The Guide sighed heavily and slumped onto the sofa in her chambers. It had been another wasted night, sitting and watching her vampires mingle and squabble amongst each other without being invited into the conversation. She was used to this.

They had all been on a hunt together, taking down a greasy looking man and his three friends. They had catcalled and whistled at Nadja and the Guide, presenting themselves as the perfect victims.

The Guide had killed quickly, using her speed to her advantage, fangs deep in her victim's neck before he even saw her. The boys killed brutishly, all broken bones and loud grunts. She watched Nadja kill hers with ease, and a finesse that only came with the powers of hypnotic seduction. It was a privilege to see. Nadja cooed to her victim, enticing him with a flirty smile and making a come hither motion with her finger. He had gone to her willingly, seeming to accept his impending death with a gusto.

And who could blame him, the Guide had thought. What a way to go. The Guide drank deeply from her victim, her gaze never drifting from Nadja.

And oh, Nadja. She had looked so beautiful that evening, with her hair hanging in loose curls down to her waist, and in an emerald green dress that clung to her curves and brought out the color in her eyes.

Recalling the ensemble made the Guide's cheeks flush, and she smiled sadly to herself before taking a swig of liquor blood. The dress was uncharacteristically snug on Nadja, and very thin, a change from her typical puffs and voluminous layers. It was cut low in the front, showing ample cleavage and the Guide had not been able to look away for long. She was almost positive that Nadja had to have known, had to have felt the Guide's eyes roaming over her body. But, as it were, Nadja barely glanced at the Guide all night, and the Guide had felt herself getting more and more worked up, seeking out eye contact while also trying to remain undetected. It was counterintuitive, she knew, but Nadja had this effect on her, almost like brain-scramblies.

They had reconvened back at the house in the fancy room, and at some point in the evening Nadja had groaned in annoyance at something Laszlo said, but it sounded so much like a moan that the Guide felt a hot drop of arousal in her core. That had been the final straw. It was just too much, overstimulating her senses and causing an uncomfortable pickling sensation all over her chest and back.

"I think I should go," she had murmured into the room, but Nadja and Laszlo's conversation carried on without a missed beat, and Nandor sat engrossed in his book.

"That man from earlier isn't sitting right with me," she tried a final time, but no one heard her. She turned into mist and shot up and out of the chimney without another word. They wouldn't miss her anyway.

With a sigh, the Guide leaned back into the sofa, the sound Nadja had made replaying in her mind and distorting into wanton moans. The Guide felt the same rush of arousal from earlier, now back with a vengeance. She had no qualms about getting herself off to thoughts of Nadja, no feelings of guilt or shame, but another emotion had crept its way in lately, and it frightened her. She no longer just wanted to get off anymore. She used to imagine a quick fuck, rough and dirty, and then being dismissed, both herself and Nadja returning to their activities without any acknowledgement of what had just happened. But the more time she spent with Nadja, watching the way she carried herself with unwavering confidence, learning about her and her quirks, she found herself wanting more. She wanted intimacy.

Intimacy had never come easily for the Guide. She was a bit awkward and overwhelming, tending to push others away with her desire for closeness. Of course, no one had ever compared to Nadja. She had never craved someone so strongly before. The Guide found herself admiring her more and more with each passing night, until ultimately she had realized she might love her. That thought was quickly pushed away, stashed in a room behind a closed door, but it was getting harder to keep it contained.

She desperately craved Nadja's affection, feeling pangs of jealousy towards Laszlo that in turn made her feel guilty. He was so good to Nadja, and he adored her. If she could not have Nadja, she was happy that Laszlo did, but it did not soothe the ache that came from longing for her. Ultimately, she wished for Nadja to be happy and loved, even if it was not with her. The Guide tried to assure herself that if Nadja had that, it would be enough.

The Guide heard herself sob, echoing in her chambers and only then realizing that she had been crying. It was all very frustrating and painful, trying to work through these emotions. Lust, and deep admiration (she refused to use the word love) for a woman who could not care less about her, even though she tried so hard to make Nadja care. She would do anything her Mistress asked of her, drop everything for the chance to please her. And that was really all she wanted, to please Nadja and be accepted by her.

