Cosima poured another glass of wine and scanned Dr. Leekie's card: DYAD. She sipped her drink as Delphine rounded the corner of her room, looking pointedly at the card and giving Cosima a scrutinizing raise of her eyebrows. Cosima tossed the card on her desk, returning a polite, but uninterested smile. "Working with Dr. Leekie could be the opportunity of a life time," she said, walking over to the desk where Cosima stood, hands propped on her hips.

"I know, I know," Cosima mumbled, as Delphine picked up the card, glancing over it. Cosima dropped her gaze to the floor, not wanting to discuss it further. She knew Delphine was most certainly her monitor and didn't want to fall for the manipulative prospect. She pushed the thought away.

"Then why are you being so coy?" Delphine said, setting the card back down and dropping her hands off her hips. She was trying her best to persuade Cosima, unintentionally bringing a heaviness into the room. Delphine's eyes, serious, stared expectantly into Cosima's. Her expression was almost cold, nothing like her usual clement disposition. She had turned herself to face Cosima directly and stood sternly. Even though her stance was confrontational, she was still relaxed and somewhat approachable.

Delphine was taken aback slightly when Cosima met her with the same dominance, almost like a challenge. Cosima took a deep breath, "don't you think it's time we admit what this is really about?" Her eyes stared unwavering into Delphine's, rationalizing her intents.

Delphine immediately tensed with worry. She knew that Cosima was aware of her sisters, but she wasn't sure what she knew about monitors. How would she explain to Dr. Leekie that she couldn't even last a few weeks before her subject became aware of her? She would probably never see Cosima again, being removed as her monitor. Delphine felt her chest tighten. She genuinely enjoyed being around Cosima, having wild friend. Trying, but failing to speak, Delphine just shook her head hesitantly to suggest she was innocent, making sure she held her posture steady and calm.

Cosima suddenly started stepping toward Delphine, and she felt her chest tighten even more. Delphine's head was spinning, now with anxiety and confusion, but she made sure not to let it show. She stood still and watched as Cosima moved closer, slowly approaching her. Worry about her future faded away as Delphine started to feel the intensity of whatever was going to happen – possibly being strangled to death by Cosima. This was so predatory, why was she fearing for her life right now, surely she could overtake Cosima, need be.

Cosima was pushing away all the voices telling her not to take another step, to stop right where she was. Maybe she would've if Delphine had reacted differently. She was just waiting there, staring at Cosima. Her expression had changed, however, from disapproving to something else she couldn't read. Cosima took one last half-step toward Delphine then prepared herself for the mistake she knew this was going to be.

Delphine just waited for Cosima's hands to wrap around her neck with anger. She didn't know why she was so paranoid, it's not like Cosima has ever shown any real physical aggression or especially murderous behaviors. It was the only thing that made sense right now. Delphine was frozen, stricken with confusion and fear, her heartrate steadily increasing as Cosima started to raise herself to Delphine's level. She felt Cosima's fingers touch her neck, like an electric shock, but it wasn't until Cosima glanced down at Delphine's quivering lips that she understood what was happening. Delphine felt a release of her anxiety and terror, but it was replaced with nervousness and uncertainty.

Before she could prepare herself, Delphine felt Cosima's lips touch hers and she thoughtlessly reciprocated. She felt overwhelmed and still wary. She never broke her stare, though, keeping herself from closing her eyes so she wouldn't feel so engaged in the kiss. Cosima's fingertips were warm now against her neck, and she felt a magnetic drive to bring herself closer. Delphine was a rational thinker though, and she knew she had to break this. She took a last second before leaving the kiss and tried to be gentle with her resistance.

Cosima felt Delphine's hands on either side of her face, and Delphine softly pulling away. She opened her eyes to Delphine smiling at her, still just inches away, and then shaking her head as she pulled away further. Cosima realized quickly what had happened, and felt a hot redness cover her cheeks. She laughed nervously, "Oh God, Delphine. Did I just make a huge mistake?" She didn't know what to do, and Delphine wouldn't look at her, a frantic expression growing.

Delphine joined in the embarrassed laugh, slipping a quick, "no," in between. Cosima nervously, quietly laughed to herself again, making it all the more awkward. Delphine stammered, looking for something to say, but wasn't stepping back away from Cosima.

As soon as she made eye contact with Cosima after ending the kiss, Delphine's entire English vocabulary vanished. She found herself rattled, an unfamiliar feeling. She stumbled over words that just came out sounding like nonsense noises, and finally got out, "I have to go". She hurried to the door, grabbing her coat, but paused before leaving, "I-it's okay," she said awkwardly, waving her hand as if to gesture "no big deal". Delphine could still feel emotions rising in her, she opened the door to escape the pressure, and politely said, "bye," as Cosima started to interject, then closed it behind her quickly.

Cosima turned to her desk and leaned against it anxiously. She wanted to follow Delphine and just tell her. . .she didn't know what she would even say. Maybe she had too much wine and didn't mean it? Maybe Delphine really wasn't her monitor, maybe she was just someone who wanted to be friends, and Cosima blew having at least that much. She didn't know what came over her, she wasn't planning on kissing Delphine, she just did. How could she have so badly misread their relationship? Cosima walked over to her bed and fell face first into the covers, trying to erase the whole event from her memory.


Delphine threw her coat on as she ran down the stairs and out of Cosima's house. It was late, dark and cold which Delphine didn't anticipate. She wasn't used to Minnesota weather. Her back fell against the side of the structure she just fled, resting while she panted from the clumsy descend. There were still so many emotions charging through her, and none of them made any sense. Without thinking, she brought her hand up and felt her lips, still moist from Cosima's. Closing her eyes, she let her head rest back against the siding and finished catching her breath. How could that've have been so potent? She had been kissed before, why should this be any different?

Delphine eventually passed it off as an overreaction to the fear of Cosima finding out she was her monitor, associating the strong feelings with the kiss. This made her smile to herself, being reminded that she still was Cosima's monitor and she wouldn't have to be removed from her life. She sighed with some feeling of closure, and pushed herself from the building so she was standing on her own again. Delphine started her walk back to the hotel, unable to think clearly about anything, but tired enough to repress it for now.


Delphine waited nervously outside the university library, fabricated homework in her arms. Aldous didn't say much on the phone and he sounded serious. After just a couple of minutes focusing on the clouds her breath made in the frigid air, the black vehicle pulled up to the curb and she made her way over. Subtly checking her surroundings, Delphine closed the door behind her as she slid into the back seat next to Aldous. Too absorbed in writing notes, he didn't even look up to say, "where are you with Cosima?"

Delphine felt her lips flicker, barely a smile. She hadn't heard Cosima's name for a couple days, neither of them had tried to make contact, comfortable with mutual avoidance. Delphine did her best to flatten her expression, "closer". A memory of the night flashed through her mind, turning her face away from Aldous and suppressing another smile, Delphine started, "she-" but had to stop and gather enough composure to stop from chuckling happily. "She made a pass at me, Aldous," she said with caution, noticing Aldous put his pen down and finally tear himself away from his work. Delphine couldn't read him – was he going to rob her of the monitor position, perhaps become angry?

