Author Note: As I've been coming up to this point in the story, I found myself procrastinating and trying to put it off for as long as possible. I really wanted this chapter to be perfect in how everything is described and how the chapters before build up to this moment. Writing it was a bit agonizing and felt like trying to run through water. But at least it's done and I can always come back to tweak it later as I continue along.
Chapter 36 Pop-Quiz Answer:
1 - What's the rating of this story?
Rated M(for some language and some lemon)
I don't own Sailor Moon or any songs and have tried to the best of my ability to site my references.
Takeuchi, N. (1991). Sailor Moon. Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan: Kodansha Ltd.
Caillat, C. and Reeves, J. (2007). Magic [Recorded by Colbie Caillat]. On Coco [CD], New York, New York: Universal Republic Records.
Davidson, D., Haywood, D., Kelley, C., and Scott, H. (2011). Just a Kiss [Recorded by Lady Antebellum]. On Own the Night [CD], Nashville, Tennessee: Capitol Records Nashville.
Perri, C. (2011). Arms [Recorded by Christina Perri]. On Lovestrong [CD], Los Angeles, California: Atlantic Records.
Argyle and Jackson, J. (2007). What If I Stay [Recorded by Melanie C]. On This Time [CD], London, United Kingdom and New York, New York: Red Girl Records and Warner Music Group
Chapter 37:
- You've got magic inside your finger tips. It's leaking out all over my skin. Every time that I get close to you, you're making me weak with the way you look through those eyes. But all I see is your face. All I need is your touch. Wake me up with your lips. Come at me from up above. Yeah, oh I need you. -
The sounds of soft, romantic music continued to stream through Minako's phone which she had left on before going to see the beautiful archer in the fire room. It now served as a comfortable backdrop for the two women in the small space.
"Ah," a delicate gasp escaped from Rei's alluring lips as she felt warm, soft lips trail slowly down the column of her neck. Her skin came alive as they slowly traveled across her, leaking strands of orange-gold flames into her like droplets of paint. Her left hand was buried within golden tresses while her right arm was wrapped around Minako's warm, lithe form, holding her close.
She was no match against the gravity of that warm and wonderfully gentle flame and its addictive pull on her being as it captivated all of her attention. She couldn't fight it, didn't want to fight it, wanting to give herself over to its power and allow it to do with her what it will, mold her into whatever it wanted. And she would let it, given it would be so merciful as to allow her to fall further into it.
And even then, it wasn't enough. She needed more of it, craved for it to be impossibly closer, yearning for it to devour her very essence.
Her mind quieted as she melted into every sensation. No thoughts were needed as she gave the gorgeous blonde full permission to follow her instincts and communicate in the language she was so fluent in. She let all of her internal walls down, letting more of that intoxicating glow to stream into her so she could listen fully and attentively to all that the smaller woman had to figuratively say.
She moaned quietly as she felt the gorgeous blonde move, felt those lips returned to hers again to kiss her deeply. Their tongues caressed each other slowly and sensually. Rei drank from the kiss gratefully, savoring the headiness of it all as she felt that gentle flame pour into her through her mouth, filling her with its warmth.
Since coming into Rei's room, every kiss the gorgeous blonde offered up, every reverent touch, every soft, endearing look seemed to carry a message, a statement, a silent promise, that Minako would keep her safe, would never harm her or allow harm to come to her. Rei could taste it on her lips, feel it run along the edges of her skin in the form of those intoxicatingly warm, inviting colors that were being imparted onto her. It seemed be all around her, soaking into her, everywhere all at once, surrounding her very being in her warmth. She could feel how much Minako cared for her through every touch and those distinct colors.
And Rei believed it. Believed in her. She no longer had any reasons to be anxious about Minako touching her, being so close to her. She resigned her very self willingly over to Minako's care, not just because she was thoroughly hypnotized by the flames of her aura, but because she knew now that the blonde woman resting on top of her, causing her body to move in ways beyond her control, drawing sounds from her she never knew existed within her, was the one she was meant to be with. Possibly even destined to be with.
Those enticing lips slowly left hers, providing Rei the luxury to pant uninhibited from all the sensations that were being enacted on her form, taking in the familiar, intoxicating scent of strawberries that was so distinctly Minako.
