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Cassie’s whole body aches.
Every fibre of her being, every nerve ending, is screaming at her to lie down, shut out the world and sleep. A deep, bone-heavy exhaustion has settled into her body, her muscles fatigued in a way that has every movement causing more effort than it should.
Her eyes are starting to burn, her head throbbing lightly in a way that she’s not entirely sure sleep is going to fix. All she can think about is getting to the end of this shift and getting home to her bed.
Cassie is tired of working night shifts.
Cassie used to be a night owl. She used to love staying up late, preferring the quiet of the world in the late (and early) hours. Somewhere during her time in medical school, she started to loathe night time. It was the hardest part of her day to fill. During her days, her time was filled with classes, or studying, or generally working her ass off to make sure she was the best mom she could be for Harrison in the times had him. It was night time, when everything was done for the day and she was left sitting in her often empty apartment, that she found it the hardest to keep her mind busy and keep herself settled.
Now, nine years later, she’s just a creature of habit. She prefers working during the day and sleeping at night. She enjoys her routine, the structure of the life she’s worked hard to carve. She’s no stranger to night shifts, having done her fair share throughout her time as a medical student and into her residency. However, she’s found her groove with the day shift team at PTMC and she’s grateful that the majority of her shifts are now spent on days.
When Abbot had approached her and asked her if she’d mind covering nights for a week, because Henderson was out and it was easier to restructure day shift than nights, she had sighed and said yes. At the time, the thought hadn’t bothered her too much, except it meant her and Dana would be moving like ships in the night for the week.
Dana, who she knows will still be asleep in their bed, all sleep-warm and cosy, while she pushes through her exhaustion.
Cassie’s heart pangs at the thought of her girlfriend relaxed in their bed. It’s the first day that Dana has off since Cassie took on night shifts, which means that they don’t just need to settle for a quick kiss exchanged between shift changes in the locker room, tucked away for a morsel of privacy in the middle of their workplace. She’s excited to see Dana at home, even if it’s just for a simple cuddle and kiss, before she falls asleep. That excitement has been the driving force through her shift, somehow fuelling her body in a way she desperately needed.
She hasn’t hated her night shift experience. The night shift team have been a lot of fun to work with, in a different kind of way than the day shift is. They bring a different energy, Abbot leading with a different style to Robby. She’s enjoyed it, but after five shifts, she’s missing her girlfriend and the structure of the life they’ve built together.
It’s 7:30am by the time she reaches her apartment building. Handover went well, Langdon working through everything quickly as Cassie passed over her information. It had been a hell of a shift, chaotic from the moment she arrived, but by the time day shift started arriving things had settled considerably. That let her get out on time.
Her muscles are throbbing by the time she opens the door to her apartment. It’s quiet, still in the morning light. The sun glows through the curtains, in a way that Cassie thinks she would appreciate more if she didn’t feel half-dead to the world.
The anticipation to see Dana is overwhelming, and she drops her bag to the floor and sheds herself of her hoodie before making a beeline for the bedroom. Even in her weary state, she knows her body would carry her to Dana’s presence. Her and Dana don’t officially live together yet, but Dana has been spending most of her nights at Cassie’s apartment recently. There’s a warmth that settles in Cassie’s chest at knowing she gets to come home to Dana.
Cassie expects to find Dana still asleep, making the most of the one long lie she’s accrued in the week. Instead, she finds her lying in bed, still nestled into the covers, reading a book with her readers perched delicately on her nose. She looks up as Cassie opens the door, a smile taking over her features. God, she’s beautiful.
“Good morning.” Dana’s voice is still thick with sleep, her eyes crinkling from the smile in a way that Cassie thinks could make her legs give her from beneath her. “Go and shower.”
Cassie’s nose wrinkles in response to the sudden instruction, fighting the instinct to smell herself. She knows she can smell at least a little funky after a shift, but for it to be the first thing Dana says to her is almost jarring.
“Good morning to you, too,” she grumbles.
Dana’s laugh is light, quiet and soft and Cassie is sure that the sound alone could give her enough energy to get through another day if she had to. “I didn’t mean it like that,” she says. “Your pyjamas are there already, get showered and then come to bed with me.”
