The rush of running water hit Sam's ears, the heat enveloping her from all sides as steam rose up around her. Closing her eyes, Sam slid the shower door closed and sighed. With her eyes still closed, Sam tilted her head back and let the water run down her face. It was as if she physically felt the blood and grime disappear down the drain.

She would have loved to stand there all night, but her legs were aching, the ever present pain in her thigh coupled with a hundred other cuts and bruises. At least the guy at the front desk, too tired to notice and probably too stoned to care, had only given them a curious once over as he handed Sam the room keys.

Wiping water from her eyes, Sam picked up the bottle of body wash sitting at her feet. It had that nasty chemical smell that tried too hard to be fruit - and she didn't trust it to do much in the way of actual cleaning - but just being able to shower properly was a novelty in itself.

Ten minutes later she stepped out of the shower. She cast the wonderful steaming water one last glance before turning the dial. The water shut off abruptly, and Sam was left wishing she could go back in.

Once dry and properly clothed, Sam wound her hair up into a sloppy bun and crept back into the bedroom.

Josh lay in the middle of the double bed, curled up into a ball and surrounded by pillows. The cheap grey duvet was pulled up to his chin, but Sam saw from his outline that he had another pillow hugged to his chest.

Grinning, Sam tiptoed over. There wasn't much room left for her - but if she curled up to him, pressed against his back, maybe she could do it without slipping off the edge of the bed. Josh slept soundly as she gently drew back the duvet and slid inside, and he didn't even noticed when she would a tanned arm around his waist.

It was almost impossible to see in the darkness, even with the light from outside filtering through the thin curtains, but she was positive Josh was smiling. Good. He deserved to have things to smile about. With the dim light from the street casting dancing lights across his face, he looked the happiest Sam had seen him in a long time. He looked beautiful, too.

Smiling softly, Sam tucked herself close. He smelled of that same fake-lemon body wash and cheap shampoo, but Sam breathed in deep as she pulled herself close, snuggling into his side. Absently, the arm not holding him found his hair, the newly washed fluff gentle across her fingertips.

Tucked against her, Josh stirred. One milky eye cracked open, toothy jaws opening wide in a barely stifled yawn.

"Hi," Sam spoke softly, hand still lazily stroking his thick curls, "I didn't mean to wake you."

Josh smiled, turning slightly to peck her cheek. The dim light cast a golden halo across his face, his white eyes almost sparkling. When he spoke it was the softest she had ever heard him. "You didn't. I just felt you beside me and wanted to say goodnight."

Sam felt herself melt, warmth spreading through her chest as she watched him stifle another quiet yawn. God, he was so gorgeous. Leaning forward Sam caught his lips with her own, the soft press of his teeth against her skin enough to make her heart stutter. "Goodnight," she murmered against his lips.

"'Night Sammy." His voice was almost a hum as he sank back into the pillows, a lazy smile slowly spreading across his features. He watched her through half lidded eyes that shone in the darkness of the room. Once, those silvery eyes had been a source of paralysing fear - now she was lost in them.

She hooked a leg over his to pull him to her, both arms encircling his waist as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. Josh's claw-tipped thumb drew gentle circles over the small of her back, careful and sweet.

As Sam drifted off, eyes slipping closed, she thought she heard him murmer something in her ear. It almost sounded like I love you.

Sam brushed a hand through thick tangles of blonde hair, watching the thin slit of early morning light through the tiny bathroom window. With her ear pressed to the phone she couldn't hear much else, but Josh's quiet snores drifted through the door.

She could have woken him up, but it seemed better to let him sleep. He deserved it.

"So you're coming home? Like, now?"

A laugh escaped her lips, her eyes crinkling as she watched herself in the ancient mirror. "Not right this second, but yeah. Once we stock up on stuff we need, we're coming home."

"Jesus, finally! I swear Sammy, it feels like you've been gone for years." The signal was better here than up on the mountain, but Chris' voice crackled. It didn't hide the laugh in his voice though, or the barely concealed cheer desperate to escape his lips.

Sam smiled. "Trust me, it feels infinitely longer for me. Don't freak out, but Josh and I got pretty hurt yesterday." Glancing up, Sam was met with her own reflection. Even after a full night's rest the dark circles under her eyes were as prominent as ever. They had made a permanent home there. Huffing quietly, Sam turned away. "But we're fine, I promise. I'm just glad I can finally take Josh home."

"Make sure I'm the first to see him, okay? After his parents, obviously."

"We still haven't figured out our story yet. That's going to be the toughest part." She leaned against the cool tile of the bathroom wall, squinting through the crack of the open door. "Anyway, we need to get packing before we get kicked out of this motel. So I'll see you later."

There was a beat of silence, then Chris sighed heavily. Sam practically felt his disappointment through the phone. "Right. Later Sammy. Keep me updated."

"I always do. See ya."

The silence following the call seemed to echo off the walls, so thick it made Sam shift uncomfortably where she stood. It was weird, really. Up on the mountain, with the threat of the Wendigo looming over them, peace had seemed so far away. Now they had it, and Sam didn't know what to do with it at all. Normal was just... unsettling.

Leaving her phone on the glass shelf above the sink, Sam cracked open the bathroom door.

There he was, still swaddled in blankets the way she had left him. Her call hadn't woken him up, but now she had the task of actually trying to get him to wake.

Her bare feet barely made a sound as she padded over, sliding onto her side of the bed and reaching over to gently prod his side. He was still so skinny, her finger touching what felt like bare bone instead of soft, pliable flesh. Josh stirred, but only buried himself deeper into the pile of covers and pillows.