"Really," he asked, repositioning himself in the seat next to her.

Relieved Aldous looked amused by this, Delphine scoffed, "yes". Confident she was capable to stifle herself, she looked over to gauge Aldous. He leaned in toward her, rested his head on hers, and brought his hand up to Delphine's face, stroking her cheek.

"Delphine, Cosima's safety is at stake," Aldous whispered, "other subjects, too". Delphine felt a rush through her body as she listened to him, "I need to know which ones she's in contact with".

"But she," Delphine said, closing her eyes, "has to initiate disclosure". Aldous's fingertips on her face were cold and rough, something she hadn't noticed in their various times together. His touch didn't feel right, she almost felt ashamed.

Aldous pulled away, "I'm not saying disclose," sounding slightly irritated with her, "this is a direct threat, so I need you to dig deeper, faster". Dr. Leekie reached over Delphine to open the door, directing her to leave. She climbed out and looked back at Aldous for some hint in his expression, but he had already picked up his pen and forgotten about her.

Standing on the sidewalk again, Delphine watched the car pull away and clouded the air with a sigh of relief. Aldous didn't appear to care in the least, which seemed like it should hurt, considering their relationship, or whatever it could be called. Delphine wasn't hurt by any means, and she noted not caring much for him at all either, even distant.

She felt familiar warm fingertips on her neck and closed her eyes, withdrawn in the memory, protecting her from the cold outside. It's okay to remember this part since it wasn't the actual kiss.

After a minute of standing oddly on the sidewalk with her eyes closed, she reluctantly exposed them to the bright sun again and exhaled sharply. Shaking her head free of whatever was building up inside of her, she walked back to her hotel suite.


The keycard clicked the lock open and Delphine pushed through the heavy door into her room. Not even waiting for the door to close, she discarded her notes and textbook on the floor, then tiredly took off her coat and boots, dumping them on top of her phony schoolwork carelessly. The door slammed shut just as Delphine dropped herself back onto the cheap floral hotel sofa. Propping her legs on the back of the couch to fit her lengthy figure along it, she sighed deeply and covered her face with her hands, fighting to block out the world around her. Finding herself back in front of Cosima, remembering her slow saunter and tip-toe reach – Delphine threw her hands down from her face, quickly reopening her eyes. Pour l'amour de Dieu – Arrêtez! She could feel her heart pacing around the feelings she didn't know what to do with. She was realizing this was more than simply anxiety, which made her anxious.

Attempting to find distractions, Delphine turned the radio as loud as it would allow and prepared herself a shower. She had already showered that morning, she just needed something to excuse the tingling in her chest and the hotness on her face and neck. The water was turned to the highest heat, scalding her skin, but she still didn't feel better. Impatiently, she turned the water cold in hopes it would jolt her from her thoughts. At first it did, she felt the sting of icy shock against her already burnt exterior and forgot about all other sensations. However, feeling the release of confliction only made her remember why she was conflicted in the first place.

Delphine felt hopeless at this point, she was sincerely confounded by what was happening to her. Defeatedly, she slid down the wall of the shower and sat with her legs pushing against the opposing wall, letting the cold pool at her midsection. Closing her eyes again, she tried to comprehend herself. She knew she wasn't attracted to women, never had been, and she would've figured that out by now if she was. She thought maybe she was just having strong attentive, reasonably affectionate feelings for her subject and friend; the kiss was affecting her so much because it was so alarming in the moment. Delphine opened her eyes and decided this is what she was going to think of her feelings. It makes the most sense and, all things considered, is most appropriate.

Although she still had a heaviness from her emotions, Delphine felt a weight remove from her body. She needed to remain professional and find the information she needed to ensure Cosima's safety. Her subject's well-being was most important and needed to come first in thought. Delphine reflected on Aldous' words, I'm not saying disclose, this is a direct threat so I need you to dig deeper, faster. Though she was troubled by the implied need to deceive Cosima, Delphine tried to find strength in knowing it was all for Cosima's safety.

Delphine decided she would offer her friendship and to forget the incident, tomorrow morning at Cosima's house. This would reposition herself in Cosima's life, and forgetting the kiss would clarify a set boundary. Good, this was good, right? It was decided. Since she didn't have to be concerned with needing to repress emotions about their relationship now that she determined what to do with it, Delphine allowed herself to recall the memory once more before having to lock it up for good. This was all she needed, just allowing herself to remember it once, wholly and thoroughly.


Later in the night, Delphine was still drawing out the event, over and over again, rationalizing the activity as "analysis". Although, she didn't know what she could analyze that would have anything to do with her assignment. Every time she started her memory over or paused in the middle, she felt the same tightness in her chest. The emotions were just as strong in her own suite, alone. Being alone made rumination more inviting, and Delphine slowly let herself feel and accept the emotions this memory elicited. She accepted the involuntary smile, the flutters in her stomach, and the magnetism so displeased with the space there had been between them. Delphine idly glanced to the alarm clock by the bed, two in the morning. She was a bit shocked, but content with the idea sleep may bring dreams for her. Already exhausted, she crawled under her covers and took only a couple minutes to fall asleep.


"No, Felix. Please do not tell Sarah," Cosima ordered, waving her joint around with her frenzied gestures, "all she would do is lecture me, and I really just can't deal with it. I'll tell her, just not right now, okay?" A whine of reluctance came from the device, then Cosima thanked Felix for his cooperation before hanging up and finding her desk chair. She sat and kicked her feet up onto her desk, leaning back and taking a frustrated hit. When she exhaled, she noticed the DYAD card still on her desk. She shoved her joint into the letters until it died, and left it there like a flag posted on newly claimed terrain.

She was mad at Dr. Leekie and DYAD and Delphine. Did it even matter if Delphine was her monitor? If she was her monitor, she has definitely quit and moved on, and if she wasn't, she'll probably avoid Cosima until returning to France. She was mad at Delphine because of how awfully confusing she had made things. If she had plutonic feelings for Cosima, she would've backed away from the kiss, and certainly wouldn't have participated to any degree. But she also bolted for the door as soon as she could. That is, after she answered no to the question did I make a huge mistake. This shit was too difficult and draining to think about.

Cosima's irritation dissolved with the reminiscence of moments before realizing she was an idiot. Delphine kissed her back, and didn't immediately pull away. She watched and allowed the entire thing to unfold. Maybe it had something to do with her French culture, she had no idea. All Cosima could do now was thank god for her distracting homework, and an empty Saturday tomorrow. She was tired and ready for bed anyway. The joint-claimed DYAD was thrown away and she fell asleep with her notebook opened at her side.


