A/N: Well here's the long awaited chapter, sorry about that. Fanfiction seems to have been broken for the last few days and I was in London over the end of last week. It was great. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy and thanks for everything so far; loving the reviews.
'They Say That Good Things Take Time' – Chapter 20
The steady thrumming of the rain on the window was all that Miley could hear as she sat on her bed, awaiting the inevitable, whilst her nerves built up within her. The only light in the room came from the single bedside lamp which she had left on. She was bathed half in the shadows and sat with a bowed head, but if anyone should have seen, then they would have noticed that her eyes were truly alive. Miley's patience was gradually growing thinner and her eyes flickered over to the door, as if to find the answers that she was silently calling out for. Nothing happened and she stood up to run her hands through her long brown locks, which hung damply down her back, glistening with the beads of rain that she had not managed to avoid. Miley sighed and the sound reverberated around the empty room loudly, to serve as a cruel reminder that she was achingly alone.
She moved her shaking hands to lower the zipper of her pants and slowly pushed them down until she had released her bare legs. Her pace began to quicken as she removed her sweater, followed by her t-shirt, as item after item of warm clothing was thrown to the floor until she stood naked in her room. Miley shivered, although the heating had been on all day, and walked to pick up her towel to wrap it around her body on her way to the bathroom.
A knock on the door stopped Miley in her tracks. She froze suddenly and her eyes shot over to the entrance of her room, where she became transfixed with staring at the door handle. Anticipation tightened her chest whilst her heart constricted and it became more difficult to breathe. Miley blinked once and then she heard the noise again. Her body felt numb but she found the ability to move her legs as soon as the hushed, "Miley?" came from the hallway. The brunette lowered a shaking hand to the door handle to slowly release the catch and greet her late-night visitor.
"Miley." Lilly whispered as the door swung open to reveal her best friend, wearing only a towel, as she stood half cast in darkness and stared back at her.
"Hello Lilly." Miley replied as she swept her eyes noticeably over the blonde's appearance, to drink in everything about her without even bothering to shield her feelings. Lilly had partially been caught by the rain and the coat she was wearing had not prevented water droplets from getting into her divine hair. The material had also been no barrier against the marbles of cool liquid from catching on and sliding down her throat to rest in the nook of her collar bone. Miley subconsciously wet her lips as she took all of this in, before raising her eyes again to connect with Lilly's, which were burning from a host of emotions that callously stabbed at her reason.
"Do you want to come in?" Miley breathed, and she was certain that Lilly's cheeks became pinker from the husky undertone in her voice.
"Yes." Lilly answered. It was said simply, but the single word sent a frightening tremor of excitement down Miley's spine as she stood to one side.
Miley closed the door quietly behind her best friend and then proceeded to turn around and walk until she was stood in front of Lilly, partially blocking further access to her room, and only one step away from touching. Miley anxiously twisted her hands around the top of her towel, to secure it further while Lilly cast her eyes around Miley's room, which she was seeing for the first time. Before she had the opportunity to take anything in properly, however, she was brought back to Miley's piercing stare as the brunette cleared her throat.
"Lilly, what are you doing here?" She asked softly. It was a casual question, yet Miley's eyes were glowing with what Lilly could only later describe as hope.
Lilly swallowed and glanced nervously at the floor, "I came to see you." She answered shakily, "Like you came to see me earlier tonight. Thanks for that by the way." Lilly responded and her worried eyes twitched up briefly before they fell back to her feet.
"You're welcome. It was really good to see you sing. You sang so well."
"Thank you." Lilly whispered and met Miley's eyes once more. "Erm… so, how are things going with, well, you know?"
Miley raised a confused eyebrow in response, "Will?" Lilly nodded nervously before casting her eyes downwards in trepidation. "We broke up." Miley stated simply, and the quiet admission of it brought Lilly's face sharply upwards again, with confusion and concern creasing her brow and shining in her eyes.
"Oh gosh, Miley I'm really sorry." Lilly murmured and she bit her lip as her eyes flickered over Miley, while she struggled to deduce what the other girl was feeling.
