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“So… Do you want it?”
It was an unexpected request. Especially since Yumeno hated it whenever Tenko gave her baths or brushed her hair, so she doesn’t really get why taking a bath together would be any different.
They had just cooked together and that was great, having someone willing to help, even if her help did make some stuff messier. And while Tenko wasn’t the most clean cooker, she didn’t… Usually let things get this dirty. Thankfully, Yumeno helped her with the chores, so things ended up quicker than she expected.
But now they both were in need of a bath and the house only had a single bathroom.
Tenko would have no problem with waiting.
Yet, Yumeno looked at her expectantly.
Tenko didn’t really want it. Especially since Yumeno would have to see her exposed, a thought that terrified her.
Because she knew that her body was… Ugly. Not ladylike.
To the point that no one in her previous relationships actually looked at it much, even in their… Closest times, and she was quite ashamed of it herself, never looking at it in the mirror unless it was to put makeup on or to wax herself. But even if makeup hid some of her worse aspects, it still couldn’t do miracles.
“...Tenko?”
“Ah- Yumeno-san, you know that I’m- You know… My body isn’t-”
Yumeno softly hugged her and nodded.
“That isn’t a problem to me. Unless you really don’t want to do this.”
That eased her a bit but she still wasn’t sure if she was able to open herself that much so soon…
“But… Why do you want this?”
“Nyeh… I just wanted a change of pace. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to, though.”
Yet, it was clear Yumeno was trying to improve and to become closer to her and show that she enjoyed her presence.
In fact, ever since Tenko returned yesterday, the redhead hadn’t stayed away from Tenko for long. She insisted they shared their bed and cuddled with her until they both fell asleep, Tenko being the little spoon, which felt weird but good. Apparently, the nightmares she had with Tenko when she left truly terrified her. And she truly felt that Yumeno wasn’t lying, it was clear she was doing even more than her best. Gathering willpower she hadn’t even for herself.
If she couldn’t even trust Yumeno, her best friend… Then there really wouldn’t be anyone else for her to trust.
Tenko was extremely nervous at first. Well, until Yumeno noticed she was uneasy and started slowly massaging her back under the shower, carefully rubbing the soaped sponge on her. Then she moved to her hair, and even if she struggled to reach Tenko, she still refused to let Tenko bow to her. Instead, she got up in the chair she used to sit in whenever Tenko bathed her, put shampoo on her hands and massaged her hair in rhythmic movements.
Maybe it was because they were under the shower, or because she was so focused on her task. Maybe Yumeno noticed but didn’t want to address it.
But, Tenko was crying silently. It was just a simple act, having someone else shampoo her hair, but she never had anyone to do that for her before. Or with her. Nobody cared… Until now.
It was a totally new kind of physical contact, or even a whole new type of intimacy for her, one that required lots of trust, and one had just learned she truly enjoyed.
Even if they were both exposed, bare to each other in more than just the literal sense, there was no danger, and there were no expectations to be met. She just, felt loved, truly loved, as there was nothing she needed to fear and she could finally relax. For the first time in so long that she doesn’t ever remember if she ever really relaxed like this in her whole life.
“Tenko?”
She still isn’t used to being referred to her first name by the redhead, it’s a recent change but she doesn’t dislike it.
“Hm?”
“Are you ok?”
“Yeah.”
“...You’re crying- did I- did I do anything wrong or-”
“No- they’re tears of joy…”
“...Nyeh? Why?”
“...It’s the first time someone cares for me, and… It feels great.”
“...Nyeh? This is the bare minimum, I’ve barely done a hundredth of what you’ve done for me…”
“You’ve done more than anyone else. ”
“Nyeh…Your standards are truly low…”
“But… I can’t really imagine how this could get better…”
“Well, then I’ll have to show you my magic!” Yumeno… Was smiling…
This was great. It was the first time in so many years…
And then Tenko was taken by the surprise of Yumeno kissing the wound on her cheek.
“And with this, I’ve imbued a healing spell that will make not only you heal faster but put a curse on the fiend that dared to harm you!”
And at that Tenko couldn’t resist the urge to hug her friend, and was surprised when she was hugged back.
“Thanks.”
“Nyeh, that isn’t even the beginning!”
Even if they were naked, there was no awkwardness between them anymore. As they were, truly in the same wavelength. Once the bath ended, they drank some cold tea as they dressed up and prepared themselves for their daily activity. Yumeno had insisted that Tenko choose what they were doing for the day, and Tenko suggested they train their bodies for a bit, and Yumeno accepted to go through it, something that Tenko would never have expected from the girl before.
And she was truly thankful that she returned.