It's been years since I've written. And this is my first PR fic. I got the inspiration to write this one shot because I'm working on a story set during their senior year, where Kim's no longer in Florida. I needed a backstory to how things had gone down in order to get them to that point.
I've always liked the darker, grittier PR stories. And I love Tommy that way as well. Kim being his kryptonite, of course.
I use music to write. Sometimes the songs don't even make sense, but they just work to get the words flowing. For this fic I used Smells Like Teen Spirit by Malia J, especially during the short dream sequence, and Can't Help Falling in Love, the Kina Grannis rendition.
I'm definitely a little rusty but I hope you all enjoy!
April
Junior Year
Tommy hit the mat hard with a thud. Laying his head back on the soft, blue surface, he closed his eyes and exhaled forcefully. It had been the third time Rocky had bested him in the last twenty minutes. He knew his mind was elsewhere and no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't focus. Thoughts of how much he missed Kim and the cold way she'd been acting lately, had been consuming him slowly. He couldn't pinpoint when things had shifted between them, but they had. Drastically. And it scared him to no end.
Their once nightly phone calls had become few and far between. Their conversations were nearly nonexistent. The awkward silences. The scrambling to find things to talk about. The fleeting I love you's before a quick hang-up—Alarm bells rang loudly in his heart, but he did his best to suppress the doubts and anguish, chalking it up to insecurities.
They loved each other deeply. Tommy was sure of that above all else. He couldn't imagine his heart belonging to anyone but Kim. She was his and he was hers. Nothing could change that. Not even the miles separating them. The pair had made promises to each other before her departure to Florida.
He vividly remembered the night before she left. After weeks of trying to be the strong, supportive boyfriend and leader, his emotions had finally reached their breaking point, bursting open like a dam. He sobbed like a baby in her arms for what felt like hours. But through grief-stricken words of encouragement and caresses, they'd vowed to make it work and stay together.
Their last night was damn near magical. Though not the first time the couple had made love, it had, by far, been the most passionate.
A lump formed in his throat at the thought of the last conversation he'd had with his girl two days prior. She was short and irritable, responding in one or two words. After only fifteen minutes, she had claimed to be too exhausted and needed to sleep… that she needed to think about things. Kim's parting 'I love you' came so fast and quiet, he'd barely heard it, and he certainly hadn't had time to reply before she was gone.
Tommy was young, but he knew enough that when a woman told her significant other she needed time to think, it usually never meant anything good.
"Hey, bro, you okay? You look like you're a million miles away," Rocky asked with an edge of concern for his friend.
Tommy sat up, forearms resting on his knees. "I'm good," he lied, "just missing Kim. The usual shit."
Rocky arched a brow. "I don't know, man, seems like there's a lot more to it than you just missing Kim. C'mon, talk to me."
Tommy looked up at his teammate and shook his head, coming to his feet. He and Rocky had become very close over the last few months, almost as close as he and Jason once were. It was obvious the red ranger suspected something more serious was afoot.
"I feel like something's wrong with Kim… with us, I mean. Things have changed between us, Rock. She's distant and I really don't know what I did wrong. I mean, I know Zedd has kept us busy, and then there's school, and work, and practice. But I always make time for her. She knows how much I love her. How much I fucking miss her. I just don't get it."
"Damn, I'm sorry, bro. But what if she's just tired? I know 'Sha was telling me how many crazy hours she has to practice. Maybe it's just stress and exhaustion?"
"Maybe," Tommy muttered, wiping his brow with a towel and staring off again. "But what if… if there's someone else?"
The words tumbled out before he could stop himself. They were those dark thoughts that crept up on him at night when he couldn't sleep. The ones he tried so hard to push out of his mind whenever he thought about the icy way his girlfriend had been treating him. It was the first time he'd dared to say them out loud, even if he hadn't meant to.
Rocky put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Look, man, this is Kimberly we're talking about. I really don't see her doing you like that, but the only way you're going to know, for sure, is by asking her flat out. I know she loves you, but if something is going on, you have to know before you drive yourself crazy."
The white ranger nodded solemnly. "Yeah, you're right," he agreed with a loud huff.
"I'm not gonna lie, though; it feels really good laying you out on your ass as many times as I have," he teased, attempting to lighten the mood.