The Guide wiped the tears from her cheeks and took a steadying breath. Another glass of liquor blood wouldn't hurt, she decided, pouring another and downing it in two gulps. Her head felt fuzzy and her blood felt warm, and despite the aching sadness in her chest, she could not shake the feeling of arousal. She set her glass down and felt her body begin responding to the thoughts of Nadja, letting herself fall into a familiar fantasy.

Nadja would push the Guide down onto the sofa and straddle one of her thighs, grinding against her roughly. She would moan and bring the Guide's hands up to cup her breasts.

The Guide brought her hands to her own breasts, feeling her nipples stiffen under the thin fabric of her nightie. She had had this fantasy many times before.

The Guide would unlace the bodice of whatever complicated garment Nadja would be wearing, pulling it down and exposing her breasts, running her fingers gently over stiffening nipples. She would drop her head to Nadja's chest, and pepper kisses over the soft skin before zeroing in on one of her nipples. Nadja would moan and hold the Guide's head in place while grinding on her thigh.

The Guide whimpered as she tweaked one of her own nipples between two fingers. She leaned heavily into the back of the sofa, her knees falling open and her nightie riding up over her thighs. She reached down and yanked it up further, exposing the bottom half of her body completely, save for what was covered by lacey undergarments. Typically she would take her time, savoring the imaginary Nadja, but tonight there was a fire inside of her that burned so hot she could scream. It was painful, the way she craved Nadja's touch, her acceptance, her affection.

The Guide would rip into Nadja's dress, effortlessly pulling it apart from the neck to the skirt, and Nadja would be too overcome with lust to care about the ruined clothing. She would lift herself off of the Guide and stand before her, letting the dress fall completely to the floor. She would be fully exposed, no undergarments, and sit herself next to the Guide, who would instinctively know what to do.

Her underwear soaked now, and in the way. She lifted her hips up off of the sofa and hooked her thumbs into the waistband, pulling them down to her ankles and kicking them away. She ran her hands over her breasts, pinching and rolling both nipples before moving down her torso, her right hand creeping further until it met the soft curls between her thighs. Her eyes shut tight and she bit her bottom lip, trying to restrain herself from going too fast.

The Guide would fall to her knees in front of Nadja, placing a hand on each of her knees and pushing them open. She would see how wet Nadja was for her, the dark curls glistening in the candlelight of her chambers. She would kiss and nip along Nadja's thighs, working her way up to her center.

The Guide dipped her fingers into her entrance just enough to wet them before finding her swollen clit and circling it lightly. She bucked her hips into her hand, seeking more pressure, but denied herself. She wanted to take her time, no matter how difficult it would be, but she had a feeling she would not be able to hold out for long.

She would use her thumbs to part Nadja's slick folds, and gently blow a deliberate breath over the wet flesh, teasing her. Nadja would moan and tangle her hand in the Guide's hair, pushing her face into her. The Guide would get to work quickly, licking Nadja fully from her entrance to her clit with the flat of her tongue before honing in on her clit, sucking it between her lips and flicking it with her tongue.

The Guide had been correct in the assumption that she would not be able to wait; she was so deliciously turned on by Nadja's imaginary sounds. She pressed her fingers to her clit roughly, crying out at the sensation. She circled it in earnest now, letting out a low, keening moan.

With two fingers, the Guide would enter Nadja, curling them just so to hit the swollen spot inside of her.

The Guide entered herself with two fingers, bringing her left hand down to her clit for greater stimulation. She thrusted furiously with her right hand, her moans and the wet sounds shattering the silence of the room.

Nadja's legs would open further, her hips bucking to grind against the Guide's face. She would tighten her grip in the Guide's hair and the Guide would thrust into her a final time, tipping her over the edge.

"Oh, Mistress, oh fuck, Nadja," the Guide cried as she came around her fingers,eyes still shut tight. She circled her clit lazily and gentled her thrusting, bringing herself down from the high.