"Don't be. It's not your fault. He broke up with me when he came by earlier. It just wasn't working anymore." Miley replied shortly and finished with a casual shrug.
"Oh." Lilly breathed out softly and she felt her cheeks flush as she suddenly noticed the brilliance of Miley's eyes completely set upon her being. Lilly turned her glistening gaze away from Miley's face as she humbly tried to turn her attention to the floor once more.
Miley found herself smiling from Lilly's poorly hidden joy, and her heartbeat stepped up a notch when she noticed Lilly's focus graze the top of her towel, brushing across her collar bone to follow the curve of the fabric downward. "Erm Lilly?" Miley braved, "My eyes are up here."
Lilly's breath caught in her throat as she absorbed Miley's statement. "I'm sorry." She gasped and colour rushed into her cheeks so hotly that she thought she would never be able to cool down.
Miley's smile spread even further until her perfect white teeth were showing and her brilliant eyes twinkled kindly, "Lilly, what are you really doing here?"
Lilly had to take a deep breath and she pressed her cold hands to her face in an attempt to ease the thick flow of blood that had made her so flushed, while she sought for her answer. Eventually she stopped and lowered her hands to her sides, although she could not resist the urge to twist her fingers uneasily into the clenching of her fists. "I-I came to tell you something." Lilly said, almost shyly.
"What?" Miley breathed, and her expression was serious, "What have you come to tell me Lilly?"
When Lilly met Miley's eyes again, she thought that she had gone mad, gotten lost and somehow was looking into a mirror. The love that burned out from Miley's eyes was everything that she felt, wanted and needed. It was as if her life's answers had all come at once in the oceanic clarity of Miley's stunning blue irises. Yet as much as either girl could not stand to lose sight of the other, it was very much impossible and, simultaneously, they blinked.
"I love you."
Two pairs of lips parted as two hearts puzzled over which of the two girls had uttered the words. Both girls swallowed while anxious couples of blue eyes fluttered over worried faces and trembling bodies.
"You love me?" Miley spoke at last, and dared to take that dangerous first step forward, to close the painful distance which separated her from Lilly.
"Yes." Lilly whispered. "Miley Stuart, I am totally in love with you."
Miley's mouth curled into a smile, so pure and full of love that Lilly felt as if she was going to melt. And with that simple answer, Miley leaned forward to dissolve the distance between them and placed her lips perfectly over Lilly's.
Lilly smiled against Miley's mouth whilst her hands went up to Miley's shoulders, to draw the other girl closer to her being. Hot sparks were kindling throughout the blonde's body as she breathed in Miley's scent. The natural smell of her bare skin was intoxicating and the fact that a single piece of material was keeping Lilly from discovering the last, and most private aspects of Miley's life, was enough to make her feel dizzy with want.
On this thought, Lilly pulled away from Miley's pressing kisses, which had become more forceful, to try and gain some sense in the situation, to gauge the direction that they were stumbling in and to look once more upon Miley's beautiful face. The brunette quirked an eyebrow as Lilly's fingers twisted into her brown locks to play with the curls that fell gracefully over her shoulders. Lilly looked up into Miley's face and almost gasped as she noticed the other girl's cheeks, dark with yearning, whilst her eyes burned, almost fiercely, as she connected with the blonde's sky-blue irises. This sight alone was almost enough to send Lilly crashing through the barriers of conscious doing and her timidity was put to the test as it conflicted against raw desire.
"Lilly, what's wrong?" Miley asked softly, yet her voice was husky and drenched in thick longing for Lilly's lips, skin; everything.
Lilly shook her head and answered by pushing her mouth against Miley's once more. The sensation of Miley's warm, moist lips was exhilarating and Lilly was riding the biggest wave of her life as love and lust trilled through her veins. As the blonde moved her hands around to entwine her fingers into the soft curls of brown hair at the base of Miley's neck, the brunette moaned quietly and flicked the tip of her tongue casually into Lilly's mouth. A tremor pulsed throughout Lilly's being in response to this action and she carefully reciprocated.
