"Haruka!"
Her call was unanswered, and she felt as if a part of her went missing the moment Haruka did not turn back. She was sure she heard her. Why was she ignoring her?
Michiru looked down at Yui, their eyes connecting for a second before she snatched her hands away from the other woman's burning lips.
"No," Michiru warned Yui, watching as she stood up straight and looked at her with piercing and icy cold eyes.
"No?"
Michiru quivered under the intense gaze until she looked away, trying to escape it only to be met by hundreds of different shade blue eyes looking at her with hope, wonder, and exhilaration. Michiru swallowed hard and moved away from Yui's space. Everyone was expecting her to say something, and as much as she wanted to give them words of trust, Michiru couldn't think of a single thing to say to make them feel safe. Because she has never in her life felt as exposed as she was right now.
"Princess? You are our princess, right?" An older man asked, taking one unsure step towards her.
"No! She is our queen! The one that will take us back to Neptune!" A middle-aged woman bellowed, grabbing the old man's hand and dragging him back.
"Where have you been all this time?"
"We thought we were left to our own devices."
"Why have you been hiding?"
"What happened?"
Michiru took a step back, but as she turned to look behind her, more Neptunians gathered around her, waiting for answers.
The beaming of the symbol was still shining through, cutting the darkness of the night and the dining of the fire by the center of the square. Taking a deep breath, she opened the palm of her hands for her people and spoke.
"I know this is sudden, and you are all as surprised as I am."
"You didn't know you were our princess?" Alton made his way from the throng of people and stood before Michiru. "How?"
Michiru shook her head. "I am sorry," she whispered, her lower lip quivering as she looked upon the faces of her people. "I want to tell you everything, but I don't think I will be able to answer each and every one of your questions."
Alton nodded, and so did the people around him.
"I will answer them first light tomorrow. Please." Michiru moved her hand to the fire. "Celebrate the Night of the Nymph," she trembled as her heart pounded ravishingly inside her chest. "And as you fall asleep tonight knowing this, tomorrow will be a new day for all of us." Saying that she bowed her head and turned to leave, only to have Yui block her path.
"Where are you going?"
With her forehead no longer shining the symbol of Neptune, Michiru didn't answer; she pushed Yui aside and began to make her way towards the House of Arago, but a rough, thick hand grabbed hold of her elbow, pulling her back.
"Let me go! I need to go back to her!"
"She is no longer your concern! We are! We! Your people, the Neptunians! Not Uranians, and definitely not that woman."
"Let go of me right now, Yui!"
"I don't know what bullshit that woman has put in your head, but you…" Yui's lower lip quivered. "You are everything we have been waiting for… All these years, we thought you were dead!"
Michiru couldn't tear away from Yui; the gathering tears at the other woman's eyes bade her very own core shiver with an unknown force as the sudden realization dawned on her. Ever since Haruka took her to the pool back at Oberon Castle, the idea of her having royal blood crossed her mind, but she never truly stopped to think how that could be possible. Her eyes drifted down to her own trembling hands. She had the gift; she had the symbol… She was the princess of Neptune.
No, not the princess…
She was the rightful queen.
Shaking her head, Michiru grabbed hold of Yui's tunic and shoved her away. She ignored the angered and curious gaze of the people around her. Disappointment and fear trickled down her very soul when she turned to look at each and every person in that square. They had called to her in hope, joy, and disbelief. What did she have to give them?
Nothing.
Michiru had nothing to show for all the hope that glimmered in her people's eyes.
"I need to think," Michiru said apologetically. "I need to talk to Haruka."
Yui scoffed. "What you need is to understand. You are our ruler, and we need you."
"I know!" She bellowed; desperation and fear set in deep in her chest. "I know! I know!"
"Then why were you hiding it from us?"
"I wasn't!" Michiru said, but Yui's face grimaced, and she knew that she did not believe her. "I didn't know!"
"Lies! Did she tell you not to say anything? Does she have you so wrapped around her finger? Did she want that much control that she took the very heiress of Neptune as her fucking whore!?"
Her anger boiled over as she heard Yui's words, and without stopping to think about her actions, Michiru drew her hand back and struck Yui on her face. The sting in her hand ran through her very bones. It had been so long since she had been that angry. Yui might be protecting her people, but the audacity to call Michiru Haruka's whore was disrespectful, and she wasn't going to have that.
Yui's cobalt eyes turned to her, her hand on her cheek, and Michiru couldn't tell if it was astonishment or rage shining through those cobalt eyes. "I've had it with your stupidity and you running your mouth as if you know me. You don't, Yui. You don't, and I will be damned if I have to stand here and let you run that fucking mouth of yours and insult me or the Queen of the planet you are stepping on."
