"I can't believe I'm doing this."
Sophie Thorn stood on the bustling sidewalk of downtown Zuzu City. It had been over two years since she had been gone and any feelings of homesickness she may have cultivated in that time quickly dissolved. She hugged her arms, her leather jacket doing little to suppress the chill in the fall air. She knew it was her own fault for only throwing on a tank top, but an unexpected call from Emily just a little over an hour earlier had forced her to dress quickly with little thought into what she put on.
Emily had been busy preparing a surprise birthday dinner for her girlfriend, Sandy, when she received a phone call from a bartender friend working at a club called Temptation. Haley was there, and had been throwing back shots all night. When they tried cutting her off, they caught a few different men buying her drinks and sneaking them to her in the darkened corner booths.
"What am I supposed to do Sophie? I can't leave her there like that!" Emily had asked, her voice frantic. Sophie could hear her pacing around her kitchen.
"Look, Em, calm down. I'm getting dressed right now. You just focus on tonight and being an awesome girlfriend. I'll get Haley."
"But how are you even going to get there? There's no way Pam is going to drive you there and back at this hour."
She wasn't wrong. Once Sandy's bus pulled in the only place Pam was going was The Stardrop Saloon. Sophie thought for a moment, holding the phone between her cheek and shoulder so she could throw her long, black hair into a messy bun.
"I'll borrow Seb's motorcycle."
"You think he'd let you?"
"Well, he owes me one. And if he still says 'no' I'll just have to threaten to flirt with Robin. Tell him how I'd make a really good mom, ya know?"
Emily laughed, the tension finally easing in her voice. "Thank you Sophie, I mean it. I don't know how I'll make it up to you, but I will."
And now here she was, cutting through the crowd of people, her ears already thrumming the closer she got to the club. Thankfully Emily had informed her bartender friend of Sophie's arrival so the bouncer out front let her in, removing the need to stand in line. She was anxious to find Haley and get her home, worried that she had already left with some stranger before Sophie had even pulled into the city.
Inside, Sophie felt an attack on all of her senses at once. From the stink of sweat, weed, and Yoba knows what else to the flash of colorful strobe lights scattered through a haze of fog, flickering and dancing across a sea of writhing bodies. She walked the perimeter of the dance floor, scanning the crowd in hopes of spotting that familiar head of golden hair. While weaving through the throng of partygoers, one particularly jumpy dancer bumped into her, causing her to tumble into another woman.
"Fuck, I am so sorry. Are you-" The woman turned around and upon seeing her face, Sophie felt her blood run cold. The woman's eyes lit up and a devilish grin played on her lips.
"Hey there, Farm Girl. Fancy meeting you here."
"H-hi, Mel…" Sophie suddenly felt nauseous and dizzy. She wanted to turn around and go home immediately. " Where are you Haley!?"
"It looks like that rugged, outdoorsy life is treating you well." Melinda Sterling had been Sophie's on-again, off-again situationship for a few years. Sophie had cut all contact with her once she decided to take over her grandfather's farm, and now here she was, circling Sophie like a predator sizing up it's prey. When she completed her rotation and faced Sophie once more, her eyes were filled with lustful hunger.
"You, uh… you look the same," was all Sophie could manage.
Mel's smile widened and a wicked glint flashed across her eyes. "Like they say, don't fix what isn't broken." She did a little twirl, showing off what Sophie assumed was meant to be gothic attire; A lace crop top over torn fishnets and leather pants that tied up the side exposing skin from hip to ankle. The only touch of color was her burning red hair that fell in perfect curls over her shoulders. Sophie ignored her, taking the opportunity to scan the room again. At last, in that sea of writhing, dancing bodies she saw Haley. Mel had begun talking again, but Sophie didn't hear a word. She just stared wordlessly ahead, keeping her eyes on the only person in this whole city that mattered. Who was she kidding? When it came to Haley, she was the only person in Sophie's entire world that mattered. She was dancing with a guy who Sophie thought looked just like Alex in a different font. Haley had her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, while he was cupping her ass with both hands. He leaned down to whisper something in her ear, kissing her neck and Haley just giggled. Sophie's chest suddenly felt tight.
"Well, looks like some things never change." Mel's voice was right in Sophie's ear, her warm breath hugging Sophie's earlobe. She attempted to move away but the packed crowd prevented Sophie from moving out of reach. "Still falling for the straight girls? "
"It's not like that." Sophie said through gritted teeth. "She's just a friend and I'm here to pick her up."
"Oh, just a friend? Right." Mel grinned and Sophie knew she was mocking her. "Well, whenever this," she wiggled her hand back and forth between Sophie and Haley's direction, "ends the same way all the other ones did, maybe I can swing down to your little farm." She drags the long, black nail of her pointer finger along Sophie's collar bone, trailing her neck to her chin. "Maybe you can show me how rough farm life really is."
