Star Trek: Theurgy

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Outside Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Nimble fingers danced over the control console while her lips curled in a faint smirk, mismatched eyes darting across the screen. Kino stood, still dressed in duty uniform, weight shifting from one leg to the other, trying to make a final decision on the program she wanted. Nothing too fancy, her eyes narrowed at the scrolling list of options – most of which were places she’d never even heard of. Her nose scrunched up a bit at the delay, knowing it was already past 1700 hours, and Reika was probably wondering what the hold up was. C’mon, just pick a spot, she huffed with impatience, lips pursed as she closed her eyes to lift a finger at the screen, poking it as her natural eye cracked open.

Kloi-Natai, Elysium IV, she read, arching a brow as the details were pulled up. M Class, vast tropical regions, extensive wildlife preserves...known for pristine beaches and abundant biospheres, bio-luminescent fauna and flora colors shift with the cycles of its three moons? Interesting. Host to several medical and scientific research outposts in geo-sync orbit, blah blah blah. Yeah, that’ll do. Kino grinned, keying in the locale, then inputted the remaining program parameters she’d need for the evening, glad that she’d showed up as early as she did. “Alright, that'll work,” the Trill nodded to herself, then hit execute. As the console chimed, Kino typed out a quick message to Reika before heading in.

   Ms. Sh’laan -
Sorry for the short notice, the day got away from me. I’ve secured Holodeck 4 for a couple hours, I'm here now getting ready. Access code is Alpha-72-Sigma-56. Why don’t you join me around 1800?
   -Kino

Beyond the threshold, a bright sunny day awaited; Kino found herself on a narrow wooden pier, surrounded by shallow, crystal clear waters of aquamarine – white sand and small reefs visible below the surface, teeming with life. At the end of the pier, under a bright blue sky, an island of dense green jungle dominated the view. Kino grinned, one hand rising to shade her eyes from the sunlight as the gentle breeze tossed her unkempt hair. “Fuck me, this is great,” she laughed, then unzipped her duty jacket as she stepped off towards the moderate sized structures nestled just beyond the beachhead. The complex was built to resemble a private home of sorts, (loosely modeled on what Kino remembered of her parent’s summer home back on Trill), complete with a large central pool. Four corner structures each held their own rooms, lounges, baths, while a large open-aired bar/kitchen dominated the far wall of the courtyard.

Kino shrugged the duty jacket off as she walked, eager to get started before Reika showed up.

[Thirty minutes later, 1802 hrs]

She’d chosen a pair of faded cut off camo short shorts that hugged her hips and curves nicely along with a simple white halter and a pair of mirrored aviator sunglasses; enjoying the warmth and gentle breeze as well as the sunlight on her pale skin while she worked. The lettuce was prepped, washed, and set aside in a large circular plate, the surrounding a small bowl of amber colored peanut sauce. Kino gave the mixture of crumbled chicken, minced garlic, diced onion and shallots a toss in the sizzling wok on the stove as she chopped up the rest of the cilantro. Off to the side, a pint of golden liquid sat on the counter well within reach; the glass sweating in the sunlight next to a smaller cocktail glass of smokey blue liquid.

Kino paused to reach over and steal a sip of beer as she cocked a hip, facing away from the entrance, when her ears picked up the subtle shwoosh of the door opening over the breeze. A dark brow arched as she smirked over her bare shoulder, drink raised in salute before returning her attention to cooking. Pretty good timing, Legs, the Trill chuckled, tossing the chicken again while she waited for the Andorian to join her.

[Lt. Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Reika looked into the last trunk.  There was only one item left ensconced inside.  Reaching in, she removed the thin, rectangular piece.  With one hand on each side, thumbs running over the front and the rest of her fingers firmly planted on the back of it.  She stood there, her eyes memorizing each and every minutia of detail.  Her antenna dipped just a little as she took her time.

During the time between her various meetings today, she decided to finish unpacking.  She was only three days out of stasis, but something had held her back - almost as if she wasn’t sure that she would need to finish.  What would keep her from going right back into stasis if she were injured or if the cure that they thought they had affected to stop her genetic unspooling had just delayed the progression, not actually stopped it as they had told her?

But something about this morning’s encounter reminded her that whatever her circumstances had been that there were any number of reasons - how many spots were on a Trill anyway? - that she might want to plant herself firmly physically, mentally, and maybe even emotionally in the ‘here and now’ - not in the uncertainty of ‘what may yet come.’

But the beep of a message broke into her reverie.  She took the picture of her parents and siblings and placed it on the last available shelf in her living room before making her way to her workstation to pull up the message.

   Ms. Sh’laan -
Sorry for the short notice, the day got away from me. I’ve secured Holodeck 4 for a couple hours, I'm here now getting ready. Access code is Alpha-72-Sigma-56. Why don’t you join me around 1800?
   -Kino

Reika read over the message and her antenna which had moments before drooped just slightly stood upright and her eyes glinted in anticipation and went from the message to the chronometer at the top of the console.  1730 - so she had 30 minutes to choose her outfit, get dressed and make her way to holodeck 4.  Thirty minutes would be just enough.

Just after 1800, Reika stood outside the holodeck in a one-shouldered stretchy (and curve-hugging)  black tank top tucked into a pair of white chino-style shorts.  On anyone else, the shorts may have fallen more than halfway down the wearer’s thighs, but with her long-lanky legs, they appeared little longer than short shorts.  Her long-white hair was half-up in one of her intricate multi-layered braids, but the rest fell halfway down her back.  Her outfit was tied in by a pair of silver knotted earrings, and a thin silver bracelet encircling her left wrist.

Reika input the code that Kino had given her and stepped inside.  As she did, many of her senses were assailed all at once.  The brightness of the sun caused her to squint as she raised her eyes to the sky.  She could hear the waves as they curved over on themselves and tumbled up the beach, and feel the warm breeze on her skin as the doors closed behind her.  The familiar, distinct, and pungent smell of her favorite ethnic cuisine lured her in even further.  She slipped out of her tennis shoes on the pier and grinned widely as she saw the raised glass of beer as she meandered up the wooden walkway.

But as soon as she saw the raised glass, she took in the shapely form of the Trill whose back still faced the Andorian, and this time there was much more to see than there had been that morning.  With her back turned, Reika felt like she could take her time noting the shapely legs, the enticingly curved hips, the slender waist, the sleek and mostly bare back, and how her body nicely curved out again as it approached her uncovered shoulders. 

 And while it felt like an eternity to Reika, in reality, it was only seconds after entering, she said, “Smells fabulous in here!” and drew up just off to the side of the Trill glancing over at face framed by silver hair.  “The view’s not half-bad either.”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]As Reika drew near, Kino beamed at her as she sprinkled the chopped cilantro into the wok, mixing it into the browned chicken with a wooden spoon. From behind her mirrored sunglasses, dark brows rose at the Andorian’s comments with a chuckle, as her eyes took in every detail of her guest – the elegant braid of platinum hair, earrings shining in the sunlight, those lovely sparkling pools of blue. Not half-bad at all, she agreed to herself with a grin, but nodded as she wiped her hands on a towel. "Well, hello, Ms. Sh'laan - pleasure to see you again," the Trill greeted.

“That would be the chicken,” Kino winked at the Andorian, extending a hand out to grasp the deep azure cocktail and hand it to her. “And it is nice isn’t it,” her free hand gestured to the sim, while her head tilted to show her eyes over the top of her shades with a smile. “Could certainly get used to it,” she agreed playfully, then gestured to the cocktail. “Didn’t know your preference, so I went with a blue coconut,” she added with a dip of her head at the mojito.

A flock of shimmering turquoise colored sea-birds decided to make themselves known then – riding the thermals overhead. Kino smirked at their caws, but kept her eyes on Reika as she took another sip of beer. Yeah, could definitely get used to this, the Trill hummed, then set her drink aside to return her attention to the food. “Have to warn ya,” she chuckled a little as the wok was lifted to pour the contents out onto the platter of lettuce wraps, around the dipping sauce. “Cooking isn’t exactly my strong suit – but fortunately for us, this particular recipe stood out as a winner from another life,” her smile faded a little as a shoulder lifted while she scooped the last few morsels out onto the plate, then turned the stove off. “Hope you enjoy it.”

Beer in one hand and platter in the other, the Trill turned to the lovely Andorian. “Shall we,” her head tilted playfully, waving the platter as she lifted her chin to the couches lining the pool. As she passed her guest, Kino arched a brow and grinned again, eyes drawn to those shapely legs. “Figured we could snack while we chat. How was your day? Getting settled in okay,” she asked over her shoulder as she padded barefoot over to the couches, setting the platter down on a small table before seating herself, legs crossed to reveal the long line of spots along one leg, running up the side of her thigh. She reclined casually, beer held aloft as her other arm draped over the top of the couch, giving Reika her full attention. 

[Lt. Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Reika watched the long, slender fingers as they dropped ingredients into the wok and mixed them up.  Closing her eyes she leaned toward the cooking surface drinking deeply of the spicy and piquant aroma that wafted about on the ocean breeze and circulated around the area on the air currents.  Staying in that position, she turned her eyes toward the Security officer.   “Please call me, Reika.  Addressing me by my last name feels so formal - like we’re on duty and not just two women enjoying each other’s company.  And the pleasure of seeing you again is definitely mutual.”

Reika reached out with her fingers to take the offered glass.  As she did her blue digits brushed across the peach ones belonging to the Trill. And when Kino tilted her head to allow Reika to look into the ice blue spheres set behind the mirrored glasses, they sparkled with the double entendre.  And it was as if Reika had offered a verbal dance around more intimate topics and with her response about getting used to the sites Kino had accepted the invitation. 

“Oh, I agree,” the Operations Officer said, ”this is certainly an idyllic setting, and of course, I could definitely get used to the sites.  And thanks for the drink.  The color can certainly be alluring.”  She sipped the blue liquid taking her time, allowing the flavors to pour over her palate as she tried to discern the intricacies of its flavor profile.  Mint, coconut, rum, and the strong zing of some citrus - lime, orange, and something with a little more punch.  “Nicely mixed cocktail.  Slightly astringent.  Nice pucker to it,” she said smacking her lips once.

But Kino turned to the sitting area and confessed her inexpertness in the field of cooking.

Reika followed Kino as she maneuvered to the sitting area.  “If the smell is any indication of how it tastes, it will be amazing, and I’m sure I’ll love it.  Was this a recipe that one of Jeen’s antecedents used to make?”  Sh’laan asked.  She had taken a little time to look up some basic information about the Trill during some of her downtime today.  So she at least knew that Kino was the fourth host to the Jeen symbiont.

“Oh, my day was full.  I’m not officially back onto duty until tomorrow, but I had a couple meetings,” she said as she shifted onto the couch at the opposite end from Jeen.  She sat sideways with her back against the arm of the couch.  One foot was planted on the ground, her other leg, she bent at the knee and set her bare foot flat on the couch just inches in front of her.  She rested her right wrist atop of her knee and held her mojito in that hand.  Swirling the liquid in the glass, Reika continued talking.  “My first meeting was with Commander Stark.  Later, I had another with Lieutenant Ravenholm.  Just getting everything set for tomorrow when I officially resume my duties.  In between,  I did some unpacking.  As a matter of fact, I was just finishing that up when I got your message.”  The Andorian took another sip of her cocktail and then transferred it to her other hand, leaving her right hand free to set atop of the back of the couch, her fingertips just softly brushing up against Kino’s which also rested on the back of the couch.

Reika paused as Kino responded to her description of her day.  She watched her eyes and from time to time, she took the opportunity to observe the pattern of the Security officer’s spots so clearly cataloged all along her body.  But whether or not her eyes weren’t focused on the Trill’s, the Andorian drank in the rich, soothing tone of the other woman’s voice.   At one point, she set her drink down and reached over and twisted the lettuce around some of the chicken mixture that Kino had cooked. After dipping it into the peanut sauce,  she bit off the end, and the flavor burst into her mouth.  The chunkiness of the chicken, the smoothness of the peanut butter, the tang of the onion and garlic all hit her palate at once.  She reached out and set her right hand on the Trill’s left to interrupt her for a moment.  “I know it’s not polite to butt in, but this,” she held out the lettuce wrap, “is amazing!”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Her silver head dipped with a lopsided smile at Reika’s guess at where Kino had gotten the recipe. Someone did their homework, she thought, amused and flattered that the Andorian would take the time to look her up, whether out of simple curiosity or genuine interest, the Trill couldn’t tell for sure. However, given their interaction that morning, and the subtle signals she was picking up, Kino’s instincts told her this was more than idle curiosity. She watched intently and waited, taking another sip of her beer as Reika continued to talk about her day, shifting her body unconsciously to mirror the Andorian’s. Could literally sit here and watch her all day, Kino realized, blinking at her own admission, surprised at herself. Okay, yes, she's beautiful. Keep it in your pants.

The warmth on her skin felt amazing – kept cool enough by the breeze to keep from sweating – but Kino nestled the cold glass against her neck as her head tilted back. The smile never left her face, even as she mentally fixed faces to the names mentioned: Stark, Ravenholm. She knew them by reputation, of course, like most of the senior officers aboard, yet had very little actual experience with them. Still, the non-com was able to narrow down which department Reika worked in, and the possible circles she’d be involved with. All of this deductive reasoning took place in the back of her mind, while she listened and enjoyed the sunshine; a natural, unconscious habit formed from a life of paying attention to people and details, of learning systems and how they worked in order to dismantle them – at least, that was her goal, once upon a time. Experience had changed her, drastically; that and the worm riding around in her body.

Kino nodded again, aware of the subtle brush of their fingertips; a simple thing, perhaps unintentional, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying it. She reached into it without much outward reaction, other than the smile on her face, letting pale digits circle and entwine with blue. “Sorry for sending that so late,” she winced a bit at the mention of her message, and the seemingly abrupt schedule set on the Andorian. “Four days and strait to work huh? Damn, OPS must really need you – or are you just itchin’ to get down to it,” Kino asked, brow arched over her glasses as Reika tried one of the lettuce wraps. “Can’t blame ya in that regard; its rough, coming out of the freezer,” she nodded, then took another sip of beer. “Hell, my first time out was –” she started to say, but was interrupted by the Andorian’s hand and praise, which prompted a grin and a casual salute of her glass. “Thanks. Really glad you like it. Enjoy thyself,” Kino winked at her, then set her beer down to grab her own wrap.

“Yanno, this is just the appetizer – haven’t really got a clue what we’ll have next, if you’re hungry for more. Sure we can think of something though,” a pale hand gestured at the platter, then Kino stifled a chuckle. Ehh, easy now, she told herself immediately, amused at her own innuendo. The Trill cleared her throat as she grinned again, shaking her head at herself. “What I mean is, I’m not very knowledgeable on Thai cuisine,” she arched a brow and cradled her wrap in one hand as she settled back, head tilted to the Andorian before taking a bite. “Any suggestions for a beginner?”

[ Lt. Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Reika continued talking as the Trill’s fingers interlaced with hers.  Her creamy skin was warm to the touch and made it hard for the Andorian to really focus on what she was trying to say because she definitely would have preferred to focus on the touch - and following that touch up with others.  There’s definitely something here, she thought as she continued talking about her day for a moment longer.  From being on ice to being on fire in a matter of days.  Not bad, Reika.

As her voice trailed off and this time she listened to the Trill.  As she took a second bit of the lettuce wrap, a drop of the delectable sauce that she had dipped the wrap into settled atop of her lip.  After she finished chewing and swallowing, she ran her tongue across her lower lip slowly until she heard, “This is just an appetizer.”

Reika knew then and there what the main course would be. 

“Any suggestions for a beginner?”

After popping the rest of the lettuce wrap into her mouth just after the Security officer asked the question.  The COO chewed slowly while studying the spots that she could make out between the edge of Kino’s eye and her ear.  Finishing the wrap off,  she smacked her lips and tilted her head slightly.  “Somehow, I can’t imagine you being a beginner at anything, but I’m sure,” she said sidling a little closer bringing their twined fingers together so that they were palm to palm and her foot sat just inside the Trills so that their knees were now next to each other touching side by side, “we could find something equally spicy and tantalizing for the main course.  After our workout this morning, I found myself getting hungrier as the day went on.  How about you?” Sh’laan asked as she watched her eyes.  “I can only imagine that working in security you work up quite an appetite.  We could do Thai, that’s always delicious, but is there something you’re particularly hungry for?”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Her head tilted as the non-com chuckled softly at Rieka’s question, the sound closer to a throaty hum. The nearly empty glass of beer was set down on the table, and as she finished chewing her wrap, Kino swiped a dab of sauce from the corner of her lips with her thumb, all too aware of the Andorian’s proximity. A brow arched as she sucked the sauce from her thumb quickly, then grinned as she bit her bottom lip. Ah, such a question, her mind purred as she pulled the mirrored aviators from her eyes, which narrowed to playful slits.

“Just ‘cause I have two centuries of experience packed into my head doesn’t make me an expert at everything,” Kino whispered, leaning close. “I’m just a grunt, Reika. Lived off field rations most of my life; but I’m always up for trying something new,” her eyes flicked from blue orbs to lips and back. “Spicy and tantalizing included.” The subtle shift in the Andorian’s eyes and posture hadn’t gone unnoticed; Kino was willing to bet another round in the ring that the beautiful OPS officer knew exactly what she wanted for the main course, judging by the look she was giving.

Hm. Decisions, decisions, Kino smirked.

The breeze picked up, as a solitary ribbon of clouds obscured the sunshine. Without thinking or hesitation, Kino’s free hand came up to tuck a few platinum strands from Reika's face behind one ear, stroking across blue skin gently to cup her cheek. Her eyes stayed locked on those sparkling glacial pools, while the hand wrapped up in blue squeezed reassuringly. Let's just put the cards on the table, the Trill decided. There really was no point in beating around the bush - even though she did enjoy the playful back and forth thus far - there was no rush, but no reason to drag things out either.

“You’ve been on my mind all day,” she confessed with a nod and a knowing smile, like she was in on a secret shared between them. “Was certainly distracting, and we seem to have some unfinished business – made me replay this morning in my head, over and over; what I’d do differently, with different circumstances. Definitely stoked my appetite,” Kino lifted her chin subtly as she bit her lip again. Her thumb brushed across the Andorian’s cheek as she spoke, and even try as she might to keep her distance, those blue pools drew her in ever closer – inescapable singularities – sucking her in. “Way I see it,” she leaned in even closer, her lips just a breath away from Reika’s ear. “Doors’re locked and its just us this time,” she breathed huskily through a grin. “So...what’ll it be? Wanna cook something up, or join me in the pool and cook something else up?”

Slowly, Kino edged away, letting her fingers trail along Reika’s jawline to let her offer settle in the Andorian’s mind; curiosity and anticipation danced in her eyes while she watched and waited to see what happened, while her body responded unconsciously. Vitals sped up, cheeks subtly flushed, flesh pebbled slightly from the breeze even in the blissful sunlight – poking out of the thin material of her halter top. Unfinished business, indeed, she grinned.

[ Lt. Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

The Andorian didn’t move as Kino tucked errant hairs behind her ear and simultaneously squeezed her hand. Yes, it's been awhile, Reika.  Just breathe. In and out.  During her time aboard the Theurgy, before she had been frozen, Reika had stayed fairly solitary.  There had been very little disappointment in her life, but then again there had been very little life in her life then, either.  Life was meant to be lived.  Wagers were meant to be offered, and chances were meant to be taken. 

To this point, the tall, elegant woman had most often played it safe.  It was safer to say no - and she had.  It was safer to be alone - and there were prolonged times when she was.  But what is a safe life worth?  And here her thoughts paused as she earnestly searched for an answer.  Nothing.  So when Kino cupped her cheek, Reika found herself leaning her face into the warm hand, drinking in the arctic blue hues staring back at her.  Reika's thumb ran over the back of Kino's hand joined with hers.  The pale digits were smaller than hers, but not overly much.  Their joined skin - between the two of them - felt flush.   Was it mutual anticipation?  Likely.  Even the Trill's mechanical eye seemed to speak volumes of desire and perhaps even hope. 

Sh’laan wondered how those full pink lips tasted as she watched them shift position with each word, “You’ve been on my mind all day … Definitely stoked my appetite … Doors’re locked, and it’s just us this time.” 

There was no doubt in the Andorian’s mind about what she wanted.  And this time she was going to take the gamble.  She had already been saved from a nearly tragic death once.  If something happened to her, there was no guarantee that she would have that opportunity again.  This life - here and now - was her second chance, and Reika determined to seize it with both hands and hold on wherever it took her.  "I couldn't get you off of my mind either."  A smile wormed its way across her lips.  "Damned inconvenient while I was meeting with the XO."

A soft, yet hungry, smile spread across her face as Jeen drew a finger across the edge of her chin.  She turned her face to the finger and kissed its tip before lifting her free hand and setting the side of her forefinger under Kino’s chin, letting the pad of her thumb trail softly across the voluptuous lips.  Heart racing, fingers trembling ever so slightly, she leaned in and gently brought her lips against the Trill’s - just a soft kiss - just a taste before pulling back.  “I think I’d enjoy that dip in the pool while we see what we can cook up in there.” 

She shifted her weight onto her foot planted firmly on the floor and lifted herself up off of the couch.  Then releasing the Trill’s hand, Reika resettled her fingers between the pale ones in such a way that they could move together.  The Andorian’s desire for bodily contact was absolutely crushing at this moment and she didn’t want to go without it.  Something so simple and at the same time so profound and necessary as a touch.  Skin on skin - causing a heady desire to course through her entire body as it readied itself in eager anticipation. 

Once Reika drew Kino up from the couch to stand beside her, she walked around behind the Trill, releasing her hand, but her fingers reached for the lower tie of the halter top, watching for hesitancy on the part of her soon-to-be paramour.  Pinching the two ends between opposite thumbs and forefingers, blue fingers drew them apart while her lips lowered to the nape of Kino’s neck kissing softly across it as the lower ties came free.  Then trailing her fingers around the Security Officer’s exposed mid-riff until Rieka stood in front of her again, she reached her blue arms over the pale shoulders to find the ends of the ties that were done up behind her neck untying the final strand that held the halter in place while her lips descended once again to the soft pink ones opposite her.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]There were moments in life that stood out, seared into the fabric of one’s essence. Kino had many such memories, spread across four lifetimes; each one a treasure to safeguard, a privilege to experience. Her own life – as chaotic and violent as it was, in comparison to those that came before – had its own precious moments, of course; good, bad, joyous and traumatic, woven into the tapestry that made her who she was. Often, almost always, those moments came and went in the blink of an eye without her ever realizing it until much, much later. As far as she could tell, it was a glaring difference from the previous Jeen hosts – one she never really understood, until now.

The lush tropical island, dominated by a hundred shades of green – the blue sky, decorated with the shadowy outlines of far distant moons – the idyllic beach, pristine white sands, lagoon-clear waters – all of it faded away as utterly insignificant. Her senses drank in the details of the gorgeous Andorian before her – her alone – as she drew near in the seconds before their lips touched so very gently. The sense of import grew in the Trill’s mind in a surge of realization. She knew then that – come what may – this moment would stay with her for the rest of her life.

Noses brushed together, exhalations ghosted across skin. Mismatched eyes fell closed as pink lips brushed against blue; an innocent, slightest touch – the merest taste of each other – another appetizer, no more – yet it set her pulse racing. Yet all too soon, it was gone. Reika pulled away, and Kino released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding through parted lips, as she nodded at the Andorian’s words. The tip of her tongue drew across her bottom lip in an unconscious flick before the non-com smiled with a low hum while their hands adjusted around each other, holding on as her legs uncrossed and the pair stood. Half lidded eyes locked on blues, following her every move.

“Was hoping you’d say that,” Kino purred over a spotted shoulder, tilting her head to the side as Reika untied her top, managing to resist the urge to lean her back into the touch; her own hands reached back to brush teasing tickles up and down the Andorian’s outer thighs, thighs the non-com eagerly wished to taste. As the fabric across her bust loosened, her eyes fell closed with another throaty hum at the brushing kisses left along her neck, silvered head weaving with the movement, unconsciously offering more to Reika’s lips. Their arms briefly entangled as the Andorian moved around her flank – which combined with the teasing trail of fingernails across her abs – provoked a bubbly giggle from the Trill’s lips. “Tickles,” Kino whispered through a grin, turning her head slightly to plant a quick kiss on Reika’s wrist as her own nails trailed up the woman’s flanks.

The halter came free, discarded without a thought as their lips met again; after mumbling a playful thanks, Kino took her time, one arm snaking around Reika’s waist to pull her in even closer, while the other slowly crept up the front of her body to cup a blue cheek. Pink lips captured blue in a slow dance – alternating between top and bottom – while a pale thumb brushed across cerulean skin, punctuated by a brief, teasing flick of her tongue; just another taste of what was to come. The Trill showed no hesitation yet no urgency with her attentions, even as the hand on the Andorian’s back slid under the drape of her hair, pulling at the stretchy fabric of her top to seek the skin underneath. They were chest to chest, truly entangled, and Kino felt herself press into the embrace as her hips slowly moved with the rhythm of their kisses.

“Hmm,” Kino hummed again, as her other hand fell to tug at Reika’s shirt, pulling it up from her shorts. Silvered head tilted, and the Trill’s mouth nibbled away from the Andorian’s lips, along her jawline, down under one ear. “If I may return the favor,” she breathed between nips and kisses, while her slender fingers slowly rolled and lifted the black tank up the lovely blue body. It proved to be a challenge, however, because Kino couldn’t stop her hands from wandering back down to explore the skin revealed; eventually, several moments later, the non-com paused her mouth’s assault on Reika’s neck long enough to pull the garment up and over her lover’s head, and dropped it at their feet.

Their bodies separated only enough to allow the task before the dance continued; Kino’s hands fell to the Andorian’s hips, pulling her in as she pressed right back. She tilted her head the opposite way, taking another moment to lose herself in glacial blues with a playful smile. What is it about you, her eyes searched, as a wellspring of emotion threatened to bubble up, stealing some of the smile away. She’d been here before, and knew the risks – but they all lived with the same cruel unknowns. Stop it. We can figure that out later. In a world of unknowable futures and painful histories, the non-com blinked to refocus on the present, no where else. Her gut told her this could be the chance at something she’d lost, something she’d given up on; Kino learned to trust her gut a long time ago.

“Keep kissing like that,” her eyes tracked down Reika’s body, then back up, “and a girl could get used to it,” she whispered, as her nimble fingers traced along the top of the Andorian’s shorts from the back, over slender hips, to settle at the button and zipper at the front. The Trill bit down on her bottom lip, breathing deeply as she looked into those deep blue eyes, then popped the shorts loose and peeled the zipper open with a tug. As their lips met together again, Kino’s hands trailed across blue hips, then brushed across the line of Reika’s lower back and finally pushed under the loosened shorts to gently squeeze the flesh beneath.

[ Lt. Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion edion

Something … something that Reika could not put her finger on, already set this encounter apart.  Sure there had been trysts, especially growing up, and definitely a few while at the Academy.  Was it that they were all easily ignited with materials that would make a short and bright flash of fire but ones that lacked any long-burning fuel to carry them beyond a solitary night or a week at most?  This felt different.  There wasn’t an earnestness just to rip off each other’s clothes and to consummate the desire for pleasure as quickly as possible, afterward leaving two bodies laid out on a bed gasping for air because of the short, fast, burst of heat, and Reika could feel the disparity between much of what she had experienced before and this rendezvous.  This experience between the two women felt like a slow-burning, white-hot fire. 

Creating a fire to keep people warm took time.  It took skill and a modicum of tenderness.  It took a fast-burning medium quickly layered with twigs of more substance.  It took patience, nurturing, knowledge, and practice.  Finally, the real height and depth of the fire were created by large, hard, slow-burning logs.  Logs that would lend heat and warmth to those around it.  Logs that would nurture the flame that they fed, building it up, tending it, growing it into an inferno that would sustain blaze brightly as long as it was properly nurtured.  This felt much more like the latter than the former. This fire had the potential to be a long protracted conflagration.

Can I nurture it properly, she asked herself as her lips and tongue played hide and seek with Kino’s.  Soft flutters, gentle probing, tantalizing wrestling of their lips and tongues danced through various sequences extruding perspiration across the Andorian’s face and shoulders despite the breeze that should have kept her cool.  Her arms, which had been wrapped around the Trill’s neck, drew back across the naked, pale shoulders, and instead, fingers flitted up and down Kino’s sides exposed sides.

Reika’s body began to react more overtly as the noncom pulled her close with such a tender strength, torsos pressed together.  The Lieutenant could feel Kino’s breasts through her thin one-shouldered tank.  Once again, the Andorian pressed her cheek into the supple fingers that cupped her face, even if only for a moment.  Then the flick of her tongue.  “Tease,” Reika mumbled into Kino’s lips as their mouths continued to entwine and Reika’s tongue continued to explore the recesses of the Trill’s mouth and the contours of her lips before both of Kino’s hands softly tugged her tank free of her shorts.  As they did, Reika pressed her hips against Kino’s feeling their rhythmic side-to-side movement.

