** Never tear us apart - Bishop Briggs**
Music for this chapter
Working on the photos from the Bren S. session, Merida is in her studio in the basement of her loft, extremely concentrated and trying to focus on what she needs to do. However, in her thoughts, the image of Arizona does not leave her head and sighs heavily, stopping editing a photo:
— Bah! We are friends... I mean, we have always been good friends. I can't do this to her, because right now she is in need of a friend and not someone else who pisses her off. Divorced, newly employed in a new country and living in someone else's home... Yeah, she needs someone to support her. I have always been that person and will continue to be. So... if she says she'll be out later, I must respect it. — the Welsh looks at the image on the computer and opens her eyes wide. — Damn, I forgot a piece here. I need to pay more attention.
— I didn't know your studio was this big... — Arizona says when entering the place, but Merida remains attentive to what she does. — You can continue with what you're doing, I don't mean to disturb you.
The blonde puts her hands back and starts walking around the place, her eyes hit each hanging photo and asks thoughtfully:
— Are these pictures of random models or women you know? — even so, the Welsh says nothing and Arizona realizes that those pictures are of women in many ways. — I bet these ladies have already gone out with you, haven't they? — the blonde looks from the corner to Merida, still focused on the computer, and returns her attention to the photos and sees one of hers. — But?!...
She observes that, in the photo, she is sleeping on the sofa in a peaceful way, with a serene face and a slightly open mouth, wearing a short nightgown, with her right leg stretched out and her left thigh exposed.
Seeing herself that way for the first time, completely realistic and without your left leg, was like actually looking in a mirror for the first time in many years. She was serene and very comfortable in the photo and whoever took it also demonstrated that she loved the image of Arizona as a whole, not just its "whole" parts. Caressing such a photo of herself lightly, Arizona smiles in a corner, finding herself as beautiful as she had not been in a long time.
— You have a pretty face when you're sleeping, Arizona. That doesn't change in you, you know? — Merida says placing herself next to the blonde, who looks at her and wipes the silly tears that fall from her face.
Then, the Welsh smiles in a corner as she stands behind Arizona, takes a hand from her and approaches the photo, making her caress the whole picture:
— That whole person here is you, Ary. Without taking or putting! That is your beauty, your exclusivity, understand?
— Merida ... you ... When did you do that? — Arizona questions closing her eyes, because she is loving the Welsh body next to her. — I don't remember this day...
Smiling as she inhales the smell of cream on the blonde's neck, Merida responds with her eyes fixed on the American, who is still wearing her robe:
— You were asleep, obviously, so you don't remember. That was when I came back from Paris and found you sleeping like this on the couch... — Merida looks away at the photo in front of her and smiles: — Seeing you like this... completely natural... it was wonderful. I apologize for doing this without asking, but I just couldn't miss the moment.
Merida slowly moves away from Arizona, which almost falls, as her body is totally surrendered to the redhead's hands.
— As you can see from the other photos, Ary, I like to take natural photos...
As soon as Merida walks away, crossing her arms and resting her body against her desk, she points to the walls and Arizona looks at the photos: they are women crying, laughing , playing, having sex, running, sitting, meditating etc. All without touch-ups and makeup, just natural, as they really are.
— Merida... did you take these pictures of all the women you've ever dated? — she looks for a moment at Merida, who denies with her head, and takes her eyes back to the wall, observing a photo of a black-haired woman smiling while rollerblading. — What a beautiful smile she has.
— Not just the smile… She's beautiful! — the Welsh smiles pointing to the image: — She was at the Edwins Park a few years ago, you know how much I love that place, so I took a picture of her... When I showed her and explained that I am a photographer, she was astonished... She said no one would ever take a picture of her because she is fat. Just imagine! Fat! As if this were a bad thing! She is a very beautiful woman, with wonderful curves and very cool! People make her feel ugly and that's why she doesn't think she is worthy of being beautiful because she is who she really is! — Merida approaches and stands beside Arizona, whose eyes are fixed on her. — She cried... When she saw herself through the lens of my camera, she said that, for the first time, she loved herself, that she thought she was beautiful... That's what I like, Ary... and that's what I want to do... I want to work with the esteem of women, understand?
