October 2066

Satsuki again woke up earlier than Ryuko, although this time because the morning chill and the moisture of the dew were uncomfortable to her frail human body, but meant nothing to the perpetual furnace-heat of a hybrid. When Ryuko proved difficult to rouse, puttering and rolling over, Satsuki gave up and just scooped her up into her arms, which did cause Ryuko's eyes to open just a bit.

"… hey…"

"I guess I should've known you'd be a late riser."

"… This's nice. Carry me back to bed?" Not the sort of request Satsuki was about to turn down.

On the way, walking up the stairs oh-so carefully, it was obvious that Ryuko was only pretending to still be asleep, keeping quiet so as not to spoil this tender little moment they were sharing. Still, it gave Satsuki a moment to wonder again what the hell was happening to her, and what to do about the burning pull within her that said that this just wasn't enough. They still needed to be closer. But how?

Look at her, The straightforward, logical part of her mind cut in – she'd been ignoring it a lot this week, You know how. Get that blouse off her, jump on top of her, and …

… And what? Satsuki realized she had no real idea. The general idea was straightforward, she knew, but what did people do with their free hands during these things? She didn't even know what to do with them while kissing Ryuko. And what if she wasn't any good at it? What if it hurt? Ryuko was experienced, no matter what she claimed, and she'd demand equal performance. Which sounded odd to Satsuki with Ryuko cradled so peacefully in her arms, but it was still true.

This naivety. Obviously details like that don't matter, just passion. But…

She set Ryuko down on the bed, sat down beside her and watched as she made an "Ah" noise and snuggled into the covers.

But it was still impossible, Satsuki realized. She just couldn't consider it. It was like the whispers that Junketsu used to pipe into her skull. You had to erect walls around the wrong thoughts, never linger there long, never take them seriously.

What would it help, to satisfy that pull now? Even if they did have… sex… today, come tomorrow they'd just have to go back to normal, knowing they'd never be able to have that intimacy again. And that was so horrible, a sort of personal, emotional horrible that Satsuki didn't usually think about. Having to go back to normal knowing they'd never even be able to kiss again, or talk so openly, that was hard enough. But that was fine - she'd already resolved to spend much more time with Ryuko in the future, and really besides the physical closeness what would be different? They still loved each other, just as before

But Ryuko was the one who kissed me first. She's been the one to make the first move each time. Love is a physical thing for her. I'm sure she wants – no, expects more, Satsuki wondered fretfully if Ryuko would blame her for that, even though she was just looking out for them. She doesn't concern herself with such practically – I wish I could do the same. It will be hell for her come tomorrow.

Unless…

"God help me," She murmured morosely, shutting that idea down as soon as she'd thought it, "I've finally cracked, haven't I?"

"Huh?" Ryuko asked, cracking her eyes open. For her part all she saw was a sweet, serene, but slightly sad smile from Satsuki. The wife of Satsuki Kiryuin, she mused, as if I could ever be so lucky. But this is probably what it would feel like. What goes on in that pretty little head of hers, I wonder?

"Nothing. Just thinking."

"You do a lot of that."

"One of us has to."

"Thanks. What about?"

"If I said you, would that be unbearably romantic?"

"You sap," Ryuko smiled, but it concerned her a little. If Satsuki was thinking, it could only be about how soon this day would end. And she'd probably start wondering what the point of keeping this little charade up any longer was – reasonable, but not acceptable. She opened her eyes all the way and sprung up.

"I assumed you'd sleep more."

"Yeah, well my clothes are all dewy, and my hair's damp. Time for a shower," She started unbuttoning her blouse, but when she looked over at Satsuki she froze. Because she was also frozen, staring in alarm – partially alarm at her own interest, but alarm, nevertheless. "Pssht. Screw that," Ryuko decided, "You've seen me naked plenty, what do you give a shit for?"

"You're right, of course. What was I thinking," Satsuki said with an awkward chuckle. Ryuko continues undressing, but she didn't look back at Satsuki as she did so.

So when she turned around and found her also undressed it was quite a surprise. Again, they stared at each other in surprise. Ryuko's initial reaction of "Why has she done this?" was overshadowed immediately when she noticed that Satsuki had taken off her bra too, and - My god I really wish I was Mako right now. Just having the precedent of groping people out of the blue would be heaven right now. But Mako will be Mako, and I'm not her, and Why The Hell Did She Do This?