"Fuck you," Tommy laughed, playfully punching Rocky in the chest. "Let's see if it happens again."
He pulled his white tank off and the two teens renewed their sparring session.
"Wonder what they were talking about. Seemed serious," Aisha mused, sipping her smoothie as Kat had joined her, taking a seat by the bar.
The blond had just finished up a dance private with a young student and had overheard the guys' conversation. A small part of her felt a pang of pain for Tommy because it was clear in his words and demeanor how distraught he was over his situation with her predecessor. But she couldn't help the thrill that coursed through her at the thought of them no longer being a couple.
Tommy and Kim were the couple. Everyone at school knew they belonged to one another and were off limits. It's just the way things were. While admirers were plenty, the pair only had eyes for each other. And outside of their gang and a few select friends, there weren't many guys brave enough to even look Kim's way with Tommy around.
The white ranger was only seventeen, but he carried himself like the leader and warrior he was. His presence commanded attention and respect. And something in his eyes warned of a latent darkness that lived just beneath the surface.
Katherine had tried so hard to quash her growing feelings. Worst of all, she genuinely liked Kimberly. The brunette was sweet, compassionate, and friendly; the first of the ranger group to invite her into their circle. But no matter what she did or how hard she tried to suppress it, she couldn't help falling harder and harder. Tommy was just so strikingly gorgeous. Although reserved by nature, the boy had an alluring charisma about him. She could lose herself in the depths of his chocolate brown eyes. And his smile…
Kimberly Hart was indeed a very lucky girl. Kat couldn't imagine what it would feel like to be loved as deeply and intensely as Tommy loved Kim. She nearly shuddered at the thought of being wrapped up in those strong arms, his lips pressed to her neck the way he'd always do to Kim.
The blonde would always die a little inside with the couple's unabashed public displays of affection. While their friendship had been too new for Kim to ever have confided in her that she and Tommy were having sex, it wasn't hard to deduce. Their love and passion had been glaringly obvious, much to her dismay. There was nothing shy or reserved about the way they held or caressed one another. The way his eyes would devour her, and how they seemed to always have an unrelenting need to touch.
It was all Katherine could do not to scream.
As guilt-ridden as it made her feel, Kimberly leaving for Florida had been like an answered prayer. But being asked to carry the mantle and become the new pink ranger, well, that had been like hitting the proverbial jackpot. Not that she was trying to get her hopes up, but she knew teenage love, even one as devout as theirs, rarely lasted the test of time, let alone over 3,000 miles.
"Earth to Kat. Hello!" the yellow ranger waved a hand in front of her distracted friend's face.
"Oh… huh?" Her gaze was focused on Tommy's bare and perfectly muscled chest.
Aisha rolled her eyes to the blonde's direct line of sight and pursed her lips. She liked Kat; she really did. And thought of her as a good friend and formidable ranger. But she also knew of Kat's feelings where Tommy was concerned, which complicated things since Kim was like the sister she never had. Her loyalties would forever lie with the former pink, no matter how close she and the Australian ever became.
As long as their girl code stayed intact, Aisha figured the girl couldn't help too much how she felt. Their leader was certainly considered top-tier eye candy. And Aisha wasn't blind. But pretty as Tommy was, he was like a brother, and forever the property of a Kimberly Ann Hart.
"You know, I heard Kim might be coming down for Junior prom," she offered, attempting to remind Kat that the object of her affection was very much taken.
"I don't know about that…" Kat responded with just a barely noticeable grin pulling at the corners of her mouth.
Aisha's brows knitted together. "What do you mean?"
Blue eyes finally met brown ones. For a second, she seemed to hesitate, vacillating whether to speak or not. With a small exhale of breath, she whispered, "I think Kim might be cheating on Tommy."
The yellow ranger's eyes grew wide in shock, then narrowed in utter confusion.
"Excuse me. Come again? You think what?" she demanded sharply. "Why would you say something like that?" Aisha knew damn well Kim would never confide a secret of that magnitude with Kat. And she was appalled that the new pink would believe such a vicious rumor.
"I heard Tommy talking to Rocky about it," Kat confessed, both hands up, trying to calm Kim's now agitated and defensive best friend. "I heard him say how cold and distant Kim's become and how she's changed. He himself admitted that he believes there could be someone else."