Delphine woke up feeling both eager and restrained. Unfortunately, she had to choose just one before starting her task, and it couldn't be eager. It seemed like forever since she'd seen Cosima and it didn't matter how poorly things had ended, it made Delphine happy. However, she wasn't looking forward to offering a friendship with an expunged record, which would look like rejection after the kiss. She didn't want to reject Cosima, she didn't want to hurt her. Then she had to deal with her assignment, somehow deceive Cosima and find the information she was looking for.

While getting dressed, Delphine realized she was being very thoughtful about her appearance. She ignored the observation. After pulling on her coat and boots, still in a heap by the door, she hastily made her way outside and started her walk to Cosima's.


After pausing to catch her breath at the door to the house, Delphine started up the stairs, every step trying to compose herself as much as she could. She had been doing this the whole walk over. Flutters in her stomach and chest arose when she finally got to Cosima's door. She quickly denied them the chance to affect her and knocked softly.

It took some time before she heard Cosima unlock her door, and by that time, Delphine had calmed herself enough to appear sane. The door opened slightly, then when Cosima saw who had knocked, a surprised smile appeared. "Delphine," she said, sounding perplexed, but not displeased.

Delphine felt an instant tide of apprehension and was starting to regret the visit. Determination and a refocus on Cosima's safety pulled her out of it promptly. "I hope I'm not disturbing you," Delphine replied cautiously, poking her head in the doorway.

"Oh no, no. Impossible," she said quite literally, walking back into her room. She gestured for Delphine to come in, and she did, closing the door behind her. "So," Cosima continued, "apparently, I've got this thing for, like, um, jumping to conclusions".

"You know, it's just that I've never. . .," Delphine trailed off, shrugging her shoulders and her face clearly read: I have no idea what 'I've never…'

"I know, I know," Cosima stepped in, "I know, you're not gay," Delphine nodded, relieved she didn't have speak. "And I'm a total idiot – so sorry," Cosima finished.

Delphine decided that saying nothing would be the best option for her, so she started unbuttoning her coat to move on. Cosima politely offered to take her coat, and as she did so, ambiguously stated, "I just want to make, like, crazy science with you". There was a short moment of silence, then they both let out a quiet, nervous laugh, "totally crazy science," Cosima added, only making her comment more elusive.

Delphine, already feeling dizzy, decided to ignore this, "I'm so glad to hear that," she started, fetching a pamphlet from her purse, "because you know what, I was reading up on this DYAD institute, and did you know that Dr. Leekie, he has built a dedicated department for transgenic organ transplants and – "

"-sorry," Cosima interrupted, retrieving her notebook, "I was just dorking out so hard to their extrapolation of murine models". She displayed her notes on her desk, laughed, and Delphine put her pamphlet down with it. She was truly amazed by Cosima's intelligence and endearing fascination with science, the way it made her so happy to talk about. It was sweet really, she was basically doing homework that she wasn't assigned, just for the fun of it. They stood together and finally felt the uneasy tension mitigating.

Delphine was ever too preoccupied, though, which irritated her. She liked the moment they were sharing and didn't want to interfere with their connection. So, in an effort to make things more personal and solidify their friendship, Delphine started, "You know, it's really, really good to finally meet someone who gets it." Cosima immediately nods in agreement, but returns her focus to murine models.

Delphine, rather disappointed for some reason, continues further, "who – who gets me". All of this was true, Delphine genuinely felt this way and she could hear it in her own voice. She noticed Cosima looking up again with a little more attention, smiling, and then Delphine's eyes meet hers without permission. She kept them fixed there until Cosima looked away and said something. It was some murmur of agreement that Delphine couldn't understand. Her ears were ringing and she felt like her mind had split into two opposing halves. One reminding her that Cosima was just a subject, and she was just a monitor. Be safe and keep things professional. The other half was wild and wreaking havoc. This half was in full control of her emotions, senses, and body, which was no good. Delphine bit her lip while the halves argued, just to keep herself from saying anything she shouldn't. The heedless-minded half was overpowering and foreign, it drove with much more weight. She closed her eyes, trying to take herself out of the room, but it only brought her back to the same room, the one she spent all last night thinking about, and she felt the warmth on her neck and softness against her lips. Delphine released the bite on her lip and, without intending to, said, "I can't stop thinking about that kiss."

Much to her surprise, Delphine's inner voice of reason silenced. She felt boundless, yet content for a moment. Cosima cautiously turned toward her and stepped back, "like, in a not bad way?" she asked carefully, but hopeful. Her eyes focused on Delphine's, sparkling behind her glasses.

Delphine was speechless for a moment, unsure of what to say, where to look, stand, everything. She defaulted to a diagnostic description, since she didn't have an answer prepared, "oh, like, I've never thought about bisexuality. I mean, for myself, you know. But as a scientist I know that sexuality is a spectrum," Delphine explained, now more confident and comfortable, "but you know social biases they, they codify attraction. It's contrary to the biological facts, you know?". She felt terribly raced and flushed.

Cosima seemed to recognize Delphine's nervousness and apprehension. She tried to ease the energy before Delphine passed out, "that's oddly romantic," said Cosima with a comforting smile. They both laughed, still with uneasiness, but now a little reprieve.

Delphine was grateful for the lightheartedness, but her expression calmed and she rested her stare on Cosima, who looked so timid now, with her confident assertiveness contained. Delphine could feel the pulse throughout her body, the out-of-control half of her mind had taken over most of what was left of Delphine's composure, she was terrified inside.

Cosima never broke the eye contact between them, and bravely assured Delphine, "totally encouraging," with a casual tone, but her forced nonchalance was transparent.

Delphine finally gave in and let go of the restraints she kept on herself. She took a half-step toward Cosima and raised her hand to Cosima's cheek. Feeling the warmth under her fingers as her hand moved forward brought back that magnetic feeling. Delphine ran her thumb over Cosima's lips, softer than she remembered, and then her other hand joined the first, gently landing on Cosima's jaw and neck. Delphine looked into her eyes, then her lips briefly just before pulling Cosima to her, clearing the part between them. Cosima wrapped her arm around Delphine's shoulders and neck, and stood tall.

Delphine felt Cosima's lips press against hers, recognizing their silkiness and the sensation it gave her. She held Cosima's face in her hands, refusing the option to leave, even though neither of them would choose that now. Their lips parted, and returned passionately. Delphine immersed herself in the feel of Cosima's tenderness, and now able to unreservedly respond, took as much of it as she could. She gently familiarized herself with Cosima's tongue, making Cosima inhale with surprise. The hand Delphine was securing Cosima's face and neck with slid down over her collarbone, then was brought to her waist, pulling her even closer. Cosima's cardigan fell off her shoulders and Delphine paused their kiss to help tear it off the rest of the way, dropping it on the floor and returning to the soft lips she never wanted to part with again.

Delphine started to feel herself sweating, realizing she was barely breathing. She pulled away to catch her breath and rested their foreheads together, she was still very dizzy from before even taking her coat off. She staggered a couple steps backward to the wall and slid down to the floor. She closed her eyes and took slow, heavy breaths, listening to Cosima's more rapid breathing.

