hello hello so my motivation to write at all dug its own grave and died and this is me trying to resurrect it.
Enjoy!
A breath is locked in her lungs as she breaks the water's surface, strands of soaking hair tangle down the length of her back and shoulders. Her arms are crossed over her chest, fingers digging into the skin of her biceps.
If she opens her eyes she would see the ripples she's caused, the handful of leaves floating on the water's surface scattering with the effort of her disruption, the twisting and winding branches of the surrounding trees that provide shelter.
She would see swaying grass and insects camouflaged, the rays of sun peeking through to touch the water's surface, light reflecting as it touches what it can not keep.
She would see Kate, hair soaked darker and glistening skin, the curves of her shoulders and the dip of her collarbones, how she's far enough away to keep personal space and yet close enough that if the newborn so wishes she can step right up next to her.
The water is neither warm nor cold and she hums with the thought that she feels cleaner than she knows she is, dirt and filth still in her hair and on her skin. And yet she's never felt so clean as water soaks her hair and clings to her skin.
She doesn't want to leave. Getting out of her clothes and into the river was embarrassing enough.
A warning would have been nice from the blonde and yet she just stood there as she tried and failed to hide her laughter as the newborn held what remains of her shirt in one hand, thankfully she helped her with the pants at least. She scowls at the memory and flexes her fingers as she's pulled back to the present.
The sound of a bird's call echoes through the air and she tilts her head as she listens for more, the brushing of wind through feathers, the sound of talons touching, the chirp as predator finds prey.
With a smooth motion she turns her face to the sky, individual droplets race down her skin, traveling smooth skin and soft curves until they free fall, touching the water with a ripple.
It's more instinct than sound that she notices the blonde moving closer and she blinks her eyes open to meet a mixture of blues and browns and greens that overwhelms her enough she fears she will never look away.
The swaying of leaves as they touch their neighbors, the shifting gaps of the sky that hides behind many branches of still growing trees.
The grooves of bark are so defined and the rigid paths that either collide or swerve and yet still reach for the same impossible finish line. The small individual veins of leaves that still cling to home, the smooth or rigid edges that define each one as individual.
As overwhelming as her view is, she's still expecting the phantom graze of a touch, the short pause as she lowers her head, a droplet of water falling from the tip of her nose and crashing with a reflection of shattering light.
Obsidian eyes are on her but the blonde doesn't meet her gaze, rather her eyes are trained lower just slightly. The fingers dancing over the knuckles of her left hand trail upward, never breaking contact and she doesn't move as she holds her breath and waits.
When a single finger grazes the junction of her neck, tracing a moon-crescent curve, she sucks in a breath that shifts into a hiss as she leans back, the sting that's left from the touch lingers.
She shifts half a step back, a growl vibrating in her chest and the blonde pulls back. Her eyes are blazing though, a frown on her face as her eyes stay trained on the scar that paints the newborn's skin a fraction of a shade lighter.
"They bit you," Kate starts speaking and she glares. "Your maker, they bit you. They're not supposed to— not there." She bares her teeth and snarls.
"They had no right." The words are more growl than anything else and the newborn watches her cautiously.
"Stupid insignificant fucker. I want to kill them."
A forced exhale dares to drag her gaze lower but she refuses to move, she refuses to look away as Kate glares, a predatory glint lingering in her eyes.
She looks like she wants to attack, muscles taunt and posture rigid, hands held in fists as she tries and fails to relax with a slow exhale.
The newborn doesn't move, doesn't even dare.
Her fingers continue digging into her biceps as she refused to look away from the blonde. The sting of her touch that lingers has seeped under her skin, has burrowed into the muscles of her neck and back.
She feels on edge, incredibly on edge and every little sound dares to drag her attention away. Dares to make her jump and hiss, like an animal cornered.
The newborn growls, bares her teeth, and shifts another step. A smooth motion and yet the rippling of water surrounding her almost breaks her. Almost pulls her away from the one thing that's keeping her attention from shattering.
"Shit." The word is a hiss, followed by an audible breath and Kate closes her eyes with a slight shake of her head.
When she opens them again, her eyes dark as before and yet as she watches the newborn she looks alarmed, she looks exhausted.