Merida points to another photo, with a woman in a wheelchair and playing football:
— Look at this, for example, some children threw the ball away and the only one who went to get it was this woman! I caught the exact moment when she hit the ball with the wheel of the chair. Awesome, don't you think? She is a university professor and there are people who think she is a nobody just because she is black and in a wheelchair... As soon as I showed her this picture, I saw her cry with joy and say that it made her feel even more motivated to continue doing what he does, which is teaching low-income colleges. Fantastic, don't you think?
And so Merida goes on telling the story of women in each photo, making Arizona emotional and seeing a side of the Welsh she never imagined existed. She must admit that seeing herself through the lens of Merida's camera is something that touches, changes and makes her rethink how she sees herself!
— This is wonderful, Merida! — Arizona touches an image in which there are two women arguing at a table and the essence of sadness is on their faces. — You can capture so much in a single image...
— This photo you're touching, Ary, is one of my favorites, because these women were fighting over jealousy and, as soon as I showed the photo I took, they realized how much they still loved each other, for the simple fact of seeing the sadness on their faces. They understood that they loved each other entirely because their suffering was visible in being separated. — Merida tells the story of the image in front of the blonde. — As soon as I change the tones of the photo according to the essence they have, I send to each one of them with a message... We women have a highly suggested esteem, don't you think? I mean, I work in fashion and I know how much pressure we suffer to lose weight, to have a certain skin, etc. But this is so empty, so useless! Several companies in this industry have changed their stance and this is wonderful, but there is still so much to be dealt with, don't you agree? Especially within us! Women need to learn to love themselves, regardless of what others say! The main thing is to tell all these prejudiced people to shut up! Ignore what they say, because without an audience they have nothing to say. That's why I started taking these photos, you know, to try to convey as much as I can of a positive message to women, demonstrating how wonderful we are in every way!
As soon as Merida finishes speaking, Arizona approaches her ready to kiss her mouth and ask her to take pictures of her every day, so she can say those wonderful words at all times.
Merida remains standing with her arms crossed and looking curiously at Arizona, who stops in front of her, holds her face and slowly approaches her mouth. As soon as the American and Welsh's lips touched, it was like an explosion of feelings and nothing compared to what it had always been when they were just friends. It is as if the first kiss was given between them and a fire consumed them, as if it woke up after years of waiting.
Arizona opens the robe and places Merida's hands on her body, squeezing her waist. The blonde grabs the redhead's neck, with the intention of deepening the kiss further.
Pushing Merida against the table, Arizona makes her sit there and places herself between her legs, but without stopping with the intense kisses. The American takes off the Welsh's shirt and chuckles between kisses. It was exactly what they both needed to see how much they wanted and loved each other for years! That is proof of how much they were made to be together.
Then, the doorbell rings and Merida stops with the kisses when she murmurs, with a totally breathless breath:
— Ary... I need to answer... the biker came to get the material I need to deliver to Bren S.
— No... please... — Arizona says giving kisses on the neck of the Welsh, who closes her eyes, moaning and smiling. — You want... I want... we stopped being just friends for a while...
Once again the doorbell rings and Merida, with her body totally given over to Arizona, says in a soft voice:
— I really need to go... it is urgent... this material is needed. — at great cost, the Welsh gets off the table and, grabbing a folder, runs out of the studio.
With her hands resting on the table, Arizona remains half naked, her robe almost falling off her body, breathing quickly and feeling on fire.
— What a kiss... what a body... what a desire... — the blonde murmurs trying to control her desire for Merida and sighs heavily: — Fuck!
Meanwhile, after delivering the package to the biker, Merida locks the door and leans her body there, still thinking about what had just happened in her studio.
