Warm water drips down her back, her neck, her breasts. The pressure feels good against her skin. She stands under it, her head resting against the wall and just breathes.
Eventually, Lin opens her eyes.
How long has it been? There isn't a clock in the bathroom. There is an ache in her bones, typical of a long day sitting behind an office desk. The ache in her muscles is different. The ache between her thighs…
Lin strokes her stomach, fingers moving down towards her mound. They jump away at a slight touch. Lin bites her lip, her eyelids drooping.
It's late, so late. She can feel it.
Turning off the shower, Lin pulls open the door of her walk-in cubicle and steps out. Cool air hits her skin and she shivers, reaching for the thick towel folded and laid out for her.
She enters the bedroom with it wrapped around her. Lin's eyes find a set of pyjamas laid at the bottom of her king-size bed. Beside them is a thick cream dressing gown. On the bedside table, steam curling in the air, is a large mug of cocoa. It sits where her clock usually would.
The light is low in the room as Lin dries off and gets dressed, two lamps flanking the bed. Her pyjamas are long-sleeved and sit loose on her body. The hood of her dressing gown drapes over her head, lined with fur. Lin watches her toes wiggle as the rich taste of hot cocoa melts over her tongue. She closes her eyes, leaning back into a bank of pillows.
"Lin?"
She cracks open an eye. Mako steps into the bedroom, pulling one hand out of his pocket. He gestures towards the bed.
"May I?"
Lin nods.
The mattress sinks beside her legs. Lin's mouth curves upwards when warm hands cradle her feet, two thumbs gently massaging her soles.
"How do you feel?"
"Tired," Lin replies.
Silence stretches between them. Mako's hands eventually pause.
"Are you okay?"
Lin meets his gaze and beckons to him. Mako scoots further up the bed to her side. She draws him in with a hand against his cheek.
"We're good," Lin murmurs afterwards, their lips parting.
"Do you want to cuddle?" he asks her.
"Not yet."
Mako nods, stroking Lin's thigh through her dressing gown. He chuckles after a moment.
"How did you forget your own birthday?"
She sips her cocoa. "Never celebrated it until you came along."
Mako raises an eyebrow. "You make me sound like a burden."
Lin arches hers. "When did I say that?"
"I'm kidding," Mako says, looking away.
Lin touches his hand. "Thank you," she says. "For the...not so gentle reminder."
Mako scratches the back of his neck, grinning. "Asami is going to chew me out for this."
"Abusing an old woman?"
"You can always stop me, you know."
"I know," Lin says, closing her eyes. "I'm kidding."
"I meant for cancelling on Kwong's."
Lin waves her hand. "Next year."
"Next year?"
She nods. "Let's cuddle."
Mako takes the mug of cocoa from her. Lin curls up, pulling her knees towards her chest. Strong arms wrap around her, Mako nuzzling into her hair.
"Happy birthday," he murmurs.
Lin smiles and lets herself drift away.