Chapter 3

The air is potent with the fresh smell of spring. I inhale deeply, my mind on a high from the change in seasons and having my best friend by my side. Today is reserved for nothing specific, Tegan and I marked the day for an aimless adventure around the city.

Vancouver is particularly beautiful in the beginning of spring, there's a glow enveloping the city, trees breathe again and people are effortlessly happier. Winter has left for a few months, the relief filling every living thing with a forgotten energy. No matter how much you love winter, and I for one, absolutely adore the bitter season, you cannot deny the feeling of freshness that comes when the cold goes.

Tegan's neck stretches back, eyes browsing the beauty of the buildings reaching for the cloudless sky. Though our surroundings are undeniably beautiful, I cannot help myself from locking my eyes onto my sister beside me. Though only a month into taking testosterone, I can see the slight differences already. Neck muscles have become slightly more prominent, making my mouth desire the feel right now. Their chin has widened ever so little, though I never thought Tegan's jawline could become any more attractive. The ridge of their brow and eyes are slowly transforming into a more masculine structure. Tegan tears their gaze from the buildings, acknowledging my staring. I smile widely at their flushed face, "You are so fucking handsome, Tee."

A brighter red paints their still semi- fleshy cheeks, "I really like when you call me handsome, it makes me feel a thousand times happier than when you said I was beautiful."

"I can tell. It also feels more right calling you handsome over beautiful, it has always suited you more."

We smile together, turning our attention back to the sidewalk ahead of us. My stomach starts to lightly grumble, indicating my need for food. The stores on the street are mostly miscellaneous shops. I search around the block for a burger joint, Tegan's most recent favorite craving, though I can only spot a sandwich spot. "You're going to have to settle for a sandwich, if we wait to stumble across a burger place I will undoubtedly get hangry."

Tegan smiles and nods. After crossing the street along the crosswalk, I open the door, allowing Tegan to enter first. My eyes catch two stores that had been blocked when I was on the other side of the street, For the Record, a cleverly named record store, and a Tattoo shop, Pink Ink. "You go pick out a table, I'll go order for us."

A table by the window catches my eye, normally I'd secure us a secluded seat so we could hold hands or sneak kisses, but I want to have the record and tattoo places in view for when I propose my plan to Tegan. I type the tattoo place into the opened tab on my phone, attempting to find out a reason behind their name. I skim over the reviews first, mostly all five stars with raves over their work and artists. I go to their page and discover they are an all-female operated store, every single artist they've had has been a woman. Fuck yeah, Tegan and I will definitely like this place.

Two plates set down on the table top. "One chicken Caesar salad sandwich for ma'lady, and one roast beef for this growing boy," we both chuckle at Tegan's literal joke. I love when they order for me, always ordering things I've never had but always thoroughly enjoy, and this was no different.

A few bites into our meal, I catch Tegan smiling widely at me, gums on prominent display. "What are you looking so goofy about?"

Their head bounces down in a low chuckle, "I'm just so happy to be with my babe." I blush at their statement, Tee never fails to flatter me.

We finish up our meals, taking our plates over to the receptacle and head out of the café. Tegan takes my hand in theirs, walking us over to the crosswalk and into For the Record. We both light up when we look around the shop, they must have every record ever released in here. I notice the signs indicating the genres then walk us around until we find the two sections next to each other with the artists Tegan has on their list. We spend about a half hour inside, I'd usually be slightly annoyed by the amount of time we spend wandering but it gives me more time to put thought into the tattoo. Tegan fishes cash out of their wallet, paying off the large total, then turns to me with a purely content smile. "You ready for your tattoo?" I nod in excitement as I bite my lip, containing my giddy smile.

The Pink Ink shop is badass inside, the back wall is a bright pink, with the other three black. Pictures hang from tacks, surrounded by the same pink as the accent wall, showing off drawings done by their artists. The furniture is modern, matte black with pink features, a fine balance between sharp edges and sweeping curves. The woman at the front desk finishes her phone call, seemingly from a client asking about a consult, then she stands and asks what we came in for today. My mouth forms into an eager smile as I briefly tell her about our idea for doing secret tattoos. Her smile mimics my own, telling us we came in at a perfect time, some reason about a client having to reschedule so now there are three open artists.