The dark-haired girl looked over to their leader and teammate, shaking her head. "No, I just… I don't believe that. Kim loves Tommy. She would never betray him like that. There's got to be an explanation." Aisha came to her feet abruptly. "I have to get ahold of her. I-"
"Wait, I don't think that's such a good idea. Tommy's planning to talk to her tonight, and I honestly think you should let the two of them sort this out first."
Aisha took in a deep, frustrated breath, finally nodding in agreement. She supposed it made sense and she made the conscious decision to call Kim the following night, just to make sure all was good and lend her sister any support she might need. Something just wasn't right.
With a quick goodbye, Kat found herself alone at the bar. She'd indulge her eyes a little bit longer, hopeful that Tommy would eventually join her for lunch.
She had never outwardly made any moves on him, out of respect for his relationship and the team, of course. But if Kim was going to be foolish enough to give up a man like Tommy, then maybe he needed a little push so that he'd realize the former pink ranger wasn't the only girl in the universe.
"Hey, Rock, I'll see you tomorrow," Tommy said, clapping the red ranger on the back.
"Yeah, bro. And let me know how it goes with Kim. Call if you need to talk… you know, just in case."
With a knowing nod, the guys parted ways. Tommy slung a white duffle bag over his shoulder and made his way toward the exit.
"Hey, Tommy!" Kat greeted excitedly, flashing the brightest smile she could muster.
Fuck, he groaned inwardly, trying his best to plaster a smile of his own without looking too annoyed. Nothing personal against Katherine, he just wasn't in the mood for pleasantries.
He liked his new pink ranger. In the last six months, she had more than proven to be an asset to the team. But at the end of the day, she wasn't Kim, as much as he wished she was. And deep down, as senseless and unjustified as it was, he held a sliver of resentment towards his girlfriend's replacement.
"Oh, hey, Kat. What's up?"
"Um, I was wondering if you wanted to join me for lunch. I ordered you a strawberry protein shake!"
"Look, Kat, I'm really sorry. I need to hit the shower and I was just on my way home. I really wasn't trying to-"
"Please," she pressed, "I wanted to talk to you about… what's been going on with Kim."
Tommy's brows furrowed. "Kim? What do you know about that?"
The blonde motioned for him to sit. She'd piqued his curiosity, so he obliged, pulling up a stool and impatiently waiting for her to speak. Maybe she knew something he didn't.
"I'm sorry; I wasn't trying to eavesdrop earlier. I had a private lesson with one of my younger students… and I heard you talking about Kim." She put a hand on his wrist. "You can talk to me, you know. I just wanted to let you know the way she's treating you is not right." At that point, Kat had managed to slip her hand into his, thumb rubbing gentle circles on his skin. "She knows all you have to deal with as leader. I would never do that to you."
The white ranger shook his head. He didn't know whether to be upset or embarrassed that Kat, of all people, knew about his troubles with Kimberly. While Tommy never paid any mind to other girls pining for his attention, he certainly wasn't oblivious to them either. Ever since Kim had left, he'd had more than his fair share of offers. Being a guy, he could appreciate a pretty face and figure, and he most definitely missed having sex, but none of those girls were Kim. And he would never do anything to jeopardize what he had with her.
Katherine had a crush on him since before joining the team, that much he knew. Kim had been aware as well, but the couple was confident in their commitment that neither cared, so long as she never acted on those feelings. Tommy absolutely thought the Australian to be a beautiful girl; he wouldn't deny that. But that was as far as that went or would ever go. She was and would always be just that: a teammate and a friend.
Retrieving his hand, Tommy sighed, knowing he'd have to be as forward and blunt as possible to nip whatever this was in the bud. She'd never been this bold before.
"Listen, Kat, I'm not trying to be rude, but that was a private conversation between Rocky and me. I'm not sure I really feel comfortable discussing it with you. I'm sorry."
The girl's features soured; a tinge of sadness and hurt touched her eyes. "I'm sorry… I just thought we were friends and-"
"We are. We are—friends," he reassured, placing his hand on his lap, away from her, while emphasizing the word. He immediately felt bad when her face flushed pink. "Kat, please don't take this the wrong way."