"Come on, time to wake up," Sam murmered and, careful to avoid aggravating the injuries scattered across his pale body, nudged his shoulder with the flat of her hand.

Eyelids blinked open to reveal those beautiful white-blue eyes. With the weak morning light filtering through the window he looked breathtaking in a way she had never thought of him before. Sam had seen him in the morning before - staying over with Beth and Hannah, or the two of them falling asleep on the sofa. But she had never seen him like this. It took her breath away.

Josh's thick brows creased as he rolled over; but then he caught sight of Sam - wearing only her ragged t-shirt from the night before and a pair of dark purple boxers - and a lazy grin spread across his face. Even without the razors marring one side, it would have been devilish.

Sam simply rolled her eyes and leaned in for a kiss. Their lips met; hers soft and gentle, his chapped and rough with scars - and suddenly Josh's arms looped around her. A shriek left her lips as he pulled her on top of him - but it melted into a burst of laughter as his other arm secured her in place. "Josh, what are you up to?" A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she rested her chin against his chest.

He placed a gentle kiss to the top of her head and a few blonde strands fell in her eyes. Reaching out a clawed hand, Josh gently brushed the stray hair behind her ear.

The claws ghosting across her skin made her shiver as she let out a quiet sigh. Letting her eyes slip closed, Sam listened to the rhythmic thud thud of his heart.

She could get used to this.

"Hey Sammy?" Josh's morning voice was rough, almost a growl, but as he spoke her name it sounded even huskier.

"Yeah, Josh?"

"I know we were supposed to leave early, but how about we stay a little longer?" The arm still hooked around her waist shifted, easily scooping her and pulling her up to eye height. When Sam blinked her eyes open, Josh was grinning up at her. "I kinda like us both here, you know? I don't want to leave."

She had to admit, with his fluffy curls of hair all tousled and that sleepy smirk on his face, Sam didn't want to leave either. Even with his jutting cheekbones and ragged lips, there was something so soft about him that she couldn't describe.

With a gentle smile, Sam lowered her face to gently sweep her lips across his. "Sure, I think we can do that."

The light peeking through the curtains was almost too bright as morning made itself known - no longer was it a pleasant early morning haze - but Sam didn't have the heart to complain. Just being there, Josh's arms wrapped around her, was enough.

"So, uh..."

"Hm?" Sam's bright eyes flickered up, but it was impossible to tell what Josh was thinking. She could have put it down to not understanding the emotion on his newly scarred up face, but that wasn't it. She always used to think she understood him perfectly - there was no place for that kind of naivety any more.

"I just - well, I never thanked you properly for all this. You know I'm no good at that kind of stuff." He smiled gently - but it was the uneasy kind of smile she had never seen on Josh's lips until this week.

Carefully propping her arms up, Sam slipped away from Josh to face him properly. A frown curled at the edges of her lips, an odd kind of disappointment settling in her stomach. Really, they were doing this now? It was a selfish thought, but one that prodded at her mind without her consent. Sighing, Sam shook her head. "You don't have to say anything. I did what I did because I love you, and because there was no way in hell I could rest, not knowing what happened to you."

She expected a sarcastic quip, or some stupid attempt at flirting - but instead all she received was a wide eyed stare. For the first time, Josh was at a loss for words - and Sam couldn't figure out why. His full lips parted as if to speak, but there was nothing.

Anxiety bubbled up as she watched him silently. Then it clicked. Her cheeks flushed scarlet as she dropped herself onto the bed with a dull thud. Her hands fumbled for the nearest pillow, brain alight with the realisation of her mistake. Those words should never have left her mouth. Now what?

Just as Sam's hand found purchase on a pillow, intent on smothering her face instead of facing Josh, his hand curled around hers. It was so gentle, so light she almost didn't feel it - until he brought her hand to his chest. The pulse beneath her palm was as rapid as her own, the rhythmic thump thump almost soothing. As Sam's own heartbeat returned to normal, the sheer panic fading to a tingly sort of nervousness, she chanced at peek at Josh.

"You love me?"

A nervous laugh escaped her lips, too high pitched even to her own ears. Wincing, she ducked her head. "Yeah, I do. I mean, I've loved you for years but I never figured it was this kind of love, you know?"

"But you still love me." Josh paused, and although she couldn't look at him she pictured the cheesy grin slowly spreading across his handsome features. "Seems like a pretty questionable choice, but I'll take it."

A firm but careful hand pressed against her chin, the claws cool against her skin. With a gentle tug Josh tilted her head, forcing her to meet his eyes. She must have looked a state, all frizzy hair and flushed skin - if she could have disappeared in that moment, Sam would have.

But when Josh looked at her, there was a softness in his gaze that she wasn't used to, a tenderness to his smile she had only seen a handful of times before. His lips met hers, careful and slow and light enough she could have pulled away if she wanted. Then, in the quietest voice she had ever head before, Josh whispered, "I love you too."

In a flash of realisation, Sam recalled the night before. As she drifted off, curled around Josh's slender body, she had heard those words, in that exact loving tone, so quietly she had assumed it was a mistake.

Josh fucking Washington had confessed his love for her - twice. She had to be dreaming - and if she was, Sam never wanted to wake up.

A laugh burst from deep within her chest, her eyes sparkling as she crushed her lips against Josh's. He laughed too, a sound so bright it was almost musical.

Just like that the Washington Mountain washed away. There was only them, lying together in a dirty motel room hundreds of miles from home. None of that mattered - because they had each other.

There was a hell of a lot they still had to work through, but Sam was never, ever going to let him go again.