Cherry Waves
Pairing: Bob/Robert Reynolds/Sentry x Avengers!Fem!Reader
Summary: Youโve been sick for a few days, so while the rest of the team goes out to do a recon mission, youโre on your own watching over Bob. One morning he comes to your room with a weird request.
Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI! Minor Spoilers for Thunderbolts! Fluff, Mentions of low self-esteem/ self-deprecation, Smut
Smut Warnings: Unprotected P in V Sex (YโallโฆYou know the drillโฆProtect yourselves lol), Some hair pulling (very light hair pulling), Reader is being a little bit dominant (if you squint), Bob is being a softie (and itโs hot as shit), Fingering, Squirting, Teasing, Biting, and Some marks are left.
Author's Note: Had this boy lined up and really wanted to post it. Loved the little hint that Bob was not liking the blonde that Sentry had lol so this is definitely something that would probably have happened if he didnโt return back to normal in the movie ๐ Also, yโall are awesome and I appreciate you guys for enjoying my little blurbs!โค๏ธ Thank you.
Word Count: 14,094
You were buried under layers of sweat and crumpled tissues when the knock came against your bedroom door.
Three soft taps.
So quiet, they couldโve been the compound settling. It was hesitantโpolite almost. It was the kind of knock someone does when theyโre not sure if theyโre allowed to be asking for anything at all.
You barely stirred in your bed. The flu had you pinned to the mattress like a paper doll, aching and clammy and convinced the walls were breathing in sync with you. Hallucinations had become your new roommatesโso when you heard the knock, you assumed it was just one of them, wandering through your mind again.
But then came a fourth tap. Just one. Sharp enough to make your headache throb like it was answering.
โY/NโฆItโs BobโฆCan I come in?โ You winced at the sound of his voice, even though it was always super gentle and timid.
Bob.
Of course it was Bob.
Youโd almost forgotten in the haze of your sickness that you were technically on Bob duty. Because apparently being half-dead with the flu made you the least threatening option to keep an eye on the worldโs most powerful man while the rest of the team went on recon. Bucky had said it so casually, like the fate of the planet couldnโt possibly unravel while you were tucked under three blankets with a thermometer hanging out of your mouth.
โAll you gotta do is check in on him every hour or so,โ Heโd told you. โMake sure he eats. Make sure heโs not spiraling, and doing something to keep himself occupied. Yโknow. Normal people stuff.โ
It had been simple, at first. When the worst symptoms you were experiencing was a runny nose and a dull headache, youโd shuffle past Bob every so often with a thumbs up and a mumbled โYou good?โ While he nodded earnestly over his book, asking you the same thing back.
But once you started coughing so hard you felt like your ribs were breaking, and the chills that you were experiencing gave way to night sweats and dry heaving, keeping tabs on Bob Reynolds fell hard to the bottom of your to-do listโsomewhere below โdonโt dieโ and โget a new tissueโ.
โโฆItโs open,โ You rasped, your voice raw and thin from all the coughing you had been doing.
The doorknob turned slowly, like he was still asking permission even after you gave it. Then Bob stepped inside with that careful kind of energy that people only reserved for hospital rooms or museumsโlike one wrong step might unplug or break something important.
He hovered in between the doorway, not coming too closeโbeing mindful that you had told him a few times to keep his distance because you didnโt want him getting sick, even though it was nearly impossible for him to catch anything. His baggy navy sweater hung off him like a weighted blanket, and the sleeves were stretched over his knuckles, worn from the way he would always pick at the fabric. He looked small in itโeven though he was quiet muscular underneath all the layers. His posture was slouched, and his shoulders were drawn up like he was nervous about something. On top of all that though, he was wearing his new wardrobe stapleโa dark brown beanie that he shoved his bleach-blonde hair under, he never came out of his room without it.
You stared at his figure through half-lidded eyes, watching as he avoided looking directly at you.
โYou okay?โ You croaked, reaching up to your face to rub the sleep off your face, attempting to sit up to get a better look at him. He glanced over at you, nodding quickly.
โYeah. Of courseโฆI meanโฆIโm good, I justโฆโ He trailed off, the sentence losing momentum halfway through as his gaze drifted around the room.
He wasnโt just avoiding your eyes anymore, it was like his attention had been dragged elsewhereโbehind you, beside you, and all around you. His brows twitched slightly as he took in your space for the first time, and slowly you connected the dots that Bob had never actually been inside your room beforeโ the first time was always an experience for people who didnโt know you were a secret collector of everything.
His eyes swept over the cluttered desk in the corner that sported wires, pliers, circuit boards and half built gadgets, before going to the large overstuffed bookshelf beside it, which was packed tight with thrifted novels and comic books that were still in their original plastic sleeves. There was a milk crate of vinyls on the floor near your speaker, with the old record player you insisted on fixing instead of replacing, even though you would complain every few days about it.
There was a flicker in his expressionโsurprise, maybe. Or something quieter, like heโd just stumbled into a part of you that he didnโt expect to find. You saw it in the way his jaw went still and the way his shoulders shifted slightly, like he was dying to ask you questions about everything you had, but he was holding himself back.
โโฆBob,โ You said hoarsely, trying to draw his attention back to you. He didnโt blink, his eyes were fixated on something in the far corner where your posters were. You reached your hand up over your head, waving slightly, and snapping your fingers, โEarth to Bob. Are you sure everythingโs okay?โ He shook himself out of his trance, and glanced over at you.
โSorryโฆSorry,โ He said quickly, his voice a little higher than usual, as he cleared his throat, โDidnโt mean to, uhโฆYโknow, snoop or anything. Iโve just never seen your room before, youโve got a lot of cool stuff.โ You raised your eyebrows at him with a small smile on your face.
โYouโre lucky I feel like death. Otherwise Iโd be giving you the grand tour right nowโฆI also include a quiz at the end.โ Bob let out a nervous laugh and looked down, picking at the loose thread on his sleeve.
โIโd definitely failโฆSo Iโm kind of gladโฆWell Iโm not glad youโre sick, Iโm just glad I donโt have to do a quiz.โ Your lips twitched, amused despite the ache that was still clawing at your skull.
โVery smooth recovery Bob, very smooth.โ Bob made a quiet noiseโsomewhere between a breathy laugh and a groanโkeeping his eyes pinned to the floor as his cheeks turned a soft pink. You pushed yourself up a little more than before, elbows trembling from the effort of holding yourself up.
โSoโฆWhatโs going on? Whyโd you knock on my door atโฆโ You paused, glancing over at your alarm clock, โSeven fifty three in the morning?โ Bob sighed.
โWellโฆI need to go to the drug store,โ He admitted, his voice sheepish, โAnd I know Buckyโs not really a fan of me going out alone soโฆThought Iโd ask my babysitter.โ You squinted at him through your blurred vision, feeling the room tilt slightly, as you brought your hand up to your face, pressing gently at your temples.
โAre you getting sick or something?โ He immediately shook his head.
โNo, no itโs nothing like that. I havenโt really gotten sick since I took the Sentry serumโฆโ You quirked your brow at him.
โSoโฆWhatโs the reason for the drug store trip then?โ Bob shifted his weight from one foot to the other, the floor creaking under him loudly as he did so.
โI umโฆI need to buy something. For myself.โ He responded, dancing around the truth. You stared at him.
โIs it serious?โ
โNo,โ He said quickly, โItโs not likeโฆHealth-serious or anything, Iโm fine physically, I justโฆโ He paused, clamming up again, not knowing how to explain himself. You narrowed your eyes at him, coughing into your arm, clutching your ribs when a dull ache pulsed through the area.
โYou do realize Iโm gonna find out anyway if I go with you , right?โ Bob sighed and dragged his hand down the side of his face, like he was physically wiping the resistance off of himself, letting his hand drop down to the hem of his sweater.
โFineโฆFineโฆI need to buyโฆHair dye.โ He mumbled under his breath. You tilted your head slightly, blinking through the fevered haze that clouded your vision.
โHair dye?โ Bob winced at the way the words left your mouth, even though you didnโt mean for it to sound like you were judging him.
โMhmโฆโ You stared at him for a second longer than he could handle, as his eyes began to wander again, his hands wringing the fabric of his shirt, wrinkling it.
โYou woke me up at seven-fifty-three in the morningโฆFor hair dye?โ You asked again, trying to confirm what you were hearing once more, hoping that you werenโt experiencing an odd version of delirium at this point.