"Mmmm," a desperate and needy moan, a touch higher in pitch than usual, tumbled out of her as she felt a new and tantalizing sensation. As her body arched into the feeling, she felt a hand glide to the small of her back, as if it had predicted her movements. It molded to her, catching her and holding her closer to the gorgeous blonde's warmth. Her left hand grasped Minako's silky hair tighter in response, her right arm fall away to desperately grasp the bedding beneath her tightly.
Hazy amethysts fluttered open to see what was causing that delicious sensation and were met by the image of the gorgeous blonde, eyes closed in focused concentration…
…with her mouth wrapped around Rei's sensitive nipple, sucking agonizingly slowly on it while teasing it with her tongue and teeth.
The sight only served to heighten the sensation as her darkened violets rolled back into her head, focusing her attention fully on it and every bit of contact on her sensitive skin that was being graced by those orange-gold flames exuding from Minako's being. She was quickly losing herself between these new sensations on her body and that aura that was coursing through her.
Both in tandem ignited and fueled an unspeakable urge within her that pooled deep within her core and was being fanned to unimaginable heights with every passing moment.
- I've never opened up to anyone. So hard to hold back when I'm holding you in my arms. We don't need to rush this. Let's just take it slow. Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight. Just a touch of the fire burning so bright. And I don't want to mess this thing up. I don't want to push too far. Just a shot in the dark that you just might be the one I've been waiting for my whole life. -
Hooded sapphires opened to gaze up towards the beautiful miko's face. Though there was nothing else but the light of the moon illuminating the space through the window and the thin shoji door screens, it was more than enough for Minako to take in the image of the taller women beneath her. Rei's eyes were shut tightly, mouth open as those soft and sultry gasps continued to escape from her.
A small smile came to her alluring lips as she heard those sounds and felt the beautiful raven shutter and move reflexively in response to her ministrations. Given her proficient knowledge of all things sensual, Minako could tell that the alluring miko was losing herself in what was being done to her, seeming to enjoy it even.
A part of her still couldn't believe this was actually happening, was still taken aback by their current provocative positioning. Once she had led the beautiful miko back to her bedroom, the taller woman had allowed her to silently, almost submissively, undress her, lay her down on the futon mattresses, and explore every inch of her skin.
She had fantasized countless times what this moment would be like, visualized in her mind all the things she wanted to do to Rei's pale and perfect form, imagined what it would feel like, taste like, what Rei would sound like if ever given the opportunity. Gods, it was so much more than anything she could have ever dreamed up. She savored each gifted second, fully appreciating Rei's strikingly flawless form, slowly deciphering its hidden secrets.
But she was also careful, cautiously deliberate, not wanting to push Rei too far or too fast. She took her time, experimenting, discovering, reading every minute reaction to every contact she made with the beautiful, raven-haired creature pinned beneath her, until she had gradually worked her up to a hyper-sensitive state of being.
She gently released her hold on Rei's now swollen nipple, pausing to allow her a moment to relax back down on the soft bedding, before she moved to gently take the other one in her mouth, causing the beautiful raven to sharply suck air in between her teeth, her body arching into her again from the sensation.
That pale skin, those full breasts, this toned form…Gods, how could such perfection even exist in this universe?
She was more than aware that she was perhaps the only person in the world ever to witness this mesmerizing being in the flesh. She found herself deeply humbled by it and how vulnerable Rei was allowing herself to be with her, given her propensity towards panic attacks under such circumstances.
The only thing on her mind, the one thing it had been focused on throughout her thorough examination of Rei's being, was wanting to bring as much pleasure as she could to the beautiful miko before her. To make her feel something close to what she herself felt when she was around her. Rei's pale form was her canvas and she wanted to expressively paint her feelings on it, wanting to cover ever inch of her perfect form with them, intending for each brushstroke to be created soley her hands, her body, her lips, her tongue. She wanted to pour all of her unspeakable feelings into every crevice of Rei's being until there was no room for doubt or questions as to whether the beautiful miko meant anything to her.
Because Rei did mean a great deal to her. More than she was willing to venture comprehending outside of imparting it onto her as she was currently doing.
She gently released Rei's other nipple from her lips and the beautiful woman's body rolled sensually in reaction, gasping and panting from the aftershock of it. Minako could tell that the taller woman most likely wouldn't be able to take much more teasing given how strongly she reacted to even the slightest touch. She wanted to continue, to take things further…
But she also wanted to be sure. To know that Rei was ready for this and wanted this as well.
