Notes:
We are starting to skirt the edges of the M-rating. Not quite there yet, though.

Moment 029: Peaceful Nights


The days are for working and – occasionally – for fighting off the few mirelurks who return from wherever mirelurks go to find their nest now very much reclaimed for human use. The nights, however, are theirs alone, and Piper is almost painfully aware of the surroundings they sleep in. A room for only them, with thick, stone walls and a heavy oak door that actually closes fully, a single, small window that only maybe a radroach could get through if it flew, and little to no chance of interruption unless there's an honest-to-God siege.

This is the most privacy and safety that they've ever had, and Piper isn't ashamed to admit – at least to herself - that she's extremely cognizant of what those circumstances could potentially lead to. She doesn't push, though, because what happened that first night - the fact that she just took without even thinking to check if Blue was okay with it - that scared her. Scares her, still, to the point where she can't even make herself curl up in her usual position half-sprawled over Blue; not unless Blue physically pulls her in.

Blue notices, of course, and is having absolutely none of it. It's a hair-fine balance where she seems to just know which lines to toe and which ones to leave alone, and it's humbling and breathtaking and wonderful how she refuses to let Piper withdraw, yet still allows her the space she needs in order to find her footing again.

Piper has never in her life had anyone be so patient; has never felt as cared for as she does when the day is done and there is peace and twosomeness and the only things breaking the silence are two sets of breathing and Blue's soft, repeated whispers of 'It's okay'; where she's held, but not held in place, and Blue gently leads her back to where they were, physically, step by tiny step.

It's incredible and at the same time also frightening, because to Piper, nothing about this feels like a purely physical thing. It feels like more, and that's dangerous on so many levels because there's still a chance that it's no more than wishful thinking.

But she's wishfully thinking it.

It takes almost two weeks of slow, careful guidance on Blue's part; of nights spent both on innocent cuddling and lazy conversation, and steadily more frequent kisses before Piper is comfortable pressing that close again. Even then – with February sliding into March and the air slowly warming - it doesn't feel right for her to be on top of Blue, but there is something undeniably safe about having Blue's weight on top of her instead; about that living warmth pressing into her, anchoring her, and about the slow rush of Blue's breathing against her mouth, the feather-light brush of a nose against her own and the tickle of hair against her cheeks.

It's intoxicating, how it makes her feel to have those watchful eyes on her; to hold that lovely face in her hands or twine her fingers in silky hair, and slowly realize that Blue really is exactly where she wants to be. That Piper is allowed to touch her like this; to - hesitantly, this time – slip her fingers under the very edges of the light clothing they've found to sleep in, and feel the shifting of subtle, slender muscle under soft skin when Blue breathes.

Every touch is electric, and somewhere very far away, Piper marvels at how easily and how strongly her body reacts to even the gentle, exploratory touches that are tracing over the side of her waist; especially since Blue – by her own admission – has only ever had a single lover in her entire life.

"Remember," comes the low murmur against the skin below her ear. "I have no idea what I'm doing, so feel free to offer pointers."

Pointers really don't seem necessary, so Piper puffs a laugh and tugs at that soft hair until they're breathing into each other's mouths. "If you do any better than this-" There's a slow touch slipping over the top of her hip, and her own fingers can feel the tension in those strong shoulders because Blue is that fraction heavier and therefore holding a portion of her own weight up on one elbow. "- you're going to pretty much set me on fire."

"Yeah?" Softly, on the edges of a purr that she can taste, and Piper curls a hand around Blue's neck and smiles.

"Yeah." Her voice is breathless because that's just what Blue does to her, and she gasps against those soft lips when they claim hers again because God, how could she not? It's slow and deep and perfect, and if she ever thought that sex between the two of them was an if instead of a when, then that theory has now been thoroughly disproved. Blue's hands are scorching against her skin in spite of the relative innocence in where she places them, and when they part enough to breathe, those eyes are lidded and dark and see nothing but her.

"What if I want to set you on fire?" The words are little more than a husky whisper against her cheek, and Piper closes her eyes and bites her lip when that warm mouth finds her jawline and traces it. "How would I go about doing that?"

Oh, God. "Uh..." It's really hard to think with the hot rush of Blue's breathing against the side of her throat. It's even harder to speak, and when those lips find her pulse point, there are several moments where all she can do is push her head back and try to remember how to breathe.

"Piper?"

She chuckles a little – mostly at herself – and pulls Blue back down when she lifts up; kissing her again and tasting the contented sigh on her own tongue. "Sorry," she then whispers; tracing a slow caress along Blue's hairline and feeling her lean into the touch. "You're apparently very good at distracting me."

"Hm." A gentle nibble at her lower lip. "And to think I wasn't even trying."

"No, huh?" Piper can't help but smile. "Not even a little?"

"Nope." Blue shakes her head, but the corners of her eyes are crinkling. "No idea what I'm doing, remember?"

"Brat." She brushes a handful of silky hair back because she loves the way it ripples down; shimmering in the low light from the single lantern and falling over her fingers like the finest thread. "Biting."

That makes Blue blink. Twice. "I'm sorry?"

Piper feels her face heat and hopes that the semi-darkness hides it, because yeah, okay, so maybe that answer was a little too abrupt, considering how long it's been since the question. "You, um... asked me. Something."

"I did." Interest now, instead of confusion, and Blue's voice dropping a few notes. "Biting, hm?" Her hand curls where it rests against Piper's side; enough for nails to press lightly against her skin. "Anywhere in particular?"

"No." It really is amazing how much of an effect a simple look from those eyes can have on her. She feels oddly short of breath under that gaze; enough that explaining further is possibly going to be a little tricky. Or maybe she's just looking for an excuse.

Either way, Piper lifts herself up; very aware of how Blue only barely pulls back as she does, and slowly enough that both their faces and bodies brush several times. "It's, um..." She settles herself on one elbow and noses at Blue's chin until her head turns. "It's actually a... very effective thing, with me."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Blue's skin is warm and soft, so she kisses it; first where her jaw curves and then her earlobe, which earns her a short, soft breath. "I don't mean... hard or... well. Just-" Gently, she presses her mouth against a spot on the underside of Blue jaw; lingering for a moment to just inhale her scent, and then carefully catching a fold of skin between her teeth for only a second before releasing it. "- that."

"That," Blue parrots; her voice a bare whisper that doesn't quite drown out the soft shifting of her fingers tightening around a fistful of blanket. Her nose, meanwhile, is brushing against Piper's temple; nudging until they're face to face again and Piper is excruciatingly aware of the heat of her body. "Anywhere?"

"Pretty much." It's almost as if she isn't getting enough air, and somewhere, she wonders if the electricity between them is using up the oxygen. She wants – definitely, dearly and desperately – but she isn't sure if giving in to that want is wise.

Blue is going to figure out what that look means sooner rather than later, and Piper isn't sure if she can keep from using it.

"Hey." The touch to her face seems to come out of nowhere. "Where did you go?"

Nowhere new. "Sorry." Part of her wants to duck away from those eyes, but with how close they are, that really isn't an option. "Blue? Do we have to kee- I mean, I know things got pretty heavy so I'm sor-"

"Stop." A finger against her lips and – when it moves away – a soft kiss and an easy smile. "Don't apologize. There's no rush, and it'll happen when it happens. Okay?"

Just like that. Piper nods, and wants to laugh and cry all at once because she definitely doesn't deserve this amazing woman.