Cosima followed and leaned on the wall next to Delphine, smiling to herself. Glancing down at the barely-conscious blond, sincerely concerned, Cosima asked, "do you need a glass of water?" She reached down to touch Delphine's forehead.

Delphine faced upward to Cosima and smiled at the question. Out of breath and high off elation, Delphine just giggled. Then she started to laugh, needing to drop her head back down, preserving strength. Cosima kneeled down in front of her, assessing health and safety. When Cosima brought her hands to the sides of Delphine's face to steady her, Delphine brought hers up to hold Cosima in place. Exhausted, eyes still closed, she semi-whispered, "you are still warm," and exhaled steadily.

Cosima centered her face in front of Delphine's, inches away, and asked, "seriously though, dude. Do you, like, need water or an ambulance or something?" This went unanswered as Delphine left Cosima's hands to trace up her forearms, half caressing and half stabilizing herself. "Right," Cosima said, giving up on a reply, "we'll start with water," and slowly stood up, letting Delphine's hands slide back down her arms and into her own lap.

Delphine was weightless, but also immobilized. Her whole body was under stress, she remembered that she got less than four hours of sleep and hadn't consumed anything yet today. Her muscles were relaxed, but only because of her exhaustion. Delphine started to become frustrated with herself for not sleeping or eating enough, as if she knew what would transpire. Opening her eyes was like seeing a new world, she must've been high. Maybe the remnants of pot in the air had gotten to her somehow, although she doubted that was possible. She saw Cosima walking back over to her with a glass of water.

"Don't die, Delphine," Cosima ordered sarcastically, handing her the water. Delphine took a few sips, staring forward at her knees to smile for fear of passing out at the view of Cosima. She was starting to feel better, though. Cosima lowered herself down next to Delphine, back against the wall by her side. She sighed, and mumbled, "I just. . . sorry," Cosima laughed and defeatedly dropped her hands on her lap.

"What would you be sorry for," Delphine chuckled at Cosima, "you haven't done anything". She finished her water and set the glass on the floor next to her, then cautiously turned her head to Cosima.

Cosima fidgeted with her fingers and shrugged, "I don't know, like. . .Delphine you looked like you were going to pass out, and, like. . .yeah. I don't know". She watched her hands as they pulled at each other repeatedly. Delphine slowly reached over and caught a couple fingers from one hand, claimed it before the other could capture again, and slid her own hand up Cosima's palm, then between her fingers. Neither of them closed on the other's hand, just played with their fingers, wrapping and rewrapping them around another. Sitting together in silence, they both felt a shared serenity, there was no reason to speak aloud when they were saying so much without a sound.

"Thank you for the water, by the way. I have not died yet," Delphine teased. She nudged Cosima with a smile, "You were saying something about murine models?"

Cosima shoved at her playfully. "Nerd," she scoffed, smiling at the ground and shaking her head.

"Oh yes," Delphine cheerfully continued, "and some kind of dorking out". They both laughed, Delphine enjoying the mockery, finished with her best imitation, "just dorking out, so hard".

Cosima laughed and turned her face away in embarrassment. Her hand was gently squeezed, Delphine securing their interlocking fingers, and then her arm was pulled over, far enough for a tender kiss to land on top of her hand. Delphine laid their hands on her knee, then rested her cheek on top of them. Cosima could tell Delphine was facing her, looking to her. She felt Delphine's eyelashes tickle her hand. Cosima was startled when she heard her ask quietly, "Are you okay?"

"Hmm," Cosima took a second to think, "um, well no, but not in a bad way," she said with a slight smile. She looked over to Delphine, who was looking back at her, appearing somewhat tired. "Are you?" Cosima asked, watching a small smile grow on Delphine's face.

"I am," she said calmly. "I'll tell you what, why don't we move somewhere that isn't a hardwood floor, you show me what you've gotten so far on this quarter's assignment for Microbiology, and I will stop teasing you for the rest of the day". Delphine smiled irresistibly, and Cosima melted in her awaiting eyes, only able to nod in approval. After turning herself to stand, Delphine gave her a brief, but rich kiss, an incentive to join her. This only made Cosima feel weaker, so Delphine pulled her up with a laugh.

Shaking her head into focus, Cosima started looking through the massive piles of paper on her desk, "Bio II, no. No, nope. Bio, bio, bio". Delphine giggled at her frenzy, and just smiled as she watched Cosima make a mess of her mess.


A couple hours had passed, Delphine was barefoot, crisscrossed on the end of Cosima's bed, and Cosima paced in front of her, waving her pen in the air as she spoke. She didn't really know how they got to this point, or feel the hours go by, but there they were. Delphine, reading through something Cosima gave her, was chewing on the end of her own pen, perplexed by the dilemma one of their tangents drove them to. They were both comfortably focused, fully distracted from everything but crazy science.

"Was this even reviewed before it was published," Delphine asked, flipping through pages, "I can't find any useful footnotes. This just wasn't put together very well". She shook her head in irritation.

"Yeah," Cosima said, leaning over Delphine and pointing to the last page, "look who's sponsoring this, and then look who funds them". Cosima handed her another article and sat on the bed, her back in line with Delphine's side. "And why do I get the feeling I'll be learning about this at school in a couple months," Cosima sneered, tossing her pen at her desk indignantly, ignoring the papers fly off with its crash landing.

Delphine was startled by the noise, unaware of how upset Cosima actually was by this. She rested her hand on Cosima's back, trying to comfort her. "Hey," she said quietly from behind.

"Sorry," Cosima said with a light laugh, realizing she was overreacting. She felt Delphine set her chin on her shoulder and chuckle at her.

"I think your pen may not forgive you," Delphine kidded. She felt so comfortable with Cosima and took pleasure in being affectionate this way.

Cosima turned to the head on her shoulder, "I do believe, Delphine," she smiled, "you just broke your promise. Just can't help teasing, I guess". She let out an exaggerated sarcastic sigh.

Delphine smiled and closed her eyes as she replaced her chin with her forehead, facing down, embarrassed. "I'm sorry," she said chuckling, but still annoyed at her failed contract. She moved her hand from Cosima's back to the suspended, long, dark locks, these being the only dreadlocks she's ever seen in person.

Cosima nodded, "yeah, you'd better be," she warned. Cosima smiled at the silliness, and felt Delphine playing with her hair. Just the gentleness of her touch forced a shiver over her skin, she felt so tranquil. She stayed perfectly still, letting Delphine sift through her hair, not wanting to interrupt a thing.

Delphine noticed Cosima tense for a moment, and then saw the goosebumps appear on the back of her arms. She smiled as she felt her own skin mimic Cosima's. There was no other time in her life that she could remember feeling this way, so full of energy and enthusiasm, but at the same time feeling like she could fall asleep with her head resting on Cosima's shoulder. She exhaled slowly, letting Cosima's hair fall back to its place. She noticed another chill fall over Cosima. Delphine lifted her head and swept Cosima's locks to her other shoulder, then gently touched her lips to Cosima's neck. The sound of a jumpy breath made Delphine pause, she still wasn't sure how she, herself, was feeling, but she also had no idea what Cosima was feeling. She asked quietly, "is that okay?"

