Sameen tapped her thumbs against the wheel in time to the music. Root had made them a cassette because Ruth was old and couldn't play CDs. Sameen didn't mind though. When they got bored of their songs, they could switch over to radio and find something local to listen to.

It had only been eight hours since they'd left Bishop, but Root was already so relaxed. Sameen glanced over her, hanging half out the window trying to take a picture of a bridge up ahead. When they'd crossed the town line this morning, Root had slumped in her seat, like all tension had left her body.

Sameen had known that Root felt trapped in the small town, that she felt like she was too big for her skin sometimes, but seeing her now, so goddamn happy, made Sameen think about the future. What could Root do if she was out in the world? Maybe she was meant for big things. If she thought about it really hard, seeing Root like this made Sameen happy.

Sameen looked out her own window. There was nothing around for miles, but desert. Endless brown plains sprinkled with shrubs. She'd had to put her wipers on a ways back because the dirt and dust was sticking to her windshield. It was also hot. Hotter than Sameen had ever thought it could get. She glanced at the mercury thermometer she'd stuck to the windshield. It was 104 degrees.

"Root," Sameen said, trying to get her attention. "Close the window!"

Root didn't hear her, just leaned even further out the window. Sameen stretched across the seats and stuck her hand into the pocket of Root's shorts. Root's Polaroid camera clicked loudly. Root shouted and dropped back into the seat, twisting Sameen's arm painfully.

"Ow! Root, what the hell?"

"Stop the car!" Root yelled, put her head out the window to look behind them. "Pull over!"

Sameen pulled onto the curb and Root was out of the car before it had fully stopped. Sameen threw the car into neutral, hurriedly unbuckled herself, and ran after Root. She growled; it was too hot to be exercising.

Root ran down the side of the road along the concrete railing, sneakers kicking up dirt, already a hundred feet away. God, Sameen thought, that girl was fast. When the blockade ended, and the side of the road was grass again, Root ran down the hill.

"Root!" Sameen called down, slipping slightly on the grass. She watched Root pick something up and look at it. "What is that?"

Root turned to look at her, grinning, and started back up the hill. "The wind snatched the picture from my camera."

Sameen frowned and crossed her arms. "This was for a polaroid? I thought something bad had happened."

Root stopped next to her and shook her head. "Nope. Just didn't want to lose the memory."

Sameen rolled her eyes, but she smiled. Root was such a dork. They started back towards the car and Root threaded their fingers together. Root really cared about things, Sameen thought, watching Root's face move between the photo and the real bridge.

It wasn't always a bad thing, that Root cared. Sameen dropped Root's hand when they got to the car, moving to her door. She pulled it open and slid into the car, shaking her head. Root was obsessed with the weirdest things, but at least she was obsessed with Sameen.

Sameen shut her door and buckled in. A bright flash made her squint across the stick shift at Root. Waving the picture in the air, Root smiled at her.

"I wonder if there's a way to build some sort of cage the picture falls into, so I can take pictures in the wind." Root mused. She shrugged and reached back to put the camera behind Sameen's seat. "I'm hungry."

"Well, put your seatbelt on and we'll find some food," Sameen grumbled, shifting into first and pulling back onto the road. "And roll up the window, it's fucking hot."

"Oh," Root said, smirking, "sorry. Should I get out?"

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Root stared up at the stars, hands under her head. She was lying on top of their car at a campsite just outside of Socorro, New Mexico while Sameen talked with Mrs. Reese on the phone. They'd spent the day visiting the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, touring the museum and looking at the Very Large Array. Root hadn't spent a lot of time recently just looking at the stars and listening to the planets screech and chirp on her radio.

She'd been busy with school, friends, and Sameen. She didn't miss being lonely, but sometimes she missed her alone time. Of course, she still kept tabs on the NASA website and read up on alien theories and things, but it wasn't quite the same. Looking at space, thinking about the Great Wide Somewhere, had always grounded her and made her feel hopeful about the future.