"You are lovers, aren't you?"
"Did you even hear a word I've just said?"
"Why won't you answer?"
"That is none of your concern," saying that Michiru turned away from Yui and headed out after Haruka.
Haruka wasn't sure how many people she tripped over; she didn't know if they did it on purpose or if she was moving around chaotically looking for a way back to safety, back to the House of Arago, to silence.
Is that what she needed? Silence?
When she was just about to give up and sit down on the dirty, uneven ground, she heard a small voice calling out. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. It wasn't just one; it was three. Coljar, Kimmi, and Lia called out to her as if she was one of them, as she was an equal, and for the time being, she believed that's what she needed.
The kids circled her, Coljar, being the one to grab her pant leg and tug on it while Kimmi held Haruka's forgotten blouse close to her chest. Haruka didn't speak. She stood her ground until little Lia was the first to call out to her. To ask her what was wrong and why she looked so sad.
Haruka frowned at the question. Sad? She looked sad. She chuckled and ran her fingers through her blonde hair before giving them her best smile. "I seem to be a bit lost, that's all."
"Do you wish to go to the House of Arago?" Kimmi asked.
"Very much so," Haruka answered, turning her face in Kimmi's direction.
The young girl nodded her head, silently she moved closer to the exponent tall woman. Her small hand slipped inside Haruka's as she whispered, "Here is your blouse."
Haruka's hands closed over the soft fabric.
"It has some paint stains on it," Coljar commented in a whisper.
"It's fine. It was bound to happen."
"You messed up your painting dancing," Lia added, her small finger poking the many dots she had made over Haruka's left hand.
"Yes. I am sorry."
"No! It's fine! You were having fun!"
"Lia's right. You looked like you were having a lot of fun," Kimmi said, her hand now resting on Haruka's wrist. "Do you mind if we take you back to the House of Arago? You are pretty far away from it."
Haruka swallowed hard and nodded. "Please?"
All three kids nodded and quietly guided Haruka until she was at the doorsteps of the cabin. Haruka could feel their hesitation to let her walk in alone. Holding her blouse with a death grip, Haruka moved her other hand to search for the doorknob, turned to the children, and once again gave them a cheerful fake smile. "Thank you. I think I will wash off and head to bed."
"Alright!" Coljar seemed to think she was just tired, yet Kimmi and Lia were uneasy.
"Will you like to come to the lakes with us tomorrow?" Kimmi asked while Lia nodded effusively, seemingly happy with the idea.
Haruka shrugged at first but then agreed with a dip of her chin. "Sure. Good night." Haruka turned the doorknob, walked inside, and quickly closed the door behind her.
She exhaled a ragged breath, the one she had been holding for a while, and stumbled her way to the sofa. She dropped her blouse somewhere on the cabin floor as she sat down, mentally exhausted.
Then, it hit her.
Michiru was the heiress of Neptune.
She has always been the heiress.
Resting her elbows on her knees, Haruka rested her head on the palm of her hands.
Everything made sense…
The burning attraction, the moment she smelled her in her chambers when she lost her vision. The way her touch burned her skin, the way she craved to be near her every single second of every minute of every hour of every day. Haruka could only succumb to Michiru's touch as she has never done for anyone. Haruka burned for her as she had never burned for anything or anyone in her life. She craved her; no, she needed her like she needed to breathe. The oracles have spoken about the union of the sea and the sky, but she could never have imagined the whirlwind of emotions it could represent. Michiru was the sea, and Haruka was the wind. Her raging gusts of wind made Michiru's waves stronger, taller, more destructive. They slammed into her heart, breaking down the stoned walls she had built. With just a touch, Michiru had killed the old, stoic queen and brought forth this person, this woman.
Haruka couldn't recognize herself…
Haruka touched her face, arms, chest, and she felt the paint there. She remembered how she felt when she was with the kids and dancing around with Michiru at the square, and she sobbed…
She covered her mouth, closed her eyes tightly, and yet let out another sob.
She loved Michiru. She loved her, but was it because it was written in stone that their union was supposed to happen, or was it an amalgamation of all those moments they have spent together, of all those nights, those kisses, those tight, suffocating hugs…
Fuck…
Haruka slipped down to the cold wooden floor and brought her knees to her chest; her hands now fisted her blonde hair.
"Haruka?"
The air got caught in her throat, and she lifted her head towards the door of the cabin.
"Haruka, it's me. Can I come in?" Michiru called out from the other side of the door, and Haruka wondered if she heard her cry.
