Chapter 10: Lover's Moon
"It's a good idea to see the city, this I agree with." Natsuki murmured, following the group outside the Hexagon. "But what I don't agree with is them following us!" She gestured to the cameramen on their tail as subtly as possible, though even this seemed impossible. The crew had been happily hounding their every move, so much so it terrified the Headmistress. They had followed them through the whole grounds, and Natsuki was already sick of it. "Brigadier! Is this your doing?"
"Of course! How do you expect me to film for This Week's Armitage?" Haruka insisted, directing the men towards her. "This episode's going to have a lot of editing because the Headmistress, and Archmeister are here!"
What was that supposed to mean?" Natsuki suspiciously eyed Haruka. What had they gotten themselves into?
The next few days had crawled by so excruciatingly, that once she, and Shizuru had returned, Natsuki felt like kissing the gates. 'At last we've returned.' Cupping her forehead, Natsuki gripped a few strands of hair, groaning aloud. "I thought that would never end." She muttered under her breath. Don't get her wrong, it was great to see Yukino, and Haruka again. Not to mention getting out of Garderobe had been a life saver, but it had been agonisingly tiresome. Natsuki couldn't wait to sleep tonight.
"You did well. I was half expecting you to lung out, and strangle Haruka." The Archmeister chuckled softly, sneaking her hand into the younger woman's.
It was the late afternoon, and they had been travelling for most of the day. By now the students would've finished their lessons, and would be eating. If they were lucky, they wouldn't be greeted back by the horde.
"I was mentally." Brushing loose strands of hair from her face, Natsuki glanced up to the taller woman. "Haruka looked like she wanted to strangle you too."
"I was very aware." The Archmeister grinned. She leaned against Natsuki for a moment, guiding her free hand towards the Headmistress. "Neither of us would have allowed that." She continued, capturing those free strands of hair between her fingers, and thumb. "I doubt Yukino would have allowed it either."
"No, none of us would've." Natsuki fell silent, letting the elder hook the hair behind her ear. These past days, she had been thinking about that night. She knew she wanted to make the jump in their relationship now. Was it the right time? Though really, was there ever? "Let's go before we get ambushed by the students."
"Quite right." The brunette nodded, her hand slipping from Natsuki's as she followed her trail. As characteristically as ever, Natsuki walked ahead, refusing to make a scene with her. Although Shizuru didn't mind the Column setting a distance, it didn't stop her from immediately missing the contact. Trailing after her, Shizuru's eyes instead took to straying along the younger woman's back. As always Natsuki was compulsively determined to get to their next destination. In that aspect she was certainly a leader, and one Shizuru would forever serve. If Natsuki ever decided to not be an Otome anymore, would she follow then? Certainly, the whole reason she fought was for this woman. After a pause, Shizuru smiled, her chest swelling.
"Shizuru?" Natsuki glanced over her shoulder, stopping. The Archmeister had stopped in her tracks. "What is it?" She asked, coming to a stop before the older woman.
"I was just thinking I would follow you to the ends of Earl." Shizuru spoke genuinely; her eyes casting amusement upon Natsuki's flushed embarrassment. This soon transformed into a loving gaze, and she took a step towards her.
"I- ah." Glancing away from her, Natsuki awkwardly coughed into her fist. "Really? I am glad to hear that." She replied lamely, watching Shizuru from the corner of her eye.
"Let us go before we're discovered?" Shizuru suggested, making a start without the Headmistress. She smiled once more as she heard Natsuki's hurried steps, shaking her head ever so vaguely. Truly, what would she do without this woman?
Eventually they made it up the steep hill to the office. Switching the lights on, Shizuru once more studied the other. Natsuki was already by her desk, heavily sitting into the chair with relief.
"Finally, we're back." Natsuki unconsciously brushed her hair behind a shoulder, gesturing Shizuru closer. "I will never understand how you lived in the same room as Haruka." She murmured.
"It was entertaining."
"Of course you would say that." Finding the desk desolate of paperwork, Natsuki paused in speech. Her train of thought took over, and she frowned slightly. Would this be a good idea, she wondered? For the past day or two she had been thinking about it. "Hey, Shizuru?" She murmured, staring at the sheen of reflection upon her desk.
"Yes, Natsuki?" The Archmeister quizzically asked her, easing beside her; hands clasped before her.
"Move in with me." The Headmistress blurted, veering her gaze up at her, and then hurriedly away.
A long silence followed after this statement. Shizuru stared at her in surprise, before her expression relaxed. She eyed Natsuki once more, smiling. "Of course."