Root loved the Array, it made her feel like she wasn't crazy. Other people were out there listening, imagining a bigger world. Maybe Root would work there when she was older or work at NASA. Somewhere where she could work with computers and still pursue her own passions. The people at the Observatory would probably encourage her to work on robots and AI.

Root sighed and sat up, wrapping her arms around knees. Her radio was turned to the ISS station and right now, they were listening to Saturn. She didn't believe in fate or God. How could she when there was so much randomness and chaos in the world? There wasn't a plan or a person leading them through the sky. There were just people.

Looking at the stars was nice, though. Knowing there was something out there, alive, trying to understand the universe, just like her, was calming.

Sameen stepped out of the car and rested her arms on the roof. She reached out to turn Root's radio down slightly.

"The family is still alive," Sameen said.

Root chuckled. "I should hope so, we've only been gone for a week or so."

Sameen shrugged and hoisted herself up onto the roof. Root watched her hook her knee over the edge and roll onto her back. Her shirt clung to her skin, damp with sweat. There was no AC to escape into out here and Sameen hadn't stopped sweating since they'd left home.

They hadn't had sex yet, even though it had been a week. Root wasn't sure how to bring it up again or if it was just supposed to happen naturally. They also hadn't stayed in a motel yet and Root didn't want to lose her virginity in the back of a car like every other girl in Bishop. So, she would bide her time until the moment was right.

Sameen turned her head to look at Root. "You ok?"

"Yeah," Root smiled, "why?"

"I don't know. You were really talkative at the satellite place, but you've hardly said a word since."

Root dropped her head back to stare up at the stars, her radio lightly buzzing by her feet. "I'm feeling sort of weird. Like…I can't explain it. Empty, but sad, but I'm not sad?"

Sameen watched her, her face serious. Root knew that Sameen was thinking about her own emotions and probably feeling like she was failing Root by not being able to relate. Root didn't care that Sameen's emotions were different than hers, but sometimes she did wish she had someone to talk to. She considered calling Mrs. Reese for a moment, but decided against it. Maybe she'd call Claire later to chat.

"Don't worry about it, Sameen," Root said, reaching out to hold Sameen's hand. "I'm ok. Just…feeling small in the universe, I guess."

"Is there anything I can do?" Sameen asked, sitting up. "I could find some cake or something for you."

Root laughed, closing her eyes. "Cake?"

"Yeah," Sameen smirked. "Girls eat their feelings, right? I've seen that on TV. We passed a 24-hour diner on the way here. We could get cake and pancakes or something."

"I just want to look at the stars and listen to the planets right now. Maybe later though."

Sameen nodded. "Do you want me to go in the car and give you some space?"

"No, Sameen," Root said, turning the radio up and lying back down, "Space is big enough for the both of us."

They laid under the stars for another hour, just holding hands and breathing. Eventually, Root heard a soft snore and smiled. Sameen had fallen asleep, but her hand still clutched Root's. Root dropped her head to the side and watched Sameen breath.

Sameen's chest rose and fell slowly, the moon shinning on her skin. Root debated letting her sleep up here, but knew Sameen would be grumpy in the morning. The best part about camping was getting to sleep with Sameen under the stars every night.

Root had put her foot down after the first night and demanded that all campsites they stopped at had to have showers. Sameen was too sweaty to sleep in their bed and Root was not going to stop at a laundromat every two days to wash their blankets.

Another perk of camping near showers was that Root kept getting glimpses of Sameen naked. If they hadn't been girlfriends, she would have felt creepy, but now? Now it was her duty to see Sameen naked and compliment her on her butt. Root reached out to shake Sameen awake.

"Sweetie," Root crooned softly, "wake up."

"Hmm?" Sameen sucked in a breath. "What?"

Root grinned and sat up. "Come on, let's get ready for bed."

