His mind didn't want to thank Rex for finally giving him the little push he needed, but damn , he was glad he did, as a pair of wet hands were now softly scrubbing his back under the lukewarm water as they both were covered in EVOs's residues. He closed his eyes, savoring the sensation. The tension in his muscles melted away, replaced by a soothing warmth. The touch was comforting and electrifying, a reminder of their shared intimacy.

"How did you get this scar, and when?" Holiday asked, tracing a large, brownish cut on his left shoulder blade.

"Biowulf. I honestly cannot recall how it happened, but that thing always seems to be trying to attack me, except for that one time in Abysus."

Before Rebecca could respond, the man interjected, "There are a few others from missions with Rex." She glanced over and saw them. Holiday sighed in relief, grateful the water washed away the disgusting residue. She couldn't help but wonder if the man's shower drain would end up clogged because of it.

"Fortunately, none of these have caused any serious harm, although I'm sure they were painful for you," Holiday added, resting her forehead against his back. "I cannot express my gratitude for the countless times you have kept Rex and me safe."

'There is always a way!' the most primal part of his brain shouted endlessly. He turned to face the woman in the shower, her face lighting up with a warm smile as soon as his brown eyes met hers. He placed her hands on his shoulders, allowing her arms to rest comfortably. "Well..."

Holiday chuckled momentarily, making himself aware that if he didn't suggest it first, she would say it almost as if knowing what he would reply by default to each of her words.

"Okay, but so you know, shower sex isn't the safest option..." But at that moment, safety was the least of his concerns, and so it was what she could be thinking of the frequency. The steam surrounded them as their bodies pressed together, his desire ignited by the water droplets cascading down their skin, giving in to the intoxicating passion. Six held her waist firmly, lifting her body and pressing her back against the cold white tiles. The water flowing over them was warm, creating a refreshing contrast. His body covered hers, making her feel that sense of completeness she always felt when any part of their bodies touched.

"Are you this excited already?" The man raised an eyebrow as she laughed, closing the gap between their lips and playfully nibbling on his lower lip. Said like that it sounded as if he had an erection each time he looked at her.

Oh...

"As if it's hard for you to excite me," he mumbled between kisses, chastising both in the process, causing her to blush, as he was glad she didn't notice that he was trying to deflect the blame. "Is the water too hot?" Six asked, quickly trying to change the subject. "Maybe we should try showering under cold water instead?"

Preparation was not always necessary, but there were times when their sexual encounters did not meet their expectations. Some days, the woman would require more teasing and foreplay than others, making him wonder if Holiday could be thinking that he could be using her as a way to fulfill his fantasies, more than pursuing a proper relationship.

He would take his time, anyway, exploring every inch of her body with his hands and lips. He knew that building anticipation was the key to igniting her desire as much as his mind was now plagued with questions he knew had to be answered at some point. With each gentle touch and lingering kiss, he could feel her surrendering to the pleasure that awaited them.

"If it weren't for Rex, would you still choose to stay in Providence?" she asked, smiling as his eyes met hers. He had been trying to find a comfortable position for both of them, and she noticed the sudden mood change as if the man didn't want to think of the teen while trying to make love to her, making him wonder why she was questioning his loyalties now. "Let me finish," she said, smiling again and sighing as much as he was grunting as he finally settled between her warm legs. "What I'm trying to say is, would you still stay here if it weren't for him?"

"Could we possibly save it for later? The last thing I want to think about is the fact that I am having sex with one of the people responsible for taking care of him as much as I do."

Making love.

It usually happened in the most stressful moments, where there was tension to release as they didn't have the time for such luxuries after a couple of dates. But even so, that day was different.

The mission had ended with sore limbs covered in sticky residues, but there was no tension to release but an odd feeling like something was missing.

Or so Six thought.

"Careful... it hurts there..." he heard her voice next to his ear as he was supporting her weight against his, relieving the tension of the rigid wall against her back.

"I will take you to the medical ward after this."

