Ana yawned, then shivered when a draft swept through the boat. She pulled the blanket up to her chest, Kamilah doing the same from where she lay on the futon beside Ana. She scooted closer to the sniper, fingers still swiping across her phone screen. Like Ana, Kamilah had her head propped up against her pillow and bag, so that her wet hair was fanned out and could dry properly in the night air. The boat captain had brought them to a popular swimming spot in the Nile to have fun while dinner was being prepared. And fun did Ana have by splashing water all over Kamilah and dragging her beneath the water surface. Even more fun did Kamilah have by shoving Ana overboard after they had toweled themselves dry, snapping a photo of Ana's look of utter shock for future blackmails.
She kicked at Kamilah's leg when she spotted the photo on the screen. "Delete that."
"No."
"Come on," Ana whined, knocking their heads together. She reached for the phone, but it was brought out of her range. "Delete it!"
"No."
"Why are you such an asshole."
"If I were an asshole," Kamilah explained patiently. "I would've uploaded it to the cloud."
"Oh my god," Ana groaned, holding her phone before their faces. "I hate you."
"If you say so." The ghost of a smile sat on Kamilah's lips as Ana took yet another selfie. "Still at it with Safiya?" she asked when Ana moved back onto her own pillow.
"Mm-hm." With a few rapid taps, Ana sent the photo to her sister. Over the past three days, their conversation had been dominated by photos of themselves and their significant others. They barely even used words anymore. Only with a dash of patience and a lot of scrolling could they find the last text message: Ana's eloquent rebuttal, 'Fuck you mine's prettier'.
Kamilah had called it a 'silly competition' – which it was, but also fun. So Ana kept it up. To be honest, the duel of pride had fallen to the wayside a while ago. Now she was just happy to see Safiya being dorky with Zahra – a helicopter pilot with the airmobile division stationed in Asyut. Apparently their relationship had started with a pickup line Safiya tried on the pilot – something about 'sweeping her off her feet'. Zahra was charmed by the mix of dumb words and a suave demeanour, so here they were. Three months together, and taking goofy selfies for Ana while they waited in line at a movie theatre.
Ana snorted at the picture of Zahra 'shoving' a handful of popcorn into Safiyah's mouth.
[Still can't believe you got a fucking mohawk]
Safiya: [What. I love it]
[Think mama's rolling in her grave right now]
Safiya: [Oh! Now I love it even more!]
[Lol you ass]
Safiya: [Joking, you little shit]
[How DARE you call me little]
Safiya: [;p btw have you asked Kamilah yet]
[Uh no. You?]
Safiya: [Same. I told papa we've only been together 3 months and he said 'so what']
[He's starting to sound like mama]
Safiya: [Ya. Maybe mama's possessing him or something]
[CALLING THE EXORCIST]
Safiya: [SAY GOODBYE MAMA]
[WHY ARE WE LIKE THIS]
Safiya: [I DON'T KNOW]
Kamilah's head lying on her shoulder made Ana aware that she was giggling pretty loudly. Shifting her arm beneath Kamilah, Ana reached a hand up to play with damp tresses, angling the phone so Kamilah could read the message. Panic jolted through her at an afterthought, then she realised the message about 'asking Kamilah' was already off the screen. A discrete sigh of relief passed her lips as Kamilah chuckled.
"Maybe your mother died to get away from you two."
Ana let out a shriek of laughter, getting a surprised glance from the boat's captain. At the slap on her stomach, Ana reined it into quiet cackling.
"Now that was good." She stretched her arm up around Kamilah to type another message.
[Milah said mama died to get away from us]
Safiya: [Wow]
Safiya: [Ask her to marry me]
[No]
"You two are incorrigible," Kamilah said, turning her eyes away from the phone. She draped an arm around Ana's stomach, nuzzling closer into the curve of her neck.
"You're starting to sound like my mother."
"Call the exorcist then."
"Ah, but sweetie," Ana crooned, rolling onto her side to face Kamilah. "If I called an exorcist, you'd be gone as well. Ah– Fuck!" She jerked her head back in pain when Kamilah's forehead collided into her nose.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Means you're a fucking demon," she whined, covering her nose with a hand when Kamilah's brow arched dangerously. Ana resisted a little when Kamilah pulled her hand away. Scrunching up her face when Kamilah's head moved close, she braced for another headbutt which turned out to be a peck on the tip of her nose.
"You just can't help yourself, can you?"
Miraculously pulling her composure together, Ana said, "Around you, never."