Kissing Miley, Lilly silently reflected, was nothing like kissing boys. The two girls moved their lips, tongues, faces and hands gently in exploration of each other. They were quickly adjusting to what they both liked, as if from instinct, and the frequent whimpers of wanting, which neither girl could prevent, was making Lilly feverish.
Once again, Lilly broke contact to draw in deep, shaky breaths whilst Miley watched on with a fire building in her eyes as she inwardly begged Lilly for more. Lilly lowered her eyes from Miley's intense gaze and bit down gently on her slightly swollen lip. She slowly ran her hands up and down Miley's arms and breathed in as she felt the surface of them change, since tiny Goosebumps rose up in response to Lilly's hot touch. Finally Lilly met Miley's eyes with a silent plea calling out from her own. She moved her hands until they were resting over Miley's, on top of where her towel was fastened and swallowed nervously before she spoke.
"May I?"
Miley felt as if her blood was boiling and for a moment she was speechless. All that she could do was to slowly nod her head in reply and watch as Lilly's trembling hands took over and gradually released her towel.
Lilly gasped as the offending piece of cloth fell to the floor and she was finally allowed to see all of Miley, in a way that no one ever had before. "Wow." Lilly said hoarsely, and it was all that Lilly could say as she cast her eyes over the perfect image in front of her. Miley looked like a goddess as she stood in the half-light of her bedroom, shining as Aphrodite, and Lilly traced the contours of her skin with hungry eyes. Miley anxiously cast her eyes downwards and seemed to shrink underneath the intense focus of Lilly's attention. The feeling of Lilly's fingertips underneath her chin, however, soon brought her eyes up to meet Lilly's own, which were sparkling with affection and undying love. "Miley, you are so beautiful." Lilly whispered and leaned forward to place a chaste kiss on her lips.
Miley smiled and love rushed through her trembling body as she heard Lilly praise her in a way that she had never dared before. The admission made her bold and she felt the need to see more of Lilly overwhelm every other thought. Her shaking hands were soon stroking the hem of Lilly's top and the blonde's answer of the big, pleading eyes was enough to stir Miley into action. Working slowly Miley gently eased the piece of material up and over Lilly's head, to drop it to the floor, before lowering her fingers to curl around the fastenings of Lilly's pants. Lilly nodded and swallowed restlessly as Miley gradually released the zipper and slid the denim down Lilly's legs.
Now it was Miley's turn to gasp as more of Lilly's precious, warm flesh was revealed. Yet she paused in her undressing to graze her fingertips down the graceful curve of Lilly's neck, to gently brush her breastbone and come to rest at the top of Lilly's cleavage. Miley's hand gradually traced around to the back of Lilly's body and, after successfully defeating the clasp of her bra, Miley carefully left Lilly standing half naked before her. She was not finished, however, and soon her hands were running down Lilly's stomach to stop at the top of her pants. One last glimpse into the blonde's eyes was enough to tell Miley that she should not halt in her actions and, finally, she left Lilly standing just as exposed as she was.
For a few, precariously long moments the girls did nothing but stand, mere inches apart, to absorb the first sight of one another. They were stood on the edge of not yet chartered territory, but the shuddering nerves building up around them were easily counter-balanced by each of their, almost criminal, desire for each other's touch, taste and sound. Miley was the first to move as she hesitantly edged forward and placed her hands on Lilly's naked hips. Lilly inhaled sharply at the movement and proceeded to return her hands to Miley's shoulders to draw her nearer to her. The first touch of flesh on flesh was electrifying as the distance between them was severed and their lips and torsos crashed together. Lilly whimpered into Miley's mouth since heaving desire was becoming too much for her to just stay still, she was wanting more of Miley and, as if the brunette could see into the other's mind, Miley drew away and her eyes blazed against Lilly's.
"Come on." She muttered, but the sound of it was strong and enticing, and Lilly did not need any more provocation. The two girls would not separate for an instant and, still connected by lips and hands, stumbled over to Miley's bed whilst clutching at each other's skin and drinking in the taste of each other's mouths.