“If I may return the favor?”

Reika raised her chin just a little giving Kino more access as she moved from her lips to her jaw.  “Please do,” she whispered hotly into the Trill’s ear and moved just a centimeter or so away to give the Trill the ability to remove her shirt, but it didn’t come immediately off, by this time each woman’s hands were exploring the other’s torso.  As Kino continued to kiss and nibble across her chin, the V3 COO looked down and took in the sites, beautiful, plump, pale breasts were pressed again her chest and shirt, though the black fabric hid some of the sites until Kino finally pulled it all of the way off.  "So much better," the Andorian breathed out as the warm tropic air hit her newly exposed skin.

The physicality of their encounter paused for only a moment as each observed the other’s eyes and thoughts.  Reika could see something akin to a tender joy in her paramour's eye that was almost doused for a nanosecond.  Her brows knit together just a fraction of a centimeter and she raised a gentle hand to one of Kino’s eyes, but whatever concern or hesitation had darted across her arctic orbs was gone a second later. 

“Keep kissing like that,” her eyes tracked down Reika’s body, then back up, “and a girl could get used to it,”

A wily smile spread from the center of her mouth outward.  The Andorian traced Kino’s lips with the tip of her pinkie finger, as she continued to study the abyss - that Kino’s glacial blues had become.  There was nothing to do, but to continue falling down the never-ending chasm.  Do I want Kino to get used to it?  Reika thought there would be at least a moment’s hesitation, but there wasn’t - not even a split second.  Yeah. I do.  I’m gonna grasp this new life with both hands.  I’m going to take chances, and I won’t do anything in halves.

So instead of answering with words, Reika leaned down setting each of her hands alongside Kino’s jaw, she kissed her lover again with a tender fervor.  Blue and pink lips and tongues sliding across and around each other, white teeth playfully nibbling at the other’s tongue or lips, savoring the softness of each other’s mouths.  When they finally surfaced for air, Reika asked, “You mean like that?”

And, as if in the answer to the OPS officer’s question - fingers traced the top of her shorts playfully titillating the exposed skin - Reika took in a quick gasp of air as that touch - though welcomed - was unexpected and playful.  But a moment later, Kino paused and looked at her again as she played with the button on Reika’s shorts.  The Andorian saw the question in the Trill’s eyes.  Her answer?  She leaned her torso back slightly giving a little better access to the button and while she did, Reika’s hands and eyes wandered Kino’s chest exploring, tickling, teasing, squeezing, but soon after, their lips found each other’s again. The Lieutenant felt warm hands slide inside her shorts, under her panties, and squeeze.  Reika moaned into the kiss.  She didn’t know what to do, to press back against the adroit fingers or to press forward against the Trill’s hips.  She opted for the former leaning back into the waiting hands, but she also had an answer for her desire to press forward.

Reika’s hands slid adeptly down Kino’s torso with a feathery softness and through only touch as their lips were still conjoined, her blue digits searched for the button to the non-com’s camo shorts.  After maneuvering the button through the hole in the fabric, Reika slowly drew the zipper down.  Her hands wrapped around the Security Officer’s waist and as they wormed their way around the Till’s back, the short slid down the well-muscled legs falling in a heap at Kino’s ankles.  Emerging from their impassioned kiss, Reika took a moment to study the woman opposite her.  Her fingers began to trace the spots that skirted the sides of her breasts, but her eyes wandered lower to the last part of her hidden from view.

Checking in with Kino, watching her eyes and smiling tenderly at her, Reka’s fingers slid under the waistband of her panties and with a painful slowness centimeter by centimeter, the Andorian maneuvered the last garment down until it simply fell to the ground. For the first time, Reika could take in the woman opposite her in all of her glory.  For that moment, she contented herself with letting her eyes drink in every centimeter of the well-maintained body.  “Damn,” she smiled, her eyes returning to Kino’s for just a moment before exploring some more, but as her eyes navigated the arousing body in front of her.  But then the Andorian noticed a decent-sized bruise brandished on the Trill’s upper thigh.  Reika’s eyes veiled with concern.  “What happened?” she asked.  “Was this from this morning?”  Her fingers moved to encircle the discolored area, but her eyes darkened as a realization hit them.  “Did I do this?”
 

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Just like that, Kino's eyes flashed at Reika, enflamed with desire; her chest rose and fell in long, deep breaths through parted lips, pale spotted skin pressed tight into blue. Her hands plunged deeper down, tracing over the Andorian’s curved posterior to cup each cheek in a firmer grip. We keep this up much longer, Kino thought, biting her bottom lip as Reika's fingers trailed down her torso, and we won’t make it to the pool. Eyes fell closed as their lips met again, and this time she couldn’t stop the soft moan that escaped her throat. Pulse pounding in her ears, Kino’s hips swayed at the teasing touch of blue fingers along her waist – wiggled her hips instinctively as those deft digits worked their magic – until her shorts finally fell away.

Passion colored her face, pale skin alight in the midday sun, flushed with heat; yet it was the way Reika looked at her, as the Andorian’s fingers trailed down the spotted paths of Kino’s skin, that took her breath away. That look told her this wasn’t just another fling, wasn’t just another random lay with little to no meaning. Her eyes searched Reika’s, flitted from antenna to lips and back while she caught her breath; the reassuring smile on those wonderfully soft lips mirrored on her own. A slow blink, a subtle nod, and pink lips pursed as the Trill felt her panties pulled away so very slowly. Fuck, she mouthed silently, as pale hands released their hold to glide back up the smooth skin of Reika’s back. Easy, Kino, she breathed; biting down on her lip harder in an attempt to keep her urges in check, as the last barrier over her skin fell to her feet.

A corner of her lips curled at the Andorian’s smile, after wells of icy-blue eyes took in all of her. Dark brows wiggled a bit as the Trill hummed with amusement, cocking her head and one hip in opposite directions to match the smirk on her lips. She remembered the first thing Reika said to her that morning, and the smirk on her face grew into a playful grin, but the flash of concern in the Andorian’s features and tone stole it away. The bruise on her thigh was a fist-sized blotch of red, slightly tender to the touch, but more an inconvenience than anything. Kino’s eyes followed Reika’s to the injury. “Huh, oh - uhm, yeah,” Kino’s brows twitched together, glancing down at the bruise as she rotated her leg. A pale hand slid atop the blue one there, as the other trailed down her back to rest at her side.

“It’s okay,” Kino whispered, shaking her head slightly with a reassuring smile. “Looks worse than it is, promise,” her silvered head dipped as she grinned again, letting a finger trail under Reika’s chin. “Next time we spar, I’ll mind those knees better. Didn’t help that I was a little…distracted,” a shoulder rose and fell. “I was gonna swing by sickbay but ran out of time. Didn’t want to be late for this.” Her hand guided Reika’s up, away from the discolored bruise, along the taunt line of her pelvis, until finally taking the OPS officers in hers with a gentle tug – Kino took a few slow steps backward, leading her to the steps of the pool. “C’mon,” she winked, “let’s cool off for a bit. You look like you could use a dip.”

It wasn’t far. Stairs were built into every side of the pool; Kino turned and sauntered towards them – hips swaying – as she lead Reika by the hand and smiled at the fluttering in her chest. That’ll take some getting used to, the non-com bit her lip as she dipped her foot into the pool to the second step, then paused to turn back to face the Andorian – head tilted as her eyes roamed from the tips of her antennae to toes, blinking in the sunshine at the unbuttoned shorts riding low across supple hips. Those need to go, Kino smirked, closing the distance between them, before the blue beauty could step into the water. The wind had died down, and naked under the sun, she realized how warm it was; a thought occurred to her, brows pinched together briefly. Is the sunlight and heat too much for her? Even as good as it felt, the Trill had no interest in burning her skin, either. Easy fix.

“Computer,” Kino purred as her fingertips trailed up Reika’s exquisite legs, head tilted to plant a series of soft kisses along her collarbone. “Alter program time setting, forty minutes before sunset,” she spoke between feathered pecks, then looked up into the Andorian’s eyes. “May I,” her brows rose a little, hands trailing down over blue curves to rest on Reika’s hips and shorts. Once permission was given, Kino arched up on the tips of her toes, capturing a bottom lip between pink ones with a gentle suckle; slender fingers tugged shorts and panties down, one hip at a time, to slide down long shapely legs. As they hit the tiled floor around blue feet, the computer bleeped an acknowledgment and the sun blurred in an arc overhead. Colors shifted rapidly as blue sky erupted in fiery golden orange, violet and purple. Kino saw none of it, though; after pulling away from the kiss, her eyes drank in the lovely nude form before her, wearing nothing but a smile. The temperature dropped several degrees, noticeably cooler but not chilly – yet her skin and nipples pebbled with the slightest shiver.

Kino lifted her chin to gaze into Reika’s eyes that glittered with a thousand reflections of the setting sun off the water; pale hands once again wrapped up in blues before giving another gentle tug as she took a step back. “This okay,” the Trill’s head tilted with the question, wanting to ensure her comfort as they waded into the lukewarm water. As the water grew deeper, rising over her waist, then barely covering her breasts, Kino drew Reika into another close embrace. “We can drop the temperature more,” she whispered through a sly smile, “if you promise to keep me warm.”

[ Lt. Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Yes, Reika had previously been a tactical officer, and the necessity of being ready and being able to defend her ship was very real to the Andorian, but to have hurt someone that she was sparing with and someone who she was drawing close to truly upset her at the deepest levels of her being.  Sure, Kino didn’t seem to see it that way, and it certainly didn’t bother her in the way that it gnawed at Reika.  The blue-skinned woman vowed to find a way to make it better - to make it right.

But Reika reveled in the pale fingers that slipped between her blue ones, allowing herself to be drawn toward the pool - which at the moment sounded amazing. While the breeze had helped considerably to keep her from overheating, a tropical environment was less than ideal for a woman who had grown up on an ice plain on Andor.  Granted, she had acclimated to the ship well enough, but the five to ten degrees centigrade that the program was warmer than the ship definitely squeezed out perspiration and caused her skin to flush with color.  She longed for the cool water to refresh her body.

Walking slightly behind the naked trill, Reika was able to watch her rounded, smooth, tempting backside as it swung from side to side drawing her along right behind it.  It called her name, just wanting to be explored, caressed, and kneaded.  Not long now, Reika.  Hold it together.

Today had taken her completely by surprise.  Never once would she have imagined - just days after being thawed that she would meet someone quite like the Trill who drew her along and spoke to her quite in the way that Kino did.  Sure she was ‘rough and tumble’ but she seemed to understand not just what it was to be newly thawed, but somehow she seemed to understand what it was like to have been alone - to have set yourself apart - and to want to exchange that solitude or something different - something more. 

For a security officer, despite her amazing capabilities on the mat, she was gentle - even tender - at least when it came to matters of the heart.  That was an unusual combination - and something that spoke to the Andorian.  Hard and soft - solid and tender - capable and - perhaps - even vulnerable? 

As they neared the pool, Reika knew that her remaining clothes would need to go if she weren’t to walk out of the holodeck with dripping shorts, but Kino realized the predicament just as she stepped into the water herself.   The Andorian watched as the Security officer turned - and not just looked at her - but saw her.  It was more than just eyes hungrily roaming - the Trill’s eyes seemed to drink in every detail.  To the OPS officer, it was as if she were being understood - comprehended - it was as if her soul was seen for who she was - not just that her body was being looked upon or watched.

As Kino altered the program and the sun swept across the sky which exploded in colors that shimmered off the Trill’s skin, Reika tumbled back into the warm, arctic eyes as fingers stroked up the Andorian’s thighs and a slight gasp broke the air and a shudder played down her spine bringing goosebumps across her skin.

“May I?” she asked.

Reika’s eyes closed and she concentrated on the sensations she felt as Kino’s lips trailed across the lower portion of her shoulders. “I wish you would,” the V3 COO barely breathed out softly as her eyes fluttered back open, ready and needing to feel Kino’s hands play on the areas of her skin that were still covered.  A blue chest rose and fell so much quicker.  Her breath came in short bursts as she tried to contain the need that was growing inside her.  Take your time, Reika.  Enjoy the ride - every part of it.  Then she felt the gentle tug on her lower lip as her remaining clothes hit the tile.  It felt so good to be liberated from them.

And even though she cherished the kiss that ended, she relished the way that Kino looked at her naked form even more.  The look in her eyes communicated a tenderness - a desire not just to satisfy a physical urge, but to learn to please, to care for the other woman in her arms.  It was then that Reika knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this wasn’t just a one-night stand.  There seemed to be a great potential for something deeper and enduring between the two women.  Two women, very capable physically, but tender in heart who wanted something more than just physical release, but a sharing of desires, a need to care deeply for and about someone else, a need for understanding and for being understood, to see and be seen for more than a sum of breasts and butts, legs and abs. 

As Reika descended into the water alongside her paramour, words stirred her from her reverie, “This okay? We can drop the temperature more … if you promise to keep me warm.”

A twinkle flashed in her eyes, even as her countenance remained playfully stoic.  “Computer,” Reika said while entwining her second hand with the Trill’s.  “Drop ambient temperature another three degrees centigrade.”

“Acknowledged.  Temperature decreased three degrees centigrade,” the computer chirped.

“I’m sure I can find more than one way to heat you up,” the elegant woman said drawing Kino a few centimeters deeper into the water, pulling her close with their joined hands.  Once they were settled, Reika released her hands and her blue arms enveloped the other woman.  Skin on skin pressed together while water sloshed through the crevices between the two bodies adding another layer of sensation to their experience.  One hand reached down to the pale rounded backside and while blue fingers explored, they also pressed their pelvis’s together as hers undulated side to side forward and back trying a range of sensations - soft, firm, playful, needy, tender. 

Her other hand slid up the Trill’s back and settled in the short silver hair.  Reika’s lips grazed along Kino’s spots, first across her forehead, then down the side of her face, but as she reached her ear, she suckled on the earlobe, nipping playfully at it for a moment before continuing her descent down to her shoulder where she focused for a little while, leaving several slightly reddened spots trailing over the edge of her shoulder.   As blue lips released another spot on the peach skin, she asked, "Warm enough, yet, or should we heat it up some more?"

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]As Reika altered the temperature, then drew them deeper into the pool and wrapped the Trill up in her arms, a feeling bloomed inside Kino she couldn’t easily identify. The smile never left her face – in fact, her cheeks were slightly sore from grinning like an idiot – and the Andorian’s gentle, but oh so sensual touch elicited a purr of satisfaction. Sure, there was desire there in abundance; they had both fanned the coals ignited that morning into a self-sustaining fire in only a few moments – but this feeling was something deeper, somehow more profound. It fueled her desire for Reika, adding a layer of need beyond the physical; a need she realized that had never been properly met, not once, in her entire life. In that moment, wrapped up in blue, her own limbs unconsciously mirrored around Reika; one hand explored her flank, passing over smooth and scarred skin alike, while the other arm draped over blue shoulders, fingers curling into the platinum hair just above her neck. Understanding dawned, finally, with the force of a hammer to her heart; suddenly breathless, the non-com  swallowed the sudden lump in her throat.

Safe. I feel safe, here, Kino’s brows tilted up and her lips trembled. Even as she exhaled the smallest of gasps from the hand and fingers squeezing her curves, and the other digging into her hair – their bodies pressed so deliciously close – Kino fought the overwhelming tide of emotion down as blue lips brushed along the spotted skin of her forehead and temple. Fuck, is this really happening? Is it…even possible? Her mind wondered in amazement, just before the warmth of a blue mouth and breath on her ear threatened to undo what little self-control the Trill had left. A shuddering moan, so very close to a growl, vibrated up from her chest as her entire body arched into Reika’s; veiled blue orbs rolled up as eyelids fluttered. Oh n-no, she groaned silently, as the grip on blue flesh tightened. Knees became weak as a tremble coursed up her legs; it took all the willpower she possessed to resist lifting her knee up to the Andorians searching touch, as the aching heat inside her begged for attention. N-not yet, the non-com growled silently, brows knitted in effort.

Reika wasn’t done though, and Kino wasn’t prepared for the delicious sensation of her suckling kisses. The Andorian’s objective seemed an obvious, overwhelming success; she’d aimed to stoke the flames of desire in Kino into an inferno of passion, and the Trill was powerless to resist, try as she might, if only to prolong the inevitable. A soft exhalation of need followed every sensual suckle of blue lips, as her silvered head tilted more and more to the side in surrender. Beneath the water, spotted legs parted ever so slowly, slipping between blues; hips rocked, rolled, as the two bodies slid across each other’s thighs. Kino’s hand drifted up Reika’s exquisite body, squeezing their chests together from the side, while the other hand drifted around a slender neck, her thumb teasing the Andorian’s earlobe.

The non-com was practically panting, lips parted, eyes flooded with arousal, when Reika asked yet another seemingly amused rhetorical question. Kino looked into her eyes, only for a few beats of her heart, yet willed every iota of what she felt into that gaze: yearning, hunger, acceptance, and above all, the need for the Andorian to feel the same; to feel wanted, secure, safe. She rested her forehead against Reika’s and her lips brushed over blues in a subtle side to side motion. Despite the agonizing need for satisfaction, to learn every crevice of the other woman’s body with her mouth, to see her eyes and face in blissful pleasure; Kino knew she had to play this differently. She couldn’t go through life wandering alone – couldn’t fight this war on duty alone, even with the desire to see the Jeen symbiote returned to Trill – the Andorian in her arms had unlocked something inside her that cried out for assurance, for reciprocity. She had to know if it was real; above all, she needed to tell Reika how she felt. Kino wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past, not this time, not with Reika. She drew in a deep breath, summoning her courage and attempting to calm her racing pulse. The words in her heart lodged in her throat, but she did the best she could to say what needed to be said.

Her first love turned out to be a cruel ruse, a farce, just to exploit Kino’s talents. Years later, her second flame died without ever knowing how Kino truly felt. The occasional flings scattered between and beyond those two affairs meant little to nothing at all; random encounters, ships passing in the night, the desperate grasps of a wounded person seeking something forever beyond her reach.

No more. Not this time.

“Reika,” Kino whispered – the softest of exhalations, filled with all the barely controlled desire and emotion that threatened to burst her into flames. “I know this sounds crazy, but I…want...you – all of you – good, bad…every fucking thing in-between,” Kino continued in a confessional whisper, as her hand snaked up between their heaving chests to settle over the Andorian’s heart. “I want…this – I want…us,” the Trill’s voice dropped even lower, barely audible over the water gently sloshing with their every move. “Is that...what you want,” Kino asked softly, head tilting as her lips feathered against blues. The hand over Reika’s heart slowly drifted down between the valley of their breasts, gliding over lean muscled abs, fingers splayed, unable to stop. “Tell me, please,” Kino breathed, her hand slipped lower, past a dimpled navel, to linger on the smooth, sensitive skin of her desire’s lower abdomen, ready to plunge between blue thighs. The Trills voice held a slight tremble then – thick with vulnerability and tumultuous emotion – as she told herself that whatever Reika’s answer, this encounter meant something, and always would.
 
“Tell me what you want,” Kino asked breathlessly into blue lips – lips she never wanted to stop kissing – regardless what happened next.

[ Lt. Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

As Reika worked across Kino’s forehead and down to her ear, she felt Kino’s body ark into hers. Aqua’s grip on the Andorian tightened, and the V3 COO caught the moan.  Reika knew exactly what those things together in conjunction meant - a cry for release.  But she watched Kino as she fought - for the moment - to contain that desire.  Why? 

And why for the first time since they had begin this personal, sensual, intricate dance, when Kino ran her hand along Reika’s gnarled side didn’t the Trill flinch?  Why didn’t she hesitate, or shy away? Why wouldn’t she?

But as her thoughts tried to work through the puzzle, she felt Kino’s leg slide slowly between hers and felt her hips rock back and forth.  A sound - almost a whine fell from Reika’s lips.  Her jaw fell slack,  her head tilted back, and her eyes closed as she fought to gain control over her need.  And still,  she felt Kino pull their bodies even closer, breasts pressed tightly against breasts. 

Once the Andorian had found some semblance of control over her urges,  she opened her eyes once again.  As she did, two sets of eyes locked onto each other, and immediately Reika understood the answer to her questions from the split second before.  She understood why Kino had tried to hold back her need and why her own marred skin didn’t matter to the Trill.  It was more than the fact that Kino cared - she did - and Reika could see that - or thought she could.  But she could also see there was something else.  She could be exactly who she was with this pale-skinned woman.  No pretense,  no masks,  no need to hedge her bets.

Forehead’s touched and Kino’s tender lips didn’t go in for a deep kiss though both of their bodies had began to cry for attention - for completion. The Trill, through the gentle touch of her lips, explained tenderly that there was something more important than physical release - being valued, caring and being cared for, knowing that she was safe and making a safe place for them both… Oh to be safe … after all I’ve been through to find a place of solace. 

Or was she kidding herself?  Did she want something so badly that she was reading meaning and depth into what was simply a sensual act?  Was Kino just trying to amp up her desire even more - for both of their pleasure?  Was that all this was about?  She didn’t want to believe it. She couldn’t believe it, but she knew if something seemed too good to be true, most often it was.  And her heart almost leaped out of her chest in sorrow.  How could a woman she met only that morning stir such a depth of emotion in her that the thought of experiencing only physical pleasure could move her to the brink of tears.

And then while Reika’s eyes were closed, Kino breathed a soft word into the space between them.  “Reika.”

It was only her name, but something about the way that it rolled off of the Trill’s lips bolstered her hope.  The solitary word was filled with compassion, tenderness, and - dared she believe it - hope?

“I know this sounds crazy, but I…want...you – all of you – good, bad…every fucking thing in-between.”  

Reika’s eyes opened.  She was only a scant few centimeters away from the spotted face, but white brows had to look into those deep cravasses to make sure she heard the Trill correctly.  She hoped she had.  She yearned to have.

Then Kino’s hand worked it’s way between the two women to settle over Reika’s heart.  Her words were even softer this time and the Andorian had to close her eyes not to let any of the ambient sounds drown out the words she ached to hear.  

“I want…this – I want…us.”

Reika’s forehead lifted off of the Trill’s.  She couldn’t believe her ears, so she once again searched the chasms to make sure the words weren’t imagined.  And as she searched the deeps of those eyes, her own eyes lit up.  This was real.  It was actually happening.  Kino meant it. 

“Is that...what you want?”

Reika’s mind fought to maintain control over the urges that were surging through her body, but nonetheless there were some things that she just couldn’t control.  Her nipples tingled, her body pressed hard against the pale hand that crept down her midline with the slowness and inevitability of a glacier sliding toward the ice sea on Andor.  That delicious hand descended further - first between her breasts, next down her abs, then past her waist - finally it hovered so teasingly close to what could only be called bliss. 

“Tell me, please.”

It took fighting the sensations with everything in her, for her brain to focus all of her efforts on forming coherent sentences.  “I want to be whole,” Reika said, breathing heavily in little puffs of air between phrases as her hips unconsciously rocked forward and back with growing urgency. 

Focus, Reika.  These words are some of the most important you'll ever say. FOCUS.

In that moment, the Andorian stopped moving and stood stock still.   She pressed her eyes closed hard,  as if she were trying to read scrawled words off of the backs of her eyelids. Once her words were composed,  she opened her eyes and looked directly into Kino's.  Her hands broke free of their moorings and cupped both sides of Kino's face as if her words would have a greater verity if spoken by eyes,  hands,  and voice.  “By myself I’m only half.  I want someone … I need someone who understands me.  Consumes every part of me, my thoughts, my desires,  my hopes, my dreams,  my body.  Someone who completes me.” But despite her efforts to focus,  a heady moan escaped her mouth.  She needed the completion, it was causing every cell in her body to cry out for release, but with a tremulous breath, she exhaled, “Yes, I want us.  Complete me and let me complete you -  spirit, soul, and body.”

"What do you want?"

Reika's legs slipped just slightly further apart, and she rose up on her toes a centimeter or two to give Kino better access.   "The body part of that equation right now wants you to fuck me, Kino. Spirit and soul will participate,  but they'll have to wait their turn for full attention."

And having verbally declared her thoughts and wishes,  having fully answered Kino's question, as she waited for that pale hand to descend even further,  she moved in toward that cupped face imbibing every hint of meaning communicated through those mismatched eyes.  An almost non-existant brush of her lips on the tip of the nose,  a caress across one cheek, a skim across the other.  Then with aggravating, teasing slowness, Reika's tongue traced around Kinos lips,  before slipping between them as her eyes fluttered shut.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]For Kino, time seemed to stretch out as her mind struggled to process Reika’s breathless, impassioned words; brows knit in focus, lips quivered with every shuddering breath, as the needs of body and heart grew to a crescendo within her that was almost too much to bear.

What she lacked in contextual comprehension, Kino's senses interpreted from the Andorian herself: from glacial orbs – those impossibly beautiful wells of azure, alight with untold emotions – to the way her warm hands held Kino's cheeks with a tender mix of gentle firmness. The way her blue body pressed into the teasing touch of a pale hand, and the slowly building rhythm of supple blue hips. Even the Andorian’s scent seemed to subtly shift in her perception; an intoxicating perfume, growing stronger, filling her nostrils with its presence.

Then that moan; a yearning cry for release that sent shivers of want coursing through Kino’s body. That sound alone was enough to set fire through her loins, but combined with that look of barely restrained passion? Kino’s lips parted in a silent moan of her own, as spotted hips bucked into even more desperate motion; the Trill oh so slowly ground herself up and down a blue thigh in earnest, unconsciously seeking relief from the undeniable heat.

Even when Reika grew still to wage her own brief internal war, Kino’s body cried out for her paramour’s touch in aching need – almost fiendish in intensity – but she held on, if only just barely; then her heart leapt at Reika’s words, words she had dared hope to hear but never expected. In that moment, as blue lips slowly met pink and the Trill eagerly welcomed the Andorian’s tantalizing tongue, an indescribable conviction swelled up from within – a conflagration so hot it seared into Kino’s very soul – a burning will to see Reika’s every desire made manifest. Heads tilted into the kiss, deepening it with a soft, low moan from Kino’s chest; her tongue greeted Reika’s in an unrushed, twirling dance of its own – a waltz of passion – imbibed with every ounce of unspoken emotion. Fluttering lids held closed as Kino’s mind blanked; surrendering to the moment. The hand upon her lover’s intoxicating skin slid lower, fingertips gently brushing through Reika’s soft, sensitive folds – agonizingly slow – a reconnaissance of teasing, feathered patience. Kino held it there, learning by touch alone and the way Reika’s body responded how the Andorian wished to be pleased.

The time for words alone was over. The die was cast; each of them understood what the other wanted. All that remained was to walk the path, together; two beings, drawn from utterly different lots, somehow pulled together against all reason. Kino eagerly set to the first task, the first of uncountable, unknowable steps: she would worship Reika’s body, fulfilling its every need. Her paramour’s pleasure would be her pleasure; every shuddering breath, every drawn out sigh, every yearning moan and fluttering look of desperate need. The erotic spasm of every muscle, every grimace of ecstasy, every tingling, drawn out line of blue nails across pale flesh; all of it, to learn every weakness – every special spot on Reika’s body that cried out for attention – to be kissed, licked, nibbled, sucked and touched – skirting the edge of rapture, testing it’s boundaries, again and again, only to then push beyond, and revel in sublime release.

She held the kiss until her lungs burned, and even as the hand plunged up into platinum hair tightened to gently pull Reika away, breaking the seal of their lips, Kino somehow managed to groan from the temporary loss; the Andorian’s hands pushed past her face, up into silver hair, tugging back with barely controlled desire. A gasp of air, a forceful exhalation through puffy lips – the red-and-golden light of the setting sun glittering off their water beaded bodies – then Kino’s mouth latched onto Reika’s throat in suckling, wet fervor, feasting on blue skin. The cool air around them filled with the sounds of their efforts and the slightest mist, rising from the churning water, aggravated by gyrating bodies. Kino pressed the attack, and her lips encapsulated a blue earlobe with a throaty moan; the metallic tang of Reika’s earring filled her mouth as she teased the blue lobe with rapid flicks of her tongue, then a gentle graze of teeth, and finally a tugging suckle. The fist of platinum hair was released to slide the hand down along Reika’s arching back, to settle upon a beautifully soft curve; fingers splayed in a gently increasing grip, pulling her paramour’s rear up and to the side, giving the hand between blue thighs even more to explore.

Pressed against her palm, Kino felt the hardened nub of Reika’s sex, and heard every gasping exhalation from her lover’s lips at its slightest movement. With deliberate, intentional care, Kino gently increased the pressure against those soft, tender blue folds – moving in opposition to blue hips – as her mouth released its hold on the Andorian’s earlobe with a shuddering breath. Nibbled kisses trailed down the blue neck – teasing bites, followed with a gentle suckle – before she leaned back, face flushed, eyes lidded with need; the need to see her paramour’s face, to look into her eyes as the ring and middle digits of her hand curled, ever more gradually with every gyration of blue hips, to gently tease Reika’s opening.