She could tell her not to come in, to sleep somewhere else. Haruka needed to think; she needed to have a moment and be by herself.
No, she couldn't. She couldn't stay away. Michiru was hers, she was Michiru's, and the stars had agreed on that millenniums before their birth. Haruka pushed herself off the ground and slowly walked to the front door.
Taking a deep breath, she turned the door and opened it ajar.
The smell of the sea engulfed her, and she almost succumbed to it.
"Hi," Michiru whispered, taking in how disheveled Haruka looked. The paint on her face was smudged all over her forehead, cheek, and nose. A clean trail ran down her cheeks where her tears had slid. Michiru felt her heart break into a million pieces as she saw the state of her queen. "Can I please come in?"
Haruka simply nodded and opened the door the rest of the way before going back to the sofa.
Michiru closed and locked the door behind her. She didn't want any interruption this time. As she turned to Haruka, she saw her lean back on the sofa, her eyes open and lost as she was searching for something. Michiru stood by the door, her hands uneasy, wanting nothing more than to hold the tall woman and kiss her worries away, but Haruka didn't need that now.
"Haruka," Michiru began, but Haruka was faster.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Michiru rolled her tongue over her lower lip and sighed. "I didn't know."
Haruka lowered her eyebrows into a deep frown. "You didn't know?"
"I didn't…" Michiru saw Haruka scoff and shake her head in disbelief before she continued. "I didn't know! You have to believe me!"
"How the fuck do you not know?", There it was, Haruka's rage, bubbling and spilling out of her mouth. "Please explain to me because I fucking knew I was different from day one I became self-aware as a kid!"
"I knew I was different! I knew it! I- I started to notice I could control water, but I thought it was just magic, tricks Neptunians could do. It was nothing out of this world! My parents kept me away, and they told me never to show it off! That I would be in great danger if I did?"
"Danger? Danger of what?"
"Of being hurt! I- I don't know! I could've been seen as a freak and taken away!" She snapped her fingers. "Just like that! Gone! Just like my father was gone!" Michiru knew that her fear might sound irrational, Tartarus! She remembered when she told her parents they sounded like mad people! Who in their right mind would go after her for knowing how to do a little magic? Haruka's confused expression washed over her, agitating her more than she already was. If Haruka couldn't believe her…
"Michiru…" Haruka began, shaking her head again as if trying to come up with some words that might be able to relieve some tension from the conversation, but Michiru was faster.
She spoke over Haruka, not letting her get another word in. She couldn't brush this under the rug as if it was nothing. "I was petrified. I was petrified all my life being told to hide this. When you took me to the pool, I was able to breathe underwater when I felt this." She shook her hands desperately as if to prove a point. "This power surged through me as if I was being reborn again! I knew that I could've been the heiress." She sighed, thinking that she wasn't making any sense and babbling. "I had my doubts. I couldn't be from royalty. I am just a—"
"Why didn't you tell me then?" Haruka asked, and she looked so defeated and hurt that Michiru didn't know what to say or do to make her whole again. "Why didn't you want to tell me now? Did I ever make you feel unsafe?"
Michiru inhaled through her nose, her shaking hands held onto the fabric of her tunic as she sorted through her thoughts. Haruka never made her feel unwanted or unsafe. Well, maybe that one time she walked in her chamber drunk, but it did not count. Haruka was not in her right mind. Haruka always did her best to protect her, to make her feel wanted, needed…
Michiru exhaled, and the words slipped out in a whisper. "I was scared." She shook her head. "I am scared. I am so scared, Haruka."
Haruka stood from the sofa. Dark, tall, and intimidating, all the ever Queen of the Wind planet. Michiru raised her chin, and for the first time, she wasn't afraid of Haruka's anger but rather her sudden rejection. Her hands trembled again; all she wanted to do was run her fingers through her short hair, run her palm over her broad shoulders, arms, and abdomen; she wanted to press her body against her. For some reason, she felt that she wasn't going to do any of that again, that she was losing Haruka right before her eyes, and there was nothing she could do to stop her from just leaving as she had done when the symbol of Neptune beamed proudly on her forehead.
But Haruka was a box of surprises and secrets of her own, and as much as Michiru wanted to believe she knew her lover from the inside out, she didn't.
"I am the one that is afraid," Haruka said, her lower lip quivering slightly until she dragged it inside her mouth.
Michiru's breath faltered. "Why?"