"Really?" Natsuki felt shocked, but why? She should know better how Shizuru felt, they were lovers! Of course it'd make sense for them to move in together? Yet even so, she still couldn't… She sighed, standing up from her chair. "I'm relieved even if I should know you'd agree, Shizuru."
The Archmeister smiled. "I shall go, and make some tea." She reported, exiting the scene momentarily.
Left to her own devices, Natsuki's gaze shifted to the floor. She glared at the carpet, adjusting again abruptly. "Miss Maria." She stated, activating her GEM's intercom. "We have returned. Could you come to the office?"
Turning back to her desk, she rounded it, halting by the windows. First things first, that letter needed to be posted to An Nam. She had ordered their driver to bring their things to the office. Hopefully the letter arrived in time to give it to Miss Maria.
"Drinking tea with you at night has become normal, it seems." Natsuki murmured absently, the pair stood before the windows. The moon was high up in the sky, and the blue star loomed closely beside it. Natsuki watched it twinkle in the night's sky, having always felt a strange familiarity towards it.
"It's relaxing. I have many fond memories from this." Shizuru took her time with her tea, warming her hands against the glass. It was true; these little conversations of theirs were always her fondest. When it wasn't about work, and instead them, she truly did cherish these moments. Wetting her lips, she regarded Natsuki quietly, taking another sip from her tea. Natsuki Kruger; her lover, and most precious person. She simply adored her, watching the younger woman stare up into the sky. "The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" She commented, never looking away from her.
"Ah, it is." Natsuki didn't seem to realise the comment had been aimed at her instead. She studied the details of the white satellite, taking a calm drink of her tea. "It's millions of years old, and has been battered. But still it orbits Earl after so long."
Easing closer, Shizuru brushed a free hand to the younger woman's cheek. She made Natsuki face herand brushed their lips together gently. "I wasn't talking about the moon." She uttered quietly, a loving glint betraying her eyes.
"You wasn't?" Natsuki's face uncomfortably heated, instantly becoming awfully aware of such a thing. She remained idle, unable to move. She was utterly transfixed upon Shizuru; and who could blame her?
Tilting the Headmistresses head up by the chin, Shizuru gazed into her eyes. Truly, there was something certainly entrancing about this woman. Natsuki didn't even realise it herself. Shizuru had discovered it during their student years. But an oblivious Natsuki was in her nature, and Shizuru wouldn't have it any other way. Running her fingertips along the blushing Column's lips, she cracked another smile. "I will prepare for sleeping." She reported, drinking the rest of her tea as she abruptly retreated. She caught the disappointment in Natsuki's expression, and spoke again whilst turning around. "Natsuki. You can join me, if you wish."
Upon the flabbergasted intake of breath, Shizuru exited the room. Perhaps purposely she took her time, setting her glass down in the kitchenette. A few hours had only passed since Natsuki's invitation to move in. Even so, she had the mindset to bring her paperwork, and some clothing over. The things she had brought were in a bag against the table in this room. She only scanned her eyes along it. It was surreal to think she had been invited to live here in Natsuki's quarters. Such a thing; Shizuru had imagined it, certainly, and the sheer excitement bubbled inside of her chest still. She was amazed that it had actually become a reality? No, she definitely wasn't dream-
"-Shizuru." Natsuki's breath hit her ear, freezing her body into a stunned standstill. "I would like to join you." She heard Natsuki's voice quiver, and arms snake around her torso. Within the darkness, she only focused upon the younger Otome's words. "I…I love you."
Ah. The Archmeister melted, her heart thundering against her chest so hard she was afraid it would shoot out. She hadn't expected this whatsoever. Natsuki's hold against her was both unsteady, and uncertain. Her uniform was loosely grasped, hands erratically sliding against the fabric. If Shizuru had been in another state of mind, she would've found the interaction both interesting, and adorable. But this was now. Taking the situation into her own hands, she enveloped Natsuki's palms into her own, twisting around at the same time.
"You're sure?" She whispered, tilting her head to close in the gap between them. Easing their lips together in a slow move, she rounded her fingers into Natsuki's shoulders, and mindlessly massaged them. All too soon did her lust take over. The moment the Headmistress uttered her consent, she pushed Natsuki into the solid wall whom shivered. An electric had formed between them, this sensation only heightening as Shizuru peered down at her.
"S-Shizuru-" Natsuki paused mid-sentence, stunned on the spot as her brain tried to figure out what had happened. The Archmeister had kissed her, had then squeezed her shoulders, and now her thigh was-a shocking burst of energy hit her pelvis, the woman's leg pressing up against her crotch. At that moment her mind wiped, and she focused entirely upon the brunette. "Shizuru." She murmured huskily, wrapping her arms around her neck. Their fronts meshed together, forcing their body heat to collide, and merge. Her heated body sent her souring; Shizuru against her like this was…
For a long moment, Shizuru kissed her, playfully biting her lower lip afterwards in a infuriatingly slow move. That mischievous grin was splattered across her face again as Shizuru kissed her against the corner of her mouth teasingly. Either way it worked, and Natsuki groaned.