All the while, Kino’s hips never ceased in their movement; her own sex was aflame, a burning core of want that only grew in intensity with every twerk of her hips. Her knees trembled, giving out as her body demanded more contact, more pressure, more friction. Yet her own needs were secondary – there, but not there, in the desire-addled recesses of her mind – as mismatched eyes fluttered, struggling to stay open.

Show me. Show me I can give you what you need, Kino’s eyes and face silently pleaded – taking quick, shallow breaths through parted lips – watching Reika’s face as her slender fingertips slipped within.

[ Lt. Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Never before in Reika’s life had there ever been any kind of spoken commitment with a lover.  Oh, there was a regular paramour, Barak, during her time on USS Mustang. Their time was tender and delightful and sensuous rolled into one, but she had never asked for exclusivity, and he had never offered.  When duty transferred them apart, it was an amiable parting of ways with no promises spoken or implied.

But here with Kino, this experience was already different.  The Andorian would never have guessed how a spoken commitment could fundamentally change the nature of shared passion, the depth of eagerness to learn - to learn everything - what crevices needed a lip’s touch, what fissures yearned for nothing more than a tender vapor of Reika’s breath, what site tingled for the teasing brush of blue fingertips. 

But the Andorian’s needs went much further than that.  She ached to learn every aspect of the woman’s past, to share in Kino’s joys and triumphs as well as to step into her trials and struggles.  Reika pined to understand what forged this amazing woman who she is and to contribute to who she became in the future - all while satisfying her every bodily need and desire in every way possible.

Her chin raised, her mouth opened with panting breaths, and her eyes reduced only to slits, Reika’s eyes locked onto Kino’s.  There was an earnestness and an impecunious look that seemed to beg something of Reika.  But a flash later, the combined movement of Reika's hips and Kino’s hand and fingers continued to edge the Andorian toward the precipice of bliss.  And when two fingers breached inside, the Andorian moaned loudly, her need for completion overwhelmed her thoughts and senses. 

Instinctively Reika wanted to press into those delicious digits, but, just in time, she reminded herself, this wasn't simply about physical pleasure,  this was about exploring, about studying, about learning.  So as Reika willed herself to continue to move as she had, and to let Kino feel her way along every delicious millimeter.  In each instant - momentum, desire, tension, and need built further and further as pressure from the heel of Kino’s hand continued to exert sensuous pressure on Reika’s sex while her fingers found their purchase curling into place and massaging the enticing point which promised surrender to and relief from the heat coursing through her veins.

While the sensations surging through her body were amazing, it wasn’t easy to hold herself back from the release that was begging to be fulfilled.  Reika could easily have plunged headlong into the abyss that was this euphoria.  So a war waged between the urgency of the sensations that Kino was creating within her own body and the emotional compulsion that she felt to bring the Trill to utter satisfaction.  And while Kino had a head start, Reika knew that she couldn’t hurry.  Anytime, every time, but especially this first time, Kino needed slow, deliberate attention, not a hurried rush for gratification.

Reika needed Kino to experience the same - almost unimaginable pleasures, not at Reika’s leg, but from the Andorian’s hand.  As Kino’s hips pulled back in their cyclical movements, Reika gently slid her leg back just a fraction of a centimeter and slipped her hand into its place. As the pale hips pressed forward again, Reika’s hand began to move in conjunction with the Trill’s movement.  The knuckle on her thumb found its spot and began to draw pressured circles around Kino’s sex while teasing and delicate fingers slid down the supple skin between her legs exploring every fold, every space, every cleft until they found the chasm that they sought, slipping skillfully inside.

Reika wanted so badly to continue to explore Kino’s body with her mouth and lips, but her body began to tremble as her efforts to hold back the torrent of pleasure consumed more and more of her focus.  And finally, when no amount of countless endeavors could any longer hold the Andorian back from the precipice, waves of pleasure broke through the damn of her efforts.  Her eyes pressed shut, her head fell back, a loud combination of a guttural moan and a cry escaped her lips, and her knees almost gave out on her as swell after pleasurable swell of completion rolled over her body.  Afraid her legs would no longer support her, her arm slipped around Kino’s waist to stay upright.

But she couldn’t stop her efforts. Reika needed Kino to join her on this side of the torrent.  Her whole being cried out to let herself fall back onto the water and let it support her limp body, but she couldn’t.  She continued her ministrations.  Thumb and fingers working, deliberately, tenderly, willfully, raising Kino toward her own precipice.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Yes. Just a single word. Unspoken, mouthed between impassioned breaths; yet it contained so much more than a simple affirmation. In her mind, that word – passed silently with the movement of parted lips – held every ounce of Kino's desire, her need, to please the Andorian in her arms. To show her that it was okay, that she was safe, accepted, cared for. That their journey had only begun, that this was just the opening chapter of their story; the foundation – seared into them both – of the temple to be built, one stone at a time. Half lidded, pale blue eyes fixated on glacial orbs as the tempo of their bodies built, little by little; pleading, yearning, encouraging. Dark brows tilted up as the fingers within the warm, silken apex of sapphire thighs curled and unfurled ever so slowly; Kino watched and felt, learning her lover's body –  searching, seeking the perfect spot – one slow blink at a time. The hand squeezing the curved lusciousness of Reika’s ass slid north, feeling the toned, lean muscles of her back flex, to trade one cheek for another.

“Yes.” A touch louder, barely a breathless gasp, as she watched azure features struggle, tighten, all in vain. Let go, Kino’s eyes pleaded, as her thumb traced circles on blue skin. I’m here, I’m not going anywhere, aqua-hued eyes – set in a pale spotted face contorted in passion – promised wordlessly. She couldn’t manage to say it aloud, couldn’t manage to do much, other than what her body wanted; spotted hips never ceased to be in motion, hardened nipples – so incredibly sensitive – brushed and pressed into cobalt skin, lapped by the warm churning water between them.

She’d never wanted to please anyone so fiercely. There was something in Reika’s gaze; something in those frozen blues – beyond the fire of arousal, deep inside those azure wells – that called out, cried out, to Kino. A feeling, a look, recognizable only by those who’ve known something of its burden; something Kino saw in her own gaze, reflected in private moments. Something she hid from the rest of the world. Pain, loneliness, vulnerability; hidden deep, under layers and layers of slowly shredding armor – the recognition of it took her breath away. In that moment, Kino never wanted anyone more; physically, emotionally, completely. Aqua-hued orbs screwed shut, fighting the overwhelming emotions aside, along with the unimaginably powerful urge to claim Reika in every way possible.

“Yes!” A heated whisper. Something to be felt, not heard; a caress of a warm summer breeze across sunlit skin - blind to all other perception, but undeniably there. Kino’s eyes fluttered open as Reika’s thigh pulled away from the aching furnace of her sex, only to gasp at the touch of what replaced it. The Trill’s features slackened into a mask of carnal intensity as her body overruled her intentions, as her eyes fell closed and hips trembled; the pressure and movement on her clit, combined with the feeling of blue digits sliding home, filling her, forced out a moan of pure ecstasy. She wasn’t prepared for it, for how amazing it felt, as her head dipped down and to the side, lost for the briefest of moments in the blissful wave of sensation. Knees trembled, as her body lifted up on the tips of her toes – instinctually running from the selfish demands of her body. Kino bit down on her bottom lip, hard, and heard herself whimper; yet as good as it felt, she couldn’t submit. Not yet – not before she’d given what her eyes had promised, what she had promised – but then the slightest of trembles coursed through the body pressed into hers. Kino blinked rapidly, and her efforts continued; drawn back from bliss as Reika’s body told her she was close, skirting the edge.

“Yes…” A throaty purr, laced in a sighed exhalation. Just one word, yet it passed from Kino’s lips bursting with urgency, so very close to a command, yet also a plea. Her chin lifted, eyes searched Reika’s face, willing her paramour beyond the edge. The pale hand upon a blue cheek slid south, along Reika’s neck, as the most precious of sounds graced Kino’s ears. The Andorian’s moan of imminent climax sent a tingling wave of euphoric pleasure coursing through her body, and as platinum hair dipped back into the water, Kino wrapped her arm around Reika as her exquisite body tensed, quivering in rapturous release. The hand between cerulean thighs paused; slender, pale fingers held against that perfect spot within, pressing feathered pulses.

“Yes!” Kino groaned, pushed to the edge herself, carried along with Reika; legs trembled, threatening to give out, even as she pulled the Andorian into an even tighter embrace. Nose to nose, pink lips brushed across blue, as her fingers gently slipped from azure folds to clutch Reika’s hip; desperate for an anchor, as her mouth opened in a silent moan. She tried to speak, but was beyond words; eyelids fluttered, obscured orbs rolled up, pink lips crashed into midnight blue. Kino moaned into her paramour’s mouth, as she slipped beyond space and time – into shuddering orgasm.

Moments passed. Gradually, gently, Kino regained herself; wrapped up in blue, supported and offering support in turn, panting through the afterglow. She felt like laughing, giggling, crying, all at once. Pale, peach colored hands slid up to cup Reika’s face, her thumbs gently traced across blue cheeks, brushed across those lips she couldn’t stop kissing; pink lips feathered across them with tender nips, as blue filled her senses.

After all that, words didn't come easy. Kino wanted out of the pool, wanted to taste and feel every inch of the beautiful woman in her arms. She wanted to listen, and learn, and cuddle and eat ice cream, all of it, all at once. But she had to start somewhere, and she'd barely begun to explore her lover's body; there was plenty left to discover and worship. Two words then, whispered through a smile into dark blue lips between gentle kisses – a smile that held every promise of the future; every joy, every triumph, every shared pain, every awkward discovery, and of course, every glorious moment of passion. Two silly words; pulled from the memory of how they'd met.

“Round two?”

[ Lt. Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Reika couldn’t get enough of Kino’s lips and mouth.  And as she tasted as much as felt Kino’s moan during their kiss, the Andorian recognized the minute convulsions of her lover’s body that accompanied her climax.  And her blue hand ensconced between pale thighs slowed to a stop, as she felt the pulses throughout that satin crevice. 

Gently, the Andorian withdrew her fingers and wrapped one long arm around the slight, pale waist and her other around slender shoulders.  She needed to experience the closeness of simply holding Kino in her arms, to feel her chest heave through the quickness of the breaths following the culmination of their efforts, to revel in the weakness of their knees as two heart rates slowly began to creep down from their zeniths.  To support and be supported, to care and be cared for.

And at that moment the sun crept into the space below the leaves of the palm trees ricocheting off of every millimeter or spot of water and creating a cascade of rainbow hues.  The splashes of water and color glistened across Kino’s spots on her shoulder, and while Reika’s eyes followed the colorful spots, Kino’s hands found her cheeks, drawing her attention back to the Trill’s amazing, tantalizing, and mismatched eyes.  The Andorian’s eyes flitted from one of Kino’s eyes to the other and back again. What happened to you? The OPS officer asked silently as she leaned her cheek into one of the soft hands and her eyes drank in those aqua lights - the windows to Kino’s soul. 

Reika spoke to Kino through those windows.  I never knew I could need someone.  Her eyes confessed. I never knew how badly I could want someone - all of someone.  And Kino’s eyes seemed to sing back in rich melodies only understood by two hearts. 

After several moments in the solitude of each others arms, the Trill’s playful voice queried, “Round two?”

Blue eyes under white eyebrows gamboled with delight.  “Most definitely,” Reika said once again brushing her lips across Kino’s.  But as she pulled back the slightest bit to study the exposed skin of her paramour, she realized that while, she herself, was more than comfortable, the Trill seemed less so.  “But you look chilled,” words laced with concern flowed from her lips.  And indeed Kino did.  The exposed skin of the neck and pale shoulders betrayed regular spots dotted between with goosebumps.  “Let’s get you out of the water,” the Andorian said, taking her hand and leading her up the stairs.  At the four corners of pool were four identical stands each with towels on them.  As they reached the the corner, Reika drew her paramour out of the water and grabbed a towel, but instead of handing it over, she wrapped it around the Trill’s shoulders pulling it around her so that the two ends overlapped.  “I don’t want you to get a chill.” 

Still standing in front of her lover, she drew one corner of the soft white nap up the Trill’s neck, blotting at the beads of water which were now glistening almost orange in the sunset.  Reika dabbed at the droplets of water along Kino’s jaw with lips trailing along behind. 

As Reika kissed along Kino’s jaw, the angle of the sun struck her eyes, squinting slightly, she looked toward the horizon.  Oranges, purples, pinks, yellows, and blues streaked across the sky.  The Andorian nodded toward the horizon and gently turned Kino around nestling behind her like two spoons which fit perfectly with the other.  One blue arm slipped around her waist and one just over her chest, holding the towel in place to keep her lover warm as the two stood watching the colors as they twirled, pranced, and frolicked around each other in breathtaking patterns as if on display for just the two of them.  Reika’s cheek settled over Kino’s shoulder and pressed against the Trill’s cheek as the two stood there for what felt like lifetimes, but in reality only the span of about five minutes. 

When the sun finally settled below the horizon, Reika whispered in Kino’s ear, “That was beautiful.  Thank you for sharing it with me,”  Before gently suckling on the flat of her earlobe.  But as her lips wrapped around it and her tongue played across it, she realized that even the lobe was slightly chilled.  “Why don’t we go inside.” she whispered into Kino’s ear.  “I promised to keep you warm. And I'm sure we can heat things up again. ”  The Andorian nodded to one of the - what she assumed were bedrooms - and as she followed behind the Trill, both hands cupped Kino’s backside and gave it firm, but playful squeeze.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]It was only a few minutes – less than a blink of an eye compared to the entirety of her life; infinitely less in the grand scheme of the universe. Kino knew this as she stood there, slightly shivering, wrapped up in soft white and warm blue. She leaned into the embrace, silver head rested into the nook between azure neck and shoulder, their cheeks pressed together. Only a few, simple moments. Lids slowly lowered to obscure light-blues, as pink lips curled up; despite the beautiful sunset with all its myriad shades of twilight rendered in a breathtaking display – none of that mattered to her. Photons and forcefields, manipulated into a simulacrum of reality, couldn’t possibly compare to the feeling of being held by someone who cared.

Such a feeling; to be able to let the insanity of the world pass through you like a phantom, untouched by the mundane worries and strife of everyday life. To feel fulfilled, satisfied. Nothing else in the cosmos mattered; just those few, quiet moments: Reika’s arms around her – feeling her warmth – her strength – her presence. Kino sighed, wondering if it was all real. How could it be? How could a grunt – just another maimed and tortured soul – ever be so fortunate? Yet there they were; pale spotted skin gently rubbed into light-blue, as Kino shook her head subtly in wonder. Was it possible if, like herself, the Andorian felt the same gravitas in those moments? Did she feel it? That…feeling? Kino couldn’t even describe it if she tried – not on her own. Briefly, she dug through the memories of Jeen’s hosts, searching for similarities.

Content, Kino realized, brows lifted with surprise at the touch of blue lips on her ear and the clarity found in memory. Aqua-hued orbs opened slightly as the smile on her lips bloomed wide, nodding in agreement to Reika’s words. It was so beautiful, she wanted to say, but let her eyes speak instead; turning in the Andorian’s embrace to face her in the slowly fading light. Slightly cold hands cupped Reika’s face with another feathered kiss. “We have time,” she whispered with the slightest of nods. Despite the fire within, she could see the questions in those glacial pools, swimming with their own desires. Everything had happened so fast, even though she’d tried her best to fight it; but no regrets – not even a hint.

It felt right. It still does.

Another shiver, another nod in agreement at Reika’s suggestion to move indoors. Reluctantly, Kino withdrew from the embrace, pale hands sliding down blues as she moved backward; the smile never left her face, as she winked at the prospect of heating things up again. Soon, her eyes promised back, as the first few stars twinkled into life above. One hand held the towel closed around her spotted body, while the other laced into cobalt fingers, unwilling to let go – but the chilly air forced the separation. Brr, this’ll take getting used to, the Trill shivered, pulling the towel tight around her with both hands as she shuffled to the closest dormitory. Less than a second later, hands gripped her backside – both cheeks – prompting a bark of laughter followed by a spree of giggles.

“Here,” a hand scooped up another towel as Kino passed the stand, “for you,” she offered it with a giggle over a bare shoulder. “No sense ruining the sheets just yet,” a teasing grin, as dark brows wiggled playfully, then her features returned to calm acceptance as that feeling of contentment lingered. It didn’t stop her from hiking the towel up though, as she turned back towards the dwelling with a smile; the edge of the white fabric rode high on her hips – leaving more than enough of her cheeks visible for Reika’s enjoyment – as her hips swayed along. I like teasing her, Kino chuckled, I’m gonna do this more often!

As the door opened at her approach, Kino hummed pleasantly at the warm touch of air on her skin. Her uniform remained where she’d left it, thrown across one of the paired seats in the sitting room beside a large window. A few hanging plants decorated the dwelling, which resembled a modest, but cozy, island resort retreat: off-white colors, accented with light blues; sitting room, bathroom, bedroom. Empty storage cubbies, waiting to be filled with clothes or travel cases. Plush carpet that squished between Kino’s toes – which flexed without thought – unused to the tactile sensation. She turned on the spot to Reika then, head tilted as they came together once more, a pale hand reached out to cup the Andorian’s face.

“I know you have questions,” Kino whispered, just as pink lips brushed against midnight. “I do too,” she added with a nod, meeting those perceptive blue eyes, before another feathered kiss. As the towel fell from her shoulders to pool at her bare feet, Kino's words were punctuated by the soft smooches she was powerless to stop: “Ask me – I’ll answer – Anything – Everything – I know you’ll – Do the same.”

A deep breath, pulled in her nose, filled with the Andorian’s scent. Light-blues opened, having never realized she’d closed them, as Kino leaned back to let Reika breathe. “We have time,” she repeated, knowing somehow, that Reika understood her meaning; whether they ended the night in the throes of passion or dove into the mysteries of each other’s existence didn’t matter to Kino. Both hands cradled her paramour’s face, as she watched and waited; preparing herself for the worst, but hoping for the best. She’d bare her soul if asked. For this to work, Reika deserved no less; that didn’t mean it would be easy, or painless.

Only a few precious moments. In the end, that’s all anyone really had.

[ Lt. Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Despite the coolness of Kino’s hands as they cradled her cheeks, they held such warmth of affection, such care, and comfort.  The Andorian wished that she could press her cheek into both of the pale hands at once and stay there indefinitely.  It was such a simple pleasure of which she would never tire.

And then Kino's words, “We have time.”  A solitary phrase that held so many meanings. 

We have time … tonight.  Even if, due to tragic events, this night were their last together it would be worth it.  To have created a safe space where each could be completely open, honest, known, cared for, and reveled in.  An event like that fundamentally changes who you are in the deepest parts of your being.

We have time … so there's no need to rush the beginning.  Laibok, Andor's capitol city, wasn't built in a day.  This relationship would be built one stone upon another, one moment on the next, one kiss after another,  one embrace of encouragement after a wiping away of tears.  The prospect of building such an imposing edifice of life together brought a flutter inside the pale blue chest. 

We have time … for connection.  Reika felt it as they stood together, watching the sunset.  The feeling of complete satisfaction as she cradled the Trill in her arms, as she felt the pale head rest in the crook between her shoulder and neck.  It wasn't just a physical closeness that the two shared in that moment,  but a sharing of their souls - almost a spiritual moment.

We have time … together.  White locks affixed to blue skin shook in the cool of the evening breeze as she struggled to wrap her mind around that simple fact.  She was no longer alone.  She no longer needed to feel or fear solitude.  There was someone else now.  During her time with Barak on the Mustang, she was alone even when they were in each other’s presence.  No longer.  Something deep down in her soul knew that she could trust in the two of them together.

We have time … to be a couple.  Not just occasional lovers.   What does 'being a couple even look like look like in this day and age? What does it look like in Starfleet?  It would be a glorious challenge. Two women from such different backgrounds - and Reika could only guess two totally different sets of experiences - wanting so quickly upon acquaintance to figure out how to walk together, not just today or tomorrow but until or unless circumstances or hearts drastically changed - and maybe not even then.

We have time … to discover each other.  And as she looked into Kino’s eyes, there were so many questions that she wanted to ask.  So many things she needed to know.  So many details that Reika yearned to discover - why white for her hair?  What happened to her eye?  Why her right hand was stronger than her left?  How many symbionts she had, which was her favorite?  So many more questions swam through the Andorian’s head. But there would be time to learn everything about this amazing pale-skinned woman she held in her arms.

But it was cold for the Trill and they needed to move inside, but as they did Reika sputtered as a towel hit her in the face and Kino cast her a smart-ass comment.  How could something unbelievably simple and playful make her want the other woman even more?  The Andorian looked at the towel.  If it had been smaller, she would have snapped that beautiful pale ass that wiggled teasingly in front of her.  Instead, despite the fact the cold didn't bother her,  she used the towel to wipe herself dry.  Kino was right.  No reason to dirty the sheets … just yet.

The two entered the room, and as the door slid shut behind her, Reika’s arctic blues never bothered to look around, her eyes focused on only one person.  Tilting her head to watch as Kino turned to face her, the Andorian raised a blue leg to wipe the last of the water off of her right calf.  Arctic orbs never left mismatched ones.  But as her foot settled against the floor again, she dropped the towel and continued walking forward into Kino’s arms, setting blue digits onto pink hips and pressing one finger at a time into the soft flesh of her paramour’s enticing curves as their bodies barely settled against each other again. 

Questions and kisses.  More kisses and an invitation.  How did Kino know? Sure everyone has questions, but this wasn’t just a guess - it was an unexplainable connection between the two already.  “Yes.”  Reika laughed lightly, surprised by the Trill's insight.  “I do have questions.  But standing here isn’t the most comfortable place to be while we answer them. And like you, yes,  I will answer every question you have.”  Reika entwined her fingers in pale ones and lead Kino to the bed.  One-handed, she tossed the pillows from the head of the bed to near the foot of the bed.  Raising Kino’s hand to her lips, Reika lips pressed into the pale skin and held the hand there for moments with her eyes closed before removing her lips and releasing Kino's hand.  “Why don’t we talk and rest here?”  Reika laid down on the bed and scooted across on her stomach, tucking the pillow under her chest and planting her elbows on the bed while twisting her head to watch Kino as she lay down next to her.

“Let’s start with an easy one." Reika said as she ran the back of her forefinger down the spots from the security officer's shoulder to her hip.  “Is white your natural hair color?  And if not, why did you choose it?”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Lips curled up with a nod and a playful wink at Reika’s suggestion. As much as Kino would have enjoyed standing there, wrapped up in her arms, the bedroom sounded much more comfortable and enticing. So she let herself be pulled into the softer colored room, light blues drifting across the Andorian’s curves, pale fingers interlaced with hers. She bit her lip at the display, loving the way Reika moved – slowly, confidently, unhurried. It was a view she hoped she’d see more of, for a long time to come.

The bed was massive – far larger than anything Kino had ever slept on – easily wide enough for four people or more. Soft, shiny sheets, with matching pillows; she grinned as the Andorian moved them, one handed, from one end of the bed to the other where they stood. Kino reached out – unable to stop herself – and let the back of her fingertips trail down Reika’s body as blue lips kissed her hand; aqua hued orbs gazed into glacial pools. Smooth skin transitioned to rough scars and back.

“Lets,” Kino agreed, eyes bright with mischief as she sauntered over to Reika’s side and slowly stretched out into a crawl up the bed, taking her time to get into a comfortable position; the leg closest to the blue body slightly cocked, pelvis tilted on one hip, back arched with the pillow under her bust, resting on her elbows with a brow tilted up at her paramour. The Andorian’s question and tickling touch along the spotted line of her flank sent Kino humming pleasantly, lips curled up in a smile as her eyelids fell, considering the question and how to answer.

A laugh. An honest, unashamed, natural laugh – throaty, all dimples and white teeth. “Well,” Kino giggled, dipping her head as her cheeks reddened. “Its not my natural color. I just got a mental image of what I’d look like with silver eyebrows,” she explained, biting her lip to stop giggling. “I’m...well, I’m pretty sure I’m a brunette…,” her voice pitched uncertainly, as dark brows knitted. It had been quite a few years since her early teens when she’d started to dye it. “I dunno – I was always a pain in the ass as a kid. Never wanted to do what I was told, never wanted to listen to anything that remotely resembled authority. I guess it was just another way to act out. To fight the system,” another bark of laughter, “as dumb as that sounds.”

Kino shrugged then, lifting her chin to Reika with another grin. “But I guess it grew on me.”

The Trill shifted position then, turning on her side to face the Andorian, head resting on the soft pillow as the back of one hand trailed up and down blue skin. “My go,” Kino smirked teasingly, brows raised in question, before her features settled into a quiet, calmed mien – born of caring and concern – but also acceptance, as her fingers gently tucked in a few loose strands of platinum behind a blue ear, eyes lingering on the frayed braids. “Love yours, by the way,” she added quietly, then sighed softly.

Ah, so many questions…

Another laugh, as Kino shook her head. “I don’t even know where to start, babe. I wanna know all the things,” she grinned, shifting her head towards the edge of the pillow, closer to Reika. “Just...start talking about anything. Everything. Whatever’s in your heart or on your mind,” she whispered. “I’ll jump in with specific questions. Okay?”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Lt Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

“So you were a rebel growing up, huh?” Reika asked, as her thin, observant smile widened into grin.  The Andorian raised the hand closest to Kino and ran her fingers through the short messy hair and settled against her skin.  “On one hand it doesn’t surprise me.  Something about you - maybe it is your hair - says you were a rebel.  But I must admit, other things - like the fact you’re in Starfleet - tell me that’s changed at least a little.  And as far as your hair, I like the color.  It suits you well, and I like the contrast between that and your eyebrows.”  Her fingertips massaged Trill’s scalp as her eyes traced the contours of her lover’s face, studying every minutia, noticing every beautiful detail, every tantalizing imperfection, every voluptuous contour.

The way that Kino tucked her hair away and her comments about it brought a pleasant cool feeling coursing through Reika’s body.  With every touch, every syllable, every glance, she was more and more convinced of the reality of the two of them - together.  Not just that they both wanted it, but that they could pull it off.

“I don’t even know where to start, babe. I wanna know all the things. Just...start talking about anything. Everything. Whatever’s in your heart or on your mind.  I’ll jump in with specific questions. Okay?”

Babe. That one word melted her heart.  Removing her hand from the back of the Security Officer’s head, Reika turned her body to mirror Kino.  The Andorian maneuvered onto her side to face the Trill and draped her arm across the curve of her waist drawing soft circuitous forms on the pale back, but she couldn’t keep her lips away.  Just a quick brush of blue across pink before she settled back on her own pillow, supporting her head with the palm of her hand.

What do I want you to know?  What do you need to know?  Easier asked than determined.

“Let’s start with some fun facts.  Maybe those will generate some questions.  My Thavan was an artist, and I inherited some of his abilities.  I love to paint and sketch.  I’m a Xi’for’al - Andorian Martial Art - instructor.”  Reika cast Kino a grin.  “I’m sure that didn’t hurt my odds this morning.  I’ve made a hobby of consuming and even cooking ethnic foods from across the quadrant.  While I work in OPS, I started in Tactical.  I’ve had four postings so far.  Tac on the Livingston, Advanced Tactical Training, Tac and then OPS on the Mustang, and now OPS on the Theurgy…”  She paused for a moment and closed her eyes.  “I dunno.  There’s so much, but you know how it is, it’s hard to just ‘think of things’ on command.”

Kino scooted closer, spooning her pale spotted body alongside the Andorian while she listened; a cream-colored foot laced between blues. An arm draped across Reika’s flank, fingers gently stroking up and down across a curved hip – head lifted with the soft kiss, propped up with a hand, elbow planted into the mattress - as light blue eyes searched her paramour’s face before stealing a quick kiss to her collarbone.

“It is,” she agreed softly, sighing into blue skin. “Especially now,” Kino hummed a throaty chuckle, then lifted her head, as her hand and fingertips tickled up across blue skin to cup the Andorian’s cheek while her eyes were closed.

“Thavan,” dark brows creased slightly as Kino tasted the word, “that’s your father?"

"One of them," Reika nodded, opening her eyes.  "The other is called my charan. My zhavey and shreva are my mothers." 

"What do you like to draw or paint? I’ve never tried either,” a shrug, “unless you count blueprints and schematics,” her nose wrinkled playfully.

Watching Kino’s nose crinkle up in that fashion brought a contented sigh to the blue lips before she started speaking.  "Mostly nature.  The Ice Cliffs of Bakur, the first bloom of the Vulsnaf - an Andorian flower - the giant sequoias near the Academy, or the mountains.  Anything picturesque."

