Root tapped her toes in time to the music playing in her ears, humming softly. She adjusted an earbud, staring at the door to Shaw's biology class. The hallway around her was almost empty, only few students milling around. The class was early, finishing at 9am, so hardly anyone was on campus. Root usually liked to pretend that the hours between 4am and 11am didn't exist, but she was making an exception this morning.

Weeks ago, after they'd slept together for the first time, Root had found Shaw's schedule. She hadn't used it before, but Shaw had been avoiding her, even though they'd been texting all week. Root was a little tired of just flirting. She really wanted to touch Shaw again. She glanced at her phone. Shaw's class would be over in a minute and then Root would get to touch. Yawning, she paused her music and started pulling her headphones out of her ears. A boy stopped beside her and smiled at her.

"Hello, Beautiful," he said, flashing her what he probably thought was a winning smile. "My name is Peter. What's yours?"

"I'm not interested," Root said as she shoved her headphones into her coat pocket. "Thanks anyway."

His smile flagged, but he picked it up again. "You don't even know me. Give me a chance. Let me buy you a coffee."

Across the hallway, the door to Shaw's class opened and kids started filing out. The boy glanced at the door and back at Root.

"Oh, you're waiting on your boyfriend."

Root frowned. "Ew. I don't have a boyfriend."

"So, you're single?" The boy leaned against the wall beside her, looking smug. "You can get a coffee with me."

"Back off, creep," Shaw's voice called loudly.

The boy jumped, turning to see Shaw walking up him. Root grinned at her, waving. She noticed another door down the hall that she hadn't seen before. She saw a few other people leave that way. Root made a mental note to stand by that door next time and pushed herself off the wall, smiling at Shaw.

"My protector," she sighed. "I missed your face."

The boy deflated, shoulders slumping. "You have a girlfriend."

Shaw snorted loudly. "She is not my girlfriend."

"So, I can ask her out!" The boy adjusted his backpack, hiking it higher on his shoulder. "Let's get coffee."

Root pouted and quickly moved behind Shaw, wrapping her arms around Shaw's puffy black coat and pressing a kiss to her cheek. "She's my girlfriend. She's just mean sometimes. I can't get coffee with you. I have a girlfriend. She's right here."

Root could feel Shaw tense in her arms, but she didn't move away. Through gritted teeth, she muttered, "We are girlfriends."

Peter finally seemed to get the message. He raised his hands, stepping away from the wall. "Ok," he said, backing up, "keep her. She's not that hot anyway."

Root watched him walk away, still holding onto Shaw. Once he'd turned a corner, Root pressed her head down onto Shaw's head, her wool beanie scratching Root's chin. "You think I'm hot, right?"

"Get off me," Shaw ordered, breaking free from Root's arms. "I think you're a hot mess. Have you cleaned your room?"

Root tilted her head, the corner of her mouth tilting up. "Why do you ask? Interested in visiting?"

"You wish."

Shaw starting walking down the hall, away from Root. Root hesitated. Walking away was a pretty clear signal. As much as they'd been talking, it had been pretty shallow. Shaw complained about homework and Root sent selfies. It wasn't exactly meaningful. Root wondered if showing up had been a bad idea. She wanted Shaw to fuck her again, not think she was a stalker.

Ahead of her, Shaw stopped walking and looked over her shoulder. She looked tiny inside her giant coat. "Are you coming or what?"

"Depends on how you're feeling," Root said back. She jogged to catch up with Shaw. "I'm down if you are."

Shaw glanced at her from the corner of her eyes as they started down the hall again. She shrugged, her big coat exaggerating the movement. Root waited for her to say something, but she didn't. They reached the end of the hallway and Shaw pushed the door open with her shoulder, hands deep in her pockets.

The cold hit Root as she brushed past Shaw to step outside and she shivered dramatically. It was officially winter in New York City. It hadn't snowed yet, but it was colder than Root was used to. It didn't get cold in Texas, not like this. She had bought the thickest coat she could find, but she was still cold. She walked further into the covered pavilion that connected classroom buildings, looking around at the red brick walls.

She liked her school, it was beautiful and historic, but she wished her life wasn't just school and work. Root enjoyed hacking and she liked being an assassin sometimes, even if it could be dangerous. It would be nice to go to a late-night diner with friends or spend a weekend in bed with a girl. Her main problem was that she didn't really like people. Shaw was pretty cool, though.

Turning, she walked backwards, watching Shaw walk out into the cold. Her face was unreadable, something Root was beginning to realize was normal. Shaw was always collected. Root had never seen her as anything, but calm. Even during sex, she was in control.