Kamilah's lips parted in a smile, and she nestled her head back in Ana's neck again. Loosening the blanket around her body, Ana swung one leg over her human bolster and held her phone behind Kamilah's back, thumbs tapping on its screen.
[Gonna sleep now]
Safiya: [Ooh. 'Sleep']
[We're on a boat you bitch]
Safiya: [So? :) ]
[I have shame]
Safiya: [Never heard of it]
[Does Zahra know you're a shameless barbarian]
Safiya: [Oh she does]
[Ok yes wow I'm tired good night]
Safiya: [Night baby goblin]
[Fuck you]
Safiya: [Eh that's reserved for Zah]
Aside from their stop at a Nubian village, most of their time was spent relaxing on the felucca. Lying on their backs, watching the scenery go by, snapping photos of children playing by the river banks, and returning the greetings of more boisterous foreign tourists on other boats sailing by them. It left Ana's feet twitching restlessly, truth be told. Perhaps the most engaging activity for her was chatting with the boat captain, and looking at photos of his family – especially his newborn granddaughter, whom he could not stop gushing about. Kamilah was content to just lay by the side of the boat, gazing out at the greenery and trailing her fingertips along the water surface.
When their feet finally touched the docks at noon, Ana was filled with enough pent-up energy to walk around the whole of Aswan. They held onto each other while walking, fighting the imaginary waves still bobbing beneath their feet. Only after visiting two ancient temples and a late lunch did they visit Sharia as-Souq, spending the bulk of their time in the bazaar to get the gift-buying out of the way. Kamilah got little carved statuettes for her squad, and picked up a few packets of dried hibiscus flowers for making tea. Ana bought the perfumes her sister had been bugging her about – one each for Safiya, Zahra, Kamilah, and herself. She also got a bunch of talismans for her squad, and a stuffed toy fox for Khalid's niece.
Between Ana and Kamilah, they bought some peanut snacks to share, got matching scarves, some spices for cooking, and something else to have fun with.
It was by pure dumb luck that Ana ended up on her back. 'Dumb' being the operative word, because she had tried to be funny and threw out scissors that was crushed by Kamilah's rock. So here she was, on the bed with her legs spread and resting over Kamilah's thighs, biting her lip as Kamilah added a second finger into her.
"Stop smiling," Ana grumbled, and Kamilah's smile grew wider.
"Don't be such a sore loser." Kamilah bent down to kiss her pout away. "And I know you're enjoying this."
A challenge parted her lips, but she knew better than to voice it when she could feel each twitch of Kamilah's fingers within her. Every teasing brush across her sweet spot made her want to grab Kamilah by the hips, and force her to get. To. The. Point.
Another bout of curses flashed through her mind when Kamilah flicked her wrist, and Ana's hips bucked in response, an involuntary moan wrenched from her throat. Her breaths came shorter as Kamilah rubbed her inner walls, dark brown eyes gazing down at light bronze swallowed by black.
"Just use it, Milah," Ana growled, sucking a breath at the twist of fingers.
"I have to make sure you're ready, dearest."
"We both know damn well you're just teasing–" A gasp when fingers curled and dug hard. Her eyelids fluttered, but Ana forced them to stay open. She stared up at the woman before her, who looked very pleased with herself. Kamilah was having too much fun for someone who had rolled her eyes when Ana dragged her down a less crowded alley, pointing out a discrete-looking shop front.
She also looked too damned sexy with the dark purple phallus between her legs. It should be a crime. Of which Ana would wholeheartedly be the victim.
Ana reached down and grabbed the lubricated toy, tugging it forward. "Stop. Teasing."
"Well," Kamilah drawled. "Since you asked so nicely." She trapped Ana in a hard kiss, swallowing the moans as her fingers pumped roughly, before withdrawing as suddenly as they had started. Kamilah smiled at Ana's whine, then pushed her slick digits into Ana's mouth.
Ana sucked and licked at her fingers, probing her tongue in between and dragging it up, putting on a show for the woman with whom she had locked gazes. She moaned around the digits as she drank in her own taste, before Kamilah took the fingers away and kissed her again, tongue dipping in to steal a taste of her lover. Ana groaned when Kamilah ground their hips together, the strap-on sliding against her centre, making Ana aware of her own wetness.
Kamilah held the toy in one hand, running its tip along her folds. "Have you done this before?"
That got a laugh out of Ana. "Are you really asking me that?"
"I just want to make sure." She teased around Ana's entrance until her partner started to squirm, then sank in slowly.