Rei's skin hummed and shivered as she felt Minako's warm, nude form slide gently up her own. Those soft lips that had brought her unknown pleasures met hers again in another sensual kiss. She responded needily, almost desperately, silently begging for Minako to somehow quell the overwhelming need that had grown and was now churning fiercely within her.
The kiss ended gently and she could feel the gorgeous blonde pulled away slightly. Rei let out a small whimper of frustration as her hooded amethysts opened to see where Minako had gone. She was met by deep, hesitant cobalts that seemed to have questions within them. A tint of anxiety began lacing within the orange-gold flames that were seeping into her as the smaller woman silently regarded her. She could tell that Minako was waiting, watching, looking for any sign from Rei that would signal for her to stop.
Even in the dim moonlight, Minako could see that those hauntingly, rare lavenders had taken on a darkened haziness to them. The same ones she had seen when the beautiful woman asked her to touch her only days before. They had the same effect on her, instilling a bit of fear due to the depths of their color. A part of her wanted to look away, to break the ominous spell they were beginning to cast upon her.
But she couldn't. She couldn't forsake them, couldn't deny them as they tugged at her heart with their intensity.
A moment passed before she felt a soft hand gently cup her cheek, the thumb softly stroking comfortingly.
"I trust you," Rei whispered breathily, responding to the smaller woman's unspoken concerns. Her smooth voice carried a tone that was meant to assure the gorgeous blonde, to alleviate her worries, and let her know that she wanted the gorgeous blonde to continue.
And that was all Minako needed to hear.
Rei's eyelids fluttered slightly as she watched Minako's hooded sapphires darken, the gentle flame of her aura beginning to strengthen in response to her simple statement. Kami-sama, every fiber in her desperately wanted those flames to burn through her like a wildfire, leaving nothing but the devastation of her own remains in its wake.
She allowed her eyes to fall closed as Minako leaned in to capture her lips again, just as deeply as before but with a touch more passion. Rei wrapped her arms around the smaller woman as she felt the gorgeous blonde lower herself back on top of her. She was quickly carried back into the mercy of those addictive flames and that sensual body as they enveloped her in their warmth.
As she continued to allow the gorgeous blonde's enticing tongue to dance sensually with her own, her breath hitched as she felt a warm hand glide down from her shoulder, through the valley between her breasts, down her toned stomach to rest gently in between her legs. Shivering in anticipation and a touch of nervousness, Rei slowly parted her legs to allow that hand more access to its intended destination.
"Mmmm!," the beautiful raven moaned loudly into Minako's mouth as the gorgeous blonde dipped the tip of one of her fingers gently into her. She felt Rei's breath quicken as her pale arms grasped her tightly, holding on to Minako for stability and keeping her from going anywhere else.
Gods, Minako could see now how much her ministrations had affect Rei, could feel them coat the tips of her fingers as she began slowly exploring her, finding the small mound of nerves she was looking for within those slick folds. She held the taller woman closer, protectively, as she began stroking it with care, massaging in slow, deliberate circles. She felt every convulsion of the beautiful raven's body from the shock of each movement, relished every desperately gasp and moan. They made her insides clench deliciously, causing her to roll unconsciously against Rei's toned form in response.
"Ah!," the beautiful miko cried out, breaking their passionate kiss as two of Minako's elegant fingers moved lower and slid slowly, deeply into the taller woman. Minako bit her lip and felt a throbbing inside her from the sound as it was full of desperate need. She quickly brought her lips back to Rei's, needing to swallow those delicious sounds that were now freely spilling from the woman beneath her as if that would help to ease her own desires.
Rei responded to Minako's lips hungrily as she felt those adept fingers continue to slide deeply in and out of her at a tantalizingly slow and steady pace. Though those fingers satiated the urgent need that had developed and grown deep within her from Minako's thorough ministrations, they also sparked a far more intense and overwhelming desire that demanded satisfaction by those same fingers continuing their movements.
The very thought of Minako being inside her, causing her body to feel such unimaginable pleasures, served to heighten the intensity of her need and each sensation. She could see waves of orange-gold flames pulsate through her in her mind's eye, could feel them ripple through her like ringlets on a still pond. They reverberated throughout her being with every agonizingly deep and slow stroke, each pulse stronger than the last, building upon the one before, fueling the need within her and leading her towards some unknown desire that her body wanted so desperately to follow. The anticipation of it all was maddening.