"So…" Root started, lifting her shoulders and burrowing into her coat, "have any plans for today?"

"Work," was the short answer.

When she didn't say anything else, Root sighed. She turned around again to face forward and walked along next to Shaw. Maybe she'd overestimated Shaw's interest. It was one thing to just hook-up and another to be friends with benefits. Shaw might not even like texting her. Root was probably just making it all up because she got a crush on the first girl she had good sex with.

"I have some time, though," Shaw said after a moment, "before I have to go."

"What?" Root asked, caught off guard. "Time?"

Shaw glanced at her, frowning. "Did you want to do something? Or were you just asking?"

Root stopped walking, making Shaw stop, too. "I want to do something."

"Ok, what?" Shaw pulled her hand out of her pocket to scratch her nose. "We could get brunch."

Root opened her mouth, but couldn't answer. She'd been trying to get Shaw to hang out all week and she had refused. Now that they were physically together, Shaw was fine with hanging out. Root knew that they were casual, barely friends, but she deserved a little more respect than that.

"Why do you want to hang out now?" Root asked, shivering as wind swept through the pavilion. "I've been asking you out all week."

Shaw rolled her eyes. "I don't make plans over text. Who knows who's on the other line."

"I send you selfies all the time."

"That's my rule. Sorry." Shaw pushed her beanie back on her head. "So, brunch?"

Root shifted her weight, looking around at the other students walking around. "You're very hard to read. Do you know that?"

Shaw snorted. "I've been told."

"I guess brunch is fine," Root said. She closed the distance between them, reaching out to run a finger over Shaw's jacket. "What I really want…is to prove to you that I'm up to the task."

Swatting Root's hand away, Shaw frowned. "What task?"

"The task," Root whispered, leaning close to brush her lips over Shaw's ear, "of fucking you." Root could feel Shaw tense against her and she smiled, pressing herself even closer, her fingers picking at Shaw's jacket. "I think I'd be really good at it."

Shaw shoved her away and Root stumbled back, gasping. Moving quickly, Shaw grabbed her arm, pulling her along. Root awkwardly jogged along, Shaw's grip on her sleeve pulling her jacket tight and letting cold air in. They were heading for a small room with a closed door. When they got closer, Root realized it was a bathroom. Was Shaw taking her somewhere private to yell at her?

Yanking open the door, Shaw tossed Root inside. She tripped forward, holding her hands out to catch herself on the sink. She heard the door slam shut and then Shaw grabbed her arm again. Spinning her around, Shaw slammed Root back into the sink. The porcelain hurt her tailbone, but Shaw's mouth crashed into hers and Root didn't care about the pain.

Shaw's mouth was hot against Root's, her tongue running along Root's lip. Root loved kissing Shaw. Her mouth was insistent, pressing bruising kisses against Root's. She nipped at Root's lips, hands coming up to tangle in Root's loose hair. Root moaned as Shaw pulled sharply, the pain clearing her head.

Root needed skin, she wanted to feel the heat of Shaw's skin against her own. Moving her hands between them, Root unzipped Shaw's coat. She stuck her hands inside, pushing up Shaw's t-shirt and pressing her freezing fingers against Shaw's stomach. Groaning, Shaw turned her head to the side and Root's lips trailed sloppily across her jaw.

"You think you can touch me? Make me come?" Shaw gasped into Root's ear, her hands easily unbuttoning Root's coat. "Prove it."

Root smacked Shaw's hands out of the way so she could open Shaw's jacket instead. jacket down. As she pushed it down Shaw's firm arms, she moved forward, forcing Shaw to walk backwards. The jacket trapped her arms, keeping them behind her and when Root pushed her into the wall, Shaw was stuck.

"You're at my mercy now," Root murmured. She smiled at Shaw's wide eyes. "I can do whatever I want."

Shaw licked her lips. She didn't try to pull her hands free, but her hips bucked against Root's.

"You're not going to kill me, are you?" Shaw asked, voice raspy in her throat. "I try not to get close to assassins. I'll get out of this in a second if you try anything funny."

Raising an eyebrow, Root pushed Shaw's shirt up, hooking her thumbs under Shaw's black sports bra and lifting it, too. "I'm not here to kill you, Shaw." She dragged her fingers down Shaw's breasts, nails scratching over hard nipples, grinning as Shaw gasped softly. "I'm not planning to hurt you. Yet. We'll work up to it."