โItโs not justโโ He started, then shut his mouth again, biting the inside of his cheek, shaking his head, โI meanโฆIt isโฆBut I justโฆโ The sentence fell apart in his throat, as his cheeks began to heat up. He looked genuinely embarrassed, and you could see himself curling even more into his sweater, โI just donโt like what it looks like anymore.โ There was something raw about the way he said it, and you couldnโt help but feel empathy for him, your heart clenching at the way his words cracked in the air.
โThe bleachโฆ The whole look,โ he muttered, eyes fixed on the floor, โIt was for him. For the Sentry. Thatโs what they said, anywayโ they said that it would help. That it would make people see someone new. Something brighterโฆLike it would somehow separate usโฆBut I still have to live in this body when heโs not around.โ Bob continued, his throat swelling with a lump, โI still have to see myselfโฆAnd the longer I look like him, the harder it is to remember who I am when Iโm justโฆBob.โ You didnโt say anything at firstโnot because you didnโt want to, but because there was something about the way he was talking about himself that made your chest cave in a little. The words hung in the air like mist, as he bowed his head even lower, keeping his eyes on the floor, not daring to look at you or anything else in the room.
โItโs not stupid.โ You could see his hands stop moving at your words, watching his eyes glance up at you hesitantly. You gave him a tired but sincere look, hoping that it was enough for him to understand that what you were saying was coming from a place of care, โWanting to see yourself again isnโt stupid BobโฆItโs just you trying to cling to the one thing you have control ofโฆI get it.โ His mouth parted, like he was going to thank you, but no sound came out. He was relieved that someone was finally understanding what he meant, it was like he had been running around talking to walls when he would speak about how he was feeling, but with you in this momentโฆIt was like he felt seen.
โSo Iโll helpโฆBut I need to see what weโre working with first.โ You added, motioning to his head. Bob looked like a deer in the headlights when you said it, caught off guard by your suggestion, but also scared to even follow through with it.
โW-What?โ You sighed.
โThat hat BobโฆJust take it offโฆI havenโt seen your hair since we moved you in here and youโve been hiding it like itโs some sort of radioactive test subject.โ He felt his heart gallop in his chest a little bit, as the nerves began to build up in him.
โI-I really donโt think thatโs necessary,โ He stammered, already figuring out a way to retreat out of the conversation, eyeing the hallway that was in the far corner of his vision.
โBob, you dragged me out of a flu coma to ask me for helpโฆSo let me help youโฆLet me see it.โ The gentleness in your voice was always something that got to him. Even on your toughest days you would use that tone with him, and for some reason it was the only thing that truly had him melting like putty in your hands.
You could see the conflict playing out within him, like he was weighing out the risks, until a look of resolve appeared on his face, a small sigh escaping his lips as he gave in to your request.
Bobโs fingers trembled as he slipped them beneath the edge of his beanie, hesitating for a second before slowly tugging it off his head. The static cling made the knit fabric resist him just a little, like even the hat itself didnโt want to let go of the safety it provided him.
The moment it came off, a curtain of hair fell across his face. You blinked through your fevered haze, eyes widening slightlyโnot in shock, but in recognition. His hair was longer than you rememberedโshaggy, uneven, the ends fried from months of bleach. The top was still harshly pale, the yellow-white of it stark under the low morning light, but underneath, near the roots, his real hair was coming back inโsoft, and light brown, just like you recalled from the brief glimpses you got of him before it all got changed. But the line where bleach met natural color was harsh and jarring, cutting across his scalp like a bad decision frozen in time.
He looked like someone in between versions of himself, not quite Bob, not quite SentryโjustโฆStuck. You studied him for a moment, your body heavy with exhaustion but your chest buzzing with quiet sympathy. There was something so tender about the way he stood there, hair falling into his eyes, his beanie clutched in his hands like a comfort object. He looked younger somehow. Not in age, but in vulnerabilityโlike this was the version of himself that never got the chance to just be soft and carefree.
โItโs not that bad,โ You started, the rasp still thick in your throat, โReally. It just needs some love, patienceโฆMaybe a deep conditionโฆAnd the right shade of brown.โ Bobโs head immediately shot up to look at you, like he couldnโt believe what you were saying.
โS-So youโre actually going to help? Y-You didnโt just try to trick me into showing you my hair right?โ You shifted yourself down to the edge of your mattress, groaning at the way your bones protested and pulsed with each movement.
โNo I didnโt try to trick youโฆ Iโm going to help, but first, Iโm gonna need you to come here and make sure I donโt fall, because I think my legs are going to wiggle like theyโre made of jelly.โ For a split second Bob wasnโt sure if you were serious or not about needing actual help, but he moved anyway, shuffling towards you with his socked feet sliding across the floor. He opened his arms hesitantly, elbows bending like he wasnโt sure where they were supposed to go, offering himself up into your space.
โAlrightโฆWhenever youโre ready I g-guess.โ He said softly, his voice cracking a bit on the โguessโ like he was more nervous about touching or dropping you than you were about falling on your own.
Your hands found his forearms instantly, fingers curling into the soft, worn cotton of his sleeves, watching him brace himself. He looped one arm under yours, while steadying the other against your back as you pushed off the mattress, feeling your knees buckling beneath you like a baby deer on ice.
โWoahโwoah, okay.โ Bob muttered quickly, tightening his arms around you without a second thought. He adjusted himself accordingly, trying his best to be gentle while still being secure enough to hold you upright. You ended up closer than either of you really expected, with his chest pressed against yours, and your cheek inches away from his shoulder.
Despite everythingโthe fever baking your skin, the chills clinging to your limbs, and the flu that had knocked you down hard enough to rattle the wallsโyou still smelledโฆGood.
Bob noticed it the moment you got within his arms reach.
It wasnโt some kind of artificial, pampered scent. It wasnโt perfume or lotion or anything curated. No, it was just youโfresh soap, soft worn cotton, and that barely-there trace of eucalyptus from the body wash and shampoo combo you swore by. He heard you muttering something about it being the only thing strong enough to trick your sinuses into opening, and Bob had thought it was actually going to work because the sniff you gave him from the bottle made him have a sneezing fit, but he heard your frustrated grunt in the shower when it had not been the case.
โYou alright Bob?โ You asked, feeling the tension in his body against yours. He let out a short breath, which fanned across the crown of your head. He didnโt say anything right away, he just gave you a quick nod.
โYeah, yeah Iโm okay.โ You could feel how careful he was being, feeling his arms flexing around you, not too tight, and not too loose. He was warm, and steady, while trying so hard not to be in the way, even though you requested his help. You couldnโt help but think about how strangely nice it was to be close to him, despite the situation.
You stood like that for another moment longer, your body leaning against his, the rhythm of your fevered breathing matching the rise and fall of his chest. Even through the blocked sinuses you had you could smell his laundry detergent on his sweaterโfresh from the dryer, another thing you seemed to like about the moment.
Though you snapped yourself out of your self-induced daze once the floor felt less like a rocking ship beneath your feet. You pulled back just enough to glance up at him.
โYou can let go now,โ You whispered, startling Bob with the cue. Quickly he stepped back, like he just realized he was touching a hot stove or something, trying not to seem like he had been enjoying the odd moment of closeness. Despite the warmth of his body leaving yours, his hands still hovered around you just in case.
โIโm good,โ You reassured, wobbling slightly but managing to keep yourself upright, โJust give me a few minutes to brush my teeth and get my bearings so I donโt scare the public by looking like a corpse.โ Bob nodded immediately.
โYeah, of course, Iโll justโฆIโll wait in the hallway. Thereโs no rush or anything, uhโฆJust take your time. Seriously, I mean it.โ He said, backing away while he clutched his beanie in his hand, โJust call me if you need anything.โ He added, slipping out of your room and pulling the door shut behind him.
The moment he was gone, you sat back down on the edge of the bed with a slow, rattling breath. God. Your whole body felt like it had been microwavedโsweaty, sore, and buzzing with leftover adrenaline. You pressed the heels of your palms into your eyes for a second, trying to reboot your nervous system. Not just from the fever, but from how close Bob had been. How soft heโd been. How good it had felt to be held with such warmth and gentleness even if it was for a fleeting moment.
You let out a sigh, before getting up again, dragging yourself into the ensuite bathroom you shared with Yelena, flicking on the bright fluorescent light. You let out a hiss, catching your reflection in the mirror. Surprisingly, the damage was minimal, sure your hair was an absolute mess from spending the night tossing and turning, but you looked half-awake at least.