"I–, it has been a while though," Ana managed to utter, feeling the toy stretch her like Kamilah's fingers never had. She let out a breath as Kamilah pushed in deeper, then halted a third of the way in. The pause in movement was nothing short of torture, and she let herself be distracted by the kisses running down her jaw.
"Then let's get you reacquainted," Kamilah purred in her ear, sending tingles down her spine.
Lips and teeth trailed down Ana's neck as Kamilah's hips started an easy rhythm, keeping at a shallow thrust until Ana urged her to go deeper. The tenderness in Kamilah's caress and kisses melted her heart and set it aflame. Her need grew hotter with each inch easing into her, reaching its peak when Kamilah had filled her completely, perfectly.
Made aware of her smile by the soft kiss on her lips, Ana gazed up her lover, watching Kamilah cock her head curiously. She wrapped her legs around Kamilah's hips, locking her there. "You're so gentle," she murmured.
"Do you want to go faster?"
"Do whatever you want." Ana tugged her down by the shoulders, luring her into another kiss. "I'm yours."
"Oh?" Kamilah pulled her hips back, then drove them forward with more force than before. "What if I want to take you by the window?"
Ana chuckled as Kamilah fell into a leisurely pace. "Then I will scream your name for everyone to hear."
"Mm. Tempting."
No words came after that. Ana's mouth was kept occupied by Kamilah's, her tongue losing in their non-verbal tussle. She ran her hands over Kamilah's shoulders and back, reading each flex of muscle as Kamilah worked on her, until she could draw the length out to its tip, and plunge back in with little resistance.
Hitches in breath and gasps and moans came faster, more often. Kamilah's name turned into a mantra on her tongue, each repetition urging Kamilah to shed the gentle façade, to take her lover by the hips, to dig her nails into sensitive skin, to revel in her lover's cries as Kamilah fucked every single shred of sense out of her mind. Ana braced herself against the headboard, one hand reaching down to entwine with Kamilah's, panting as she watched the toy disappear inside her again and again.
"Ah– Fuck!" Ana cried when Kamilah angled her hips and rammed back in, sending another wave of pleasure crashing through her. Her glazed eyes were raised to the ceiling, barely aware of Kamilah's darkened gaze on her as she panted a name mixed with curses. Her body grew taut as she neared her peak, Kamilah's name now falling from her lips as whimpers, cut short by the sudden emptiness between her legs.
"Milah," she breathed, her mind barely able to piece together a question. She was saved the trouble when Kamilah gripped her arms and yanked her up roughly, cupping her face in both hands and taking her in a hard kiss.
"On your knees," Kamilah intoned, sending another rush between her legs. She grabbed Ana by the hips, guiding her as she hastened to get on her knees as commanded. Ana was barely given time to breathe when Kamilah held her in place, then plunged back in without warning. Ana's fingers dug desperately into the bed sheets, lust-addled mind only aware of her lover pounding into her from behind, and how dripping wet she was. She jerked her hips with a gasp, when a hand snaked around the front to massage her clit hard. Kamilah held her steady, rubbing her relentlessly as sweaty skin slapped together with each thrust.
Then the touch disappeared from her clit, and a hand landed on her back. Ana allowed herself to be pushed down onto her elbows, arching her back as Kamilah changed the angle of her thrust.
"Milah!" The name burst through her throat when Kamilah hit her sweet spot.
"That's it, darling." With both hands on Ana's hips, Kamilah pulled her back in time with each stroke. "Louder."
"God, Milah!" Sheets twisted in Ana's grip as Kamilah met the bull's-eye on every thrust, her body tearing apart at the seams. "Fuck me!"
"I already am," Kamilah said, voice lilting in amusement. But she complied with the order anyway, fucking Ana harder, faster, until nothing but incoherent words tumbled out of her mouth.
Ana's walls tightened around Kamilah's length, and she gasped with each subsequent stroke that built her up, her body shaking until she could feel her release close at hand.
"Milah," Ana panted, fighting to regain her senses. "Wait– Please!" she begged louder, and Kamilah slowed down in response. "Wait."
"Did I hurt you–?"
"No. No," she said between breaths. She turned her head to look at Kamilah, who had bent down to kiss her shoulder. Her hips slowed to a stop, keeping her length buried in Ana. "I want to see you. When I come."
An affectionate smile curved Kamilah's lips. She placed a kiss on Ana's shoulder and neck, then lips traveled down her spine, past her shoulder blades until she reached the small of Ana's back. Kamilah withdrew the toy, letting Ana change positions again. When she had settled on her back, Kamilah eased the length in slowly, then leaned forward to cup Ana's face in one hand.