“And yeah, you got some moves for sure,” her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, “I’ve heard stories about you Andorians, but you were the first one I’ve ever sparred with. Big fan. Highly impressed.” Another grin, with a slow wink.

Reika chuckled a light, almost tinkling laugh. "Well, if we grow up on Andor,  we've lived under higher gravity than most humans, so our muscles are denser than most humans.  So it's not just Xi'for'al that gives me the advantage.  Besides, you held your own with me."

Kino’s smile faded just a touch. “I did,” she agreed, taking a deep breath. “So - four parents, wow; and…you’re creative, tough, like a good fight,” the smirk returned, “not to mention stunningly beautiful.” Light blue eyes blinked as her nose twitched playfully. “Yeah, I’m sold,” her lips curled as she nodded, “you’re stuck with me now, Legs. It's all over.”

New moniker - Legs - I like it. Her grin attested to her thoughts. “With you, stuck is a nice place to be,” but her demeanor stayed fairly serious.  With both hands, Reika reached out to the sides of Kino’s head, pulling her close.  She gently touched above her right eye and after Kino’s lid fluttered shut, Blue lips kissed it with all the softness of a butterfly alighting on a flower.  Then she pulled back, kissing her nose and returning her arm across Kino’s waist running fingertips down her back.  “I know you said to ask, but if it’s too painful or too soon, just tell me.  But if you’re able to talk about it.  What happened?”

“The eye?” Kino asked rhetorically, as a dark brow arched over the mechanical implant; her head tilted a bit as she blinked, dropping her gaze for a few seconds while chewing her lip. Well. She was bound to ask sometime. Fuck. 

“I told you that I knew what it was like, waking up out of cryo,” she whispered. “I…when we fled Sol, we took a hit. Lots of hits,” Kino paused, sucking her teeth with an audible tsk at the memory. “Torpedo storage took one. I got caught in the blast,” she shrugged. “Lost my eye - so they gave me a new one,” she huffed a bitter laugh. “Wish that was the only thing they’d replaced,” her voice dropped to a whisper, before Kino took another deep breath. Might as well rip the bandage off now, she told herself.

Reika watched as Kino’s words dwindled to a halt, but her eyes kept speaking and her brain seemed to be turning something else over. The Andorian remained quiet and settled her hand flat on Kino’s back, watching and waiting for whatever else it was that she needed to say. 

“Listen, Reika,” Kino sighed, lowering her gaze again. “I…you should know what you’re getting into. If…it's too much for you, I understand. Okay? No, just…hear me out,” Kino preempted.

Blue lips opened in protest, but shut once again at the request that broke through pale lips.

“ I lost my arm in the war. Lost my eye. Parts of my skull. Lost the foot that’s snuggled between yours. Lost my other leg, that hip, most of my pelvis,” her voice had started strong, matter-of-fact, yet had grown softer as she went. Fragile. “I…,” another breath. “I can’t even have kids.” She frowned, deeply, as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Kino hesitated, biting down on her lip to stop it from trembling. How many times had she had this talk in therapy? How many times in sickbay? Her injuries were on file; anyone with clearance and curiosity could read about it. Yet laying there, next to Reika, somehow made it all fresh; the totality of all the trauma endured crashed down on her in a wave of unstoppable emotion.

“I’ve gone through a lot. Seen a lot. Got real close to just…walking away from all of it. But then,” she managed a weak smile, and lifted watery eyes to glacial pools. “After all that suffering, I managed to save something precious. Something vital, and wonderful; Jeen gave me so much more than memories. It gave me a reason to keep going,” the smile grew wider, as she nodded her silver head to Reika with a look of someone that expected nothing; Kino fully accepted the fact that she was damaged, possibly beyond anyone’s ability to love. Yet she wanted Reika to know.  “I’m sorry. I know it's a lot - I won't blame you for changing your mind…”

Reika lay silent for a long moment, processing not just everything Kino had said, but everything she had gone through.  It was unimaginable.  In quantity, there was less of the original Kino left than there were replacement parts.  And she bared it all when she let Reika know that she couldn’t have kids.  Reika shook her head silently, salty drops welling up in her own eyes. 

Two blue arms wrapped around a pale neck.  She rolled onto her back and partially pulled Kino along with her pillowing the pale head on just under a blue chin.  Looking down at the woman in her arms and with the tenderness of a lazy summer breeze that barely kissed the skin, she wiped away every tear.  The more that fell, the more she wiped away.

“If it’s a lot for me to process,” she whispered into the pink ear. “That means it was so much more for you to go through.  I don’t know how you did it.”  Blue fingertips continued to flutter across Kino’s face at the sight of any rivulets of clear liquid would spill out of aqua orbs.  “What you’ve been through doesn’t scare me.  It breaks my heart for you.  And as far as having kids,”  Reika’s gaze moved past Kino’s shoulder and became unfixed.  Blue jaw off-set itself as if that act itself help her decide if she should continue - could continue.  Slowly, words crept from her mouth and her voice took on a throaty quality laced with hesitancy.  “But I can’t have children either.  I’m one of the casualties of the reproductive blight that we Andorians are facing.”  Words faltered. Vision blurred. Breath caught within blue chest.  When Reika’s lungs finally surrendered to the need for air, she managed, “Because of it, I’m not bonded to a quadruple … nor ever will be.”

Aw no honey, no, dark brows tilted in despair – in profound sympathy - as bitter tears trailed down Kino’s cheeks. Her chest heaved, choking back sobs; as if Reika’s words alone - that simple, loving acceptance - hadn’t been enough…the understanding, the shared pain…it crumbled Kino’s last, final wall of defense. She wanted to tell her that she was sorry, so sorry…that she understood, too…that she’d never need a quad, never need anyone ever again, if Kino had anything to say about it - but all she could manage in that moment was a nod. The smallest of gestures, perhaps not enough to convey what she felt, but Kino hoped she’d understand.

Reika caught the nod, but it wasn’t the nod that reached her heart.  It was the aqua-colored wells of complete understanding … commiseration … acceptance. And, at that look, the last turret of her own resistance crumbled into the space between the two women allowing her own tears to flow.  She belonged.  It took a few moments for the outpouring of her emotions to settle down, but there was something else, she needed to say.

A blue finger reached out and slowly tipped Kino’s chin so that glassy glacial pools met rainy aqua ones.  Through sniffles, Reika managed, “I need you to hear and believe what I’m about to say.”

Kino held that gaze, blinking through the tears. Pink lips trembled as she fought to breathe, fought to control her racing heart and the sobs choking her chest. Don’t. Don’t say it, please - my heart can’t take it, Reika. Don’t tell me it doesn't matter - don’t tell me you’ll love me.

While salty rivulets meandered down her own face, Reika plunged ahead settling her two hands along the Trill’s jawline and the tips of her thumbs caressed the pale cheeks.  Electric blue eyes dove deep into aqua chasms.  “You need to know that you are beautiful to me. Other than your eye, I couldn’t even have guessed that you had lost any other parts. And even if I could, it wouldn’t matter.  While your injuries are not insignificant - at all - they don’t and won’t change my affection for you or my desire to be with you.”  Through vision blurred by the mist in her own eyes, Reika watched Kino’s eyes to make sure that she didn’t just listen to her, but that she heard her - and understood all the depth and more that the Andorian’s feeble words conveyed.

She understood. She knew. There had always been something - some shared, unknowable similarity between them. Something that called them, drew them together, beyond the physical attraction. Here was a woman that knew her pain, and Kino knew hers. Wrapped up in each other, accepting each other…it was all too much; more than the Trill had ever dared hope for, yet all she had secretly yearned for. What could anyone possibly say in the face of such a thing? Kino answered in the only way she knew how; brow furrowed in emotion, lips tainted with the salty sweetness of painful tears - she pressed herself into the Andorian’s embrace - nodding, gasping a single, mumbled word through trembling lips, before those crashed into Reika’s midnight blue: “Reika.”

I’m here, and I always will be. 

Her mouth pursed at the touch of Kino’s lips. This kiss was different - needy.  Urgently desiring to fulfill every need, desire, wish, hope, yearning, or prayer of her partner.

Realization struck her, as perse lips pressed hard into pink and as if breathing was of no import. That’s really what we are, isn’t it?  Partners. The words may not have been audibly spoken, but we said it through our tears, caresses, and glances.  Words will come, but for now, I feel it.  I know it, as I know the blackness of night and the brilliance of the overhead sun.

While lips, tongues, and whole mouths were still entangled, blue arms wrapped around a pale body.  Hands settling over the luscious curve of Kino’s ass, pulling the Trill’s pelvis as close to her blue body as the two could, hands exploring and kneading the soft skin.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]There were no defenses left; no walls, no armor; freedom coursed through her, lingering on pink lips as real as the sweet salty tang of teardrops. Kino had bared her heart, left herself wide open, and Reika had wrapped her up in warm, loving blue. No thoughts existed. There was no conscious decision making whatsoever; she simply responded on instinctual need, only on what was felt – what was given by the Andorian in her arms. Kino reveled in it, amplified it, then sent it back with every touch, every sound, every look of aqua-hued eyes; a soft moan as pink lips suckled upon a tender blue one – a breath as those lips parted to lift Reika’s head enough to pull platinum locks out from under her shoulders, spilling out like a crown of white around her head – a whispered coo as fingernails grazed across pale spotted curves, while half lidded orbs gazed into the deep glacial windows of her lover’s soul.

Dark brows tilted up as Kino gasped a shuddering breath. Unburdened, undone – lost in emotion, yet simultaneously found – entwined in blue. Reika pulled her in, their bodies pressed blissfully together, as her silvered head dipped to nip at midnight lips once again; another moan, a throaty hum from her chest, drawn out by the squeezing grip of the warm hands that held her so close. The kiss deepened as Kino’s tongue sought its counterpart, slipping between soft lips, sliding into and along wet warmth; unable to stop even as her lungs burned for oxygen. A hand trailed down azure flesh, hooked around a knee, lifted it to drape the long, luscious limb over a spotted hip as a cream colored thigh invaded. Enraptured, hooded eyes gazed down at Reika as she came up for air with a groan, panting through parted lips.

No words; none were needed – Kino’s eyes and body spoke for her. 

Hips swayed, then gyrated – sliding the wet furnace between her thighs into silken skin – and Kino’s jaw slackened, eyelids fell closed as she whimpered. A pale cheek pressed into blue, cooing into her ear, powerless against the intoxicating pleasure coursing through her entire body, heart, and soul. Pink lips pursed to trail feathered kisses along the Andorian’s jaw, brushed across an earlobe, down a slender neck; the sounds of wet, suckling kisses filling the air. Both hands roamed freely, grasping, kneading, squeezing, before linking into light blue ones to slowly raise them up over Reika’s head. Kino squeezed those hands reassuringly, even as she shifted her slender frame down over her paramour’s body, ever so slowly.

“Trust me,” Kino whispered as her head nodded, mouth ceaseless in its journey, “relax and trust me, honey.” Every mumbled word punctuated by a soft, gentle smooch.

Light blue eyes flicked open, looking up as her mouth paused its sojourn in the valley between soft mounds that rose and fell ever faster. Kino slipped her hands free, fingertips trailing down her lover’s arms. One stopped to cup a blue cheek – the thumb brushed across parted lips – while the other trailed across the curved flesh, cupped it, drawing a hardened peak to Kino’s parted lips. The Trill’s tongue flicked out once, twice, in teasing strokes. Fluttering eyes glanced up with another throaty moan as she took it in her mouth greedily.

All the while, Kino felt every sigh, every shudder, every press of skin – even as her body cried out for more – but her heart was in command. She would show Reika how much she wanted her, how much she needed her, one heated caress of her lips at a time.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Wrapped in pale arms, Reika felt desired - not just physically wanted - but her heart - her emotions.  As pale lips suckled at her bottom blue one, she realized that her heart was safe in those same pale lips that gently tugged at hers - in those pale hands that splayed her hair around her shoulders - in that single hand that slipped under her knee and drew it up.  Blue leg slipped over and between two pale ones hooking her foot around an ankle and moaning into the kiss as tongues sought out new crevices to discover, new ways to wrap around the other, to tease, and play with the other.

Then Kino’s hands found hers, ones which had enjoyed their journey across the supple curve of a pale backside, drawing blue hands to the side and then up over her head.  At that moment, she knew that while she could say no and Kino would heed her- not that she wanted to - she was no longer in control, and it felt so good in that moment to come along for the ride as a willing participant, but not as the instigator. 

“Trust me,” Kino whispered as her head nodded, mouth ceaseless in its journey, “relax and trust me, honey.”

Surrender - a concept almost unheard for even a former tactical officer, but not just surrender.  Surrender coupled with trust.  Trust - believing that her partner would do nothing but good by her.  That she would lavish pleasure upon her.  That she would find ways to delight her - things Reika may have never experienced or even considered.  In that moment - for that moment - Reika relinquished control over herself to Kino.  Kino wanted to show her something, and Reika would receive the gift from her paramour’s hands.  Besides, I’ll take my own turn to bestow abject pleasure on her.

The words, “I’m yours,” slipped from parted blue lips powered by heaving breaths.  “I trust you,” followed by an anticipatory whimper as the Trill’s tongue flicked across her hardened nipple.  Then a loud, deep pleasurable moan as Kino swallowed up as much of her breast as her pale mouth could hold.  Reika’s back involuntarily arched, giving Kino even greater access.

Blue hands, which had been extended well over her head slid down her body and nestled in silver hair, playing in and around the strands as the head to which it was attached bobbed up and down in strokes, each one eliciting a moan or a gutteral groan, or a whispered name.  Kino -  breath on a breeze.  Kino - a flutter of wings.  Kino - a ripple across a pond.  Kino - a single drop of rain.

But surrender didn’t mean that she didn’t feel hot need.  Blue hips pressed against the pale stomach in their wake.  Soft skin against the thunder that ached within her for the lighting to discharge so it could be fulfilled.  There’s time she reminded herself.  It’s about the journey not just the culminating fulfillment.

So instead, while her heat-filled, sensitive, pining crevices called out for attention, Reika focused on the soft lips which currently consumed her.  Touches ranging from barely there to vigorous or forceful and everything in between.  Her own body was in constant motion a tweak of the hips, a shiver down her side, a heave of her chest, a foot that ran along up and down between pale legs,  all while massaging the silver scalp.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 4 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]She couldn’t help but hum in pleasure at Reika’s response. Wrapped up in blue, Kino’s eyes blinked up at her lover’s face, while her mouth and tongue lavished attention upon the Andorian’s supple curves – loving every expression, every sigh, every moan. Time was no factor. This was more than merely a physical ritual; it was an exploration, a gift of affection, a moment of connection. All of it and more.

Kino’s objective was to learn the topography of her paramour’s body; its secret places – hidden in plain sight, just waiting to be discovered – and oh, how she enjoyed finding them. There was no struggle against desire, no internal conflict. All she wanted lay beneath her, pressed into her, surrounded her: every hitched breath, every whimper, every tremble of want. All fueled her arousal, drove her deeper into how she felt, inside and out: a tease and a lover – a partner – equal yet dominant, submissive yet powerful – something to be wanted, something to be cherished, something to to be loved. All of it, all at once; a tsunami of blissful emotion that lifted her in its embrace, and swallowed her in desire.

Sex, in and of itself, was a simple thing; an act of physical pleasure that held no mystery. Yet this was multitudes beyond anything Kino had ever felt before. I’m yours. I trust you. Those simple words, spoken in the throes of heated passion, threatened to send her over the edge. The hands in her hair and the way Reika arched her body guided Kino’s mouth. Gentle smooches, a teasing flick of her tongue, a brief suckle; cream-colored hands wandered down, sliding across curved azure skin, along bucking hips. Kino loosed a low moan from her throat as her hands found purchase under the Andorian, gripped, squeezed – adding her strength and fire to the delicious movement of both bodies.

The hands in her hair tightened, pulled her head back; there was an audible pop, as pink lips lost their seal around a dark blue nipple. Kino grunted in heat at her lover’s aggressiveness, and half-lidded eyes danced between glacial blues. The fire she saw there, the need, the emotion, set her aflame. Burning with want, Kino returned to her objective with zeal. Pink lips and tongue worked down her lover’s silken flesh – under the curves of heaving breasts, down the mid-line of flexing abs in a trail of wet, sloppy kisses. Her hands lost their hold to graze back up Reika’s flanks, slender fingers splayed, desperate to feel everything they could; every contour, every surface, every soft curve. Rough patches of scar tissue were given equal attention; the Trill showed no differential treatment, no hesitation – her mouth worshiped everything it touched, and as she continued south, those pale hands followed suit.

Aqua colored eyes fluttered open as those hands feathered down across trembling hips, and Kino finally pulled her body away – scooting back on the bed – to lay prone between lovely blue limbs. Her chin feathered light circles just below Reika’s waistline, lips planted a gentle kiss as her palms slid down along the sensitive curves of her lover’s inner thighs; feeling every subtle tremor of anticipation. Here she would deliberately slow her movements, as her eyes locked on to Reika’s. Kino watched, eyes bright with teasing desire; curious to see how long the Andorian could last, loving the view. “You are so beautiful,” she breathed through parted lips, planting soft, wet kisses. The hands on those lovely thighs slowly pushed, spreading, with light squeezes. A heated exhalation preempted a gentle smooch on Reika’s innermost thigh, the first of several, as Kino continued to sample that which she had longed to taste.

Yet the heat she felt from her paramour’s glistening sex could never be ignored. A pause, to lap her tongue up the palm of her other hand and fingers. A sigh of satisfaction, before pink lips returned to a pale blue thigh. A throaty hum as she sucked, while slippery fingers brushed up into delicate folds with a flash of aqua-hued orbs – a look that told her lover that the Andorian’s pleasure had only just begun. Slowly, tenderly, Kino trailed her lips up a few centimeters along a quivering thigh; holding Rieka's gaze all the while - then reversed course with a mischievous smile - loving the way her paramour looked in that moment.

"Y'okay," the Trill breathed between playful kisses, wiggling her brows up at her lover, "y'look a lil flustered honey." She whispered, as parted lips moved closer and closer to the hardened nub nestled between slowly circling fingertips.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Reika lay there with her head propped up by her pillow. Her eyes went from closed, to rolling back up in her head to watching Kino as she worked her way down her body. 

Pale hands meandered down each centimeter of of her body, stomach, sides, hips, and then they wormed their way under the blue flesh of Reika’s ass and squeezed hard.  Blue muscles pushed into pale hands needing to feel alive, being consumed by the heat, and her own grasp on Kino’s hair tightened as her arousal and need grew.  But after a pop, too quickly the hands left the skin to which they tenaciously clutched. 

But that pale mouth was on the move again.  This time further and further it moved down the blue skin of the Andorian’s body.  Every touch of pink lips was different.  Every one whispered a new unique endearment - some tender, some passionate, some needy, some playful, many different variations on teasing, but all different. 

Slightly darker than ivory hands began to work their way along Reika’s side - even her scarred side without differentiation.  Unconsciously Reika pressed into that hand, taking comfort in the fact that even that touch showed tender affection.

And then Kino lifted herself off of the slender blue body, Reika’s eyes, which had been closed as she reveled in and concentrated on every sensation, snapped open and sought out her lovers.  Kino was watching her with a playful grin.  Tender touch of hands on her inner thighs.  Breath caught in the blue chest as if she let it out, the whole apparition would vanish away. 

Lower and lower Kino descended toward the prize, but playfully.  Finally Reika had to gasp for air - and found that the Trill’s pale and sumptuous body was still there.  Still working her magic. “You are so beautiful,” Kino said.  She had heard that before, but the difference between Barak saying it when he simply wanted to fulfill a bodily need and hearing Kino say it as if she were pouring out her soul, couldn’t be compared to each other.  One was hollow and spoken as if she were his prize.  One was out of adoration and a desire to lavish tenderness to bring both emotional and physical fulfullment. 

But Kino continued on.  Still easing herself lower, until fingers tickled blue inner thighs gently pressing legs apart.  Then came light kisses, barley touches, but Reika couldn’t stay still.  With every brush of pale lips, her hips moved either in anticipation or as a result of the phenomenon that Kino was eliciting throughout her nether regions. 

Reika’s eyes never left Kinos.  And as Kino headed north and as glacial pools watched, and a mouth opened panting in need, the Trill’s mouth moved away from the conquest, Blue eyes narrowed - almost as if in pain and blue lips slackened as if she were in agony. 

"Y'okay,” came a voice echoing with laughter.  “y'look a lil flustered, honey."

Reika couldn’t hold back any longer.  Almost a whine of,  “Don’t stop, Kino,” broke in panting breaths from blue lips.  Hips bucked and wiggled as the need within her grew exponentially with every second delay.  “Please,” she begged, barely audible.  “Don’t stop.”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Her silver head nodded, pink lips parted achingly close to light blue skin. Passion-filled eyes fell to slits at Reika’s words, as a tremble of pleasure coursed through her body. She had no intention of stopping, but couldn’t help drawing the moment out with the teasing question, and the way her lover responded – body quivering, pleading those hotly whispered words – sent the heat between the Kino’s thighs even higher, nearly unbearable with need. A spotted leg cocked as Kino’s hips responded on instinct; a slow rock to match the clockwise rotation of slender fingers that flanked Reika’s clit. She’s driving me crazy, the Trill commented silently, amazed at how desperately she needed to be touched.

“Okay honey,” Kino breathed between light kisses that trailed through the Andorian’s short line of brilliant white hair, purring at it’s softness, the way it tickled her chin. “I wont stop,” she promised in a sultry whisper; a promise of so much more than physical release. The blue thigh she’d been tending to rose up over a spotted shoulder, and as her mouth hovered over Reika’s most sensitive spot, the fingertips of her other hand trailed down that lovely limb, along the lines of a blue pelvis and up into flexing abs. Aqua colored eyes blinked up, locked onto fierce blues, as the tip of the Trill’s tongue gently circled in opposition to her fingertips with a heated sigh. Circle – flick – circle, circle, circle – flick; teasing strokes, all a prelude of the ballet to come.

A throaty hum followed as she watched her lover’s body respond, and as much as she wanted to, Kino couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. Her other senses told her what she needed to do, as much as her paramour’s body; a jerk of her hips, a moaned gasp, a tremble of muscle – all signals she heeded with relish. The hand on Reika’s belly slid south, draped across her lower abs, fingers splayed. A pale thumb brushed up and down the thin line of platinum hair that trailed up from the Trill’s mouth, adding another layer of gentle movement to the glistening nub being lavished by her tongue and fingers.

Kino took her time. In that moment, there was nothing else but Reika. Her mind nearly blanked, with only a singular purpose at heart: to show her partner affection. To express her desire to please – to lavish her breathtaking body with pleasure and fulfill her every need – because Reika deserved it. Who could ever deny someone the simple act of being loved, of being cherished, due to circumstances beyond their control? How long had this amazing woman been bereft of a loving embrace? Of being shown that she was wanted because of who she was, not for how she looked or what she wasn't? You have me now, babe, Kino’s eyes fluttered open, dark brows tilted as she nodded up at her lover. She could only hope the Andorian understood what her eyes were trying to say, as her mouth was very much occupied: I see you – all of you – and I want it all.

After a few minutes of further deliberately teasing ministration, ever so gently, slender fingers withdrew to feather down deeper into slick, dark blue folds. Wet, pink lips descended to take their place, preceded by a glistening tongue. Kino’s eyes fell closed again with a grunt at the touch of her lover’s hand pushing into her hair; spotted hips quickened, rubbing herself into the sheets, as her own need for attention grew unignorably powerful. Nails grazed across her scalp. Lips locked into place to softly suckle, as her tongue massaged. Pale fingers pushed within to curl up in deliciously silken heat. So wet for me, her mind cooed as Kino whimpered.

The prelude faded as the proverbial curtain rose for the main act to truly begin. A deep, low moan rose from Kino’s chest, transmitted through the suckling motions of her lips and tongue, directly into her lover’s trembling body. Pale fingers pulsed within, timed in opposition of every jerk of blue hips – ceaselessly in motion – as her efforts built momentum with every passing second. Here she would hold, stealing glances up at her paramour through fluttering lids, while she worked to fulfill the promise she made only moments before…

Kino wouldn’t stop – not until Reika was satisfied – and she’d never let her feel alone or unwanted ever again.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

“Honey.”  One word burned deep into her soul.  It was crooned out a heart that was full of tender emotion - full of caring.  One word spoken to her in a way that it never been before.  That one word created such need to show this woman affection, devotion, endearment - not just now, but for as long as she could imagine - forever.  But before she could communicate that, a tongue flicked across the throbbing knot above soft blue folds of skin.  Hips moving in conjunction with pale fingers and tongue, she needed to open herself up more and draped her blue leg up over a pale shoulder.  Gasps, moans, cries, croons.  Every possible needy noise found vocalization on her parted lips. 

Glacial pools sought out aqua orbs, and when the two pairs locked onto each other, words were exchanged, glances were understood, dreams were traded.  An unspoken promise and pact.  Blue fingers pushed into short silver hair, massaging the ivory scalp. 

But not long after, pale fingers left their post searching out another chasm and lips suckled into the delicate spot instead.  Blue eyes pressed closed, lips parted, gasps for air broke from blue lips.  Heated cries and whimpers as fingers found their new purchase and pulsed into the tender spot.  Hips pushed forward in need as blue fingers pressed against the back of the silver head.  The suction on her clit grew while a pink tongue wrapped itself around it.  Hands gently pressed the back of the head further into place while velvety internal crevices ground against slicked fingers.

With every suckle, a blue head pressed back further and further into the pillow.  Eyes which had watched the sumptuous act in the beginning started to roll up into her head.  Parted lips opened further with every movement.  Groans, whines, and puffs crescendoed until a loud cry broke from her lips, legs spasmed, chin jutted up, eyes rolled so that insteald of any blue all that could be seen was white, while blue lips began to gasp for air.  Once all of the twitching and moaning, and pressing began to slow to a halt, four words fluttered on a breath as a blue hand reached out for a pale one.  “Kino,” the breath exhaled, “I need you.”

Reika was torn, she was both done in and yet yearned to return the pleasure, but in the wake of the turbulent climax, her body was bereft of any semblance of control or energy.  If her partner could hold off - just for a very short space, Reika needed to hold and be held.  She had never before encountered such a sacred act as has just transpired.   As the Trill climbed back up beside the blue body, Reika pillowed her head on the pale bosom, her rubbery arms doing her best to hold herself against the other woman, listening to her heartbeat - a heartbeat which beat for her.  Bu-dum I’m yours. Bu-dum You’re mine. Bu-dum Together. Bu-dum From this moment. Bu-dum Alongside. Bu-dum Carrying and being carried. Bu-dum Loving and being loved. Bu-dum Nurturing and being nurtured.Bu-dum Each for the other.

While snuggling into pale arms, Reika managed to turn in such a way that her hipbone pressed into the heat between Kino’s legs.  More, at that moment, was beyond her ability as her body slowly wound its way down from the precipice of the mountain up which Kino had drawn her. 

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Of all the characteristics that defined her, gentleness had never been a prominent one; Kino’s life had been too unkind – experience, too merciless. Grievous wounds to mind and body marked her with scars she never let others see. By her own hand and others, trauma had left her edges rough, sharp, not easily handled by those unwilling to risk being cut – or so it had seemed. So she had believed.

And yet, the beautiful Andorian cradled in her arms ripped that self-image to shreds effortlessly with only four words – words Kino hadn't heard in a long time, and never whispered so sweetly: Kino, I need you. Those words, and the emotion in those soulful, loving eyes, melted her heart – just like the way they held each other – as if neither would ever let go. It unleashed a terribly powerful feeling within her; something that eclipsed passion, something far more fulfilling – a feeling she dared not name: a myth, a child’s story. Something unrealistic and unobtainable yet undeniably there, in those impossibly deep pools of cool blue, crying out to her with every touch of cerulean skin. Kino knew she would replay this moment throughout all the dark days to come; a beacon of hope for when all seemed lost. A source of light in the dark, of courage – more than duty, more than survival, more than her hope of seeing home after setting the galaxy right again – this moment, this was everything she needed to fight for. A bastion of peace in a world gone mad. A castle of azure. An impenetrable fortress of safety where she could endure, as protector and protected.

Four. Breathless. Words.

“I'm here,” pink lips breathed between kisses – with a tenderness Kino didn’t even know could be expressed – into quivering blue skin. Her body pressed into Reika’s, comforting, reassuring, as they settled and entwined; unrushed, as easily as two pieces of a puzzle clicking flawlessly into place. Kino rolled onto her back and wrapped her lover up in cream-colored, spotted limbs; fingertips trailing light touches up and down Reika’s spine, across the curves of hip and thigh, as a pale leg nestled between blues. Nothing in her life thus far had felt so right – as natural as falling asleep.