Cassie shoots her a look, eyebrows raised and inquisitive. But she follows the instruction. She shuffles to the en-suite, lacking the energy to do anything else. Sure enough, her pyjamas are waiting for her, neatly folded on the counter in a way that she certainly didn’t do. Eyes scanning the rest of the bathroom, her heart swells as she notices everything else Dana has done. There’s a fresh towel waiting for her, her skin care products, namely Dana’s favourite moisturiser that Cassie has recently started to use too, lined up ready for her to use, and her hair brush and a hair tie sitting beside them. Dana wanted to make sure everything she needed was right there.
The shower is hot on her skin as she steps underneath the spray. She closes her eyes, revelling in the feeling of the heat against her sore muscles. She’s torn by wanting to take her time, to savour the way the water is slowly relaxing the tension in her body, but she’s also excited at the thought of seeing Dana.
The excitement of being with Dana outweighs any heat from the water, as she rushes through the rest of her shower. Wrapped in a towel, she uses the products Dana carefully chose for her on her face before combing through her hair and tying it out of her face.
By the time she’s back in the bedroom, she’s buzzing with a new kind of energy. Even though she’s exhausted, she’s overwhelmed with Dana’s thoughtfulness, the little gestures that make Cassie feel loved and warm inside. To some, Dana’s actions might not seem like a big deal, but Cassie loves and appreciates every single one.
Dana is still reading, readers still perched on her nose in a way that Cassie adores. Dana reaches with one hand to pull the sheet back for Cassie to slip under, and she obeys with ease.
The book is out of Dana’s hands in an instant, disregarded back on the bedside table like an afterthought. She rolls on her side to face Cassie, propped up by her elbow. Cassie’s body sinks into the mattress like it’s a cloud, her whole body grateful to finally not be standing. She makes a small noise of contentment, which Dana smiles at.
“I’ve missed you,” Dana admits. Her voice is raspy, quiet in that morning way that Cassie adores.
“I’ve missed you too,” Cassie responds, turning her head on the pillow to face Dana. Dana is already leaning in, their lips brushing in a kiss that’s tender and soft. The kiss is filled with all love and affection, lips lingering together for a moment before Dana pulls back slowly, keeping their faces close together. Her hand rests on Cassie’s cheek.
“Thank you,” Cassie says softly. “For looking out for me.”
Dana’s thumb grazes Cassie’s cheek as she leans in to press another, firmer kiss to Cassie’s lips. “You don’t ever have to thank me for doing that for you.”
Cassie can feel the heat of her blush creeping onto her cheeks, but she nods in response and gives Dana a shy smile. She knows Dana doesn’t need her thanks, but she also knows she’s going to continue to voice it all the same. Dana makes her feel appreciated every single day, she wants to make sure she does the same for Dana.
“You’re tense,” Dana whispers.
Cassie lets out a small laugh. “I’m always tense. I’m pretty sure it comes with the job.”
Dana rolls her eyes, though it’s fond. “I can help with that. Roll over.”
Cassie takes a moment, willing her heavy muscles to comply with Dana’s command. She rolls onto her stomach, resting her head on top of her hands on her pillow as she takes a deep breath.
Dana presses a lingering kiss to Cassie’s cheek, warm and gentle lips against her skin, before she shifts to straddle Cassie’s thighs. The contact of their bare legs immediately sends a new warmth through Cassie, not realising quite how much she missed any real physical contact with her girlfriend until now. Dana’s hands settle on Cassie’s shoulders, thumbs tracing slow circles through the tension knotted there.
The moan that ripples through Cassie at the action causes Dana to increase her pressure slightly. “Your muscles feel so tight here,” she murmurs as she works.
Cassie lets out a breath as Dana’s fingers work steadily along her shoulder and the base of her neck, effortlessly kneading every muscle in a way that has her melting further into the mattress.
Dana leans forward, brushing a kiss gently against Cassie’s temple before returning to her task. Her movements are unhurried, deliberate in a way that equally relaxes Cassie’s muscles and works her up. Each press of Dana’s hands eases away another layer of the strain felt in Cassie’s body. Cassie can feel the way she relaxes with every touch from Dana.
“That’s it,” Dana whispers. “Just let me take care of you, love.”
Cassie feels weak from Dana’s words, the permission to relax enough for her to really do it. Dana’s hands remain on Cassie’s shoulders for a moment, working patiently at the stubborn knots gathered there. Cassie releases another slow hum of breath at the movements, the way Dana’s thumbs apply pressure to the particularly tough knots.
