This chapter is a strange one...it was quite longer, then I decided to split it in two parts. Read & review, please!
I've tried to separate dialogue and narration, as you suggested. Let's see if it's better now :)
3. Living together
"Shimatta!" the tall blonde cursed, almost stumbling on the staircase. They went up 5 floors, other 2 to go to get to Michiru's apartment. The lift had decided to break that very day, leaving Haruka to deal with her last box of personal items. Luckily for her it wasn't too heavy, but still cumbersome.
"Be careful. Want me to help?"
"No, I can handle it." the stubborn blonde replied, keeping a resolute pace.
When they finally reached the front door, Michiru took an admired look at her partner. Anyone else would probably have fainted halfway, the box tossed, while Haruka was just breathing harder. The aqua-haired girl opened the door and let Haruka move in first.
"Tadaima." the young racer ventured in a whisper that stunned Michiru.
It was an awkward sensation... like the memory of something that never happened before, the awakening of feelings she thought lost long ago, the clear sensation of something absolutely right, the longing for a life she couldn't even imagine...
"Welcome home, Haruka-san." she answered with a sweet smile, helping her partner to unpack and arrange her things.
The tall blonde realized soon enough how big the flat was. A large sitting room, a studio, a big and comfortable bathroom, the kitchen and two bedrooms. Had Michiru really lived there all by herself?
It didn't took long for them to settle things and finally Michiru sat on the couch and relax, while Haruka stood by the window looking at the horizon, enjoying the view.
"I'm glad you're here."
Haruka could see her own reflection in the window, her surprise and joy, embarrassment and confusion. When she turned to face Michiru, the aqua-haired girl was already moving away.
"I'll go take a shower. Later on we could go for a walk. There's something I want to show you."
When Haruka didn't answer, Michiru stopped to look at her and seeing the tall blonde's attitude she had to stifle a laugh. "I won't bite you... I promise."
Now alone in the sitting room, Haruka cursed herself in many imaginative ways. How could she show herself so weak to her partner? She was used to flirt with girls and deal with their most explicit approaches, nevertheless Michiru could easily get to her with the most innocent words (but where they _really_ innocent?).
She had never let her guard down, never allowed people to get too close to her, too fast for everyone... but not for the sea beauty.
30 minutes later they left the apartment and start climbing the stair, instead of moving down.
"Where are we going?" Haruka inquired.
"Wait and see."
It didn't took long before they got to the last floor and there Haruka found what she didn't expected. "A pool?"
Michiru nodded, moving towards the water – her element, Haruka thought – with a bright smile and a natural confidence. "In the afternoon it's full of kids and families, but in the morning and evening it's a quiet place. One of my favorite."
"I see."
Haruka wandered around, feeling something she couldn't quite understand. It was like peeking in Michiru's world. A world made of a particular beauty, soothing and calming, a timeless place where the princess of Neptune felt at ease.
"I like it here." Haruka admitted, regaining Michiru's attention. "But I still feel more comfortable on the ground, with the wind blowing around me. I'm not such a fool to challenge you in your own element."
"Is that so?" asked the young violinist, moving towards her partner, scrutinizing her really closer.
"What?" Haruka blurted in a defensive tone.
"You're scared." Michiru reasoned.
"Nonsense!" the tall blonde retorted maybe a bit too quickly.
"Then prove it."
And with that, Michiru started to slowly undress, leaving her partner speechless. First she let her skirt fell to the floor, then she took off her shirt, revealing a swim suit underneath. She moved a few steps backwards and then she performed a back somersault disappearing under the water's surface.
It took Haruka a while to understand what had just happened. Her beautiful partner did something only a few could do, jumping in the water that way and with such a natural fashion.
Then something clicked in her mind. She had been challenged and it was something that always turned her on.
"Fine." the tall blonde muttered, taking off her shoes and trousers, wearing only her shirt and underwear, showing off her pride and self confidence.
She dove in the pool, welcomed by the warm water. It wasn't her element but she still could move quite fast, holding her breath for long enough to scan the pool in search of her mermaid. Then she spotted her.
It was something that Michiru didn't expect. The taller girl swam in her direction with a powerful kicking, quickly reducing the distance between them. Even though it wasn't Haruka's element, the girl was still a skillful athlete. She had to commit if she wanted to beat her.
Haruka almost got her partner, her hand reaching out to the girl and then the sea goddess was gone. She looked around, searching for Michiru with no result. How could it be? Did she left the pool?
The need to breathe took over and she reached the surface, inhaling fresh air.
"Michiru?"
The aqua-haired girl was no where in sight and when Haruka almost started to worry, she felt two arms around her neck, hugging her from behind.
"I've caught you." Michiru whispered in her partner's ear, with a playful smile.
Haruka almost jumped in surprise. "How.. where..? That's not fair." she blurted, blushing deeply, glad that her incredible partner couldn't see that.
"And how is that? Don't tell me that the unreachable Tenoh Haruka-kun doesn't accept defeat?"
"Let's do this again. This time I will catch you."
"Are you sure of it?"
"Of course." came Haruka determined answer.
Michiru let go of her, swimming effortlessly in front of her partner. The taller girl was serious, the challenge really turned her on. Something that Michiru could easily read just by looking in her partner's dark green eyes.
"Another time. Maybe with a swim suit."
At that remark, Haruka looked down on her body for the first time, noticing how her wet, see-through shirt was floating around her body, revealing the sport bra that was wrapping her breast.
She wasn't the kind of person who could get embarrassed over something like that, but then something evil peeped in her mind.
"Does my body bother you?" she asked in a low, sexy voice, swimming nearer to her friend.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but a female body is not new for me." Michiru retorted, trying to keep the distance from her grinning partner. What was she trying to do? The young violinist could feel her heart beating faster.
Haruka noticed Michiru's hesitation and didn't waste the chance. She dove and reached out to grab one of the sea beauty's ankle.
The aqua-haired girl squealed in surprise feeling her partner's touch, barely avoiding her grip. She swam, regaining some distance from Haruka, who was still aiming for her.
"You're terrible!" Michiru scolded her, unable to hide an amused smile.
"Absolutely." Haruka proudly stated, approaching the other girl with a strange look on her face.
It was the first time she played this way with anyone, at least since she was a child. Michiru's closeness was enough to pull out aspects of her personality which Haruka didn't even imagine.
The sea beauty caught the change in her partner's expression. Her playful attitude had suddenly disappeared, replaced by a thoughtful, serious look. Did she go too far?
Before Michiru could say or do something, Haruka passed by her side, swimming towards the ladder.
"Come on, time to change. I'll treat you to lunch today."
Michiru looked surprised. Haruka could be unpredictable even for her sometimes. Unpredictable and beautiful as she climbed out of the pool wearing just her wet shirt and underwear. The aqua-haired girl couldn't help but blushing as some bad thoughts crossed her mind.
"Hai, I'm coming." and the sea beauty followed her partner back to their flat.