Chapter Text
It wound up not so much being an actual nap as she dozed off for another solid six hours getting good, uninterrupted rest that her body needed. It needed more things too though, and needing more water and definitely some food by now was probably the only reason she woke up that soon. Well that and the fact that she felt way too damn hot now. She was absolutely going to be utilizing one of the very few pairs of shorts she owned tonight after that shower.
And speaking of, she could really go for that right about now too.
Anna allowed herself a good minute or two to properly wake up before trying to open her eyes. She was quite happy to find it significantly less painful and jarring this time around, though it did take another minute to keep her vision from being blurry. She had rolled onto her back again at some point, now staring at the ceiling, and turned her head to see if Remy was still beside her, and if he was still asleep.
After a couple days of hardly any sleep and extreme stress, he needed the sleep. Being cuddled closer to her than he’d ever been, knowing she was safe, and being in her really soft bed definitely helped.
He fell asleep not long after her and stayed that way for hours. He didn’t wake up even for small restless fits, getting the most restful sleep he’d had in a long while.
By the time she woke up he was stirring slightly, but not enough to actually register being awake. He’d ended up rolled over onto his stomach, one arm draped across her and the other under his head like a sort of cushion.
A smile instantly found her lips when she saw him still beside her, still asleep. Anna almost felt bad about needing to wake him up, but she knew that she really wouldn’t be able to do anything on her own for a bit, bare minimum the rest of the day.
She decided that wasn’t entirely important to her right now actually and that she was definitely hungry. Still, she gave him another moment, just watching him, admiring how he looked almost peaceful like this before she was reaching a hand over to gently card her fingers through his hair. “Remy,” she called his name softly, not wanting to startle him awake.
He slowly roused to being fully awake when he felt her fingers in his hair. His eyes stayed shut at first and he hummed softly. “Wha- what time’s it?” He mumbled, voice rough from sleep. Then a shock of anxiety hit him and he opened his eyes.
He momentarily forgot that she was back and the thought of her still missing panicked him all over again. But he saw her and immediately relaxed, eyes shutting again. “Merde, didn’ know where I was. Thought you was still gone….” He took a deep breath, trying to slow down his heart racing from the sudden panic.
She had been just about to try and look over at the clock on her nightstand when she watched his eyes shoot open, looking wired as hell for a moment. It seemed to pass quickly enough though, and she was given an answer about what had happened pretty quickly too. “Still right here, sugar,” she assured him, nails scratching at his scalp slightly.
Remy leaned into her touch more. The feeling of her nails was nice and he never wanted it to stop. Requests for exactly that would probably be frequent as long as she didn’t have her powers.
More than likely that was a request she’d be happy to fulfill considering how much she enjoyed the feeling too.
“You’re here,” he agreed. “Lord, got my heart poundin’. Worried I was wastin’ time I could be lookin’ fo’ you.”
His words had her brows furrowing slightly. “How much’ve you been sleepin’ the last couple a’ days?” Anna Marie felt like she knew the answer already with how he had acted, but she wanted to hear it from him first before berating him for not taking care of himself. Even if it was still touching that he had been putting in that much effort to find her.
He was silent for a moment after the question as he contemplated answering. He didn’t want to lie to her, but he had a feeling that the actual answer wouldn’t fare super well for him either.
The truth was probably best, even if it was likely to piss her off a little bit.
“Haven’ really slept…willin’ly,” he admitted. “But I was lookin’ for you, chère. I couldn’ waste no time.”
Once she had her answer, Anna clicked her tongue softly. “No wonder you looked knocked out; probably need the rest just as much as I do,” she said, though that was the extent of it for now at least. She could still appreciate why, but she was absolutely going to be dragging him into resting with her more.
Her brief answer made him relax. Lying to her hadn’t been his first choice anyway, but he was sure it would have created a much bigger issue.
A deep breath was followed by a heavy sigh. “Didn’ know who I thought I was wakin’ up t’.” It was somewhat of a joke, but probably not one he should have said. Trying to laugh off the jolt of fear and still waking up weren’t the best judges of what was appropriate.
Oh, it would have been so easy to push that button, but Anna managed to bite back the comment. To be fair, still having her hand carding through his hair was absolutely helping her, the thought that she was capable of giving him everything right now. It was still close though...
Alright, she kind of pushed that button.
“Who else would you be wakin’ up t’?” At least her tone was still a bit light.
Her question made him visibly pause. Even light in tone, he felt definite danger behind the words themselves. Which was fair, as he processed what he’d actually said.
“No one,” he answered honestly, opening his eyes again. “Why else would I be so confused?” He gave her a small grin, desperately hoping he was saying the right things. Really, it was just a comment made out of lack of thinking. And the confusion was just from sheer disorientation. He genuinely had no idea who he had been in bed with before remembering everything in a split second. As far as he knew in that moment he was no cheater and his girl wouldn’t risk sleeping in the same bed with him out of fear of an accident.
And there was the correct answer.
Anna gave an approving little hum at his words, resuming her light scratching that hadn’t stopped, but had definitely slowed as she waited for an answer from him. With that out of the way though, she was speaking again. “Feel bad for waking you up, but I’m hungry, ‘n thirsty, ‘n definitely ready for a shower so I can change.”