Tegan is lead into a back room to discuss with the three artists what their idea for my tattoo is. All three insisted on doing a brief consult with us individually to decide who is best to do whose tattoo. Seventeen minutes pass by before Tegan comes back out, face clad with the most adorable smile and bright eyes. I'm motioned into the room by Tegan's hand, sitting across from the three women, all with a sketchbook and markers sitting under their hands. I begin by detailing the slightly large tattoo I have planned in my head.

Tegan POV:

Sara's consult takes a little longer than mine, but when the four women exit the back room, all of them look ecstatic, and that is an understatement. The women take us over to the two chairs sitting against the left wall of the room, without a doubt because these two seats are close enough for us to hold hands, assuming they aren't done on the same arm. The three women adjust the seats so they're closer together and now, facing opposite directions. Angela, one of the artists, signals me over to the chair on the left, informing me that my tattoo will be on the outside of my left upper arm. Casey, the artist doing Sara's tattoo, pats the other chair and tells Sara that hers will be in the same spot as my own. We sit anxiously waiting in silence, both of us rattling our brain to composite some idea or direction that the other has expelled into the design. A black sheet is draped from a pole, starting around my nose so I can see Angela but not my tattoo. The same is done with Sara's arm and we make eye contact, giggling at our unnecessary nervousness.

Angela and Casey snap their gloves in place, rising up past their wrist, "You two ready for some badass tattoos," they ask in unison. We reply together, again in harmony, earning a giggle from us both. They bump fists before sitting in their respective rolling stools, picking up their tattoo guns and going to work after laying down the template.

Sara makes eye contact with me once the gun hits her skin, pricking her skin at an intense speed. Her eyes squint after darkening, with her teeth reaching over her lip and pushing it against her teeth. Oh yeah, how could I forget Sara gets turned on from the feeling she gets from the tattoo gun. I smile back at her with a wink, licking my own lips before biting them. We've never got tattoos together but seeing Sara getting turned on by the feeling is making me have the same reaction. Sara tries to squash the feeling by making conversation between us, it takes my mind off it for maybe 5 minutes at a time. A few times I can't keep myself from making an inside joke to remind Sara that this will have to be resolved after we're done here. After I make a comment referencing a red belt and Sara's face flushes hard and she stretches her hand over the foot or so where I'm sitting, careful not to move her arm from the work being done behind the curtain. She squeezes my hand, then places it on my abdomen, her breaths deepening, then she takes a slow glance around the shop. Her head is still facing away when her hand quickly reaches up to my breast and takes it in her hand, giving it a hard and tight squeeze. My entire body wants to jerk at her sudden movement but I manage to clench, ensuring my arm won't move. Before her hand leaves my chest, her head turns back to meet my eyes, her face is playing a wicked grin as her thumb and pointer finger somehow find exactly where my nipple is, pinching it tightly before bringing her hand back by her side. What a little bitch, acting all innocent after that. Oh you'll pay Sasa, you just wait.

About three and a half hours in, Casey announces to the three of us that she is now onto finishing touches, producing the excitement in Sara to cause a squeal to come through her lips. Angela looks up to me saying she has maybe ten to fifteen minutes before the finishing touches. Forty five minutes later Sara and I are standing out of our chairs, walking to the full length mirror on the back wall. It takes all of my self-control, and then some, to keep myself from looking at the new ink donning my arm. Casey and Angela look at their wrapped up work, smiling before walking around to check out the others work. Angela turns to us and asks "Alright, whose getting the big reveal first?"

I turn and smile at Sara, "Sara is, it was her idea so she's first."