Sameen nodded sleepily and climbed off the car. She reached up as Root slid down, catching her with strong arms. Root pressed a kiss to Sameen's lips.

"You're so strong," Root sighed happily.

Sameen quickly hooked an arm under Root's legs and swept her off her feet. Root laughed with surprise.

"Are you going to carry me to the showers?" Root asked, putting her arms around Sameen's neck.

Sameen smirked. "Only if you shower with me."

"It's a deal!"

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Sameen glared up at the string lights hanging over her head. She was snuggled up in the bed, burrowed into the blankets, as Root drove. They'd been doing so well for the past two weeks, no fighting or arguing. Just driving and kissing. No sex yet, but they planned to stay in a motel in a few days and Sameen was ready. Right now, though, she was only ready to punch Root.

"I can't believe you'd say that," Sameen growled. "2007 Gerard Way is unarguably the best Gerard Way. Welcome to the Black Parade outfit with the long black hair. Nothing beats that."

"You're so wrong," Root said from the front seat. "2011 is the best year. Red hair, black leather pants, Danger Days."

"Danger Days came out in 2010," Sameen rolled her eyes. "So, your argument is flawed."

"They toured for most of 2011, though, so I'm right."

Sameen sat up and looked out the window. They were somewhere in Nevada. Root was taking them to the Extra-Terrestrial Highway. They'd spent most of the past couple weeks hiking around and going to various museums and landmarks. Sameen was tanning nicely. She looked down at her dark arms and chuckled.

Root wasn't tan at all. She put on 100SPF sunscreen every morning, in preparation for the desert sun. Sameen was sure she'd forget at some point and get a sunburn. Root had such fair skin. Sameen loved how soft and delicate she was. Root's muscles were hidden along her long limbs and Sameen ran her hands over them as much as she could.

She spotted a Dairy Queen symbol on a road sign and turned to Root.

"Hey, take the next exit. I want ice cream."

"It's 11pm," Root said, but she turned her blinker on and changed lanes. "I don't know how your stomach can handle all of this."

Sameen laughed and stood up, crouching over, her back pressed to the roof. "Are you not going to get ice cream?"

"I am," Root laughed, meeting Sameen's eyes in the mirror. "I'm just gonna be sick after."

Sameen crawled to the front seats and squeezed between them. She dropped into the passenger seat and looked at Root. Root tapped her fingers on the steering wheel as she checked her mirror. Sameen liked to watch Root drive. She preferred to be behind the wheel most of the time, but Root was always so alert when she was driving.

She sat with her back straight, constantly checking her mirrors and speedometer. Sameen had gotten pulled over for speeding in New Mexico, but Root always seemed to know where the cops were hiding. Root glanced at her from the corner of her eye.

"What?" she laughed. She reached up to touch her nose. "What is it?"

"Nothing," Sameen shrugged. "Just looking."

"Looking at what?" Root turned the wheel to merge onto the exit ramp.

Sameen leaned towards her, resting on the wide armrests between them. "You."

"Me?"

"Yup," Sameen said, her eyes dropping to Root's lips. "You."

Root kept her eyes fixed on the road, but her hands clenched around the wheel. "Stop it. I am not having sex on the side of the road."

Sameen batted her eyes. "Who said anything about sex?"

Root rolled her eyes and glanced in her side mirror. "Please. Like you weren't fishing."

"I was just admiring you! What, am I not allowed to think my girlfriend is pretty?"

Root pulled into the Dairy Queen parking lot and shifted the car into neutral. She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to look at Sameen. "I think you want in my pants and you're trying to be subtle."

Sameen just looked at Root for a second. She couldn't tell how serious Root was being. Did she really think Sameen just wanted to have sex? Did she not know how attached Sameen was to her? Sameen sighed.

"Root. Listen to me. We could never have sex and I would still think you were the most beautiful thing on Earth. And in Space."

Root's eyes fluttered and she blushed. The corner of her mouth tilted up. "Really?"