His eyes closed again when her nails went back to the same pace as before. That felt like a sign that he’d answered correctly. At least there was that. “‘S okay, mon amour. Pro’bly needed t’ get up anyway.” He rubbed his eyes, yawning. “No idea…what time it is. Might’a fucked my sleep schedule.” He sat up ever so slowly, wincing while he stretched upwards. “Le’s get you all taken care of, yeah? Don’ wanna make my woman suffer.”
“Sounds t’ me like you already did,” at least she was feeling good enough to tease him again like usual. Anna huffed softly as his words. “Just a regular prince charmin’, ain’t’cha?” It was after that that she tried pushing herself to sit up again. She managed, but not without far more effort than it should have taken and a decent amount of discomfort, a quiet noise leaving her from it. It just felt like her body didn’t even want to cooperate with what she wanted to do.
At least there was no nausea this time.
Remy laughed quietly at her teasing, shaking his head. “Somethin’ like dat, yeah. Don’ feel much like no prince charmin’, but I’ll be him fo’ you.” He watched her closely as she sat up, worry visible on his face. “Careful….”
Anna gave it a minute, just leaning back against the headboard and glancing over to look at the time. Almost five in the afternoon already. Hopefully she’d be able to get back to sleep at a mostly normal time still.
“Come help me up; wanna see if I can at least stand on my own.”
He kept an eye on her while she leaned against the headboard, wanting to make sure she wouldn’t be sick again or faint or anything. “D’you think you can? I don’ want you t’ do too much an’ hurt yourself….” He got up off of the bed slowly, moving to the other side to help her.
“Dunno,” she answered honestly with a little shrug. “But I wanna try. It’ll be fine.” With him on one side of her and the bed on the other, things couldn’t go too poorly. Besides, it wasn’t like she was about to acting like everything was normal and resuming her daily activities. Anna just wanted to know if she’d need help in the shower or not.
“Uh huh…okay.” He stood close, holding his hands out in case she needed to grab them. Given how she’d handled sitting up the first time, he wasn’t sure that trying to stand or do anything further was a very good idea. But he kept his comments to himself.
Kicking off the sheets and swinging her legs over the edge of the bed had gone just fine with only some mild discomfort from twisting, but it wasn’t bad otherwise. Anna held her hand up to him for support, and once he took it was pulling against him to haul herself up to her feet with another grimace.
The fact that she immediately had to grab onto his shoulder with her other hand to keep herself up as her knees threatened to buckle gave her her answer pretty quickly.
He took her hand gently when she held her own up, helping her carefully get out of the bed. Luckily he’d already been prepared to grab her before she started collapsing. His free hand rested on her ribcage and he tried to support her in any way possible.
Despite that though, she did more or less stay upright though, and seemed fairly unbothered by the outcome, little smile rising to her lips. “Think you’re gonna get your wish after all, Cajun. Probably gon’ need a hand in the shower.”
To her credit, even if it was because she was clinging to him, Anna had managed to keep herself up and from collapsing completely. She was still going to count it as a success. All that really mattered was that she wasn’t going to be completely bedridden. Hopefully she’d be able to manage a little more tomorrow too.
“Careful,” he said quickly. Although she didn’t seem to care at all, so at least she wasn’t bothered. That didn’t mean he wasn’t still worried about her. Then he grinned slightly at her next comment, humming. “Oh, yeah? Sounds like a dream come true,” he teased lightly. Not even close to the circumstances he’d previously had in mind, but he had no problem with helping her in any way he could.
It wasn’t quite the scenario she had been picturing either, but it would do.
Anna smiled up at him slightly at his words. “Yeah, I figured you’d like the sound a’ that,” she teased right back. “Let’s get through that first. Hair can dry afterwards while I eat.” She was definitely still hungry, but she figured that that would be the smarter course of action here. Plus, the chance to properly get her hands on him was certainly tempting too.
“I’ve only been waitin’ fo’ it forever.” He leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to her temple. “Sounds good t’ me. You jus’ tell me the plan an’ I’ll get you there.”
Anna had him sit her back down on the bed so she could guide him into grabbing clothes for her, considering she evidently wouldn’t be doing it herself now. She kept it simple though, just asking him to grab her fresh underwear and a bra, then guiding him to where her sleep clothes were, having him grab just whatever shirt was on top, and a black of soft black shorts from the back.
He was careful with her when he helped her back down before turning to his task. “‘M guessin’ it wouldn’ be ‘ppreciated too much if I picked somethin’ sexy?” He joked. “Not the most comfortable things, I’m assumin’.”
Anna definitely fixed him under one of her ‘don’t even try it’ looks at his little joke. “You try that and I’ll kick you out,” she threatened fondly, no real bite to her tone. Anna knew he wouldn’t pull anything like that now.
His only response to the look she gave him was a bigger grin. He definitely wouldn’t do that to her when she was feeling the way she was. But that didn’t mean teasing at it wasn’t fun. And after all, it was easier to keep up their fairly normal dynamic than focus on the bad. “‘M flattered you trust me t’ go through this drawer…thought you’d think I would steal somethin’.”
“Didn’t think you’d go that low ‘til you said somethin’.” This felt right again. For her, it hadn’t really felt like there had been any break since she’d been unconscious or incapable of remembering what was going on since she had been taken, but it was nice for the mood to feel so light again.