Both girls fell upon the bed, where they lay naked next to one another with hands still innocently set upon shoulders and waist until Miley ran her fingers without warning up Lilly's stomach to brush tauntingly across one of her breasts. Lilly groaned as she broke contact with Miley's lips to take in deep, shaky breaths and stared into Miley's lust-filled face. The brunette's lips were pouting and made more swollen from Lilly's attention. Her hair was wild and fell deliciously about her shoulders and neck, down across her chest while filling the air around them with a luscious scent that Lilly knew all too well.
Without saying a word, Lilly felt a sudden need drive her onward and she pushed Miley down into the mattress as she hovered at her side and trailed her mouth down the brunette's neck. Her tongue cautiously breached the barrier of her lips and, with each kiss, she felt the tip of it lapping against Miley's skin, absorbing the taste of it and relishing in the texture and the quivering of Miley's throat with every whine of pleasure the other girl emitted.
"Lilly…" Miley gasped as Lilly tentatively traced her fingertips over the underside of one of the brunette's breasts. The sound of her name upon Miley's lips at such a time caused Lilly to stop and look up, where she was met with wide, desire-soaked eyes. Lilly smiled and moved her hand up from its position to cup Miley's cheek gently. She leaned down and pressed kisses into Miley's pouting mouth, and ran her lips over her cheeks and forehead, carefully blessing Miley's eyelashes and the corner of her mouth with everlasting love and gratitude. "God I love you Lilly." Miley drawled and wrapped her fingers into the blonde strands of Lilly's hair to bring their lips together once more in a searing kiss.
Lilly moaned against Miley's mouth, and moved her body to cover Miley's entirely. The very action caused shocks of lust roaring through both of their beings and the press of chests, stomachs, hips and legs together was intoxicating. Lilly never knew that anything could be like this, to love another so entirely and to want them to absolution. It was at this moment that Lilly knew their friendship would never be the same again, but now it was better, unconditional and complete.
Miley's hands, which now moved to roam over the curves of Lilly's shoulders, caressingly down her back, with fingertips tracing her spine, quickly put an end to Lilly's thoughts. The blonde hesitantly trailed a warm hand carefully over Miley's throat towards the other girl's chest. Lilly returned her previously neglected attention to the brunette's breasts, carefully running fingers over the soft skin which came to life at her concentration. Miley gasped and whimpered as Lilly brushed her thumb over a nipple and inspired the blonde to lower her mouth, where she licked gently at the hardened flesh. Miley groaned and arched her body against Lilly's, in an attempt to get them even closer than they already were. This action set Lilly on fire and an area of her body, at the place where her legs met, throbbed dangerously.
"Lilly…" The sound of Miley's voice, rough and trembling, sent bolts of further arousal through Lilly's system, "Lilly, please, I-I want you…" Miley practically begged, and the very directness of her asking stirred Lilly into life.
Lilly's mouth soared up to meet Miley's awaiting lips whilst her hand moved on from her breasts. Lilly stroked down the skin of Miley's stomach, forcing her mind to always remember the texture and smoothness of it. She noticed that since giving up her role as Hannah, Miley's stomach had lost much of its muscular hardness, but the blonde was not about to complain as Miley felt softer now, more human and infinitely desirable.
Miley's hands travelled up Lilly's back to entangle themselves once again in the cascading gold of Lilly's hair. From here she moved her fingertips to clasp Lilly's face in her hands and lovingly caress the cherub-like cheeks. Suddenly her whole body froze in anticipation, as Lilly's hand caressed the top of one of her thighs. Miley's body shook underneath the warm weight of Lilly's pressing frame and a soaking heat quivered between her legs. Lilly paused in her actions for a mere moment and Miley felt the blonde's warm breath against her cheeks before Lilly's lips returned to meet the brunette's, and her hand slipped between Miley's legs.
Miley moaned into the wetness of Lilly's mouth and, as Lilly's fingers uncurled and stroked pleasurably downward, through Miley's parted, damp flesh, Miley pushed one of her legs between Lilly's. This elicited a sharp intake of breath from the blonde out of surprise satisfaction of the unexpected friction, "God Miley." Lilly whispered and moved her fingers again, only to smile as Miley whimpered from her hot touch.