It wouldn't take him much time anyway, as unprotected sex was something none of them was willing to do, no matter the occasion as much as she made sure to use contraceptive methods if he had no condoms in hand. Drying her body while he was taking care of the matter by himself was customary—something she would watch while dressing, from time to time, even if that day was oddly different as if it took him an extra effort as if something in his mind was killing the mood he seemed to be in before.

A shrug was the only thing she did in response. They had sex when things got heated and these things happened.

Waiting for her with his arms crossed while she was getting checked on the medical ward, wasn't unusual for both of them. Hence, the scientists and doctors there never asked any questions, even if that made Holiday wonder if they could suspect something was happening between the two.

"Does your body still hurt?" he asked with genuine concern as they walked back to the communal areas from the medical ward. "Did I...?" Six silenced himself immediately and frowned, which made Holiday shake her head no and smile.

"You didn't hurt me if that's what you're asking. Either these EVOs are getting stronger, or I'm getting too old for these combats," Holiday replied, stretching her arms and cracking her tired joints. She gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry; your performance is always great as usual. "

She didn't need to describe it like that as he looked away, making her laugh softly for a moment.

Things needed to change.

"We should go out tonight." Six suddenly said, taking the woman by surprise even when the surprised one had to be him.

Crossing her arms and leaning against one of the walls before entering their communal resting area, Holiday sighed with an arched eyebrow and wondered why the man suddenly wanted to go out to eat. She wasn't complaining; going out on a date was always complicated for them as they were responsible for a teenager and a chimp.

"Where do you wish to eat tonight?" She asked as Six stopped before her and pushed his glasses up, pondering if it mattered or if she was trying to ask something else, depending on his response, feeling even more uncertain about the way he thought they had a relationship without even saying the feelings he was supposed to say.

It was some sort of status quo that couldn't continue like that anymore.

"Nothing too fancy. Unless you want to dress up today."

Six studied her face, but she didn't look as disappointed as he expected.

"Right. And after all we went through, you still want to go out?"

"Yes."

His idea of 'fancy' and her idea of 'fancy' seemed utterly different, as the place seemed fancy enough for her to wear her regular orange shirt and grey skirt and him, his green suit. As they sat down to eat, the atmosphere shifted, a weird tension settling between them. Rebecca studied Six, noticing how he seemed eerily quiet, looking at her occasionally.

"Something on your mind?" she asked gently. Six hesitated momentarily, his fingers tracing the rim of his wine glass.

"I've been thinking... about us," he began, his usual stoic demeanor softened just for a second but enough for her to notice. Rebecca's heart skipped a beat.

Was he finally trying to find a way to break up with her?

"Go on," she encouraged him, her pulse quickening.

"I know we've just a couple of dates, and our... physical connection has been... fulfilling," Six said, words thoughtfully chosen. "But I want you to know it's more than that for me. It's not just about the physical aspect. I..."

Rebecca's breath caught in her throat, her eyes locking with his. "You were worried I could question your love for me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Six reached across the table and took her hand in his. "Our intimacy might be getting out of hand..."

A smile spread across Holiday's face. "I never thought I'd hear those words from you," she confessed.

His 'unsaid' words spoke volumes, but it was always refreshing to hear his deep thoughts once in a while.

"Rebecca, there's something I need to tell you," he began, trying to sound as confident as possible, which she found pretty endearing to witness.

Holiday looked at him, her eyes reflecting his own. "What is it?" she asked, her voice soft with anticipation. Taking a deep breath, Six reminisced about how everything started and how he had to depart from the thought that he only dated her due to Rex's insistence and the idea that he could just let her fill the blanks in their relationship, because he had never said those words before.

"I... eh... I..." he said, pushing his glasses and looking away in embarrassment. " I wanted to tell you this before... we... you know. Before we..."

"Had sex again if the mission doesn't go as we planned it to be?"

The man nodded and she thought it made sense that he wanted to change that aspect of their relationship if both had already confessed how much they cared for each other.

"I... what I'm trying to say is that... I...I ... love you ..."

Rebecca's eyes widened as she was speechless by his confession for minutes that felt like an entire lifetime.

Finally. She whispered before smiling at him.