Sarah Alder has had many great loves in her long long life. Death and rejection; each one shattered her into a million pieces. And each new love glued her back together again. All the scars on her body were like a map, a map of all those great loves lost.
One would think it sad but not to Tally Craven, to her these scars glittered like gold, like fine kintsugi pottery. Each one being unveiled to her as she slowly undressed the older woman, taking time to appreciate and worship each inch of skin. Because the Mother would not take her from her again, she would mark this body as hers.
Sarah couldn't meet her eyes out of fear of what she'd see reflected back in them—disgust, disappointment, pity, rejection—but Tally guided her face back to hers. A whimper falling from Sarah's lips at the sight of such love and acceptance shining from the Knower's eyes.
She wept as Tally whispered, "Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful," in between kisses marking her skin. Skin that burned with the need to be glued back together, to be touched and devoured.
Tally worked like she had done it a million times before, like only she knew Sarah's body. And Sarah's body responded in kind. Sarah wasn't really one who enjoyed penetration and it never really got her off without some help. But the moment diligent fingers filled her like a ship sailing into port they drew Tally's name from sacred lips like a wicked Hallelujah.
Then it was Sarah's turn to whisper, "Tally. Tally. Tally," like an affirmation made just for her.
When Sarah tried to look away Tally commanded, "Look at me, look at only me," and Sarah obeyed.
Sarah would give Tally anything she wanted, she'd tear the world apart for her if that's what she wanted. If she kept doing what she was doing with her tongue to her nipples then she may very well make that happen.
Slender fingers threaded their way through red tresses and pulled Tally's face upwards so that lips met lips and a final plunge of fingers had Sarah moaning into Tally's waiting mouth as she came.
"I've got you," Tally whispered into Sarah's gasping mouth.
Tally removed her fingers and with the wetness coating them she drew lines of gold upon gold on a perfectly imperfect body that she would continue to make hers.
Yes, Sarah Alder had many great loves. But Tally Craven was the greatest of them all.