Natasha’s movements woke you up as she did the same. You looked at each other and grinned like idiots for a minute before she got up, carrying you. You expected Natasha to at least have a morning quicky, but she didn’t. She managed to find your clothes and walked with you to the bathroom. She thoroughly rinsed your clothes in the sink and then placed them aside. “I hope you don’t mind if I give you a shower?” She asked politely.

The word “give you a shower” brought a filthy image to your mind and you think you know where she’s going with this. “Okay, if that’s what you want to do.” You say. This causes Natasha to frown a bit. “Don’t worry Susanne. You’ve fulfilled your ob…” You spot a tear rolling down her cheek. “obligations. You don’t have to pretend anymore.” Natasha said.

“Pretend…?” You said to yourself confused. Natasha turned on the sink faucet and put you under it, letting you wash off all the gunk from last night. She placed you next to the soap dish and stepped into the shower. You were mesmerized by the blurry view of her naked body. “I know last night was horrifying for you.” Natasha said as she washed herself inside. “All the worst because you had to act like you liked it. You’re a good actor.” That snapped you out of your gazing. “She thinks I… I was faking?” You stood there dumbfounded as Natasha washed herself.

You could swear that you could hear the sound of Natasha sniffling just over the sound of the shower, but you think she’s trying to hide it. Natasha stepped out of the shower, dried herself off, got a blow drier, and blow dried her hair. Then she turned to your wet clothes and carefully blow dried each one. She handed them back to you and you put them on.

You were both silent as Natasha got dressed, took you in her hand, and left her apartment. An awkwardness stretched between you as she got in her car and drove you back home. “Dammit.” Natasha slammed her massive hands on the steering wheel and said as she stopped at a stoplight. “Dammit it all! Why does it have to be like this?” Natasha said angrily. “No protections, no laws, no rights, nothing!” Natasha choked then gasped. “Oh god I forgot you were there and I… don’t mind me.” She said apologetically. 

“It’s okay Natasha.” You respond. The awkward silence continues for the rest of the trip. Natasha pulls up to your apartment, grabs you, and places you next to the apartment door. She reaches into her purse and pulls out a roll of money. “Here you go.” She hands it to you and turns away. “Um… bye.” She walks back to her car while you stand there.

‘Say something stupid!’ Your brain yells at you. “Wait! Natasha!” You yell out before she gets too far away. She stops in her tracks and looks back at you. “Yes? Is something wrong? There should be the whole amount there.” She said confused. “No it’s not that…” You knew what you had to do. You stepped up to Natasha and held up the roll. “Take it.” The $5000 you already got would pay your rent for at least half a year, and a single 5 dollar norm sized steak would keep you fed for weeks so food was never a concern. 

Natasha takes the roll out of your hands and looks at it wide eyed. “I had a wonderful time. Could I see you again sometime? Without the money I mean.” You yelled up at her. You had to scramble as Natasha dropped the roll almost on top of you in shock. “Oh! Oh no… are you okay?” She moves to grab the roll which luckily didn’t break open.

“I’m fine!” You say. “So um…” You blush. “Can we go on a date? A real date? I understand if you don’t want to spend time with a shrimp like me…” You babble. Natasha’s brain takes a moment to catch up. “I… I’d LOVE to!” She moves to pick you up but stops. “No that would be rude… how about next week? Friday? 6 o’clock?”

“Yeah! I’ll see you here then!” You turn and head back to your apartment and reach the door again. Natasha waves as you go inside and you could swear you felt the rumble of her footsteps fading away in an odd manner even from inside the door.

-

Natasha literally skipped back to her car. ‘She actually asked me out?’ Natasha thought, still wondering if this was actually happening. “She actually… asked me out?” She said to herself. ‘Am I dreaming again?’ Natasha gave herself a slap across the face. “Nope, this is real.” A real date with a Shrink! Natasha had been wanting this forever but Shrinks were… well, terrified of Norms, and as well they should be. She couldn’t even get Shrinks to meet with her without having to shell out a lot of cash. She looked down at the roll of money still in her hand and put it back in her purse. Natasha thought of what the two could do next time.