"So… this is what you get up to in here," came a voice from the far end of the room.

The Guide's eyes snapped open and she cried out in surprise. Standing in the doorway of her chambers was Nadja herself, hands on her hips and a smug expression on her face. The Guide stammered nonsense, trying to form words while still experiencing aftershocks of pleasure, as well as trying to cover herself. She removed her fingers from inside of her and made an effort to pull her nightie down, but Nadja stepped forward quickly.

"Oh no, don't stop on my account," Nadja purred, lips curling into a Cheshire grin. "I would very much like to see what else you had planned."

The Guide stared at Nadja, wide-eyed and opening and closing her mouth trying to find her voice.

"N-Nadja, I… I was just, I was about to—"

"Oh?" Nadja cocked an eyebrow. "What is it you were about to do?"

The Guide was finally successful in covering herself, but was otherwise frozen. She could not believe this was happening, could not bear the humiliation and shame running through her blood like fire. Not only had Nadja caught her pleasuring herself, but she had heard her calling out for her. This was the worst possible scenario, and she had no idea what to say or do. She was so shocked and embarrassed, she could not hold in her frustration. She started to cry, tears streaking over her cheeks and down her neck.

Nadja did not say anything, and for a moment the Guide saw her smug expression melt into what appeared to be concern, but her vision was quickly blurred with tears, and she buried her face in her hands. So, if Nadja really was worried, the Guide could not be sure.

"Oh…" the Guide heard Nadja say, and she curled into the arm of the sofa, anticipating Nadja's loud voice, or shouting at the very least, preparing herself for a berating. But what she was not prepared for was Nadja sitting next to her, and placing a gentle hand on her forearm.

"This is not so fun if you are crying," said Nadja softly, rubbing small circles on the Guide's skin with her thumb. "I would… very much like for you to stop."

The Guide swiped the tears from her eyes and chanced a peek at Nadja, noting how her expression had indeed softened into one of great concern, her brow furrowed and the corners of her mouth turned down. But still, the Guide could not find her voice. She opened her mouth to try and speak, but nothing came out. She watched Nadja carefully, looking for any sign of insincerity, but surprisingly, could not find one.

"Will you please say something?" Nadja asked, uncharacteristically soft, stilling her thumb but leaving her hand on the Guide's arm.

The Guide took a shaky, unnecessary breath.

"I am so sorry, Nadja, I didn't mean for you to… I mean I didn't think that you would… You've never—"

"Easy, darling, one at a time."

The Guide faltered at the term of endearment and gripped the hemline of her nightie, bunching the fabric in both fists to try and ground herself.

"I never meant for you to… see me like that. And you've never come to see me here, so I didn't think you ever would."

A look akin to a grimace flashed over Nadja's features.

"Yes, well, I suppose I did invite myself over here. But you left the house so quickly, and I wanted to know why."

"I did say that I didn't feel well," offered the Guide, and Nadja frowned.

"Yes, but that was a lie. I know these things, dear."

The Guide blinked at Nadja, trying to process what she had just said. Nadja was expressing a genuine concern for her and it was baffling to say the least. But how could she tell Nadja that the reason she had left so abruptly was her? The reason she could no longer be in the same room as her was that she was so incredibly turned on by a sound she had made? She did not want to tell her, but she did not want to lie to her either. The Guide sighed and broke their eye contact.

"It was you," she admitted quietly.

"Me?"

"You… Well, you look so good in that dress," the Guide said, gesturing to the dress Nadja was wearing. "And then Laszlo said something and you made this sound that I couldn't get out of my head, and so… I left." She met Nadja's gaze again, desperately hopeful, but for what she was not quite sure. Mercy, she guessed, a pardon for her lewd behavior. But Nadja only grinned wickedly, appearing to fully understand what the Guide was getting at.

"Ah, you are attracted to me, no?" Nadja asked, waggling her eyebrows in a way that distantly reminded the Guide of Laszlo.

The Guide swallowed hard and nodded, trying with difficulty not to back down as Nadja leaned in close.