Haruka's daunting eyes seemed to search for a beacon; as she found none, she decided to close her eyes before her shoulders slumped and she spoke. "The oracles spoke a prophecy, many years before our birth. They spoke of how the sea and the heavens would unite, bringing forth a new world order." Haruka paused to wet her lips. "Many thought that it would never happen. My father fell for my mother; they were mates. Even after my father's death, even when Sasuke himself tried to woo her, my mother's heart belonged to my father, and she never married again. She couldn't. There was no one for my mother but my father. The same was with your parents. Amphitrite loved Aegaon deeply. Then I was born, and everyone believed that I was one of the links of the prophecy, of course—" Haruka chuckled and tilted her head. "Amphitrite went ahead and had a daughter. They didn't know if you were the other missing link to that prophecy, and I could never find out because your planet was destroyed, along with the king and queen… and after all these years, I thought the heiress was dead.
Now I find myself here, with you, and I cannot tell if my feelings for you are because of a stupid prophecy or is it because I truly…" Haruka stopped, her hands folding into tight fists. Slowly and unsure, Haruka took a couple of steps towards Michiru. The younger woman met her halfway and grasped the queen's hand as the blonde reached for her. As soon as she had Michiru's position set, Haruka caught her jaw. Michiru closed her eyes, savoring the feel of Haruka's rough hands on her face.
Haruka leaned closer; her forehead pressed to Michiru's as her warm breath washed over her lips. "Michiru, when I am with you, the rage that consumes me settles down and burns out like a candle, and all that remains of that fire is the passion I feel for you every time your skin touches mine. Last night, I almost cried in anger and jealousy because others get to see you when I cannot, but that doesn't matter because I get to feel you next to me. I can feel your breath on my neck when I am inside of you, and I am engulfed with your scent, with the scent of the sea that you love— that I love so much, and I know that the only thing I need to feel like a real human is your touch, your lips—" Haruka captured Michiru's mouth in a heated yet short kiss. "Your taste… That's all I need."
"Haruka—" Michiru whimpered, her own need pooling at her lower stomach; her breath hitched as Haruka got closer. She smelled so good, like the clean Uraninan air, like warm sand. Her body radiated so much power and warmth that Michiru almost found herself purring with satisfaction.
"I do not care if this desire that burns me is due to some prophecy, or it is because of all the things we have shared. All I know is that I don't care and that I want you here, with me, next to me, every moment. If you are not the one the oracles called out for me, if I have to give up my throne because of this, I would rather live as a peasant than never having you." Haruka shuddered, her thick arms now wrapping around Michiru's waist, as she squeezed their bodies together, slotting in perfect harmony.
"I love you so much, Michiru…"
Michiru felt as if her heart had come to an abrupt stop. Her hands moved to cling to Haruka as if her entire life depended on it, as if she let go, everything around her would dissolve into a dream.
But it wasn't a dream...
Haruka loved her…
Michiru's breath came out in a soft sob which she tried to hide by pressing her face to the blonde's broad shoulders. She felt Haruka turn her face and snuggled her nose to the side of Michiru's head, inhaling deeply while Michiru gathered strength from her very soul as she miserably tried not to cry.
Haruka loved her, and Michiru could only cry in both happiness and relief.
Her hands slipped from Haruka's slick body, and she pulled away enough to cup Haruka's jaw. She needed to see her face. She needed to see the truth shining through her yellow orbs. She needed this to be real.
Haruka's fresh tears were the answer she was waiting for, and on instinct, Michiru wiped them away along with the yellow dots that adorned her gorgeous face. Suddenly, she felt the weight of those words fall into her mouth, and as much as she could show Haruka how deeply she loved her, she decided it would be wise if Haruka heard it too.
"I love you," Michiru whispered, and she felt liberating warmth spread through her chest down to the tip of her fingers and her toes. "I love you, and I wanted to tell you two nights ago, but I always thought that it wasn't my place to say it." She still felt like it wasn't her place to say it. She was the uranian queen's secret lover! No one knew of their relationship behind closed doors except for Mia and now Yui, who received a slap to the face instead of having a confirmation of her hunch.
Haruka's face lit up in such wonder that it seemed to take years off her features. She looked like a young, innocent girl, hearing that one thing she had wanted to hear all her life. "You love me?"
Michiru nodded, a tornado of emotions twisted around her mind. She licked her lower lip and spoke again. "Yes, I love you, and I know it is not my place but, Gods, Haruka." Her hands squeezed Haruka's jaws as if she was grounding herself.
"You love me…" Haruka sighed, her strong arms squeezing Michiru closer. It was no longer a question. It was a statement, a statement that sounded so beautifully in both women's ears.