"Shizuru!" She hissed with infuriation, nipping her nails into the Archmeister's covered shoulder. "Stop teasing!"
"Hmm…?" The Archmeister hummed, brushing their noses together as she grinned. "What is it?" She questioned, clutching Natsuki's forearm as she did so, she soothed dawdling circles against the limb. Languidly, if not also purposefully, she then brushed her hand downwards. Teasingly she allowed her fingertips to stroke feather touches across the woman's thigh. Shizuru was extremely pleased to find that this skyrocketed Natsuki's attention upon her-and her only. "Do you need anything?" Continuing her tempting path, she traced lazy circles along Natsuki's hip before sneaking her fingertips back upwards.
"I- ah." Natsuki swallowed roughly, her determination being broken at that moment. She clung to the elder desperately, her body setting on fire as she unconsciously shifted against her thigh. This was too much to take in. She dug her teeth against her bottom lip, clenching her eyes shut. Electricity bolted up from where the Archmeister had touched her to the apex of her legs. Shizuru had barely even touched her!
"Where would you like me to touch you?" The Archmeister asked of her, those cursed fingertips skimming along her covered abdomen.
Natsuki would've attempted to speak, though she was cut off. Another kiss was sent her way, and she could only respond by her eyes half-lidding. Through her eyelashes she hazily watched Shizuru, and then gasped. The elder had snuck under her tight fitting top, and had clawed against her stomach for the sake of extra sensation. Natsuki jolted against her, both her hands tightening against her shoulders.
"Shizuru…" A groan sparked between their kisses. Natsuki's legs were like lead; she huffed a breath between the fiery exchanges, and took the woman's collar. "I want you- now." Her hands quivered, ushering the elder back. She unsteadily paced Shizuru backwards, aiming them towards her bedroom.
The Archmeister looked as misshapen as she did. Her uniform was rustled, her hair messy, and her face flushed. She intensely watched Natsuki, not fighting against her who still held her collar. "Natsuki." She breathed.
She needed more of this. Natsuki wanted to hold Shizuru, touch her, taste her. There was no embarrassment anymore, only primal need. Once upon the door, she pushed it open with one hand.
Her lover who was in her clutches next to her bed. Something clicked in Natsuki's brain about that fact. Pushing from Shizuru, she breathlessly eyed the taller woman. For a few seconds her eyes flickered from Shizuru, and the bed. She swallowed tightly, her throat drying upon the notion. "Shizuru…" She softly called, treading forth only to engage the Archmeister once more. The elder's arms snaked around her instantly, hers copying the action. It was dark inside this room, but neither cared. Their hands explored haphazardly, and soon Natsuki found herself floored on the bed.
"Natsuki, you're fine with this…?" Shizuru murmured, staring at her. Her lip was wobbling, crimson eyes hawking down the younger woman's body. Once Natsuki was leaning upwards against her forearms, her hands grounded against Natsuki's. "I want this to be slow." She uttered into the Column's ear, her accent thickening.
"O-of course. Anything, Shizuru."
Pressing her hips against Natsuki's navel, Shizuru breathed. This was really happening. She was high in the moment, her adrenaline, and lust strengthening her desires. She wanted to reshape Natsuki, to feel her; absorb her. Touching her fingertips to Natsuki's short tube-top, she unzipped it. There was a tense moment of excitement which pitted into her stomach. It boiled away deep inside of her gut, and then travelled south sharply. Bothering not with its removal, she focused upon Natsuki's bra.
"Shizuru." Natsuki murmured up to her, her own eyes beginning to glaze in lust. She attempted to push up towards her, but was halted. Shizuru's hands were once again upon her forearms, keeping her still. She grunted in slight annoyance, but was soon pleased when Shizuru slot against her.
Shizuru was between her legs.
The mere action shook electricity through her body. She would've responded in voice; that's if the elder hadn't seized her into another mouthlock. The breathy groan she produced was instead muffled against Shizuru's lips. This woman was her co-worker, bodyguard, best friend, and lover. Upon that thought, her ears twitched; hearing, and feeling her trousers fly being unzipped. An irreplaceable heat swarmed her.
Natsuki was getting impatient. This was easy enough to realise, Shizuru noticed. A tingling rose inside her thighs, the younger Otome's hips having risen up against hers. She couldn't blame her for a moment. Ending their steamy kiss, she too pressed her pelvis against Natsuki's.
