Hope everyone had a good holiday.. this took a couple more days than I wanted but I wanted to get it right.. Yes a new chapter..

Again, this is rated M for mature. It has some things that not everyone will be comfortable with. It's an important chapter but if you don't want to read it, let me know and I will pm you a rundown of the importance.

Thank you again to every one of my readers and reviewers. I love you all. Another shout out to my writing partner marsupial1974. she gets part of my stories and let's me know if it's making sense. she's good at that. thank you babe. - go read her stuff if you haven't-

another small shoutout to my lovely rp bristolskinsrp on tumblr. If you like roleplaying or know someone who does, feel free to send them over. We have open canon characters in all three Skins generations as well as OCs.

disclaimer: words are mine, characters are not.

...

Emily could feel Naomi's fingers. They were pushing her to the edge. There was nothing for her to hold on to. Not mentally or emotionally to stop herself from going over. It had started since their first introduction. The energy between them mingling, exploring. This wasn't about sex. It was more. Emily had given herself to Naomi and she had accepted her. She had welcomed her into herself. The waves started low and spread out. She arched her back, unable to speak, unable to let her lover know what was happening. Emily knew that Naomi was aware but it was always her preference to say it. She heard Naomi gasp.

Breathing Underwater – Chapter 28

"Naoms... you should probably start you know.." Emily squeezed her hand gently. Naomi nodded and smiled.

"Alright.. the other night.."

…..

"Let's begin."

Naomi's breathing was even. She stepped to Emily and touched her face. "From here on out, you don't speak unless I tell you to or ask you a question. You have your safe word – Lobster. If you want any of it to stop for any reason, that's the word you use. You can't hesitate either Emily. This is about trust. You're trusting me and I'm trusting you. If you hesitate, then doubt can creep in and create bad feelings." Naomi reached up and touched Emily's chin. She met her eyes then leaned in and kissed her gently. "Take off your clothes."

Emily saw the shift in Naomi's eyes the moment they held each other's gaze. There was a shimmer and the blue went ice cold. It was intense. Even more than usual. Turning away from Naomi, she swallowed and started to disrobe. It felt almost like a stranger was with her even if she knew otherwise.

"No. Face me." She stopped her movements the moment she heard the tone in Naomi's voice. She blinked, feeling her heart speed up, her breathing turned slightly shallow. She wondered if she could do this. Fears crept up. Fear of rejection. Fear of humiliation. The fear was unfounded. This was Naomi. Her Naomi. But the tone she heard, the look she saw in her eyes a moment ago was not something she'd seen or recognized. Emily held her breath and turned, irrationally expecting Naomi to be a different person altogether.

But when Emily turned it was Naomi standing there. Her Naomi. But there was a difference in everything about her. Her posture, the way she held her hands. The way she looked at Emily. The loving hunger that she'd witnessed during their previous intimacy was replaced with a predatory hunger. She didn't feel threatened or unsafe. But it wasn't laced with the softness she'd expected from her blonde. It was sharper, harder edged. Their eyes met again and Emily lost her breath.

Naomi knew that it could be a difficult experience for Emily to do this. She had asked for them to try out what Naomi liked in the bedroom in terms of the non-vanilla stuff as she put it. She knew of the bondage. They talked about the other aspects. The psychological ones that Naomi craved from her partners. It wasn't a constant craving. Not like before she began working for London House.

She did enjoy her work and got satisfaction mentally from some of her clients. But it was a part of her that she didn't broach with many of her personal sexual partners. The last one she attempted anything with ended up taking her own life. Not as a direct result of the intimacy between her and Naomi, but she couldn't help wonder if it didn't contribute to the cause. Even if the girl hadn't been well before she and Naomi had gotten together, the doubt would always be there in the background.

It was a profound change. What happened when Naomi went into the mindset of a dominant. She tried explaining it to Emily when they talked. But she knew it would be a slight shock. When Naomi took on the dominant role, she took control. Over everything. It wasn't a simple thing as controlling what they did. From what was worn to what was said. Eventually what was thought also became part of Naomi's domain. If done right, Naomi would own Emily's body, mind and soul. It was tricky because it was meant to be a temporary thing. The goal of this was to enhance pleasure and life not to endanger it. Given Emily's anxiety and depression, she needed to be extra careful to watch for triggers. Emily's welfare would be Naomi's responsibility. One that she was willing to take on. But it was a balancing act.

Emily took off her shirt, letting it fall to the floor. She undid the jeans and pushed down, stepping out of them. While she still wore her undergarments, she felt exposed. Even if she had been naked in front of Naomi many times before, this felt new. She swallowed. Naomi stood in front of her, she checked her watch and then looked at Emily, expecting her to continue. When she didn't, Naomi cleared her throat. "For every minute you have made me wait, it will be one swat on the ass. You're up to 5." There was no humorous tone in her voice. Emily blinked and realized this. She gulped and started with shaking hands to take off her bra. "6." Her eyes opened wide. She let the bra fall to the floor. Her hands went to the waistband of her knickers. "7." She was definitely shaking now as she pushed down her knickers to join the rest of her clothes.