Cosima, unable to speak, nodded with a beaming grin, reddening her face. She was thankful Delphine was behind her and couldn't see her flush. She felt another kiss, and a hand placed on the other side of her neck.

Delphine brushed her lips up to Cosima's jaw, just under her ear, and paused there. She could hear Cosima trying to steady her breathing and felt her pulse against the hand she had on her neck. Dropping the papers she was still holding, Delphine brought her other hand to Cosima's waist and positioned it on the strip of bare skin between her cropped shirt and the top seam of her skirt. Cosima's eyes fluttered closed and she looked as though she might pass out herself. Delphine ended her pause and kissed Cosima's neck, this time with more fervor, holding her in place with the other hand. She felt Cosima weaken slowly, so she shifted, centering behind her and pulling Cosima closer so she was resting back against her.

Cosima was visibly lightheaded, very willing to surrender her posture, especially to Delphine's embrace. She felt a warm breath tickling her neck, then a light kiss on her cheek. Delphine had wrapped both her arms around Cosima's waist, one leg still crossed behind her, but the other now stretched parallel to Cosima's. Cosima felt fully enclosed and secure. She laid her hand and forearm over Delphine's accompanying leg, grabbing under her knee, claiming it. She felt a momentary tightening around her waist and a huff of breath down her back.

Delphine's leg was burning at Cosima's hold. Delphine released one arm from around Cosima, ran her fingers up her back and to her cheek. She guided Cosima's chin to the side, and stretched her own body over Cosima's shoulder to meet her with a demanding kiss. She felt not only Cosima's heart, but also her own beating relentlessly. The hand on Cosima's waist now moved about, tracing fabric seams, feeling the skin gapped between her clothing. Delphine abruptly withdrew the kiss, and they both caught their breath. She brought both hands back to Cosima's sides and held her gently. After a second of deliberation, Delphine kissed Cosima's neck while her fingertips snuck under the bottom seam of her shirt, catching it, and pulling it up. Cosima cooperated, then turned her whole body to face Delphine, who was looking her up and down. Using Delphine's sides to pull herself closer, she pursued another kiss, which was greeted with force. Cosima gladly accepted the seize around the back of her head that dug into the twirls of hair on her scalp.

Delphine felt all rational thought float away as her body, driven by lust, took over her actions. There were familiar warm tracings, moving under her shirt, up her back. She gripped Cosima's head tighter and felt the cold chill of her bare back being exposed. Cosima seemed to hesitate, unsure of how far Delphine wanted to go. Somewhat impatient, Delphine assisted and effortlessly pulled off her sweater. With the same ease, she removed Cosima's glasses, folded them, and set them next to the bed. Turning back to see a snickering Cosima, Delphine asked firmly, "And what are you laughing about?"

Cosima hung her head with a flustered grin, thinking how red her face must be. "Oh, I…you know, just…um…something," Cosima stammered. She heard Delphine let out a breathy chuckle, then felt her hands meet her stomach, slip around to her back, and slowly pull Cosima and herself together so the skin of their torsos collided.

Delphine took a deep breath to feel their skin move together before serving a slow kiss, parting Cosima's lips with her own and softly joining their tongues. She could feel Cosima melting against her, which only urged Delphine further. She brought her hands to Cosima's waist, methodically contouring away any gaps between hands and skin, and slowly maneuvered them upward along Cosima's skin, teasingly over her bra and chest, then stopped on the front of her shoulders. Delphine pulled away, opened her eyes and awaited Cosima's. As soon as she saw Cosima's eyes flutter open, Delphine smiled deviously, and commanded her onto her back, pushing on her shoulders, while also repositioning her own body so that she was straddling her. Cosima could barely gasp before her lips were claimed again.

This new feeling of dominance was intoxicating for Delphine, especially when Cosima was usually more authoritative. She handled Cosima's skirt expertly, her movements brisk with passion, but still slow enough to be warm. After discarding the skirt on the floor, Delphine lingered, her legs on either side of the woman beneath her, she took in her perfect, nearly naked body. As she placed her hands on the bed and starts to lean down to Cosima, she hears a very clear, "I'm not okay with this."

Delphine's eyes widened in mortification, she had no idea what to say. She pushed herself up and opened her mouth to apologize for being so forceful, but felt an indicative tug at the bottom of her own skirt. Realizing what Cosima meant, she took a relieved breath and laughed at her reaction. Delphine closed her eyes and bit her grinning lip, still embarrassed, and felt Cosima slipping out from underneath her. She kept her eyes closed, not wanting them to meet Cosima's, and submitted to the hands on her waist, guiding her down to her back. She kept her teeth on her lip, pinning down the beaming smile she felt growing underneath, while Cosima slid her skirt down over her feet and onto the floor. Now it was Cosima nimbly astride, lingering over the smiling French beauty. She placed her thumb on Delphine's trapped lip, drawing it down, requesting its release.

As Delphine slowly freed her lip, her smile faded, feeling her desire return, stronger now. Her hands found Cosima's legs, positioned on either side of Delphine's hips, and felt her soft skin while sliding up to Cosima's hipbones. Delphine's hands loitered there for a while, teasing the edges of Cosima's underwear, until she felt an open mouth merge with hers, then she adamantly pulled Cosima in by her anchor so she was lying on top of her. Delphine felt the vibration of Cosima's startled hum on her lips, and unintentionally made a murmur of sound as well. She was silenced with a tongue, welcoming itself in to meet hers. Delphine felt her whole body pulsating, unable to hold Cosima any closer, she towed her hands across every inch of flesh she could reach, pausing some places to clutch, each time forcing a more and more audible reaction from Cosima.

Backs arching, legs clenching, they both moved together, succumbing to the friction that their bodies generated. Delphine pushed Cosima up by her ribcage, just below where her bra was fastened, Cosima straightened her arms on the bed to keep herself up. Looking down at Delphine, she was about to ask if everything was okay, but then noticed Delphine tracing her fingers up her stomach, giving her chills, and staring at her hands as they moved around Cosima's midsection. Delphine warily stopped her fingertips at the underwire of Cosima's bra, but Cosima couldn't tell whether this was something Delphine actually wanted, or if she was just trying to participate. She remembered that it was only this morning Delphine announced maybe having enjoyed a bisexual kiss, a peck at that. Although Delphine initiated most of what went on so far, the terrain she was creeping on the edge of would solidify the irrefutable fact this was another woman she was with.

Cosima only struggled with the unspecified intent for a second, then saw the familiar capture of Delphine's bottom lip. Cosima smiled and swiftly reached down and used her own teeth to liberate it, softly pulling it out from its hold, but then keeping Delphine's lip between her teeth briefly before letting it bound back into place. Delphine's exhale staggered and her eyes fluttered closed, now outlining Cosima's bra with her fingers. Cosima pressed a rough kiss to Delphine's parted lips, making her gasp, and then fiercely match her vigor. The surge of abrasive energy was enough to make Delphine shove both hands under the bra she'd been skirting, making both women audibly react.