The air filled with the sounds of their exhalations, as they basked in the afterglow of the days life-altering chain of events. Light blue eyes closed as Kino breathed in the scent of platinum hair, soft lips pursed to peck at her lover’s forehead with a hum of absolute contentment. “Shhh, I’m here,” Kino cooed, feeling every tremor, every shift of attempted motion. “I got you, honey,” she whispered, squeezing her limbs around Reika as her fingers and nails continued their unhurried journey; loving how every feathered touch sent more trembles through the Andorian’s body. “Shhhh, just relax,” she breathed, allowing them both to enjoy and cherish the moment. There was no concern for her own fulfillment; Reika’s pleasure was her pleasure, and Kino felt immense satisfaction with the outcome. Her heart pounded, filled with the gift of her lover’s vulnerability and the desire to protect it – something beyond sacred, beyond priceless, beyond expression – yet so simple. So pure.

Moments passed. Slowly, gradually, she felt Reika recover, and Kino’s lips curled as platinum hair tickled her nose. One arm cradled Reika’s body close, as her other hand continued light touches across her lover’s curves. Helluva thing, Kino hummed. To think I’d almost given up on it. Her smile faded a little, but never left. Light blues cracked open with a sigh of contentment, while she watched the slow dance of Reika’s antennae. Wobble, wobble, they moved, like two drunken partners out of sync, gently rubbing into her chest and neck. Kino grinned at the display, at the warmth of Reika’s body, at the entirely unexpected turn of events that led her to this moment. Her silver head shook subtly, amazed at it all. I never want to leave here, she wanted to say, but Kino had never been good with expressing how she really felt. Old habits died hard, and even if amusement colored her words, she knew somehow Reika would understand.

“I like it here – wrapped up in you. Think I’ll stay awhile,” Kino nuzzled into white hair with a soft hum. “You make a wonderful blanket, by the way. Big fan,” she continued, then kissed the top of Reika’s head with a grin. “You doing okay?”

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dumedion

Alone.  For as long as she could remember she had existed alone.  Even with four parents - oftentimes each believing that the other had connected with her - she had been alone much of the time, which caused a lot of anger issues growing up.  At the Academy, she had friends who she would do things with, but never anyone she truly connected with.  On the Mustang, for much of her time, she had Barak.  But maybe the fact that even with the physical connection she had been bereft of a true emotional and any kind of spiritual connection is why she had withdrawn into herself during the first part of her time on the Theurgy.  Even recently, she had taken Hirek back to her quarters in an attempt to drown out that grating voice that taunted her, laughed at her, and jeered at her that she would always be alone.  The voices howled - no one will ever really care.  No one will ever need you or want you.  And no one will ever love you for who you are - no strings attached.  Up until this point, to believe differently was beyond her own inner conviction or comprehension.

Because of the voices of self-doubt that mercilessly ridiculed her, even now wrapped in Kino’s arms, it was hard to believe the words, “I’m here.”  Maybe she so badly need a greater depth of emotion than what she known at any other time in her life that now she was just reading into things?  She clung to Kino even tighter, part of her almost terrified that this would turn out the same way, but it was almost as if Kino could sense something.  Her kisses, caresses, and soothing words. “Shhh…I’m here.  I’ve got ya honey,” seemed to flow out of a response of her comprehending the troubled thoughts running through the blue head. But because of not just those words, but also the timing of them - in what could have been her greatest moment of self doubt - amazingly Reika felt known - in a way she had never been known.  She felt completely understood and recognized for who she was.  But despite the new realization, her body must have still felt tense because not long after, she heard, “Shhh, just relax.”

And for the first time - maybe really ever - she could.  She almost melted into Kino’s arms.  It was real.  Entirely, thoroughly, comprehensively, and utterly, real.  She felt positively giddy, and the longer she lay ensconced in pale spotted skin,  the more, not just her heart, but her body was able to relax.

“I like it here – wrapped up in you. Think I’ll stay awhile.  You make a wonderful blanket, by the way. Big fan.”

What was almost just as amazing to the Andorian was that she also understood Kino.  Her statement was a light-heartest cast-off comment, but in truth, Reika could sense it was anything but. There was a gravity to her words - a weightiness.  Then there was a kiss to the top of her head before hearing,  “You doing okay?”

Reika lifted her head and looked directly into Kino’s eyes.  She took a long moment to commune with her partner as their eyes spoke volumes to each other, before reaching out and setting her hand on the side of the pale face, her thumb running back and forth over cheek before answering, “I’m better than I think I’ve ever been.” 

But Kino had been giving and so patient.  Now all Reika could think about was returning the same pleasure to her paramore.  Careful not to pinch Kino’s arm, Reika scooted herself up so that she was face to face with Kino again.   Once again her pulse began to quicken at the prospect of showing her lover the great depths of affection that her heart carried toward her.  Azure lips descended to pink ones, her breath tickling across Kino’s cheek.  The touch was tender, gentle, poignant.  She wanted to remember the taste of Kino’s lips.  And after a moment as a white teeth nibbled on a pale pink lip, blue finger tips flitted down the spots on the pale skin from shoulder to hip and back again. 

Releasing the pink lip, Reika brushed noses with Kino.  “Now, that my muscles are no longer in a semi-gelatinous state,” she quipped with a chuckle and another quick brush of blue lips on pink, “It is my pleasure and delight to ravish you.” 

Starting at the edge of Kino’s shoulders, Reika began to move her lips across and down each of the alluring spots on her side.  Sometimes, she would kiss the spot.  Sometimes she would trace the spot with her tongue.  Sometimes, she would suckle on the pale skin, and as she did her hand explored other aspects of her body, the curve beneath her chin, the slight dimple in the crook of an elbow, the voluptuous curve of the underside of a breast, before her thumb delicately brushed across an aereola causing a mound to rise from nothing as an oasis mystically rose from a desert as someone with a dire need to a quench a desperate thirst stumbled near.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Yeah – she knows.

Kino saw it in Reika’s eyes, heard it in her words, felt it in her pulse. For the longest moment, she lost herself in the Andorian’s eyes. Dammit Legs, why are you so amazing? Melting into that gaze, into the gentle touch of the warm blue hand that cradled her face, she knew that she was understood. There was no fear in those eyes – no hesitation – only the Andorian’s desire to have her own feelings known, a look that sent the Trill’s heart racing;  Kino’s hands and fingertips trailed up azure flesh, entranced by those glacial pools. It felt like every part of her was laid bare – unashamed, untroubled – free to show her true self, to be seen, scars and all. I’m yours, honey, aqua-hued orbs replied; even as Kino’s mouth parted at the words purred from midnight lips – lips she ached to feel on hers: 'I’m better than I think I’ve ever been.'

“Me too,” Kino breathed, barely audible, with a subtle nod – as blue and white filled her vision. Bodies shifted, one sliding over the other. A fragrant curtain of platinum hair fell around her, tickling her skin. Deliciously soft lips brushed into hers, with a teasing exhalation of breath. No one had ever kissed her so sweetly. Kino whimpered between the hushed sounds of gentle kisses. Her hands rose to cradle the sides of Reika’s neck – holding her close – as she felt her bottom lip tugged by a blue mouth; a tremor coursed through her body with a soft moan at their loss when Reika edged away, yet stayed teasingly close. Parted lips trembled ever so softly, even as Reika spoke – and the half-assed protest on the tip of her tongue died in her throat at the touch of blue lips on spotted skin – while her lover’s hands roamed.

Of course she wanted to be ravished; to give her body to Reika however the Andorian wished. In that moment, Kino was entirely at her mercy – every cell in her body cried out for attention. But those lips! She needed them. Badly. She needed to feel their softness, the heart-felt tenderness in them, the taste of them. She fought that desire though, holding it off by arching her body into Reika’s touch with the softest of moans. Neediness consumed her, provoked by that delicious blue mouth, and those eyes she already loved so much. You're driving me crazy – fuck, Reika, her head shook as it pushed back into the pillow with another moan from the work of blue fingers and lips. She was practically squirming – a result of the Andorian’s teasing touches and sensual kisses – and struggling against the urge to roll her over and pin her blue body to the sheets with her own mouth again.

How is she turning me on so fucking much, the Trill’s mind raced.

“I...aah,” Kino panted to the ceiling, as her hands slipped up underneath platinum locks, “wasn’t done...kissing you, though.” Even as the words were breathed out, her legs slowly slid open, raised and wrapped around Reika’s beautiful hips. Pale hands feathered across a blue neck and cheeks, lifting Rieka’s face to hers. Pink lips crashed into midnight blues, as spotted hips slowly rocked into motion. She couldn’t stop herself; not that she really even tried. Desperate nips and teasing flicks of her tongue turned deeper, as her head tiled to the side for more access, with a needy moan. Kino couldn’t get enough, couldn’t give enough. She didn’t stop until her lungs burned, leaving her panting, and still her tongue flicked out in teasing stokes to her lover’s lips.

“Don’t think...I ever will,” Kino shook her head, her voice a heated whisper between passionate kisses. “I need you too, babe...The way you make me feel…” a computer chime sounded suddenly, followed by the familiar droning voice, as Kino whined “Noo.”

“Alert – there is 30 minutes of reserved time remaining for this program.”

“Ugh. Must have lost the bulk of our time when I skipped ahead earlier.” A silver head dropped to the pillow as the Trill huffed a laugh, still cradling Reika’s face in her hands, trying not to giggle at the interruption. “Fuckin’ unfortunate,” she smirked, arching a brow up. “Can always keep lovin’ on ya at my place though, if y’want,” Kino suggested, wiggling her hips a bit just to tease Reika, while her hands tucked platinum locks behind blue ears. “I just wanna spend more time with ya, regardless,” she grinned as her head tilted, blinking up at the Andorian warmly.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] attn: @Dumedion


Reika had made what felt like a sacred confession to the guardian of her heart when she said, “I’m better than I think I’ve ever been.” 

But to hear Kino’s response, “Me too.”  Sober, portentous, significant words.  The Andorian almost couldn’t contain her joy.  Everything in her needed Kino to find satisfaction in her arms, in her lips, in her fingertips.  She needed to complete this amazing woman who lay under her.  Her antenna wobbled almost drunkenly - as if she was intoxicated - and as they noticeably quivered, it was out of need and desire, not alcohol.

And at every touch of blue tongue or fingertips, pleasant, needy noises dripped from Kino’s lips, pale skin pressed into every caress of blue - almost as if every inch of the Trill needed to be lavished at once.  I’m here. I will tend you - all of you.  Every space on your skin that cries for affection, for the moist warmth of my lips, that yearns for a brush of fingertips, that pleads for heady pressure.  All of it. Her mouth wordlessly communicated with every stroke.

But as she nourished each centimeter of skin her lips could reach at that moment, pale fingers pushed into her hair, gently turning her head to drink in her lover’s aqua orbs.  “I...aah, wasn’t done...kissing you, though.”

A smile wound across azure lips.  “Oh really?”  She let herself be guided back to Kino’s face, eager to fulfill her every need, all the while pale legs wrapped around the cornflower waist.  It was everything Reika could do not to press herself into that pelvis that dangled - for the moment - just out of her reach.  But that kiss…  That kiss drew every ounce of her attention as Kino pulled her close - gentle at first and then more pressure, more intensity, more tongue, more teeth, more lips, more of every crevice in and around their mouths.  Needy, playful, strong, submissive, gentle, passionate - all of it wrapped up in one kiss that culminated in the words, “I need you too, babe...The way you make me feel…”

And just as midnight lips began to descend again to satisfy that need, the computer chirped, “Alert – there is 30 minutes of reserved time remaining for this program.”

Her antenna drooped slightly.  No, it’s too soon.  There’s too much of Kino left to learn.  Too much left to love.  Too much left undone.

But as if Kino could once again read her thoughts, she said, “Can always keep lovin’ on ya at my place though, if y’want.”

Reika shook her head almost in unbelief at both the complete understanding of her parter and at the implied question.  “If I want?” Reika asked.  “Do you really have to ask?” she laughed as she pressed her body into the pale one beneath her and brushed her nose and lips across their pale counterparts.  Blue lips whispered into pale ears, “If we get going here, there’s no telling where we’ll be or what we’ll be doing when everything disappears.  As much as I don’t want to, we should probably get dressed now. But I promise to make it worth your wait.”  She drew a line down into the valley between Kino’s breasts as she grinned slyly at her lover.

After one last quick kiss  or else she would lose her resolve to change locations - Reika pressed her hands into the mattress and pushed herself up off of Kino.  As she climbed across Kino toward the edge of the bed, she grinned back.  “You could always help me get dressed, not quite as fun as getting undressed, but for the moment, it could do.”  She offered her paramore her hands, and giving her a strong playful pull so that a moment later, Kino almost bounded into a standing position in front of her.  Reika swatted the pale, plump butt cheek playfully before turning to find her clothes.  As she walked away, she wagged her ass as Kino and glanced over her shoulder with a ‘come and get me’ grin.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]“Just making sure,” Kino laughed with Reika, a short giggle that transformed into a warm hum. Given her current physical state, and knowing the clock was ticking, she did her best to wrestle some semblance of self control over her urges. Reika – the gorgeous, sweet soul that she was – wasn’t exactly helping; between the teasing touch of her lips and the breath on her ear as their bodies pressed together, the Trill's libido never waned. Mentally, she cursed the stupid holodeck timer for the interruption, but the soft, sultry tone whispered from blue lips provoked a playful smile regardless. A silver head nodded, in complete agreement, as blue fingers trailed down between her breasts.

Kino sighed out a low growl of amusement as the blue beauty pulled away. “What am I gonna do with you,” she whispered through a grin, as blue and pink lips met again in a quick peck.

The prospect of helping Reika dress seemed just as much fun to her. Mhm, I can do that, she bit her bottom lip, grinning as she nodded; as the Andorian crawled over her, Kino let her hands feather down blue skin as she admired the view, following just behind. “Just means I get to peel them off again,” her brows wagged playfully, as Reika pulled her up off the bed to stand before her, hip cocked with a smirk. “Maybe I’ll just use my mouth next ti–“ a playful smack to her ass interrupted the teasing comment, which provoked Kino to half yelp, half giggle – then she watched as a blue booty wiggled with the dawn of a mischievous grin, only for her. Instinctual prey drive kicked in, lips pursed as Kino shot her best oh I don’t think so look right back, closing the distance in two quick strides, reaching out for a blue hand.

Fingers entwined as she pulled Reika back and spun her around – but Kino didn’t stop moving forward. Her hands gripped blue hips as their chests squished together with an amused and aroused gasp before Kino’s lips latched onto Reika’s throat. “No hit and runsies,” she mumbled as her mouth worked with every step until the Andorian’s back bumped into the wall. One hand slid down to squeeze a blue cheek, the other down the outside of a velvety thigh, as the limb rose to wrap around her.

Clock is ticking her mind quipped; Kino tried her best to ignore it – occupied as she was. A few more minutes wont hurt. Both hands fell under Reika then to lift the slightly taller Andorian with a grunt, using the wall as leverage while her mouth feasted – leaving discolored skin in its wake. As her lips traveled north in suckling nips along the Andorian’s pulse, she felt blue limbs wrap tighter around her body. Kino breathed into Reika’s ear, before her mouth captured a lobe in a heated embrace.
 
After a moment of suckling, tugging, and teasing bites, soft lips released their prize to nibble up along the bottom of Reika’s jaw and chin – before locking onto midnight lips once again. Kino held nothing back, lavishing blue lips and tongue with all her heart and soul – lost in the moment. With another grunt, she  adjusted her stance wider, pressing her body tighter into the Andorian pinned to the wall; the tantalizing feeling of nails on her scalp, as blue hands dug into her hair, pulled their lips apart with a groan. “Can’t get enough of you,” the words tumbled from her lips in a rush between gasps, before blue and pink crashed together again; spoken from the heart, heated with passion. Hips rocked into motion, as the fiery core of her lover’s sex burned into Kino’s lower abs. She could feel her own wetness, too; a pulsing need, aching in intensity, practically dripping now.

Still, in the back of her mind, Kino knew this wasn’t helping the situation at all; she could practically see the seconds counting down in her head somehow. Clock is ticking, a nagging voice chorused that just wouldn’t shut up – no matter how hard she tried to ignore it. Gradually, the frenzied need burning within her subsided, as reasoning returned – barely. Deep, frantic kisses mellowed to shallow nips, gentle suckles. A groan of frustration bubbled up from her chest as she reluctantly broke her lips away from Reika’s; a pale nose brushed against blue as their foreheads rested against each other. “S-sorry,” Kino panted, “We s-should…probably get going…” her voice trailed off as her eyes lifted to gaze into deep, steamy blues.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] attn: @Dumedion

“What am I going to do with you?” Kino asked her. 

So many ideas ran through her head.  Incredible mental pictures flew into her mind.  Places, positions, playtoys, and an incredible number of other things - many of which almost made her blush and all of which incredibly turned her on.  “Oh,” she said.  Her face lit up, and her eyes practically glowed.  “I can think of plenty of things that you can do with me, but we’ll have to save that for another time since we’re on the clock,” before giving a quick peck and climbing over her paramore to get to the edge of the bed.

But before she knew it, her hand was grabbed, she was spun around, and Kino’s chest was mushed up against her own.  A cheshire grin spread across her face as pale hands gripped her hips, and she was systematically walked backward with Kino attached to her neck like a loving vampire hungry not for blood but for their mutual pleasure.

But before long, Reika bumped into the wall.  There was nowhere to run but forward, and in front of her was a sexy, voluptuous, seductive woman.  Then a pale hand reached back and squeezed her rump.  Reika’s back arched slightly, and she lifted her knee to run along Kino’s side, but as she did, she decided to wrap her leg around Kino’s waist.

And almost as if on cue, Kino grabbed both sides of her rump and suspended her against the wall.  A needy groan escaped the Andorian’s lips.  Never - never before had she ever experienced sex like this.  Every aspect of physical - emotional connection - a need to not just please, but to satisfy.  To satisfy every vital craving, every wanton urge, every tender wish.  And for her partner to feel emotionally satisfied - to feel cherished, needed, desired, ravished, and ….  And there was another word that Reika refused to add to the end of the list - a word that she couldn’t utter or allow herself to dream of or believe in - yet.

Blue legs and arms wrapped even tighter around the Trill, in complete trust that she wouldn’t fall.  Head tilted to give Kino greater access to her earlobe.  Next time, I’m not wearing earrings! She chided herself, thinking how much more amazing it would have felt to have had naked lobes too.

Reika couldn’t close her lips.  Panted breaths came and went and couldn’t be hindered.  So many sensations - lips and tongue suckling searching.  Pale hands supporting and yet exploring as blue hips squirmed both out of need and enjoyment. 

Blue and pink lips once again crashed into each other - and Kino kissed her in a way that Reika hadn’t yet experienced - no inhibitions, no restraints, no suppression.

Blue hands wandered, caressed,  but then as Kino turned up the heat with the kiss, claws came out.  Never harsh - but sensuous.  Mismatched colored lines showed across the peach back as nails raked across the skin.  But the sumptuous kiss continued, and her fingers slid up into Kino's hair,  grasping the shirt silver stands.  Finally, her head began to swim from lack of oxygen, and her fingers clasped into the hair harder and pulled the lips apart - just enough for a gasp of air.

"Can't get enough of you."

"I know!”  Reika cried between gulps of air.  “I need more of you too.”  She leveraged herself back against the wall and pressed her hips into the pale abdomen as Kino pushed forward again, and the feel of Kino’s hips rocking against such a sensitive spot, her own need growing exponentially by the moment, and she could only guess from Kino’s responses how badly she needed satisfaction - completion.

But heated kisses mellowed to tender ones.  Bodies pressed as closely as they could be - released the pressure between them.  Reika unwrapped her legs from around Kino, no longer sure that the Trill could hold her up as foreheads nestled against each other.  The Andorian heard the “We s-should … probably get going…”  spoken between gasps from pink gems.

“No…”  The word tumbled out between the Andorian’s hot, heavy breaths. “Not now… Maybe before,”  It was hard to catch her breath even as the intensity of her arousal. “But not yet … not after that.”

Ice-colored eyes were laced with fire and bore into the mismatched ones across from her.   Blue arms held the other woman close as they huffed breaths into the space between them.  “Computer, time to program completion.”

“Twenty-two minutes remain in the allotted time.”

“Computer, alert us when five minutes remain.”

“Alert will be given in seventeen minutes.”

Reika looked directly into her lovers eyes.  Eyelids fluttered as she worked to catch her breath.   Her voice lowered and took on a breathy quality.  “We’re not going anywhere just yet … not until I’ve brought you pleasure.”

And while her back had been back against the wall, she gently pushed forward about three steps until she abruptly lowered her shoulder, and grasping the back of Kino’s legs, she picked the Trill up so that the peach waist was planted over a blue shoulder.  Feeling her lover’s surprise, a giggle penetrated the blue lips.  She spun the Trill around once and, a moment later, carefully set her down on the bed in a seated position with a little plop.  “No,” she shook her head, her look as serious as a garden on Vulcan’s need for water, she said,  “we’re not done here,” she whispered intently.  “Not just yet.”  A mischievous smile wound across her face, as a single finger pressed into a pale sternum, softy pressing Kino backward until she was lying.  A moment later, Reika sat straddling the Trill’s pelvis, and she lowered her torso until once again the women were face to face, and Reika’s lips could no longer contain their need to show this woman in her arms pleasure.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Uh oh, sounds serious, she thought playfully, as a dark brow twitched up with a mischievous smirk at Reika’s reaction. Kino nipped at blue lips teasingly even as the Andorian panted and set a new reminder for the time they had left in the holosuite. A heated breath escaped puffy pink lips at the unbound desire in her lover’s eyes – deep blue enflamed from within, burning with intensity. What ya got in mind, she nearly whispered, but before she could even form words Reika stated her intentions hotly – directly – in a way that made her entire body throb with want. The Trill hummed a low purr, as she was pushed back, then squealed with a surprised giggle as she was hoisted up over a blue shoulder.

So much for getting dressed, Kino bit her lip, grinning as she was carried to the bed, bursting with anticipation. Once she was set down, she couldn’t help but cock her head up at the Andorian coyly as a blue hand pushed her back onto the mattress; insanely aroused at the tone of her voice, that flash of domination. “Guess I’m not going anywhere, then,” Kino purred playfully, knowing damn well Reika was already beyond the point of no return; the Andorian’s commanding aura set her loins ablaze – accepting no argument – not that Kino had any to give. In that moment, all she cared about was the sultry blue woman crawling her way atop a spotted body, claiming what was hers.

She’d never felt so wanted; so desired. The Andorian straddled her hips then slowly lowered her body into Kino’s and without even knowing it, Reika fulfilled one of the fantasies that had lingered in the Trill’s mind all day: pinned beneath her gorgeous eyes, at her mercy, powerless – ready to be devoured. Soft lips brushed together, parted, embraced. Kino’s hands flitted up blue skin, pushed into white locks; then a moan of need as she squirmed, desperate for release, as her tongue danced with its counterpart. More, please, her body cried out, as a hand left platinum hair to a blue thigh and pushed the limb away; hips shifted, tilted, and pale spotted legs rose up as both hands gripped blue cheeks.

“I’m all yours,” Kino breathed into blue lips that consumed her, fulfilled her, left her desperate for more. The tip of her tongue flicked out across them, then slid between them, as their hands found each other, fingers entwined like their bodies. Kino’s arched up as pink locked onto blue in a deep, soulful kiss. Ever so slowly, she raised her arms up over her head in complete submission – then let go; allowing herself to be pleased, to be selfish – trusting that Reika would enjoy it as much as she did.

The Andorian didn’t disappoint; Kino sensed a charge in the air – a spark – an almost electric current that leapt into and out of her lover, felt it in the subtle change of her movements. Yes, honey – take me, Kino’s mind and heart cried out, leaving her body in a throaty moan.

She felt Reika’s hands leave hers to trail down her arms. Blue orbs gazed down at her between rapid blinks, as those lips she adored moved off to pounce on an ear. Kino’s eyes fell closed as her head turned with a moan, rolling up in her skull. A shiver coursed through her entire body, as her own hands linked together, resting over her forehead. No one had ever gotten her this hot before – poised on the brink of rapture just by kissing! She could feel her pulse pounding, as every cell in her body yearned for more.

The wet furnace on her ear moved again, as the Andorian continued. Kino felt hands roam her body – kneading, caressing – as her lover’s mouth traveled. The first heated brush of a mouth on a pink nipple forced a gasp from her lungs, then a whimper at the graze of teeth, finally a soundless moan at an impassioned suckle. A hand dipped low, sliding along the taunt line of her pelvis, into the soft velvet of an inner thigh. “Nnnnh,” the Trill groaned, arching her body up into the sensations – shifting her leg open at the gentle touch – as her head pushed down into the mattress. “Reika – f-fuck,” she panted, breath hitched in quiet gasps while her abs flexed at the blue skin sliding across it, and the wet kisses that followed. Creamy, spotted hips rolled up in shuddering movements as quivering thighs parted – as her hands fell to clutch heaving mounds...

OOC - character use authorized by @Dree - just for transparency ;)

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] attn: @Dumedion


There was no going back.  Reika needed to experience and satisfy herself with every aspect of Kino, to taste, caress, hear, and more.  As lips came together and pale hands found their way into white hair, Reika’s antenna wobbled almost uncontrollably.  She needed this woman in the best and worst way.  Mouths continued their dance, twisting here, and lunging there.  Pulling back and advancing.  Intertwining and releasing.  All of it, and as they did, she felt her leg pushed slightly to the side, and pale legs elevated themselves, and pale hands firmly grasped a blue ass - both cheeks at the same time. 

Reika pushed back into both hands and legs, enjoying the pressure.  “I’m all yours.” Reika didn’t just hear it.  She felt it.  She felt it in every minute move of hands, in every grasp on her skin.  In every move of their mouths, in every pressure of torsos created by Kino’s arching back. 

“You are mine,” Reika whispered.  “And I will have you.  Every part of you.”  Blue and pale peach hands intertwined and circled outward along the mattress until they were over Kino’s head.  Once in place, Reika’s fingers trailed down feathered touches over the pale arms, down the side of the spotted head, and further down to the plump and pleasing breasts, where they lingered exploring and kneading as her lips kissed a line from Kino’s mouth to her ear.  Blue lips blew across her ear, and then paused before they pounced, engulfing the lower lobe while her heated breaths exhaled into the ear.  She wanted Kino.  She needed Kino - all of her- and soon. 

That need moved her lips on.  They trailed down the line of spots down the neck, further past shoulders, to the side of her breasts, lifting herself up once she arrived, she looked directly into Kino’s eyes to make sure she could see, the look of delight as her lips descended onto a puckered pink nipple.  Just a brush at first, then a nip of her teeth, then - a pause - an enduring pause, waiting for mismatched eyes to find her, and as she saw them open almost if in a prayer, Reika swallowed up as much of the mounded flesh as she could.  Soft suckles, hard nips, whole mouth, then a tongue circling around an areola teasingly before once again descending to take as much as she could. 

But in the midst of it, she could feel Kino’s pelvis begin to wiggle more and more as if her need was so great that she had to try to do something - anything - to begin the process of satisfying it.   So as the azure lips continued to enjoy their playful game, blue legs readjusted themselves, and two sets of fingers grazed the inside of both pale thighs. 

A blue head left its previous playground, and lips worked their way down the midline of the ivory body.  Suckles, kisses, licks - lower and lower until lips reached a second hairline.  A nose brushed through the bush, exhaling slowly.  Heated breaths teased the sensitive area, and fingers slipped higher from thighs until they grazed the sensitive nodule while lips continued to wander just above.  A circle of fingers - just around the area - taunting until, almost as if by accident, they slipped across before flitting away again.

But Reika could tell that Kino’s need was growing, moans, groans, and almost incessant growls were flowing from between needy lips on both ends.  A long finger slipped lower between achingly wet gentle folds of skin, before regressing and finding their mark again, but this time with dampened fingers.  More noises, more movement of hips, but Reika’s hands reached out and firmly pressed thighs into place so that Kino could hardly wiggle, and as she did, her mouth lowered from the bush swallowing up the soft nodule.  Just a touch, then a flick - all while holding the Trill’s legs in place. 

Pale fingers dug into white hair and pressed against the back of the head.  It was almost as if she couldn’t bring her hips to blue lips, she needed to move the lips to her needy clit.  And feeling that need, Reika stopped holding back.  No more gentle teasing flicks, no soft suckles.  Her mouth descended entirely, sucking hard on Kino’s sex.  One blue leg pinned a pale peach one leaving a hand free, which flitted up the inside of a thigh until it easily slipped inside a crevice made just for her.  One finger, then two, pressing into the soft velvety skin inside her lover while her mouth worked its magic.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]It started with a whimper, somewhere in the timeless moments between kisses. Kino couldn’t tell how much time had passed and was utterly beyond caring, simply consumed in the moment. Her body was firmly in control, higher brain functions overridden; willingly enslaved to pleasure, bound by blue, and loving every bit of it. The sound tore from her throat as Kino arched into every touch of the wonderfully skilled azure mouth on pale skin. A silvered head lifted, only to fall back hard into the mattress as her eyes rolled in a silent, open mouthed moan. Reika’s hands were instruments of bliss; every teasing touch, every grasping clutch – all of it – sent the Trill closer and closer to the precipice. She couldn’t control the quivers in her thighs and was powerless to stop her hands from wandering; one alternated between a fistful of sheets and her own curved flesh, as another gripped platinum hair, only for them to trade places seconds or moments later.