"Atta girl. You earned a sound spanking, but I will go easy since it's your first time." Emily almost asked if she was joking then remembered she wasn't supposed to speak. Naomi touched Emily's face and leaned in to whisper. "Walk to the desk and place your palms flat on it, slightly bending at the waist." Emily held her breath but didn't move. She looked at Naomi who smiled at her. "8." She moved then and did as told.

The position left her feeling vulnerable. Her state of undress was not comforting either. But she found herself excited. She wasn't sure what she had truly expected when asking for this from Naomi. She had read enough about the subject matter. She had devoured article upon article. But there was a huge difference between theory and implementation. Reading about it allowed for the possibility of it all still not being real. This here, proved otherwise.

She felt Naomi stepping closer. Her skin broke out in goosebumps. It wasn't the temperature in the room but the anticipation. Emily closed her eyes. She felt Naomi's hand touch her lower back. "Think you can keep count lil'red?" Emily gasped at the request that wasn't a request. She nodded. "9." Naomi smiled. "You speak when spoken to. You do not nod. It is disrespectful."

Emily almost nodded again but thought better of it. "I'm.. I'm sorry. Yes, I can' keep count." Her voice shook a little but it wasn't fear. She felt herself wanting this.

"That's a good girl." Naomi whispered in Emily's ear causing another cascade of shivers through her body. She situated herself closer to Emily's backside and brought her hand hard against her bum. The noise echoed through the room. Emily wouldn't have been surprised if the neighbors hadn't heard it. "Go ahead and count Emily."

"One." Her breath caught. Smack. "Two." She felt the sting resonating through her skin. Smack. "Three" The pain was sharp when it hit then it felt like a burning. Smack. "Four." Even if the pain was tolerable, she could feel her body shaking. Her breathing slightly shallow. Smack. "Five." Emily realized that her body was anticipating the smack in more ways than one. Her muscles tensed expecting pain. But other parts of her began to throb. Enjoying the sensation. Smack. "Six." Her eyes opened. The skin much more tender. She wondered if Naomi's hand hurt at all. Smack. "Seven." She heard a small squeak in her voice and hoped she didn't sound weak. Her palms were sweating against the desk. Smack. "Eight." She gulped and felt the wetness between her legs. She felt the blush crawling over her skin then. Not from the smacks but from the very present, very noticeable excitement should Naomi touch her. Smack. "Nine." She shuddered.

"That's a very good girl." Naomi rubbed Emily's reddened bum. Letting her feel the soothing touch over the burning skin. She hadn't told her to get up and to her credit, Emily hadn't moved. Naomi had taken note of the slightest changes in her as the spanking took place. Her hand stung but it felt good. Emily's skin radiated heat. It wore a nice shade of red. She would be feeling this for the next day or so. Whenever she sat or put on clothing. If the spanking had gone on longer, Naomi would apply lotion or aloe to the area as a way of making it feel better. Delicate balances all. Pain and pleasure. Punishment and reward.

It wasn't about extreme pain. Naomi wasn't a sadist. It was about getting the submissive, in this case Emily, to accept a certain role, a certain psychological outlook. She was being punished for not obeying. She needed to behave a certain way to be rewarded. To the uninitiated, or average person, this would be, could be seen as abuse. But it wasn't. Naomi and Emily were two adults exploring certain basic psychological cravings that humans needed – to please and be pleased. The body reacts certain ways to slight pain, discomfort. It releases endorphins that can mitigate the actual pain as well as trigger pleasure. The acts, words, situations leading up to the pain can, with time and repetition, create the same endorphin release. If done properly, a simple word from Naomi in the future could give Emily the same rush as an orgasm. It didn't work with everyone. Delicate balances.

Naomi took one of Emily's hands and led her away from the desk to the bed. "Sit down lil'red." She knew it was going to sting but didn't warn her. Emily had that look about her. The one where she's between worlds. When her bum touched the mattress, she yelped and jumped a bit. Naomi smiled at that. Emily bit her lip as she sat and squirmed. Naomi touched Emily's face, letting her fingers run down her neck, her shoulders, to her chest. The blush was still visible. It would remain visible likely until they were asleep. Emily gasped at the touch. She also noticed how naked she was in comparison. Naomi was fully dressed. She wanted to ask about it but didn't fancy breaking a rule. She swallowed and let her eyes drop. "Give me your hands."

Emily lifted her hands and presented them to Naomi. She knew what was coming as it was something they had discussed. She watched as her blonde took a length of rope and wound it around her wrists. The pressure of it wasn't constricting in the strictest sense. She could feel the material against her skin but it wasn't so tight as to cut off circulation. A knot kept the rope in place. "Move back on the bed." The tone was commanding and it sent a shiver through Emily once more. She did as told even with her hands tied. Naomi leaned down and tied the rope to her bed frame. Emily swallowed and closed her eyes. The trembling in her body evident. Naomi smiled and looked down at her. She let her hands roam Emily's body. Teasing her. She really loved making her squirm.