It was Satsuki who broke the silence when she noticed that Ryuko's face had taken on an uncomfortable looking red color, suddenly worried that her own snap decision to undress had been the wrong one, "You know, I sort of imagined that after we got rid of most of the life-fibers nudity would become no big deal in human society. But I guess it's still an engrained instinct to cover our bodies, and those don't go away overnight."

"Well, ah, I mean I wear clothes because I like how I look in them. Isn't that enough?"

"Perhaps. Maybe that's a good philosophy to have. An alliance between humans and our clothing."

"I mean if that's how you wanna think of it be my guest… er, you didn't think we were gonna shower… together, right?"

"No, I…" Satuski trailed off, trying to figure out if Ryuko wanted her to say yes, wanted her to make this a reality, Naked, wet bodies pressed against each other, Satsuki felt a sudden rise in that burning pull inside of her, and all of a sudden she was terrified, No, I can't consider that. "My clothes got soaked by the dew as well, it's uncomfortable. I'll just wait here."

"Well yeah, you got that right," Ryuko said as she turned to the bathroom. The instinctive part of her screamed at her to make her move now, there'd never be another better time, but instead she said, "Alright, I'm wearing my own outfit today, okay? Can ya put that jacket in the dryer or something?" She looked back at Satsuki and saw a sort of confused, lost look on her face. "What?"

Another layer of intimacy, another boundary they should never have crossed and which would make it even more impossible to return to normal life, shattered. She was losing control over things again, which of course she was, that always happened with Ryuko. But even now, the pull didn't stop. It burned more than ever, and Satsuki had to distract herself with boring, practical thoughts of work to keep it at bay.

"Actually," Satsuki began, thinking back to the day before when Ryuko had listed her best features and basically included every part of her body, how it felt to be so obviously, unabashedly, and yet purely desired like that. Maybe Ryuko would like that too. "I quite like the way you look like this, too."

Ah Jesus fuck, why is she so cute? Ryuko could feel the blush growing, and the fantasy of climbing onto her lap and saying, "Then I'm yours, forever, to use however you like," felt like it was within reach.

"Heh, you really are a sap. A sap who's really got to get laid, but still," She kept on walking, but right when she reached the bathroom door turned around and said, "I like the way you look too, you know."

As she heard the water run, and as Ryuko wondered if she's said the right thing right then, Satsuki flopped onto the bed and stared up and Amaterasu's impassive face, flush with the power of godly enlightenment. She rested on hand on her forehead, the other on her belly. Nowhere else on her body felt especially clean to touch right then.

They spend the rest of the day much as they had the last, hiking up into the nearby woodland, playing more sports, eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner together, even at one point taking a rowboat out to one of the empty mansions to snoop around.

On that ride Satsuki lost a bet – badly – that Ryuko couldn't grab a duck off the surface of the lake. It was an amazing sight to see her porpoise across the water at unreal speeds, snatching the poor creature before it even had a chance to react (she soaked another set of clothing doing it, but oh well). And with a few reassuring coos and a firm but gentle grip it calmed down enough to be pet before they let it flutter off to rejoin its little duck family.

The price for losing that bet was pulling up in secluded nook on the way back from the mansion for about an hour, lost in each other and the gentle rocking of the rowboat, the quiet, peaceful swaying of the leaves on the surrounding trees.

Maybe Satsuki wanted to lose that bet, who could say?

But despite it being sheer bliss, Satsuki's was only human with less than unlimited energy. Normally she'd have powered through, but Ryuko noticed that she'd taken on that quiet, listless attitude of someone who was tired but didn't want to admit it.

"So, wanna run a marathon next?" She quipped as a waiter cleared their dinner plates away.

Satsuki hum-chuckled, "Is this your way of asking if I've had my fill of physical activity for today?"

"Could be."

"I'd be upset if you thought I was so easily exhausted, but I must admit that this is a rare break for me, and no break would be complete without time to unwind."

"Without me, you mean."

"What? Of course not."

"Sats, c'mon, I know you. I know you're not the type of person who likes to spend all day around other people. It's okay."

"Don't be absurd. Well, other people, yes, but not you."