“Oh well…now I’ve already seen wha’s in here.” He hummed playfully, running his fingers over a few of the garments before shutting the drawer. “Coulda already slipped somethin’ in my pocket too, you wouldn’ even know. ‘S somethin’ I’m pretty good at. Quick fingers.”
She made sure he saw her heavily roll her eyes at him for that. “I find anythin’ missin’, you ain’t ever gon’ see me in any a’ those.” Honestly, Anna didn’t even care all that much, but threatening him had just developed into a love language by this point.
“Lucky for me, stealin’ panties ain’t my thing. Seein’ you in them? Dat is somethin’ I’ve considered.”
Despite his teasing, he picked something plain and soft that he figured would be comfortable, next moving to another drawer before picking up a shirt and snickering quietly. “Is…did you take my shirt? ‘S dis not mine?” He tossed the shirt over to her.
“Dunno what you’re talkin’ ‘bout,” she answered with a little smile as he tossed the shirt over. She might have definitely stolen one or two things from him.
“Suuuuure you don’. An’ if I keep lookin’ are you tellin’ me I won’ find more?” He turned back to the clothes, shaking his head and laughing. He wouldn’t have any reason to be mad in the first place, but he also really liked the idea of her in his clothes. Obviously it would be the one he picked for her.
His accusatory question had her laughing softly. “‘Course not. Definitely ain’t two more shirts in there, or a hoodie in one a’ the other drawers.” To be fair, it wasn’t like she had just stolen them. Some of those she’d had a good long while now, taken from when things had been going well between them prior.
He hummed at her answer, dropping his hand and nodding. “Ouais, guess da’s logical. But fo’ now…I’d better see you in ‘em all the time. An’ maybe I’m gon’ have t’ get some more modest shirts….” He tapped a finger to his chin like he was contemplating it.
“You even own any now that you haven’t taken scissors to? Feel like all I ever see is you peacockin’ ‘round here.” Even more comfortable teasing. Anna could almost forget that they were in the mansion, this all felt just so right and natural and calming.
That was a good question. As he thought about it, he wasn’t sure he could come up with many un-mutilated pieces from his wardrobe. “I’ve got a few dress shirts intact. An’ my undersuits. An’…some’a my hoodies still have sleeves! Fo’ winter.” He nodded. “…dat might be it, though. Everythin’ else is cropped or sleeveless. Or both.” Or he had almost no reason to wear it. “An’ don’ act like it bothers you when I see you lookin’.”
Lord, help her with this man. Powers or not, she was already searching for a good way to put him through the window for all of his smart-ass comments. Healing up really was going to be fun.
Remy started looking for the shorts next. “Y’know…not sure I’ve ever seen you in honest t’ god shorts.” He pulled them out, eyeing the length. “You’re tryna drive me crazy, ain’t’cha? Can’t be doin’ all dis when you’re not feelin’ well, gon’ make me act up.”
“Not my fault you’re easy t’ get wound up,” she teased.
He gave her a pout, tossing the shorts to her too. “‘S not my fault either!” He leaned against the dresser, arms crossed across his chest. “Keep my hands t’- chère, c’mon. You’re tellin’ me you’ll have your sexy legs out an’ expect me not t’ grab?” He made grabby hands towards her as an example. “The moment you’re feelin’ well enough to sit up without pain is the moment I’m worshippin’ those legs the way I’ve wanted to fo’ years.”
She pointedly ignored his continued flirting. “‘Sides, I was warm as hell sleepin’ earlier and if I can finally wear shorts, I’m gonna. You’re just gon’ have t’ figure out how t’ keep your hands to yourself.”
Her answer made him look at her, hand held to his chest like he was offended. Deeply offended, by the look he was struggling to keep on his face without laughing. “Didn’ know you even had any. An’ I’ve never seen you in ‘em? ‘S like you hate me, Anna. Can’t believe you.”
Anna had a lot more difficult time schooling her expression into anything even remotely serious and gave up partway through. “Never had a reason t’ see me in ‘em. Don’t ever wear ‘em in company after all; don’t cover enough. An, you’d like seein’ me in just ‘bout anythin’,” she retorted flatly.
“You got it, babe. Bet I’d like seein’ you even more in absolutely nothin’,” he pointed out. “But c’mon, you really couldn’t’a shown me? You know how much I love your legs.
Her entertained little grin only widened at all of his complaining. “I expect you t’ behave while I’m healin’.” No she didn’t. Hell, Anna Marie doubted she’d even be able to follow her own little rules the whole time she was resting up. Probably would wind up getting her hands on him tonight in some capacity. She knew it would probably be dumb for either of them to expect the shower to be entirely uneventful either.
“Behave? Me? Babe, you must be forgettin’ who you’re with.” He moved his hands in a way that looked to be tracing over her curved outline from his perspective. “You want someone behaved? Go find ‘im somewhere else.”
“Here I thought you liked bein’ good for me,” she said with an arched brow, clothes piled neatly beside her. Anna placed her hands behind her slightly so that she could lean back just a bit.
The sentence immediately stole his breath away and he just watched her with a slightly dazed expression for a second. He pointed a finger at her once he regained his thoughts. “Not fair, don’ count. An’ wow, you’re gonna use dat against me? ‘M wounded, Anna Marie.”