She couldn't help the almost pleading sounds that were now unabashedly bubbling from her, wordlessly voicing her frustrations and pleasure for what the gorgeous blonde was doing to her. She no longer had control over her body as it moved in time with the gorgeouse blonde's fingers, anxiously hopeful that this personified flame would soon consume her in its smoldering embers. For someone who needed to always be in control, never did it feel so right to be at the mercy of another.
The magnitude of it all caused Rei to gently end their passionate kiss and pull away. She opened her eyes only slightly as it was now quite an effort given what was currently happening to her. But she needed to look upon the woman who was doing these unbelievable things to her being, wanted to intentionally connect these physical and metaphysical sensations to the person whom she had so willingly given herself completely over to.
The feeling of Rei ending their kiss and pulling away caused Minako to hold the beautiful raven comfortingly and still her movements. She opened her concerned cobalts to see if everything was alright.
What she found was the breathtaking sight of Rei's beautiful face just inches from her own, panting heavily, watching her intently through darkened, hazy, hooded amethysts. She quickly found herself caught up by them again, unable to break away from their magnetic pull on her. She couldn't help but be utterly taken by them, drowning in their depth as they tugged on her heart firmly. The closeness of it was both terrifying and mesmerizing all at once.
She continued to lose herself in those painfully enchanting lavenders, continued to be held captive by their intense gaze…
…until she faltered for a moment and gasped loudly. Her eyelids fluttered briefly, her breath quickening and took in the sweet scent of vanilla as she felt a hand slide down the outline of her body, crossing downward to cup her center, the tips of elegantly agile fingers resting at the edges of her core.
As Rei's hooded violets took in the image of the bewitching woman above her, she was suddenly overwhelmed by the intimacy of the moment and the impact it was having on her. The way Minako was passionate yet gentle with her, how her orange-gold flaming aura burned so fiercely yet warmly and comfortingly throughout, she found herself compelled to move towards the gorgeous blonde.
Rei caught a brief flicker of hesitation in those captivating cobalts as she reached down towards Minako's core, could see a hint of wariness seeping into those warm colors in response to her actions. But she felt ithe need to share in this moment with her and not just be at the receiving end of it. She wanted this to mean something for Minako as well, to have it affect the both of them.
But she also wanted Minako to want that as well.
"Together," Rei's smooth voice whispered quietly.
Mianko felt more than heard the beseeching word as it brushed against her lips softly. Though the word itself came out as a simple statement, the tone that accompanied it came out as more of a request, as if the beautiful woman was allowing Minako the option to declined if she so choosed.
An uneasiness began developing within Minako's chest as she silently considered the simple word. She wasn't opposed at all to giving and receiving pleasure under normal circumstances.
But when was anything 'normal' when it came to her and Rei's relationship? Given the events that had occurred earlier and led to this moment, Minako was taking full advantage of the opportunity to expressively project her feelings for Rei onto her and…within her. She wanted to show the beautiful miko just how much she meant to her the best way she knew how.
However…that didn't necessarily mean she wanted to share in the sheer…intimacy…of it all. It was one thing for her to give that to Rei but quite another to be at the receiving end of it. The thought of it made the uneasiness in her chest tighten a bit more.
But those eyes. Those utterly deep and mesmerizingly hazy amethyst eyes. The way they firmly tugged at her heart with such an unspeakable force. And that voice. That smooth, imploring voice. The way it drew her in and held her captive in its depth. She found it impossible to deny them of anything and everything they may desire.
Rei could see a decision forming within those stunningly deep azure orbs. She watched as the gorgeous blonde gave a small, tentative nod as she moved to open herself up just a bit more to allow Rei to slip inside her slowly, deeply, with such intention and meaning as if to convey to the gorgeous blonde her own strong feelings for her in the language Minako was so fluent in.
"Mmmm," Rei watched intently as Minako's hooded sapphires fluttered and a low, sultry moan poured out from her lips. Her rare violets widened slightly from a shift she began sensing within those fiery orange-gold colors. Though it still held the form of that same smoldering flame that she had so very much come to revere, an ominous element began to blend into it, making it glow stronger, more intensely, causing it to flicker and flare erratically around the smaller woman's being. It was as if Minako had become a living flame, blazing intensely with passion and desire yet remained comfortingly warm and protective.