The wet, suckling sounds of the Andorian’s efforts between her thighs reached Kino’s ears, punctuated with every thunderous beat of her heart. She couldn’t move her hips, yet they still jerked in the attempt. That restraint fueled her lustful need even more – turning it darker, more intense – desire flavored with the threat of helplessness. Her body begged for the Andorian to continue, but nearly an instant later, her sex exploded with the indescribable sensation of Reika’s talented fingers and mouth. Kino’s fingers pinched a diamond-hard nub between her knuckles on instinct, as the hand buried in Reika’s hair withdrew to clamp over pink lips. The moan she attempted to stifle was muffled, but only barely. Incoherent speech followed - littered with impassioned profanities - but as the digits within pulsed in time with the lap of Reika's tongue, words were abandoned for panted gasps, while her body shuddered in climax. Abs flexed. Legs locked in waves of intensity, as both her hands flung out to clench the sheets. Still, her lover’s attentions never faltered – never even slowed down. A deep, guttural growl bubbled up from within, an animalistic release through barely parted lips, set in a grimace of ecstasy. Just when she thought the wave had peaked - as if the wave of euphoric release wasn’t enough – Kino lost all control as the orgasm continued, amplified by the deft motions of blue from within, and the delicious suction on her clit from without. Hips bucked uncontrollably. Senses swam in a rush of endorphins powerful enough to leave her utterly breathless.

Seconds passed. Moments. Kino seemed to drift in and out of herself, managing only to breathe, as her mind reeled itself back into something close to coherence.

In the aftermath, through fluttering lids, Kino became aware enough to realize spasms wracked her entire body, as every nerve misfired; trying to get to what she wanted most. “R-Reika,” pink lips whispered between ragged breaths, as a weak, shaky hand cupped her lover’s beautiful face. The other fell to her heaving chest, as weak legs fell limp to the mattress. Aqua colored eyes peeked down under droopy lids, as a warm, sleepy, loving smile curled one corner of her lips. A finger curled in a come hither gesture. As blue and white filled her vision, she couldn’t shake the feeling of how much she loved gazing into those brilliant blue eyes, and the warmth within them; a fire, lit by both, just for them.

Her eyes fell closed with a hum as she felt Reika’s body slide into place. In that moment, Kino wanted to curl up into that embrace for the rest of her life; free from everything, wrapped up in the only thing that really mattered – being with someone who cared – that needed care too. Both hands cupped blue cheeks, gently stroked by her thumbs. Kino couldn’t speak, not yet, so she let her lips carry the message to Reika between slowly calming breaths: Thank you honey. For choosing me. For rolling the dice. For this, and everything to come. One gentle nip after the other, until her eyes slowly blinked open, and the Trill recovered enough to smile drunkenly with a satisfied hum.

“Something tells me we’re gonna spoil the hell out of each other,” Kino whispered, brows arching up at Reika playfully as she stifled a chuckle. “That's all I wanna do right now. But if we don't stop, babe –"

“Alert – five minutes now remain for this program.”

“Ah, shit,” Kino laughed, as they both scurried to get up out of bed, giggling and cursing in equal measure.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] attn: @Dumedion

Despite - or perhaps because of - holding Kino’s thighs in place, Reika could feel Kino’s need for fulfillment grow.  So she redoubled her efforts, wanting nothing but to bring Kino pleasure, fulfillment, joy, and understanding that they both belonged - belonged together.  And with her tender, graceful ministrations, it was only moments later, that Kino exploded in climax.  Even then Reika didn’t immediately let up.  She had to know that everything that Kino wanted and needed was completely fulfilled.

And when that time came, it came with a vengeance, uncontrollable spasms of certain parts, stiffening of others, a growl followed by gasping for air before the utter stillness that followed the release.  Blue lips released their hold, but gave a gentle kiss to the second set of pale lips, blue fingers glided out of their hiding place, and Reika released Kino’s thighs pushing back onto all fours watching her lover’s face as it lost some of the intensity as her climax began to wane ever so slowly.

The view was breathtaking.  Everything from the short-haired garden, to flat plains of Kino’s abs,  on to the beautiful tipped mountains to a gentle, curve of the chin and cheeks up to the wells of Kino’s soul.  And as she observed the pale beauty, a solitary word broke from pink lips.  “R-Reika.”  There couldn’t be a more beautiful sound than her name lovingly, needily crooned from those lips.  Then a pink finger beckoned her up, and Reika prowled up the beautiful body to slide into a spot just under her arm while draping a blue arm across the pale abdomen, resting her head just underneath Kino’s chin.

But as Kino lifted the blue chin around and took Reika’s face in both of her hands, lips gently merged once again.  Just tender kisses and nips, but ones that seemed to communicate so much more than tenderness.  Reika smiled in return between the kisses, her eyes shown with a brightness that betrayed the extreme contentment.  And when Kino smiled at her she couldn’t contain herself, “Oh, gorgeous, I love it here, wrapped in and around you.”

But before Kino could respond, the computer chirped, “Alert, Five minutes now remain for this program. ”

Pink rolled one way, blue rolled the other, but laughing, they scrambled to find their clothes. As Reika left the room, it was hard to see.  During the intervening time, the sun had completely set.  The air felt like the perfect temperature on her skin, though she doubted that Kino would find it so.  She knew that her panties and shorts were near the pool, by the light from the room, she could find her underwear, but not her shorts. 

She slipped one foot through a leg hole while she continued looking for her shorts, and almost stumbled as she tried to put her other foot in while she turned around.  “Shit,” she said steadying herself on one of the tables at a corner of the pool.  She hiked them up awkwardly as she clambered for her shirt. 

As she made her way over to where they had started on the couch, she almost ran into Kino who was shimmying into her camo shorts.  Finding her black tank, she stood, but unable to contain herself, she snapped it against the Trill’s ass before scampering back to find her shorts as she slipped an arm into her shirt before she realized that she had the shirt on backwards.  “Damn!” she said trying to turn the shirt around before this was her one-armed shirt.  She took it off and tried it again as she searched for her shorts.

“Sweet cheeks, have you seen my shorts?  I can’t find them."  She looked everywhere around the pool.  “Damn, did they fall in?  Computer, outdoor lights.”

The lights came on and she quickly all the way around the pool.  "I still can’t find them."  And with that, the computer program ended, and there in the middle of the area where the pool sat a pair of sopping wet shorts.

Reika walked over and picked up the dripping shorts.  She tried to wring them out without much avail.  She turned to face Kino, and with a mischievous grin on her face, she stalked slowly back over, her shorts in her hand.  “Was this you?   Just wanted to keep me naked, huh?” she teased holding up her shorts.  “I mean, I couldn’t blame you if you did.”  She reached out for her hand. 

But as she did, the holodeck door opened, and a boisterous group bounded in before seeing a half-naked Andorian holding a pair of wet shorts near a Trill’s face.  Reika slowly turned around to face the group then burst into laughter and pulled the - still oozing - shorts into place.  She grasped the pale hand and headed for the exit.  “Careful not to slip,” she giggled as the women made it into the hallway.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Holodeck 04 | Deck 21 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]She couldn't stop laughing even as she scrambled off the bed and made a beeline for the chair by the door. The duty uniform there was scooped up, the gold undershirt tugged on to hang around her neck, jacket and trousers flung over a shoulder. Panties were stuffed in shoes along with socks. Ain't wasting time with that, Kino smirked, then spun and followed Reika out into the dark, blinking as her organic eye adjusted - but could see just fine thanks to the cybernetic one - as she made her way to the couch by the pool. Her stride slowed in the dark, mostly to avoid running into Reika, but also because she loved and enjoyed the view. Bouncy, bouncy, she grinned; brows arched in amusement as the Andorian pulled her underwear up with a bit of a struggle, trying to find her shorts that had gone MIA.

Kino giggled as a blue booty bumped into hers, then yelped after the pop of Reika's shirt hitting her bare ass while she shimmied the camo shorts up over her thighs. "Oooh that's gonna cost you," Kino promised with a laugh as her eyes narrowed and threw a playful 'now you're in for it' look at the Andorian over her shoulder. "We'll find 'em. Hang on," she added as an arm slipped into her undershirt, tugging it down her torso as she glanced around for Reika's shorts. Yet as the lights came on, they were no where to be seen. "Shit, must have," Kino frowned in agreement, wondering how the hell that happened. Coulda swore I took them off before we went in, the Trill's brows met as she tilted her head in confusion, then blinked as the familiar gold on black grid appeared as the holodeck reset.

"Oh, there they are," she smirked, pointing to the sopping wet pile just before Reika picked them up and wrung them out. "Told ya we'd find 'em," she winked and finished zipping her shorts up with a grin. As her lover sauntered over, Kino's brows rose at the playful accusation as her head tilted the other way with a thoughtful hum. "I wouldn't have put them in the pool - but I would certainly have hid them, if that was the case," the Trill grinned, as she bit her lip. "Cause I do plan on keeping you naked, as often as possible."

Then the door opened and Kino chuckled at the pair of crewmen who looked ready for a hiking adventure. "Yes, do mind the puddles, boys," she whispered to them quite seriously as they passed, then busted out laughing once they made it out into the corridor. Shoes in one hand, the other wrapped up in blue, Kino grinned at Reika as they walked to the turbolift. "C'mon, lets get you outta those wet shorts," she smirked as they entered the lift, brows wiggling as the doors closed.

[Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02]

"Reeds, you in," the Trill called out as she entered the shared living area, pausing to listen from her roommate's door. After a moment, a shoulder lifted in a shrug as she turned to Reika. "Guess not. C'mon in," her lips curled with a nod, gesturing to the room. "Its a bit smaller than those officer quarters of yours, but its still nice. Code's the same as the one I sent you for the holodeck, by the way," her cybernetic eye clicked quietly with a wink over her shoulder, as the non-com walked up to her bedroom door.

After a few taps of pale, slender digits, the door opened to reveal a warmly lit room of standard furnishings. Beyond the viewport over her bed lay a black sea of stars; a Federation flag hung over it. Two closed wooden boxes sat on a shelf, with several other mementos: a rusted K-Bar - the blade warped almost to the point of fracture - with a picture of a young looking group of Starfleet recruits sat next to it. The rest of the shelf held various bits of weapon components, none of which were serviceable. A compound bow hung on the opposite wall, over two tubes of arrows. The bed was tightly made, in keeping with Kino's rather strict policy of tidiness, but along the top of her footlocker lay several dozen PADDS in a haphazard stack and what appeared to be a mess of disassembled parts and pieces of an orb shaped device of some kind, which she duly ignored.

"Sorry about the mess. Make yourself at home," the Trill grinned over her shoulder as she made her way to the closet to hang up her uniform. "We can see if I got some shorts that fit, if you want? Or you can just...sit right there and be beautiful," she nodded to the bed with a playful smirk, "and I can help you out of 'em again."

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy]  attn: @Dumedion

Squish, squish, ooze, drip, drop.  Everywhere Reika walked, she trailed droplets of water which continued to dribble down her long legs as the dripping shorts settled low around her hips, leaving her low mid-riff and belly button exposed.  She didn’t even want to get too close to Kino lest she get her soaked in the process.

But as the turbolift slowed to a stop at Kino’s deck, Reika stood away from the wall she’d been leaning against.  “Good thing I haven’t stolen something, cause I’d be way too easy to track,” she laughed as she glanced over her shoulder where she left a wet butt print against the bulkhead.  “Case in point,” she said as she tried (and failed) to wipe it up with her hand.  With a shrug, she let herself be led down the corridor to Kino's quarters.

A moment later she looked back at the flooded trail from the vantage point of Kino’s door.  Good thing we’re almost inside cause I’m really starting to feel my skin puckering up on me.  And in less than a blink they were in.

Roommate - Reeds.  So noted.  Code.  Code?  Oh yeah!  Permission to come aboard, has been granted. She chuckled at the Trill’s wink.

And as they entered Kino’s room Reika took a moment walking around her room.  She was invited to make herself at home, so she took her time.  She started across from the bed with the tube of arrows and the bow.  She ran a finger down the string.  It’s not a weapon that the Andorian had ever used before, and it admittedly intrigued her. 

But shortly after she wound her way to the shelves.  She picked up the knife very gently - understanding that while used, warped, and rusted, it was a treasure.  As she held the blade, she realized that there were similarities between herself and that blade and that blade held a premier place on Kino’s shelves.  And while she knew where she stood with the Trill now, this understanding reinforced her belief about where she could stand with the Trill even in the future.  With a great deal of tenderness, she set the K-bar back into place.

But right next to the knife was a picture.  Her eyes flowed over the different recruits, picking out her girlfriend and trying to note the differences between her there and the women in the room with her at the moment.  She could see a couple of small anomalies between the woman in the picture and the Kino that she knew - definitely several years eight or maybe nine?  “You were young,” Reika said glancing over her shoulder with a gentle smile extending her hand to the pale-skinned woman.  As Kino joined her, Reika stood behind her, and wrapped her arms around her waist and rested her head over her shoulder as the two studied the picture, but barely several seconds later, she realized that she was getting Kino wet.

“I could stay here like this … almost forever,” she breathed out, “But then we’d both be soaked.  How about helping me outta these things, and then you can tell me about the picture and who that Kino was.”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]After stowing her uniform and grabbing a couple of towels, the Trill turned at Reika’s comment. Her eyes flicked from the eyes and smile she couldn't get enough of, to the picture and back; pink lips curled as she took the blue hand offered. The towels were dropped on the bed as she felt Reika’s arms wrap her up; Kino rested her head back onto a blue shoulder and took a deep breath, leaning into the embrace. It felt wonderful - the dampness spreading across her butt and lower back completely ignored – as her eyes lingered on the picture and just enjoyed the feeling of peace for a few seconds.

The image captured a moment of victory just before she graduated Boot. Nine recruits – clad in mud-stained PT uniforms – huddled close together. Some fist bumped. Some flexed. One had her elbows draped over the shoulders of those next to her, smirking at the camera. Her silver hair was shorn much shorter then, her limbs lean and gangly with youth. Two bright, aqua hued eyes stared out of a spotted face in a fearless challenge to the world. Kino couldn’t help but grin at her younger self, surrounded by the first true friends she’d ever known. The original squad; all gone, now.

Seems like another life, Kino shook her head subtly. So much has changed since then. Reika’s soft words at her ear broke the reverie, though. The curl of pink lips bloomed into a true smile as Kino slowly turned to face her, still wrapped up in blue arms. “Not sure if you’d like her,” the Trill’s nose scrunched up briefly, before stealing a quick kiss. “She was wild. Loved to fight,” Kino shook her head with a huff of amusement, as her fingers slipped under Reika’s shirt and pulled it up. “A hothead, really. Stubborn, reckless, undisciplined,” she continued, still grinning, as the black fabric cleared Reika’s head to be dropped to the floor. “No sense of tact – no filter,” pink lips whispered against blues as a silver head tilted, while pale fingers undid the clasp and zipper of Reika’s shorts. The Trill stole another soft kiss as her thumbs hooked in and tugged them down over one blue hip at a time.

“Hm,” Kino hummed, “I guess you would like her, after all,” she whispered through a smile, as her hands pushed into curved blue skin that clung to the wet fabric, freeing them to fall to the Andorian’s ankles. “Oops, gotcha naked again,” the non-com grinned, then reached over to the bed for a towel. “We each got a blade after basic – I carried it everywhere. It’s seen better days,” Kino shrugged, “but so have I. Today though,” the grin returned as she wrapped Reika up in a towel; pressing herself close to pat the dampness from her lover’s body. “Well – todays been one for the books. I have you to thank for that, Miss sh'Laan, and for getting my ass wet, too,” dark brows rose and fell playfully with another kiss, before Kino stepped back to pull the golden undershirt up off her body with a sigh; a hand raked through her short hair immediately after out of habit.

“What about you,” her head tilted at Reika as the shirt was discarded to the side. “What were you like as a kid? Did you always want to join Starfleet?” A wry smile curled Kino’s lips, as she shimmied out of her shorts. “And is Andor really that cold? Y’know we’re gonna have to find a middle ground with that babe,” the Trill’s lips pursed as she straitened, hands rested on bare thighs. “Oh, that reminds me. Computer, lower ambient temperature ten centigrade.” A bleep of acknowledgement and a wink later, Kino leaned over to grab her own towel. “Figured I better try to get used to it now,” she shrugged with a smile.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy]  attn: @Dumedion

Reika’s eyes stayed focused on the picture for awhile.  Everyone in it looked so happy.  How many of them were still alive, let alone still happy?  Reika wondered and let out a slow exhale as she thought about the circumstances of the picture then and compared it with Kino’s circumstances now.  Granted, she didn’t know much of them, but even Kino herself was a different person.  Besides having lost that look of a blossoming youth, she was more hardened.  One eye was gone - replaced by a - just as piercing but -mechanical  one.  She was no taller, but the Trill had definitely filled out a little more, though - in all the right places.

Surprisingly, Reika enjoyed having several centimeters on the Trill.  She liked being able to stand behind her just like she was now, wrapping the other woman up in her arms with the pale body resting against her.  It was almost a perfect moment.  Then the Trill shifted in her arms to look at her.  ‘Those eyes,’ she thought.  ‘I could drink them in all day long.’  The kiss.  'And those luscious lips.  Damn, girl.  You aren’t perfect, but you’re perfect for me.’

“Not sure if you’d like her,” Kino spoke of her younger self.  “She was wild.  Loved to fight.  A hothead really.  Stubborn, reckless, undisciplined.”  And by the time the Trill said, “No sense of tact - no filter,” Reika’s shirt was dropped onto the floor eliciting a cocked grin at the Trill who was already working on unfastened the - still - very damp shorts while their foreheads rested against each other, mouths just centimeters apart.  But her panties seemed determined not to be loosed from her body until Kino’s fingers slipped between them and blue skin extracting them from her derriere and letting them fall to the ground, where Reika stepped out of them while Kino grabbed a towel and began to wrap it around her lanky body. 

Another kiss.  Reika was torn.  She wanted to know everything - hear everything - about her girlfriend.  And there was years to catch up on, but she also just wanted to remain wrapped up in each other without words, just holding one another.  ‘Learning could take place by osmosis too, right?’ she quipped to herself.

Once Kino was wrapped in her own towel, Reika stepped back up and slipped her arms around her waist once again, pulling theTrill to her.  She rubbed noses with the woman. “You don’t need to do that for me, ya know.  I’ve acclimated to standard temperatures shipside well enough.  And with four years on earth - granted, San Francisco isn’t the warmest place on the planet - but I did manage while I was in the Sol system.  And yeah,” she said, “Andor is that cold.  Summer temps are in the negative teens and twenties.  If we get above freezing, it’s only for a week or two all year, and as you can imagine, only in certain spots on the planet.  But,” she said, unwrapping her arms from around the Trill and leading her to the bed.  She climbed on and slid across to the far side.  She pillowed her head, but held her hand out for the Trill to join her. “I’ll keep you warm,”

Once they were both laying, she snuggled close, draping her arm around Kino’s waist, settling her hand on Kino’s rump.  “As for me,” she said, stealing a kiss. “It was my Zhavey’s suggestion to join Starfleet much to the chagrin of my Shreva.  I wasn’t 100% certain about it back when I started the application process, but looking back on it, I can’t see any other thing being right to do.  But it helped that one of my moms was in the Andorian military.  She had a better perspective on what I needed and where I would thrive.  It did cause some problems at home, but as I’m sure you can imagine, with four parents instead of just two, there was a lot more room for disagreements.” 

“What about your parents?"  Reika asked settling in close and brushing her blue lips across the pale ones.  "Were they for or against you going into Starfleet?”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Reika pulled her in just as Kino managed to wrap herself up; the towel cinched across her chest, covering her torso from bust to just below her ass. Light blue eyes twinkled as the distance between them closed to nothing; arms rose to drape over bare blue shoulders, eyes fell closed as her nose filled with the Andorian’s scent. The smile stayed on her lips as she listened to Reika’s voice, enjoying the simple intimacy of having someone close. Someone to hold. Such a powerful feeling – so easily given – yet equally taken for granted, overlooked; another moment to be cherished. You are a wonder to me, for what you do to me, Kino wanted to say – as she felt her heart melt in that simple embrace.

Not an easy thing to voice, though. Kino knew she was falling harder and faster with every kiss, every gentle touch, every smile. I can’t fight it. I don’t want to. It feels too damn good, pink lips curled, brushed against blues.

Aqua-colored orbs followed the Andorian as she moved away, one corner of her lips pulled up higher in a lopsided grin at Reika’s promise to keep Kino warm. You better, her eyes replied playfully before the Trill followed in a slow crawl onto the bed, to settle alongside her lover’s body. Kino’s forehead rested into Reika’s neck, beneath her jaw, as an arm draped over her torso to pull them closer, the other arm pinched between them, the hand resting between spotted thighs to keep warm. Her ear filled with Reika’s heartbeat and breath while she listened; fascinated and happy to learn more about the woman’s family – something Kino knew almost everyone had, yet had never really experienced herself. Ah, don’t ask about mine, her brows furrowed, just before Reika asked precisely that. Fuck, Kino stifled a chuckle.

“My parents,” the Trill sighed as her eyes closed. What parents, she wanted to laugh, shifting to rest her chin over the hand that raised to rest over the Andorian’s heart. “I don’t know,” she whispered, barely a breath. Pale shoulders twitched in a subtle shrug. “Haven’t seen or heard from my mom since I was a kid. Fell out pretty hard with dad before I got kicked off Trill. We…haven’t spoken since,” Kino frowned quickly, dark brows furrowed as she shook her head with another sigh. “It’s a long story honey. Doesn’t have a punchline, either,” she added dismissively with a touch of humor – not wishing to ruin the moment anymore than she already had. “I’ll tell you sometime. I promise. Just…not right now. Not when I'm here, in your arms. I…you make me feel…,” her voice trailed off as she rose, head resting on a hand, gazing into those glacial orbs filled with concern.

“You make me feel like none of that matters right now,” Kino finished. Her hand rose from Reika’s heart to cup a blue cheek, thumb caressing dark lips and soft skin. Because I have you, she wanted to say, but the words lodged in her throat. “No sad eyes,” she whispered instead, with a small smile at the…look in those beautiful eyes.

“Whatever they thought – whatever they think – doesn’t matter to me. It never did, really. I'm here – you’re here; that’s all that matters,” Kino finished with a nod, then waited for Reika to process everything she’d said and left unsaid.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy]  attn: @Dumedion

Oh, to have Kino nestled so close to her heart - with her head buried just beneath her chin.  Reika wondered if the Trill knew that every beat pulsed for her.  Every single da-dum called Kino’s name - chorused how precious she already was to the Andorian - sung of the renewed hope that now coursed through those very veins as she talked a little about her crazy family.

But then her question to Kino elicited a response she didn't expect, and as the Andorian listened to Kino’s short explanation about her own family, the weight of what she was saying hit her blue chest like a ton of lead.  Reika’s windpipe constricted more and more as blue ears listened to the tale.  The Trill was alone - truly alone.  She had no parents of which to speak.  From the way that Kino described her situation, Reika didn’t think she had any siblings either.  Azure eyes glistened with moisture, her brows knit, and cobalt lips drew together.  Blue hands gently massaged the back of the silver head, to communicate what she didn’t with her lips.  No longer.  Never again.  Not another heartbeat.  Sweet Cheeks you won't walk through life without a support at your side, without a shoulder to cry on, without a hand to hold.

“I’ll tell you sometime.  I promise.  Just …not right now.  Now when I’m here, in your arm.  I…you make me feel… You make me feel like none of that matters right now.  No sad eyes.”

Reika took a moment to gather herself - to do all that she could to set her feelings - that her heart ached for Kino - aside.  She smiled, and kissed the top of the pale head, her hands caressing the pale cheeks.

“Whatever they thought - whatever they think - doesn’t matter to me.  It never did, really.  I’m here - you’re here; that’s all that matters.”

She could no longer hold her thoughts and words back.  “Oh gorgeous.  I am here.  I’m with you. I won’t say that your parents don’t or won’t ever matter because we never know what the future will hold and how things might change.  But I will say that whether or not there is ever an attempt to reconcile with them, you are no longer alone.  I’m so glad that I can be here with you.  Knowing, gorgeous,  that I get to be the someone who makes those relationships less significant - that I can bring you joy.  That we can seek fulfillment together - that makes me genuinely happy.”

The Andorian pulled back a little and smiled down into those amazing mismatched eyes, then leaned her forehead against the Trill’s, and her antenna rubbed against the Trill’s head.  “Because I want you to be happy.  I want to be the source of much of your happiness.”  Blue lips kissed one cheek. “Intense happiness,”  A warm and wet kiss to the other cheek.  “I want learn how to surprise you with how happy we can be - together.”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Her head shook as Kino smiled in wonder – eyes bright as they took in every detail of Reika’s face – with every slow blink. Even as blue filled her vision, forcing them closed, the Trill hummed pleasantly. She giggled at the brush of those playful antennae; shifting her body higher up to lounge upon Reika’s lovely body. A hand rose to cup a blue cheek, as her nose slowly circled around its counterpart. “Off to a great start, Legs,” Kino giggled.

Happiness. Kino breathed Reika’s scent in, let her senses drown in the moment. She wasn’t alone anymore. Wasn’t bound to the only path she saw before, with only memories of other’s lives to coast on; glimpses into what-could-be, had she only chosen differently. Have I ever been happy? No shit, honest, fuck-my-life-is-amazing, happy? A huff of amusement answered that question, as the smile on her lips waned.

It won’t be easy – nothing worthwhile ever is. There will be battles to come, shit to deal with. It won’t be perfect, Kino told herself, even as her lips brushed against blues, planting small, gentle kisses to each corner of Reika’s. But for the chance to feel this? Every day? For all the time I have left? The Trill pulled back, opened her eyes, and grinned lopsidedly into those azure pools gazing back at her. Yeah, honey, I’m falling real hard for you. Even that mental admission sent goosebumps across her skin as a wave of emotions surged in her heart; for all the joy and excitement found in this new relationship, a small spark of fear dawned as well. Not the time, Kino blinked, and locked the fear away in its own compartment within her mind.

But Reika saw it – sensed it – somehow, with a twitch of her antennae; Kino took a breath, before answering the question in those soulful blue eyes. Lost under that gaze, the words spilled from her lips before she could stop them, whispered in complete honesty. “I...loved someone once. Fell for her, just like I'm falling for you – hard, head over fucking heels, practically overnight. She died before I could tell her. I promised myself I’d never open up to that kind of pain ever again,” her head tilted, frowning slightly as her brows knit together. “I want you to know that, to understand how I feel. To know that I…,” her voice trailed off, as her hand slid back down blue skin, over Reika’s heart.

“I meant what I said, Reika,” Kino breathed. “I want this. You. All of it, for as long as I can, and you can bet your pretty blue ass I’ll do everything I can to keep you.”

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy]  attn: @Dumedion

Reika watched as Kino’s brain seemed to be on overdrive thinking through her statement on making her happy and on finding happiness together.  And the Trill was happy.  Every discernable cue that Reika could see attested to it.  The gleam in her eye, the upward twist to her lips, the rate of her breath, the flush to her skin.  But this temporary happiness that Reika could see wasn’t all that she wanted for the Security officer.  She wanted real deep long-term happiness. 

And Kino seemed to understand the desire that Reika spoke of.  The brilliant mis-matched blue eyes spoke of a deep and abiding desire to be encompassed in that joy. 

And that in itself made the Andorian even more ebullient.  She couldn’t wipe her own inexpressible grin off of her face either.  They were together and they were happy.  But in the midst of it, the Trill’s eyes clouded over and her expression turned from happy to pensive to sad. Reika quirked her head, asking a question with her eyes.  Her antenna bowed over as if to understand the circumstances better.

Kino saw her question.  "I…loved someone once.   Feel for her,  just like I'm falling for you - hard,  head over fucking heals, practically overnight.  She died before I could tell her.  I promised myself I'd never open up to that kind of pain ever again." Her lover paused.  "I want you to know that,  to understand how I feel.  To know that I…"

"I meant what I said,  Reika.  I want this.   You.   All of it, for a long as I can,  and you can bet your pretty blue ass,  I'll do everything I can to keep you."

Reika finished her earlier sentence, but in question form, "To know that you…love me?"

The Andorian considered the possibility.   Love at first sight?  Is that what this is? she asked herself. I've had flings before.  That's not what this is.  I've had Barak, a regular and exclusive lover, until we parted ways upon my transfer to the Theurgy. That's not even what this is, she confirmed to herself. This is more real.  Weightier.

