When Alexis woke up, she had no idea where she was. The bed she was laying in was unfamiliar with its simple beige sheets and blanket, now rumpled and sticking out at odd ends from her slumber. It looked as if she had been out of it for a good few hours at least. Looking around, the room itself was small and dimly-lit with only a few minor pieces of furniture here and there.
"Good, you're finally awake. How are you feeling?" An all-too familiar voice inquired softly.
Alexis sighed in relief at the sight of Aster as he walked in from what looked like a sort of impromptu dining area a bit further down. He then took a seat on the small sofa placed across from the bed.
"Where are we? The last thing I remember was that we were all at Kaiba Land, and you and Jaden had just dueled Sarina…" Alexis trailed off as the memories of everything else from the day came flooding back to her.
"We're in my trailer that I used here for the field trip once we got to the mainland. You fainted after the duel, so I brought you here to rest. Although it wasn't easy to convince your brother that that was the best course of action." Aster explained, smiling a bit at the mention of Atticus.
"Great... The last thing I wanted was to cause more problems between you two. I feel so embarrassed that I just passed out like that." Alexis admitted.
Aster softened at Alexis' frustration. "It's completely normal for people to have reactions like that from being in the virtual environment too long. Kaiba Corp. even lists it as a possible side-effect in their guide of the park. You have nothing to be ashamed of. And it's also part of the reason I wanted you to stay here tonight. I thought you could use some space away from all the others at the hotel." He explained.
"Well, you hit the nail on the head with that assumption. Thanks, Aster. I appreciate it." Alexis said softly. With that, she got out of bed and joined Aster on the sofa, leaning her head comfortably against his side.
Aster draped his arm leisurely across Alexis' shoulder, enjoying the peace of the moment. "I'm just glad you're alright. For the longest time, I had no idea what the heck happened to you and it freaked me out. Then when I found out that Sarina was behind it all, things finally started to make sense." He recounted.
"I talked to her for awhile before you came. She really is worried about you and Sartorius a lot. I could tell just from the way she talked how much you guys are like family. I'm glad I met her." Alexis said truthfully.
"So, I'm guessing you know the whole story now, huh?" Aster checked.
"More or less. I know that this apparently isn't normal for Sartorius and that the card you're searching for fits into all of it somehow." Alexis supplied.
"Yes, but there's more to it now. Whether the card is the one that's supposed to be on the island soon or not isn't clear yet. But I just have this feeling that it's all linked together somehow and that everything will come to a head soon..." Aster admitted somewhat apprehensively.
"And this also means Sarina is on our side ultimately, right?" Alexis asked carefully.
Aster looked down at the floor glumly at Alexis' question. "I don't know how much that matters right now, though... Sarina isn't exactly in a position to help anyone right now, I'm afraid." He said seriously.
"What do you mean!?" Alexis asked in alarm.
"After the duel, we almost couldn't get out. Sarina had to seal herself in the virtual world just to help us escape. We're not even sure if she can get out now..." Aster explained sadly.
"Wait, what!? But how is that even possible!? I mean, it's just a virtual theme park attraction! Can't the employees just turn it off or something!?" Alexis said in surprise.
"That's what we're hoping for. Mr. Motou-that's Yugi's grandfather, I mean-is going to get in touch with Kaiba to see if he can do anything about it." Aster explained. But despite his words, he didn't look anywhere near cheerful about the prospect.
Alexis took Aster's hand gently in both of hers. "If anyone can get to the bottom of what's going on with it, it's Kaiba himself. I'm sure she'll be fine." She said reassuringly.
Aster couldn't help smiling at Alexis' attempt to cheer him up. In return to her gesture, he laced his fingers through hers gently.
"Thanks, Alexis. I needed to hear that." Aster said gratefully.
"That's right. We're in this together, Aster. And we're going to get through all of it." Alexis promised.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. As much as Aster was enjoying the peace of the moment though, he knew that now was the time to tell Alexis the truth. Taking a deep breath first to prepare himself, he proceeded to tell all.