Their hooded eyes stayed locked intently onto each other as they slowly began moving together, finding a common, steady rhythm. They vocalized their desires only by the sounds of their wavering breaths, quiet gasps, and soft, erotic moans.
Their darkened eyes never left each other as they held on to each other tightly, their movements becoming deeper, building in intensity. Their lips met again and again as the need inside each of them increased steadily, evolving together at the same pace...
…until their bodies curled around each others' forms, muscles tensing and shaking uncontrollably as they both fell together into indescribable ecstasy.
As they came at the same time, Rei felt her mind going blank as heat exploded throught her being, drawing a soft cry from her she couldn't contain. Her senses took over and she could feel herself drowning within overwhelming orange-gold pleasure that crashed into her being in waves upon waves that served to stimulate her own release.
In previous times when she had brought Minako to ecstasy, her rays of orange-gold colors exploded outwards from her lithe body, passing through her as they projected themselves throughout the room. But this time, Rei could feel them spill all its concentrated force into her being, bombarding her senses, filling her and overwhelming her with its fiery intensity. She gladly took the brunt of it all, could feel that overwhelming flame weaving itself into the fabric of her being, surrounding each particle of her in a fiery warmth as her body rode what felt like a never ending tidal wave of pleasure. She felt her climax intensify with every one of Minako's convulsions, every quiver of the gorgeous blonde's being. The fact that Rei had even stopped breathing went unnoticed and only served to intensify every sensation exponentially, transcending her to another dimension beyond her comprehension.
And as she felt herself gradually descending from the inconceivable pinnacle of it all, felt her lungs and her muscles beginning to relax and slowly function again, felt that wonderous flame beginning to slowly retreat from her being to return to its owner, she knew that what she had just experienced with the gorgeous blonde was something special and truly reflective of how Minako felt about her.
Once they had removed their fingers from each other, each shuttering from the residual sensations of it, Rei felt Minako shakily bring herself to lie fully on top of her, unable to hold herself up any longer due to the exertion she had expended, resting her head on the taller woman's chest as if to feel the rise and fall of it as Rei's breath slowly began returning to its normal pace. And Rei couldn't blame her, she herself felt spent from her climax and was finding it difficult even to stay alert.
She held the smaller woman comfortingly as best she could, gently stroking her silky blonde hair. Though her abilities were mostly shot given how fatigued she was, she could still faintly feel Minako's warm aura flickering and flaring from its own lingering ecstasy. She closed her eyes, enjoying the residual waves of bliss that hummed throughout her body from her own release and the weight of the gorgeous blonde on top of her that cocooned her in its warmth. They all served to quickly lull her into a calm and peaceful slumber.
- I try my best to never let you in to see the truth. And I've never opened up. I've never truly loved 'til you put your arms around me. And I believe that it's easier for you to let me go. I hope that you see right through my walls. I hope that you catch me, 'cause I'm already falling. I'll never let our love get so close. You put your arms around me and I'm home. -
The sounds of soft music that continued playing could just barely be heard streaming softly through the thin material of shoji doors that led to a certain miko's bedroom…
…where only one raven-haired woman was currently resting, sound asleep.
The gorgeous blonde, on the other hand, was currently sitting on a stone bench near the rock garden, wrapped in a terrycloth robe…
…and on the verge of what felt like a nervous breakdown.
After coming down from her indescribable, earth-shattering euphoria she had experienced with, and at the hand of, a certain raven-haired beauty, she rested herself on top of beautiful raven, holding her close until she fell asleep. She knew it wouldn't take long, could tell that Rei wouldn't be able to stay up for much longer given what Minako had thoroughly done to her. Once the beautiful miko had dozed off, the make-up artist slipped quietly away, desperately in need of air from a sudden claustrophobic sensation that overcame her.
And here she was, tears streaming down her face, on the brink of hysteria, trying desperately to calm herself down from whatever this was that had seemed to hijack her being.
Her mind raced desperately, trying to understand why her body was betraying her, why she found herself shedding tears yet again for the third time now after having been brought to ecstasy by the beautiful, raven-haired woman who was currently sleeping a couple yards away.
She reflected on the events of the night, trying to decipher what exactly was the cause for her current disturbing state.