"You sure, Spots?" She asked,  settling her hand atop the pale one over her heart, pulling her close with the arm around her waist,  both while shaking her own head,  not out of unwillingness but out of disbelief that she could have a chance at honest,  daily,  committed-to-another's-good happiness. "No second thoughts?  No second guessing yourself? Cause I'm not much - not really. Just one heart looking for another to hold close,  as long as I draw breath."

She breathed into the space between them,  watching,  waiting,  holding her breath out of great anticipation as well as an iota of doubt.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Dark brows twitched together at Reika’s words as light blues blinked at the whispered question. The non-com's heart hammered in her ears as the silence stretched out between them, watching the debate in the Andorian’s eyes. Still, Kino held her breath, giving Reika time to process everything, while a tendril of fear wormed its way into the Trill's heart. Too soon. Kino, you idiot, her jaw clenched, fighting the surge of doubt and fear within.

Fear: an emotional response to a belief of imminent pain; a survival instinct, rooted deep within, reinforced by trauma. Kino knew fear; she faced it before – beat it back – drowned it in alcohol – exorcised it through bitter tears. I won’t let fear rule my life. Still – maybe she was wrong; maybe this was all too good to be true. Maybe things were moving entirely too fast. Maybe this was all just…infatuation. Desire. Nothing more. Maybe, what if, but what about…

No – fuck that, Kino closed her eyes, as her lips twitched down into a frown of determination. I won’t let fear rule my life – I won’t let it rule my heart. Even if it means more pain down the road – I refuse to live that way ever again.

Lips parted as her eyes opened, ready to state those exact words to Reika, but the Andorian’s spoke again; a series of questions, with a warm hand laid atop Kino’s, while the arm around her pulled the Trill closer to the woman she adored. Perhaps the most absurd, self-deprecating remark Kino had ever heard followed, before a seemingly simple request. With only a few words, Reika set the derailing thoughts and emotions back on track. Fear subsided; banished from Kino's mind and heart to flee back into the irrational recesses of both, where it belonged. Spots, huh? Kino huffed in amusement, as everything clicked into place.

“Not much?” Kino’s brows shot up as she shook her head with a huff of disbelief. One leg rose to drape over Reika’s body suddenly, as the Trill shifted back and up atop the Andorian, to straddle her hips. She sat like that for a few seconds, hands planted on the mattress, head tilted, gazing into those icy blues with loving bemusement. “Naw – I couldn’t have heard that right,” her eyes narrowed with a smirk, but then the playfulness faded from her eyes, replaced with loving reassurance as she smiled down at the deep blues that melted and captivated her in equal measure. “I just want you to know how I feel. No doubts. No second guesses. Just...me.”

Slowly, Kino lowered herself down, until her body pressed atop Reika’s and her arms hooked under the Andorian’s shoulders, resting on her elbows. She let her nose rub against its blue counterpart – the smile on her lips brush against soft midnight. “You want a heart to hold,” the Trill whispered, as her eyes closed and pink lips gently captured a dark blue one in the softest of kisses. “But you already have it,” she nodded after, spoken in a tumultuous mix of promise and plea, pulling back just enough for them to gaze into each other’s eyes.

“You drew me in the moment I first saw you,” Kino continued, “and now here we are; more than I could ever hope for, more than I’ll ever deserve. Maybe I’m crazy,” she shrugged, “but it’s how I feel, Reika, so don’t tell me you’re not much,” Kino shook her head, brows knitted, closing the small distance between their lips again. “Because,” she added in a breathless whisper, between the softest of kisses. Slowly, her head tilted into a deeper kiss, savoring the blissful intimacy of the moment. Kino poured her heart freely into every brush of pink lips, then pulled back just enough to finish speaking, if only a breath away. Her brows met as she felt her lips tremble, the words that escaped them little more than a breathless confession – spoken in utter sincerity – as Kino admitted the truth to herself as much as Reika:

“Because this feels like love to me.”

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy]  attn: @Dumedion

With Kino atop her and her face so close to her, her lips so soft, her breath so titillating, her words so stirring, Reika pressed her lips together, her eyelids veiled her eyes, her breath became slightly ragged at words she never thought she’d hear.  “Because this feels like love to me.”

Reika drank deeply of those light blue orbs, rubbed a blue nose against a pale one, tasted of the pink lips once, twice, three times before pulling back slightly.  Reika set her tongue against her own top lip, and worked hard to breathe.  Gathering every ounce of courage, she opened her mouth slowly, but nothing came out.

Her heart was so full and her happiness so overwhelming.  She couldn’t believe that just days after her breath was revived and her body was treated, that now, she was given her first chance at happiness.

She closed her lips, breathed in through her nose, and blew that breath out of her mouth slowly before trying again.  Words finally escaped her lips.  “I’ve been searching, Kino.” Reika said slowly, running the back of her fingers across a pale cheek.  “Ever since I left the Mustang, I’ve tried to stay apart - tried to stay away from everyone else.  I’ve tried to not need anyone - not to care for or want anyone.”  She looked into the Trill’s beautiful eyes and her own eyes and eyebrows knitted together.  “Until … until I found someone who understands me and needs me as much as I need them.”

This time, two blue hands wrapped around pale cheeks and around the attached neck.  “That someone is you, Kino.  I don’t need to stay apart any more.  I don’t have to run anymore.  I can need someone now, Kino, because,” she smiled into that spotted face.  “Because, yeah, Spots this feels like love to me too.”

She pressed her forehead against the pale one opposite her.  "I love you, Kino," she said, breathing into the space between them.  "Don't ask me how, cause I don't know.  Don't ask me why because I don't deserve it.  But I am in love with you."

Blue hands released her face and neck and pushed her arms around Kino's neck and pulled her close going in for a new first kiss.  Her first kiss with this woman after having declared her love.  It started tender - just lips tasting one.  "I love you."  Then tasting the other, "I love you."  Over and over for a minute or more each time, more tender.  Then a huge smile crossed her face, and her eyes sparkled with joy.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]She’d been here so many times; on the precipice of joy, at the beginning of what only time would reveal to be a wonderful, chaotic, sometimes messy journey through life’s wandering path. Before Jeen, Kino would never have had the courage or wisdom to push forward and recognize what a beautiful opportunity lay before her, or literally, under her. It felt odd, in a peculiar way; almost like cheating – but she felt what she felt – and she wanted what she wanted. For the first time in her life, Kino didn’t feel like an outcast, didn’t feel like fighting everything and anything, didn’t feel like she was some kind of walking-lightning-rod of misfortune and pain.

In that moment, Reika made Kino feel like...like she was the only girl in the world.

They were so close. All Kino could do was nod, as she watched and waited patiently for the Andorian to articulate how she felt. There was no fear – no insecurity; only a calm acceptance. That in itself was another of Jeen’s influences. Everything happens for a reason, Kino blinked at Reika’s words, and knew exactly what she meant and how she felt. There comes a point after disappointment and loss that any sane person would rather withdraw out of self-preservation. But that isn’t sustainable. Not for long.

Soft, pink lips curled up, flanked by blue. Kino nodded again as Reika drew her in closer and whispered the words between the softest, most tender kisses the Trill had ever known. Her breath hitched, brows twitched as her body trembled – either from the cooling air, or all the emotion welled up inside, or both – but the non-com pushed ahead, buoyed on sheer happiness. Love drunk, Kino chuckled to herself, as her body pressed back down into Reika’s. It was too perfect a moment to spoil with words; clumsy things that would never quite describe how truly amazing she felt. How thankful she was. How hopeful for the future. No more words, for now.

Kino’s eyes peeked down into Reika’s. There was so much happiness in those dark blues – so much joy, so much hope. Love, Kino exhaled, almost shuddering under that powerful mix of emotion. What could she possibly say, in comparison to that beautiful gift? What could possibly make the moment even more perfect? Light blues fell closed, as the loosened towel fell from her bust to slide down her back as their noses brushed. Kino’s lips answered for her. Her entire body answered. She embraced Reika’s vulnerability, her honesty, her yearning and hope and love – every precious gift – deep inside her heart. With tender fervor, the Trill showed her Andorian queen she was understood. Accepted. Worshiped. Cherished. Wanted. Needed.

So desperately needed. Not merely physically. Kino needed Reika the way a tower needed a strong foundation; the way the stars needed the void. Strength, purpose, duty...these had sustained her, but never fulfilled her. The difference, Kino realized, was beyond anything she'd imagined. Pale skin brushed into blue. Wet lips parted between suckling kisses for teasing brush strokes of tongue. Hands found each other, fingers entwined. Thighs rubbed, as bodies shifted in the dim light of the void. Everything else was forgotten; the ship, duty, the storms on the horizon. There was only Reika; body, mind and soul, and Kino had fallen hard for all of her. The words had been said, whispered in the dark between two honest, broken hearts.

I love you, her entire body cried out to Reika - and Kino intended to show her, thoroughly.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy]  attn: @Dumedion

As their noses grazed across each other, that simple action of pushing herself up just a little managed to unfasten Kino’s towel, so that it slid down her back and managed to cover Kino’s rounded buttocks.  “No fair,” she mumbled, but instead of complaining further, blue hands reached around the Trill and pinched the towel between blue thumb and finger to toss it aside.  “Oh, much better.  You’re too beautiful to cover those scrumptious sights, Gorgeous.”

But as Kino pressed forward mind, soul, and body for another kiss, the Andorian could feel something shift in the Trill.  Something moved from playful to serious from dainty to decided, from tentative to definitive.  Everything about her suddenly took their feelings from the theoretical to the practical as if Kino had to show Reika the truth behind what she had moments before confessed.

And while the dance began again in earnest, there was a greater depth of intimacy and emotion as the second stanza of the song began to play.  Notes and rests.  Fermatas.  Crescendo’s and dimuendos.  But the hands that played were skilled in pleasure, joy, peacefulness, playfulness, tenderness, and intensity.  And Reika silently promised both women that she would partake of everything to the fullest, she would drink of the waters presented to her, and pour out her soul to bring pleasure to the pale-skinned women to whom she had just confessed the uncertainties of her heart.

Reika’s lips parted as Kino’s pink tongue slipped inside.  Tongues intertwined and explored, the blue seeking out new recesses of the beautiful pale mouth.  Her arms wrapped themselves tightly around the slight pale waist, pulling Kino closer - if possible, and in doing so, her own towel worked its way free, but it awkwardly lingered in much of the space between the two women, but that didn’t stop Reika from pressing herself into Kino, hard parts, soft parts, bony parts, moist parts, heated parts.  Nothing was off-limits.  Reika was dedicated to ravishing her lover - not just to satisfy a bodily urge, but to show her girlfriend how devoted, attentive, tender, forceful, and passionate she could be.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]She came up for air with a gasp, reluctantly pulling her lips away just enough for a few panted breaths as Reika pulled her even closer. Limbs shifted, hips rolled, hands grasped and squeezed; Kino’s ignored the towel still – somehow – wrapped loosely around the Andorian; they went under it, pulled it open, to get at what she wanted. Blue skin, curved, soft. Strong, toned legs aching to be worshiped wrapped around her, loving arms held her close. A wet furnace, so teasingly close, brushed across her thigh and pelvis, as both of them sought to pleasure the other.

Gorgeous, Kino’s mind registered the word; its meaning lost in the misfiring neurons of her desire-addled mind. Just a word, yet the way it rolled from Reika’s lips sent the Trill’s heart hammering faster, while her entire body quivered. “My Reika – you…,” she blinked into those ice-hued eyes, but the words wouldn’t come. Nothing could ever do the Andorian justice; beautiful was just another word, incredible just a label of something beyond description. The needs of her heart and body outweighed the capacity for speech; so she let her body, mouth, hands and eyes speak for her. A tug, with a grunt of effort, and the pesky towel was finally removed from between them. Pale hands sought their prize, as the Trill pressed her spotted body into the blue one beneath her, her mouth trailing wet kisses down Reika’s neck, between the valley of blue mounds. The object of her desire lay southbound, however, Kino paused to pay each hardened peak flanking her face dutiful attention, loving the way each swipe of her tongue set the Andorian to squirming.

As much as she wanted to say something sweet and endearing, Kino’s humor couldn’t be held back any more than her unleashed libido. “Gotcha naked again,” she quipped with the flash of a grin, before her mouth pounced on the opposite blue nipple with abandon. A hand wandered down, along Reika’s flank, until it ran into the hip and outer thigh wrapped tight around Kino’s waist – only to slip it between them, down into that slick furnace. The effect was immediate, and insanely arousing; the blue legs holding her slackened enough for Kino to arch her ass in the air and shimmy further south, giving her mouth access to the taunt lines of Reika’s abs. Her eyes flashed up after a particularly long suckle to blue skin, which released from her lips with a wet pop. A brow arched up as she smirked, wiggling her ass in the air playfully. “You just stay right there and enjoy the view for awhile honey,” Kino purred through a smile, before her tongue and teeth nipped playfully just below Reika’s navel.

Pale hands slid down across her blue body as she moved, smoothing across the lines of her pelvis, down into the soft, sensitive curves of inner thighs; Kino kissed and licked as she went, teasingly soft, preempted by soft exhalations of breath from her nose and mouth. All the while, her eyes never left Reika’s, only finally falling closed as the taste of the Andorian’s sex filled her mouth – no teasing flicks, no subtle bids to draw out the inevitable – Kino was far past such pleasurable games. At that moment, all she wanted was to make her Reika know that she wanted her; her love, her body, her pleasure…Kino couldn’t stop her hands from wandering across blue skin, as her mouth worked into position, tongue guiding the way. With the first suckle, light-blue eyes flickered open with a throaty hum as she watched her lover’s face intently. Giving pleasure had always aroused Kino; yet never more than the look of barely controlled desire she witnessed in Reika’s eyes. The hum turned deeper, almost a growl of satisfaction as she continued...

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

Finally liberated from the towel, Reika shook her shoulders which jiggled her azure breasts to which Kino paid their due attention.  Licks, soft kisses, suckles atop needy midnight peaks.  It was so enticing, so enthralling, so fulfilling.  To be wanted - not just for the night, but if Kino was to be believed - and Reika did believe her - for the foreseeable future.  That felt amazing - just as amazing as (maybe even moreso than) pink lips wrapped around her pert nipple.

But at Kino’s quip, Reika smiled lightly into her eyes and touched her face.  Something about the way she said those words made Reika realize that humor was a tool that the Trill would use.  While she might use it as a defense, the Andorian didn’t think that was how she was using it that way now.  Her hip pressed against the pale palm as it settled on the curve.  How soft and necessary, tender and sensuous.  But that hand only paused on her hip for a moment, it slipped between her legs, and a gasp emanated from those azure lips and her legs loosened and Kino slipped away between them and wiggled her her pale backside in the air.

 “You just stay right there and enjoy the view for awhile honey.”

“Damn fine view it is too,” Reika’s words slipped out of her lips on an airy breath which then took in a gasp as Kino’s lips found the folds of skin between her legs.  And the lips were followed by that soft, supple tongue began to explore.  The blue chest began to heave the more that tongue probed.  She could only watch those mismatched aqua-colored eyes which once again met her melted icy eyes.  A blue foot ran up and down the pale side as she watched her girlfriend take joy in bringing her pleasure.   “Oh….Gorgeous…. That’s…..” 

But Kino wasn’t messing around and the soft tongue and those precious lips continued to work their magic.  And in the process the blue foot paused in mid-air its caressing of the pale side.  “Kino….Kino….Oh my goodness, Kiiiiiinoooo.”  The foot twitched as blue lips called out the elongated name and then it fell to bed as she tried to catch her breath.  It took at least a  minute for Reika to regain her composure.  “Come ‘ere,” she waved her head up toward the top of the bed.  “Pillow your head,” Reika said setting her hand atop her breast.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Soft lips planted a trail of kisses up Reika’s body as Kino ascended; tending to every quiver of muscle, pausing between shuddered breaths. Her eyes wandered over the beautiful blue curves with a knowing smile; pleased to have pleased, and all too happy to continue to do so. The smile bloomed into a grin at Reika’s panted request and offer, as the Trill settled along the Andorian’s side; blue and creamy spotted bodies entwined. “Hmhh,” Kino hummed happily, head pillowed, arm draped over Reika’s torso to trace patterns across a blue hip. “You’re so warm,” she whispered, as every muscle in her body relaxed, melting into the embrace. Absolutely amazing, her mind purred as she became a living blanket.

Kino listened to Reika’s thudded heartbeat gradually calm to a steady, strong rhythm; perfectly content to ride out the moment, basking in the afterglow. Pale blue eyes drifted closed. I could sleep here for a lifetime, she thought with the ghost of a smile, before the words spilled out in a happy whisper. Her head rose, propped up by a hand, to look in Reika’s eyes with a smirk.

“Didn’t mean to wear you out. Probably should’ve warned you – I can be a little…zealous…with my affections. You’ll have to tell me to stop,” her nose scrunched up briefly, playfully, with a shrug. “Or not,” another grin dawned, “Entirely your fault, by the way. Not sure who told you it was okay to be so irresistible. Damned inconvenient if you ask me,” she added with an upward twitch of one dark brow, as the thumb on her other hand gently brushed over midnight lips. “Especially these – dangerously addictive,” she smirked, then stole a quick kiss, which turned into several more. “See? I'm hopeless. All your fault,” she whispered with a brush of noses.

Even through the obvious teasing, Kino let a hint of truth ease into her voice – a softness, a vulnerability she wouldn’t share with any other. All the experience in her head told her this giddy feeling, this…joy…would fade, in time, if she let it. All those memories really showed her that relationships were tricky; no two were exactly alike, and all held their own share of problems, trials and triumphs. All of this raced through her head, within a few beats of her heart. If this is going to work…to last…we’d best get to talking about it.

“Tell me something,” Kino blinked as she pulled away just enough for them to gaze into each other’s eyes. “I want you, you want me,” her head nodded with a smile, “but what does that look like, for you? No relationship is perfect – how boring would that be? – but I think we should begin as we mean to go on, for as long as we can, yeah,” Kino smirked with an arched brow. “So tell me, Ms. Sh’laan,” her silvered head tilted, propped up by a hand under her chin, “how do you see us pulling this off? Expectations, fears, boundaries,” Kino gestured with her fingers as she spoke, “put it all out there honey,” her cybernetic eye clicked faintly as Kino winked. “I can get us a snack too,” she added with a bounce of her eyebrows. “Interest you in a BLT, perhaps?”

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

Reika closed her eyes for a moment and while her mouth was open as she tried to get herself under control.  Her body was electric and every touch of pale lips or skin or brush of pale fingers caused her body to shiver in delight.  As her eyes opened back up, she caught the contagious smile on Kino’s lips and it spread to her own.  And as the pale head lay atop of her breast she sighed in peace and reached out to touch the pale face.  It felt so right, not just skin on skin, but that particular skin pressed against hers.  Kino was so right in every way. 

“You’re so warm,” Kino said.

“Don’thca mean hot?” Reika quipped.  “Cause of course I am,” she said, wrapping her arms around the pale rib cage as skin melted into skin.  “But not half so much as you are, Gorgeous,” she crooned.

Over the next moments, her breathing evened out in the arms of the woman to whom she had professed her love.  Just to be close to her - everything bared body and soul, even if not overtly stated.  Like an author who could flawlessly weave truth through pictures while not overtly coming out and stating the obvious - both honesty and subtlety.  Eyes closed as the two just lay in each other arms.  Her breath started to slow and even out - she wasn’t asleep, but on her way when Kino started joking about wearing Reika out.  Reika laughed.  She was so damn funny, and laid back, and tender.

“Tell me something,  I want you, you want me, but what does that look like, for you? No relationship is perfect – how boring would that be? – but I think we should begin as we mean to go on, for as long as we can, yeah,  So tell me, Ms. Sh’laan, how do you see us pulling this off? Expectations, fears, boundaries, put it all out there honey.”

“I can get us a snack too.  Interest you in a BLT, perhaps?”

Blue fingers stroked the pale cheek as they looked into each other’s eyes.  What did she want?  That was a good question.  She sure hadn’t expected this turn when she went for dinner.  Starting with the end, she reached out and placed a blue finger on pale lips.  She said, “I’d love a BLT,” actually.  But she withdrew her finger and tasted the pale lips once again. 

She watched as Kino moved to the replicator.  The way that her arms swung gently at her sides, the way that her feet rolled from heel to ball, the way her hips almost imperceptibly swayed.  She was all muscle and yet all softness.  But there was a question to answer.  What was this going to look like?

Her pulse quickened again.  “What do I want, Gorgeous? Honestly, I hadn’t given it any thought before earlier tonight.  You took me completely by surprise.” she planted her elbow on the bed and rested her head in her palm as she watched her girlfriend and pondered her next move, but after a moment, there was no question in her mind what she needed to do.
“I will answer your question, Gorgeous, but I think that there’s something I need to explain first because it will likely affect my answer.”  Her left hand lay on the bed before her and her index finger scribbled doodles on the bedspread.  “My last posting was on the Mustang.  About three months into my posting, I met a guy named Barak.  We hooked up once.  Then again. Eventually, we were pretty steady.  He had his quarters and I had mine, but at least four nights a week, we stayed together in one of our quarters.  And we stayed together for over a year.  But when I was transferred off to the Theurgy,” she pressed her lips together and looked directly into Kino’s eyes.  She took a deep breath and blew it out saying, “He gave me a kiss and wished me luck.  Over a year together,” she scoffed, “and I got a kiss and good luck.”

Her mouth quirked to the side, and she rolled her eyes at herself. “I’m not looking for sympathy,” she said, waving off any possible retort.  “I just want you to understand where I’m coming from when I answer you.  Believing what we’ve both already said, more than anything else, I need to know that we’re going to be here for each other and not just physically, but emotionally.” Here though, some uncertainty crept into her words, her past with Barak coloring her worries.  She needed to be honest, but honesty also scared her.  She took a deep breath.  She was going to be honest damn the costs.  “But I love closeness…to be close to you as often as possible…to spend time - our nights - together as much as we can - but only if that’s what you want. I don’t want to you to feel any pressure.  I mean, if we both love for each other, I’d love to share my life with you - as much of it as you want me to.” She paused again looking directly at Kino, her mouth hung slightly agape and her eyes misted.  “I don’t … want to be …dismissed again.  To not really matter.  I … couldn’t handle that again.”

"But what about you, Kino?  Is that what you want?  If not, tell me now.  But if it is, what are you expectations, wishes, needs, dreams?"

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]When Reika told her that she had ‘taken her by surprise’, the non-com turned a grin over her shoulder as she sauntered to the replicator and paused with a playful shrug. The truth was that they had both been surprised by the events of the evening; it certainly hadn’t played out the way Kino had guessed. Then again, life seldom does, her lips drew thin with the thought as she listened to the beautifully nude Andorian. Her head tilted as her brows creased in confusion at the end of Reika’s previous relationship, but Kino let her continue uninterrupted, leaning a spotted shoulder against the bulkhead of her tiny room.

Once Reika finished and followed up with her own questions, Kino frowned in thought for a moment, folding her arms across her chest. Hm, what do I want...what do I want...with...my sandwich? Her face scrunched up then, realizing she was distracting herself. “Real quick, um - I’m gonna get orange juice with mine. You want some,” her brows rose with a smirk, before rattling off their order; the dutiful machine lit and hummed to life almost instantly, and Kino returned her light-blues to deeper orbs of icy azure with a sigh.

“Sorry. So...right. Well, I don’t plan on dismissing you. Far too beautiful, and just...yeah, amazing to me, so...there’s that,” the Trill frowned, “that guy sounds like a fucking idiot,” she muttered before grasping the plate with their sandwiches with one hand and a tall glass of OJ with the other. “Like I said earlier – I want all of you. As much as I can get. But, you know…,” she gestured with the plate and took a sip of juice before heading back to the bed. “we will have times when that wont be possible.”

Kino handed off the glass of juice (so she wouldn’t spill it) before climbing back up next to Reika to settle beside the Andorian, the plate of BLTs set on her tummy. “Sounds like we’re of like mind on things though,” she grinned playfully with a wink as she picked up a half sandwich and took a bite.

“Here’s the thing,” Kino mumbled as she chewed, gesturing with the BLT. “Um...I don’t really have...expectations – too early for all that,” she nodded. “and if I ever feel pressured, in a bad way,” another grin, “I’ll use my words, like an adult. You do the same. Deal?” She took another bite, munching loudly into several strips of crispy bacon.

“I’m sorry,” the non-com mumbled with her mouth full, “after everything,” a snort, as her free hand gestured between the two of them, “I’m starving.” She chewed quickly, as her mind settled on a rather more serious answer for what she expected, what she hoped, would come of them. A pale shoulder lifted in a shrug, as her eyes settled on Reika’s. “Everyone has a path they walk through life, Legs. No two are the same. Things seldom work out the way we plan or work for. Shit happens, mistakes get made, obstacles are overcome; that's life – a crazy ass ride that wont make sense until its almost done,” Kino grinned.

“All I really need is someone to walk with.”

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion


“Orange juice?” Reika parroted. “Yeah, how about you make it a big one and we’ll share.”

Reika watched as Kino sauntered back over to the bed.  She liked watching the jiggle of certain body parts and the tautness of others.  “Yeah.  I get that times we won’t be able to be together.  That’s the nature of Starfleet. We go where we’re told when we’re told.  Lends itself to uncertainty. "

Reika took the offered glass of OJ and once Kino was seated, she stole one of the sandwiches.  It crunched loudly as she bit in.  Mmmm.  “This is good,” she said and wiped her mouth with her forefinger.  “I was hungry too.”

But Kino had more to say.  Reika nodded and chewed as she listened.  Everything Kino said made sense.  “Yeah.  I promise.  We’re both adults capable of communicating.  As long as we’re both willing to, we can work anything out.”
Reika chuckled as Kino chewed away too.  “And hey, you call me Legs.  What are legs good for if not for walking alongside?”  Reika said, leaning sideways against her lover while she stole the glass of orange juice and took a sip.  “Never had OJ with a BLT before, but it goes together better than I thought it would."

As Reika finished off her portion of the BLT, she got up from the bed and headed over to where Kino had the bow and quiver situated.  She gently picked up the bow.  “So, Gorgeous, tell me about this bow.  Do you hunt?  What makes the bow special?”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Kino beamed at the question, moving the plate off her belly to set on the bed as she rolled onto her side, head propped up with the palm of her hand. Mismatched blues twinkled as she watched Reika’s naked body move; the play of her muscles, the curves, those long limbs. My Reika…

A few blinks snapped her wandering attention to the Andorian’s questions, which she answered in order.

“That,” the non-com pointed at the bow, “is a compound bow; dual cam, single draw, carbon fiber frame. Fully collapsible, integrated haptic sights – although I never got it to jive with the armor’s targeting sensors for some reason,” she lifted a shoulder. “Not that it would be very effective. It’s ancient, the design I mean. Kinda why I like it.”

“In the holodeck, sure,” Kino nodded at Reika’s question of hunting. “But mostly I just blow stuff up. I’ve rigged some tips up with electrical capacitors. Use em as impact detonators.” She grinned. “It’s fun.”

“Special? Hm,” Kino’s lips pulled to the side as her nose scrunched up – a habitual expression when she thought something over. “Sentimentality, I suppose. It’s a rebuild of the one I used on Earth, after…the war. Was part of my rehab, learning to use this,” she lifted and flexed her arm, which was entirely synthetic. “I guess I just took to it.”

Kino sat up then, grinning. “Wanna try it? Of course you do,” she chuckled, scampering over to Reika. Her left hand pulled the bow from the wall, and with a flick of her wrist, the arms fully extended, locking into place. She handed it over with a smirk, moving behind Reika while snatching a blunted practice arrow from a quiver. “Here – the draw might be a bit tight,” she warned – it was set for her strength and reach – but she was positioned to help if needed. “Slot it in, like so,” Kino set the arrow, “then pull until it sets. Yep, just like that,” she nodded with a grin. “Just don’t hit the —”

A murmured thwip interrupted her warning, as the arrow flew in a blur – to drive into something solid underneath Kino’s bed with a thunk. Lights fizzled behind the drape of her sheets.

Kino grimaced. “Ah shit,” she chuckled. “That would be the torpedo.”

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

Reika reached out and stroked the bowstring and then cast her eyes toward her girlfriend as she heard about the part that this bow had played in Kino's past. “Oh wow.  I can see why it’s so important to you.  Someday you’re going to tell me all about your time on earth.”

“I guess I just took to it,” Kino said. “Wanna try it?  Of course you do.”

“What, huh?  I’ve never held one before.”  But before she could protest anymore, Kino slipped the bow into her hand.

“Here - the draw might be a bit tight,” Kino said.

“Kino, I don’t know what to do.  I’m not sure…”

“Slot it in, like so,” Kino said, standing right behind Rieka, her bare breasts brushing Reika’s arm and shoulder.

“Then pull until it sets.  Yep, just like that,” Kino grinned at Reika.

