A/N: This fic contains potentially triggering subject matter including but not limited to: suicidal references, gun violence, sexual trauma, homelessness, drug abuse, depression, homophobia, and cancer. It may contain inaccuracies. No copyright infringement intended. Thanks for reading!

BOOK THREE - PART TWO- CHAPTER NINETY-SIX

"I'm exhausted. I think I'm just gonna shower and go to bed," Sam was saying. She and Cat had arrived at home a short while ago and had just finished unpacking.

"Wanna take a bath instead?" Cat suggested. "Together?"

"Together?" Sam arched an eyebrow.

"Yeah. We can go upstairs to my bathtub—it's big enough for both of us," Cat replied.

Sam looked hesitant. "I'm not really sure I'm up for doing anything."

"That's fine. You can just hold me. It'll be relaxing." Cat pecked her on the lips. "Please?"

Sam could already tell where this was leading, but she reluctantly nodded. "Okay. Let me get my stuff."

Cat took a step towards the door. "I'll meet you up there. I'll get the water started."

"'Kay," Sam agreed.

Cat turned and exited the room, then made her way up to her actual bedroom, which had now basically become Robbie's. Robbie and Bryson were sitting in bed, busy on their phones. They were both shirtless.

"Hey!" Robbie exclaimed when Cat came in.

"Seriously? You can't just walk in here!" Bryson complained.

Cat ignored them. "Me and Sam are gonna take a bath," she explained on her way past to the bathroom. She turned the lights on, then the water.

"Together?" Robbie called to her.

"Yes. Is that a problem?" Cat answered back.

"Are you gonna need the bed after?"

"No. We're just gonna relax," Cat told him. "We'll try not to bother you."

Just then, Sam walked in with her bag. She looked uncomfortable to see Robbie and Bryson there. "Um, you guys don't mind that we're here, right?"

"Nah, it's cool," Bryson responded, and Robbie nodded in agreement.

"Come on, Sam." Cat led her into the bathroom and closed the door. Then she approached the tub thoughtfully. "Okay, I'll get the right side, and you can have the left."

Sam shook her head. "No. I'll sit in the back, and you can sit in front of me. Is that okay?"

Cat was busy tying her hair up into a bun. "Yeah, that sounds better. You get in first. Take off your clothes."

Sam put her hair up as well. Then she was hit with a typical surge of nervousness. "Um, no. You first."

Cat rolled her eyes, and nearly said, "We're really not past this?" but she didn't. Instead, she began shedding her clothes in front of her. A minute later, she dropped her panties—her last article of clothing—to the floor and stepped out of them. "Okay. Your turn."

Sam slowly took her clothes off. Then she cringed, sniffed under her arm and said, "Are you sure you wanna do this? I haven't washed in a while."

"Really?" Cat stepped forward until they were face-to-face. Then she kissed her neck and inhaled slowly. The smell made her throb between her legs. "Well, it's gonna be hard not to jump on you, smelling like that."

"Let's just take it slow," Sam requested, pulling back and meeting her eyes. "If that's okay?"

"Of course. Whatever you want," Cat agreed.

"I think the water's high enough."

Cat cranked the water off. "Is it warm enough for you?"

Sam tested the water. It was a little too hot. "Yeah, that's fine."

"'Kay. You get in first."

Sam looked at the tub uncomfortably—it was very deep and required her to climb over the tall edge. She was extremely self-conscious about the way she would look doing that naked.

Cat noticed Sam hesitating and knew what the problem was. Sam was still pretty shy about exposing herself in different positions. She calmly averted her eyes, staring in another direction without being obvious about it.

After confirming that Cat wasn't looking, Sam quickly scrambled over the edge and settled down inside the tub.

Cat smiled. "Are you comfy? Is there enough room for me in there?"

"Yeah. Get in." Sam took Cat's hand and helped her over the side. "Now just sit down in front of me."

Cat did. She was surprised to feel Sam's hands under the water gripping her hips and pulling her back. She was seated between Sam's legs—most of Sam's front was pressed up against her back. It felt nice. Cat tipped her head back to rest on her good shoulder and closed her eyes.