"You're such a sap," she teased, thumb stroking over her cheek.
"Your sap."
Kamilah hummed, then kissed her slowly. "You're mine."
"Yes," Ana breathed, as Kamilah started again with a comfortable rhythm. "I'm yours."
She felt Kamilah's chuckle rumble in her chest, before being led into another kiss. Soft and simple, growing needy and heated as Kamilah worked her way back to the ruthless pace she had set before Ana stopped her. Ana kept her legs wrapped around Kamilah, gripping onto her lover's back as she was guided back to the edge again.
"Mine," Kamilah repeated in her ear, sending another rush of heat down the side of her face and neck.
"Yours." Ana squeezed through her throat, her senses dominated by the length plunging into her again and again. "I'm yours!" she cried when Kamilah rediscovered the spot, and hit it just so. "Milah, please!"
"Come to me, Ana," Kamilah panted, raising her head to look at the woman under her mercy. She continued fucking Ana, not giving her a chance to speak. "I want to see you–"
"Fuck!" She crested the peak of ecstasy, writhing body locking up under Kamilah, her walls clenching tight around the length that continued pumping into her. Kamilah's eyes bore into hers as she rode out her climax; head thrown back, hips twitching under Kamilah's, nails digging painfully into her back, lips parted in a silent aftermath of her scream.
Kamilah slowed her pace gradually, easing Ana down with languid strokes, pressing kisses all along her neck and jaw, before coming to a stop. She waited longer before pulling out, undoing the straps and tossing the glistening toy aside. Lying on top of her limp lover, Kamilah trailed kisses over sweat-slicked skin until Ana's fingers treaded through her hair, and tugged her up. They smiled into the kiss, Ana hugging Kamilah around the waist.
"Next time, it's my turn," Ana murmured against her lips.
"Can't wait."
"Me neither," she said between kisses. Ana's hands roamed down Kamilah's body, pinching her ass playfully before sliding down to her thighs. Ana guided her forward, until she was kneeling over Ana's head. "I'm surprised you can even wait now." Her smirk gave way to laughter when Kamilah smacked the top of her head lightly.
"Shut up."
And shut up Ana did. She tugged Kamilah down and buried her face in the wetness, forgoing the teasing because fuck, it was the last thing her lover needed. Ana's tongue dove deep into her, eliciting a gasp as Kamilah's hand shot out to grab onto the headboard. Fingers tightened in black locks as Kamilah ground against her lips and teeth and tongue. Ana's hands slid up from her thighs, along her stomach and sides, to squeeze her breasts. Kamilah's hips jerked when Ana's teeth brushed across her clit, her moans climbing to a higher pitch when Ana latched on.
It did not take long to send Kamilah over the edge. Ana's tongue worked her over as she watched Kamilah's climax from the prime vantage point; her muscles grew taut, thighs trembling as she rode out the orgasm with a strangled gasp. Kamilah slumped forward when she was done, panting and tugging at Ana's hair – the signal for her to stop.
Ana obeyed, but not before sneaking one last kiss between her legs. Kamilah smiled as she moved away, fingers reaching up to play with Ana's wet-smeared lips.
"You're a mess," Kamilah murmured, bending down to kiss her, deep and slow.
"It's your mess." Ana grinned when Kamilah merely quirked her brows and offered no argument. Instead, Kamilah reached over to the nightstand where a box of tissues were, and pulled out a few pieces. She wiped the bottom half of Ana's face – she really was a mess – then cleaned up her own lips as well. Crumpling the used tissues and throwing them onto the floor, Kamilah leaned in to kiss her again, and finally lay on top of Ana with a sigh.
They stayed like that in silence, Kamilah nestling her head under Ana's chin, their fingers playing together before entwining in a loose hold. The chill from the air-conditioning sent a brief shiver through Kamilah's body, so Ana reached for the covers and pulled it up to her shoulders. She smiled softly at the kiss on her collarbone.
She stroked Kamilah's hand with her thumb, until her lover's fingers grew limp between hers. Ana closed her eyes, and soon fell asleep as well.
Her stomach growled the moment she swung the door open, the aroma of food hooking her by the nose and leading her towards the living room.
Kamilah sat at the dining table in t-shirt and shorts, her fingers preoccupied with her phone. Ana's tablet lay near Kamilah's bowl, the contents in which were already half eaten. Another bowl was set at the head of the table, waiting for Ana to be done with her shower and emerge from the bedroom for breakfast. Her lips curved at the sight. With a little imagination, this could be the two of them in their own apartment, on a lazy morning with no duties to hurry off to.
