Chapter 27: ● T W E N T Y - S I X | Safe ●

† Q U I N N †

Sometimes home isn't four walls, it's two eyes and a heartbeat. Then that right person will bring out the best in you, and make you feel safe, loved, and valued—enough to be your true self, without fear of judgment or rejection. Sometimes it's even just a hand on your shoulder, or a steady voice saying, 'I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. When someone truly cares for you, they make you feel safe enough to be vulnerable. And if you keep feeling like even a little bit of their presence feels like peace every time you think of them, that's love. In the right arms, you can rest your soul, not just your head.

Thick, gloomy skies loomed overhead, and a cold breeze swept through the air, sending tiny puddles splashing beneath my feet. The earthy scent of rain mingled with the dampness, and I could feel the tiny droplets kissing my skin as they fell. I knew I should've brought an umbrella. As I approached the main door, I let out a sigh of relief, grateful to finally be close to shelter. I tried to swipe the wet smudges off my jacket before softly knocking on the door. A few moments later, it swung open.

Her eyebrows knitted together as she stood there, scanning me from head to toe.

"You're soaked from the rain, Quinn!" Chloe exclaimed, her voice filled with concern.

I shrugged my shoulders and smirked, unable to hide my amusement. She opened the door wider, grabbed my arm, and pulled me inside, giving me a gentle push.

"Why are you pushing me? I'm just making a mess on your floor, gorgeous," I laughed.

"Go to the bathroom and take a shower before you catch a cold!" she demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I tried to resist, forcing my legs to stay put despite her insistence. "You could just lend me a towel, and I'd be fine."

"And wear the same wet clothes? No way!" She nudged me toward the bathroom. I noticed her bathtub filled with warm water and bubbles.

"Did you anticipate me getting drenched in the rain and prepare a bath just for me, gorgeous?" I raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly.

"Don't get ahead of yourself," she replied, crossing her arms in front of her. "I was supposed to take a bath myself when you texted that you were almost here." I smirked at the sight of her in a robe. "Just go inside and wash off the rain, Quinn," she said in a commanding voice. I couldn't help but laugh at her earnest attempt to take charge.

As I sank into the warm water, I let out a soft sigh as the heat enveloped me. The water cradled me, soothing my skin, and I could feel the warmth seeping into my bones, washing away the rush and exhaustion from earlier as I escaped the heavy pour of rain outside. I leaned back, resting my head against the cool edge of the tub. With my eyes closed, the scent of lavender mingled with the warmth of the bath, creating a blissful harmony that calmed my nerves.

"Ahem! Getting too comfortable? I thought you were here to see Rosie?" Chloe's voice cut through my tranquil moment.

"Mmmm. Yeah, this is too comfortable. I can bond with Rosie here, I guess?" I grinned as I opened my eyes, catching a glimpse of her leaning against the bathroom sink in a short pink silk robe. Her long legs flaunted effortlessly, and I paused for a moment, appreciating the sight.

"I need to freshen up too, Quinn. Why don't you get up there now and play with Rosie on the couch? You've been in there for a while now." She crossed her arms, her expression shifting to one of playful authority as she shot me a commanding stare.

I just smirked at her, enjoying the banter. "Maybe later, gorgeous." I grinned before closing my eyes and leaning back again on the edge of the tub, relishing the warmth.

I heard her let out a loud sigh of resignation, a mixture of frustration and amusement. I kept my eyes closed, smiling to myself, enjoying the moment a little longer.

"Fine then, Quinn," I heard her say with a hint of playful annoyance. Suddenly, I felt a splash of water and the gentle ripples flowed around me. When I opened my eyes, they widened in surprise as I saw her sitting on the other end of the tub, her body sinking into the water, her silk robe now discarded on the floor.

"What?! This was supposed to be my bath, Quinn. And you're taking a while here now," she said, her eyebrow arched in mock disapproval.

I raised both hands in surrender, unable to suppress my grin. "Alright! You may share with me." I leaned back, trying to play it cool despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach.

I watched as Chloe began to play with the bubbles in the tub, scrubbing her shoulders with a loofah. The water felt warmer than it had when I first got in, wrapping around us like a comforting embrace. I'd seen her body a few times before, but sharing this moment in the bath gave me a different kind of feeling—one that made my cheeks flush with heat. I felt a pressure building between my legs that made it hard to think straight, an urge to reach out and grab her, but I found myself frozen in place, lost in the sight of her.

I hadn't realized how long I'd been staring until she caught me in the act. "Like what you're seeing?" she teased, her playful tone pulling me back to reality.

"More than what you could think," I replied, a teasing grin spreading across my face. I watched as her cheeks turned a shade of crimson, and she cleared her throat, visibly flustered, a nervous habit I found endearing.

"Need help cleaning your back?" I asked, my eyes never leaving hers. I felt as if I were drowning—not in the bathwater, but in the depths of her eyes, the way she stared back at me with an intensity that left me breathless.

"Sure." she replied with a short answer as she handed me the loofah, slowly turning her back to me. There was still quite a distance between us, so I leaned in, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her closer. She gasped softly as I slid her toward me, the warmth of our bodies mingling in the steamy air.

"I won't bite, gorgeous. Unless you ask for it," I whispered, my warm breath brushing against her ear. I could feel her shiver slightly, goosebumps rising along her neck, and a playful thrill raced through me at the effect I had on her.