Michiru smiled, her hands never leaving Haruka's jaw. She wanted to scream it at the top of her lungs, she wanted everyone to know, but as she opened her mouth, Haruka's warm one covered hers, taking the words out with every caress of her lips, with every stroke of her tongue. Haruka burned her; she burned her with a passion that she had never met in anyone she was intimate with.
"Lead me to the bedroom."
Michiru's blue eyes were fixated on Haruka's rosy lips when she heard the command. As much as she wanted to ignore Haruka's words, to forsake it, and just let the blonde fuck her in the living room, she decided it would be better to do as she was told.
"Come."
Michiru grabbed Haruka's wrist as she headed to the bedroom; the blonde's need drove her into a frenzy, making her miss a couple of steps and almost fall on their way up. Michiru was there to catch her, chuckling at her clumsiness, regardless of Haruka's warning growls.
Michiru opened the door hastily and pulled Haruka in. Yet before she could close the door behind her, Haruka's hands were already on her bottom and thighs as she pressed her to the wall.
"You drive me absolutely crazy, Michiru."
The way Haruka's hands carried her, the way she would pick her up and take her with such confidence regardless of her condition, made Michiru melt, and she could only let her do as she wished. The way her hands would undo her into a sobbing mess underneath her confidently, yet touch her shoulder unsure of where to go. The way her mouth would say the dirtiest thing to get her ready for her, yet whisper the most beautiful, love confessions…
This was the Haruka no one else got to see; this was the Haruka that was saved just for her eyes alone.
And now, as the queen pulled her chest wraps off, baring her skin to Michiru's hungry gaze, as Haruka's eager hands yanked unto Michiru's clothing desperately, Michiru could only think of how much she loved her, and how spending a second away from her would mean the death of her very soul.
Haruka was her soul; she was the beating of her heart; she was the very wind that carried the air she filled her lungs with.
And Michiru wanted more. She got up to her knees, still on the bed, and pulled Haruka's face to her. She kissed the blonde ardently, her tongue licking at the seam of Haruka's mouth, begging for entry. As Haruka did, she also gathered Michiru and pressed their chests together.
Just like that, Michiru was surrounded by all that was Haruka, her scent, her taste…
The blonde's hands kneaded at Michiru's back pulling her closer, yet they didn't stay there for long. Slowly, the queen's large hands moved downward until they found her bottom.
"Soft," Haruka murmured against Michiru's lips.
The Neptunian smirked, caressing Haruka's supple chest and squeezing. "Soft," she teased, earning a growl from the queen before she claimed Michiru's mouth hungrily.
Michiru pulled back from the assault, kissed her way down Haruka's neck until she reached the taut nipple. She captured it with her lips, sucking on it slightly while her hand tasted the neglected one. She wanted to make Haruka beg, but instead, she heard Haruka's groans, her hand on the back of her head, guiding her mouth to the other nipple— it was driving Michiru absolutely insane.
With a deep gasp, Michiru pressed her thighs together, wetness already seeping through. Her blue eyes lifted to Haruka's yellow ones before dipping her chin down. Haruka was clutching her, heaving with desire and Michiru wanted to discover how badly the queen needed her. She caressed Haruka's hips first, her fingers drawing soft circles on her waist before moving down to her thighs. Her slender fingers made a ticklish path to Haruka's thighs before pressing to the junction of her legs. Michiru sighed when she felt the wetness there. She remembered a few nights ago and how wet and delicious Haruka had been on her tongue and she wanted to taste her again.
"What are you doing?" Haruka asked with a throaty moan. Michiru didn't answer. Instead, she slipped her index finger enough to coat it with Haruka's wetness. "Love?" Haruka asked again, her hard breathing was engulfing the silence in the room.
Michiru slipped her finger out, moved them to her mouth, and sucked on her digit, smacking her lips loud enough for Haruka to know exactly what she was doing.
"Delicious as always, your highness."
Michiru gasped as Haruka gathered her in her strong, powerful arms, settled her on her lap, and breathed her in with mouthfuls of air. Their mouths parted, and they drank from each other while Michiru's hands clung to the blonde locks she had grown to love wherever it was disheveled or brushed. She pressed her chest to Haruka's, relishing the softness of the skin she had come to know as if it was her own.
She moaned into Haruka's mouth as the queen's hand found the junction of her thighs. Haruka didn't wait and slowly began to make love to her with her skilled yet rough hands.
Her hands…
Michiru's eyes rolled to the back of her head as she felt those long thick fingers work her tension away while the blonde's lips trailed soft trails of goosebumps down Michiru's neck.