Quickly, you got yourself ready, brushing your teeth, splashing some water on your face, fixing up your hair, and changing into a fresh set of clothes. By the time you were done, only fifteen minutes had passedโyour new personal best. You cracked the door to your bedroom open, finding Bob sitting on the floor waiting with his back against the wall and knees drawn up. He looked up quickly when he heard the creak, and gave you a soft smile.
โLetโs get outta here.โ
โโโโโโ
Twenty minutes later, you found yourselves shoulder to shoulder in front of the painfully fluorescent wall of boxed hair dye in your local CVS.
It was still early, so thankfully not a lot of people were in the store. You actually thought that it was just you and Bob who were customers and the rest of the people there were employees and managers. On the overhead speakers there was a faint crackle of old 2000s music groaning throughout the store. The air smelled like plastic and dryer sheets, which was an odd mix for a drugstore of all places.
Bob stood stiffly beside you, his hands jammed into the front pocket of his jacket, eyes wide as he took in the absurd variety of brands and colours in front of him. His mouth was parted slightly, like he wanted to say something but couldnโt decide on what panic stricken sentence he was going to go with. So you spoke first.
โWellโฆWe know what row we need to look at.โ You said, motioning toward the more natural leaning coloursโrows of caramel, ash, chestnut, and espressoโpushing the cart gently in that direction as Bob trailed behind you like a nervous shadow. Your eyes scanned over the various boxes and brands, trying to find ones that would do minimum damage to his hair while actually doing the job.
โI didnโt think it was going to be so complicatedโฆโ He murmured from behind you, โI just thought there would be straight forward choicesโฆโ You looked up from the boxes, seeing the way his jaw was clenched.
โItโs just overwhelming because all the companies who make this stuff create different versions of the same thing. Seeโฆโ You pointed at one box โThis one is ammonia free, and is semi-permanent,โ Then pointed to the other one right beside it,โWhile this one is permanent and has argan oil infused in it so it doesnโt do a lot of damage, but theyโre the same colour.โ Bob squinted at the wall of labels, then back to the boxes you had motioned to, visibly confused, shaking his head.
โAlrightโฆBut what if I just wantโฆNormal dye?โ You looked up at him, one brow arching in mild amusement.
โBobโฆThis is normal dye.โ He turned a sharp shade of red, as the heat rose to his cheeks, taking over the paleness.
โW-Well yeah butโbut you know what I mean donโt you? It doesnโt have to be so complicated, just have one of every colour.โ You let out a small laugh.
โWelcome to the wonderful world of capitalism, Bob. You want brown? Well, first you gotta pick from thirty-seven kinds of brown. Do you want cocoa chestnut or honey almond toast? Because those are apparently different.โ Bob took his hand out of his pocket, rubbing the back of his neck.
โOkayโฆI guess youโre right.โ He replied nervously.
โWeโll find your colour, I promise.โ You said calmly, continuing to look over the boxes in front of you.
โShould I, uhโฆTake my hat off? Would that help?โ You tilted your head at him, and nodded.
โIt would definitely make this a much quicker processโฆBut if it really bothers you, Iโm pretty sure I could go off of memory.โ Bob shrugged a little, his eyes flicking around the store for a moment.
โI donโt mind, itโs basically just us in here anyway.โ You nodded, watching him remove the beanie again, tucking it into the crook of his elbow. He tried to not make a big deal out of it, but you could tell he felt exposed, so you were going to attempt to make things quick.
โAlright,โ You said, stepping a little closer to him, grabbing a few boxes from the shelf, โBend down a bit, I need to get a good look at the roots so I can compare.โ He obeyed, ducking his head so you could see the top of his hair properly. In doing so, he stepped closer than you expectedโcloser than he expected, probably. Your foreheads were nearly aligned, noses maybe a breath apart. He was tall enough that you had to tilt your chin slightly to get the right angle, and Bob found himself frozen there, inches from you, not sure where to look. So, he looked at you.
You smelled like cherry cough dropsโsickly sweet and medicinalโand it hit him instantly, like a quiet little exhale in the space between you. He remembered the moment you popped one into your mouth earlier, halfway to CVS, saying it was the only thing keeping your throat from giving out. And now the scent lingered on your breath, mingling with the warmth of your skin and the faint trace of eucalyptus from before. Bob swore his brain short-circuited for a second.
You were focused, eyes narrowing slightly, as you held one box up beside his roots, then another. Your fingers brushed through the longer strands near his crown, gently separating pieces to get a clearer view of where the bleach ended and his real colour began. You were so precise about it, so tender, and Bob didnโt know where to put his hands or how to keep breathing without accidentally inhaling you.
Then you paused, lips turning up as you caught the way his chest rose a little faster, how his fingers curled and uncurled in his sleeves
A soft rattling sound reached your ears thenโthe kind of nervous, involuntary vibration that sometimes came from him when he was overwhelmed. You smirked slightly, brushing your thumb against his temple on purpose as you pushed a few more strands aside.
โIs the Sentry getting a bit flustered?โ You teased, your voice still raspy from the flu but still playful. โOr is that just you rattling like a soda can?โ
Bob made a noiseโhalf sigh, half laughโducking his head a little more like it would hide the warmth that continued to spread over his skin, all the way down his neck. โItโs definitely just me. Heโs, uhโฆHeโs fine.โ
โGood,โ You hummed, still close, eyes flicking between the swatch and his roots. โBecause I donโt think heโd let me manhandle his hair like this.โ
โYouโre notโฆManhandling anything,โ He mumbled, trying to cover up the wavering tone. โFeelsโฆKinda nice, actually.โ You paused at that comment, your eyes glancing down to his, seeing little glints of sparkling orange through the sea blue that his irises normally sported. For a second, neither of you said anything. The store had faded by that point and all that was left was the faint scent of cherry and the feel of your fingers still resting lightly in his hair.
โโฆThis is your shade,โ You said finally, voice soft, motioning to the box in your hand. He didnโt move at first, it was as if his brain hadnโt caught up to the moment yet, or his ears were ringing so much he didnโt hear what you had said. Then you shifted your weight, easing back slightly, giving him some space as you cleared your throat, dropping the box into the cart with a clunk. He quickly slipped the beanie back on, shoving his hair up into it, sealing away the moment beneath it.
โNow we need to get you one of those conditioning treatments, and after that Iโm grabbing some snacks, cause Iโm getting hungry.โ He looked away from you, nodding.
โYeah, okayโฆConditioner and snack. Got it.โ You glanced up at him, seeing the way he was avoiding you eyes again, before turning back to the cart, pushing it down the aisle with him following close behind. You turned into the next section without fanfareโthe shampoo and conditioner areaโand skimmed over a wide array of labels until your eyes landed on the exact jar you were looking for: the rich brown packaging, the heavy text that scrawled out all the promises of repairing and restoring.
โThis one,โ You muttered, reaching up for it and dropping it into the cart with a soft thunk, โWill do miracles for the damage, youโre gonna love it, smells like sweet coconuts.โ Bob glanced at the package.
โDoes itโฆSting?โ Your eyebrows drew together.
โBobโฆIt's conditioner, not acid.โ He bit his inner lip.
โNo, I-I know, Iโm just asking cause when they bleached my hair it really really burnedโฆThen my head was super sensitive for like a whole week after, j-just donโt want to go through that again.โ You could hear the way his voice tapered off, like he didnโt really want to talk about it, but he just wanted to let you know.
โI promise this will be way less abrasive.โ You said, with a small smile tugging at your lips, nudging the cart forward again, โNow letโs get to that snack aisle before my stomach eats itself.โ Bob chuckled softly at your words, following you again as you turned into the next section, noticing the sharp fluorescent lights had dimmed just slightly. The sterile smell of the store had completely faded by that point, being replaced with sweet confectionery items; gummy snacks, granola bars, marshmallows, anything you could think of really. You stopped your cart, feeling Bobโs chest bump into your back, as your eyes began to skim over the shelves, squinting at the shimmering bags, the look of contemplation drawing up into your eyebrows.
โSoโฆWhatโre you craving?โ He asked softly, watching your eyes dart around the wide variety, โSweet? Salty?โ You hummed.
โMight buy the whole aisle to be honestโฆโ He laughed under his breath, the sound quieter than the storeโs staticky music, but warmer than anything youโd heard in days.
โSeems like your appetite has come back.โ You turned to look at him, letting your body sway slightly toward the cart to brace yourself.
โYeah, I think the fresh air has put me on the road to recoveryโฆJust donโt touch my lower backโฆItโs a little sweaty.โ There was a beat of silence, before you continued โMy stomach might also be trying to fool me into a false sense of security and Iโll end up throwing it all up after I eat it.โ
โWell that took a turnโฆโ You shrugged, plucking a bag of sweet chili chips, throwing it mindlessly into the cart.