“There you go.” Dana’s voice is gentle as she continues to work. “My good girl, relaxing for me.”
Cassie clenches her thighs together at Dana’s words, in a way she knows Dana can feel underneath her, too. She tries instead to follow the feeling of Dana’s palms as they glide from her shoulders to her upper back. With broad, gentle strokes, Dana smoothes away the tension little by little. Every movement is unhurried, Dana savouring the feeling of Cassie’s body as much as Cassie is savouring Dana’s hands on her. Dana is touching her like Cassie is the only thing in the world that matters.
Dana finishes the massage with slow, deliberate pressure, her hands working their way down Cassie’s back until they settle at her lower spine. Her palms rest there for a moment, before she eases into the tight, overworked muscles. Cassie can only groan in response to the painful pleasure of Dana working out the knots along her lower back and hips.
“That feels really good, Dana,” Cassie eventually sighs. Her muscles are relaxed in a way she’s not sure they have been for years, but her body is desperate for Dana. Dana’s slow, precise movements have served to not only relax her, but have fuelled the heat she can feel between her thighs.
Dana only smiles, a response Cassie can’t see, before she settles her palms gently on Cassie’s ass, squeezing with the same pressure as she had massaged her with. The sudden squeeze causes Cassie’s eyes to widen, and a rush of wet to her centre.
Cassie feels Dana lean closer, over her back until her breasts are lightly grazing her bare skin. Cassie resists moaning at the contact, trying to hold herself together. Dana’s mouth is pressed close to Cassie’s ear, words tickling her as she whispers.
“Is there anywhere else you need massaged?”
As Dana talks, she shifts her body. For a brief moment, Cassie thinks she’s going to shift off of her completely. She’s about to move to try and stop her, when Dana settles again, straddling only one of Cassie’s thighs. The leg now between Cassie’s nudges her legs further apart, Dana nestling her leg into the space between Cassie’s thighs.
“Dana,” Cassie groans, her voice muffled between her hands and the pillow. Her hips involuntarily buck gently up towards Dana’s body at the thought of what she wants Dana to do. Dana’s hand snakes round Cassie’s body at the action, sliding along her hips between her body and the mattress until she rests her hand over Cassie’s shorts, right over her core.
“God, Cassie, you’re already wet.” Dana’s voice is still close to her ear, low and husky as she talks.
“No wonder,” Cassie mumbles, keeping her face pressed into her pillow. She lifts her hips a little higher, granting Dana’s hand further access in a motion that shows exactly how desperate she is for Dana’s touch.
Dana, following Cassie’s movements, slips her hand underneath her pyjama shorts, as her middle finger finds Cassie’s clit over her panties. She rubs slow, gentle circles.
“You’re doing such a good job, relaxing after a busy night.” Dana’s words accompany her soft movements, and Cassie pushes up against her with her hips, wordlessly asking for more. Her hands, still under her head at her pillow, dig into the fabric beneath her, trying to ground herself against Dana’s gentle touch.
“Dana.” Cassie’s voice comes out in a whine, more high-pitched and needy than before. The noise is music to Dana’s ears, showing her exactly the effect she’s having on Cassie.
“Is this everything you needed, hon?” Dana’s sweet voice continues to tickle Cassie’s ear, sending shivers down her spine.
She nods into her pillow, expressing her gratitude with a low moan that Dana can feel vibrating through her own body. “More,” she mumbles.
“More?” Dana questions, increasing the pressure of her finger. She slows her action, emphasising each movement. Cassie whines out again in response. “What more do you want?”
Cassie ruts her hips down once more, chasing Dana’s finger in a desperate attempt to feel more of Dana. “You.” Is all she grunts.
“You’ve already got that,” Dana says, pressing another kiss to Cassie’s temple. Then, Dana pauses. She sits back, hand immediately retreating from Cassie’s body. Cassie lets out a frustrated huff, twisting around to look up at Dana.
“Relax, hon,” Dana smirks, shifting her weight briefly as her hands move to the waistband of Cassie’s shorts. “I’m just getting rid of these.”