“Well can your wounded get over here ‘n help me up again? Wanna have that shower sometime today at the least.” She did actually want to have time for her hair to dry and all. “‘Sides, sooner you do, sooner you get t’ help undress me,” Anna both simply pointed out and tempted him.
He laughed under his breath, nodding and walking back over to her to help her up. “Sorry, chère. I got’cha.” The thought got a hum from him. “Oh yeah? Why didn’ you tell me sooner? Le’s go!”
“Oh, hush,” she retorted simply, gathering up the clothes into one hand before beckoning him back over. Getting up went mildly better the second time around, but properly walking, even with his support, still seemed to be asking for a bit too much. Nonetheless, she was still able to make it to the bathroom.
Remy was right by her side to help her get there, his arm gently wrapped around her waist to support her as much as he could. He was tempted to just carry her, but she seemed determined to do it on her own. She didn’t need powers to jam her knee somewhere sensitive if he pissed her off.
Before they got to undressing, though, he continued to help support her while she stood at the counter to brush her teeth. A mental note was made to keep a toothbrush in her bathroom as long as he was staying there to help her heal, but for the time being he just found her mouthwash and swished it around his mouth until the sleep-taste was gone. After he spit it out, he did it a second time. Just in case.
Once she was finished as well, the original task continued. Aside from a few mildly vulgar comments, he was actually aiming to help with undressing her. He was as careful as he could manage, nearly treating her like he was worried she’d break. And because of it, getting her undressed went easily enough.
Doing so revealed why she was feeling so beat up though.
On the left side of her ribs was a sizable bruise, mostly all ugly greens and blues, but still a bit purple towards the center of it where it originated from an obvious injection site between two ribs. That answered where she had been stuck then, but still didn’t give Anna any hints to remembering it happening.
“Mon dieu,” he mumbled, wincing in sympathetic pain. “No wonder you’re feelin’ the way you do.” It looked awful. He was simultaneously worried again, wondering what other damage could be unseen and angry all over again at whoever did that to her.
Anna herself spent a good like while looking it over, fingers carefully brushing over the discolored skin. It wasn’t so sensitive that just that had it aching, but it didn’t take much for it to. “No kiddin’,” she murmured, finally moving her gaze away from it and up to him.
He looked at her, alternating between eye contact and looking back at the bruising. He couldn’t help it, it was so worrying to him.
“Only just happened: it’ll go away soon,” Anna assured, though whether it was more for him or herself was entirely up in the air. That being said, it was clearly at least starting to heal considering the coloration.
“Yeah, you’re right. New bruises always look worse, don’ they?” He gestured to his eye. Although he knew the level of injury was much different. But if she was trying to reassure him, he didn’t want her to see just how worried he was over it.
Anna tried not to let it show that she was worried too. She had a good bit of faith if Hank thought this was all something he could fix, but there was always the slim possibility he couldn’t, and what then? Or what if whatever they had injected her with wasn’t done yet, and was just sitting dormant for now?
It was out of her hands though; there was nothing she could do in any capacity to change that right now.
“Yeah, just looks worse than it is,” she agreed with a little nod, maybe not sounding entirely convinced herself but again, there was nothing she could do but rest, and hope she had already fought through the worst of it.
“Exactly.” He had a feeling they were both just trying to make the other feel better. But to him it was better than focusing on just how bad things still had the potential to be.
She turned just a little bit in trying to get further undressed and hissed softly in discomfort. “Y’all can figure out who did this t’ me, but I wanna be the one t’ get my hands on ‘em; give ‘em a piece a’ my mind.” Even with the little upside to the situation, shit still hurt and she was already sick and tired of needing to just about fully rely on Remy. She had been more of less self sufficient for a long time now and didn’t enjoy being anything but.
The way she clearly expressed pain and discomfort had him frowning, but he nodded at what she said. “Hey, you won’ get no argument from me. ‘S long as I get a li’l bit in on the ‘hands-on’ part. You can have the rest.”
“Let you have the first hit. All mine after that,” she bargained, little smile returning to her lips at least. “Can’t bend over, help me outta the rest.”
He nodded approvingly. “Sounds like a plan t’ me. Seems fair. I can work wit’ dat.” He watched her, nodding. “Yeah, lemme help you.”
His hands were gentle on her hips, pushing off the too-big sweatpants he assumed she’d been put in in the medbay. The cautious touch continued as he kneeled down to slowly move them down her legs before nudging at her ankle to step out of them.
She gave him a quiet ‘thank you’ as he helped her out. Anna complied when he silently asked her to move, placing a hand on his shoulder to help keep her up as she stepped one leg out, then the other, gently kicking them off to the side, leaving her just in her underwear now.
“Just how you imagined it goin’?” Anna asked, back to teasing because honestly all that worry bouncing back and forth between them was starting to become suffocating. And maybe looking down on him at this angle was quite nice.
Her question made him laugh as he looked back up at her. “Not quite. But ‘m not complainin’.” He took a moment’s break from undressing her to slide his hands up her legs, starting at her calves and ending at the sides of her thighs. “Hopin’ I get to be on my knees fo’ you like dis again soon.”
Honestly, the worry about her was probably the only thing keeping him mildly sane. If the situation were any different he would have been completely losing his mind at even getting to see so much of her skin, much less touch.
Well, maybe the worry wasn’t keeping him from feeling anything about it.