Yet, Michiru's concentration fell on the feeling of Haruka being inside of her. Those hands, capable of killing someone with a flick of her wrist, of holding a sword and protecting what she loved, but also capable of making Michiru call out her lover's name into the cold night air.
"That's it, love." Haruka's voice pulled her back to reality, grounding her as her free hand clamped behind her neck. "Scream my name, let them know I am the one who gets you off."
Michiru's eyes shuttered open, and her gaze fell on Haruka's hooded yellow orbs, lost in their own darkness. Oh, how she wished Haruka could see how easily she could ease her body, how easy it was for the Neptunian to let go. Michiru moaned again, louder as Haruka slipped a second finger inside of her, the meaty part of her palm pushed roughly against her clit, and she gasped, called out to her again, and clung to her.
"Good girl, that's it. I got you. Give me everything." Haruka smirked.
Michiru shuddered.
That smile— Michiru would do anything to keep that smile painted on Haruka's lips. She thought about when she first lost her sight, and how weak, weary, and sad Haruka was, and how she never got to see her smile as she was doing now. That grin calmed the raging onslaught of worries inside her head, eased the storm of uncertainty until all that remained was Haruka… and that smile.
"I love seeing you like this," Michiru sighed.
A deep growl surfaced from within Haruka's chest, her arm tightened her hold around Michiru's waist, and instead of burying her face in Michiru's breasts, the blonde tilted her head to press her ear over Michiru's chest. There, vibrating within her lover's bosom, was the steady beating of her heart. Haruka steadied herself, listening to the way Michiru's heart beat heavily.
It dawned on her that she was holding the most important person in her life, and her lover's heart was beating like that because of her, because of her lips, her fingers— because of the way she was making her feel.
She felt Michiru's hand shily brush the blonde hair away from her forehead, possibly scared that something was wrong, but Haruka calmed her worries with a sweet kiss to the valley between her breasts.
There was no doubt in Haruka's mind that she would give up anything to see Michiru, but… as time seemed to stop, and the world around her dissolved into nothing, all that existed was Michiru, her skin, her scent, her taste, her warmth, her heartbeat, and above all, the loving strokes of her fingers in Haruka's hair.
"Your heart is beating so fast, Michiru."
"Isn't yours?
"Of course, but you are so worked up, love." Haruka moved her face, her lips tracing a ticklish road from Michiru's cleavage all the way up to her mouth. Michiru's hand held her there for a moment; their mouths joined in a chaste yet gentle kiss. Haruka was the first to pull away and resume the journey down Michiru's neck, chest, and back to her breasts.
Haruka's lips clamped over Michiru's nipples, pulling the perked nub into her mouth as Michiru's hands pulled her closer.
It was as if Michiru couldn't get enough, as if she wanted more, and Haruka was glad to give her lover exactly what she needed.
"I want you to keep your eyes on me at all times, Michiru," Haruka commanded, her hand rubbing roughly against Michiru's clit.
Michiru nodded. She would not blink if Haruka asked her not to. "Yes, Haruka." She managed to answer between soft pants.
"Good girl. Remember and understand, no one, not even a man with a real cock, will ever fuck you and make you feel the way I do."
Upon hearing Haruka's words, a low queening moan escaped Michiru's parted lips. Haruka moved swiftly and precisely, pulling her from her lap and gathering her in her arms until Michiru was lying underneath her. Haruka captured Michiru's cries with her mouth, silencing her as she spread her lover's leg and settled herself between them. Her own pleasure slipped out of her throat at how warm Michiru felt against her core.
Haruka felt Michiru's hands move to her waist as she guided the rolling of their hips together, but Haruka wanted to take things slow, to prolong Michiru's pleasure for as long as she could. If she gave in to Michiru's taunts, it wouldn't be long until they were both succumbing in each other's arms.
"Michiru, please," Haruka's body quivered, her hips moving away only to be pulled right back by Michiru's eager hands.
"I need this," Michiru pleaded, blunt nails digging into Haruka's skin. "You— I need you, darling."
As Haruka heard the velvety use of the sudden pet name, she felt her control begin to crack. "Darling?" The blonde asked, her lips trailing over the curve of Michiru's ears, her hands gripping the tender flesh of her lover's waist.
"Yes, darling, my darling— please, Haruka," she whimpered
Haruka groaned as she pressed herself harshly against Michiru. Feeling the dampness of Michiru against hers made her control crack again like a pressured crystal. Michiru's hand clasped over Haruka's nape, tilting her head so she could look at the Uranian queen.