"Yeah, I do appreciate all of your support, Alexis. You're one of the few people I've ever really trusted in my life... And it's time you knew the truth. That's also why I wanted you to stay here tonight." Aster began carefully. It was now or never.
Alexis couldn't help feeling nervous. This sounded serious and she had no idea if it was meant to go in either a good or bad direction. What if Aster had decided that he couldn't handle a relationship between them anymore with everything else he had to deal with?
"When you didn't come out of the diner today, I was a wreck. I'd never felt that much panic in my life and it scared me. For awhile, I really thought that I had lost you. It was absolutely horrible and I don't ever want to relive that again. But it also made me realize even more just how important it is to not put off some things while you still can." Aster explained.
After a moment of strained silence, Aster took a deep breath and continued. "What I'm trying to say is...I love you, Alexis." He confessed quietly.
Total silence followed while Alexis' brain worked to comprehend what Aster had just told her. He really DID feel as strongly as she did. This wasn't a casual relationship for him. A part of her felt like jumping for joy. But at the same time, she also had questions burning on the tip of her tongue to be answered.
Despite the whirlwind of complicated emotions going through her head all at once, all Alexis had to do was look at Aster's expression of nervous expectancy, and she answered in the simplest way that came to mind.
"I...love you too, Aster." Alexis confessed in a voice just above a whisper. As soon as she did, it felt as if a veil of gentle warmth had surrounded her. A soft smile slowly turned up the corners of her mouth; and she was pretty sure her face was glowing with a tinge of a blush.
Just like that, all of the fear and anxiety that Aster had been feeling vanished. It was as if he was a child being told that school had been canceled completely. Or that Christmas would be celebrated everyday from now on. Except somehow, this was even better. It was stronger on a deeper, more permanent level. Alexis loved him, and that felt like enough to get him through anything.
Aster placed his arms around Alexis and gently folded her into his arms. "I hoped that we might be getting here soon..." He whispered softly in half-amusement. They then proceeded into a long and tender kiss.
Once the kiss ended, Aster rested his forehead gently against Alexis', enjoying the tranquility of the moment.
"I was so worried that this wasn't as serious for you as it was for me. I mean, I didn't think that you didn't care about me, just that you only liked me only enough for dating. Do you know what I mean?" Alexis confessed.
"I do. It was the same for me, too. I had actually meant to tell you sooner. Back when we were going on our date to Kaiba Land, I had this whole elaborate plan to tell you, but then everything got messed up and I didn't know what to do. I was afraid that knowing that would be too much on top of everything else we went through. And then I felt like I just...couldn't find the right time. Anyways, I'm really sorry for everything you've gone through because of me, Alexis. If I could do it all over, none of that would have even happened." Aster lamented.
"You can't blame yourself for everything that happens to me, Aster! We have no way of knowing where our actions take us. If anything, I'd like to believe that we're coming out stronger from the harder things." Alexis insisted. She remembered her earlier conversation with Sarina about how Aster wasn't completely free from wanting the security of knowing the future.
Aster's expression softened at Alexis' encouragement. "You're right. With you by my side, how can I not be more confident to face the challenges ahead?" He said with a smile.
Once again, Aster and Alexis began kissing. But this time, there was more intensity to it. With his arms wrapped tightly around her, Aster had practically welded Alexis' body against his. Their breathing in-between kisses became ragged with lust. It wasn't until his hands started exploring underneath her shirt that the reality of the current state of their physical relationship returned.
Alexis automatically pulled away from Aster with a quick jolt of movement, her body reacting instinctively to the memory of the awful sensation of the panic from that night near the sorority house.
Immediately understanding what he had just triggered, Aster's arms dropped from Alexis' side quickly. "Alexis, I am so sorry! I didn't think..." He apologized profusely.
"I'm sorry, Aster. It's not that I don't want to. It's just that ever since then, I haven't been able to stop remembering it. Every time we start to go a little further, all I can see and feel is Harrington pinning me against that wall. And whenever I close my eyes and try to sleep, it's still there. I don't know how to get rid of this feeling..." Alexis confessed helplessly.
Aster took Alexis' hand gently in his. He started rubbing his fingers in a circular motion against her palm, trying to convey a message of reassurance.