"I'm sorry. Fuck– I should have thought; God damn it."
Kate uncurls her fingers and runs one hand through her hair, catching tangles with a scoff.
"Calm down, relax, breathe." Each word is a mumble, a reminder of something, a warning of sorts.
As Kate takes a deep breath, her eyes lock on the newborn and she gives her a small smile that does nothing to ease her tension. "Come on kitten, you too."
She growls, refuses to move, refuses to breathe.
"It's okay, you're okay. That was my fault. I got caught up in my emotions." The blonde takes one single step closer, just one and then waits, licks her lips before speaking again. "Just… just follow my lead."
She inhales, holds it for 5 seconds, and then exhales. Then repeats.
It takes a few moments, long drawn out moments, but the newborn does follow her lead. She follows each inhale and exhale and slowly she feels her muscles starting to relax. The tension lingers but isn't as prominent, she can push past it.
And this time she takes that step closer, eases her way into the blonde's personal space with slow steps. She's rewarded with a smile and she swears she sees relief flash over Kate's face.
"You can come closer." Her words are soft, playful, teasing and the newborn is moving before she even thinks about it. Close enough to almost feel her, close enough to tempt a dare.
Her eyes trace the freckles that paint Kate's cheeks and she blinks, dips her head and ignores her insecurities as she reaches out. Trails a finger over the slope of a smooth shoulder, and traces the sprinkle of freckles that spread across porcelain skin.
The small contact sparks a warmth in her chest, a soft sigh escapes and she steps closer, reaching for more.
The moment she does, the very moment she completely forgoes her modesty and brushes her hands over smooth shoulders, Kate reaches out. Fingers desperately grip smooth hips.
She gasps at the contact, sucks in a breath and she's overflooded with searing heat and sudden need, a soft tang of vanilla. She licks her lips.
"We need to–" The newborn leans closer, and tilts her head just so that her nose is brushing against Kate's, inhales and whines.
She wants more, she needs more, completely aches for it– just more.
The fingers gripping her hips tighten, pulling her closer on instinct and selfish need. "God, I want– fuck."
Kate ducks her head and presses an open-mouthed kiss against the smooth plain of a shoulder, and smirks at the small intake of breath she earns in response.
The deep rumbles of a purr vibrates through to the blonde and she hums at the knowledge that the newborn doesn't even realize she's doing it.
She groans, and releases a slow breath, pressing kisses on the spot she's yet to leave alone as fingers work their way into tangled locks of blonde hair. "Tanya is going to kill me if we don't show up soon."
The reminder is mumbled into smooth skin, and yet she stays a moment longer, teeth grazing the claimed spot before she leaves one last kiss as a promise and straightens up.
"Can't have her trying to skin you without a proper hello." Kate jokes and reaches out, tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and the newborn hums and leans forward that last bit.
As she presses her forehead against Kate's, the burning heat that's consuming her promises more, so much more.
She wants to dive in, she wants to drown in it. But as Kate eases her down, ever so slowly from the ledge she relishes in the contact, the closeness. In the way the blonde feels against her.
In the way Kate growls, ever so softly against her lips."You're mine."
The fabric of the jacket she wears is itchy and uncomfortable, strange in a way her previous shirt wasn't. It rubs against the back of her neck, hugs her wrist with soft fur, and the inside is as smooth as silk yet it makes her skin crawl.
She growls when the front of the jacket brushes against her chest, and whines when it only makes the sensation worse.
"You're okay, I know it feels strange." Kate brushes her thumb over one furrowed brow, waits until the newborn is looking at her before she moves her hand up to brush her hair back. Running her fingers through to try and tame the waves of chestnut hair.
"But you're not showing up to meet my sister without a top." Kate smirks and chuckles to herself.
She hums before she reaches out and touches the soft fabric of the blonde's shirt; or rather the sister's shirt, Tanya.
It's soft, a dark shade of gray with sleeves that reach just past the wrists, and a collar that dips just shallow enough to make out the lines of collarbones. It looks expensive but worn, the ruffle of the day staining the fabric.
"I'm too selfish to let you wear the shirt. And this, this is my jacket." Kate whispers in the small space between them as her fingers brush over the shoulders, a confession for her reasoning.