Lilly turned her concentration to Miley's neck where she nipped gently at the warm skin and smiled against Miley's throat as she listened to her appreciative noises. The sounds which Miley wantonly emitted set Lilly's body on fire and she began to feel the unsettling tremors of her own body's response to Miley's rasping approval. Lilly's appreciation for Miley's southern accent was only becoming stronger from the hoarse, and barely recognisable, strong language that Miley was releasing in grunts. A delicious heat was creeping up through both of their bodies to break through the surface of their skin, and gradually slick their touching stomachs, chests and legs in a light sheen of sweat.
"Oh god," Miley groaned, "faster…"
Lilly ran her lips over Miley's jaw-line as she pushed her finger-tips down deeper into the parted flesh and found herself moaning from the appetizing convulsion that she received from Miley's body in response. Miley was soon running her hands up and down Lilly's back once more, relishing the feeling of the blonde, between the mounting waves of her own pleasure.
Suddenly it seemed to Miley that the blonde had struck something different as an incredible pulse brought her nearer to the edge. She grazed her nails almost roughly down Lilly's back until she came to the curve of her bottom where she sank her fingers gratefully and lustfully into the softer flesh. Miley forcefully pushed Lilly's hips down, grazing the blonde's hot core against Miley's slick thigh. Lilly whimpered from Miley's exploit and proceeded to press harder and faster, where she received a more guttural response as Miley writhed beneath her.
A great wave rode up among the girls and, heaving and gasping, they felt the tremors of pleasure strike at their bodies, bringing them closer to the brink. Miley's noises were like nothing that Lilly had ever heard from the brunette before and, as she moved gratefully upon Miley, the blonde knew that she was also very near. Finally Miley tossed back her beautiful head and groaned loudly as something exploded within her. At the same time, her body arched unconsciously, willing itself to be as close to Lilly as possible. In this very movement, Miley's leg unknowingly shot upwards and ground into Lilly's centre. Lilly's eyes widened from the shock of the pure gratification, which soared up, tearing throughout her body in a burning flame that seemed to dissolve away all reality to leave her crying out Miley's name into the night.
Lilly's trembling arms suddenly lost most of their strength and, panting, she lowered herself down to lie carefully on top of Miley. Both girls seemed to have temporarily left the world and were individually cast into darkness as, with their eyes shut, they lay together. At this time they knew only the feeling of each other's skin, the sound of their harsher breaths and the heady scent of each other, which had now mixed and coated them both. Anyone looking in on the spent pair who lay together on the bed would have seen just one girl at first glance, so close were their bodies entwined.
Eventually, Miley came to her senses and wearily opened an eye to catch sight of Lilly's golden hair, which she contentedly pressed a kiss into. Lilly was brought back to life from this familiar action and her lips curled into a smile. Ever so slowly and gently Lilly eased herself off Miley until she was lying beside the other girl, in the same position which they always used to adopt every other time before when they had shared a bed.
"I love you." Lilly whispered as she looked deeply into Miley's eyes, "I'm sorry it took me so long to realise."
Miley smiled sleepily at the admission, "You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear that." She drawled, surreptitiously causing Lilly to tingle from the thickness of her accent. "I love you Lilly, I love you so much and I never want to be without you again." Tears sprang into Miley's eyes as she choked out her feelings for the other girl. It was as if the walls between them had finally come down and now all that was left was each other.
"I'm not about to leave you." Lilly grinned and snuggled up closer to her precious Miley. She nuzzled her nose playfully against the brunette's before pondering something carefully, "God, I really was stupid wasn't I? I mean, how could I not have realised before, when this feels like the most perfect thing in the world, just lying here with you."
"Aw shucks Lilly, you're just trying to make me cry more aren't you?"
"Yep." Lilly replied brightly before reaching across and carefully brushing Miley's tears away, "No, not really. I feel like crying myself. I don't think I've ever been so happy. But still, why the hell did it take so long?" Lilly admitted and her eyes glistened warmly as she regarded her perfect brunette before her.