"What happened to you was absolutely awful and nothing anyone should ever have to go through, Alexis. No one likes to feel like they are powerless to help themselves. We don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with. But there are ways to defend yourself in situations like that. I've been thinking lately, and if you'd like, I could teach you if you think it would help ease your mind." Aster offered thoughtfully.
"You mean like self-defense training?" Alexis asked curiously.
"Yes. It's something that's recommended to all high-profile duelists once we start to hit the bigtime in our careers. The Senrigan Group provided some classes for me a while back, so I at least know the basics." Aster explained.
"I think I'd like that..." Alexis admitted honestly.
Aster smiled at Alexis' response. "I'm glad to help in any way I can. But don't worry. It's not something you should worry about immediately if you don't want to. We have plenty of time." He reassured her.
A brief silence hung between them. Despite everything he had said, Aster could see that the frustration of their situation was still visible in Alexis' facial expression. So, he decided to offer one more idea.
"And just so you know, you can always take the lead when we're together if you want. You would always be in complete control." Aster offered quietly.
Alexis stared in surprise at Aster. A big part of the appeal of their sex life for both of them had usually been how dominant he could be. Falling into the act on his whims had always been unpredictable and exciting for her until the incident had occurred. But now, the idea of a complete reversal of roles sounded much more appealing. Maybe if she could feel some sense of control again, it would help her state of mind. If anything, she was willing to give it a try.
"You mean it?" Alexis checked carefully.
"I do. I would just sit back here and let you start things off. I'm all yours, Alexis." Aster confirmed.
"I'm not sure how far I'll go, but I certainly don't mind trying to find out." Alexis admitted, a thoughtful smile playing on her lips.
Without any further discussion, Alexis placed her hands gently on Aster's shoulders and drew him in closer towards her. As she initiated a kiss between them, he kept his arms unmoving at his sides. He wanted Alexis to feel as in control as possible during their encounter.
As their kiss deepened, Alexis grew bolder. She changed her position on the sofa so that she was now straddling Aster's lap, causing him to let out a soft hiss of arousal.
"Aah, shit... I've missed this so much." Aster whined softly as Alexis ground her hips against his in a slow, rhythmic fashion.
Alexis paused her hip motions and smiled coyly at Aster. Having him at her mercy was more enjoyable than she had imagined. She tugged lightly on his necktie, letting her hand run down it in a seductive gesture.
"What's wrong, Aster? You seem a bit...hot and bothered." Alexis teased seductively.
"Alexis, please..." Aster begged, his voice just above a whisper. The grinding had resumed along with occasional soft licking and teasing bites around his earlobe, and it was driving him mad.
Deciding it would be cruel to torture Aster by prolonging her foreplay any longer, Alexis got to work on undressing her boyfriend, removing each article of clothing one by one. Once he was down to nothing but his boxers, she took a moment to fondle his erection. The way his breath accelerated from her actions left her elated with bliss. To know that he genuinely enjoyed and savored every action of hers like this was something she appreciated more than words could say. That every time they did this was just as filled with anticipation and excitement as their first time was.
Once she was finished undressing him, Alexis exchanged a brief gaze of understanding between them, with Aster giving her a nod of encouragement. Alexis then stood up from the sofa and proceeded to undress herself. For a moment, Aster looked away quickly, afraid that his staring would only make Alexis feel too exposed. But she simply smiled warmly at his reaction, letting him know that she felt comfortable enough with him for this.
Now, just as every bit as undressed as Aster was, Alexis made her way back to the sofa. Putting her hands gently in his, she guided them down to her hips so that he could help guide her movements. Then, with his help, she slowly lowered herself down onto his hard cock, letting her folds sink down and sheathe it in a tight embrace. Both lovers gasped in amazement at the return of the mind-numbing sensation of pleasure they had missed from each other for too long now.
After wrapping her arms securely around Aster's neck, Alexis started slowly moving up and down on his cock, riding him gently. In turn, he would thrust upwards in time with her, burying his cock in the heavenly wetness of her tight walls.