She could sense a change within Rei. A submissiveness in everything she did, as if allowing Minako to take the lead and do whatever she wanted. Gods, there was so much trust there and she felt so undeserving, so unworthy of it all. But she also wanted nothing more than to keep Rei safe and bring as much pleasure to the taller woman she cared so much for. Especially given this was her first time experiencing anything like this at all.
Did she enjoy it? Yes. Gods above, yes. She knew from their previous experiences that Rei was depending on her aura to guide her, using it to anchor her and ease her hesitations. And so Minako did what Rei asked. She unapologetically showed the beautiful woman how she felt for her in the best way she could, better than any words she could have been able to provide.
At least up until the very brief moment she hesitated when Rei reached for her.
The uneasy weight in her chest started to feel so much heavier now. She tried to take slow, deep breaths to get her erratic, shallow breathing under control, but even that seemed futile as it continued to run away from her in the form of a low-grade hyperventilation. It felt like the beginnings of a massively ominous panic attack, but only just at the edge of it.
Yes, she wanted to show Rei what she meant to her, to convey how much she cared for the taller woman, impart those feelings she was unable to express onto every inch of her skin, make her feel the same way she made her feel. It was all for Rei, it was all supposed to be about Rei.
She didn't expect to share in the experience herself. She didn't expect such…intensity…such depth within those arresting amethysts as she came, such meaning in the act of what they had done together. She had coupled with a number of people before, was no stranger to such carnal acts, but…never had the experiences ever been so…profoundly intimate…compared to what she had just experienced. And it shook her to her very soul.
Come to think of it, this was also the first time ever that she had come quietly once she had reached her release. She couldn't help it. It was as if her body wanted to keep it all in, as if selfishly not wanting to release any of it into the universe, wanting to share it only with the beautiful, raven-haired woman beneath her.
As her thoughts took her down this new revelation, she reflected on the synergy of their joint efforts on each other, how it had affected her so profoundly, becoming more than she had ever felt before in such acts. It suddenly dawned on her that she had never allowed anyone to touch her in that way before…so deliberately…so intentionally…so full of meaning. She never felt this way before when in the throes of passionate sex with another.
No, she wouldn't describe it that way. This wasn't some lust-filled act. Gods, it was so much more than that. There was no one else but her and Rei. No, it felt as if she had become one with Rei, even if only for the briefest of moments. There was no beginning and end to them as individuals. It wasn't just sex, it was more like...
The chill of the night seemed like a summer afternoon compared to the chill that was running through her right now, causing the hairs on her skin to stand on end and she brought her shaking arms up around herself tightly, as if to protect from some unknown glacial threat in the air. But, in reality, it felt as if she were protecting herself from…herself.
She felt that uneasy weight settle deeply in her chest as if it were taking up a permanent residence there. She also began to feel another familiar sensation: that critically urgent need to run as far away and as fast as possible.
Fuck! C'mon, Minako!, she chided herself harshly, Get it together! Just fucking breathe! She closed her eyes tightly as she tried desperately to channel Michiru's sweet, calming voice to help her focus and calm down.
She had purposefully tamped down these heavy, unnerving emotions as best she could to keep Rei from feeling them. To keep her from worrying or believing she did not thoroughly enjoy it as much as she did. Only once the beautiful raven had dozed off was she able to slip away and it began breaching the walls she tried so desperately to contain them in, lashing out upon her being.
Her thoughts turned to irritation with herself now, wanting to scream out loud in frustration against these treacherous emotions that caused tears to flow freely from her eyes, urging her to jump in her car and speed off into the night. Why!? Why was this happening to her!? She just had the best night of her life with someone she cared so deeply for…
…deeper than anyone else before.
She shook her head and reached up to palm her locket, trying to hold on to something solid in the world and not let herself get carried away by whatever curse was plaguing her.
The familiar shape in her hand as she anxiously worried it helped to steady her a bit. She couldn't help the small smile that came to her alluring lips as the item reminded her of the beautiful raven-haired woman. The thought of Rei always seemed to have that effect on her, calming her from her own rash insanity.
Her silky dark hair, her porcelain skin, her taste, her smell, those eyes that were so intense they captured her very soul every time. Her laugh, her sense of humor, her kindness, her warmth, how she felt so complete when Rei was with her. Gods, she loved it all, every bit of it. She...
