Rio sits behind you on a stool, scrubbing your shoulder blades. The water gently undulates, blots of suds flying off the sponge.

She’s been relentlessly suggesting this for like a week straight. Something about bonding and TLC on some video she watched. She’s been persistent so you relented. It isn’t as bad as you expected.

You have your suspicions as to why she cared so much about bonding and this and that. Maybe it’s the fact you just got out of the psych ward, or yours and Jefferson’s strained relationship. Rio just cares about you seeing her as a safe space.

Her other gently cradles your jaw, holding your head like an infant while she washes your back.