After a minute of acquainting herself with the underside of Cosima's bra, Delphine reached around and unhooked it with relative ease, letting the straps fall off Cosima's shoulders. She slowly pushed Cosima up, then followed her, positioning Cosima so she's still straddling her, but now sitting on her lap, heightened so she had to look up at Cosima. Delphine lightly tugged the center of Cosima's bra and removed it fully, dropping it in the pile of their clothing. Her hands moved all over Cosima's upper body while she kissed up and down the center of it. Delphine felt a shaky constriction around her waist where Cosima's legs were fitted, attempting to subdue her physical reaction, but failing.

Delphine knew Cosima was trying to be cautious with her, only taking action after she initiated it, not wanting to pressure Delphine into anything. She looked up to Cosima, her beautiful dark eyes sparkling, so different without her glasses. Delphine reached up to her cheeks, directing her lips down to meet her own. After a moment, Delphine piloted her own hands onto Cosima's shoulders, down her arms, and finally the hands that rested on her neck. She threaded her fingers between Cosima's for a second, and then took control of them, removing her hands from her neck and pulling them downward. Cosima seemed confused, but retained the link between their lips as she followed Delphine's grasp.

Cosima smiled when she caught the blatant message, Delphine releasing her locked fingers when their hands reached the lacey fabric still wrapped around her, leaving Cosima's hands barely beneath her arms. Cosima continued the trek to Delphine's back, abandoning her lips and taking possession of her neck, making Delphine's head fall to the side and the whisper of a groan escape. Cosima wandered up and down her neck while unhooking the clasps on the lace garment. Preoccupied with the sensations overpowering her body, Delphine's fingertips idled on Cosima's sides until she felt the straps fall to her forearms, at which point she glided the bra off.

Delphine was not prepared for Cosima's prompt grasp against the skin that had been tightly protected up until now. Without meaning to, she accompanied her heavy exhale with a breathy moan. The chills resonated through her body, she clenched, pulling Cosima's hips in closer until her underwear reached her navel. This made Cosima shudder, gasp, and temporarily stop to pant at Delphine's neck. It didn't help when Delphine made her way up Cosima's stomach, stopping at her chest and lightly caressing her in a manner that almost felt like teasing.

Delphine felt both of their bodies warming, she tilted Cosima's head up with a kiss, then planted slow, long kisses up and down her neck and under her jaw. Delphine could feel Cosima's pulse at her navel and a growing hotness. She smiled as she peaked between them and confirmed Cosima's underwear were sodden.

Cosima breathed a sigh of relief as Delphine pulled away, but then heard a devilish laugh. She looked at Delphine who was focused on the space between them. She could hear the thick sarcasm in Delphine's voice as she looked up at Cosima, "oh my, I wasn't meaning to arouse you Cosima, I only wanted a kiss is all," Delphine finished her tease with a tongue-laced, languid kiss directly centered on the darkened protrusion on Cosima's chest. Cosima forced a laugh to cover the groan welling inside her throat.

"Why is it," Cosima started as Delphine twirled her tongue, "that I don't believe you?" She felt Delphine's hands slide up her back, hooking over her shoulders.

Still attached to Cosima, Delphine mumbled, "Hmmmm," vibrating on Cosima's skin. Leaving her station with a final peck, she continued, "I don't know, I'm completely innocent here," she cocked her eyebrow challenging Cosima to argue. Just as Cosima opened her mouth to do so, Delphine pulled back on her shoulders and rolled Cosima onto her back. She climbed back over Cosima, staying propped up by her elbows and knees so she was hovering above Cosima, but touching no part of her. She giggled delightfully at the power she had over Cosima, then sat up on her knees. She looked slyly down to Cosima's underwear and noted the moisture still on her navel from its contact, then slid them off with a smile. The sight of the naked woman below her brought a weight to her chest and an increase in her pulse as her smile faded. She thoughtfully used the back of her hand to stroke down the center of the newly exposed skin once, enjoying Cosima's shudder but also feeling a rush of her own. She crawled back over the woman, still with at least half a foot between their bodies, guiltlessly torturing Cosima. After a smile, she reached down to kiss her, but was interrupted.

"You know," Cosima insisted, and Delphine retracted, "I just don't believe that you are completely innocent here," an equally treacherous smirk, provoking Delphine. She waited patiently for Delphine to reply, then just as her mouth opened, like Delphine had done to her seconds ago, she stifled her with a touch. Instead of a kiss on the chest however, Cosima targeted the open space between Delphine's legs, where her own growing heat dampened the fabric. Delphine, unprepared, was unable to suppress a loud, high pitched whimper, and the top half of her body collapsed onto Cosima, who gladly removed her hand to reprise the tease. While Delphine's head rested next to hers, she turned and whispered in Delphine's ear, "oh my, I wasn't meaning to arouse you, Delphine. I only wanted a kiss is all". Cosima was pleased with her torment and smiled, but didn't expect Delphine's reaction.

Delphine didn't attempt any further harassment, but instead started to laugh with embarrassment into the covers. Cosima thought for a moment, then asked playfully, but seriously, "Delphine, what did you think was going on down there?"

"I just," Delphine turned her head to Cosima, eyes still closed, blushing with a smile, "I wasn't aware of the, um, evidence. And, uh, just wasn't expecting the touch," her face reddened even more.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're more, uh. . .evident than I am," Cosima informed. She rolled her eyes, "Delphine please tell me you're not a virgin," she said with her hands feeling the top of her spine.

Delphine lifted her head and scoffed, "no," then returned to Cosima's lips to quell both their playful smiles. She felt Cosima grasp either side of her underwear and wriggle them, prompting Delphine to rid herself of them. Delphine was suddenly nervous, which didn't go unnoticed. Cosima reassured her she didn't have to do anything, she wouldn't pressure her. Delphine barely nodded then she sat up and locked eyes with Cosima. She didn't look away the whole time she shyly pulled off the last item of clothing she was wearing. As she started to lower herself back down to Cosima, she swung one leg over so their legs were alternating with each other, both straddling one thigh of the other. She met her thigh to Cosima first, and was encouraged to continue when Cosima trembled. She let her leg slide down Cosima's, trailing the moisture down her thigh, then let herself close onto Cosima's. She exhaled loudly and her eyes fluttered shut. She thought she may die from her heart racing, she was so overly sensitive and every touch sent quivers through her muscles.