Cassie shifts her body to aid Dana, who slips her shorts and panties down her legs in one swift action. Dana is quick to resume her position, straddling one of Cassie’s thighs. She rests her hands briefly on Cassie’s ass, slapping it as she does before squeezing it once more.
This time, when Dana slips her hand back round and under Cassie, she leaves her other one resting on her ass.
“So wet for me.” Dana’s fingers slide through Cassie’s arousal, gathering some with ease before she starts to circle once again on Cassie’s clit. The connection with Dana’s fingers without the barrier of her clothing sends another wave of pleasure through her body. Cassie whines once more, humping against Dana’s finger in an attempt to increase Dana’s movements. Dana smirks. “So needy, too.”
“Please,” Cassie begs. “Need you.”
Dana leans forward again, and Cassie can feel the heat and pressure of her body. It sends her wild, her own movements against Dana’s fingers becoming more desperate. Dana presses a kiss to Cassie’s hair, and keeps her face close to Cassie as she slips her other hand round from her ass, until two of her fingers are hovering near Cassie’s entrance from behind.
“You deserve to relax, love,” Dana whispers, letting her fingers rest so close to where Cassie needs her. “And you’re doing such a good job of it.”
“Please, Dana,” Cassie whines again. Dana’s finger is still circling her clit with slowly altering pressure, despite Cassie’s movements. Cassie lifts her hips again, an attempt to chase Dana’s other hand, the one with fingers so agonisingly close to being inside of her. The anticipation ripples through Cassie’s body, as she knows just how close Dana is, fingers lightly tapping her entrance.
She’s grateful that Dana doesn’t tease her for long, and slips two fingers deep inside. Cassie lets out a noise, somewhere between a cry and a groan that spurs Dana on. Her movements remain slow, fingers moving in and out of Cassie in time with the movement of her other hand pressed to her clit. It’s slow and sensual, each time hitting the exact spot Cassie needs.
“More,” Cassie says again, panting the word out between breaths. Dana knows exactly what she means. Dana is fluent in reading Cassie, especially when she’s like this. There’s a gentle nip to her earlobe.
“My greedy girl,” Dana coos, but she obeys. The finger on Cassie’s clit increases pressure, and then Dana’s fingers follow suit. The dual action of Dana fucking her while she rubs her clit is a sensory overload for Cassie. She moans and whines and mumbles Dana’s name along with a string of incoherencies while Dana hits every single spot in a way that leaves Cassie seeing stars.
With the angle of Dana’s fingers inside of her, it doesn’t take long for Cassie to fall apart, crying Dana’s name as she clenches around Dana’s fingers and orgasms beneath her. Dana slows her movements as she helps Cassie ride out the sensations. Cassie’s body writhes, legs shaking in little movements as she breathes heavily. Dana continues her actions slowly and softly until Cassie’s breathing settles, and then she removes her fingers gently from Cassie, who lets out another soft moan as she does.
Dana shifts off of Cassie and settles at her side. Her arm wraps around Cassie’s middle, drawing her in. Cassie doesn’t immediately move her body, but she turns to catch Dana’s eyes, giving her the best pout she can muster in the afterglow haze she’s currently in.
Because Dana can read her mind, she knows exactly why Cassie is pouting. Cassie hates when she gets to finish, and Dana doesn’t. Dana’s eyes crinkle again as she smiles fondly, leaning in to press her lips to Cassie’s in a soft kiss.
“You need to rest,” Dana says, face inches from Cassie’s. “And when you wake up, you can taste me. I’ll look forward to you being between my legs.”
Cassie huffs out the air from her lungs, and lets out a small whine. “I could taste you just now.”
“Rest, Cass,” Dana smiles. “We have all day together. Plenty of time.”
Cassie sighs once more, but she can read Dana’s face like a book. She genuinely just wants her to rest just now. Cassie relents, and nods. “Later.”
“Later, definitely.”
Cassie rolls over as Dana shifts on to her back, pulling Cassie into her side and wrapping her arms around her. Lying with head on Dana’s chest, she sighs and lets her eyes close. This is exactly what she’d been imagining on her shift, coming home and lying in bed in Dana’s arms. She feels a warmth spread across her chest.
“I love you,” Cassie huffs into Dana’s skin.
Dana presses a kiss into Cassie’s hair, tightening her grip around Cassie at her words. “I love you too, Cass.”