A/N: I got a follow-up from the previous Skeb, so it's a continuation of the previous chapter.


"Hah, hah...mmmnn, that was really, uh...well I liked it a lot..." Still catching her breath, the sniper blushed as she nuzzled against his chest, a bit embarrassed at how 'enthusiastic' their sessions could get, but it was worth it. Now coming off from the high, she cuddled against Adam's broad chest, one of his hands coming around to stroke her hair while the other still clasped her hand tightly.

"Heh, I could say the same, love," he planted a light kiss on her forehead, the girl giggling as his white strands tickled her. "Mmn, you're not cold, are you?" He gestured towards the blanket, which only barely covered their lower halves.

Sio shook her head. "No, I'm actually still pretty warm, thanks to, er...all that, exercise..." She laughed sheepishly as Adam raised an eyebrow. "What! I'm just saying..."

Adam couldn't help but laugh. "I know I know, and you're not wrong; that was some pretty strenuous exercise..." As much he enjoyed the physical pleasures of sex however, deep down Adam's favorite part was what came after—the cuddles, snuggling, relaxed banter across the pillows as they basked in the afterglow. The girl in his arms was perfectly at ease, her head tucked against his chest as she sighed with contentment. One of her petite breasts was pressed against his hard chest and Adam stroked the silken mound gently as Sio giggled. He smirked a bit as her nipple hardened slightly from the teasing, but otherwise made no moves for anything else. To simply enjoy this moment together, when both of them were content and at ease, was more than enough.

"See, your knickers survived unscathed...well, mostly," Adam eyed the garment, which was now shed and haphazardly slung over the chair. While it didn't rip, as Sio was taking them off afterwards, she noted how the seams were stretched. "Ah hell, I'll buy you a new set anyway; sound good?"

"Heh, well since you're offering..." Stretching, Sio flipped onto her stomach, propping herself on one elbow as Adam continued to finger her silky strands. "How can I say no?"

"Well, I know what we're doing during our next shore leave." Adam sighed as he sank deeper into the pillows himself. They should probably change the bedding again soon he noted, especially after sessions that tended to be...messier. In hindsight, perhaps towels should be a regular item, but it was hard to remember in the heat of the moment.

His chest rumbled with a questioning note as the girl drew a single finger down his sternum, then trailed into the finely wrought lines of his abs. "Hmmn...and what do you think you're doing, love?"

"Just touching you," came her coy reply, that finger still tracing feather-light touches that made him want to laugh instead. "Your skin is so smooth and warm...I like the way it feels; especially these," her hands draw across that six-pack and this time Adam did laugh. "Seriously, I'm a bit jealous..."

"You know, you could always just up your training regimen," he suggested, but the girl merely turned into his side. "Personally, I think you're fine just the way you are. Unless you're trying to increase your strength...?"

"Well, I'm sure it never hurts to get stronger. Especially now..." Those maroons turned a bit melancholy, but Adam swept it away with a warm hug. "Maybe. We'll see. Though I have to say, th-that position was more...complicated than I imagined," Sio blushed and looked down at the pillows, a bit embarrassed. "Moving up and down...it took more than I expected."

"Ho? That certainly is good motivation; increasing your sexual stamina—though I have to say your endurance is already impressive—"

"—Adam! Why do you always make things sound so...dirty," Sio pouted, cheeks burning with a bit of guilt but secretly she was quite proud. Even now, the sniper still managed to surprise even herself with her rather prodigious libido. Though they were in a good rhythm now, still there were occasions where it felt like no amount of orgasms could slake her lust, no matter how mind blowing. Privately Sio couldn't help but worry if it was some residual effect of the whole 'runaway e-gene' incident, that caused her to temporarily lose control of certain parts of herself. 'No...that's not true. I'm fine now; I have to trust myself. And everyone else.'

A sigh shook her out of those distressing thoughts, Sio squeaking a bit as Adam pulled her in tighter. "Somethin' on your mind? You've gone awfully quiet; fancy a kip now? Or are you trying to decide what kind of knickers you'd like?"

"E-Eh? Adam Muirhead..." Pretending to pout, she pinched his cheek lightly. "Pervert. I know you have a thing for those striped panties of mine..."

"Th-that's not—I do not have any particular preferences for what you choose to wear underneath," the claim was vehemently denied, though Sio noticed his cheeks were rather red and he was looking away from her. "As long as you like them, I'm fine with anything."

"Uh huh. Sure." Sio rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "In that case, maybe something...different. Ooh, I saw this really cute corset the other day—well more like I saw it in a magazine Newton was reading—"

As Sio described the outfit in great detail, Adam couldn't help but hold her a little closer, thoroughly basking in this moment of bliss they could have. Every single one of her features seemed a little more dear, a bit more accentuated today. Maybe it was the afterglow, or maybe he just never noticed until now. Those warm, honey-brown strands, her sweet little face and those large, maroon eyes that were now sparkling with excitement. Her frame was slender and petite, even though Adam knew she was actually not that short, especially for a Japanese girl. Her peach-hued skin was soft and unblemished, save for that jarring scar across her chest and back-unconsciously his hands brushed the patch, as if trying to erase it.

Eventually the girl started running out of steam, and in fact he was feeling the high fade himself. With the afterglow fading, the fatigue and drowsiness were setting in, as evidenced by the girl's enormous yawn.

"Okay, now I want a nap...though it can't be too long, since I promised Dogoo and Commander Iyo I'd meet with them for a working dinner...ugh," Sio complained as she finally drew the covers up. "Not sure what possessed me to say yes, but what can you do; we need to discuss the campaign for next week, and it can't be delayed. Still, I'm sure I can," she squinted at the clock, "get away with an hour or so..."

Adam did not say a word, only tucking them both further into the blankets. "I...see. I know you're awful busy these days, so I'm...glad you can stay. Even if just for a little while..." His eyes turned downward slightly at that comment, which did not go unnoticed by Sio.

"Oh...W-Well, I love spending time with you, Adam...especially now, I don't get a lot of moments like these, s-so...I'm really happy to be with you too, like this..."

Adam felt his heart lurch with a myriad of emotions. The vulnerability of baring their feelings, so earnestly and honestly after an intense physical act...drawing in a deep breath, he gently spooned the sniper against him, the hand that was stroking her hair now cupping her face.

"Sio Ogura, I love you, you know?" His emeralds were so serious and intense, the sniper felt herself faltering a bit under that gaze. "I mean it. Being with you like this, holding you close, making love...there's nothing that makes me happier."

"I, I...I know. A-And it makes me really happy, because I...love you too, Adam." Her lips trembled a bit and Sio couldn't help but shed a single tear; they were always a bit more emotional after sex, and hearing his earnest declaration stirred an emotion so passionate and warm that love alone wasn't enough to describe it.

"Ah, there I go making you cry again...I really need to work on that." Adam carefully wiped her tears. "Let's get some rest, 'ey? You need to keep your strength up...and resting is part of that."

Struggling against another yawn, the sniper only nodded in agreement, already allowing herself to be taken by the waves of sleep. Adam's heartbeat was steady in her ear, lulling her into a dreamland as she closed her eyes and let herself be free from any responsibilities or worries.

"Sleep well, Sio."