Lips brushing over the tip of her nose startles her and she blinks twice, shifts her gaze and she's met with a smile full of affection before Kate pulls back, and takes a step away from her.
Her hands fall away and the newborn has to strangle down the raw, needy whine that's trying to crawl up her throat.
She can handle a little distance, she can do that.
The amused gleam in dark eyes tells her she's not as subtle as she wants to be though.
When Kate holds her hand out in offering she doesn't even wait a conscious second before reaching out. She threads their fingers together with a small victorious smile.
So apparently, she can't handle a little distance. She chooses to ignore that though.
Kate laughs softly, gives her hand an affectionate squeeze. "I was going to say hold my hand so you don't destroy my favorite jacket."
She grins when the blonde's smile turns teasing. "But I'll let you hold my hand just because you want to."
And when Kate tugs on her hand she follows.
This time it's a straight run and the landscape blurs easily around them, streaks of color fade until they merge and shift to white, lingering as their steps barely leave a print on snow covered ground.
The shift is familiar and is as welcoming as the snowflakes falling around them.
She doesn't glance around this time when Kate slows her pace. She doesn't let her attention scatter with new sights or familiar sights, or the soft sounds that dance around in the swaying wind.
Her concentration is concrete on the contact that links her with the blonde, her grip is strong and she refuses to leave more space than what she deems is necessary.
Kate doesn't want her to destroy the jacket. She doesn't want her to tear it to shreds and leave it behind without so much as a glance of hesitation. It's her favorite, she said.
She hates it though.
A soft breeze brushes against her back, splits, and moves around her. The small disturbance causes her to growl lightly in annoyance and she stops short with a grimace when she's reminded of the way the jacket feels. She releases a forced exhale.
She hates it with a passion.
When Kate glances back, her smile is sympathetic. "Just a little longer. I know you can do it."
The newborn clears her throat and nods once, she can do this.
She still steps up right next to Kate, brushes her nose against the soft fabric that covers a freckled shoulder, inhales and holds that breath.
She can hear the smile in the blonde's voice when she murmurs. "Come on you."
A little longer turns out to be just that, and soon plains of snow and trees and mountains reveal a sight that causes her to pause.
A two-story lodge stands tall and proud in the surrounding winter wilderness. Warm shades of wood frame the outer construction and the roof shines silver against the fading blue sky and surrounding snow. The gray stoned chimney draws attention to the many tinted glass windows.
It feels like it belongs exactly where it is, hidden away and yet drawing enough attention to catch affection and awe. It's beautiful, and warm, and welcoming.
"You like it?" She's barely able to look away and over at the blonde standing next to her. Kate's smile is slightly amused and she can only grin.
Yes, she does like it.
"I'm glad, because this," The hand holding her own pulls away to sneak around her waist instead, "This is home."
They merely stand there for a long moment, basking in the view.
And she feels content, a warmth in her chest that doesn't burn settles over her and she swears this is where she's meant to be.
What seems like hours later but is merely minutes, the sound of a door opens and her eyes snap to the huge dark stained wood doors of the house.
Another arm slips around her as Kate shifts and her hold tightens just slightly and it takes everything in her to stay exactly where she is.
When the blonde comes into view, stepping up at the small hill of snow that sits in front of the house she pauses, blinks and bares her teeth in warning.
That isn't Irina.
A hand perches on one hip and the blonde with soft curls and a burgundy shirt and dark jeans raises an eyebrow at them.
"Tanya." Kate finally greets her.
"Katrina, nice that you could join us."
Kate groans, nuzzles her hair and the vibrations push through the jacket and try to sink into her body. She snarls as she tries to stay planted in the moment.
A hand rubbing her hip soothes her slightly.
When Tanya smirks, tilts her head and dark eyes gleam, she glares harder.
"I guess I owe Irina that bet. She gets to pick the next five vacation spots."
Kate laughs softly and teases. "Carmen must be delighted."
"Oh yes, Disneyland has always been her number one vacation destination." Tanya smirks, obviously being sarcastic when she rolls her eyes.
She sobers after a short moment, just watching the two with a sincere expression.
"Congratulations, I'm beyond happy for you but you still owe me a new shirt." Tanya points at the two and Kate just smiles against her shoulder.