Ryuko leaned back in her chair, trying to puzzle out what to say next. It was so easy to forget, because of how confident and collected she looked most of the time, that Satsuki didn't understand some very simple things about relationships. "You really can't think of a time you've been sick of me? I mean I can sure think of plenty fights we've had. Er, old days aside, I mean."

Satsuki sighed, "Fine. Twist my arm. I'll admit it can be… draining around other people, constantly maintaining my image. I've been doing it a long time, and I don't know how it seems to you but it's far from effortless. And it can be like that with even you, sometimes."

"Right, so if you feel like -,"

"Actually, I should be honest. Especially with you."

"Aw, Sats, you know you don't need to. You think I really give a shit about your image?"

"Maybe you do more than you think. Why not make sure you see me at my best?" Satsuki so badly wanted to tell Ryuko about how tired she was, this strange feeling that at age twenty-one she was already done with everything important in her life. But she couldn't shake this feeling that Ryuko didn't want to know that, in spite of what she said.

"Bullshit," Ryuko reached over the table to gently wrap her fingers around Satsuki's hand. She'd decided what she wanted to say, but the moment she started talking it changed, "All I want is to see past the image Sats. I feel like – I feel like this weekend I've gotten to glimpse that, but you're telling me you're still tryin' to keep me from seeing the real you. I dunno. Feels like you're holding out on me."

Satsuki didn't know what to say to that, and for a moment Ryuko was worried that she'd said the wrong thing.

"Now c'mon, what do you most want to do right now?"

"Honestly? Now seems like the perfect time to curl up with a book and some tea."

"Then you go do that!"

"Well, if you insist," Yes, that did sound nice, now that she thought about it, "But then, if you really want to see me not trying to keep up any image, why not come along?"

"Oh! Well I guess," Ryuko shrugged, "I mean, are you sure?"

"Yes. With you, Ryuko, I want to be able to relax the way I can alone," Maybe that is what it will take to make this feeling go away. And I didn't even realize I was doing it! "But! There must be no talking and no fidgeting. As if you weren't even there. This is quiet time."

"Well duh. If that's what it takes to make you let your guard down I'll be still as a statue!"

Satsuki gave her a look that said quite clearly, "Are you sure you're even capable of that?"

"You just watch me!"

Ryuko kept her promise, to Satsuki's complete surprise. They sat stretched out in the conversation pit in the master bedroom, Satsuki with her tea and her book (a psychology book for her dissertation). The irony wasn't lost on her that she could read all about these disfunctions and insecurities in others but needed Ryuko to see them in herself. I guess I should be more honest with everyone else too. They probably still think I'm some kind of machine-woman. Well, even the best made machine eventually wears down, I suppose.

To Ryuko she seemed to change a lot and not at all at once. She'd almost been disappointed by how little she seemed to change until she noticed a subtle slump, back sinking into the cushions with the weight of the world on her shoulders, the sort of deeply relaxed serenity that came upon her face, the drowsy way her eyes flicked with each page turned. She looked like she'd doubled her age in an instant, but somehow that only made her more graceful and beautiful than ever.

I might be the immortal one, but Satsuki's still gonna be beautiful until the day she dies. I hope I'm doing a good job; I hope I'm not distracting her. I wonder how long it's been – no, it doesn't matter. In her position, laying right on top of Satsuki facing the other direction so that Satsuki's chin rested on her shoulder, there was much room to squirm without Satsuki's permission, especially since their legs were entwined. Usually Ryuko was the one getting clambered on, the one whose grip constrained her partner and set their pace. But not having that control could be nice too. Because it's Satsuki. Only because it's her. If anyone else said "you're now my living hot water bottle" they'd get a quick shove. Not just anybody bosses me around.

And Satsuki would've said Ryuko was doing a good job, even though she was proving a powerful distraction. She'd blame that undernourished part of her mind that had never gotten the chance to progress beyond an early teenager – caught up in how close Ryuko's breasts, groin, legs, and all the rest were. Or maybe that scientific side that felt all the little miniature movements of Ryuko's breath, her blood pumping, her muscles twitching, her digestion working beneath it, and marveled that this was a real, living person who'd decided to let her treat her like a big ragdoll. She had to think of them as seperate parts of her mind because they kept coming up with thoughts and feelings on their own, and soon they were so distraction that she had to stop reading.