Sophie jerked back like her skin had been burned. Thankfully the crowd had thinned enough for her to put some distance between them.
"No, I don't… no." Sophie stole another glance towards Haley, making sure not to lose her. "I have to go now." Melinda seemed to be enjoying Sophie's distress.
"If you say so. I'll be seeing you, Farm Girl."
Sophie had already walked away. Despite the loud music, she was sure she could hear Melinda's laugh follow her across the dance floor.
Sophie was 1000% done with being in this place and she had no idea how difficult it would be to get Haley to leave. With no plan or tact Sophie tapped Haley on the shoulder, fully prepared to throw the blonde over her shoulder like a caveman if it came down to it. However, to Sophie's surprise, when Haley turned around her deep blue eyes widened in excitement and smiled so brightly she could have lit the entire valley. In that moment, Sophie learned that you could, in fact, fall in love with the same person all over again.
"Oh my gosh! You're here!" Haley had almost managed to scream over pulsing club music as she threw her arms around Sophie's neck. The hug lasted a moment, only slightly pulling away to cup Sophie's face in her hands. "I've been thinking about you." A playful grin spread across her lips. Sophie felt her entire face go red. She wasn't sure if her heart could handle this.
"Hey Hale, I'm here to take you home." She smelled like she had been dunked in vodka.
"Awww," Haley pouted and crossed her arms. "You're not here to dance with me?"
"No, I'm sorry." Sophie thought for a beat, seeing the disappointment in Haley's eyes. "But if you want I'll dance with you at home."
"Oh, yay!" Haley gave a little clap and hooked her arms to Sophie's. "I don't remember your name, but bye bye now!" She barely spared a glance for Not Alex, who only looked confused for a moment before another girl came over and immediately began to grind on him. If the overly enthusiastic affection wasn't a sign of Haley's intoxication, then her current inability to walk was a dead giveaway. She had all the grace of a newborn gazelle, and Sophie had to throw one of Haley's arms over her shoulder, while Sophie wrapped her arm around Haley's waist.
Thankfully, escaping the club to the city streets had been effortless. Outside, the crowd had thinned, making the short trek to Sebastian's motorcycle much simpler than Sophie had feared it would be. Sophie thought that maybe the spirits really were showering her with good fortune today. She gently positioned Haley so she was sitting on the motorcycle.
"Okay Sunshine, I need you to sit here, just like that." Sophie began to remove her leather jacket. She would be cold, but Haley had only been wearing her usual pink skirt and blue sleeveless blouse. Fine for partying indoors, but she'd be freezing on the nearly hour ride back home.
"Here, put this on."
"But won't you be cold?" Haley hesitated putting the jacket on, but Sophie shot her a reassuring smile
"Nah, I'll stay plenty warm riding next to you." She moved to grab Sebastian's helmet, not seeing Haley's cheeks flush red. There was only one helmet and she was mentally kicking herself for not checking for an extra before she took off. Without hesitation she removed the goggles from the helmet and readjusted them to fit her head, placing the helmet onto Haley's. Haley seemed to want to protest but Sophie quickly clasped and tightened the strap under her chin, not allowing her the chance.
"So…" Sophie could feel her cheeks getting warm. "I've been trying to figure out the best way for us both to ride, since you're drunk and in a skirt." Sophie straddled the bike as she spoke, repositioning Haley so that she was sitting side straddle, both legs draped over Sophie's left leg. "This is the only way I can think of to protect your legs from the heat of the engine. Is it okay like this?"
"Why wouldn't this be okay?" Haley leaned into Sophie's body. Her voice had taken on a flirtatious tone, something Sophie had only ever heard used on the men who flitted in and out of Haley's life. It had never been something for her. Her grip on the handlebars tightened.
"I just want to make sure you're comfortable is all."
Haley let out a soft chuckle before laying her head on Sophie's shoulder. "I don't mind this. And I just hold you like this?" She wrapped her arms around Sophie's waist.
"Right. Please hold on tight and don't let go."
Haley tightened her grip. "Yes , ma'am."
The ride home had not been as quick as the ride into the city had been. Twice Sophie had to pull over; once for gas and to make Haley drink some water, and then later again so that Haley could vomit. By the time they had pulled into Sebastian's garage it was almost midnight. Sophie stood from the bike and stretched, her back cracking as she did. She was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to light a fire, and crawl into bed with her tuxedo cat, Mochi. She made sure to leave everything the way Sebastian had left things for her, yawning and rubbing sleep from her eyes. Haley had moved just outside of the garage, groaning with every step. Sophie was right behind her, shuttering the door.
"I don't wanna walk anymore." Haley whined. "My feet hurt."