"Really," Sameen confirmed, nodding. "Even though you think 2011 Gerard Way is the most attractive."

Root reached out to tug on the end of Sameen's hair. "You should dye your hair red."

Sameen rolled her eyes and slipped her feet into her flip-flops. "I told you months ago: I will never look good as a ginger. I don't have the complexion."

Root grinned and opened her door, stepping out of her car. "I don't know. You're pretty complex."

"Gross," Sameen grumbled, getting out of the car and shutting the door behind her. "For that pun, you're buying the ice cream."

"Would that make me your Sugar Daddy?" Root asked, taking Sameen's hand as they walked to the Dairy Queen's entrance.

Sameen groaned loudly. "I am never going to call you Daddy, so stop trying."

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Sameen watched Root as she chatted about various places they'd been. They were at a motel, finally spending the night in a real bed. Root had spread out all the postcards they'd collected and was trying to decide who to send what to. Sameen couldn't care less.

She traced Root's ear with her eyes, imagining her tongue running along the edge. Sameen licked her lips as she lingered on Root's jaw, strong and defined. Sameen wanted to press her finger into Root's cheek and force her mouth open. She would swallow Root's gasps and bruise Root's lips.

Sameen moved on to Root's neck. She pictured her fingers wrapping around the pale skin, Root's moans vibrating in her throat. Sameen would swallow those, too. She'd hold onto Root until she'd drunk her fill.

"Um, Sameen?" Root's voice said, pulling her into the present. "Are…you ok?"

Sameen met Root's eyes and Root shivered. She quickly gathered her postcards and tossed them onto the floor. Sameen surged forward, capturing Root's mouth and yanking their bodies together. Root moaned into her mouth, her arms flying up to wrap around Sameen's waist.

Sameen slid her hands down Root's back and into her back pockets. She turned them, tossing Root onto her back. Root stared up at her, eyes wide, a blush spreading across her chest. Sameen leaned down, straddling Root's thigh. She crushed their mouths together, sucking in air through her nose.

Root was intoxicating, the feel of her skin under Sameen's hands, the way her lips moved. Sameen pushed Root's tank top, lifting it over her bra, and resting trembling hands on Root's stomach. Root grabbed Sameen's hands and put them on her breasts, moaning.

Sameen pushed Root's bra up, out of the way, staring down at the pale skin exposed to her. Root was beautiful. She always was, but seeing her so vulnerable and trusting made Sameen's heart beat faster. She pulled Root's bra and tanktop over her head and tossed them onto the floor.

She watched Root's chest rise and fall with her heaving breathing and sighed, happy. Root's eyes flickered over her face, her mouth slightly open. Reaching up, Root yanked Sameen down, crashing their mouths together. Sameen ran her hands up and down Root's sides as they kissed. She clamped her teeth around Root's bottom lip, biting until Root gasped with pain.

Sameen licked the tender spot, then scooted herself down until she was eye level with Root's breasts. If she had the self-control, she might have looked at them for a while, admired them, but she didn't. She ran her tongue over Root's nipple. Root's hips jumped and her thigh pressed against Sameen's center.

Sameen ran her mouth over Root, leaving hot, wet kisses, until she reached Root's side. Sameen sucked on Root's waist, harder and harder until Root gasped. She sunk her teeth into Root's side, marking her, claiming her. Root was hers.

"Fuck," Root gasped above her. "I like that way more than I should."

Sameen chuckled against Root's chest and pushed herself onto her elbows. She took in Root's red face and bruised lips. Root's hands where tangled in her hair, eyes wild. Sameen kept their eyes locked as she ran a hard tongue over the mark she'd made. Root's eyes fluttered, but she kept them open.

Slowly, Sameen slid down Root's body, feeling the button on Root's shorts drag along her sternum. She lowered Root's zipper with her teeth and reached up to open her button. Root's mouth opened, her tongue peeking out to run over her swollen lip.