Haruka could feel the warmth of Michiru's breath over her mouth, the desperation in her hands as she pulled her back yet again. How could Haruka ever deny herself to Michiru, especially when she was begging to be taken?
"Fuck," the broken moan escaped the Neptunian's chest. "Haruka, please, please, make me come."
The last string of control snapped inside of Haruka in an audible gasp. Haruka leaned back, pressed her hands over Michiru's stomach commandingly, forcing her to stay still as the rolling and rocking of her hips became almost erratic. Her left hand climbed from her stomach, over the sweat valley of her heavy breast to her sweaty and slender throat until her fingers settled over Michiru's mouth. She felt the warmth of her breath and her panting against her skin.
Crying out at Haruka's rhythm, Michiru's hands clutched to Haruka's thick thighs, scratching her in the process while Haruka's thumb rubbed Michiru's lower lip.
Michiru's tongue darted out, licking the thumb as it met Haruka's caress. She kissed the rough pad before pulling the finger into her mouth and sucking on it ardently.
Haruka's rhythm faltered. She leaned over Michiru, the hand that held her steady by the stomach moved to clasp Michiru's neck, squeezing it enough to make her gasp and release her thumb.
"Michiru," Haruka growled a warning, her hips going back to the steady rocking as she helped them both reach that peak. Michiru smiled against Haruka's thumb and snickered in between soft cries as Haruka's chest rumbled again.
"I am close, darling," Michiru whimpered, her hands clasping Haruka's broad shoulders as her hips met the blonde's.
"I am too, love," Haruka gasped, her mouth now hovering over Michiru's.
The broken cry filled the cold air in the dark room, blending in with the nightly critters outside the House of Arago.
With a jarring thrust, Michiru threw her head back and shuddered in delight. Haruka smirked, her lips trailing over Michiru's pulse. "That's it, Michiru. Come with me. Let's come together, love."
"Don't stop, please," Michiru's grip on Haruka's thigh was almost painful. Her blue eyes glimmered with unshed tears as she watched Haruka double her efforts.
"Never," Haruka snarled, leaning closer, gathering Michiru in her arms, pressing their bodies closer.
Finally, the air exploded out of her lungs along with Michiru. Her lover's hands flew to her back, scratching the tanned skin, leaving a score of red marks. A distinctive warmth settled on her forehead and slowly dripped through her face, shoulders, and breasts. Haruka gathered herself in soft pants. Michiru's hands released her, only to cup her jaw.
"Your forehead…"
"I know," Haruka panted.
"Mine too," Michiru whispered.
"Perfect," Haruka answered, the teasing smile spreading across her sweaty face.
Michiru mirrored that smile and covered the queen's lips in a sated yet passionate kiss that ended with both women pressing their beaming foreheads together. It burned slightly, nothing too painful, but as they touched their foreheads, a sudden feeling of fullness spread throughout their very souls.
The warmth finally settled down, slipping away through their limbs and then fingers.
Sighing contently and with a dopey smile, Haruka shifted on the bed until she was softly secured in Michiru's loving embrace.
Michiru ran her hand through Haruka's sweaty blonde hair, kissed her forehead, and pulled her closer, if possible. "Are you comfortable?" She asked, that same hand now rubbing against the other woman's jaw.
"Yes. Are you? Am I not too heavy?"
The concern in Haruka's voice earned a chuckle from Michiru. "You are fine. I am fine."
Haruka nodded, her arm finding a very comfortable curve on Michiru's waist; she moved her face enough to hint at Michiru that she wanted a kiss.
Michiru couldn't deny anything to her lover, so she snickered and gave her a soft and slow kiss. The moan coming from the queen was enough for Michiru to smile.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes," Haruka answered, happy, and dazed, and so full of love that Michiru couldn't tear her eyes away from those yellow orbs. "Just thinking."
"About?" Michiru asked, her hand now rubbing against the dimples of Haruka's lower back.
"About how I would forsake my duties as queen only to stay in your arms just like this." Haruka's large hand clamped over Michiru's jaw as she brought her in for another kiss, this time possessive and eager.
Michiru sighed but pulled away enough to give her mind enough time to focus on cuddling with her lover rather than thinking of how good Haruka had made her feel minutes ago.. "We do not have anything planned, now do we?"
"Oh love, after tonight, I am pretty sure Yui and the rest of the settlement would like to have a word with their ruler…"
Michiru tensed.
Haruka quickly picked up on Michiru's anxiety and tried her hardest to calm it. "Other than that, our schedule is pretty much clean." The blonde said, giving Michiru an apologetic smile.
Michiru pulled away and let out an annoyed sigh, her gaze now in an unspecified spot on the ceiling.