"No, no, it's fine," she muttered, looking away from him.
An uncomfortable silence fell over them. Tommy suddenly felt anxious and suffocated. He just wasn't in the mood or headspace to deal with whatever unnecessary stress Kat was trying to pile on him.
"Hey, I have to get out of here. Kim and I, we love each other, and I know we'll be fine." He got to his feet. "Thank you for offering to help."
Help?
Although she knew she had no right to be angry, the pink ranger couldn't help the heat of indignation now burning her cheeks and the tips of her ears. Tommy was so blinded, so infatuated with her predecessor that nothing would derail that obsession even if the evidence was right in front of his face. Kimberly was the only person who held power over the stubborn and indomitable Tommy, and it drove Katherine absolutely mad. Even from across the country, her claws were so deep in him that it was almost like he couldn't function properly. He'd turned into a shell of himself, and he hadn't even realized it. He needed a reality check.
Kat gripped the table, knuckles blanching as she braced herself for what was about to fly out of her mouth.
"No, Tommy, I wasn't trying to help in the way you think. I was trying to make you see reason." Tommy stopped but didn't turn around. "It's not right what she's doing to you, whether or not there is someone else. I can see how it's affecting you. We all knew something was off. We just figured it was just you torn up and sulking over Kim again." There was an edge to her voice that hadn't gone unnoticed.
"What?" Tommy's jaw ticked. He turned, her words had struck a nerve.
Katherine grabbed at his wrist again, the sharpness to her tone softening just an ounce, "It's true, Tommy. You've been upset and distracted about missing Kim and now it's about Kim not missing you. Sometimes it's just hard to communicate or connect with you… even in battle. Like we have to walk on eggshells around you. It affects us all as a team."
His face felt white-hot with rage. Had she been one of the guys, he would have told her to fuck off. But he bit his tongue.
"Are you… questioning my ability to lead the team? You're dangerously out of line." He stared at her incredulously, trying hard to maintain his composure and not lose his shit on her the way he probably wanted to. "Look, I really don't want to do this with you, especially here. I like you and I respect you. But you're new here, Kat. Don't ever call into question my judgment and leadership. That's not your place."
"Except it was hers, right?" she bit back harshly. "It was perfectly okay for Kimberly to question and defy your orders left and right. As if I don't remember! Or did it not matter since she was the one sleeping with the boss?"
Tommy's teeth clenched. He ripped his arm from hers, nostrils flared with each enraged breath. Had Katherine not known the kind of man he was, she probably would have thought he'd hit her at that very moment.
"What the fuck did you just say?"
Katherine shrank back, knowing she'd crossed a line she possibly couldn't come back from. The implication in her comment was like a slap to the face, not only to Tommy's integrity as leader of the Power Rangers, but Kim's legacy as well.
"Tommy—Oh, god… I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"
He leaned close to her ear, growling through clenched teeth, "Command center, now."
Without another word, the white ranger picked up his bag and stalked out the exit. Katherine knew to follow, shoulders slumped forward.
Tommy and Kat's teleportation beams landed at the command center only seconds apart. They were met with Zordon's unreadable expression.
"Look, I'm so sorry," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "I was angry. I never should have-"
"Damn right! I almost don't even care what you said about me, but what you implied about Kim!" he roared, tossing his bag on the floor. "Did you ever stop to think about who was within earshot of your little tirade?"
"Tommy, I think that's quite enough." Zordon's voice was calm but firm, letting the teen know to approach his anger with caution.
The white ranger was seething. Not only had she thrown it in his face that his relationship was on the rocks, and how his leadership had been subpar these last few months, but she had the balls to call Kim out and drag her name through the mud. Tommy's blood was literally boiling. Who the fuck did she think she was speaking to?
A small wave of insecurity rippled through him. Did the whole team feel that way? Had they been talking about him behind his back as Katherine had insinuated? No! No matter how depressed he'd been without Kim, he still went into every fucking battle and gave one-hundred and ten percent of himself. He called the shots. He made the hard decisions, and the world was safer for it.
"She was completely out of line!" he raged, stepping forward and pounding the edge of the control panel with his fist. He suddenly felt himself spiraling, remembering how he'd once destroyed the command center with his bare hands. Bristling with anger, his shoulders trembled as he fought to reign in his emotions.