Sameen hooked her fingers in Root's underwear and pulled them and the shorts off quickly, tossing them to the side. Root ran her hands over her body, reaching down to rest between her legs, covering herself.

"Don't look," Root said, her flushed face getting redder. "It's weird looking."

Sameen rolled her eyes and gently grasped Root's hands. "How am I supposed to taste you if I can't look at it?"

Root sucked in a shaky breath and nodded, letting Sameen move her hands away. She clutched the blankets.

Sameen ran her hands along the inside of Root's thighs, marveling at their softness. She wished she could touch Root constantly, always have her hands on some part of her. Sameen dragged her lips down Root's legs, nipping at the sensitive skin.

She ran her fingers over Root's center, watching how Root twitched. Root was so wet, and she wondered if Root knew that she made Sameen feel the same way. Root hadn't done anything yet and Sameen was already desperate.

Sameen dropped onto her stomach, moving her hand aside. She licked Root, slowly and carefully. Root whimpered softly and Sameen licked her again. She sucked Root into her mouth and Root's fingers flew to her head, tangling in Sameen's thick hair.

Sameen lifted slightly to run a finger along Root's entrance. She glanced up.

"Can I go in?" she asked, teasing her with a fingertip.

Root swallowed loudly and nodded, her stomach trembling. Sameen pushed into Root, smiling as Root gasped above her. She watched Root's face as she moved. Root's eyes clenched shut and she sucked her swollen lip into her mouth.

Sameen added another finger, Root's hips bucking. Sameen wanted to be closer to Root, wanted to feel her shake. She moved forward, crawling up Root's body, keeping her hand moving. She licked Root's stomach, nipping at her belly button and sucking just beneath Root's breasts.

Root's hands moved from Sameen's hair to her back. She dug her nails into Sameen's skin, moaning loudly. Sameen's heart raced as she watched Root gasp. Root was beautiful, her brow furrowed and her chest heaving. Sameen felt powerful, like each second Root lay beneath her brought her one step closer to godhood.

"More," Root gasped, "I need more."

Sameen dipped down, scrapping her teeth along Root's neck. She bit down as hard as she dared and Root cried out.

"Sameen," Root rasped, "It feels so good."

Lighting raced down Sameen's spine and she knew she would sell her soul to hear Root say her name like that again. She moved her head to Root's breast and sucked her nipple into her mouth. She felt Root clench around her fingers and bit down, finally pushing Root over the edge.

Root bucked beneath her, but Sameen held steady, not stopping until Root reached down to push her hand away. Sameen heard her swallow hard and raised up onto her hands. She looked down on Root, smirking.

Root's eyes shot open and she flipped them over. Sameen's back hit the bed with a thump and she gasped. Root's eyes were almost black. She looked intense with her messy hair and dark, wet lips.

Root dipped down and kissed Sameen, their teeth clattering together before they found a rhythm. Sameen felt hot and already so close to the edge. Watching Root squirm under her had made her body tight and she felt like she could explode.

Root pushed Sameen's head to the side to get at her neck. Root's hands came between them and she grabbed the front of Sameen's t-shirt. She pulled Sameen up to a sitting position and released her mouth.

"Take it off," Root growled, tugging on Sameen's shirt.

Sameen yanked her shirt and sports bra off. Root drank in Sameen's chest, before shoving her back down. It was surprising, Root's aggression, but Sameen had never felt more turned on in her life. Root's nails scrapped down her stomach, leaving red trails, and Sameen gasped, her blood rushing in her ears.

Root pushed their mouths together, her hands coming up to palm Sameen's breasts. Sameen couldn't focus on any one sensation, her head spinning. Root squeezed her nipple and Sameen had to twist her head away to desperate suck in air.

"Oh my god," she panted, trying to rub her legs together for friction, but Root was between them and Sameen got no relief. "Fuck."