Sara smiles and walks up closer to the mirror, I stand on her right side, letting us both see it for the first time, she places her fingers under the sleeve of her loose t-shirt and quickly glances at me before lifting the fabric quickly. Her eyes meet the ink in the reflection of the mirror, eyes lighting up instantly. "Wow." I nod in agreement, Casey fucking killed it. It's exactly as I imagined it to be. Sara takes a step closer, examining the detail in the large bear, standing on hind legs, mouth open. "Wow," she says again, softer this time. "Tee," her gaze flicks over to me then back at the bear, "I'm so fucking in love with this."

I smile to myself at the obvious happiness radiating from Sara as she continues to inspect it. Her eyes meet mine again, tears cover the surface of her eyes and I know she really loves it, and without me even having to hint at the meaning, I know she knows. Her favorite book for probably 10 years, a book that just so happens to be about siblings who fall in love, the strongest symbolism for their illicit love, is now forever marked on her body in a secret marking of our own barred relationship.

She steps away, likely because if she stares at it for a moment longer she'll begin to cry. I acknowledge her telepathic thoughts and take my turn, standing in front of the mirror. I take a deep breath and turn to the side, replicating her motion of lifting her sleeve up to her shoulder. My head turns until the fabric is fully up off my arm, then I turn back and gasp at the beauty of my latest tattoo. Of course Sara and I had the same idea of marking our love on each other, I would've been surprised if we didn't. The large outlined box contains three simple parts, together illustrating our endless love for one another.

I break my stare from Sara to look back at the amazing work done. A roaring tiger sits at the bottom corner, crying out much like the bear, screaming our declarations of love that we, ourselves, could never shout aloud. Next to that is a quote, "Justify My Love" a line from a Madonna song that, ever since I heard it, has spoken the truth about my love for my twin. No Sasa, I don't want to be your mother, nor sister, I just want to be your lover. And the final image is my favorite, the silhouette of my favorite picture ever taken of us by someone else. I have to specify "by someone else" because some of the picture's we've taken together are carved into the back of my eyes for me to remember forever. It's us on a hill, me running away from Sara, holding a large, 50's style megaphone. Her hand is gripped around the loop on the back of my vest, pulling me back to her. It is easily one of my most fond public moments.

I take in a deep shaky breath, pulling in all the air I can hold to keep my sobs at bay. Looking back at Sara, I know she has figured out how incredible I find this tattoo. "It's amazing Sare," I say as I pull her into a deep hug. We walk up to the counter, Sara refusing to allow me to pay, telling me it was her treat.

We walk out of the store, walking quickly the ten blocks back to our place. It's now almost seven and though I'd like to stay out and enjoy the night in the city with my girl, my need to go home and demolish my girlfriend is much stronger than my desire for a night out. On our way back, all either of us can do is gush about how much we love our permanent evidence of the love we share. Sara goes on about how she has always held bears close to her since she read The Hotel New Hampshire, and confessed that being the reason for my pet name bear, as if I didn't already know that. The thought Sara put into my tattoo is all I can focus on, she really managed to capture our relationship so well with three cohesive images. I'm continually blown away by her mind.

The door to our penthouse swings open, Sara walks right past me as if she didn't sexually harass me in the middle of a damn store. She acts as if the both of us aren't still painfully turned on and even further in love from the whole experience. My eyebrow cocks, almost amused with her innocent act. I hear the fridge door open and some glass clink together, then close. I stand in my spot, not having moved an inch since kicking my shoes off. Sara saunters back from the kitchen, slowly over to the living room. My face is still painted with an amused disbelief at the act she has going. Just as she places down a large bottle of red wine, her face turns and she has an entertained, almost smug grin playing at her mouth. I move quick, not allowing her brain, nor body, time to process my moves before she can stop them. I take a few long and fast sprints over to where she stands, tackling her into the couch. The laughter bellows off the walls, my soul swelling over the sweet sound that has quickly filled the room. Oh c'mon, how can you not love this woman?