"Tommy…"
Tommy froze. That voice. He'd recognize that voice anywhere. But it was out of place. It couldn't be. He was almost afraid to turn around. Afraid to be disappointed because lord knew how much he needed her at that very moment. He squeezed his eyes closed, willing his body to move. With tears burning beneath his lashes, he turned slowly, locking eyes with Kimberly for the first time in six, long months.
"Kim…" he murmured, a tremulous smile spreading across his face.
She returned the gesture and ran up onto the small platform, jumping into his waiting arms, and wrapping herself around him tightly as she sobbed quietly over his shoulder.
"It's really you, beautiful. You're here," he whispered over her lips before kissing her soundly.
It was as if the world around them had melted away. Nothing and no one else existed outside of their embrace. He relished in the taste and feel of her in his arms after so long.
After all the worry and anguish of thinking she'd somehow stopped caring, the way she was kissing him now held no indication of doubts or betrayal. Tommy felt as though the weight of the world had lifted off his shoulders. With happy tears running down his cheek, he chuckled, peppering kisses all over her face. Kim laughed as well, her fingers smoothing through his hair.
"I'm glad you didn't faint on me," she teased, pressing her forehead against his.
"No, you know that's your thing," he grinned, inclining his chin to kiss her again. "I missed you so much, Kim. God, I love you. I love you so much…" More kisses rained down on the now giggling former pink ranger.
"I love you, too," she crooned, cradling his face.
"You didn't tell me you were coming? What are you doing here?"
Kim looked away from him, fresh tears gleaming in her eyes.
"I couldn't do it, baby. I'm so sorry."
Tommy frowned at her sudden change and set her down gently, though without relinquishing his hold around her waist.
"What do you mean?"
"Tommy, Kimberly," Zordon called, "You both may have some time to get reacquainted downstairs in private if you so wish. I will speak with Katherine first, and then the three of us will discuss what happened today at a later time."
Tommy looked over to Kat, having completely forgotten she was even in the room. Her back was to the couple, head down, and he nodded in agreement.
"Let's go," he whispered softly, swiping at the moisture rolling down Kim's cheek with his thumb and kissing her forehead.
Once inside Tommy's quarters, he walked her towards the bed, pulling her onto his lap.
"Talk to me, beautiful, please."
She nodded, sucking in a shaky breath. "First of all, I want to apologize to you, Tommy, for the way I've been treating you these last few weeks. I just… I didn't want to disappoint you. I couldn't fake being happy anymore."
"Disappoint me how? Kim, what's going on?"
"I gave up everything for Florida: my power coin, the team, my home… you."
"You didn't give me up. I'm still here," he reassured her, tightening his grasp around her waist. "I would have waited forever for you if that's what it took."
She leaned in and kissed him, shaking her head.
"I didn't want everything I sacrificed to be for nothing, but I wasn't happy anymore. And the truth is, I can't do it anymore. I don't want to. I felt so alone… so stressed out. It just started to take a toll. I felt like I was slowly losing myself, Tommy," she confessed mournfully, unable to meet his gaze.
Tommy noticed for the first time how much thinner Kim was. Though her muscles were far more defined, she was drastically leaner.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he cradled her face gently, forcing their eyes to meet.
"I was already so disappointed in myself. I had given up. And then there's you, Tommy—everything you have to deal with. Literally, the fate of the world is on your shoulders, day after day. The team, Zordon, all look to you to make the right decisions. And you pull through every single time." It was her turn to cup his face. "Tommy, I almost gave up on us and I'm so, so sorry. I just couldn't face you; I truly felt like I didn't deserve you."
Kim flinched internally at the thought of that damned letter. The hurtful things she'd intended to say so that he'd to let her go. She'd heard from Aisha how distracted and dejected he had been since her departure. The mask he'd try to put on to convince everyone, including himself, that he was alright. Guilt ate at her. Tommy was meant for greatness; she just knew it. And she couldn't be the reason he failed. Not him, too.
As her hands trembled, hovering over the mail slot, her heart shattered into a million fragments. A sob tore from her throat as she watched the fated white envelope fall into the box. I love you, Tommy, she'd whispered, her voice hoarse and broken.