Sameen reached for her shorts, trying to open them. Root grabbed her wrists, squeezing painfully and slammed them into the pillows above Sameen's head.

"Did I say," Root grinned, wolfishly, "that you could touch yourself?"

Sameen swallowed hard, trying to pull her arms away, but Root was strong. God, she was strong. "If you won't touch me, I will."

Root winked at her, her face scrunching. Normally, Sameen would find it funny or cute, but right now, that gleam in Root's eyes was terrifying.

Root dragged her lips down Sameen's body, nipping at her breast and licking her stomach. She hovered above the button to Sameen's pants. Sameen watched as Root used her mouth to unbutton Sameen's shorts and dragged the zipper down with her teeth.

Sameen's stomach clenched. "What? How?"

Root smiled, smug, as she pulled off Sameen's shorts and underwear. "I may have practiced."

"On who?"

"On a teddy bear."

Sameen rolled her eyes and pressed a hand to her forehead. "That shouldn't be hot, but here we are."

Root pushed Sameen's legs up and slowly licked her, her eyes never leaving Sameen. Sameen moaned loudly and dropped her head back onto the pillow, her eyes squeezing shut. Root's mouth was hot and wet and hard. Sameen couldn't catch her breath or stop the low moans from ripping out of her mouth.

Root's fingers pushed into her and she gasped, her back arching and her fingers twisting in the blanket. She felt like she was flying apart, her heart trying to beat out of her chest. She felt Root adjust, but couldn't open her eyes.

Root's teeth sank into her neck and Sameen almost screamed. It was all too much and not enough. It wasn't enough.

"I need…" she gasped, trying to piece together a sentence. "It's not…"

Root hummed into Sameen's neck and she pulled back. She moved her free hand to Sameen's neck, her thumb pushed painfully into Sameen's windpipe, her other hand still moving. Root was so long, Sameen thought. Sameen stared up at her as it got harder to breath.

Root's thumb slid to the side and she tightened her hand around Sameen's neck, slowly. The pain at her throat and Root's fingers in her center drove Sameen crazy. She bucked wildly, racing towards her climax. It wasn't enough. Sameen whimpered.

Root leaned forward, she blew softly on Sameen's ear, lightly nipping. Sameen felt her grin, her breath hot.

"I want you to come."

Sameen groaned, her back arching painfully as she peaked. Root took her hand away and Sameen sucked in air through clenched teeth. Finally, she dropped back to the bed and Root pulled her other hand away.

Sameen stared at the ceiling, her body trembling. That was amazing. She'd been masturbating for years, but that was way more intense. Was this what sex was always like? Or was it just Root?

She turned her head to the side to see Root lying beside her, grinning. She rolled her eyes.

"Don't look at me like that."

Root raised her eyebrows. "Like what?"

Sameen shifted awkwardly. "Like you just won the lotto or something."

"But I did," Root said, smiling at her tenderly. "You're my fortune."

"Just don't spend me all in one place, ok?"

Root laughed and moved towards her, snuggling up to Sameen's side. She threw a leg over Sameen's and pulled her close.

"I'm all sweaty," Sameen said, reaching up to push hair out of Root's face. "You hate that."

Root hummed, content. "I made you sweaty. It's different."

"Is it?" Sameen asked. "Good to know."

"We should do this again sometime," Root said, her voice suspiciously casual.

Sameen chuckled. "Give me a few minutes."

Root nodded, smiling, and relaxed.

Sameen sighed and ran her hand over Root's head. Sameen had been worried that the sex would be bad or that they would like different things, but it had been perfect. She was glad she'd waited to lose her virginity with someone she cared about.

She did care about Root, all doubts aside. Sameen couldn't imagine her life without Root. Who would she be if she hadn't made a friend in Bishop? If Root hadn't been so fucking persistent? Sameen was as happy as she could get, though. She thought she might even love Root.