My hands meet her sides, her laughter continuing to explode from her mouth. Just as she thinks she's almost got a handle of my hands, stopping the tickling, I let my hands go slack, tricking her into thinking I've given up. My revenge is glorious, and just so conveniently will fuel Sara into a heated competition. I do just as she did to me, getting a handful of her breast and clutching hard, a deep, guttural moan comes from the pit of her stomach and I smirk, game on. Before completely withdrawing, my fingers grasp her nipple and pinch hard with a slight twist. Our eyes meet and Sara thinks we're onto other things, not that easy my love. I lean down, only two or so inches from her lips, her head dashes forward in an attempt to meet me where I paused. Just before our lips can meet, I'm up on my feet and sprinting towards the bedroom leaving an echo of my maniacal laughter in my wake.

I hear Sara growl, then her light treading as she comes to search for me. I'm sitting in the middle of our bed, facing the closed door, my head resting on the tops of my leveled hands. Two can play at the innocent game. The door creaks as it's opened and Sara spots me once her head is in view. A low, slow laugh comes from her body and I'm starting to think I'm in trouble. I may be the more competitive one but Sara is never one to turn down, or even lose a challenge. Making her way slowly toward the bed, Sara's voice is deep and hemorrhaging lust "Oh Tee. Baby, haven't you learned by now that you always loose when you challenge me?"

"Well I'm not sure if I'd count it as a loss. As long as I end up screaming your name I think of it as a win," I counter with just as much arrogance in my tone.

Sara chuckles deep again. "I'll have to agree on that. Let's make things interesting, shall we?"

Oh damn I love where this is heading. I nod slowly, Sara's weight being added on either side of my legs, straddling me without much contact. "What would you like to play? Monopoly? Maybe some Yahtzee?"

Sara smiles but shakes her head. Putting my hands on her hips then bringing on hand up to my chin and aligning our gaze. "I'm thinking of something a little more fun than that, yeah?" I nod again before Sara leans in and kisses me feverishly, causing a low moan to travel from my mouth to hers. "Ya know the too hot game?" She stays back long enough for me to signal a "no" then kisses me again. When she talks again our lips are barely apart. "Well, I straddle you like this, only," her legs spread further from mine as to not touch, "no contact. And these," she take my hands again and puts them behind me so I'm leaning back slightly, "can't touch me. No touching of any body parts but our faces. First person to touch the other loses.

I'm practically at orgasm from the thought of this game. Yeah, this is some shit Sara and I get very into. "And what does the winner get?"

Her head turns up, looking at the ceiling, her finger slowly drawing down her neck. Shit, she knows I can't resist her neck, she's already getting out the strategies. "The winner gets to completely control what happens after. And I mean complete, " she pauses for the words to resonate with me, "control."

"I'm in."

"Good girl." She kisses me on my forehead, then gives both my breasts a big squeeze. Not a quarter of a second after she lets go of me, she signals the start of the game.

I lean forward, our lips meeting hesitantly. Both of us know it's like testing the water before jumping into a pool, go in with getting used to the temperature and you'll be out quicker than you jumped in. We start slow, her lips pressed against mine. Our lips alternate so we each have one of the other's lip between our own. The kisses are slow and soft, so much passion flowing between us. Sara's tongue flashes against mine, I'm almost unsure if it even happened. I open my mouth more and she does the same. Our tongues meet halfway, softly flicking against each other first, slowly building up till slightly longer licks. My hands start instinctively moving tough I catch myself before it's too late.

My hands continue moving, pretending as if they were touching Sara, moving the same way they would against her body. Our mouths are now mashing together, heads rotating around like when kids make their dolls kiss. My tongue is full on wrestling hers now, refusing to break contact. Sara moans and I slow down, knowing full well how Sara can't be turned down once she's turned up. My tongue retracts from hers, then our lips disconnect fully. Sara looks at me with determined eyes, "Sare, what are the rules on neck kissing?"

"Hmmm," she draws out, thinking over how this could play for her. "I'll allow it, but no more talking" a smug grin comes with her new rules.

I nod and we go back to kissing, skipping the no tongue, let's face it, that's no fun when tongue is an option. I'm pulling out all my flexibility for this and Sara better appreciate it, my tongue doing circles around hers, both literally and figuratively. I pull back biting her lower lip the in the process, dragging it out and letting it whip back when I release it.