That night she'd cried until her throat was raw and her tears had run dry. Well into the early hours of the morning, her bleary and weakened body had finally exhausted the last of its energy and sleep had finally consumed her.
The dream had exploded behind her eyes almost instantly. Bursts of lights and colors swirled around her as if she was in a time warp. Flashes of images rushed by. She saw herself, her teammates—Tommy.
Visions of their battles, both past, and present, played out before her. New uniforms and renewed strength. Another color adorned his figure, yet still he stood, ever the fierce warrior.
Battles forged on. And there she was, by his side every step of the way.
More lights, more flashes, more battles fought and won. Casualties mounted. Off-world, zipping through space and time. Together. Always together. Another shift in uniform, another color.
They danced, they laughed. They made love, consumed in passion. The battles persisted. They were older now, stronger, ever as one.
Another change in color, only this time it had been her turn. Pink and black encased her morphed figure as war raged on around them. Hundreds of rangers stood in defense. Tommy's powerful form at the forefront, her hand in his, their destinies forever intertwined. They prepared for death. Together. Bound by fate.
The flashes ceased suddenly, and a brilliant white light illuminated two figures, looking down at a small bundle, cradled adoringly between them…
Kim had shot up in her bed, an audible gasp escaping her lips. Before she could conjure another thought, the familiar energy of a teleportation beam crackled next to her on the nightstand. Through the shroud of darkness, she saw a small, rectangular envelop that hadn't been there before. It was Tommy's letter. The former pink ranger snatched it and with quivering fingers, ripped it into unrecognizable shreds, as fresh tears slid down face in rivulets.
With the back of her hand, she swiped at the moisture and closed her eyes. That dream had breathed new life into her soul. Her path had never been clearer. She knew exactly what she needed to do. Their story hadn't ended.
It was just beginning.
Thank you, Zordon, she'd whispered into the darkness.
Tommy reached up, taking her hands in his and kissing her fingers affectionately, ripping her from her reverie.
"Kim, you're everything to me. Please don't ever say those things. I don't know what I did to deserve your love but believe me when I say that you're everything. You couldn't disappoint me for following your heart." He moved hair away from her shoulder, kissing the bare skin there. "I just need to know you're sure about this. Competing has been your lifelong dream. I don't want you to give it up. I don't want to feel like I'm somehow holding you back from what makes you happy."
"That's just it. It wasn't making me happy. You make me happy. Don't ask me how; I just know that here is where I'm supposed to be. I know what I want," she murmured, kissing up his jaw.
Tommy's eyes closed, a groan slipping past his lips. "And what's that, beautiful?"
"To save the world and kick some serious alien ass next to my love." He laughed wholeheartedly. "Think Kat will be willing to give me back my powers?"
Tommy's jovial expression suddenly vanished. "I don't exactly care what she wants to do, especially after today. You're my pink ranger. And your place is by my side."
"Tommy, I know what she said. Today, when Alpha and I were trying to locate you on the viewing globe. I heard her." The white ranger's jaw set tight at the thought of Katherine's abhorrent comments. "I don't want you to hold a grudge against her, baby. Not that there's any justification because it stung, but I know it was coming from a place of hurt."
"She has no right to be hurt. And she disrespected you, Kim. Disrespected your legacy as a ranger. I can't let that slide."
"No, but I don't want that to be the reason she's forced to give up her coin. I chose her for a reason. And from what I've heard, I know she's been an asset to the team. I want her to want to come to the decision of her own accord."
Tommy shook his head. "I don't like that idea. What if she refuses?"
"I don't think she will. Can we just give it a try? Please."
A grin suddenly curved his lips.
"You haven't even been here thirty minutes and already you're bossing me around. Damn, maybe Katherine was right after all," he teased, pulling her close and kissing that spot on her neck he knew turned her into putty. She swatted him playfully until she felt the warmth of his tongue drawing tantalizing circles against her skin. "I missed you so much," he groaned, combing his fingers through her caramel locks.
It had been six long, torturous months since the last time he felt her shudder in his arms; since he'd heard his name dance from her lips as he drove her to the heights of ecstasy. He craved her, needed her more than he needed his next breath.