† C H L O E †

To be trusted is a deeper compliment than just being loved. Feeling safe doesn't mean there's nothing to fear; it means having someone who makes the fear worth facing. A safe haven isn't just a place; it's a person. The right person can even help you fall in love with yourself.

As Quinn began to rub the loofah on my back, a warm sensation surged through my body. Her movements were slow and gentle, one hand holding the loofah while the other rested on my shoulder. Her thumb softly stroked my neck, and I felt a tension building between my legs that made me press them together. Each touch sent jolts of electricity through me, causing my breath to quicken.

"Quinn... Can I ask a favor?" I managed to say, my voice slightly shaky. I heard her hum in response.

She leaned in closer, her face just inches from my skin. "What is it that you want now, gorgeous?" Her warm breath grazed my neck, and I couldn't help but let out a soft moan.

"I don't want you to get mad or feel pressured to say yes, Quinn. It's okay if you say no," I said, trying to steady my breathing.

"Mmmm. Tell me." She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me from behind, but I knew I needed to compose myself.

"Can I... Can I see it? Your scars?" I stuttered, the words tumbling out before I could second-guess myself. Silence enveloped the bathroom, stretching out as Quinn didn't move an inch.

The suddenly, I felt Quinn's arms around me loosen, and I heard her hum softly. Turning to face her, I looked into her eyes, trying to read what was going on in her mind, but they revealed nothing.

"Quinn, it's okay. I know I asked too much. Forget I said anything. I don't want you to feel uneasy, okay?" I spoke, breaking the heavy silence that hung between us.

She slowly leaned in closer, pressing our bodies together. I felt myself sliding back slightly as she continued to lean in, her hand extending behind me as if searching for something. Suddenly, I felt her pull on the drain stopper. With a gentle movement, she slid back to the other corner of the tub, returning to her place. She was draining the water. A small smile played on her lips as she looked at me.

As the water drained faster, it gradually exposed her upper body, the bubbles clinging to her skin. My gaze followed as the water receded, revealing her belly and then her bare legs. We sat there facing each other, both of our bodies partially covered by the remnants of bubbles. Quinn's hands rested between her crossed legs, her thighs creating a soft barrier.

The with one hand, she wiped away the bubbles from her thighs, exposing her skin, including the scars I had longed to see up close. My heart raced at the sight, each mark telling a story I was eager to understand. Quinn remained silent, her eyes meeting mine once again, a mix of vulnerability and strength shining through.

"You won't see them clearly from that distance," she said softly. I slowly slid back toward her, my eyes locked onto hers. The space between us closed until our knees touched.

"Quinn... Are you okay?" I asked, wanting to ensure she felt comfortable. She nodded, and I tilted my head down to examine her thighs. There were far more scars than I expected, some still healing though not fresh enough to suggest they'd been inflicted recently. My hand moved to her knee, pausing there. "Can I—?" I asked for permission. She nodded again.

Gingerly, my fingers began to trace the scars on her thighs, feeling their texture beneath my touch. I heard her gasp softly. When I shifted my gaze back to her, I noticed her eyes were closed, a sign of her vulnerability. I knew it was difficult for her to reveal these scars to someone, but she chose to share them with me. I leaned down again, continuing to explore the various scars, some small and others larger and longer.

"You don't have to hide these from me, Quinn. I want to see the real you—all of you." My eyes flicked back to her face, and she slowly opened her eyes, which now held a calmness, free from tension.

"I want you to know that seeing these doesn't change anything about how I feel about you. You don't have to hide anything from me and—" My words were cut short.

"I love you, Chloe." Quinn suddenly declared, and I froze, her words hanging in the air. My eyes brimmed with tears as I processed her confession. I had sensed her recent actions—becoming more open, comfortable, and soft—meant she felt something for me too, but hearing her say those words shifted everything inside me. I leaned in closer, cradling her face in my hands, a nervous chuckle escaping my lips.

"Oh! Quinn, baby. I love you too. A lot!" My voice trembled as I tried to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.

Slowly, her hands found their way to my waist, pulling me closer. She stretched her legs straight, making me to sit on her lap. Her eyes locked onto mine, and though she was speechless, her gaze spoke volumes—finally letting me in completely, unafraid to reveal her vulnerable side and trusting me with the pieces of herself that she had kept hidden for so long. One of her hands moved to cup my cheek, her thumb gently stroking my skin and brushing against my lips.

"I'm always here, Quinn. Remember that, okay?" I leaned in, resting my forehead against hers, feeling the warmth radiate between us.

"I know," she replied, her voice low and soft.

"I love you, Quinn," I whispered, pouring my heart into those words.

"I know," she teased back, a playful smile dancing on her lips. I leaned away slightly, my eyebrows knitting together.

"Hmmm. Really? Does it cost a lot for you to say it back now?" I asked, my tone playful yet firm.

Quinn chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling. "I love you, Chloe." Her warm smile melted away any lingering doubt.

I leaned in again, this time to capture her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Our mouths moved together, tender yet electric, as she pulled me closer, closing the small gap that remained between us. Our bare bodies pressed against one another, skin against skin, sharing the same warmth. I could feel both our heartbeats, beating in sync, matching each other's pace as if they belonged to one another. It was as if we had found a lost piece of ourselves, finally reuniting, and in that moment, our heartbeats merged into a single rhythm. The sensation was overwhelming as we drowned ourselves in the most intimate kiss we had ever shared, a moment where the world around us faded away. A beautiful collision of trust and desire that felt both exhilarating and grounding.