His laugh had her relaxing a little, and she slipped her other hand back into his hair again, just carding through it for a moment. “Would let you if I knew I could stay up.” Maybe it was especially cruel to tease him when they were so close to being able to do so much, but oh well.
A quiet whine left him and he looked up at her. “Not nice, Anna Marie. Not when ‘s so close but so far.” The way she ran her fingers through his hair felt so good and he couldn’t help but imagine a different situation.
It was hard to keep her little smile down at the noise that left him. “Hard not t’ think ‘bout it when you’re right there,” she said, probably only making things worse. Anna started scratching at his scalp again, still enjoying the feeling herself.
“I know.” His eyes slipped shut when she scratched his head again, just enjoying the feeling for a moment. He did still have to help, but it was just too appealing to ignore.
His hands on her felt nice too as they slid up her legs, simple touch that it was. Anna Marie just watched for a moment before speaking again, not at all helping the teasing, certainly.
“Gon’ help me the rest a’ the way?” she asked, voice a little quieter, glancing briefly at her panties before back to him.
He nodded slowly, almost looking nervous. This time it wasn’t because of her being hurt, but he was mildly nervous that he’d say something boneheaded before he could stop himself.
Even still, his hands found their way up to her hips and gently started pulling the last garment down. He made no effort to move from his knees.
She did pause though once he actually worked her underwear down for her, stepping out of them as well and kicking them to the side, just like the sweatpants. There was the slightest pause after that, fighting the temptation to maybe curl her fingers into his hair and tug him a little bit closer. It would be all too easy to spread her legs a little, goad him on... but she didn’t give into the temptation.
She really didn’t need to risk hurting herself more.
“Should get undressed too. Can hold myself up,” she assured, carefully letting go of him to grip onto the counter instead.
Still on his knees, his eyes trailed over her slowly. He’d never seen her fully bare, so it felt like a momentous occasion. He just wished it was under different circumstances.
Yeah, everything combined with the way she was looking at him was not helping.
At least they seemed to both be struggling an equal amount with this, and maybe Anna was already starting to think of one or two ways to lay hands on each other that wouldn’t require her moving too much.
She was definitely holding onto those thoughts for later though.
He slowly got up with a groan, stretching. “I should,” he agreed, making sure she was okay once she let go of him. Then he started undressing himself. First discarded was his tank top. It had started as a tshirt, but quickly had the sleeves removed and more cut out for a workout top. It wasn’t cropped, but showed so much skin from the sides that it didn’t matter. Then his basketball shorts got dropped and kicked to the side, leaving him in only a jockstrap. The cut was his typical choice, but the color was an obnoxiously bright magenta, like the saturation on the color of his suit was upped a thousand percent. He covered his face with both hands. “I gotta do laundry an’ haven’ gotten t’ it yet,” he instantly defended before glancing up at her from his hands, pointing a finger at her. “You make fun an’ I’m leavin’ you here.”
Now Anna didn’t doubt that she had definitely seen more of him than he had of her, but with little else to do, her gaze trailed over him all the same as he stripped down. At least until he got his shorts down. Her gaze lingered on the horrific pink before flicking back up to his face, biting her lip to suppress a bit of a laugh she could already feel bubbling up, smile growing even wider.
She looked like she was seriously considering the weight of his threat as well as just how worth it it would be to try and call his bluff. Her lips parted briefly like she was going to say something before changing her mind and they closed again as she moved to lean back against the counter a little more. “Just finish strippin’ ‘n get the water on.”
He could feel the way she was looking at him before he even looked at her face. And yeah, just as he thought, it looked like she was struggling with everything in her not to laugh. He just sighed heavily in defeat and put his hands on his hips. “Don’ bust a lung tryna keep it together. You get one comment. An’ then we’re droppin’ it.” And he was definitely either doing laundry that night or going commando until he did.
“Sorry fo’ the damage t’ your retinas. Again, gotta do laundry. All I got left is drunk online shoppin’ purchases an’ things I bought fo’ someone t’ see. Dis…’s the former, fo’ the record.”
There was just a little laugh that slipped out when he sighed like that. It was short lived at least, over by the time he had spoken and to her credit, she refrained from any actual comments, despite the offer. Well, all the way up until he spoke again and then the opportunity was just too good. “What, didn’t think you were gonna impress me with that?” And there it was.
Honestly, he was impressed that she didn’t say anything even after he gave the chance. Maybe he needed to tone it down with his own teasing, if she was willing to let that one slide. Maybe-
No, she was just waiting for the right moment. Which, in fairness, he would have done the exact same thing. “What, you don’ got a thing for men in neon pink? Damn, must’a got my wires crossed.”
“Maybe the color’s fine ‘n it’s just you,” her smile remained as her teasing grew harsher. This definitely warranted it though.
“Ay, dat sounded like a second comment t’ me.” He gave her a vaguely betrayed look. “An’ such a sensitive topic too.” As if. He was perfectly secure in himself and didn’t care. But still, damn. He pushed the waistband and barely-there fabric down before looking at her again. The underwear was discarded along with his other clothes and he intentionally buried it. “Good thing ‘m more interested in impressin’ you wit’ what’s underneath. But it do make my ass look good good.”