And just bask in Ryuko's presence.

I'm sure she felt so overwhelmed by having someone near, when she first started dating. She's right, I waited too long. I've only made it harder for myself. But still, this is so nice!

Giving up on reading did give her plenty of time to think though, and to come to a decision about that pulling feeling that just wouldn't go away. Confessing her love hadn't done it, spending this weekend with Ryuko hadn't either, even being completely relaxed and genuine with her still wasn't close enough. It could only be one thing. She opened her mouth, but Ryuko appeared to have drifted off, bless her.

"Ryuko. Ryuko?"

"Mmm? Yeah Sats?" Ryuko murmured.

"I want to have sex with you."

For that, Satsuki was treated to the adorable sight of Ryuko's face going open-mouthed and beet red as she tried to parse what was just said. Holy shit holy shit holyshit what? Is this what I get for telling her to be completely genuine?

Am I really gonna turn down a direct request like that?

"Damn girl, uh, that's forward, I respect that," Ryuko sat up, grabbing the hem of her shirt and preparing to yank it off.

"Now hold on, let me finish."

"Eh?" Ryuko made a confused noise.

"That was just to get your attention," Satsuki explained slyly. "Although your reaction was… nice, if not quite what I expected."

"Pfft hahaha-holy shit Satsuki! Is this what I get for telling you to let your guard down – I didn't even know you could joke like that!" Satsuki glowed with pride that she'd managed to make Ryuko laugh. "What's next, you start swearing?"

"Would you like that?"

"It would be beyond hilarious, no lie."

"Well that's very kind, but listen, please. I'm going to try to put something I've been feeling this weekend into words. And… address what we should do going forward"

Ryuko nodded and curled up expectantly, but her heart sank. Yes, it was finally time. Satsuki ran a hand through Ryuko's hair as she continued, "It is true, though. I do want to have sex with you. But not like this."

"I mean why, what's wrong with like this?" Ryuko said, in part playing devil's advocate but also realizing she suddenly wanted it more than ever.

"Well – no, you already know what's wrong – you're not going to trick me so easily," Satsuki seemed taken aback, "We said we'd set boundaries, but everything we've done this weekend had been shattering them, one by one. And that would be fine, but – what are you smirking about, stop that!"

"Heh. I'm the only one who gets to see you all flustered like this," Ryuko gloated, "I love that."

"Ahem! As I was saying, that would be fine, but tomorrow morning we have to go back to society, and if we cannot pretend for all the world that this never happened there will be consequences."

"No! Don't say that!" Ryuko was suddenly reminded of something she'd tried very purposefully to forget that Rei knew about them, that they were still on the verge of breaking up, that she was supposed to have a future with Rei, and couldn't with Satsuki. She buried her face into Satsuki's chest and blurted urgently, "Let's just stay here forever. What do they need us for anyway?"

"Hmm. Now who's being flustered?"

"Yeah well why not? I don't want to go back. Everything's so simple here."

"I know, I know. Listen, I know that just as well as you. I was serious when I said I wanted to marry you before. But for all the wrong reasons. In the world I lived in back then, a spouse was a trophy, a political tool. I wanted to parade you around at balls: 'the great barbarian, tamed'-"

"-Pfft!"

"- I'd still love to see you in a ball gown. There are so many things I've wished I could share with you, or that I could show you for the first time. But that doesn't change that I was a fool back then. I never thought you were capable of this, I never thought I wanted this. And all this weekend I've had this unbearable desire, more than just sexual, and now I know what it is. I want to end every evening like this, share all my thoughts and worries with you and hear yours, and yes, I do want you to be the first and only person I… I experience sexual relations with; everything that everyone else gets so easily!"

Ryuko was practically tearing up just from that, but Satsuki went on, "And I imagine that you feel much the same way, although the details I can't fathom – you've lived a much fuller life than I, not as much tied up in me as I have in you." How could you think that? Ryuko wondered, but Satsuki was on a roll now. "I have been a fool to deprive myself of this for so long, because now that desire will torment me until my dying day so long as we are apart. But who else could ever be as worthy as you?"

Ryuko sprung back, alarmed, "But Sats, you can't mean that's how it's got to be, right? You're not really just gonna end it now, right?"