Her neck tilts back and I know I have the advantage right now, she's not even trying to fight me for going after my neck. I lick up her neck, parallel with her jaw. Ending the trail with a strong suck and scratching with my teeth as I withdraw my tongue. Sara's weakness is using lips, tongue and teeth all in one long and drawn out kiss. I drop kisses down in a straight line, biting the curve connecting her neck and shoulder. Another moan escapes her. My tongue glides up to her ear and I give her earlobe a flick with my tongue, then pull it with my teeth. The way Sara is moving above me I know she is going to cave soon.

Sara pulls away, her body out of my mouths reach, my hands instantly twitch from their denied desire to touch her and pull her back into me. I can tell Sara moved away to calm herself down to keep her cool, her eyes are shut, breaths ragged and brushing against my skin. The sight of Sara being so tempted but trying to will away her instincts and habits is pushing me past Sara's point. A minute later, when my breath is just as deep and labored as Sara's own, her eyes open just as an evil grin appears on her face. Oh shit. I must say I'm impressed, Sara pushed herself to her threshold just so she could make me watch her and make me go insane.

Not giving me time to devise my own plan, Sara's lips are on my neck. For a good thirty seconds, her tongue is the only thing to be in contact with my skin. Fuck, she's driving me wild. Her tongue follows each and every curve and crevice from my shoulders to my ears. At this point I can't help myself, I'm not sure how I still have my hands off Sara, I start to rock my hips back and forth, getting seconds of pressure against my clit. Sara leans back and pulls her shirt over her head, tempting me even further. I mean I know we could be competitive but shit, I never thought we would be able to last even a tenth as long as we are. Sara leans back down, connecting our lips once again. I push my mouth against her to get her to sit up a bit more, giving me the chance to take off my shirt as well. While our mouths are disconnected, I take the opportunity to bring my hand around and rid myself of my bra. When I look back up to Sara, her bra is off with her left hand rolling one of her hard nipples between her fingers. Eyes focused on mine, lips wet and pinched back with her teeth, looking ready to be fucked.

Carefully, I slide out from under her, laying down on the bed, Sara following my lead and again, hovering over me. My eyes alternate between her eyes and hand, watching her feel herself up. I don't think either of us will last long. Lips encounter yet again, both of us breathing heavily through our noses and moaning without control. Unable to contain myself without more contact, I, too, begin pinching and twisting my nipples between my fingers. Sara breaks the kiss to bite and suck my sweet spots on my neck. Being unable to touch Sara is providing a turn on that replaces her touch, my craving for her touch is driving me insane. One hand is kept busy with my breasts, the other I move down to put pressure on my clit. I cup myself for seconds, pressing against my hand harshly, until I can't help it any more. I'm still shocked that neither of us have folded. If this goes on much longer, I'll do it out of shear need to be taken by Sara. My fingers come into contact with my clit making me moan and turn my head, giving Sara new flesh to darken with pressure. My breath is so rushed, I'm sure I'll get lightheaded any second from hyperventilating. Moans are pouring out of my mouth at a constant rate. Sara hits a particularly good place, biting hard and sucking even harder, the entire kiss practically bringing me to my brink. Sara's mouth removes itself from my neck, her gaze meeting my needy eyes before looking down between our bodies, spotting my hand circling in my boxers at an insane pace. Her eyes meet mine, and at the same second, our mouths meet and we both give in, my hand pulling her lower back into me and her hips thrusting against me, forcing a deep pressure on my clit. We both moan loudly, then take a second to catch our breath. "So if we both gave in at the same time?"

Sara chuckles, pulling my hand out from my boxers, rolling her hips oh so slowly against mine while sucking my fingers in her mouth. "I guess we both win. So how about we both get one hour of complete control," I nod incessantly at her idea. "But," her hips stop their movements, then press even harder directly into my clit, "We should finish this round first."

After the deep moan, almost scream, draws all the air out of my lungs, I take a deep breath, "Deal. And whoever comes first goes second." Sara smiles wickedly, then rolls her hips again while simultaneously pinching my nipple hard.

"So you're going second?"