“Dunno if that’s enough t’ save it,” she said, and despite the strong curiosity, didn’t let herself look immediately when he did finally get the offending garment off. Anna figured she could at least try to be a little subtle with it, mostly not wanting to start up all the comments and teasing she knew she’d get out of him if he did catch her looking.
He scoffed. “My ass is enough t’ make anythin’ look good, hush yourself.” He watched her, crossing his arms again. “Merde, girl, are you really refusin’ t’ look at me? Really hurtin’ my pride here.”
The extra comments were just far too good to miss out on any she just resigned to deal with the consequences. “Think you got enough pride t’ spare,” she retorted easily. Messing with him just came too easily. Anna knew damn well though that it wouldn’t take all that long for them to hit a point where the roles were reversed, though to varying degrees of success.
“You wound me, chère. You really do.” But despite his words, he looked nothing but amused once he dropped the faux offense.
Anna hummed out an amused little sound. “Know you love me bullyin’ you,” she accused him fondly.
Walking to the shower, he turned the handles to get the water going and slid his hand under briefly to get a feel for the temperature. Remy just grinned over to her. “You caught me.” In every way possible, he loved their dynamic. There wasn’t anything he would change.
“If we’re stayin’ together, you’re gettin’ rid a’ that,” she added on after a moment, straightening herself back up as he got to turning the water on finally.
“Consider it done.” He sighed again. “But now ‘m wonderin’ if you should go through the rest an’ decide what else be a deal breaker.”
“Mais, what’re you wantin’ the water like?”
“Probably ‘bout as hot as you can stand it, then a li’l bit more.” Despite her earlier complaints about being too warm, having a shower wasn’t even worth it if the water didn’t get hot enough to risk leaving burns behind.
He nodded, immediately turning the handle for the hot water all the way. Lucky for her, practically boiling was his preferred temperature too, unless he needed a cold shower. Which, being in there with her, was possible.
Anna Marie was happy once she saw steam curling through the air, taking a moment herself to be happy she didn’t pay the water bill either considering this was definitely going to take a little bit. And that was without any distractions or wandering hands factored in. “Help me in, Remy.”
He nodded, walking back to her and offering his hands out as well as the rest of him to keep her steady. “Yes, ma’am.”
Every movement was extra careful, helping her into the shower. There was so much steam that he had droplets of water gathering on his skin the moment he got in, before the stream of water even touched him. But the heat didn’t even make him flinch.
One hand went into his whilst the other rested on his forearm as they moved to get in.
Getting into the shower with him, she was careful with her steps, but it went smoothly and without incident, and she gave a pleased little noise at feeling the hot water on her skin, eyes fluttering shut for just a second. It was a little bit better actually in the shower, considering she had more surfaces to lean against and it had yet to actually get slippery in there.
He kept an eye on her when they got in, making sure she didn’t have any sort of negative reaction. But she didn’t faint, didn’t get sick again, she seemed fine. Good, even, going by the noise she made.
He wasn’t sure if he wanted to think it was adorable or touch her in a way that made her sound like that again…maybe both.
“Hope you know I’m makin’ you wash my hair for me.”
“Well, I hope you know dat I’ve wanted t’ do dat for years.” His smile was a lot less mischievous, more genuine. Because it was the absolute truth, even if it sounded a little silly.
“Good; ‘cuz it’s gonna take a minute t’ get through.” She loved getting to share more of these domestic moments with him, just simple little things like this. It was probably something that she would have been able to get through on her own so long as she had some kind of support, but being able to share the task was lovely. Anna Marie craved these moments more than anything too, moments that were quite possibly softer than she deserved but was eager for all the same.
“I don’ mind one bit,” he assured her. Being able to wash her hair was something so domestic and intimate that he’d wanted to do for so long. He didn’t care how long it took or how much work it was with taking the steps to take care of her curls. It was something he wanted to do so badly.
Anna shifted so that she could tip her head under the stream of water to wet her hair as she pointed up towards one of a couple bottles propped up in the caddy hanging over the shower head. “Gon’ start with that one.”
His eyes followed where she pointed and he nodded, reaching for it. Although it was just out of reach if he stayed how he was holding her. “…d’ya think you can stand on your own for a sec’?”
“Think so,” she answered, pressing a hand against one of the walls to help keep herself up. It didn’t feel like she was going to immediately crumble like with that first attempt, but she definitely wouldn’t trust herself to stay up in here completely on her own.
After letting go, he gave her a moment to make sure she wasn’t going to immediately collapse once he stepped away. But when she was completely okay for a few moments, he moved the small amount he needed to grab the bottle. Then he was immediately back to her side to be able to support her.
“Gonna wash it twice. Just focus on the top part the first time, get the rest the next,” Anna instructed him, carefully turning herself around to make it all easier for him.
With having her hair as long as it was, her whole hair care routine did unfortunately take up a good bit of time. Honestly Anna was just thankful she didn’t have to do it every single day or she definitely would have cut it shorter again by now.
He listened to her closely, nodding. “Got it. Twice.” He was momentarily distracted when she turned around, eyes trailing down over her entire backside as he got a good first full look. He resisted the urge to whistle or reach out and grab.
Instead, he maintained some level of self control, and opened the shampoo bottle.