โI like to keep you on your toes Bob.โ You replied with a smirk.
โโโโโ-
Back at the compound, you retreated into your room to change, making quick work even though you were feeling a faint headache coming back, but it was more manageable than your prior ones.
You swapped out your clothes for a pair of beat-up black compression shorts and an old t-shirt from your days at training campโfrayed at the collar and speckled with faded bleach stains from when you touched up Yelenaโs hair. The crooked letters on the shirt were faded but you could make out the words โI SURVIVED CAMP HAMMONDโ on the front of it, a great memory of how long itโs been since you were actually training.
You grabbed your dye bowl and one of the brushes from under your bathroom sink, tucking them against you as you headed down the hall. Your bare feet padded softly against the cool flooring of the compound, reaching the bathroom that Bob shared with Bucky, seeing the door was already cracked open. You gave it a slow push with your knuckles, poking your head in.
Bob stood in the middle of the tiled space like he wasnโt sure where he was going to sit, clutching the CVS bag with both hands, wringing it in his grip, the sound crinkling plastic echoing off the walls. He already had taken off the beanie, fully prepared for what was coming.
โAlright,โ You announced as you stepped inside, โYour hair hero has arrived.โ Bob looked over at you quickly, his shoulders dropping slightly when he laid eyes on you and your outfit. The tension in him bleeding out of him in small waves.
โYou brought your own bowl?โ He asked, trying to cover up the fact he was staring at your bare legs for longer than he intended.
โOf course I brought my own bowl,โ You replied, holding it up slightly before setting it down on the porcelain counter, โWhat kind of amateur do you think I am?โ You asked jokingly, earning a small smile from Bob, motioning for him to hand you the bag.
You unpacked the contents onto the sinks edgeโthe dye, the conditioner, the gloves, and a couple of CVS coupons that the cashier had stapled to the receipt.
โOkay,โ You said, flipping the box of dye around to double-check the instructions even though you were seasoned enough to know what you were doing without them, โLetโs get you situated hm?โ Bob hovered behind you awkwardly, watching your hands move with precise, and practiced ease. You pointed at the closed toilet lid.
โGo sit on the makeshift barber chair, hope you like stiff seats.โ You joked, watching him go over to where you pointed, sitting down without protest, seeing the way his long frame compressed itself into the small space. He looked over at you with a soft smile, his hands clasping together, as you slid on a pair of gloves.
โUhโฆJust wanted to say thank you for doing this, especially with being sick and everythingโฆI didnโt mean to be a bother.โ You cracked open the box of dye, flipping the flaps back and pulling out the developer bottle and aluminum tube of colour, the gloves squeaking slightly as you did so. You opened the cap with a satisfying pop and reached for the dye bowl beside you.
โYouโre not a bother Bob.,โ You said, glancing over at him as you squeezed the thick brown sludge into the bowl, โI donโt mind.โ He blushed a bit at the softness in your voice, letting out a sheepish laugh, nodding before taking his eyes off you, his fingers finding the hem of his sweater.
You turned and flipped the small ceiling fan on, letting it whirl to life with a soft click and hum, it was your little attempt to keep the room from smelling like a chemical spill before you started stirring in the developer with the dye.
It was quiet for a momentโpeaceful almost. Just the faint humming of the fan and the soft scrape of the plastic bristles rubbing against the inside of the bowl. Bobโs eyes drifted down toward your shirt absentmindedly, reading the faded words that were scrawled over the fabric that was clinging to your frame.
โWhatโsโฆCamp Hammond?โ He asked quietly, with genuine curiosity in his voice, as he looked down to his hands. You didnโt look over at him immediatelyโstill focused on making sure the mixture reached that perfect pudding-like textureโbut your mouth twitched slightly.
โDid you think I was born with the skills of a mercenary?โ You asked, glancing over at him with a teasing glint in your eye, โHate to burst your bubble, but I wasnโt that cool.โ Bob felt his cheeks heat up as it spread to his ears and down his neck.
โSo what is it? LikeโฆA boot camp or something?โ You shrugged, looking down at the bowl again.
โKind of. It was a training facility for recruits who showed promise in their assigned roles. I was a teenager when I got scouted, actually. They stuck us in bunk beds and we ran drills at five in the morning. Sometimes we were able to go home to see our families but I spent about three years there just learning the ropes and honing my skills.โ He leaned forward a bit.
โWas itโฆBad?โ You paused the stirring for a moment, biting the inside of your cheek when you heard the way he asked.
โNo. Not always. It was intense, but not all of it was horrible. I met my first team there actually, so that should tell you something about the experience.โ At the mention of your first team, the conversation had faded, because true to Bobโs nature he was observant enough to catch on that you werenโt going to answer any questions about them. He just nodded, and sat still, with worry tucked beneath his lashes. You cleared your throat, breaking the silence.
โBefore I forgetโyou should probably take that sweater off. This stuff is probably going to stain it and thereโs a really low chance youโre going to be able to get it out.โ You said, motioning with the brush, โUnless you actually want brown splatters all over it.โ You added, seeing him look down at himself.
โOhโฆUhโฆโ He said, curling his fingers into the hem of it, hesitating, โIโm notโฆWearing anything under it.โ You paused.
โYou could go find something you donโt mind ruining, I can wait.โ Bob shook his head, not looking at you, avoiding your eyes.
โI donโt really have anythingโฆI wear pretty much all of my clothes, and donate the ones I donโt.โ You put your hands on your hips, biting the inner side of your cheek.
โGuess we have a dilemma then.โ You said jokingly, looking around the bathroom for a towelโa solution of sorts.
โI meanโฆI could take it off, I justโฆJust promise me you wonโt laugh.โ You stopped your movements immediately, looking back at him, raising your eyebrows.
โOkay. I wonโt laugh.โ You said, feeling your chest tighten. Bob nodded once, his fingers finally tugging up the hem of the sweater. It caught slightly on the undersides of his armsโhe had to peel it upward with a bit of a twistโand then suddenly, it was gone, crumpled in his hands and resting in his lap.
You froze.
The breath you hadnโt realized you were holding caught somewhere in your throat, stalling completely as you took him in.
The heat that burned inside your body hit you like a second fever.
He wasโฆLean. But solid. Not showy or overly built, but undeniably strong. His chest and shoulders were broad in a way that looked natural. There were fine lines of definition that carved down his sternum and stomach, soft traces of light and shadow where his muscles rested. His skin was fair, with scattered freckles that dotted across his collarbones and shoulders like sunspots. A small scar cut just under his left ribโthin and silvery and healed long agoโand there was a faint stretch of color along his ribs, a faded birthmark maybe, or it was the aftermath from the serum he was given. Tying it all together though were the very very small stretch marks that were scattered around the expanse of skin, which made your brows raise a bit in admirationโฆ
And his armsโJesus Christ, his armsโwere gently corded with strength, biceps not flexed but still clearly shaped beneath smooth skin, dusted with barely-there hair in the hollows of his elbows. The veins on his forearms sat just under the surface, pale blue and almost glowing under the harsh light of the bathroom.
He wasnโt perfect. But you didnโt want perfect. Thisโthis was so much better.
The heat rushed up your neck and onto your cheeks so fast it was like your body had short-circuited, and you were suddenly very aware that your own shirt was threadbare and clinging to your frame. You tried to clear your throat quietly, to ground yourself, but the sound came out shakier than you liked. Bob caught it immediately, and his cheeks went a dark hue of pink. Now you were able to see the pale skin of his chest matching the same colour.
You felt nauseous looking at him, but for all the right reasons. How the hell were you supposed to get close to this man now without passing out? And how the hell was he able to hide this so well from youโ Or anybody else for that matter?
โWowโฆโ Was all you could say, and you didnโt even mean for it to come out of your mouth. Bobโs head tilted up at you, noticing the way your eyes were glued to him like he was some sort of museum exhibit. He clutched the sweater in his lap a little tighter, curling in on himself a bit as if he was trying to hide, looking down at himself.
โYeah I knowโฆโ He muttered, tone awkward and clipped, like he was attempting to defuse the silence before it got worse, โI know itโs badโฆThe serum kindaโฆI donโt know made me grow a little too quickly, and-.โ You raised your hand to stop him.
โWoah woahโฆDonโt even go there Bob. I wasnโt saying wow in a bad way.โ He looked up at you instantly, his eyes glistening in the lighting, the soft blue still shimmering with those little flecks of orange.