"Ohhh... This is...so good. Aster...uhhh!" Alexis moaned blissfully as she felt the tip of Aster's cock rub against what felt like three different sweet spots all at once. She was drowning in euphoria from his actions, making it feel like the room was swimming all around them in a haze. It was just always THAT good with him.
"Aagh... Holy shit, holy fuck this is good, baby. You do this to me every time" Aster groaned lewdly. The slow undulating hip motions from his lover had turned to bouncing, turning him on even more.
The wet squelching and smacking noises from them continually joining together on the sofa along with their vocalized pleasure could most likely be overheard from the window he had left cracked open earlier. But even if that thought had crossed Aster's mind in the heat of this moment, he wouldn't have cared. Sweet, sensual fucking with the love of his life was what mattered to him right now.
"Uh, AAH~ Don't stop; keep going! Please don't stop! Uhh! Aster, I'm going to- Hnngh!~" Alexis moaned frantically, her words rushing out of her until they almost sounded like a chant. She ground her hips against him harder.
"Yes! I'm there! So tight! Ungh!" Aster growled in anticipation. His fingernails dug into the sides of her hips in excitement as he braced himself for the climax.
With one final slamming thrust into each other, Alexis threw her head back and shrieked in pure, orgasmic ecstasy as she found her much-needed release. This caused Aster to follow immediately after, letting out a low growl of satisfaction. A relentless barrage of semen sprayed out of his cock against her womb, effectively filling her up.
It took a good few minutes for Aster and Alexis to recover from their latest spectacle. All that could be heard were soft, panting breaths and the occasional sigh of post-orgasmic afterglow. Once the high had worn off, Alexis rested her head gently against Aster's shoulder, breathing in his scent.
"I love you, Aster... So, so much... Thank you for being you." Alexis whispered softly.
"I love you too, Alexis. We're going to stay together forever now, I promise. I won't let anything bad happen to anyone else I care about." Aster vowed.
xxx
Sometime later that night, Alexis and Aster lay curled up together in bed. Their confession had fully reignited the spark of their physical relationship, and they had gone another round in bed not too long after their session on the sofa. With the sheets strewn messily around the edges of the bed, they both held each other close in contented exhaustion. Alexis rested her head against Aster's chest while he gently stroked her hair.
"I was thinking... How would you like to come over and stay with me at home for this weekend?" Alexis offered thoughtfully.
Aster looked at Alexis in surprise. "What brought this on all of a sudden?" He asked curiously.
"Well, I can't keep my parents in the dark about us forever. They're going to want some explanation of where I'm going if we're going to be spending a lot of time together during things like summer break with that rolling around soon enough. I think it's time they met you." Alexis reasoned.
"I'd love to meet them. Provided that they're not going to be annoying about us like Atticus, of course." Aster agreed, unable to refrain from rolling his eyes slightly at the reminder of Alexis' overprotective brother.
"You know that I told you they're not like that. They'll probably want to throw a party for you, if anything." Alexis grumbled slightly.
Aster chuckled softly at Alexis' irritation. He ruffled her hair affectionately. "Don't worry. I'm sure we can handle it. I understand your worries, but at least I won't have to worry about dueling them for you, if anything." He reassured her.
Alexis couldn't help smiling in amusement at Aster's words. "That's true. Just be prepared, though. Because they're probably going to end up liking you TOO much, if anything." She cautioned.
"Don't worry. I'm prepared for anything as long as I have you, Alexis..." Aster reassured softly.
AN: Sorry it's been so long! I am still trying to get back into updating. I really had trouble writing this whole confession scene, I admit. There's actually more to it, but I decided to break it up a bit so that I can write a nice and easy fluff chapter next. I've also noticed that this story has been...popular? Idk, it gained a few new favorites/follows since then and there's been quite a lot of activity on the traffic graph for it lately. That made me really happy, so I was finally able to get into finishing this milestone. So, thank you! Anyways, next time it will be a fluff chapter where they have a fun little conversation about all the little details of the how and why they fell in love with each other. You know, all that good, cutesy couple-related stuff. And there will be a little foreshadowing of sorts, too. Thanks for reading!