The turbulent storm within her came to a complete and utter standstill. The tears ceased and her clear sapphire eyes widened as her hand came up to her mouth in shock, muffling the gasp that escaped as her mind began setting pieces together, solving the puzzle.
…Love.
It wasn't just sex. It was more like...
…making love.
As this thought settled into her comprehension, a new wave of tears formed in her eyes and began slowly cascading down her smooth cheeks.
She...loved her.
She…loved…Rei.
The tears began flowing freely anew as her awareness turned into understanding.
She was in love.
A torrent of emotions release from her heart into her awareness. It was almost crippling. My gods, how she loved Rei. She had fallen so far beyond her comprehension in love with Rei that now realizing it and thinking about it was indescribable.
Now that she understood what this was, had a name for it, was able to analyze it more critically, it all made sense now. The ominous uneasiness and intensity of her feeling for Rei, the willingness to be vulnerable beyond her comfort, the way her heart was pulled when she was met those captivating amethysts, the claustrophobic sensation she was battling just moments ago, even the crying after their intense couplings and her urgent desire to run. She was fighting herself, fighting these feelings she had already known in her heart but didn't want to admit, desperately trying to find ways and excuses to escape it all and protect herself from harm.
Because now, she was at a disadvantage. She had willingly, though unknowingly, given her heart, her soul, her…very sense of safety…to another person...who may not even feel the same way for her. It was terrifying, almost paralyzing how trapped she felt. As she reflected on all those times she felt uneasy, wanted to flee, wanted to end whatever this was, her mind had lost to her heart on every occasion when it came to Rei.
And now, she knew why.
- What if I go? What if I leave? What if I show you how you're breaking me? And I know whatever I say, I'll still be thinking, 'What if I stay?' What if I'm sorry? What if I love you? -
Maybe I should leave now, she contemplated anxiously to herself. What if Rei didn't feel the same way? What if she was alone on this path of love and Rei was on a different road altogether? This was Rei's first relationship after all, would she even know what it meant or felt like to fall in love with someone else?
Hell, who was she to say? She just realized herself that she was in love and how many relationships had she been in? She never felt this way about any of them before. She loved them, yes, but was never in love with them.
Is that why she ran away from all of them too? To potentially avoid her feelings? She realized now that she never did stay long enough in a relationship once the other person confessed to her. She didn't feel the same way back. To be fair though, she never even let herself go there.
Gods, if Rei didn't feel the same way back, left her at this moment the same way she had left all those others before, she would crumble to pieces. The very thought of it was suffocatingly crushing.
Is that how they all felt when she left them? Is this how Karin felt when she broke up with her after she had confessed? She wouldn't be able to stand it if Rei left right now or didn't feel the same way. How had they all done it? How did Karin do it? How was she able to move on afterwards to find someone else?
The weight of these thoughts that now plagued her, wreaked havoc on her being, caused her to hunch over slightly, sobbing quietly now as she spiraled down into them, unable to escape the darkness of it all, feeling utterly hopeless as to what she should do given these new realizations.
"Ah!," she jumped slightly and an audible squeak escaped her as she felt gentle, warm arms encompassing her, warding off the chill from the night and snapping her out of the darkness from within.
"Ssshh," a soft, smooth voice cooed in her left ear comfortingly. She felt a chin gently rest on her left shoulder and a warm body leaning into her from behind, "It's just me."
That voice, this familiar warmth, Minako couldn't resist and found herself leaning back into it, allowing her head to fall back to rest on a comforting shoulder. The scent of vanilla tickled at her consciousness as she reached up and grab the sleeves that draped those comforting arms as tightly as she could. She swallowed hard and took a few hesitating breaths to try and calm herself down, fighting the urge to run, wanting to at least remember the feeling of being in Rei's arms, being so close to the woman she loved, because she wasn't sure what would happen next for them and was so fearful of it all coming to an end.
"What's wrong, my love?" the smooth whisper of concern reached her ears and it caused her to breath to hitch in shock. Did she…just hear what she thought she heard?
Rei felt the smaller woman stiffen within her grasp, felt her shivering aura ripple in shock in response to her words. She reluctantly released the gorgeous blonde as she felt her shift within her grasp so she could turn to face her. She watched as Minako turned her head slowly, her heart breaking as she saw her tear-stained face and those soft, azure eyes that seemed to carry the weight of the world's fears within them.