Sam was in her happy place. "MmmmCat?"

"Mm-hmm?"

"I love you."

Cat giggled and looked back at her. "I love you too, Sam." She paused. "You sure you're not too cold?"

"Yeah, why?" Sam asked in confusion.

"Oh, no reason." Cat could feel both of Sam's stiffened nipples on her back. She wanted to reach back and play with them.

Sam realized the reason for the question and her face grew a bit warm. "That's… more because I'm excited. Not 'cause I'm cold."

Cat playfully replied, "I thought you were too tired for sex tonight."

"We don't have to have sex." Sam wrapped her arms around Cat's front and grabbed a breast with each hand. Cat moaned softly when she squeezed them. She pinched and rolled her nipples until they were just as stiff as hers. Cat leaned back against her, enjoying the sensation.

"Ah—!" Sam blurted in pain. "Motherfucking—"

"I'm sorry!" Cat quickly removed herself. She needed to be more careful of the left side of Sam's chest. "Should I not lean on you?"

Sam sighed. "No, you can, just…" She grabbed each of Cat's arms and guided her into a better position. Her body was turned slightly to the side, but it was comfortable to have her lean back on her now. "Okay. There. Are you comfy like that?"

Cat tipped her head back and gave Sam a kiss just below her jawline. "Grab my boobs again."

Sam was surprised, but didn't argue. She cupped Cat's breasts in her hands, massaging them gently and flattening them to her chest. While she touched her, she began giving Cat soft kisses on the back of her neck and shoulders. Within a couple minutes, Cat's right hand dipped below the waterline.

Sam chuckled. "Um, what'cha doing there?"

"Is this okay?" Cat asked, but didn't stop.

Sam reached around her and pushed away her hand. She let her own take its place between her legs, slowly circling her clit. Cat was slick even under the water. Sam touched her slowly, responding to her sounds and movements. "Mmmm, does that feel good?"

"Uh-huh," Cat moaned shakily.

Sam continued for a couple of minutes, gradually increasing in speed, before abruptly ceasing all motion.

Cat's eyes shot open. "Hey!"

Sam chuckled teasingly. "What's wrong?"

"Why'd you stop?" Cat whined, reaching down to give herself a quick rub.

"Hand me the showerhead."

Cat furrowed her eyebrows. "What?"

"Just do it, Cat," Sam told her.

Unsure, Cat removed the showerhead from its holder and handed it to Sam. She watched as Sam dunked it down into the water, then turned the water back on. She adjusted it to a certain setting. Then she nipped at Cat's earlobe and said, "Have you ever done this before?"

"Done what?" Cat asked, already breathless. The steam in the room was making her mind hazy.

"Just… lean back against me—yeah, like that." Holding the handle of the showerhead, Sam moved it down between Cat's legs. "'Kay, it's gonna be pretty intense at first. Just tell me if it's too much."

Cat was still confused. "Sam, I don't know what you're—"

Sam moved the showerhead closer, positioning the jet of water to hit Cat's clit.

Cat gasped and her body immediately began to shake. "Oh, fuck!" she exclaimed, bucking into the object. Sam had to grip her hip to hold her in place.

"How's that feel?" Sam playfully hummed.

"Sam—!" Cat's back arched as she took a couple breaths, her mouth falling open, then she froze and came hard. She moaned loudly throughout most of it, then scrambled to push away the showerhead once it became too much to handle. She leaned back against Sam, slightly sweaty, catching her breath. The whole thing was over in under a minute.

"How was that?" Sam asked, already knowing the answer. She reached over to crank the water off.

Cat took the showerhead and put it away. She was still trying to gather her bearings. Finally, she managed to say, "That was really fast."

Sam laughed. "I told you, it's usually pretty intense the first few times. You enjoyed it, right?"

"Yes. Oh, my God, yes. Thank you." Cat tilted her head back to kiss the side of Sam's neck. "Do you want a turn now?"

"With that? I don't know; I mean…" Sam hesitated, but they both knew she wanted to.

Cat pushed herself to her feet. "Come on. Switch places with me."

Sam did. She couldn't help herself. The two of them settled down with Sam between Cat's legs.