โโฆYou werenโt?โ He questioned, his lips parting a bit.
โBobโฆYouโre built like a fucking house.โ You said bluntly, the edge in your voice softening from the next wave of nausea that sloshed in your stomach. Bob made a noise like he was suppressing a laugh, his throat closed a bit.
โThatโsโฆA very generous interpretation, but you donโt have to lie to meโฆโ Your expression twisted slightly, not in offense, but in something rawer than that. It was as if his words scratched at a place in you that was already tender.
โBob, Iโve never lied to youโฆAnd Iโm certainly not starting now.โ Bobโs lashes fluttered like he was processing your words, like no one had ever said something so plainly true to him in a long time. You could see the way he swallowed hard, almost like he was choking back his words, โYou look amazing, and I mean it.โ That was when you heard it againโthe faint rattling sound, you assumed he was shaking something in one of the cabinets, it didnโt really matter at this point though. He drew in a shaky breath to quiet it, his fingers tightening around the bunched-up sweater.
Then you stepped towards him, taking up the space between his knees. You were close enough to feel the warmth coming off his bare chest, to see the smallest cluster of freckles that laid just beneath his collarbone, and to feel his breath against you. Bob tilted his head up, slow and steady, his eyes finding yours immediately, seeing more orange taking over his irises.
โโฆYouโre really not going to laugh at me?โ He asked, almost like he truly couldnโt believe it. You sighed, tucking a piece of bleached hair behind his ear.
โBob, the only thing Iโm going to be doing right now is wondering how Iโm supposed to function with you sitting in front of me like thisโฆDoes that make you feel any better?โ Bob let out a soft, startled breathโalmost like a laugh or like he didnโt know what to do with the surge of warmth that spread through his chest.
His hands, still knotted around the sweater in his lap, flexedโthen unclenched. The tension there began to melt, bit by bit.
โIโฆโ He started, then stopped. His voice caught, his tongue wetting his bottom lip like he was trying to steady himself. His eyes searching your face, shining under the light โI think that makes it so much worse, actually.โ
โWorse?โ Bob nodded faintly.
โYeahโฆBecause now Iโm trying really hard not to kiss you...โ His voice was barely above a whisper when he said it, and all consideration for the flu you had been battling was thrown to the curb.
The rattling came back. Louder this time. Almost a tremor that ran through his chestโnot violent, not dangerous, but charged. Like there was a wire humming under his skin that was just barely holding.
And still, somehow, he smiled.
The kind of smile that only showed up when he was trying to hide how badly he wanted something.
You swallowed. Your hand was still in his hair, fingers brushing at the soft edge of his temple. You could feel his warmth, his nerves, the small, careful gravity that existed between his body and yours. You let your gaze drop to his mouth, just for a second, and then back to his eyes.
โWell,โ You said, keeping your voice low and playful, in an attempt to mask your heart beating out of your chest โYouโre gonna have to wait until after your hairโs done. Iโm not making out with someone mid-dye jobโthis stuff stains.โ You added innocently, a smirk drawing up on your lips. You could hear Bobโs breath catching in his throat at the sheer mention of making out.
โRight, right, of course.โ He said, trying to cover up the excitement that bloomed in him.
โNow, be a give boy and stay still, so I can work my magic.โ You whispered tilting his chin up even more with your gloved hand.
โY-Yes, maโam.โ He responded breathlessly, without even thinkingโso soft, and so automatic that it made your pulse spike. You cleared your throat a bit before dipping the brush into the bowl, letting the creamy dye coat the bristles, then gently you began to cover the stark blonde lengths of his hair in the dark brown colouring. The scent of itโchemical but faintly sweetโmingled with the warm air drifting down from the little ceiling fan, and you tried to keep your breathing steady as you worked. Bobโs hair was softer than you expected, silken even after all the damage. And the way he tilted his head just slightly to give you better access made your chest ache.
He closed his eyes at the first touch, his jaw going slack as you parted the strands with careful fingers, keeping your brush strokes slow and methodical. You could see his throat move as he swallowed, the faintest tremble still present in his frameโbut now it was quiet, more soothed than shaken.
You worked in silence for a little while. It wasnโt awkwardโjust thick with the kind of tension that lingers when two people are trying not to break a moment thatโs humming with too much energy. You kept your movements fluid, coating each section with care, your free hand occasionally grazing the side of his neck or the curve of his temple to steady him.
Bob let out a slow, shaky breath.
โโฆCan I touch you?โ
The question barely made it past his lips. His eyes were still shut, but his lashes fluttered like he wasnโt sure if he should open them yet. You paused, brush hovering midair.
โTouch me?โ You asked, like you were confirming what he just said. He nodded, just once.
โNot in a weird way I justโI need toโฆTo do something with my hands.โYour lips parted, the heat returning in full force, knowing that he was probably making an excuse to put his hands on you, to feel you, to take you in, but deep down inside, you didnโt mind one bit.
โYeah,โ You said quietly. โYou can touch me.โ
The second you said it, you felt his hands move. Slow, careful. The sweater slipped from his lap and landed with a soft thump on the tile floor. Then his palms came to rest on the sides of your thighs, just above the hem of your compression shorts.
They were warm. Gentle. And a bit shaky.
Bob exhaled like the contact untied something in him, his fingers curling lightly around your skin as if he couldnโt quite believe he was allowed to hold you like that. His thumbs swept slow arcs along the fabric, and then you saw itโhis bottom lip caught between his teeth, eyes still closed like he was savoring every inch of sensation, like he was trying to memorize the feel of you beneath his palms.
You could barely focus on the hair in front of you. Your hands just kept moving, but your entire body was tuned to himโhow he sighed when your knee brushed his, how he flexed his hands slightly when your knuckles grazed his cheek. How he chased what little touch he was getting from you.
โYou okay down there?โ You asked, voice low, and tinged with amusement. His eyes finally openedโheavy-lidded, and flushed with emotion, as his fingers stayed firm on your legs.
โYeah,โ He breathed. โJustโฆI think this is the most relaxed Iโve felt in weeks.โ You couldnโt help but smile at the softness of his voice.
โWell, Iโm glad I could contribute to thatโฆEven though now youโre going to have to wait thirty minutes for this to set in.โ He wet his bottom lip with his tongue, nibbling on the inside of it, as you placed the empty bowl and stained brush onto the counter, taking off your gloves and letting them drop in the garbage all while staying in the space between his knees. You set a timer for yourself on the speaker radio that was near the conditioner.
โโฆWhat could we possibly do to make the time go by faster?โ He asked shyly, almost like he already knew the answer, but he just wanted you to initiate it, because he was too nervous to do it himself.
You werenโt going to give in that easily though.
โOh Iโm sure we could think of something.โ Allowing your voice to be a bit more breathier than before. He blinked up at you, hopeful and unsure all at once, but he still didnโt say anything, he Just kept holding you like he was afraid that any sudden shift he did would scare you off.
You didnโt move much at firstโjust enough to lean a fraction closer. Just enough to let your shirt brush his bare chest as you planted your palms on the edge of the shelf behind him, caging him in without pressure, while also being mindful of his dye coated hair. Bob inhaled, and you felt the tremble of it, the way his breath shuddered as your faces moved closer.
You dipped inโslow, and teasingโuntil your lips were just above his. A hairโs breadth away from connecting.
But then you stopped.
Bob was dazed. His lips parted, breath warm in anticipation, waiting for you to do itโฆBut you just stayed there, close enough for him to swallow the air you breathed out into him, and to smell the faint hint of cherry that was still clinging to your lips from the cough drop.
โโฆY/N.โ He whispered, his voice almost breaking off into a whimper. You tilted your head with a knowing smirk.
โWhat?โ You asked quietly.
โY-You know whatโฆYouโre driving me crazyโฆโ He tried to lean up but you moved back just enough for him to lose the air you were giving him.
โThatโs the point.โ You replied, brushing the tip of his nose with yours. His fingers tightened a little on your thighs, but he didnโt move you closer, even though he couldโve. He stayed obedient. Soft. The way he was in his everyday life and you smiled down at him, leaning in again to brush your lips across his bottom one, feeling him shiver against you.
Bob let out a shaky breath, his eyes fluttering half-shut from the close proximity of your mouth. His palms on your thighs shifted upward, sliding under your baggy top so they could rest against the waistband of your compression shorts, his fingers brushing the skin of your hips.
โโฆYou donโt know what youโre doing to meโฆGodโฆYou have no idea.โ He said, his voice aching and on the verge of spilling over into begging.