It was probably for the better that she remained blissfully unaware of his ogling as she focused on enjoying the warm air of the shower around them as well as Remy’s presence behind her. She tried not to let her thoughts wander too much with that, but it didn’t take much at all to be thinking about the myriad of things she’d just love to do to him in here alone once she was better.
It was a little easier to shove everything back down with that familiar floral jasmine scent mixed in the air as he opened up the shampoo. “Know I ain’t gotta say it, but I do ‘ppreciate the help.”
“You’re right, you don’ gotta say it,” he joked back softly. “I’m happy t’ help, Anna. Even if dis wasn’ somethin’ I already wanted t’ do, I’m happy t’ help wit’ whatever you need.”
Even with his teasing and purposely getting on her nerves, there really was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. She was his everything. Helping her in a situation like that was the absolute minimum of what he would do for her.
“Thank you,” she said anyhow, drinking in just how good it felt to have him really care that much.
It wasn’t that she doubted that he would, his exact feelings about her weren’t any kind of secret, but it just felt nice to see. He wasn’t obligated to go this far to help her here, and yet here he was, completely willingly. It had a pleasant warmth entirely separate from the shower filling her from head to toe.
The scent from the bottle immediately hit him and he knew that he would recognize it anywhere. That shampoo that she’d only seemed to start using since they’d gotten back together had already cemented itself in his mind. It was something so instantly comforting to him because it smelled like her. Leaning as close as possible when they worked in the kitchen, getting whipped in the face with her hair when she turned too fast, laying in her bed and fighting off sleep so he wouldn’t have to leave. He hadn’t realized how much he’d started to associate the scent with her until he encountered the source. “Huh,” he mused to himself.
“Can hear you thinkin’ back there,” she said in regards to the little sound she’d heard out of him, briefly glancing over her shoulder.
Her comment made him smile and he hummed in response. “Jus’ didn’ realize you smell so much like your new shampoo. Opened it an’ jus’…immediately realized ’s what you always smell like now. An’ it jus’ feels comfortin’.” He hoped his explanation didn’t sound too odd to her, but it would have been fine if it did. She already knew he had a few screws loose.
It wasn’t actually that odd to her and the fact that he had that connection was actually rather cute to her instead. Of course she could have made some teasing comment on how obsessive that was bordering on being, but Anna let that go for now, wanting to enjoy the peace a little more.
Remy got a healthy amount of product into his palm before setting the bottle to the side. He smoothed it over the top of her hair first before actually starting to work it in with his fingers.
Another quiet noise left the woman when he started massaging shampoo into her hair, and she definitely understood why he enjoyed her playing with his hair so much now. Her eyes closed again and she just relaxed entirely into his touch.
The sound she made again, so similar to the one from before, had him biting his tongue. The temptation to comment on it was strong, but he managed. He was behaving as well as he could.
His fingers carefully worked the shampoo into the top of her hair, making sure to get her entire scalp as he went. He was standing so close to her that he was nearly pressed right against her back, but he managed enough distance to keep working at his task. And he didn’t have a problem with that because he was loving being able to wash her hair. Being allowed and able to do something so personal felt more intimate than a lot of other things that they’d done together. Standing there with her, it wasn’t hard to get lost in the easy feeling and just forget everything else. They were all that mattered.
His thoughts were so torn between the desire to be careful with her and take care of her and really trying not to focus on how easy it would be to see how else he could take care of her with his hands.
It was all so tempting with the ability to finally touch her and being so close. But he had to remind himself that she was hurt and healing. He’d waited that long, he could wait a little more.
He tried to pull himself away from that line of thought.
It was incredibly easy to focus on with his hands in her hair like this though. He was definitely still good with his fingers in all manners of the words. Unfortunately, acknowledging that sent her thoughts mildly spiraling yet again. Especially the idea of him finally being able to slip his bare hand between her legs with ease like this. It could probably be managed so long as he could hold her up with one arm, just in case.
Having him so close behind her wasn’t exactly helping that either.
Anna Marie remained silent for now though, chewing at her lower lip again like she usually did when she was contemplating something she really probably shouldn’t be.
He took his time, not only making sure to properly shampoo her scalp, but also just continuing to massage her head. “Awfully quiet, Anna Marie,” Remy observed. “Wha’s on dat mind’a yours?” His thumbs gently worked on a tight muscle he found in her neck at the base of her skull. “Can’t imagine how tense you are,” he mumbled a second later, before she even had a chance to answer. “Maybe I could rub your back a li’l after you eat. Might help you feel better.”
His question had her huffing softly, but she didn’t shy away from it. “Everythin’ that shouldn’t be,” she answered honestly, knowing he’d probably be able to tell right where her mind was at with that.
And just when she thought that she could just about tamp those thoughts down too, he started massaging at her neck. Almost instantly it drew out a soft little groan from her and she tipped her head forward just a bit. With that timing, she almost swore he could read her thoughts.
Those sounds did not help his temptations. He tried to just tell himself that it was just in result of his working at the tight muscle there. And it was, that was all. It was just all too easy to imagine the sound being made it another context.
“A massage sounds perfect,” she added, also trying to remind herself that she was healing and more than anything probably just needed to get finished up in here so she could at least sit back down again; get off her feet.
