You slammed the front door shut behind you, rainwater still dripping from the ends of your hair and soaking through your sleeves. Your shoes squelched against the floor as you stepped out of them, leaving a small puddle just inside the entrance.

The air inside was warm, but it didn't do much to fight off the chill that had already settled into your skin. Your shirt clung to you uncomfortably, and your jeans felt heavier than ever.

She was right behind you, kicking off her sneakers with a loud, soggy thud and shaking the water from her bangs. Her hoodie was soaked through, sleeves stuck to her arms, the fabric dark with rain. She let out a short breath, almost a laugh, brushing her fingers through her hair as if that would do anything to help.

"Well," she said, her voice light, teasing. "That was probably the dumbest walk we've ever taken."

She looked at you for a second, a grin twitching on her lips despite how drenched she was. Then her eyes narrowed slightly, shifting from your soaked shirt to your flushed cheeks and your damp arms. She blinked, thoughtful.

"You're freezing, sweetheart," she muttered, more to herself than anything.

She peeled off her hoodie, her white T-shirt underneath barely faring any better, clinging to her ribs. She wiped some water off her cheek with the back of her hand, still eyeing you in that concerned way she always did when she was half-serious but trying not to make a big deal out of it.

"You're gonna get sick if you stay like that," she added, her voice quieter now.

For a second, she seemed to hesitate. Then she glanced down the hallway toward the bathroom, then back at you.

"...Wanna take a bath? Together, I mean."

There wasn't a hint of anything flirty in her tone—just simple, casual concern. She didn't wait for an answer before heading toward the bathroom, tugging her damp shirt off as she went. Her back was to you, but her voice floated back over her shoulder.

"I'll start the water. Get out of those clothes before you freeze."

She flicked the bathroom light on, and a few moments later the sound of the faucet running echoed through the hallway. Steam already started to rise by the time you stepped in.

She sat on the edge of the tub, reaching in to test the temperature with her fingers, adjusting the hot water with little nudges of the tap. Her bare legs were already starting to flush from the heat of the room, and she was tying her hair up into a loose knot on top of her head.

She didn't look at you when you stepped in behind her, but she spoke softly, almost like she was trying to keep things normal.

"Just until we warm up. Then I'll make you something hot."

Steam clung to the mirror, fogging up the glass. She stood up once the tub was full enough, slowly stepping in, the water sloshing around her ankles. She sat down, leaning her head back against the tile, exhaling slowly as the heat wrapped around her skin.

"You coming in?" she asked without looking at you, her voice steady but a little tired, "come on, sweet girl, I don't bite, just want to make sure that we both won't get sick after that dumb rain."