Sameen gasped softly. She loved Root. This warm feeling inside of her might be love? She wanted to chalk it up to the sex and store it away for later, but she knew it was always there. When Root stared at the stars in wonder. When she talked about the future and Sameen was always there. When she laughed and Sameen felt her stomach warm and her heart beat faster.

"Sameen?" Root asked, scooting back so she could look at Sameen's face. "Are you ok?"

Nodding, Sameen reached up to push her hair back. "Yeah, I just…"

Root watched her for a moment. "Just what?"

Sameen closed her eyes, disappointed in herself. "I really like you."

"I really like you, too," Root grinned. She tapped a finger on Sameen's nose, making her open her eyes. "You're going to fall in love with me, Sameen. I just know it."

Sameen rolled her eyes and rolled them over, trapping Root under her.

"I thought you needed a minute," Root joked, her head tilting.

Sameen dipped her head down. "Shut up, nerd."

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Root watched Sameen hike ahead of her, her rain boots splashing in the mud. They'd finally made it to Oregon, almost a month into their trip. They hadn't gotten very far the past couple of weeks because they kept stopping to have sex.

Root wasn't complaining, though. They were still doing everything on their list, just with the added bonus of orgasms. It was honestly a dream come true. She had an amazing girlfriend, she was out of Bishop, and she had a sort of tan. Things were good.

Sameen turned around to glare at her. "Will you hurry up? I have to pee!"

"Just go here," Root laughed, sloshing forward, the mud around her knees. "I won't look."

"Easy for you to say," Sameen grumbled, holding her hand out for Root to take. "You're a mile tall. If I squat, I'm ass deep in mud."

Root shimmied her shoulders. "What a great excuse for a bath."

Sameen considered it for a moment, but shook her head. "No, no. I need a sex break. My vagina is dead. You broke it. Also, I have too many bite marks. I need to heal."

Root laughed and knocked her shoulder against Sameen. She immediately regretted it as Sameen lost her balance and fell backwards into the mud. Root covered her mouth.

All of Sameen was gone except her torso from the belly button up. Sameen looked shocked.

"Oh no," Root winced. "Your hair."

Sameen turned her head slowly to look at Root. Her eyes were murderous, her face twisted into a scowl. Root backed up, giggling despite her terror. Sameen was so small, but she could be so angry.

"I'm going to kill you," Sameen growled. "Help me up, so I can kill you."

"Why would I agree to that?" Root laughed. Sameen crossed her muddy arms, pouting violently. "Aw, Baby. I'm so sorry."

"Don't call me that," Sameen sneered. She started to get up, wobbling on the slippery ground. "You're in time out."

"Ooh," Root grinned. "Are you going to spank me?"

Sameen sighed loudly, dropping her head back. She closed her eyes and Root could tell she was counting to ten. Sameen denied wanting to go to therapy and yet she used therapy techniques. Root considered saying that out loud, but decided it wasn't the time.

"It looks like the ground slops up ahead," Root offered, pointing forward. "We can just walk forward and wipe you off."

"Ok," Sameen sighed again.

She opened her eyes and started forward. When they got to the edge of the mud, Root stepped up easily, but Sameen stopped. She tried to pry her leg up, but she was stuck. Root scratched her chin awkwardly.

"Need help?"

Sameen glared at her. "No. Fuck you."

Root shrugged and sat down on the dry ground. She watched Sameen struggle, smiling. Sameen was stubborn about a lot of things; needing help, having feelings, carrying all the groceries in one trip. Root knew that she was relaxing though.

She thought back to when they'd first started hanging out. That night on the hill and doing the crossword in Sameen's bedroom the next day. Sameen had barely spoken a word. It had taken months for Sameen to open up and even then, there were still things she didn't know. Did Sameen's father teach her about cars or was it something she picked up in foster care? Why was Sameen so interested in medicine? Did Sameen really not have feelings or was it just an act?