— What was that!? — the Welsh mutters trying to catch her breath, as her body is on fire with the crazy desire she feels to own Arizona. — What am I still doing here? — Merida's eyes widen and she runs back to the studio, but stops halfway: — Whose phone is ringing? — she observes Arizona's cell phone ringing on the small table in the living room and, as soon as she picks up the object, observes "Sofia" calling. Rolling her eyes, the Welsh sighs heavily: — Not now, please... I need Arizona now... just a minute... — but the phone keeps ringing and, dying of anger, Merida reaches the studio and hands the device to a half-naked Arizona: — Sofia is calling... I think I better answer, right?
— Who? Sofia? — Arizona, at the same time, puts her robe on top of her and picks up the device, walking outside. — Sofi? It's mom, is everything okay?
Watching the blonde disappear down the stairs, Merida lets out an irritated grunt and slaps her hands on the table while exclaiming:
— Shit!
Seated on the sofa in the living room, Merida plays Diablo while Okja is sleeping face down beside her.
— Two days with nothing to do, how wonderful! At least, Okja, I will have time to play everything I haven't played... — she looks at the sleeping pig and pokes her in the belly. — Hey! Sleepy! Wake up!
— OOOINK! — Okja grunted irritated and goes back to sleep.
— What's up? How am I?
Arizona asks as she stands in front of the television and Merida watches her gaping, dropping the controller to the floor: the blonde looks wonderful, wearing a knee-length red dress, with no neckline and short sleeves, high black shoes. Her hair is loose and wavy, making her more sensual, a red lipstick on her thin lips and her eyes well painted, highlighting the blue color.
The Welsh cannot speak immediately, looks the woman up and down several times before speaking:
— You... are... STUNNING!
— You are too kind! — Arizona exclaims sending kisses to Merida. — I need to go, I'm already a little late for dinner. We'll talk later or tomorrow, Mery!
Closing her eyes and wondering where the blonde is going, Merida jumps off the couch and in front of the door:
— Where are you going? With whom?
Raising an eyebrow, Arizona smiles and licks her lips and realizes that this is the perfect time to make Merida jealous:
— Well, I'm going to dinner. And I'm already late, Merida, could you please get out of the way?
Swallowing and opening the door, Merida pretends an indifferent smile and exclaims:
— Have an excellent dinner, madame! — the blonde winks at her and leaves happily, then the Welsh closes the door tightly and imitates Arizona's voice: — I'm going to dinner...blah blah blah! Ah, I'm going to take the opportunity to play my game! — Merida jumps back on the couch, takes the controller off the floor and resumes her game. — Does she go on a date? Or is it just something from the hospital? Bah! I don't have to worry! Not even a bit!
Merida, in the blink of an eye, jumps off the couch again and runs to her room, puts on a sweatshirt set, takes out her wallet, helmet and motorcycle keys:
— I'll just see if everything is okay and if this woman with whom she will meet is good people... she will not even know that I followed her. I just want to be sure she will be fine!
Keeping her motorcycle a little far from Arizona's taxi, Merida watches the vehicle stop in front of a very reputable restaurant and the blonde enters. Then, parking her motorcycle a little behind, Merida gets out, depositing her helmet there, and walks to the restaurant.
— Excuse me, dear, good night! — the Welsh woman exclaims to the beautiful woman standing at the door of the restaurant, who widens her eyes at the redhead.
— Merida? Oh, I don't believe it! It's you! — the silver-haired girl exclaims hugging Merida: — How long we haven't seen each other!
As soon as she sees the girl, Merida recognizes her and smiles in a corner, tossing her hair back:
— Oh, Anne! How are you? It's been a long time... where have you been?
— Oh, Mery, I got married. But no one beats you... — Anne comments by biting her lower lip and squeezing Merida's arm. — Well, we could schedule something... one of these days... what do you think? Just so I can miss that mouth and those arms...
