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You filled the tub with warm water, waiting for your boyfriend to walk into the bathroom. The sound of rushing water covered the sound of his footsteps, so when arms suddenly wrapped around you the yelp that escaped you couldn’t be helped. You looked up, seeing Steve’s tired face above you.
“How’re you feeling babe?” You placed your hand atop his.
“Fine,” Steve automatically responds.
“ Steve ,” you emphasize, “are you feeling okay? The doctors said you’d be dealing with pain for a few more months as your scars heal.”
Steve hung his head, and you knew he was cursing how well you read him. “Alright, it’s not great. They hurt pretty bad right now, and it’s another hour until I can take more painkillers.”
Your heart tugged at the tiredness in his voice. You knew his fresh scars were tender and anytime he moved he felt the skin around them tug. You turned the water off and stood up to face him. You cupped his cheek, smiling when he leaned into the touch.
“The bath should help, I got it warmed up to help you relax. Do you want to wait a minute or go ahead?” You stroke his hair out of his eyes.
Steve closes his eyes, “I think the sooner I get in the better. Would you mind helping me still?”
“It’s no problem babe. Are you okay with me taking your shirt off?”
Steve nodded as you slipped your hands under the hem of his shirt. You carefully slid the fabric upward, making sure not to run your hands along his skin. The light caught on the fresh pink skin of his torso, shining slightly. You held each sleeve open as he slid his arm through, ducking some so you could pull the fabric over his head. Once his shirt was off, Steve turned to the mirror to look. You watched as his eyes trailed between the scars littering his torso. Your stomach tugged at the way he was looking at himself. You slid your hand into his, squeezing his in reassurance. You gently tugged his hand toward you and Steve turned at the feeling.
“They’re healing nicely,” you inform him.
Steve dejectedly nods. You frown at his gloomy mood, knowing he’s mentally beating himself up. He uses his free hand to undo his belt, shimmying his pants down before kicking them free of his feet. He takes a step toward the tub and you follow him. You let go of his hand to keep them hovered near his back as he steps into the bath. As he slowly sinks into the water, you watch his brows furrow.
“Too hot?” You worry.
“No, it’s great. The scars just tug when I lower myself into the water,” Steve explains.
He slowly leans back in the water, resting against the tub. You wait for him to let you know he’s okay to wash. When he finally nods to indicate the pain is ebbing away, you grab a washcloth and his soap. You get the cloth sudsy before gently washing him. You touch as lightly as possible, carefully wiping away the residual balm from his scars. Carefully rinsing away to soap, you guide him to lean forward. You repeat the process on his back, feeling his muscles relax under your touch. Once you finish rinsing away all the soap, you tilt his head back. You wet his hair before taking care in washing it for him, remembering when he first asked you to help him wash it. You took care to keep the water from running into his eyes, watching as the water made his hair darker.
It wasn’t long until you turned away from him, handing the cloth over. As he finished washing himself, you grabbed a towel from under the sink. At the sound of the water beginning to drain, you offered the towel to him behind you. He gently pulled the fluffy fabric from your hold.
“I’m covered,” he declared a few moments later.
You turned around, offering him your arm. He held onto it as he stepped out of the tub. He led the way into his room as you watched the drops of water fall from his hair onto his back. You laid on his bed as he pulled on a pair of sleep pants. Soon, he was lying next to you cuddled into your side.
“Thank you for taking care of me,” he mumbled against your skin.
You run your fingers through his damp hair, “You’re welcome. I like taking care of you.”
“That’s nice,” Steve sighs against you.
“You can sleep for now if you want. I can wake you up when it’s time for your medicine, okay?”
You felt Steve tiredly nod against you, movements sluggish. It was only a minute later that his quiet snores reached your ears. You watched over him as he slept, his breaths puffing past his lips. You hated how long he went without someone caring for him, but promised him you’d always be there for him. It took a long time for him to accept the help you happily offered, but now that he did you were so proud of him.