โI think I have a pretty good idea,โ You murmured back, trailing your lips across his again, feeling the wetness of his saliva this time before going to the shell of his ear โYouโre the one shaking, Bob.โ You whispered, your breath hitting against his skin.
โIโm t-trying my best to be good for youโฆBut youโre making this so hard.โ The heat between you curled together, tightening in your belly. You drew back just enough so you could look him in the eyes again. โโฆYou can do whatever you want to meโฆโ He whispered, โJust pleaseโฆPlease donโt stop touching me.โ Your breath caught at his word, not just because of the desperation that laced them, but because of the truth that hung below them.
It was the kind of truth people usually only say in the dark, or when they were half-asleep or drunk, but Bob was fully sober, wide-eyed, and trembling beneath your hands as if he couldnโt hold himself back any longer. It was like you were pulling a loose thread from a shirt and it was completely unraveling the whole thing. You stared at him for a long moment.
โโฆThe timer is going to go off in about twenty minutes,โ You said softly, โAnd I think weโre both a little overheated, arenโt we?โ Bobโs eyebrows knitted together, almost like he was preparing himself for you to stop this from going any further.
โWโWhat do youโโ
โI think we should take a shower together when the timer goes off,โ You interrupted, tilting your head to the side, โThat okay with you?โ There was a beat of stunned silence. Then a choked little nod, as Bobโs fingers gently pressed into your hips on reflex.
โIโll rinse out your hair, get the dye outโฆThen maybeโโ Your voice dropped into a whisper, โโIโll let you kiss meโฆThink you can manage to wait?โ Bob let out a small broken soundโbetween a laugh and a groan.
โI-I can try,โ He whispered, not even sounding convinced by his own voice.
The next fifteen minutes passed in a kind of suspended quiet. You didnโt step away from him entirelyโjust retreated enough to clean the brush, rinse out the bowl, organize the conditioner and the towel youโd need for later. But the whole time you felt his eyes on you. And every time you glanced over at him out of the corner of your eye, he was still perched on the makeshift barber chair, elbows on his knees, trying not to look like he was counting the seconds.
With five minutes left on the clock, you went over to the shower and reached in, twisting the handle on the built-in panel. The pipes groaned quietly as the water surged out, spraying onto the shower floor. Within seconds steam was curling out from behind the frosted glass enclosure. The room warmed fast, the mirror fogging slightly at the edges, the air heavy with moisture and the faint scent of developer and dye.
The heat from the shower stuck to your skin as you turned your head back to look at himโstill seated, trying to play it cool like he wasnโt about to explode from the anticipation. Bob leaned back against the tank, making room for you without hesitation, his knees parting instinctively like muscle memory, like his body already knew what was coming. You crossed the tiled floor with quiet, deliberate steps, the steam from the shower weaving between you both, making the bathroom feel smaller, more intimateโlike the air itself was folding in to watch.
You stepped between his knees again, standing tall in front of him, the light of the ceiling fan casting a warm haze on your skin.
Your hands found his shoulders again, fingertips skating lightly along the curve of them.
โWant to undress me?โ You asked, your voice like a secret you were offering just to him. No teasing this timeโjust heat, thick and warm and sweet in your chest. He exhaled like you punched the breath out of him.
โY-Yeah, o-of course I do.โ He said, barely above a whisper. You took his wrists into your hands, and guided him to the hem of your shirt, giving him the signal to do it.
He took his time with itโnot from hesitation but from wanting to tease you back just a little. His knuckles brushed against your stomach as he gathered the worn fabric up, pausing briefly just beneath your ribs, looking up at you just to make sure you were still okay with this. You gave him a nod.
He peeled it up off you, slow and careful, taking in the way the shirt slowly revealed everything he wanted to see in short increments. Your ribs, the soft swell of your breasts, your collarbones, your shoulders, all the way up until he was able to take the shirt off entirely. He let it drop to the floor behind you.
Bobโs gaze dropped before he could stop it, letting his eyes roam over you like he was witnessing something holyโlike he wouldnโt blink in case you suddenly vanished. His mouth parted for a moment as he audibly gulped. He was silent, his expression flickering between awe and hunger, tangling up in the open and stunned way he drank you in.
He was memorizing every inch of your skin. The gentle rise and fall of your chest, the soft curves and defined edges. Every freckle, birthmark, scar, or stretch of the skin, it was all there in his head, committed like it was a sacred text. You were completely unhidden, and you trustingly offered yourself to him with nothing but openness, and it was breathtaking to him.
โJesusโฆโ He said quietly, like your body was rewriting something inside him. He reached up and touched the soft skin of your stomach, the tips of his fingers tracing along your navel, before his eyes met yours again, revealing the beautiful haze of blue blurring together with the specks of orange that lived there. You brought your hand up to his face, caressing his cheek carefully, running your thumb just below his eye.
โYouโre so beautifulโฆโ You whispered, feeling Bobโs fingers curling beneath the waistband of your shorts.
โAnd youโre immaculateโฆโ He responded, slowly tugging your shorts down, his eyes never leaving yours as he did it. He just wanted to look at you, to take you in, to hold you close until you didnโt want to be held by him anymore. He wanted you so bad he felt like he was going to explode, and the heat in the washroom wasnโt helping him control that. The shorts dropped around your ankles with a soft flutter, and you stepped out of them slowly, brushing your hand down to his jaw.
โIโll meet you in the shower,โ Your voice was low and soft like a promise. Then you turned, and walked behind the frosted glass, sliding the door shut in one swift movement. Steam swirled around you like a second skin as you stepped fully beneath the stream of water. It hit your scalp first, then your shoulders, pouring down your body in comforting waves. The warmth soaked into your tense muscles and melted along your spine, rinsing away the leftover ache of your fever and the lingering hum of restraint youโd been nursing for the last hour.
From beyond the frosted glass, you saw movement. Bob had gotten up and walked over to the alarm, clicking it off with a single beepโbecause what was a minute going to do for him. Then you heard the shuffle of bare feet on tile, followed by the soft rustling of clothes dropping. You could see his shadow moving, leaning down then straightening up again, seeing him step out of his sweatpants and his underwear before reaching for the handle.
He slid the door open and stepped into the steam. You could see him squinting at the change in scenery, until his eyes caught yours. Under the dimmed lighting that the shower had you looked ethereal, like a siren calling to him to come closer. You tilted your head at him.
โRemember, we gotta wash your hair out first.โ Bob nodded silently, too stunned to speak or protest, and stepped closer to you until he was right against you, letting the water cascade down his body. You reached up without hesitation, brushing your fingers along the slope of his neck as you cupped his jaw gently, feeling the very faint stubble against your fingertips.
โClose your eyes,โ You murmured, and he obeyed immediately, trusting you with all of him. You reached for the bottle of shampoo, flipping the cap open with a soft click. The scent was clean, crispโsomething like cedar and citrusโand you poured a generous amount into your palm before lathering it between your fingers. He hunched forward slightly to help you because of the height difference, the muscles in his back bunching as he bent, his hands braced loosely on his thighs.
Your fingers found his scalp and began to move, slow and deliberate, massaging through the dye-stiffened strands with practiced ease. His breath hitched at the first touchโsoft and barely audible over the rush of waterโbut he relaxed into you, the tension easing from his shoulders as you worked through his hair, your nails dragging along his scalp gently, sending shivers down his spine despite the warmth of the shower that was smothering him.
He tried to peek down at you through his lashes, but flinched the moment some suds landed on his brow. You caught the twitch of frustration in his mouth and grinned faintly to yourself.
โNo peeking,โ You teased, your voice low and sultry, โYouโll get soap in your eyes, and thatโll just prolong the process.โ You added, with a smirk.
โI-Iโm not peeking,โ He muttered back, clearly lying.
But while he couldnโt see you, you saw everything.
Your eyes dropped as your fingers moved through his hair, and your gaze caught on the rest of himโcompletely, gloriously bare under the waterโs fall. And it hit you like a weight to the chest.
He was hard. Completely, achingly hard.
It curved upward from between his thighs, thick and flushed and dripping from the spray. Your breath caught in your throat involuntarily. He wasโฆBig. The kind of big that made your pulse thrum deep in your core, the kind that made something flutter behind your ribcage. The kind of big that made you a bit nervous. His thighs were braced, strong and trembling slightly as the water poured down over both of you, and yet he stayed stillโeyes closed, waiting, unaware of just how deeply you were watching him.