Cosima kissed the blond on her cheek, then slid her leg up on the bed, only enough for Delphine to tense around her thigh and voice a quiet squeak. She paused her movements and grabbed Delphine's face to muffle her with a kiss. Once Delphine settled into the kiss, Cosima held her hips firmly and jutted her thigh the rest of the way, pushing the blond upward several inches. Cosima's mouth echoed with Delphine's pleasing moan and huff of breath. She lifted her lips just enough to whine, "Cosima," but then felt Cosima creeping her leg back down, guiding Delphine's pelvis with it and could only bite her lip with another heavy sigh. So overwhelmed with the continuing motion, Delphine forgot about everything else in the world, only able to focus on the heated body beneath her, and the timid convulsions her own body made.

Cosima let this go on until Delphine seemed like she had a handle on it, then she abruptly flipped Delphine to her back, making her grunt with the sudden absence of heat on her body. She opened her eyes and saw Cosima perched at her pelvis, taking this break to catch her breath. Delphine felt the rush and tingle of every nerve in her body, she didn't know if she could even handle any more than what just happened. Suddenly she felt a breath on her chest, and before she could look down, Cosima was already kissing her the way Delphine had when she was teasing. She felt Cosima's tongue roll around, and then a hand come up to occupy its match. Delphine swallowed and closed her eyes in an attempt to stay quiet and composed, but didn't realize she was arching her back up closer to Cosima's lips, and slowly grabbing tighter into her dreadlocks. Cosima's hand and mouth traded places, Delphine tried to whimper out her name but failed, only making breathy whines.

Cosima propped her knee against Delphine's leg, the other leg already underneath her, spreading them, and brought her free hand down to Delphine's inner thigh. She felt the blond clench, and swept past the center of her legs, positioning her hand on the other thigh. She felt Delphine convulse at just the swipe, and thought she may have heard a noise from her mouth. Cosima rubbed the sides of her thigh, then the nook where it met her groin. She definitely heard a whimper then. Cosima ran a second swipe across to the first thigh, Delphine pulsing beneath her, and slowly made her way to the nook of her groin again. She saw the blond shudder and knew she was holding back from yelling at Cosima to stop teasing. She obliged and traced down the center of her legs, nudging into the source of her wetness and sliding back up to the very sensitive top. Delphine moaned and clutched her fingers in the dreads harder. Cosima continued the up and down motion, still slowly so Delphine didn't have a heart attack.

As soon as she felt that Delphine had desensitized enough, Cosima removed her mouth from Delphine's upper half and trailed her tongue down her stomach, feeling her abdomen constrict along with her mouth, then planted a soft kiss right below her navel. She felt Delphine's grip on her hair loosen, knowing her intentions, letting out a nervous breath. There's a good chance she's never had this before, a lot of boys don't like doing it. All the more reason to continue. When she had apparently spent too much time at Delphine's stomach (no more than 5 seconds), Cosima felt the slightest push down, she was sure Delphine probably didn't even know she was doing it. However, it fueled Cosima strongly, and she snaked her tongue all the way down to the tip of where Delphine's skin parted, feeling the flinch of a startled novice. Cosima carefully whispered her tongue downward an inch, and then closed her mouth around it with a deep kiss, leaving her tongue placed as her lips released. Delphine reacted loudly, now not seeming to care about her composure. Cosima moved her tongue to the rhythm of Delphine's sharp inhales and airy moans, soon adding an inquiring finger, which was greeted with an exclamation and surge of heated wetness. Cosima joined another finger and slowly eased her way into the intense clenches. The combination of Cosima's fingers and tongue sent Delphine spiraling, the pulse in her ears drowning out her own sounds of approval. She felt herself shaking, like her whole body was vibrating, her shudders becoming closer together and more concentrated. Her mouth was wide open but she couldn't tell if any noise was coming out of it.

Cosima heard the gratification escape Delphine's carnal containment. She sped her pace, feeling Delphine yearning for the last leg of her indulgence. For a half-second Delphine regained her cognizance, and wanted to beg for Cosima to stop, but the very next second she felt the current blazing through her body, her throat letting out a cry that soon became a moan of release. Cosima smiled as she rested her head on Delphine's thigh and caught her breath.

Delphine felt a fleeting peck on the throbbing pulse between her legs, then several more working their way up to Delphine's neck. She savored the feeling of soft skin sweeping up her body to rest comfortably nestled by her neck. Cosima's back was moist, sprinkled with sweat, she noticed as her arms tiredly extended as far as they could, and slowly ran back to her arms. "Cosima," she slurred within a rough sigh, holding her close and stroking her hair.

They stayed tangled this way for at least 15 minutes, Delphine letting her body regain mobility. She felt Cosima lift herself, so she released, and let her arms fall down to her sides as she sat up, still straddling Delphine's leg. "So, here's the thing," Cosima started, "I kind of have all this homework that I need to get done today," she said with a sarcastic tone, but truly meaning it.

Delphine looked up at her and felt enchanted by her darkened eyes. "I think what you mean to say is," Delphine sat up until she was looking straight up at Cosima, "you have all this homework that you need to get done tomorrow, non?" Delphine creeped her hands behind Cosima's neck and pulled her down to an alluring kiss. Delphine didn't want to relinquish Cosima yet; she hadn't said anything, but this was the best time Delphine had ever shared with another person. She felt Cosima starting to pull away, so she pulled back harder and parted Cosima's lips with her nearby thumb, snaking her tongue through to find Cosima's. She heard a short mmm sound from the woman straddling her, which gave her spine a quick shiver. All of a sudden, Delphine felt a more-than-playful bite to her tongue, making her jump away with a yelp, but also noticing the familiar flutters it gave her stomach.

"Frenchie thinks things will just go her way if she sticks her tongue out," Cosima lectured, "but Frenchie must learn, sometimes she gets bit," a scolding finger waved at Delphine.

Delphine paid no attention to this, grabbing the extended finger and wrapping her lips around it, dragging her tongue along the bottom as she pulled it back out. Carelessly discarding the hand, Delphine used both of hers to roughly pull Cosima's head to the side, exposing her flawless neck. She pecked Cosima under her jaw several times, before closing her mouth in to bite the side of Cosima's neck just hard enough to hurt, but not break skin. Delphine heard a whimper that she couldn't quite place as pain or pleasure. Running her teeth along Cosima's neck, up to her earlobe, she whispered in an exaggerated French accent, "Little American girl must learn, sometimes Frenchie likes to be bitten". Delphine slid her hand from the bottom of Cosima's neck, up to her jaw and chin, which she pushed back. She moved her lips to the nook where her neck met the underside of her chin and said wickedly, "American girl must learn that sometimes Frenchie likes to bite back". Delphine took a deep breath so the air rushed against Cosima's neck, then threateningly lets her teeth touch her neck as though she was going to bite again. Instead she pressed her lips and tongue against her neck, and kissed her as hard as she could, leaving a slight redness that would eventually turn blue and purple.

"Cosima," she said very casually, letting go of her grip so Cosima, dazed, could look at her. "You know who I am don't you? I have," Delphine dramatically looked around her like she was making sure no one else would hear, "influence with the higher-ups. I can work something out so you don't have to turn that work in for another two months."