"Come on," she purred seductively, taking his hand and leading him to the ensuite. "I think we both need a hot shower."
"Shit, sorry. I was working out with Rocky before-"
Kim put a finger to his lips. "How 'bout you shut it and make love to me already?"
He chuckled, grabbing the hem of his wifebeater and tearing it up over his head before doing the same to her white tank.
As the steam from the shower billowed behind them, he crushed his mouth to hers in a hungry kiss. Kim moaned softly as his deft fingers unhooked her bra.
Searing heat sizzled from her core, stealing her breath in waves as he relieved her of every single last article of clothing at an agonizingly slow pace, his lips tracing every inch of her in the process.
"You're so beautiful," he swore, reaching for her.
Tommy's hands splayed against her back, holding her tightly to his chest as they devoured each other. In one quick, fluid movement, and never breaking the union of their lips, he reached under her backside and hoisted her up into his arms. Kim locked her ankles at his back.
"I love you… I love you," she whimpered over and over between frantic kisses.
Water cascaded down their bodies as they stumbled under the nozzle of the shower. Kim leaned her head back as his hungry mouth trailed down the column of her throat.
"I missed you so much, baby," he groaned into her shoulder.
Fistfuls of his hair were clutched between her fingers, mouth parted as she felt him fill her to the hilt. Her back was now against the tile wall, nails biting the hard planes of his back as he drove into her, thrust for euphoric thrust.
The uninhibited cries of their impassioned coupling echoed throughout.
Tangled bodies spilled back over the bed. Two, three times over until their muscles were spent to the point of utter exhaustion.
"Do you think Zordon knows?" Tommy asked, a contented smile stretched across his lips.
He was laying horizontally across the bed, head over Kimberly's lap. A thin, white sheet was all that covered him, draped loosely across his lower pelvis.
"Do you think he doesn't?" she countered, grinning amusedly.
Turning to look at her, he lifted his hand to caress the side of her still flushed cheek. He couldn't imagine a more beautiful sight than that of Kim, with his t-shirt hanging off her bare shoulder, happy, and completely, and utterly sated. She leaned into his tender gesture, closing her eyes momentarily.
Tommy pondered over her words and knew she was right. Zordon would never question their decision to become intimate. While he had rules and expectations for his rangers, the teen knew their sage understood the complexities of their love and relationship. Maybe in age, they were just kids, but life and experience had aged and matured their souls. At only 17-years-old, they'd come face to face with death more times than he'd cared to count. They'd been forced to take countless lives in return. They piloted zords across galaxies and time…
No, they were no longer kids. Those days had long been left behind.
"Are you going to tell me about that dream now?"
The brunette traced his bottom lip with her thumb and shook her head softly. The gesture wasn't in response to his question, she just simply couldn't remember. Looking into the recesses of her mind, the memory of the dream that had steered her back into his arms was gone. She knew it had been significant, that it somehow told stories of the adventures that awaited them, and how their spirits were forever intertwined. But all the concrete images and details had vanished.
"I don't remember… but maybe I wasn't meant to," she whispered, leaning down and kissing him tenderly.
"Hey, beautiful?" he queried in a hushed tone, as he placed a kiss on the tip of her nose.
"Yes?"
"Sing for me."
Kim leaned back against the headboard, fingers smoothing through his long hair as she quietly contemplated his request until a wistful smile slowly graced her lips. Her eyes closed and she took in a breath and began to sing…
Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Oh, shall I stay? Would it be a sin
Oh, if I can't help falling in love with you?
Her beautiful voice, coupled with the lyrics, reached the very depths of his soul, curling around his heart. His eyes drifted closed.
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
Oh, for I can't help falling in love with you
Oh, like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Oh, take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
Oh, ooh, oh, for I, I can't help falling in love with you
Tommy didn't know what the future held. The world he had woken up to that morning had shifted in a vastly different direction. Deep down it felt as though his destiny had suddenly been rewritten. A new and extraordinary one slowly unfolding. The woman he loved more than life itself had found her way back to him. And she was exactly where she belonged. Forever by his side.
-END-
Let me know your thoughts!
Also, I met JDF in person and he's so nice and engaging with his fans, even after hours of meet and greets.
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