Satsuki didn't look at all surprised by her reaction, and instead addressed Ryuko with a serious look, "And do you think it's possible then, Ryuko, for us to show our love freely and publicly?"

"I dunno, maybe? Wha- we don't ask much from the world, can't they just give us this? It's not like other Kiryuins haven't done worse!"

"Other Kiryuins knew better than to marry siblings. They kept it on the plausibly deniable side; cousins and such. And besides, part of my appeal is reform from the corruption of the Kiryuin era."

"Yeah, I know. And I get that you're worried that if you lose your popularity with the people you won't be able to fix everything that's wrong with the world, I do. But I don't think you realize how loved we are. I-I have my own religion!"

"You are loved universally and unconditionally. I…"

"What, you seriously think people don't love you?"

"Polls indicate that a considerable portion of the population still sees me as power-hungry or… robotic. And especially in other countries. My advisors – including Nonon – have suggested that appearing in public with a girlfriend might help dispel that image but…"

"You're kidding. How could they not love you?"

"It's irrelevant, really. If I can make my contribution to the world, my personal life will be of little concern," Satsuki said, but Ryuko could see sadness in her eyes. She didn't deserve, after everything, to still have people who distrusted her. She fell back into Satsuki's arms again.

"But listen, that isn't all I'm worried about. Our friends and family, what about them?"

Right. Fucking shit. "I-I mean they'll be happy for us, right?" Mako would be thrilled. But what about her new parents? She couldn't imagine disappointing them. And what about Mataro? God, how could she explain it to any of them? Part of her wanted to believe they'd be happy for her no matter what, but how could she know. And Soroi, what a thing to dump on him in his retirement! If he ever found fault in his lady, now would be the time.

"What about Rei?"

"Fuck. She knows."

"Yes, and she could tell them all. But she hasn't yet, which says at least she knows how important my reputation is."

"Fuck. I mean, it could be bad. Maybe, maybe not. What do we do?"

"Now you understand our situation, I see. Well, fortunately for you this quiet time has given me the opportunity to think, and I've come up with what I think will be our best option going forward. And I'll lay it out in a plainly, I'm sure you'll hate that," Despite her misery, Ryuko smiled at that. Something about Satsuki's tenderness in that moment made her certain she wouldn't hate this plan. "And of course, if you object we will discuss this. Clearly, rationally."

"Right."

"But once we agree, you have to – for once – adhere to the plan."

"You say that like I've ever disobeyed you before."

"Disobedience and willful sabotage of my war efforts are not that far apart."

"Alright, alright whatever. Let's hear it."

"Okay. As we have both agreed, going open with our relationship is not entirely possible -,"

"-Well not agreed, but-," Ryuko interrupted.

"-But it's far too risky. But at the same time, I've realized that I haven't been giving my work my all lately. Until this weekend I've been feeling so, so tired. And I need you to keep myself from feeling that way again."

"-Aww, it's almost like you love me or something.-"

"-So this is what I'm proposing. We can live like this, but only at my home – the gardener's cottage on the old Kiryuin Manor grounds. It is secluded, very few people know I live there, and nobody ever visits," That sounds kind of lonely, Ryuko thought, No wonder she needs me so bad "You may spend the night twice per week, no more to avoid any suspicion. By day, we will appear as nothing more than affectionate sisters, as it should be. After all, can we not enjoy most of what we've done this weekend without our hands and lips all over each other?"

"Well, not as much. But yeah. That's what we've already been doing, kind of."

"Indeed. Truthfully, all that's really changed is the possibility of brief moments between us – and I will think of them as mental health maintenance, not just romance."

"Well I suppose that's how it's got to be. I don't like hiding it from our friends and family, but at least I can still see you like this… Ah, fuck but what about Rei? I – she – look, she's gonna come back eventually I'm sure, but if she finds out about this or even suspects it I don't know what she's gonna do."

"Ah yes, that is the last unresolved piece of this puzzle," Satsuki sighed, "I want you to break up with Rei."

Ryuko blinked, "I mean, er, well that's not my decision to make. I mean, what am I supposed to say!" She truly couldn't envision what she might say, what Rei might do after that. What reason would she have not to tell everyone? "You can't just tell me to do something like that. I don't even know if I want that! I don't think I do," She finished more quietly.

