, humor in his voice.
“Shit, sorry,” she shook her head at herself as she opened it, “Geez, I didn’t even know you were here.”
Kelly chuckled again, “Yeah, I was outside smoking with Casey.” He came further into the bathroom when he recognized the tiredness in her features. The slumped shoulders, the downcast eyes, the way she leaned against the wall adjacent to the door. “You look like you’ve had a day and a half,” He remarked while taking note of her.
“You’re telling me,” Stella scoffed. “I haven’t even slept since before I got off shift this morning. My eyebags have eyebags.”
Kelly hummed and gave her shoulders a light massage as he listened to her. She ran down everything she had accomplished today and voiced her approval for being so productive, but it was obvious she was craving a bed. He looked around and the cogs in his brain got to churning.
He placed a soft kiss on her lips after she finished re-telling her day and then guided her towards the shower. He went ahead and turned the shower faucet all the way up, knowing how much she loved her hot water.
“Let’s try to get a shower and some food into you before you hit the pillow.” He spoke as he refined the shower settings. As she leaned against the outside of the shower, she watched as he slinked around the bathroom, grabbing a towel, her cotton candy body scrub, and her favorite moisturizing cream that she liked to put on afterwards.
He placed another gentle kiss on her lips before placing everything within reach for her once she got. And then he held out his hand for her to steady herself as she stepped over the slight step into the shower.
“We’re gonna order in, any special requests?”
A small smile painted her face, “I could go for Chinese.”
“Chinese it is.”
He couldn’t resist going for another peck as he closed the shower door and left her to unwind. Each kiss had enlivened a little more of her and released bits of stress from her frame.
The shower was also doing a good job at washing away the strain and cracks in her body. The hot water thwacked against her skin and she gratified in the opening of her pores and the fragrant smells of her body scrub and shower gel. The sweetness flared through her nostrils and the soft alt-rock songs that played on her playlist only heightened her mood. She closed her eyes and just basked in the peacefulness after the turbulent, busy day she had.
By the time she had suds reaching all over her body, she heard a knock on the door.
“Yeah?,” Stella answered as she leaned closer to the shower door to listen for Kelly.
“Food will be here in twenty.” Kelly yelled through the door.
“K!” She answered back.
As Kelly retreated from the door, Stella set to finish washing and then rinsing her body. She felt clean and refreshed. Once she shut off the water, she got out and grabbed for her towel. Next, she pulled her hair out her messy bun and grabbed for her skin moisturizer. Once the water droplets stopped from dripping onto the rug beneath her, she walked out into the bedroom.
Prepared to get out her underwear and pajamas, she halted when she realized that Kelly had already done so for her. They lied in wait on the bed for her. She smiled to herself at the sweet gesture and walked over to them on her side of the bed.
When Kelly walked back in from the open loft area, he eyed her as she began to unwrap her towel and moisturize her legs. She put on her underwear and shorts before moving to moisturize the upper portion of her body. Kelly couldn’t resist inching closer and allowing his lips to find their way to her shoulders and back. He pecked all along before grabbing the lotion from her.
“I can help with that,” he whispered.
Stella chuckled in response and relented, leaning back into him.
“No funny business, I’m ready for my food.” She cracked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Kelly playfully pushed her towards the bed and maneuvered her to where she was lying on her stomach.
“Just let me take care of you.”
He rubbed the cream into his hands and began massaging it into her sore muscles. He took his time with making sure to straighten out any kinks he could feel as his hands ran all across her back. Soon enough, her form felt like butter as he released the final tendrils of stress from her body.
Nothing but her hums of approval filled the room as he continued ironing out her strains. She reveled in the dichotomy of his rough hands providing gentle strokes. If she wasn’t so hungry, she’d let the sleep overtake her. Kelly could tell, too, which is why he pulled her up some, to not only wake her up a bit, but also to finish lotioning her arms and abdomen. She leaned back against him once again and allowed herself to just relax in his embrace. There weren’t many other moments that could top the bliss and tranquility she felt as she rested in his arms.
Soon enough, Casey knocked on the door and announced that the food was here.
Kelly climbed off the bed and gave her another kiss, “Finish getting dressed, I’ll bring your food to you.”
Before he could fully remove himself from her, she grabbed onto his arm, “Kelly… thanks.”
She sat up some and wrapped her arms around him, grateful to be able to come home to a partner who went the extra mile to unravel her burdens.
“Anytime, babe.”