"You are in heels, could take those off."
Haley pouted. "But then my feet will get all gross and dirty."
"You're such a brat." Sophie sighed, but immediately moved to pick Haley up off her feet, holding her bridal style. A tiny yelp escaped Haley's lips, surprised at the ease with which Sophie lifted her. Her entire face flushed a deep red and she clasped her hands over her chest.
"Hey…" Haley's voice was soft. "Could… could I just stay at your place tonight?"
Sophie froze. "Uh, I-I mean yeah, I don't mind. Are you sure?"
Haley nodded silently, but then quickly added, "Well, I mean, tonight was s'posed to be that birthday dinner for Sandy, right? S-so her and Emily are, like, probably doing stuff and it'll be loud and I just really don't wanna be home with all of that. Give 'em some privacy, ya know?"
"Right," Sophie cleared her throat. "You make a good point." She turned around, making her way towards the backwoods trail that lead to her farm. "Let's get home then."
Even after crossing the threshold of her modest home, Sophie carried Haley all the way to her bed where she was gently placed down. She had been grateful to Robin for the most recent expansion, finally giving her a bedroom and kitchen, but sometimes she missed having her bed practically right next to her front door.
"Just hang tight and I'll get a fire going." She ran back out to grab an armful of firewood, remembering to shoot Emily a quick text as she did so. Within moments the fire flickered and roared to life. Embraced in its loving warmth, the cold night air became a distant memory. Though hesitant, she backed away from the hearth, making a quick trip into the kitchen for a glass of water before returning to Haley. Upon entry she stopped and smiled. Haley had laid herself out on Sophie's bed, legs dangling off the edge. She hadn't even bothered taking her heels off. Sophie approached her bed, kneeling at Haley's feet.
"You could've at least taken your shoes off."
"But I want you to spoil me." Haley said, slowly sitting up again. She lifted her foot towards Sophie, and without missing a beat she began to work unclasping the strap of her heel. Haley smiled. A moment of peaceful silence passed between the two women. Haley felt an urge to reach out and run her fingers through Sophie's hair, finishing the job the windy ride home had started and remove what remained of the wavy, tied back locks. She resisted, clenching the bedsheets in her fists, a dull ache blossoming between her legs. "Everything's such bullshit, ya know? Even you. You're bullshit" Sophie had just taken off the final heel.
"Me? What did I-" The words died in her throat. Tears were running down Haley's face. "Ha-"
"I kissed so many different guys tonight. I kept drinking more and more, hoping it would change how things felt. And nothing changed. It never changes. Whether I'm with Alex or random guys I meet in bars it's always the same." Haley was crying even harder now and had to pause a moment to catch her breath. Sophie wanted to take her hands in hers, comfort her in some way, but she found herself frozen in place. She couldn't imagine where this was going, but her heart felt like it could've pounded out of her chest.
"I…" Haley finally continued. "All I can think about is how I… I wished they were you." She immediately broke down again. "Why couldn't you have been born a boy?" She asked through tears, her entire body shaking with racking sobs. She let herself slide off of the bed and fall into Sophie's arms, burying her face in the crook of her neck.
Sophie felt like the entire world had just shifted beneath her feet. She couldn't process what had just happened. What was happening. She didn't understand how she could feel so elated, while also feeling like her heart was shattering into a million pieces. Haley grasped at the collar of Sophie's tank top, still crying harder than she ever had in her life. It was enough to pull Sophie out of her own thoughts.
She wrapped Haley in a tender embrace, gently rubbing her back with her thumb, whispering reassurances that everything would be okay. Eventually the sobs petered out and Haley seemed to regain her composure. They remained on the floor a moment longer, neither wanting to let go of the other, until Haley finally broke the silence.
"Can I kiss you, Sophie?"
A familiar warmth spread across Sophie's lower abdomen. Her grip on Haley tightened, ever so slightly. This was like something out of a dream. Something that she had always prayed would happen, but never dared hope for. But not like this. It would be so easy to just look down and see her green eyes reflected in those pools of vibrant blue. Wordlessly accept the request and let heightened emotions take control over whatever happens next, but she couldn't do that.
"Ask me again when you're sober." Now it was her turn to fight back tears.
Haley coughed out a somber laugh. "That's such a you answer." She wiped the tears from her cheek, but never attempted to move away. If anything she made herself more comfortable in her half-laying, half- sitting embrace. Sophie didn't complain and just continued holding her.
Within minutes the blonde had fallen asleep in Sophie's arms. Moving as slow and carefully as she was able, Sophie managed to lift Haley to the bed and tuck her in. Back in the living room she collapsed onto the couch where she finally allowed her tears to break free, biting her knuckle in an attempt to stifle her own sobs. She wasn't going to be getting any sleep tonight.