A/N: To set the scene, Matthew and Clara are in a deep, close relationship. Matthew's best friend and Clara's sister's husband had just died
*
"I know you're hurting, I'm hurting too," he said passionately to her looking into her eyes. "So let me take care of you, like you'll take care of me," he continued. Clara closed her eyes and leaned into him, wrapping her arms around her back as he slipped an arm around her back and cradled her head against his neck.
They slowly broke apart Matthew looked at her, locking her gaze with his. He kissed her gently before tugging on her hand leading her to the bathroom. He slid the door shut behind them, he pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it on the floor and turned her around to face him. He brushed a hand across her cheek and said, "I love you Clara, I'll take care of you." He pulled at her shirt and pushed it up as she raised her arms pulling over her head. He kissed her again before lifting his feet up and pulled off his shoes and socks and stripped off his pants and shorts. He rubbed her waist for a moment before taking her shoes off and pulled off her jeans.
He swept his hands up her legs and tugged down her panties then pulled off her bra. He stood facing her and put his hands on her shoulders, "I'll be here for you no matter what," he said. He slid the shower screen open and turned the water on.
She stepped inside and sighed as the blast of hot water hit her, "Is the water fine?" he asked her softly. She nodded as if to say its fine, she really wasn't in the mood to talk. The pain that she felt was coming back on him. He hated seeing her so wounded looking, it sent sharp spears of his own pain running through his body. They needed this time together more than anything. He reached up and pulled the soap off the stand and rolled it through his fingers lathering up his hands he dropped the soap back down and began stroking his hands across her back. Then down her arms, she turned to face him as he pushed her hair over her shoulder.