"I know," Satsuki smiled as though she saw that reaction coming. "As you said, sometimes we don't get what we want. But I need you to know that it hurts me – so, so deeply - to know that I can't call you mine and mine alone, especially when as you well know you can do so to me."

"Man, you need to talk to Mako, because I've tried to explain what it's like for us – to be able to love more than one person – but you still don't believe it. I guess only she can make it sound right."

"No, I believe it for her. But you, your heart is not all sunshine like Mako's – she loves the entire human race on sight. You have too much of the Kiryuin ruthlessness, plus your own cynicism. You don't have love in unlimited supply."

"Gee, thanks," Ryuko muttered.

"Oh please, don't look like that, you know I wouldn't have you any other way."

"Yeah, well still. You ask me to break up with a girlfriend who I can, y'know, be out in the open with? What's that look like? If it happens, it happens. Look, how about this – I'll break up with Rei when you agree to date me openly."

Satsuki furrowed her eyebrows, "Not a deal I can make. But that is my point, I suppose. If you may date other women, you must allow me to do so as well. On both sides our relationship must be invisible."

"Oh, well of course. But you're not actually going to, right?"

"If it were of my own volition, no. But I must be honest, Ryuko: The government is currently considering a diplomatic marriage between myself and the daughter of the Executive Minister of Australia. If it goes though, we will peaceably annex both the country and the surrounding islands. I'm not terribly comfortable with this method of diplomacy but being able to spread our reforms there might be worth it. And judging by your face, you wish I'd told you this much sooner."

"Well yeah! I mean what the hell Sats that's like, primo despot shit! Why would you go along with this, and with a girl you don't even know? I mean, shit is she even gay?"

"Make no mistake, this will not be a conquering – more of a league of like-minded nations."

"Well sure, fine, but what about the girl?"

"Oh, well truth be told I don't know. I fear it may be a loveless match, but if it goes through, I will do my duty. She is supposed to be quite lovely though," Satsuki finished with a wistful tone that said it didn't matter to her at all, and she was instead thinking about the starving children in Australia's slums that she could save. And all the other ones across the world, who would have their time one day soon too. "Why are you looking at me like that? Don't cry, it's alright, this is the path I've chosen.

Ryuko had barely noticed the mist growing in her eyes. She cuddled in even further into Satsuki's bosom, "I want to do more for you than just two nights a week. I know, I can't. But you gotta tell me these things from now on, okay? I can tell you don't wanna do it, but if you don't tell me how can I help you."

"Okay. I'll try. Thankyou, Ryuko," Satsuki murmured, looking down into her gear-shaped pupils with the dreadful symmetry. How cute Ryuko looked, sitting there with only her glassy eyes and the bridge of her nose visible over the curve of her breasts. Yes, that's it Ryuko. All the sadness and sweetness you can't show to anyone else, cry it into me.

Ryuko never did cry, but they did both sit there thinking for a while. Thinking and soaking in each other. Maybe too much. It was so nice to be in the arms of someone as strong and brave and yet so… mystifyingly innocent as Satsuki. She really was perfect.

"God you smell so good," Ryuko said after that long pause, and Satsuki could feel the vibration of her voice. She realized her blouse was thin, but it needed to be so, so much thinner. "Are we done talking about this? I think we agree right?"

"If you accept my plan, then certainly," Satsuki sighed, "And doesn't it feel much better having it settled?"

Ryuko nodded, seeming to purposefully push herself even further in. Satsuki let out the softest of little noises when she – oh no, "Ryuko? What're you doing?"

"I'm sorry," She lifted her head, and yes, she had somehow managed to undo a couple of buttons with her teeth, nice and neat, "You just looked so cute. I don't know why now more than ever."

"Come here," Satsuki pulled her up face to face, "Put that mouth to better use." This time, the kiss was long and deep and came with a sort of buzzing in Satsuki's head. Ryuko's hunger grew even fiercer then, with a flush of relief at the realization that the joys this weekend had brought wouldn't end. That meant then, what reason did they have not to go all the way?

She sat up, wrapping an arm around Satsuki's prone midriff so her back arched, and put her tongue into the kiss even more fiercely. Satsuki let out a deep exhalation through her nose and noise half between a moan and a muffled, girlish giggle. Again she felt a swirl of emotions she'd never known before – completely under the spell of Ryuko's sudden burst of enthusiasm. So this is how Ryuko shows her excitement, now that our affair won't end tomorrow. How wonderful!

