you're shaking. you don't realize it until his hand finds yours, his fingers lacing through your trembling ones, squeezing.
"cold?" he asks, his voice rough, wrecked from use.
"no," you whisper, but you can't stop shaking anyway.
he pulls you closer, his chest warm against your back, his heartbeat still fast against your spine. he doesn't let go of your hand, his thumb stroking your knuckles, slow, grounding.
"that was-" you start, and stop, your throat dry.
"too much?" he asks immediately, his arm tightening around your waist, his face pressing into your shoulder.
"no," you say quickly, turning in his arms to face him, your hand coming up to cup his jaw, feeling his stubble, his warmth. "no, it was good. it was so good. i'm just..."
"floaty," he finishes, his eyes soft, understanding. he knows this part of you, the way intense sessions leave you scattered. "i've got you, love. you're safe. i've got you."
he pulls the blanket up higher, tucking it around your shoulders, his movements careful, deliberate. he always does this, the practical care, water and blankets and his body wrapped around yours, anchoring you back to earth.
"water," he murmurs, reaching for the glass on the nightstand, the one he brought in before you started, anticipating this. he holds it to your lips, his other hand supporting your head, and you drink, slow, grateful.
"thank you," you whisper when he sets it aside.
"always." he kisses your forehead, your eyelids, the tip of your nose, soft presses of his mouth, reverent. "you were incredible. you know that? gave me everything. so brave, love. so good for me."
you flush, your face heating, and he smiles, his thumb tracing your cheekbone.
"still shy," he says, fond. "after everything."
"shut up," you mumble, but you're smiling, your hand finding his chest, his heart steady under your palm.
he catches your wrist, gentle, and brings your fingers to his mouth, kissing your knuckles one by one. his lips are soft, warm, and you feel yourself settle further, your breathing slowing to match his.
"sore?" he asks, his hand sliding down to your hip, his touch light, checking.
"a little," you admit, and he nods, his expression shifting to concern, his hand moving to massage slow circles into your thigh, your lower back, anywhere he can reach.
"bath," he decides. "warm. i'll hold you."
"i want to." he kisses your shoulder, your collarbone, the hollow of your throat. "let me take care of you. please."
you nod, letting him help you up, his arm firm around your waist, his body shielding you from the cool air. he walks you to the bathroom, slow, patient, and starts the water, testing the temperature with his hand, adjusting until it's perfect.
he climbs in first, then guides you in front of him, your back against his chest, his legs bracketing yours, his arms wrapping around you, holding you against him. he doesn't let go, his chin resting on your shoulder, his breathing slow and even against your neck.
you both still smell like sex, like sweat and skin and each other, and he doesn't rush to wash it away. he just holds you, his thumb tracing lazy patterns on your stomach, your hip, anywhere he can reach.
"happy?" he murmurs, his hand finding yours under the water, lacing your fingers together.
"yes," you whisper, your eyes closing, your body finally, finally still. "you?"
"mm." he presses a smile against your skin, his arms tightening. "always. with you."
you sit like that until the water cools, until your fingers prune and your heart settles, until you're both drowsy and soft and wrapped around each other. he drains the tub, wraps you in towels, carries you back to bed though you protest you're not that tired.
he ignores you, gentle and stubborn, and tucks you under the covers, climbing in beside you, pulling you into his chest, his hand stroking your hair, your back, anywhere he can reach.
"sleep," he murmurs, his lips against your temple. "i've got you."
you do, safe and held and his, drifting off to the sound of his heartbeat, his breathing, his whispered love against your skin.