Her hand slid down Emily's body, all the way down her legs. When Naomi started moving her hand back up, parting her legs, she was met with resistance. Emily kept her eyes shut. "Lil'red." She watched as Emily bit her lip. She applied a bit more force at sliding her hand between Emily's legs but nothing too harsh. It was consensual or it needed to stop. She felt Emily open her legs and she could see the moisture between them. A darker hue to Emily's blush appeared. "Ahh I see.. someone enjoyed her spanking. Or was it the rope?" Naomi smiled and knew that Emily had been embarrassed by being turned on. T was a natural reaction – both being turned on and being embarrassed. She was truly lovely.

Naomi admired her desire to push herself, to try something new. Emily wasn't out to seek blind approval either. She wanted to know herself, to find different ways to be whole on her own terms. Many people who didn't suffer anxiety or depression never reached that. "I asked you a question."

Emily swallowed and gasped at Naomi's fingers reaching her center and at the reminder that she needed to answer. "Um.." She could hear the shaking in her voice and wished she could be more stoic but it was no use. Her entire body felt like it was vibrating. "It.. uh... it started during.. well.. getting naked.." She felt Naomi's fingers circling her clit. She gasped loudly. "It got.. more.. when I was.. when you spanked me.. the rope.." She could feel herself blushing harder. Her breathing was ragged. A single finger entered her and she couldn't get the words out. Her body was beyond turned on. She pulled on the ropes and felt a rush of fire deep in her belly. She couldn't put her hands down. She couldn't cover herself. Emily refused to open her eyes. She couldn't handle Naomi looking at her while she was like this.

"You were saying something about the rope?" Naomi smiled wide. She knew exactly the effect she was having on Emily. She wondered if Emily could tell the effect all of this was having on Naomi. He body was awake and excited. But her mind was the one thing in overdrive. She had complete control. And that fed her entire self. She could feel it. Her hunger close to sated. Having Emily at her mercy. Having her quivering at simple touches. She needed to push her a little more. "What about the rope Emily?"

The use of her name caused her to open her eyes. Emily met Naomi's and shuddered. There was such a deep lust in them. She could feel the rope more. Naomi's finger sped up. It's movements, in and out. Harder. She shivered, trying to get the words out. "The rope..oh god.." She felt close. Not yet, not yet. "It's good.. I uh.. yes.. I got .. even more.. Naoms.. please.." Emily arched her back as Naomi introduced a second finger and curled them deep inside her. Naomi could feel Emily's walls clamping down on her fingers. She couldn't stop if she wanted. For one, Emily was new to all of this. And two, she wouldn't deny Emily. Ever. She pushed her fingers faster, letting Emily feel them. The tips of them massaging the spongy area inside her. Naomi's thumb caressing Emily's clit. She heard the moan and felt the climax. She kept her fingers inside, moving slightly, letting her ride it all out.

"That's it. That's a good girl."

….

Naomi hesitated. She was looking for the right words to say and she felt lost. Emily could see it in her posture, her face. It was a kind of fear that seeped into her features but it was soft. It wasn't concerning to Emily. The other night had been eye opening and wondrous. It was a good start to what she figured would be a long journey. Emily smiled and reached out for Naomi's hand. "Come here you." She took Naomi's hand and pulled her into her. This was Emily's domain for her blonde. She could show her that everything was alright between them. For her there was no doubt, even if she could tell that Naomi had lingering ones. They stayed silently curled up together a while.

"Did you enjoy it?" Naomi asked timidly. She took a lot of comfort in being in Emily's arms.

Emily smiled as she ran her hand through Naomi's hair. "You know I did."

"It didn't feel weird? Or hurt?" Naomi asked her. She couldn't not. Even if she knew Emily had enjoyed it, physically knew it, it was a scary concept that someone could love her after seeing her in that way. Someone who got off on controlling her partner. Someone who got off on punishing her partner. But Emily was holding her tight. She hadn't shied away once since the other night.

She laughed. "A little weird. At first.. but so was sex in the beginning... hurt? Hmm.. Well I can't say the spanking tickled." Emily laughed once more. "But it wasn't bad. You really need to hear this, don't you?" She kept playing with Naomi's hair. She nodded. "Yes, I loved it very much Naoms. I want this.. all of this with you." She touched Naomi's cheek gently. Sometimes people misunderstood relationships in general. Misunderstanding the ones that weren't bound by society's accepted norms was expected. But this, this was part of it. As the dominant cared for the submissive, the submissive also cared for the dominant. This was something Emily had learned on her own. She had read about it. She didn't really talk to Naomi about it, but she knew what to do tonight. "I love you."

...

a/n: next chapter is the Keffy aftermath from ch 27...