Root didn't care either way; she like Sameen just as she was, but she wondered if it was ever going to change. Would they get to a day when Sameen was fully open with her?

Sameen finally pulled her foot free with a squelch, but she'd had to sacrifice her rain boot. She put one bare foot on solid ground and reached out to Root. Root put a hand on her chest.

"Oh, me?" she asked, acting surprised. "Do you need my help?"

"You're the worst," Sameen mumbled. "Just help me."

Root laughed and stood up. She tugged on Sameen's hands, helping her balance as she pulled her other foot free. Sameen looked down at her clean feet and sighed.

"You're going to have to carry me to the car," Sameen said, crossing her arms.

Root stepped back. "Um, you are very dirty. No innuendo intended."

"You knocked me over, so you carry me."

Root rolled her eyes, but she turned around and squatted. Sameen climbed onto her back, her body slipping from the mud. Root giggled as she started walking.

"What?" Sameen asked. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," Root giggled. "Even without sex, I can make you wet."

"I fucking hate you."

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Root swung her feet against the large washing machine and stuck another gummy bear into her mouth. They were in a laundromat, cleaning their blankets and sheets. She looked around at the neon lights reading "Open 24/7" and "Quarters Only."

One of her favorite things about this road trip, next to Sameen, was how things that were the same could be so different. In Washington, just a few miles north of Portland, this laundromat was clean and spacious, the white tile floors freshly waxed and the machines gleaming.

Back in Nevada, they'd stopped in a laundromat that was obviously just a front for some drug dealers. It smelled like pot and there were only two working machines. Grace would probably say something about comparative symbolism. She'd say 'the laundromats are metaphors. The change you're observing is yourself.'

Root rolled her eyes, reaching into the bag and pulling out another handful of gummy bears. She didn't feel that different than she had when she'd left Bishop a month ago. She was more relaxed, sure, and a little more confident. She'd had to talk to a lot of strangers. She didn't feel too much wiser, though.

She looked at Sameen who was sprawled out across several washing machines. Sameen seemed different, like she was more open. They hadn't shared secrets or anything, but it was like each passing day made Sameen feel more normal, more comfortable in her relationship with Root.

Maybe Root was thinking too much into it. She just couldn't let go of Sameen's 'Six Months. At Least.' She knew Sameen had been joking, but after the miscommunication and Tomas, Root had trouble just trusting that it would be ok. She sighed.

"Sameen?" Root said softly. "Are you awake?"

Sameen groaned and opened her eyes. She sat up and yawned. "What's up?"

"Are…" she frowned. "Are we still going to have sex when we get home?"

Sameen looked at her and shrugged. "If you want to."

That wasn't a clear answer. Root scratched her head. "Do you remember when we got together? What you said?"

Sameen kicked the washer she was on, the noise echoing through the store. "I said 'I like you,' right?"

"Yeah," Root conceded. "You also said we'd be together for six months."

"Oh?" Sameen's bra strap fell down her arm and she pushed it up again. "I guess…"

"Well, I was thinking…maybe in August, that's six months, that we could…talk? About us?"

Sameen watched her, her face slipping into its neutral mask. Root hadn't seen that once on this trip and now here it was. She wanted to kick herself for ruining everything.

"Ok," Sameen nodded. "We can talk. Do you…not want to be together longer?"

"I do!" Root leaned forward. "Maybe, though, a…a real talk would be good. For us?"

Sameen shrugged and her face relaxed. "Whatever you want."

Root sighed, relieved. Sameen didn't seem upset. Root tugged her sweater around herself. Sameen glanced at her and shook her head.

"I have no idea how you're wearing a sweater right now."

"It's freezing in here!" Root complained. "You're the one who's a furnace."

Sameen swung her legs up onto the washer and crawled over to Root. She sat down next to her and wrapped her arms around Root's waist.

"I'll warm you up," she smirked. "Feed me gummy worms as payment."

Root laughed and reached into the bag.