Shaw nodded frantically, leaning forward to kiss Root. Root sucked air in through her nose as they kissed, hands flying up to clutch Shaw's face. She could feel herself starting to sweat in her wool coat. Keeping her mouth on Shaw's, she took her coat off, letting it fall to the floor.

"You're so hot," Shaw gasped into Root's mouth. "I love your body."

Root pulled away just enough to lift her shirt over her head. She pushed her body against Shaw's, eyes fluttering as her stomach pushed against Shaw's abs. Shaw was hot against her, warming her core and making her press herself closer, hands settling on Shaw's hips. Shaw's mouth dropped open as Root leaned against her, every part of them touching, and Root brushed their lips together.

She wanted to hear Shaw moan again. This was the closest Root had come to touching Shaw and she felt light-headed with excitement. She moved her hands high on Shaw's stomach, swaying backwards so she could run her thumbs over the soft underside of Shaw's breasts. Shaw's breasts were beautiful and Root licked her lips.

She leaned down and ran her tongue around a hard nipple. Shaw's stomach quivered and Root bit down, softly at first, and then harder until Shaw moaned loudly. Root licked again, soothingly. She took Shaw's other nipple between her fingers, pinching until Shaw moaned again. Knowing that she was making Shaw groan made Root wetter and she bit down again, desperate to hear more.

Root listened to Shaw whimper above her, surprised the sound was coming from someone as tough as Shaw. She was shivering against Root's mouth, and Root felt proud that she could break Shaw down. Root was finally getting to touch her after dreaming about it for weeks and it was so much better than Root had imagined. She needed to know if Shaw tasted better, too.

Straightening, Root kissed Shaw again, dropping her hands to Shaw's pants, opening them with shaking hands. She hooked her fingers around the elastic of Shaw's underwear and shoved them down, desperate to see Shaw naked. Her fingers brushed warm skin as she pushed them down to Shaw's knees.

Root stepped away from Shaw, pushing hair from her face. She ran her eyes over Shaw's body. Shaw's cheeks were flushed and her lips red. She looked exposed in the harsh florescent lights, her clothing pushed away. Root ran a hand down her own stomach, dipping her fingers into her leggings and brushing along her underwear.

"If you stop touching me now, I'm leaving." Shaw shifted against the wall. "I'm not just going to watch you touch yourself."

Root chuckled, closing the distance between them again. "I'm just admiring you, Sameen. I've never seen you naked before." She moved her hands between Shaw's thighs, spreading her legs. "I have to take it in."

She moved one hand up, sliding her fingers through wet heat. "Well," Root breathed, taking her hand back, "now I know why you're so eager."

Shaw's eyes were fixed to Root's wet fingers as she put them in her mouth. Root hummed happily. Shaw's taste filled her senses as she sucked her fingers clean. A soft gasp escaped Shaw's mouth and Root pulled her fingers out slowly.

"You taste so good," Root murmured as she touched Shaw again. She drew lazy circles over Shaw's clit, enjoying the way her thigh muscles jumped. "I can't wait for you to come in my mouth."

Shaw moaned, and tried to kiss Root, but Root turned her head away. Shaw growled. "If you're going to do something, then do it."

"Not yet," Root said thoughtfully. "I'm in charge right now. I set the pace."

Root raised an eyebrow as she continued her slow pace, teasing Shaw. She slipped her fingers towards Shaw's entrance, dipping them in just enough to make Shaw's hips jump forward.

"You want me to fuck you?" Root crooned, mouth turning up.

Shaw's jaw clenched. "I want you to prove that you're up to the task."

"I think you already know that I am." Root slid two fingers inside Shaw, grinning. "You're so wet."

Shaw stuck her hips out further, her shoulders pushing back against the wall. Root fucked Shaw quickly, her free hand holding the back of Shaw's neck. She couldn't take her eyes off Shaw's face and the way her mouth hung open as she panted. Shaw's eyes still watched Root, flicking over her face and down to her neck.

Root added another finger, watching Shaw's eyes finally close. Shaw was so hot. Her breasts bounced slightly in time to Root's thrusts and Root dipped her head to take Shaw's nipple in her mouth again. Above her, Shaw grunted loudly.

"You like that?" Root asked, pressing a sloppy kiss into Shaw neck. "You like how I fuck you?"

Shaw nodded. "Yes," she gasped. Her eyes fluttered open for a second to glance at Root. "You feel so good."