It froze the younger woman whom suddenly said; "Take off your dress." She gruffed up to her, wetting her lips. She managed to pry her hands from Shizuru's, tugging the elder's uniform.
Not another thought was taken. Shizuru sat up against her, reaching an arm behind herself. She unzipped the dress, the fabric pooling against her waist with some adjusting. "Is Natsuki happy now?" She teased.
She studied the younger woman's absolutely flushed expression. Through the excitement, and lust, there was also love, and adoration. Natsuki's now free hands quickly scoped upwards, trailing along Shizuru's abdomen.
"Mh, Natsuki." She muttered, those adventurous hands lingering across her toned flesh. The Headmistress nervously massaged her fingertips into her skin, skittering across abdominal muscle, hip bones, and ribs.
"I love you." Natsuki blurted again, her hands enclosing around the Archmeister's lace covered breasts. She squeezed them in piqued interest, her mind only hazing over again when Shizuru's hips pressed against hers again.
This would become their life long memory, she knew this. This much was obvious, and she felt inclined to give herself entirely to Shizuru right then, and there. Shizuru was quickly upon her, Natsuki's hands against her breasts, and all.
The next actions went passed so smoothly, Natsuki barely had time to register them. One moment Shizuru was tracing patterns into her hips. Then the next moment her hand had snuck into her underwear.
Another sensation entirely flooded Natsuki. Natsuki yelped a noise she had never before produced. Those damned insatiable fingers were nudging, and sliding against her. They quickly drove her towards the edge.
The Archmeister's cheek was planted against hers; the woman whispering sweet nothings. She went from this, to nipping, and sucking the Meister's throat. Easily she left a batch of bruised patches. Proud of her work, she nudged her face into the woman's throat. .
Th-this was- "S-Sh-Shiz-" Natsuki quivered.
"Natsuki." Shizuru murmured in return, the younger Otome's arms wrapping around her tightly. "Let go for me."
"S-Sh-Shizuru!"
Watching an exhausted Natsuki sleep, Shizuru remained seated beside her. She lovingly pried her eyes along the Meister's body, deep in thought. What they had done together; she hoped it was just one of the many new memories they could forge together. She slid a hand along Natsuki's side, and then delicately rose.
They should get changed, it would be bad to sleep in their clothes like this.
"Shizuru…?" Natsuki's groggy voice sounded. It made Shizuru unconsciously turn to her, and she sluggishly sat up. "What time is it?" She checked her clock beside the bed, frowning.
"Time for bed. I will fetch my things." Shizuru paused, tracing her eyes along Natsuki's rustled, and loose clothing. "And you should too, though you do look quite the sight-"
"-Stop it." The Headmistress flushed hotly, glancing away from her. Shizuru had taken off her boots at some point, it seemed. She watched the woman out the corner of her eye, the grinning woman retreating. Though she was strutting around in her underwear.
It took her a brief second to realise she hadn't made Shizuru release. She felt disappointed, but it wasn't like she'd get another chance, right?
"I will get dressed now." Shizuru called from the other room.
Ah. Natsuki absorbed the sight of her clothing. Her tube-top was completely open, her bra fully visible. The black trousers were in a similar state, remaining loosely hung. For a while she stared before taking off her cross-tie. Shizuru had really had her way with her, hadn't she?
Time drifted by, and the two reunited fully dressed. Natsuki sat on the edge of the bed, fiddling with the corner of her shirt. Upon Shizuru's entry, she regarded her, smiling softly. "Shizuru." She murmured, standing to push the blanket back. "Left or right?"
"You know the answer." The Archmeister replied, easing towards her. She cupped the small of Natsuki's back with a hand, the shorter woman regarding her. "Right, Natsuki?" Rounding the younger woman, she took the right side of the bed. "Are you coming?"
"A-ah, yes." Natsuki blinked, following after her.
It was strange given their recent activities. It was relaxing, something Natsuki hadn't expected. She slipped under the blankets on her side, and turned to her. "Don't think you got away, either." She said, catching the Archmeister's confusion. "You didn't… release."
"Oh? You're still embarrassed with such words? Shizuru grinned, tapping a finger upon the Column's nose. "Natsuki, whatever we may call it; making love, having sex-you mean so much to me."
"And you mean everything to me." Natsuki mumbled. "I just don't like the words." Perhaps it was a little immature? She was about to speak, but was interrupted. The brunette snuck her arms around her, guiding her against her body. This was enough to indefinitely silence her, and Natsuki didn't mind one bit.
Natsuki sighed against the woman's collarbone. "Goodnight, Shizuru."