Her first answer made him pause. So much for moving his thoughts in a different direction. If she was saying what he thought she was, they were right on the same page. Which did not make things easier. So, he addressed the other part first. “I can do dat fo’ you. See if I can make a difference in how you’re feelin’. At least a li’l bit.” Of course he wanted to actually help her feel better, but he wouldn’t have minded getting some more of those little noises out of her as well.
“Know it would already.” That did sound heavenly, honestly. No doubt that would be relaxing enough to knock her back out for the night. She tried not to not let herself be bothered by how he ignored the rest and convince herself that it was better that he did. After all, he was behaving.
He slid his fingers through her hair again. “I think you’re ready t’ rinse. How d’ya want me to help wit’ dat?”
“Just keep me steady; can manage that myself,” she said, carefully turning back around and holding onto him again so she could maneuver herself back under the water.
“I can do dat.” He nodded, holding onto her when she moved back to him. Still not helping. But he just needed to focus on helping her. He kept her steady for her to rinse her hair, watching her contently.
“Now…everythin’ you shouldn’ be? Tell me ‘bout it.”
“Definitely shouldn’t,” she said, tone at least a little amused.
“Uh huh.” The way she answered only confirmed her line of thinking. And, despite how damn curious he was, he didn’t press for an answer. Partially because she needed to rinse her hair out and couldn’t do that very well if she was talking, but also because he was trying so hard to behave.
But he was still curious, wondering what she was thinking about specifically. Because in their recent time together they’d voiced quite a few things that they wanted to do.
Luckily, he didn’t have to wait long for an answer.
Anna Marie was quiet afterwards until she had at least gotten her hair back under the water, tipping her head back into the spray and using one hand to help get all the soap out, eyes closed again as she enjoyed the warmth and as she debated if she should actually say anything. She knew speaking up, voicing her thoughts was only going to ensure that this ended in one way but... goddammit he really brought out the worst habits in her.
She couldn’t hate it if she tried.
“Stuck thinkin’ ‘bout your hands still.” Eventually she answered, eyes opening part way to look at him. “Feel good on me now just like this; can’t help thinkin’ a’ when you were talkin’ ‘bout gettin’ your fingers in me.” Talking about it was bad enough, but she was about to make it just a thousand times worse.
“Think you could hold me up for it?”
Even just the first sentence sent such a flash of heat through him that he was almost surprised the water wasn’t steaming right off of him. But she kept going, her thoughts quickly becoming his. He was completely content waiting for her to finish speaking before he added anything, not sure he would be able to form any words anyway. And he was getting ready to at least attempt to say something when she added the last bit.
“Ouais,” he answered immediately, eyes wide. He hadn’t even thought about the answer before it came out. “I mean- Anna, I don’ wanna risk hurtin’ you more.” That part was clearly less enthusiastic, but he was trying to be good. It just really wasn’t in his nature.
His eager, immediate answer had her smiling slightly, expecting absolutely nothing less out of him. The little correction afterwards just had it widening. It was a cute attempt at behaving, and yeah, maybe she had spent the better part of damn near ten minutes drilling it into him and really wasn’t setting the best example now, but she wanted this just as much.
“If you don’t was risk hurtin’ me more, then you better make sure I don’t slip, yeah?” Sex was good for health anyways. Maybe not specifically now, but Anna couldn’t find it in herself to care all that much when she was facing the prospect of finally getting his hands on her properly. Just the touches she had already been able to feel had sent her mind running wild and no doubt this would go so far beyond that.
She almost wondered if he thought she was testing him.
Remy pouted at her slightly, searching her face for any sign that she was messing with him. Teasing, trying to test, anything. Seemed particularly cruel, but he wasn’t going to rule it out yet.
But it didn’t seem like she was messing with him. There was still the chance that she was, but he wasn’t sure.
“I’d never let you slip, chère. Haven’ I done good so far?” He gave her a small grin, pulling her closer to him again. “An’ I guess if I don’ touch near the bruisin’…if everythin’ else ‘s feelin’ pretty okay….” He sounded like he was justifying it to himself more than to her.
Of course, they had been waiting for any sort of opportunity like it. And they didn’t know how long it would last.
She could practically see the gears turning in his mind and it was definitely at least a little bit amusing to her. Lucky him though, she was being entirely genuine about this, and her thinking was along the same lines in that they had no idea for how long they’d actually be able to do this. She was sure that she could handle at least a little bit of fun.
At being pulled closer she reached up to rest her arms over his shoulders, giving her the opportunity to both hold herself steady and get to touch him more. “Mmhmm,” Anna hummed simply, encouraging his line of thinking. She shifted then, trying to coax him along with her as she moved the short distance to have her back pressed against the wall for a little extra stability.
“C’mon, Remy. Don’t you wanna show me how good you really are with those fingers?”
He kept her steady, one hand dropping to hold onto her waist. He needed to figure out how to hold her up while fingering her at the same time.
It wasn’t a new concept to him, not that he’d share that with her, but before he’d never had to consider being so careful with it before. But there was no way that he’d treat it like any other time and risk her getting hurt. And even without that aspect, it wasn’t just any other time. It was her.
He followed her step back until he felt her hit the wall. Hopefully being able to have that to help with support. “Usually I’d wanna get you weak at the knees, but maybe not dis time, yeah?” A little joking couldn’t be helped, who would he be without it?
Maybe it would hide his excitement and slight nerves from knowing exactly what was about to happen.
He’d been wanting this for so damn long.