The compliment made Root groan and she kissed Shaw. It was messier than before, Shaw focusing on Root's touch instead of kissing. Root bit Shaw's lip, drinking in her soft grunts. Root had thought about this moment since they'd met, the image of Shaw coming undone beneath her had fueled so many fantasies.

Sucking on Shaw's lip, Root slowed her fingers, pushing them in as far as they would go and pulling them out with a curl. She released Shaw's lip with a wet pop.

"Why have you been holding out on me?" Root asked, running a thumb over Shaw's swollen lip. She pushed her fingers in again, moaning at the feel of Shaw around her. "Why'd it take so long for you to let me in?"

Shaw's hips bucked and she licked her lips, tongue flicking against Root's thumb. "I hade to make sure you weren't trying to kill me."

"Kill you?" Root asked surprised, curling her fingers. "Why would I kill you?"

"I'm-" Shaw cut herself off with a gasp. "I have a dangerous job. Wh- Who knows when someone is going to try and hurt me."

"Oh," Root sighed, slowly pulling her fingers out of Shaw. out, "I'm going to hurt you, but not because someone is paying me, too. What do you say we make a deal?"

Shaw panted, hips trying to grind against Root's retreating fingers. "Deal?"

"I won't kill you, even if someone wants to pay."

Root pushed her fingers into Shaw again, rubbing her thumb across her clit. using her thumb to rub her clit. Shaw's mouth opened as she tried to speak, but when Root pressed their stomachs together, she just gasped. Shaw was completely unwound by Root's touch, and Root couldn't believe it. She never thought she'd affect someone so much and seeing the way Shaw's body flushed and shook made her groan

Shaw finally spoke. "What do you want from me?"

"Relax," Root answered, making tight circles with her thumb. "I won't kill you and you'll be my…friend. With benefits."

She dipped her head down to Shaw's neck and ran her tongue up the tight skin. Shaw tasted like sweat, salty and hot. Root could hear Shaw panting in her ear, her breath speeding up. She was getting close and Root still hadn't gone down on her.

"Your answer?" she asked.

"Fine," Shaw bit out. "I'll make- make plans and let you touch me."

Root hummed with excitement and dropped to her knees, her fingers still inside Shaw. "It's a deal."

She spread Shaw's thighs with her hands, licking her slowly. She purred happily, savoring Shaw's smell and taste. savoring the way she smelled and tasted. Above her, Shaw cursed, tugging at her arms, but leaving them tangled in her coat. Root grinned as Shaw ground down against her mouth. She had definitely proved herself capable. Shaw hadn't even come yet and she was already dripping.

Root kept her fingers moving inside Shaw as she stroked her with her tongue. It got harder to breathe as Shaw's hips moved quickly against her mouth. Shaw was gasping rhythmically, her head tilted back against the bathroom wall. Root curled her fingers one last time and Shaw grunted above her, tightening around Root's fingers.

Her mouth dropped open and her hips gave a few weak thrusts before finally stopping. Root could feel Shaw's thighs shaking as she licked her clean. After a second, Shaw gasped, pushing herself onto her toes to get away from Root's mouth.

Sitting back on her heels, Root looked up at Shaw. She licked her lips and slipped her fingers out of Shaw, smiling as Shaw's hips jerked and a small whimper escaped her mouth. Root's face was going to smell like Shaw for the rest of the day. She groaned, sliding a hand into her underwear and touching herself. She was as wet as Shaw, but before she could do more than rub herself once, Shaw interrupted her.

"Don't," Shaw growled, leaning forward to pull her hands free of her jacket. She started pulling her pants up. "It's my turn."

"Did I pass the test?" Root asked smugly, still touching herself. "Have I proved myself?"

"Yeah, so don't ruin it by being annoying."

Shaw reached down to yank Root to her feet. They spun around and Shaw slammed Root back into the wall. Shaw pushed her face into Root's throat, dragging her tongue up sensitive skin, up over Root's chin, through her own wetness. Shaw moaned as she tasted herself. They kissed, tongues sliding against each other, and all Root could taste was Shaw.

Shaw's hot hands ran over Root's stomach and her nails dug into her ribs. She broke their kiss. "I hope you don't have anywhere to be today."

"I have class later," Root gasped, distracted by Shaw's fingers sliding under her bra. "You have work."

"Skip class," Shaw ordered. "I can do my work tomorrow."

Her hands squeezed Root's breasts and Root groaned loudly, rubbing her legs together for some friction. "Ok," she breathed, "but we're not spending all day in this bathroom."

Laughing, Shaw pressed a quick, hard kiss to Root's mouth. "Don't worry. This is just the first stop."