You swallowed, trying not to stare too longโbut your fingers slowed in his hair for just a beat before you lathered more shampoo and brought it back to the roots, working it all through. You focused on your task, rinsing gently, letting the water carry away the suds and the last traces of harsh dye. As the dark rivulets streamed down and swirled at your feet, the natural color beneath began to reveal itself.
The soft brown, the colour that belonged to him, and only him. Not the Sentry.
You smoothed your hands through the damp strands with a smile on your face, and you could feel him relax further at the calmness of your touch.
โThere you are,โ You whispered, more to yourself than to him, โBack to youโฆโ You could see his brows lift slightly at your words, still not opening his eyes.
โโฆW-What does it look like?โ He asked softly.
โLike itโs all youโฆItโs perfect Bobโฆโ You responded, seeing his eyes slowly flutter open, the soft blue still burning with those beautiful flecks of orange from the Sentry. When they locked on yours, something in him snapped completely, and he blinked a few times, steadying himself against you.
โโฆCan I kiss you now?โ He whispered, breath catching in his throat.
You nodded.
And the second you did, he surged forward, his hands finding your face like heโd been aching to hold you there for days. His palms were warm and a little shaky, fingers threading gently into the damp strands of your hair as he tilted your head just right. He kissed you like it was the only thing that would quiet the trembling in his chestโdeep, and full of the kind of hunger that had nowhere else to go.
His lips parted against yours with a soft sigh, molding to your mouth like he already knew every shape of it. You responded in kind, letting your hands press flat to his chest before sliding up, feeling the slick heat of his skin, the steady thump of his heart beneath your palms. One hand drifted upward to cradle the back of his neck, the other anchoring at his side.
Bob shifted, pulling you flush against him, his hands sliding down to your waist, gripping gently as he tilted his head and deepened the kiss. There was nothing hesitant about it anymoreโonly quiet desperation, the need to be close, the need to feel you pressed against every inch of him. His thumbs rubbed slow, anchoring circles against your ribs as he kissed you over and over, his breath catching between each one like he couldnโt quite get enough.
You felt your knees wobble when he sucked your bottom lip into his mouth, and he steadied you instantly, one hand sliding down to the back of your thigh, coaxing your leg to lift so he could hold you open against him.
You gasped softly into his mouth when he did itโbecause now you could feel all of him. His length, hot and heavy, brushing between your thighs. But he didnโt push it. He just held you there, breathing hard through his nose as his mouth broke from yours for a second, bumping his forehead with yours.
โI-I have to touch youโฆCan I p-please touch you?โ His words vibrated against your chest, shaky from the kiss he had just pulled away from. Immediately you nodded, drunk off of the way he held you, the way he kissed you so desperately. You were his, and you wanted him just as badly as he wanted you.
He dropped his hand from your thigh, keeping his eyes locked on yours as he guided you back, each step careful, like he was afraid to rush a single second of this. The warm tile met your spine gently, as the steam curled around your shouldersโlike it was dying to be part of the moment too. Your chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, the anticipation tugging at you like a puppet.
Bobโs hand, still curled gently around your hip, gave it one reassuring squeeze before sliding away. The loss of his hand made you let out a desperate sigh, wanting to feel him again. He looked down at you as he brought his fingers up to his lips, his tongue darting out of his mouth to coat the tips of them slowly, not for show, but for purpose. For you. His gaze never dropped from yours as he did it, and when his hand fell again between the both of you, he didnโt hesitate.
His knee eased your thighs apart gently, and then his fingers found your clit. The first contact made your knees buckle slightly, and he caught it, pressing in with his knee to steady you, his free hand braced against the wall beside your head. His touch was gentle at firstโsoft circles, slow and attentive. You gasped, head tipping back, exposing your throat without thinking.
That was all the invitation Bob needed.
He leaned forward and pressed his mouth to the base of your neck, just where your collarbone met your shoulder. The kiss was wet and open-mouthed, like he needed to taste you and the saltiness of your skin. He breathed in like he could anchor himself in your scent. Another kiss, and another, working up the side of your neck as his fingers circled your clit with more confidence now, slick from the water and his spit, moving with practiced pressure.
โSoโฆSo soft,โ He whispered into your skin, voice shaking, โSo goddamn softโฆโ Your breath caught as his pace shifted. You could feel your body respondingโarching into him, a wet heat building between your legs. You whimpered, and that sound nearly undid him. His teeth grazed your neck but didnโt bite, his lips returning to kiss it better as if he could soothe the tremble in your body.
Then his fingers dipped lower, and he felt it immediately.
You were soakedโslick, warm, and pulsing beneath his touch. His breath hitched at the sensation, at the way your body welcomed him without hesitation. And when he eased two fingers inside of you ever so slowly you gasped, arching into his hand like your body had been waiting for that very moment.
โF-fuck,โ You breathed, the word slipping out as your nails found purchase in his shoulders. You clawed at him instinctively, dragging across the muscle there, needing something to anchor you while he pushed them in deeper. He didnโt flinch at the scratchโhe moaned. A soft, broken sound that came from the back of his throat like he liked the way it felt, like it made him feel wanted in the most primal sense.
His forehead dropped against your shoulder, his mouth kissing along your collarbone with a tenderness that contrasted the stretch of his fingers inside you. He mouthed at the skin thereโkissed it, licked it, sucked until it was sensitive and bruised. He pulled back looking at the little love bites, each one tinged with hunger. Bob wasnโt the possessive type but there was this ache in his chest to mark you as his, and even if the water washed it away, he wanted to be sure he left something on your skin.
โY-You feel so warmโฆโ He said, his voice fraying at the edges. His fingers curled gently inside you, causing your knees to buckle again. Your body shuddered as the pads of his fingers dragged against that spot inside of you that made your entire frame light up. Bobโs hand moved to your hip, keeping you steady as his other hand worked in smooth, slow thrusts, each one more confident than the last. He found a rhythm, watching you, studying every moan and gasp like it was gospel.
And when you whimpered his name, when your body clenched around him so tight he had to grit his teeth, he gave a quiet, shaky laughโutterly wrecked by how responsive you were.
โYouโre gonna come for me, arenโt you?โ he asked, lips brushing your ear, breath heavy and hot. โI can feel itโฆGod, I can feel you squeezing meโฆโ
You nodded, unable to form a word, your nails biting into his shoulders again as your hips rocked against his hand.
Bob adjusted his angle, changing the pressure, and thatโs when you saw stars.
Your head dropped forward, forehead against his collarbone, the air thick with steam and the sharp scent of himโclean, masculine, tinged with desperation. His fingers moved faster, wetter, the slick sounds between your legs obscene and perfect, echoing between the tiles. He was muttering praise nowโsoft, reverent things that fell from his lips like prayers.
โJust like that, babyโso good for meโฆ Youโre doing so goodโfeels like heavenโfuck, I want to see you fall apartโฆโ
You felt it hit like a wave rolling up your spine.
A tight, burning coil of pleasure twisted inside you and then snapped. You gaspedโloud, broken, as the climax ripped through you. You trembled, back arching hard into him as your thighs clenched and a rush of wetness gushed out around his fingers.
Bob stilled for a second in awe.
โโฆOh my God,โ He breathed, stunned, his eyes wide as he held you through it. You collapsed into him, breath heaving, skin flushed and shining under the steam. He kept his fingers buried inside you, not moving, just holding you close, letting you ride it out as you trembled against his chest.
He looked down between you both, seeing the slick mess on his hand, the way your body had responded so violently to himโand his mouth dropped open slightly. Not because of shock, but because of wonder and awe.
โYouโฆYou did so good.โ He praised, his voice barely holding together under the weight of what he just experienced with you. His lips brushed your temple first, then your cheek, before finally reaching your mouth.
The kiss wasnโt hungry nor urgent, it was adoration in its purest form. His lips moved like they were tasting something heโd only ever imaginedโcareful and soft, like he was trying not to overwhelm you. He trembled against you, being crushed from everything unspoken between you. His hand was still between your thighs, cradling you like something precious, and you could feel how hard he was, pressed just barely against you, restrained only by the shivering line of self-control that hadnโt yet broken.
When he finally, carefully, slipped his fingers out of you, you let out the tiniest gasp from the absenceโbut before he could fully draw away, you grabbed his wrist.
He was still in his movements.
Your eyes met his, holding steady as you lifted his handโand then you took his soaked fingers into your mouth.
Bob made a sound that almost didnโt make it out of himโa soft, wrecked sigh that died at the back of his throat. His lips parted slightly, eyes darkening as he watched you suck him clean, your mouth warm and wet, tongue dragging along the pads of his fingers slowly, like you were claiming every last drop of yourself from his skin.