When they finally parted for breath she gasped and said, "I want you to know this: even if the ring on my finger doesn't belong to you, you'll always own my heart."

"Geez, what is this a movie? I know that you dumbass!" She said with a grin, and just then managed to get another button open on Satsuki's blouse and shove her hand right onto Satsuki's bare skin, eliciting a little surprised noise. "I'll treat it gentle, I promise."

Satsuki suddenly became aware she was losing some kind of race when she felt precise fingers unclasp her bra, and her hands flew to Ryuko's shirt, yanking it up her body until it caught below her breasts. After that flurry of activity they paused, and Satsuki looked to Ryuko's eyes, realizing she was jealous of how in-sync Ryuko's instincts were. Hers were pounding into her head with a heartbeat that drowned everything out. "What are we doing here?" she asked, surprised to see herself doing this.

"Well, what's to stop us now? If we're gonna see each other again, why not?"

"No but – you're serious?"

"Very. And besides, we gotta make sure you're trained for your Aussie betrothed, right?" Ryuko quipped with a mischievous grin, but she was suddenly aware that Satsuki might be nervous. She was lucky her first time had been with Mako, both of their first times, and more experimentation than anything. But Satsuki was lucky too, because her first time would be with someone who knew what she was doing.

"Yes… I suppose it's time. Although just to clarify – that's only a possibility," Satsuki said as she finished unbuttoning and taking off her blouse. Ryuko took her shirt off as well, and for a moment they stared at each other again, bare stomachs pressed against each other. The taste of Satsuki's lips, mingled with the wine from dinner, filled Ryuko's mouth like melted chocolate.

She doesn't know what to do, poor thing.

"Don't stress about it, okay? Just do what comes naturally."

"Naturally, yes," Satsuki murmured, and when Ryuko bent back to unclasp her own bra her lips leapt to the base of Ryuko's neck, and she was rewarded by a high-pitched gasp. There it was – that angelic turn to Ryuko's voice that had broken her resolve back then. Through the door it had been ethereal, airy ; in person, it was something else entirely. Something musky and heavy with desire.

"Ah! Sats!" She shouldn't have been surprised that Satsuki would be a natural, but she still couldn't believe it. Have to pay her back for that one, she thought dizzily as her bra hit the ground next to her and she dove back on top of Satsuki, running her hands all along her body. And when her fingers grazed along one of Satsuki's nipples and her breathing went labored and noisy, she knew she'd done just that.

But there was still tension in Satsuki's shoulders. Right, first time. I have to take it careful here, slow and steady. But it was hard to fight back her excitement that this was really happening, or the pounding desire that had reached a fever pitch now. Her legs and back twitched uncomfortably, probably because she was pinching a nerve laying on her side, but it felt like they were demanding that she get on with it already.

"Okay, I'm gonna start now, you ready?"

"Start?" Satsuki asked breathily, isn't this it? Ryuko had a hold on her skirt and underwear at once, and as she pulled them down Satsuki's thighs all the instincts, she'd been doing so well to keep under control went wild. The burning feeling had become arousal – a sensation Satsuki had never learned to embrace, only drive away.

Wait, this is happening too fast!

We haven't thought this through!

Why is she doing this to me! What's happening to me!

Those three overpowering instincts – fight back, let it happen, enjoy it - warred in her, underneath conscious thought, and before Satsuki knew what was happening it was over. The moment Ryuko dug her fingers into the smooth, firm muscle of Satsuki's inner thigh one of them won out: fight back.

"Hey!" Ryuko shouted in surprise as Satsuki's hand shot up of it's own volition and stiff-armed her back by the shoulder. "What the hell Sats!" But when she noticed the look of fright on Satsuki's face, everything came back to her. Not just that this was her first time, but all the horrible stuff that she knew but had never confirmed that Ragyo had done to her.

Oh God. What have I done?

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry," They both said at once, then both opened their mouths to say "Why are you apologizing", but Satsuki realized it was going to happen so only Ryuko spoke.

"Why the hell are you apologizing Sats?"

"I didn't mean to do that