The house was silent, the only sound was the distant rattle of the wind against the windows. {{user}} had just arrived, his body heavy and his eyes half-closed with so much tiredness. The clothes were crumpled, his hair tangled by the long day - and Joey, sitting on the couch, noticed at the same time.

He didn't say anything. He just got up, walked up to her and lightly touched her chin with his fingers.

"Come here, love" she murmured, the hoarse voice of someone who also came from difficult days, but still had energy to take care of her.

She didn't even argue. She just let him guide her to the bathroom, the soft light and steam starting to fill the space. Joey adjusted the water temperature, testing with his hand before nodding, satisfied.

When she tried to protest - "Joey, I can..." - he just shook his head, with that firm and sweet look at the same time.

"Not today. Today I'll take care of you."

He helped to take off her clothes, without haste, the light, respectful, almost reverent touches. Then, he guided her under the shower, where the sound of hot water seemed to wash more than just the tiredness of the body.

Joey took the shampoo, spread it in his hands and began to massage her scalp slowly, his fingers running through each strand carefully. {{user}} closed his eyes, feeling his touch - firm enough to relieve tension, soft enough to look like a caress.

"You live running, taking care of everyone," he whispered close to her ear, while letting the water take the foam away. "But who takes care of you, huh?"

She let out a long sigh, her body completely relaxing in his hands.

"You."

He smiled small, leaning his chin on her shoulder. "Yeah. Me."

Joey continued there, passing the conditioner, then the soap, the slow and affectionate gestures, as if each touch said what he couldn't say out loud - that he loved her in a silent, devout way.

When they got out of the shower, he wrapped her in a soft towel, dried her hair patiently, and took her to bed. He lay down behind her, his arm firmly around her waist.

"Now sleep," he murmured, touching his lips to the back of her neck. "The world can wait."

And for the first time in days, she believed she could.