"You want to fuck me?" Nadja was whispering now, and the Guide could feel her breath on her face. She shuddered, goosebumps raising on her arms, and nodded again, feeling herself flush.

"But you don't like me," the Guide said matter-of-factly, and Nadja frowned.

"I do like you… I am just not so good with the feelings and the sweet things."

The Guide felt like the earth had started spinning backwards. Nadja had just said she liked her, which was something she never thought she would hear. She felt a jolt of excitement but made sure to reign it in before it showed on her face. Nadja simply liked her, nothing more. She was about to brush it off, let it simply be what it was, but she had to push. It was not in her nature to leave a wound unpicked.

"But you have Laszlo," the Guide said, immediately regretting it. Nadja had said nothing to indicate she liked her more than the base level of tolerance. Why did she push it? Stupid, stupid!

But Nadja's face softened, a look so devastatingly honest and human gracing her features.

"There is room in my dead, unbeating heart for Laszlo and for you. I am…" Nadja sighed, looking anywhere else to avoid meeting the Guide's gaze. "I am so sorry that you thought I didn't like you. I do, very much. It's not so easy for me to show it. Good things don't always stay good. And I didn't want to lose you, so I pretended not to care. I didn't think you cared for me like that. Maybe I would have been different if I knew."

The Guide balked at the idea that Nadja cared for her, had feelings for her. On top of that, the display of vulnerability from her had the Guide reeling. It was so unlike the Nadja she thought she knew.

"You can be different now," said the Guide. "If you want."

Nadja finally met her gaze.

"Oh, I think this just got fun again," she purred, raising a hand to cup the Guide's face. She gently traced her thumb over the Guide's bottom lip, and the Guide stared at her wide-eyed. It felt like her brain was short-circuiting, and if her heart still beat she was sure Nadja would be able to hear it. She took a deep breath and dropped her gaze to Nadja's lips, plum-colored and smirking. Nadja leaned forward and her nose brushed against the Guide's.

"Are you alright, agapi mou?" she whispered, and the Guide felt a swell of affection for her. She closed the gap between them and met Nadja's lips with her own. It was a sweet and gentle kiss, but it felt like flying. Nadja's mouth was soft against hers and she followed the Guide's lead, letting her set the pace.

The Guide felt dizzy in the best way, her senses totally flooded by Nadja. Her lips were cool and firm against her own, and the smell of her perfume was rich and spicy. Her fringe tickled the Guide's face and her hand was still cupping her cheek. The Guide pulled away, breathless, and rested her forehead against Nadja's.

"I am very much alright," said the Guide, seeking out Nadja's mouth again. This time she ran her tongue along the crease of her lips, deepening the kiss when Nadja opened her mouth for her.

The Guide felt the familiar heat of arousal spread through her body and, despite the remaining apprehension she felt, climbed into Nadja's lap and straddled her hips. Nadja growled approvingly and pulled the Guide closer to her body, hands stroking her back and stopping just above the swell of her ass. The Guide ground her hips into Nadja's, desperately seeking friction, but Nadja stilled her movements and broke their kiss.

The Guide whined at the loss of contact, but was quickly assuaged by Nadja's lips on her neck, a kiss turning into a nip, soothed by her tongue. The Guide could not think straight. She felt hot all over, and like she was unable to get enough air even though she did not need it. She was desperate for more contact, so she reached for the thin straps of her nightie and pulled them over her shoulders, bunching the garment around her middle. Nadja gazed at her hungrily with darkening eyes, licking her lips. She dropped her head down to the Guide's chest, lips ghosting over the soft skin, but that was not enough for the Guide. She pushed her chest closer to Nadja's face, and moaned when Nadja sucked a nipple into her mouth. She squirmed in Nadja's lap, finally realizing how wet she was, and felt a pang of shame.

"Mistress, your dress… I'm sorry," she started, lifting herself off of Nadja's lap and grimacing. She had made a huge wet spot on the front of Nadja's skirt, but Nadja smirked and pulled the Guide back to her.