"What did you say?," Minako's melodic voice whispered timidly.
Rei paused for a moment to analyze the quivering aura that surrounded Minako's being. Having had some time to rest, her abilities returned to their usual strength and she had woken up with a start from feeling agonizingly turbulent, orange-gold rays coming from the backyard. She quickly got to her feet, wrapped herself in a cotton robe, and followed the sensation until it led her to the gorgeous blonde, sitting near the rock garden, sobbing quietly by herself.
And as she studied those orange-gold colors, she could tell by how it trembled around Minako's being that the gorgeous blonde was anxious and terrified.
But…within that wavering glow…Rei could also see a sliver of…hope?
She decided to take a calculated risk, hoping that what she deciphered was right and that she wouldn't come to regret what she was about to do.
She brought herself slowly to sit next to the smaller woman on the bench, facing the opposite direction towards the house, purposefully averted her violet gaze down to the sliver of bench between them so as not to frighten Minako any further with what she was about to say.
"Mina," she began slowly, trying to find the right words that would even come close to what she felt she wanted to say, "You asked me to be honest and I promised you that I would be. Ever since the day I met you, you have turned my world upside down and inside out. I've…never met anyone like you before and I'm…I'm done trying to hide how I feel about you."
She sensed those orange-gold colors glowing just a touch stronger, as if it were hanging onto to every word Rei had to say, listening attentively, trying to decipher where Rei was going with her statements.
She took a deep breath, releasing it slowly to steady herself as she brought her intense, amethyst eyes up to lock intently onto anxious sapphires that shimmered in the moonlight from the tears they had recently shed.
"I love you," she said softly, "I'm in love with you, Mina. I've been in love with you for a while now."
The depth of those simple words, the conviction behind them, dispelled all of Minako's uneasiness, all the doubts, all the worries and fears that had begun to consume her. Those perfect lips had just echoed in words what she herself felt deep within her heart for the beautiful miko.
She recognized the look in those caring lavenders, could feel them pulling on her heart again from the amount of adoration displayed within them. It dawned on her then that this hauntingly mesmerizing look that always managed to captivate her very essence was a reflection of the depths of Rei's feelings for her.
Gods, how long had Rei felt this way about her? The thought of Rei loving her for so long, how she must have anguished with keeping these strong feelings hidden within her, not knowing how Minako felt about her, having nothing but hope to carry her on that Minako could possibly feel the same way back...
She couldn't help the new tears that began to form and trail down her smooth cheeks in a mixture of heartbreak, an overwhelming sense of relief, and incomparable elation at the thought and of their situation. Rei love her. And she loved Rei. It was all almost too much for her to take.
She couldn't speak. Words and thoughts failed her and she instead found herself responding only by leaning in to capture Rei's lips with her own in a passionate and deep kiss, needing to convey in her own way to the beautiful miko that she was sorry. Sorry for causing her any pain and for taking so long to realize in herself that she felt just as strongly and cared just as deeply for her.
Rei allowed her eyes to close and found herself sighing into Minako's mouth as she felt her orange-gold colors strengthening and surging into her in the form of that gentle flame she loved so much. The intensity of it was so protective, so sure, so brilliant, so affirming. A single tear formed and found its way slowly down her cheek as she kissed the gorgeous blonde back just as deeply.
She allowed Minako to lead her back to the bedroom where they continued their exploration of their newly found love for each other. This time there was no hesitation, no inhibitions, as both women came together again and again, confirming their love for each other over and over, until exhaustion overtook them and they both drifted into sleep, tangled within each others embrace, satisfied and content with the knowledge that the woman they had fallen so hopelessly in love with…undoubtedly felt the same way back.
Author Note: Yes! Finally, it's happened! Is this the end? Absolutely not. But if you like happy endings and a shorter story then it could be the end if you wanted it to be.
That isn't to say there won't be a happy ending once this epic story is over. It just won't be for a while as I'll be putting them both through some trials before they both get to their final destination. I hope you stick around for that!
The next chapter will mark the halfway point in the story (by plot, not by chapters!). I like to think of it as signaling the end of "Act 1" and the beginning of "Act 2" if you will.
Constructive feedback/reviews would be greatly appreciated.
(updated 04/2017)