Merida, with an embarrassed laugh, replies:
— Of course, Anne, of course we can. — she blinks, kissing the woman's hand. — Just call me! I will be at your disposal. — then, pointing inside the place, asks: — Could you tell me if you are having a meeting of doctors out there? Something like?
— Oh yeah! We are with a group of doctors celebrating something. But tables are available if you want to have dinner. — Anne responds by kissing the redhead's cheek for a long time and leaves it marked with lipstick. — Come in, Rick will show you a table, Merida. We talk later.
— Thank you honey. I'll wait for your call. — Merida walks happily into the place and observes Arizona from a distance, talking animatedly with some people. — Oh! It's just a doctors' dinner... — then, realizing that she was "chasing" Arizona, Merida's eyes widen: — My welsh gods! What do I have in mind? What if she sees me here? I really need to go...
The Welsh is about to leave when a male voice calls her name:
— Merida? MERIDA? — the Welsh tries to ignore, but the voice persists: — Hey, Merida Harris, come here!
At the same moment, Arizona looks at the screaming man in amazement and follows his gaze, noticing Merida in sweatpants standing a few feet away and smiling awkwardly.
— But?!... What is she doing here? — the blonde closes her eyes: — Excuse me, guys, I'll be right back! — she says walking to the man: — Augusto, do you know Merida?
— Ah, dear, she is a friend of my ex-boyfriend. She was the one who referred you to our hospital, didn't you know? — Augusto responds by calling Merida: — Come here, you Welsh!
Merida looks at Arizona, who stares in disbelief, and nods that she needs to go.
— I really need to go, Augusto. We talk to each some other time... — the Welsh smiles and walks quickly away from there: — Ai... ai... ai...
— Are you going already, Merida? — Anne asks as soon as the redhead runs past her. — What happened?
— Nothing! I just remembered that I forgot my little pig without food, I'll be right back! — Merida exclaims as she approaches her motorcycle, then grabs the helmet anyway and drops it to the floor. — What the hell! Let's go! — she bends down to pick up the object and, before getting up, observes a pair of black shoes standing in front of her. — Oh, no... — the moment Merida is fully upright, she comes across an Arizona with folded arms and an unfriendly face: — Oh, Arizona, you're here!
— Merida... did you follow me? Were you chasing me? — the blonde asks nonconformed: — Is that so? Were you following me? Answer me, Merida!
— Hey Hey hey! Calm down, blonde! — the redhead raises her arms and pretends surprise: — I didn't even know you were there, you crazy! I was just... just... well...
Noticing the lipstick mark on the redhead's cheek, Arizona raises a hand and lets out a laugh:
— Stop it... I already know what you came here for! — she shakes her head with a disappointed laugh and runs her finger over Merida's cheek. — And I thought you came to see me... — then, Arizona shows Merida a dirty red finger and wipes on her sweatshirt. — Unbelievable, Merida! Unbelievable! There's a lot of places for you to flirt... Did it have to be in the same restaurant I am in? Unlike you, I didn't come to rub myself with anyone, I just came to work and to meet the people I will work with in the coming years!
— What?! — Merida runs her hands frantically over her cheeks and sees lipstick dirt on her cheek. — No! No! Arizona, it's not like that! I didn't come to rub myself with anyone! I swear! You have to believe me!
— Bah! And I thought that you were... well... that you were also in the mood to continue what we started in your studio... that something between us grew... but I was wrong! — Arizona exclaims walking from side to side. — Obviously I was wrong! Merida Harris, the heartbreaker, can't miss the opportunity to do this with her best friend too, can she? That's enough for me, Merida! Enough!
Having said all that, Arizona snorts out of it extremely irritated and possessed of jealousy, leaving Merida speechless and completely confused.
— Continue what we started? Was she intending to continue what we started? In the studio? — the Welsh wonders while putting her helmet on her head and sits on her motorcycle. — It can't be... it would mean that she wants me too... that it wasn't just a moment...