"Well, they say that good things take time, I suppose. But I always wondered what it would be like to lie here with you, like this." Miley reflected and she reached out to run her fingers through the long, blonde hair. "And now I know. So that's why I want to ask you something that I've been dying to do since we were fifteen years old."
Lilly raised her eyebrows, "Alright then. Just as long as it's not something like 'Lilly, I want you to go on a diet'."
Miley giggled softly, "No, of course not. You're perfect Lilly."
"Nobody's perfect." Lilly quoted Miley happily with a grin and promptly kissed her nose.
"Gosh, you always have to be so cute don't you?" Miley smiled.
"Well yeah, I'm the adorable one."
"Uh-huh." Miley drawled and raised an eyebrow, "And what does that make me?"
Lilly rolled her eyes in contemplation, "Hmm… you can be the one officially in charge of the adorable one, and maintainer of the cuteness by always making sure that she's supplied with plenty of food and kisses."
"In that order huh?" Miley quipped.
Lilly pouted in confusion before leaning in to gently kiss Miley. She drew away and turned to Miley with pure happiness etched into her expression, "No. Kisses first."
Miley grinned; "I'm glad."
"So anyway, what's the question Miles?" Lilly asked eagerly and Miley could have blushed from the wholesome, undisrupted attention that Lilly was showering her with.
"Oh yeah." Miley answered, suddenly brought back to focus and she cleared her throat before pausing and turning her face sheepishly into the pillow, "You're going to think this is really dorky."
"Miley, we already know that you are 'Dorkier', you've had that label since high school. Now come on, ask away."
Miley scowled playfully at Lilly who only smiled winningly back and Miley sighed from mock frustration, "Okay then, here goes. Lilly Truscott, will you be my girlfriend?" Miley instantly found herself flushing red and buried her face in the pillow once more.
The feeling of Lilly's hand gently squeezing her shoulder, however, quickly brought Miley's focus back to the other girl's face and she felt taken aback by the complete sincerity which Lilly greeted her with. "Of course I will." Lilly breathed and leaned in to kiss Miley once more.
Miley felt as if she had ascended up toward the heavens to have Lilly spontaneously kiss her like this. She knew that if her high school self could see her now, then she would be proud of her future person and that very knowledge, combined with all the years of anguish that Miley had suffered, which had been brought to a head in this final night, sent tears streaming down her face. Lilly felt the wetness of Miley's silent cry touch her cheeks and she gently moved her lips over Miley's face to soak up the moisture in her kisses. She cradled her beloved brunette closer to her and ran her hands lovingly up and down her arms to soothe her shaking frame.
"S-sorry Lilly," Miley stuttered, "I'm just so happy."
"I know. Me too." Lilly mumbled into Miley's hair, whilst her own tears of joy fell to sparkle in tiny beads among the other girl's soft, brown curls.
Miley moved her head back enough so that she could meet Lilly's bright, blue irises with her own love-soaked eyes, "Stay with me tonight?" She asked gently.
Lilly smiled, "Did you even have to ask?"
Miley grinned and nestled closer to Lilly, coming to rest with her head against Lilly's chest. Lilly gratefully wrapped her arms around the brunette and snuggled her near. Both girls had never known anything more comfortable than to lie naked in one another's arms; each bathing in the other girl's warmth and smell.
"Goodnight Lilly." Miley slurred, her voice already made thicker for want of sleep.
"Night Miles. I love you." Lilly whispered.
"I love you too." Miley replied before slumber draped across her mind and she drifted off to sleep.
Lilly lay awake for a few moments longer, listening to the rain which had not failed to patter against the window during the time she was there. Soon the blonde carefully reached across to switch off the light beside Miley's bed before settling herself once more, comfortably entangled with Miley.
"My Miley." Lilly breathed and closed her eyes with a smile. The gentle spatter of raindrops was enough to fuddle her mind with sleep and eventually she floated away, to join her other half, in the world of dreams.