"Michiru—"
"Haruka," Michiru began, interrupting her lover. "I am frightened. All my life, I have been hiding out in the shadows. I didn't know who I was, what I was, and just like that, the problems of an entire planet have fallen on my shoulders."
"You have every right to be terrified."
"But I shouldn't be! I shouldn't! I should—"
"Michiru, love," Haruka began, her hand falling on Michiru's shoulder. "I was petrified when my mother died, I was petrified when I crowned myself, I was petrified when I faced my people…" she sighed. "I am petrified knowing that I will have to make decisions that will affect them all. It is normal to be afraid."
Michiru groaned and rubbed her eyes tiredly. "You are right… Tomorrow I will face them, and I will come to terms with this new reality and try to make the best of these changes for everyone." She shrugged. "There is nothing else I can do but take it one day at a time."
"True, but you have to remember one thing, though."
"What is it?" Michiru asked, her gaze falling on Haruka's face again.
"You are not facing them alone. I will be here to help you in any way I can. I promise. From now on, we will do this together."
Michiru felt a distinctive burn in her eyes. She sniffed and tried to control herself before she started to spill her tears. Tonight wasn't about crying; it was about accepting that she was the heiress of Neptune, the survivors of a catastrophe to her planet needed her, and Haruka loved her.
Haruka loved her, and she was willing to go through everything with her every step of the way.
Moving some strands of blonde hair from Haruka's forehead, Michiru kissed the spot where the symbol had appeared a moment ago. She felt Haruka melt into the tender caress and into her embrace as Michiru sighed.
"I love you so much, Haruka," Michiru whispered into the darkness of the room.
"I love you too, Michiru."
With that, Michiru surrendered to the warmth of Haruka's body as her eyes fluttered shut.
Haruka could feel the warmth of the sun shining through the window fall upon her back. She could also feel a burning itch inside of her eyes. She didn't think much of it; she had felt that from time to time. It never really mattered what it was. The blonde pressed her eyelids as she sat on the bed. Her hand graced Michiru's figure, still sleeping next to her. Her steady breathing was almost a lullaby that asked her to come back to bed and sleep the morning away, but Haruka needed to relieve herself in the washroom. She stood from the bed with her eyes closed and slowly yet steadily walked to the room next to the chamber.
Inside, she moved her hands until she found a wash bin; she cupped her hand to gather some water and then splashed her face with the icy cold water. Haruka gasped. She wasn't expecting it to be so cold.
Her eyes flew open, and she stared down at the red dots in her hands…
Wait.
She strained her eyes as she saw the water diluting the red pigment, as it sluiced down her wrist, forearm, and finally her elbow. Haruka watched her muscles move underneath the skin, the veins in the back of her scarred rough hand. Her eyes jumped to the other hand and held her breath. She studied the small scar on the back of her left hand that she got when she was a child and fell on the ground…
Her eyes moved to her chest, there was no paint there, but her flat stomach had smudged blue paint all over; she noticed her blonde mound and then her bare thighs…
She saw everything…
Haruka lifted her gaze to the small hanging mirror above the wash bin. The mirror was big enough to reflect her face; its fractured side made Haruka think it once was a bigger one and noticed the nail from which the mirror hung. She could see everything— the smallest details
Haruka moved before the mirror… Green eyes stared back at her with the same incredulous spark. Green eyes.
"There is no way." Haruka grabbed the mirror, ignoring that she could cut herself with its damaged sides.
Haruka swallowed hard, and she saw her lips parted in her reflection as well as her neck moving as she tried to talk. She saw smears of paint on her shoulders, exactly where Michiru's hands had been last night as they made love.
Her heart missed a beat, squeezing inside her chest.
"Michiru."
As the fog of disbelief cleared out, the sudden realization that the woman she had wanted to see for so long was steps away sleeping soundly in the bedroom made Haruka's grip on the mirror loosen. She shuddered and placed it inside the wash bin and turned towards the door, slipping in the process and falling in her desperation to head back to the bedroom chamber.
She stood up quickly, slipping twice but not losing her footing. She ran and moved to the opening that divided the washroom and the bedroom, her hands holding to the door frame with white knuckles.
She exhaled as her still burning eyes fell on Michiru's sleeping form. Her chest was about to burst with all the emotions she had been holding since the first day she heard Michiru's voice inside her bed chamber back in the castle.
Haruka's knees buckled, and she fell again hard on the wooden floor as if about to worship the holiest of goddesses. Finally, she found her words, only to let them out in a whisper.
"Holy Uranus…"