"Fuck the dress," Nadja said, reaching up to cup the Guide's breasts. She kneaded the soft flesh and pinched and rolled her nipples, eliciting a yelp from the Guide at a particularly rough pinch. Nadja hissed in response, clearly enjoying herself, and the Guide felt a wave of validation, something she had been seeking from Nadja since the beginning. It was a strange but good feeling to realize that Nadja, in her own way, had been seeking it from her, too.

The Guide kissed Nadja again, and, feeling more confident, cupped Nadja's breasts over her dress, circling her nipples with her thumbs. Nadja groaned into the kiss and dropped her hands to the Guide's ass, digging her nails into her skin.

"I would like for you to be naked now," Nadja murmured against the Guide's mouth. She effortlessly picked up the Guide and helped her balance on unsteady legs. She grabbed the top hem of the nightie and waited for approval. When the Guide nodded her permission, Nadja ripped the nightie in half and let it fall to the floor. It was not lost on the Guide that this was exactly how she got Nadja naked in most of her fantasies.

Nadja's eyes were dark, trailing over the Guide almost appraisingly. She grinned and rose from the sofa, turning her back on the Guide. She lifted her hair up and over her shoulder, exposing the back of her dress. The Guide understood immediately, reaching for the zipper and pulling it down slowly. She could not believe this was actually happening, that it was not just a fantasy. When the zipper reached the bottom of the track, Nadja turned to face her again and with no warning, let her own dress fall around her feet. Of course, thought the Guide humorously. Of course Nadja was not wearing anything underneath.

The Guide licked her lips and tried to see all of Nadja all at once, as if afraid she would disappear. But Nadja stayed, closing the distance between them and pulling the Guide into her arms, dropping kisses along her clavicle. Nadja's skin was impossibly soft, and the Guide could feel her stiff nipples poking against her own skin.

"You are a very sexy little thing," Nadja said, and the Guide blushed, still in disbelief that fantasy was becoming reality. She was naked in the arms of her Mistress, who was equally naked, and seemed to want the Guide just as badly as the Guide wanted her. Nadja stroked the Guide's face with the backs of her fingers, and from that small gesture alone, the Guide's body felt truly alive for the first time in centuries.

Nadja sucked a hickey into the skin just under the Guide's ear and rested her hands on the Guide's ass.

"Will you lie down for me?" Nadja whispered against the Guide's neck. The Guide dropped to her knees without a second thought, Nadja falling to the floor with her in tandem.

The Guide hooked her arms around Nadja's neck and pulled her down to the floor parallel with her. Nadja flung a leg over the Guide's hips and straddled her, lying forward so their torsos were still pressed together. She licked a trail down the Guide's body from her lips to her navel, making the Guide shiver, anticipating the feeling of Nadja's mouth farther down. Nadja shimmied off of the Guide and settled between her legs.

"Please, Nadja, I want… I need—"

Nadja interrupted her with a bite to the inside of her thigh, not hard enough to break the skin but hard enough to make the Guide cry out. It was a delicious kind of pain and the Guide bucked her hips, trying in vain to bring her center closer to Nadja's mouth.

"What is it you need, baby?" Nadja cooed, licking over the bite mark she had left. "Use your words."

"I, ugh, need you," gasped the Guide. Nadja was now tracing her folds with one finger, and not nearly enough pressure.

"And what do you want me to do?"

The Guide growled and raised herself up on her elbows.

"Nadja."

Nadja looked coyly up at her and batted her eyelashes.

"I need you to fuck me."

Nadja wasted no time, diving between the Guide's legs and licking between her slick folds. The Guide collapsed onto the floor and arched her back, trying to grind into Nadja's face, but Nadja held her hips still as she licked and kissed her with fervor.

"Ohh, you are delicious, my darling," Nadja purred, licking the crease of the Guide's hip just to tease her.

"More, please, Mistress," the Guide whined, and Nadja finally took pity on her. She found the Guide's entrance with two fingers and pushed them in slowly. The Guide keened as Nadja curled her fingers just so, using the thumb of her other hand to circle the Guide's clit. The Guide was finally able to move her hips, bucking to meet Nadja's thrusts. Nadja's tongue replaced her thumb, licking the Guide directly, causing her to become impossibly wetter.