Cosima was absolutely shocked. Did Delphine actually just give herself up? She was just starting to believe that Delphine wasn't her monitor, but now this? She was speechless, "I, um," she stammered, "who are you exactly? What kind of influence?"

"I am," Delphine dropped her voice to a covert whisper, "the only female TA in the department. I'll just seduce whatever professor you need, it will be easy".

Cosima covered her sigh of relief with a laugh. Delphine was also feeling a little relieved, realizing she was walking very close to the line with that. She laughed with Cosima. "Are you going to seduce them or threaten to bite a chunk off their neck?"

"I don't see the difference"

"I'm pretty sure there's, like, two other girl TA's, and also, my professor is in, like, her 60's," Cosima countered.

Delphine put her hand over Cosima's grin, "Shhh, details, details," and then her free hand dropped down to her chest, resting there as though she had no idea what was under her fingers. When she saw Cosima close her eyes at this and feel her breath under her other hand, she moved the hand from Cosima's mouth and hooked it behind her knee. Delphine pulled Cosima's leg so she had a leg on either side of her instead of just one thigh. This position removed all contact that was previously shared between their thighs, leaving a large gap between them.

Cosima whispered, "Delphine, I'm just going to warn you about this now," as she slid her hand down Delphine's stomach, making her gasp, and quickly running her fingers between her trapped legs. "This whole thing is happening again," she ran her fingers back up and to Delphine's waist, leaving a trail of moisture along the way. "You know, just before you get all smug again," Cosima finished as Delphine closed her eyes with a short whisper of a moan. She felt her entire body tense and was a little shocked at the return of its excitement.

"Alright, Cosima," Delphine said softly as she pulled her body in closer. "Thank you for the warning," Delphine mimicked Cosima's handiwork exactly, dragging her hand down Cosima's stomach and running down and back up through her palpable arousal. Cosima let out a semi-stifled ohh and her head fell to Delphine's shoulder. Delphine beamed at her reaction, kissing the neck by her face, and replaced her hands: one behind Cosima's head, the other on the small of her back.

Cosima didn't resist being positioned on her back again with Delphine in control. She opened her eyes to see Delphine sitting between her legs caressing her inner thighs, gaze focused downward. She realized Delphine's intentions quickly, but she was taking her time. She swiftly bent her body in half to bring her lips to Cosima's sternum, knowing full well that her own body was moving with friction between her legs. Cosima was able to keep her voice from escaping with her rapid breathing for the most part, but she would occasionally hear Delphine slip a breathy murmur, often paired with the grasps that paused her fluid exploration of Cosima's body. After some time of this, which almost seemed like it was more for Delphine's sake than Cosima's, Delphine sat back up allowing the frigid air to brush across where her body was just blanketing.

Delphine placed a hand at the crook of Cosima's thigh and used her thumb to make light circles around the most sensitive part of Cosima's body right now, instigating amplified sensations. Cosima moaned with heavy breathing, vaguely noticing the tremors of her body. Abruptly, though, the feeling was gone as Delphine removed her hand, also pulling herself away. Cosima didn't have enough awareness to notice Delphine leaving her body, only her hands left barely touching her legs. A soft thud brought Cosima back to Earth, she finally looked down to Delphine who was now apparently kneeling by the side of her bed. She felt her body being lightly tugged closer to her, then her legs leaving the edge of the bed and set on Delphine's shoulders.

"Delphine," Cosima whispered, not really knowing what to say. She thought Delphine might feel obligated to do this, pressured. She knew that she had no experience with this besides what had happened within the last few minutes. Cosima remembered the first time she tried this – terrified, unsure of what to do, awkward – and she didn't want Delphine to go through that with her. This day was wonderful and she didn't want anything to dampen it. Delphine seemed confident, though – or maybe focused.

"Oui Cosima?" she replied with her full French slurs, then calmly cocking her head to the side and looking to Cosima with a patient expression.

"You don't, um," Cosima lost herself in the gaze for a moment, "I'm not expecting anything, like, in return. You don't have to do anything, I honestly mean that". Cosima's sincerity was definite, and Delphine knew why she was saying this.

Delphine looked around the room in thought, lightly nodding her head to indicate she trusted her empathy. With a slight tone of decisiveness, Delphine eventually said, "okay," with a flat, unreadable affect.

Cosima, somewhat relieved, laid her head back and closed her eyes, feeling Delphine moving beneath her legs. She felt a quick exhale on her leg, and then all of a sudden, a soft touch of Delphine's hair moving toward her inner thigh. Cosima was confused, she opened her eyes and started to lift her head, but only a second too late. Her head immediately fell back as her body clenched at the oxygen leaving it completely. Delphine moved her hand and fingers slowly at first, matching the pace of her tongue massaging close above. Through surprised ohs and sharp inhales, Cosima involuntarily breathed, "Delphine," to which she did not verbally respond. Rather, Delphine took it as an appropriate time to pick up momentum. Her lips broke a slight smile between her rapid motions at Cosima's very verbal response.

Cosima was very unaware of her vocal and bodily responses. She couldn't hear a thing; her ears were almost deafened. She noted her legs moving, whether it was of her own accord or not, she couldn't tell, only feeling her heels on Delphine's back, warm. She only realized she was holding on tightly to Delphine's hair when her body let go of all strength and she had to untangle her fingers.

"Sorry," Cosima said with an exhausted laugh, finding her way out of the blond curls. Delphine giggled quietly to let her know she didn't care, and wiped her face on Cosima's thigh. "Are you sure that you've never. . ." Cosima joked, referencing to their earlier conversation upon Delphine's arrival.

Delphine just laughed in embarrassment and buried her head in the covers by Cosima's torso. They both repositioned so the bed held them properly. Delphine felt so happy in this moment, the dreadlocked woman beside her, eyes closed, was beautiful. She stared at her with a new light, every detail of her face somehow different than before, every movement slower and softer, glowing. She saw the corners of Cosima's lips start to curl up in a smile.

"Can I help you?" Cosima said, eyes still closed.

Delphine was stunned, "how did you – "

"It's a superpower," Cosima answered, matter-of-factly, before she could finish. Delphine laughed happily. "Dr. Cormier, it sounds like you don't believe me," Cosima said quite seriously, opening her eyes to meet Delphine's.

Delphine chuckled at her insistence, but found her stanchness somewhat odd. She would usually relent by now at least with a smile. A flood of terror rushed through Delphine when she realized, "wait, Dr. Corm – "

Beep beep beep

"Ah!" Delphine smacked her alarm. Confused, she picked up her phone from the hotel bedside table:

Saturday 7:30 a.m.

(2) missed calls

(1) voicemail

(6) text messages

"Putain de merde," she said stunned, staring at the ceiling of her hotel room. As she started to sit up, she felt some discomfort between her legs. Upon quick examination, she realized just what kind of dream she had… She got out of bed and started heading for the bathroom when. . .

"Good morning, gorgeous," a voice from somewhere behind beckoned.

Delphine turned immediately, and frantically stuttered, "how – how did you get in here?"