She could get used to this.
Ana padded silently to where Kamilah sat, making the woman jump when Ana hugged her from behind.
"Good morning," she greeted, smooching the top of her head.
"You scared me."
"Sorry." Ana kissed Kamilah's cheek, and gave her a squeeze around the shoulders. "I'll put on make-up next time."
Kamilah chuckled, a bright smile parting her lips.
God, she wanted to get used to this.
"You don't need make-up, ya amar."
Ana blinked, pulling away to fix Kamilah with an incredulous stare. Where her heart had fluttered, a growing urge to laugh took hold.
"Did you…just make a pun?"
The corners of Kamilah's mouth twitched, and she pressed a palm against Ana's cheek, pushing her away before she could continue her teasing. Ana snickered as she took a seat, feet sliding forward to cross their ankles together.
"Sleep well last night?" Ana asked, poking her spoon into one of the two poached eggs in her dish. She let the yolk spill onto the bright red mixture of vegetables, and stuffed her mouth with a large spoonful. There was no other way to eat Kamilah's food. One either left it alone, or devoured it like they hadn't eaten in days.
"Not really."
Ana hummed through her second mouthful of food. Sleep was a finicky thing for Kamilah. When she woke first, it usually meant her rest had been troubled. But Ana had been told repeatedly not to worry about it, so she did not. Or at least, tried not to. She would still pay more attention to Kamilah through the day, and take care of her as best she could.
Ana rubbed her foot against Kamilah's, watching her sigh and set her phone down.
"Layla broke her leg. Did you know?"
"What?" Ana snapped her eyes up from the bowl. She had not touched her phone since last night.
Kamilah nodded, taking a sip of hibiscus tea. "The holoprogram's AI malfunctioned. Caused some chaos during training."
"Is anyone else–?"
"Only superficial injuries in our squads. Relax." It was Kamilah's turn to rub her feet. "Deyab's having a field day."
Heaving a sigh, Ana stabbed her spoon back into the bowl. She would check on them later.
"Then it seems we're lucky, huh?"
"Mm." Kamilah unlocked Ana's tablet and navigated to the streaming app, putting on an old sci-fi TV series she had discovered not too long ago. She propped the tablet up on its cover so they could watch it while eating, even though Ana had not the slightest clue what was happening. She only knew that it was about a group of humans traveling to another galaxy, that Kamilah loved it, and that the two female leads were gorgeous.
And, that it had a sad ending. She had not the heart to break the news to Kamilah just yet.
So Ana kept quiet as Kamilah watched on, the pair eating in companionable silence. They had almost finished their meal when a notification popped up at the top of the screen.
Safiya: [Zah's coming. What about Kamilah?]
Perfect timing, you ass…
Kamilah glanced at her, brows raised. "I'll assume she doesn't mean sexually."
Ana nearly choked on the last of her eggs. She swallowed them safely and broke into a grin. "Too much time with me, sweetie."
"Never too much, amar."
Not too much, but enough. She could feel herself turning into putty by the second, but the questioning tilt of Kamilah's head brought her back on track.
"You're invited to our next family reunion."
"That's…fast."
Ana shrugged. "My dad insisted."
"And…?" Kamilah asked slowly. "Do you want me there?"
"It'd be nice. And I won't have to spend the entire time missing you." Ana leaned in as she cooed, sickly sweet, only to have her face pushed back again. She pried the hand off and kissed her knuckles. "You'd have fun too."
Kamilah regarded her quietly. "Don't you want to spend time with your family for a change?"
"That includes you, doesn't it?" Her heart leapt into her throat, the moment the words left her mouth. It was like making a gamble; not on how true their feelings were, but on the gravity of her presence in Kamilah's life. Ana set their hands down on the table, seeking support she did not trust her arm to give. She met the searching gaze steadily, until fingers curled tighter over hers.
With a soft smile, Kamilah said, "If you'll have me."
The rush of triumph and relief blended together, and in its heart-swelling aftermath, Ana naturally blurted, "Is that an invitation?"
She burst out laughing when Kamilah clicked her tongue and dramatically threw Ana's hand away. She tickled the soles of Kamilah's feet with her toes, and had her legs kicked away in return. Kamilah smiled into her cup of tea, drinking a mouthful as she tapped on the tablet, rewinding past the scenes they had missed. She paused when Ana cupped her cheek, pulling her in for a languid kiss.
"I love you, Milah."
Kamilah's lips curved. "You'd better."