"You're doing so well for me, baby," Nadja praised her. "Are you going to come for me?"

"Ugh, yes, I'm so close," the Guide answered, feeling the burn of overstimulation but powering through it. Nadja added a third finger and sucked the Guide's clit between her lips, sucking and grazing it lightly with her teeth.

The Guide moaned and cursed as she came around Nadja's fingers, writhing on the floor while Nadja held her down with her free hand. She slowed her thrusts as the Guide came down, pulling her fingers out gently when the Guide tried to wiggle away from her, the stimulation too great.

The Guide reached for Nadja's hand and pulled her up so they were level. She hooked her leg over Nadja's hip and kissed her deeply, tasting herself on Nadja's lips. The inside of her chest felt warm, felt alive, and she smiled into the kiss, giggling almost deliriously.

"I've dreamed about this," she said, finding the strength to roll them over so that she was now on top of Nadja. "I've thought about making you come so many times, so many different ways…" She was shocked at how confident she sounded, but not embarrassed, not after coming apart like that in Nadja's arms. "I'll do anything you want me to," she said, lowering her mouth to Nadja's and kissing her again. She could not get enough of her now that she finally had her. Kissing Nadja felt better than liquor blood, better than virgin blood. It was something she could see herself becoming addicted to.

The Guide trailed kisses over Nadja's jaw, down her neck and over her breasts, capturing a nipple with her lips and sucking hard. She nipped at the underside of Nadja's breasts, smirking against her skin when she heard Nadja hiss.

"Hmph, cheeky little—ah!" Nadja was interrupted by the Guide swiping her thumb directly over her swollen clit. She wriggled and held the Guide's hand in place. "Do that again." The Guide did. Nadja moaned and it was so much better than the sounds the Guide had imagined her making.

The Guide lowered her mouth to Nadja's center and entered her with her tongue, keeping even pressure on her clit with her thumb. Nadja tasted exquisite and the Guide groaned into her, making Nadja buck her hips.

"Oh, Mistress, you're so beautiful like this," the Guide said, looking up at Nadja in awe. She thrusted into her with two fingers and watched Nadja squirm. It was so endearing to see her in this way, guard down and exposed. The Guide was captivated by every one of Nadja's movements and sounds.

The Guide licked Nadja's clit with the flat of her tongue and curled her fingers inside of her, putting what she had fantasized about so many times into practice. With the tip of her tongue she flicked Nadja's clit and after a particularly rough thrust, she felt Nadja clench and come hard, only stopping her movements when Nadja gently pushed her away. She moved to lie next to Nadja, her head on her chest over her heart. For a brief, fleeting moment, she wished she could hear it beat.

Nadja ran her fingers through the Guide's hair and hummed in satisfaction.

"That was spectacular, my darling," Nadja commended, and the Guide preened. Nadja's praise was hard to come by, and receiving it felt like being given something priceless. She scratched the Guide's scalp lazily with her nails, making her drowsy and content.

The Guide splayed her hand over Nadja's belly, enjoying the softness of her skin, grounding herself with the subtle rise and fall as Nadja breathed. It was a mostly unnecessary action for vampires, but reflexive, something difficult to stop completely. She pressed a kiss to the underside of Nadja's jaw, the intimacy of the action making her chest fill with love for the woman in her arms. She was able to name it finally, no longer frightened of the implications of an emotion so strong.

"What are you thinking about, girly?" Nadja asked, her fingers still working through her hair. The Guide hid her face in Nadja's shoulder, suddenly bashful even after all of their activities.

"I think I'm happy," she whispered, afraid to say it too loudly in case she burst the bubble of warmth they were lying in. But Nadja kissed the top of the Guide's head.

"I am happy too," Nadja said, her voice soft with affection. "And I am excited to see what else you have thought about doing to me. 'So many different ways,' I believe you said? I will hold you to that."

The Guide laughed, finally free.