He could barely breathe.
You kept eye contact the whole time. It wasnโt a power playโit was intimacy. Connection. And it unraveled him.
Once you were done, you let his fingers slip from your mouth with a soft pop, and he dragged themโslow and reverentโdown your chin. Then your throat. The hollow of your chest. His fingertips were wet with saliva, and he trailed it down like he was painting youโsmearing it across your sternum, over your ribs, and finally down to your hips.
โY/NโฆYouโre soโฆSo perfect,โ He whispered, in disbelief, shaking his head as his hands ran down your waist, going straight to your thighs, before lifting you effortlessly. You let out a soft breath as your legs bracketed around his hips instinctively, your arms wrapping around his shoulders for balance.
He pressed a gentle kiss to the middle of your chest, and his voice came out barely above the noise of the shower
โDo you want toโฆStill have sex with me?โ You looked down at him, caressing the side of his neck.
โOf course I do,โ You responded instantly.
Your lips found his right afterโsoft and sure. You kissed him with everything you had, as if answering his question with your entire body. His breath caught, his hands clutching at your thighs with a startled need, grounding himself in the reality that you werenโt going to vanish, that you really did want thisโwant him.
As the kiss deepened, you felt one of his hands slowly slide down your thigh, tickling the skin, but this time there was a purpose in his touch. He shifted beneath you slightly, and then you felt itโthe soft brush of his tip against you. Hot. Heavy. And trembling in his grasp.
You broke the kiss for just a breath, resting your forehead against his, your eyes fluttering shut as he lined himself up. His hand shook slightly, like he couldnโt believe this was happening. Like he was terrified of getting it wrong. But he didnโt rush. And neither did you.
โI want you,โ You said, your breath warm against his mouth. โAll of you.โ Bob let out a wrecked whimper from his mouth, before kissing you once more.
Then slowly he began to push in, moving his hips gently.
Your mouth parted in a silent gasp, your eyes flying open as your body stretched to take him. It was so muchโthick and deep and slow. He paused when he was just a couple inches in, his forehead still pressed to yours, panting.
โIs that okay?โ He asked, voice cracking. โIโI can stop if itโs too muchโฆโ
You shook your head immediately, curling your fingers into his shoulders, drawing him closer.
โNo. Please donโt stop.โ
Bob exhaled a breath that shook all the way down to his spine, then kissed you againโslow, sweetโbefore sinking deeper inside.
You both moaned at the same time, and your tongues met in between the space your mouths made.
It was like he was imprinting himself into every inch of you. His hands gripped your hips with the kind of gentleness that made your chest ache, guiding your body until he was fully seated inside you, hips pressed flush against yours.
โOhโฆGod.โ He whispered, eyes squeezed shut, trembling as he held still. โYouโre soโฆSo perfectโฆ I canโtโGodโโ
You kissed his jaw, whispering against the sensitive skin just beneath his ear. โYouโre okay, Bob. Youโre doing so goodโฆโ
He began to moveโshallow at first, rocking his hips into you in slow, reverent strokes. Each one pulled a quiet gasp from your lips. The water cascaded around you both, steam curling at your shoulders as you clung to him, your body humming in time with his.
He found a slow and steady rhythm, thrusting as deep as possible with each movement of his hips.
He kissed you everywhere he could reachโyour cheek, your mouth, your jaw, the slope of your shoulder and his praise was neverending. Whispered fragments between kisses and gasps.
โYouโre so beautifulโฆโ
โYou feel so good around meโฆโ
โI want to make you feel everythingโฆโ
Your hands were tangled in his hair, your body arching to meet every thrust, until your forehead was pressed to his again and your breaths mingled in the tight space between you. Each slow movement of his hips sent sparks crawling up your spine and you rocked against him, chasing every moment, trying to keep it from ending too soon.
Bob looked completely undone in front of you though. His mouth open, cheeks flushed, hands gripping your waist like you were his lifeline.
Then his thrusts started to falter.
You felt it in the way he gaspedโsharp and helplessโthe way his hold on you tightened and his voice pitched higher.
โIโY/N, Iโoh God, Iโmโโ
You kissed him, hard, your voice hot against his mouth. โItโs okay. Let go. Iโve got you.โ
He came with a broken gasp.
The lights flickered.
Just onceโflicker, flicker, blackโand then back on again. The overhead bulb buzzed faintly, a hum that matched the pulse of his release as his hips jerked forward, holding deep inside you while his whole body tensed. You could feel the warmth filling you in thick ropes, his body instinctively pushing up into you as if he was trying to keep it from spilling out.
And then he went still.
Completely, and utterly still.
He stayed buried in you, face tucked into the crook of your neck, breath hot and ragged as the water pounded softly over your bodies. You felt the way he trembled, felt the heat of his skin and the wild thud of his heart against yours.
He didnโt move for a long time, he just stayed there, clutching you like you were the one thing that was bringing him down slowly.
And then you felt itโthe slow exhale against your neck, the soft tremor that followed. His voice came out low, cracked with embarrassment.
โI-Iโm sorry,โ he whispered, still breathless. โThat was so fast. I didnโt mean to-God, I just couldnโt hold itโฆโ
You pulled back, just enough to see his face, his brows drawn together with worry, his mouth still parted from the weight of what just passed between you. And yet, even flushed and wrecked, he looked beautiful. Lit up from the inside out, like he still couldnโt believe any of this was real.
You shook your head gently and brought your hand up to brush a damp lock of hair off his forehead, tucking it behind his ear with the same tenderness he gave you. โYou didnโt finish too fast, Bob.โ
He blinked, lips parting like he didnโt believe you.
You leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, then whispered against his skin, โYou were perfect. I loved every second of itโฆBecause it was with you.โ His features softened at your word, that shy smile blooming across his lips, one you felt in your ribs. You saw the glow of it before you felt his body move. He kissed you again, this time gentler, slowerโlike he wanted to say thank you with his whole mouth.
Then, carefully, he pulled out of you. You both shivered a bit at the sensitivity, and you caught the way his brows knit together, like he didnโt want to stop touching you. But your body welcomed the shift, and your legs dropped from his hips as the moment passed, leaving behind only warmth and steam.
He reached for you instinctively, his hands skimming your waist like he was still trying to keep you close, like he couldnโt quite accept that you were separate again. You smiled at him, brushing your fingers along his jaw, watching the way he leaned into the contact, like it was his oxygen.
โYou really like touching me, huh?โ You teased lightly, watching his cheeks turn a deeper red, the corners of his mouth curling up shyly.
โโฆYeahโฆI really do.โ He admitted. You let out a soft laugh, then looked toward the water still streaming from the showerhead behind him.
โAs much as Iโd love to stay in here and get all wrinkly,โ You said, thumb brushing the hollow of his cheek, โIf we donโt rinse off soon, the compoundโs water bill is gonna bankrupt Valentina.โ Bob let out a breathy laugh, head dropping against your shoulder for a second.
โI guess youโre right, but once we get cleaned upโฆI want to just lay on the couch with you and hold you for a little whileโฆIf thatโs okay?โ You nodded.
โOf course itโs okay.โ You replied, guiding him under the steady stream of water. You each took turns, helping the other wash up. He was gentle when he touched your body as if you hadnโt just taken him completely inside you minutes ago, and he ran his hands over the marks he had made on you, smiling proudly at his work. You matched his care, running soapy fingers down his spine, over his shoulders, through the strands of his newly darkened hair, rinsing the last of the evidence down the drain.
And when the water finally cooled, you stepped out first, digging around the towel closet for a spare. Bob followed right after, grabbing the one that he usually used, with steam rolling off his shoulders, making the air thick and warm as he wrapped the towel around his waist, pausing by the foggy mirror, wiping it off with his hand.
You watched from the side, pulling your towel around you gently, as he lifted his gaze slowlyโlike he wasnโt sure what would be staring back at him. When he caught his own reflection, something shifted in his expression.
A smile. One of relief. Like a weight had been lifted off his chest.
You stepped behind him, and gently kissed his shoulder, looking at the small little scratch marks you had left on him.
He turned toward you slightly, reached out, and pressed a soft, grateful kiss to your lipsโbarely more than a breath, but brimming with emotion.
โThank you,โ he murmured.
You smiled into him, nose brushing his. โDonโt thank me yet,โ You whispered. โI hope you donโt get the flu from all of this.โ
He laughed, his eyes shining as he bumped his forehead against yours.
โIf I do,โ He said, โItโll be worth every damn minute.โ
And then he kissed you again.
OMG SO GOOD.