Reika turned her head to look at Kino who didn’t realize just how distracting her body brushing up against the Andorian was.

“Just don’t hit the --”

Reika drew breath and her lips were only centimeters from the Trill’s.  She could almost taste them again.

“Just don’t hit the…”

But the distracted Andorian’s fingertips slipped off of the string and a loud thwack startled Reika.  She dropped the bow onto the bed and her eyes got wide.  “What did I just do?”

“Ah shit.  That would be the torpedo.”

“Torpedo?” the blue-skinned woman’s eyes grew even wider.  “Is it going to explode?  What did I just do?” she repeated uncertain the capabilities of the arrow that she just shot. “Am I going to blow up the ship?”

She dropped to her stomach.  If she could pull it out at the same angle that it went in, she might be able to get it out safely.  But as she brushed up the bedspread, she saw the size of the torpedo.  “How in the world did you get that thing under there?” she looked at her girlfriend incredulously.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Mild embarrassment turned to confusion at first; Kino hadn’t intended to reveal her little project yet, but the cat was out of the bag now. Reika’s reaction of alarm forced her brows to flinch together, head tilted in puzzlement however. “Huh?” the Trill blinked, wondering how a dummy torpedo could possibly blow up the ship…but then it clicked. Kino blinked, her lips pulled into a silent oh.

“Wait – its,” she started to say, but Reika had already moved to the floor, trying to pull it out from her bed. “Hon, wait it’s just –“ Kino started again, only for a series of beeps to interrupt, followed by the low purring sound of mechanical servos as a multi-limbed device powered up to life on the edge of her footlocker. “Ah, shit,” the non-com sighed into her hand to keep from laughing at Reika’s questions.

“EDDI o-online. T-t-tracking initiated,” the little half-finished drone stammered in a tinny voice, lifting its carapace body on shaky legs as the glassy black dome of its head whirled about comically.

Kino waved at it in a hushing gesture. “Abort, Eddi – sleep mode,” she chuckled, then quickly helped the Andorian up into her arms. “It’s just a mock-up, Legs. Nothing is gonna blow up, promise,” Kino told her with a smile before bending slightly to pull the arrow out. The end dripped with a purple sticky substance. “Hm. Looks like you hit one of the fuel cells," her lips pulled to the side, eying the arrow. “Grape jam, see,” she grinned, holding the arrow up.

“I built it to give the lil guy something to practice on,” Kino shrugged, nodding to the bot. “It’s…a work in progress.” She frowned a bit…hoping all this didn’t make her seem too bat-shit crazy. “I uh…sorry for startling you, with this,” she gestured to the fake torpedo, then quickly explained her history with explosive demolitions and the purpose of her robotic counterpart as she tapped a button near the end of her bunk. The torpedo slid out, access panels folding up and open to reveal the internal components.

“It looks the same, but it’s basically a high powered refrigerator,” Kino shrugged with a sheepish expression. “They wouldn’t let me keep a live one. Regulations and such,” she chuckled.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

After she dropped to her knees to look under the bed, she heard the servos activating and then something whirred to life.  She said, “Shit,” the same time that Kino did, but her word was panicked.  “Do we need to evacuate?”  The normally very even keeled Andorian asked her voice sounding more and more distressed with each syllable.  All she could think of was she had shot the arrow that was going to blow up the entire ship.

And then to make matters worse, the damn thing started talking.   “Wait, What?!?”  she tried to listen.  She heard “Tracking initiated,” and suddenly her panic evaporated.  She was a paragon of calm as she pushed away from the foot of the bed to give Kino a goodbye kiss.  They were all going to die and it was her fault.  At least her last act would be one of love.

Kino helped the Andorian up and wrapped her in her arms.  Reika pulled her close, but before she could actually kiss the Trill, she heard, “Abort, Eddi - Sleep Mode.  It’s just a mock-up, Legs, Nothing is going to blow up, promise.”

A blue face shook slowly from one side to the other as she tried to absorb the whole of what just happened. 

“Grape Jam, see?”

Reika reached out and touched the sticky substance at the end of the arrow and touched it to her lips.  It was indeed just grape jam. 

“Sorry for startling you with this.”

Reika reached out and placed one hand on each pale cheek and kissed her girlfriend slowly and deeply.  The amount of relief that she felt and the nervous energy that she had experienced needed to be channeled and that’s exactly what she did - channel it into the passion that she felt in her heart toward this amazing woman.  Then after several minutes, she pulled back only centimeters.  “I’ve never been so glad to only be startled in my life,”  she said with a slight smile.  “But please, don’t do that to me ever again.  I’m not sure my heart can take it.”

"So that’s another thing that I can add to what I learned about you tonight.  You are both amazingly creative, but that creativity is matched by an equal amount of craziness.  I’ll have to keep that in mind.  And,” she said turning back toward the bed which hid the torpedo. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to sleep here knowing that you had what was once an explosive ordinance underneath it.”  She laughed wrapping her blue fingers around the pale back. “I know it means we would have ta get dressed, but why don’t we head back to my quarters?  Maybe we can catch a little shut-eye before we have to head to duty tomorrow.”  She paused - not uncertain of herself, but not still getting to know the other woman. “Only if you want to,  No pressure.”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]While the kiss lingered on her lips, which she enjoyed immensely – more so for the fact that Kino could feel Reika’s relief in the way her body pressed against hers and relaxed – the non-com couldn’t fully shake the worry from her face. The Andorian’s words and tone seemed light-hearted, but the Trill still winced self-consciously, as Kino realized how insane her hobby appeared to someone unused to toying with such devices.

Note to self: no EOD shit next time.

Her brow creased a bit as she moved to stand in front of Reika, cradling the Andorian’s face. “Of course I want to,” Kino whispered, “we can go wherever you want,” the Trill lifted a shoulder, and offered a small smile. “Just…please, trust me – it’s harmless. I may be crazy, but not that crazy,” Kino snorted, letting her thumbs trace small circles across azure cheeks.

“So, clothes then,” her head tilted with a grin, then planted a quick peck on Reika’s impossibly kissable lips before pulling away and turning her toward the small wardrobe. “I don’t have much, but your welcome to whatever you want,” Kino smiled with a nod, “or there’s a robe around here somewhere if you want to use the replicator out in the common room,” she added with a lift of her chin to the door before a tap of her fingers opened the closet.

“Peruse at your leisure,” Kino gestured with a chuckle, then headed back toward the bunk to seal up the mock torpedo and set EDDI back on the footlocker where he belonged. Her nose wrinkled at the slow leak of jelly oozing from the ‘fuel cell’ before closing the access panel with a click. “Meh, I’ll clean you up later,” she grumbled, then turned where she knelt to look over her spotted shoulder at Reika’s gorgeous blue body.

Kino grinned at her. “I could really get used to this view, Legs,” she bit her lip with a nod. “See anything you like?” A shiver ran through her then, skin pebbled in the cool air. Yowza, Kino frowned with a downward glance at her nipples, the stood and cupped herself with an amused grimace. “I’m guessing your place will be chilly, so sweats for me,” she laughed, walking up to Reika’s side to procure an old faded set and fresh undies; pointing out what items were in each drawer for the Andorian as she did so. Everything was rolled tight, perfectly stored and ordered; even her socks.

“I’m a bit of a neat freak,” Kino shrugged, after pulling on a set of simple grey standard issue panties. “Well, with clothes anyway; everything in its place, dress right dress. Old habits, you know,” the Trill rolled her eyes at herself, then nodded to the robe that hung on the rack and gestured to it. “Could always just rock that,” her brows wiggled – it would probably only barely cover Reika’s ass, with those long limbs of hers. “Break a few necks on the way to your place,” Kino teased with a chuckle at her grilfriend’s expression.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

The entire situation had - if she was honest - more than startled her, but feeling Kino’s hands on her face and listening to the melodious tones of her voice after the scare did a lot to calm her spirits. 

“Just…please, trust me - it’s harmless.  I may be crazy, but not that crazy,” Kino said caressing Reika’s cheeks.

Tilting her head slightly to the left into one of Kino’s hands, Reika whispered.  “You don’t need to worry.  I’m not going anywhere because of this.  It just….caught me off guard.  And from here on out, forewarned is forearmed.  It’s all good Spots.”

The Andorian could see little pieces of evidence of the Trill’s relief - less of a line across her forehead, less of a squint to her eyes, more of a relaxed touch as she continued to draw tender circles on her cheeks.  And that more relaxed nature showed even more in her chipper, “So clothes then.”

And then there was the kiss - just a quick taste of her tantalizing lips.  Any kiss with Kino was something that Reika would never tire of - the tender touch of their lips or the mingling of their mouths.  Even the thought sent a chill down her spine - the real thing, however, did something more.

As Kino opened her closet for Reika to look around in, she cast her a wink and started looking for something to wear back to her quarters.  The problem, as Reika saw it, was that everything Kino had would be short and slightly baggy on the Andorian.  Blue fingers pushed through hanger after hanger before settling on a pair of cut-off denim shorts and a t-shirt that made her smirk.

But before she could turn around, she heard, “I could get really used to this view, Legs.”

Reika swayed her blue backside several times before looking provocatively over her shoulder and batting her lashes as the Trill asked “See anything you like?”

The Andorian turned around clasping a t-shirt that she had taken off of the hanger.  “Yes, I have.  Like it?” she asked and she held the shirt up over her chest.  It read, “I don’t have a dirty mind, I have a sexy imagination.”  She grinned at her girlfriend chuckling.  “It’s perfect.  Dontcha think?”

“I’m guessing your place will be chilly, so sweats for me,” Kino said.

Reika’s lower lip came out in a pouty face.  “But you’re really sexy when you’re cold.”  Her voice was a mock whine as she reached out with her forefinger and traced a circle around the pale pink areola before tweaking Kino’s nipple, "but since you must,” she grinned and dropped her chosen shorts on the bed as she began to lift the t-shirt to don it, but as Kino mentioned her preference when it came to neatness, she paused to listen.

“And I would much prefer a neatnik.  As you’ll see when we get to my quarters, you’re not alone in that.  Lived in?  Yeah.  Decorated?  Sure. Fine.  But someone who is just a slob and never picked up after themselves would drive me nuts.  So I’m all for keeping things well-organized and in their place.” As she spoke, blue arms pulled the t-shirt over her head and lifted her long-white hair out from under the neckline before she shook her locks to help them cascade over her shoulders.  And as she put the shorts on, she had to laugh.  She wasn’t just longer than Kino when it came to legs.  Her torso was also elongated compared to the Trill’s so the shorts that she grabbed both sat low on her hips, showing her butt crack, but also hugged the bottom of her butt cheeks.  “Hmmm,” she mused. “It doesn’t leave much for the imagination, does it?” she asked craning her head around trying to see if it was as bad as it felt when she compared where the air seemed to be hitting and what parts of her it didn’t seem to be circulating around.

“Too much?” she asked.  “Or, really, in this case too little?”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Reika’s question had Kino biting her lip with a smile, the Trill’s head tilting side-to-side as her nose scrunched up playfully. “Is this a trick question,” she whispered teasingly, as she draped the bra she was about to put on over a shoulder and placed her hands on the Andorian’s hips, turning her this way and that. Not that she needed to, mind – but still, thoroughness was important in these matters – so she took the time to enjoy the “inspection”, rotating Reika around. “Not sure why you have to be so damned irresistible all the time,” the Trill smirked. “Quite distracting you know.”

Kino’s features smoothed in mock seriousness as she closed all distance between them, holding Reika close from behind, her chin rested on a blue shoulder. “On one hand, you and I both know you’re stunning, regardless. My official report will note a preference for no clothes, however,” she whispered into Reika’s ear.

A squeeze, followed by a hummed suckle to the Andorian’s azure earlobe followed.

“Hm. However, on the other hand,” Kino spun her about until their noses touched, lips brushed against lips. “I might get a little protective, because I know you’ll grab some looks, flashing those legs about with that strut of yours. I might have to crack a few skulls after you break their necks,” she grinned, entirely joking, but equally honest at the same time. “Risky business,” Kino nodded, pressing her body tighter against Reika’s, her lips briefly capturing a blue one in a teasing embrace. “One of my favorite shirts, by the way, but it looks better on you,” Kino muttered, then captured Reika’s other lip. She honestly couldn’t remember where she got it at the moment, understandably distracted as she was – but that hardly mattered; there were far more important issues to focus on. Kino hummed again, as her lips continued to do precisely that.
 
All joking aside, if they were going to leave, Kino knew they better get to it – before she ended up peeling the Andorian out of her clothes again.

Decisions, decisions…

When she finally relented, giving them both room for air, the Trill licked the taste of her girlfriend from her lips with a grin. “Short answer – yes,” Kino grinned again. “We can always use the replicator outside honey,” Kino threw a thumb over her shoulder, “But if you’re not worried about it, I’m not. Besides,” her head tilted a bit more to the side with a smirk. “People have run amok on this boat before wearing far less. Now,” she swooped in to kiss Reika’s neck with a loud smooch, as she pulled the bra off her shoulder. “if your finished distracting me – I’m gonna get dressed, before you end up un-dressed,” the Trill chuckled. Once the bra was fastened in place, she rotated the clips to her back and slipped her arms in the straps to pull the cups up and adjust them accordingly.

“Where’d you say your quarters were,” Kino asked, tilting her head. “Could always ask Thea to just beam us there,” she suggested with a half-shrug, then shimmied into a pair of loose sweatpants, rolling the elastic band down over her hips.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02] | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

Instead of craning her head over her shoulder to check out the degree to which her backside would be exposed to those in the corridors as they headed to her quarters, her eyes were drawn to the slightly shorter Trill who seemed to be enjoying the view before drawing close to settle her hands on blue hips. Reika stifled a giggle at Kino’s turning of the Andorian’s body this way and that as if she was trying to determine if she were going to protest at others getting such an intimate look at certain parts of her girlfriend. 

Every time Kino turned her all the way around, she reached out with her lips to give the pale cheek or nose or lips a kiss - whatever she could reach depending on how much time Kino lingered regarding her outfit.

Then the Trill stopped turning Reika when she was facing away from her, but the pale chin topped Reika’s shoulder “On one hand, you and I both know you’re stunning regardless.  My official report will note a preference for no clothes, however.”  And then she felt a suckling pull at her earlobe which sent a happy chill down her spine.

Once Kino released her ear, Reika chuckled out loud and turning her head, gave her girlfriend a soft kiss before pulling back to say, “Well, when we get back to my quarters, you’re welcome to take them off again.  I won’t complain.”

Kino turned her around once again, this time so the two were facing each other.  And another kiss.  She would never tire of kissing and being kissed by the creamy, spotted-skinned woman.  She whispered on a soft exhale.  “I love the taste of your lips.”  But Kino had something else to say, and Reika understood both the levity and seriousness of her words when she talked about others gawking at the Andorian’s long legs. 

“So we compromise.  I’ll wear this,” she gestured to the shorts, “but every time someone’s head turns, I get to kiss you in front of them, so they know that their attention is misdirected,” Reika said with a grin while biting her tongue between her teeth. 

Feeling rather antsy to get back to her quarters and to strip the Trill down again, so they could snuggle in bed naked together….and maybe enjoy each other bodies some more, she really didn’t feel like changing out of the shorts.  They would be off quickly enough again anyway - even if it was just to sleep.

“Nope, not worried about it since it just means I get ta kiss ya more,” she quipped. “Ya know, I wonder if the longer the Theurgy is on its own the more casual and cavalier people get with the rules of conduct or propriety.”  Then she realized that even the two of them had crossed the lines of conduct, Reika being an officer and Kino being a non-com.  And she just didn’t care.  Maybe if they had actually been a part of the fleet it would have been different.  Which mean that the Andorian was very glad that they weren’t a part of the fleet anymore.  She regarded the woman next to her.  She knew it wasn’t even 24 hours since they met, but Reika couldn’t imagine giving the Trill up - even if it meant some kind of disciplinary action. 

As she had thought when she and Hirek had shared an evening days before, Reika knew that she needed someone at her side and someone who she could walk along with.  There was no doubt that that woman was Kino.  A smile graced her lips unbidden as she thought about how different the Trill was from her old boyfriend.  If they had sex they would usually share a night at together at one of their quarters, but Kino was different….yes it was about sex, but it wasn’t all about sex….or at least it wouldn’t always be.  It was about a deep connection, about sharing and being shared.  Oh, yes, she was so different from Barak.

But Kino’s words broke into her reverie.  “Before you end up un-dressed…” 

“Soon enough.  And besides, it’s not my fault that you’re so easily distracted.  You mean like by something like this?” Reika raised her shirt and flashed her breasts at Kino.  She wasn’t going to wear a bra back to her quarters.  Then the Andorian leaned against the closet door grinning from ear to ear.  Then she crossed her arms over her chest, and watched - with a note of regret - as Kino covered up her scrumptious curves and spots.  “Ya know, one of these days, I’m actually going to count each of your spots and kiss each one as I count,” Reika winked.

“My quarters are Vector 3, Deck 12, room 35s.  Passcode is 384955.  You’re welcome anytime.  I’ll never say no to finding you lounging on my couch waiting for me…clothing optional of course.”

Seeing Kino put the finishing touch on by rolling the waistband over and down onto her hips, Reika stretched out her hand to twine her fingers with the Trill’s.  “Ready to go turn some heads and start the rumor mill going?”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Personal Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]“Oh, the ‘fun police’ still exist – trust me. Skipper lets some things slide, but not as much as you think,” Kino chuckled at Reika's musing. “You'd be surprised some of the shit people try to pull around here – especially those nuts from the fighter bay,” her silvered head shook, as she plucked a pair of socks from the drawer and leaned against the wall.

The Andorian’s wistful goal to ‘count and kiss her spots’ made the Trill freeze in place with a stupid, loving grin. “Honey, even I don’t know how many there are,” she laughed. “But, I sure as hell won’t stop you from trying.”

Kino blinked then, still trying to work her foot into sock – but her mind was rendered momentarily non-functional by the sight of two beautifully perky blue orbs and the follow up numerical assault. Her brow creased in effort, grinning like an idiot, while she tried to force the gears in her head to turn. For some reason (namely Reika and how crazy she was about her) Kino just couldn’t compute at all just then. “You’re gonna have to message that to me hon – can’t brain right now,” the Trill laughed and finished pulling her socks on, then took the Andorian's hand in hers. “Almost,” she kissed Reika’s fingers. “Lemme grab a bag, real quick, so I can head to my shift in the morning. Two secs – promise,” she winked.

The bag was an black and grey pack near the bathroom, which Kino scooped up on her way in and stuffed a few essentials inside. A duty uniform and shoes followed, along with a black beanie – that was required for sleep; her ocular implant was irritatingly slight sensitive, so she’d learned that sleeping came easier with it covered. With her stuff packed, Kino threw the bag on the bed and pulled on a zip-up hoodie, black with a faded skull on the back. “And, ready,” Kino beamed, slipping her feet into a pair of oversized, fuzzy red slippers.

“I see you eyein’ em,” Kino giggled at Reika’s expression as she lifted a foot and wiggled the slipper about. “Fuzzy,” her nose crinkled up with another grin, then tilted her head at Reika. “I’ll get ya a set if you want. I got these on Earth, but should be able to pull some strings,” the Trill lifted a shoulder, then slung the bag on the other. “Shall we?”

[Corridor to turbolift]

She walked out into the hall beyond the common room directly into a wall. The wall had a name and a face, which Kino recognized as her roommate - PO1 Danny Reeds. The huge, muscled, FAB wrench-jockey grunted as Kino’s head and body bounced into his.

“Dammit, Kino, what the fu–“

“Shit! Reeds! Ow,” Kino groaned, shoving him out of the way another inch.

“Hey, you ran into me,” the big man’s dark features split into a grin, then glanced over Kino’s head. “Oh shit, my bad,” his warm brown eyes widened as he smiled at Reika, hands raised in a gesture of apology. “Uh, I can come back,” he murmured to Kino with a knowing smirk.

“We were trying to leave, Dee,” Kino chuckled, rubbing her head as she stepped around him to make room for Reika. “Reika Sh’laan, meet Danny Reeds, fighter mechanic extraordinaire and living rock formation,” the Trill gestured from Andorian to Human.

“Ms. Sh’laan, aren’t you lovely! Quite a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Reeds rumbled with a smile, as he too stepped aside to clear the way for the Andorian – making eye contact with Kino as Reika passed. Daaamn, he mouthed at the Trill silently in obvious approval. Kino nodded rapidly, grinning, then felt her face pulled to the side, and blue lips crashed into hers.

“Oh – oh shit,” Reeds brows rose, as he leaned a bulky shoulder against the corridor – watching them for a second before both hands rose up in a ‘OK’ signal. “Loud and clear ladies,” the big man chuckled deeply. “Loud and clear.”

Kino broke the kiss with her laughter and tossed him a two fingered salute. “Later Dee – don’t wait up.”

Reeds barked a gunshot laugh, returning the gesture. “Man, I’m tired – so I wont,” he shook his head as the pair walked off, giggling as they went. “Take care of my girl Kino, Ms. Sh’laan,” he called after them, still chuckling as he watched them go.

Kino laughed with a wave over her shoulder. “Way ahead of ya Dee. Nite,” she called back, as they made their way to the turbolift. “You know,” Kino wrapped her arm around Reika’s waist as they walked, “this is gonna spread like wildfire now, and I love it. Speaking of which – what rumors have you heard? The Gorn one's my favorite."

Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | Corridor to Turbolift | USS Theurgy @Dumedion

Reika watched Kino as she went to get and pack her bag.  It was hard to believe that she had only just met the Trill, so she really didn’t have much to base things off of, but the shorter woman looked happy.  No, not just happy, but glowingly delighted - almost jubilant, and as she stood there still leaning slightly against the wall, her eyes misted slightly.  Hirek had told her that he preferred to remain aloof, and Reika, while delighted to bring him pleasure that night knew that she wanted more - needed more.  She needed someone who wanted to go to sleep beside her and to wake up next to her.  Someone who wanted to share themselves totally with her, and that woman was moving through these quarters with a determined step, gathering necessary things in order to go to sleep beside her and to wake up next to her.

Kino was happy.  Reika was deeply content - not just because Kino was exactly what she was hoping for, but even more because Reika seemed to be what Kino wanted to needed to find happiness as well.  That one fact resonated so deeply in her soul….and produced more satisfaction in the short time the women had known each other than she had felt the whole time she had been with Barak on the Mustang.

“And Ready,” Kino beamed - even more evidence to Reika’s heart that the two women were meant to be, and then she slipped her feet into a pair of red fuzzy slippers.

“What are those?” Reika asked as Kino wiggled the red-clad foot around. 

“Fuzzy.  I’ll get ya a set if you want.  I got these on Earth, but should be able to pull some strings."

“Um….yeah,” Reika said.  “We don’t have anything quite like that back on Andor."

It was a short walk through the rest of the quarters and through to the door to the corridor.  Kino started and stopped suddenly as she hit a tall black man staight on.  The interchange between the shorter Trill and the taller human left Reika grinning in amusement. 

“Reika Sh’laan, meet Danny Reeds, fighter mechanic extraordinaire and living rock formation.”

Reika extended her hand to the human, she would likely see more of in the coming weeks and months, but once Danny grasped her hand in a firm handshake, the mechanic started eyeing Reika, true to her promise to Kino, she took the trill’s face in both of her hands and turned the silvered head to give her a passionate kiss in front of her roomate.

Even when Reika heard. “Loud and clear ladies, loud and clear,” Reika didn’t stop kissing the Trill.  The Andorian wanted them both to know her heart and eyes were only for the Trill.

“Take care of my girl Kino, Ms. Sh’laan.” Dee said as he entered his quarters.

“It’s Reika,” the Andorian grinned.  “And don’t worry.  I’ll do my best.”

“Way ahead of ya, Dee.  Nite,” the Trill said as she wrapped her arm around Reika’s waist.  “Ya know, this is gonna spread like wildfire now, and I love it.” 

Reika laughed contentedly. 

It was only moments later when the two women were walking down the corridor and they heard the door to Kino’s shared quarters slide shut.

“Speaking of which - what rumors have you heard?  The Gorn one’s my favorite.”

“Gorn one….gorn one…Oh…That Sithick is a cannibal?” Reika said, turning her head toward Kino as the duo rounded a corner.  “That one gives me the heebie jeebies if I’m honest.”  As they continued down the next corridor, Reika thought over the various rumors she heard both before and since she had been frozen.  "How about that the parasites are sexually transmitted.  I highly doubt that’s true, but it’s both terrifying and hilarious to think about, huh?”

But as they reached the turbolift and stopped, someone walked into Reika’s back - someone whose eyes were obviously fixated on a point other than where he was going.  “Oh, sorry,” the gruff voice of a guy wearing Science blue/green said as he scooted around the couple doing a double-take back at the pair, at which time, Reika turned her back on the guy and pulled Kino into another passionate kiss, her hands snaking their way around her girlfriend and down to grasp her ass - not caring who watched them, but as the kiss lingered, a group got off of the turbolift, but Reika was determined not to move and made the gaggle of people move out around the two of them.  “Get a room!” one of them called.  “That’s Kino,” she heard another one say.   Someone else said, “Who’s that Andorian?”  Only eager to get back to her quarters and not to lose the lift, Reika stuck her leg out to trigger the door to remain open and finally came up for air.  “That’s where we’re headed to,” Reika called after the group.  “To get a room.”  Then turning to Kino, she said, “Not my fault your lips are so kissable,” and used used her fingertips to wipe her lips, while she pulled Kino inside with her. 

“Vector 3, deck 12, section 3,” she said to the lift. 

 Reika leaned against the wall of the lift and pulled Kino against her once again wrapping her lanky arms around the Trill.  “You do realize we’ll be famous - or infamous - by the time we make it back to my quarters, right?”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Near Turbolift | Deck 11 | Vector 02 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Kino stifled a laugh at Reika’s ‘rumor’. “Yeah, like we need that kind of trouble too – good night,” she shook her head with a grin. Hell – Nicander's pet iguana could do enough damage on its own, the Trill grimaced quickly, as an image of the Doctor’s massively limp member flashed in her mind. Fuck that. Fuck all that, she chuckled quietly as they strolled up to the lift doors.

The couple had only waited a second before Kino felt Reika jostled; the Trill’s attention snapped to the idiot that ran into her, who offered only a muttered apology. Dark brows furrowed as recognition dawned – it was the same ass-hat science dweeb that had ran into Kino days ago, right before she’d met Azrin for the first time. “You – mmmmmph,” the non-com’s derogatory expletive was interrupted as Reika pounced; only dimly aware of the comments from the peanut gallery that passed around them. She looked drunk by the time Reika’s lips parted her own with an audible smooch, and stifled a chuckle as she attempted to smooth out her ruffled silver hair. “Well then,” Kino cleared her throat comically with a lazy grin. “My goodness.”

Her lover’s teasing only widened Kino’s grin as she shrugged innocently. “Never hear me compl – ooh,” the Trill laughed as she was yanked into the lift by her hoodie, then found herself wrapped up in beautiful blue, biting her lip up at the mischievous twinkle in Reika’s stunning azure orbs. Kino knew with every fiber of her body there was absolutely no where else she’d rather be, hopelessly fallen head-and-ass for her.

Reika’s suggestion of the likely rumors bound to fly about them prompted a snort of amusement. “I see that as complete win,” Kino smirked with a half-shrug, then chortled as a thought occurred. “Matter of fact,” she laughed as she pulled Reika tighter against her, so she could whisper above the hum of the lift. “You wanna have some fun, mess with some people?” Kino’s brows bounced as she grinned mischievously.

“Humans have a term called a ‘fire drill’ – ever heard of it,” she asked in a conspiratorial tone, then laughed at Reika’s expression and told her how it worked.

[A few minutes later, Deck 22 | Vector 3]

The lift opened to reveal Kino wearing Reika’s clothes, and the Andorian clad in Kino’s with a beanie lowered just above her eyes, with the Trill leaning her shoulder against Reika’s side. Two crewman exchanged awkward glances with each other, then entered without a sound, as the two did their best to keep from laughing out loud.

[Another few minutes, Deck 09 | Vector 1]

Kino stood with her arms folded, wearing her sweats again, with the hood up and a big pair of mirrored aviator glasses, while Reika seemed to be stretching her long limbs out, once again clad in Kino’s short-shorts and t-shirt. Her head tossed up just as the lift opened, platinum hair flung into the air with an exaggerated sigh. “Wussup,” Kino greeted a gold collared rating with a deep, masculine tone. The man cocked his head in confusion, blinking at them. The Andorian burst out laughing, as the lift doors closed before he even moved a muscle.

[Yet another few minutes later, Deck 20 | Vector 3]

The lift opened to reveal the pair, half-dressed and giggling as they scrambled to finish pulling on their shorts and sweats, but laughing too hysterically to manage. Limbs were entangled as the pair jostled against one another, each one trying to pull on the same hoodie. “Oh fuck, busted,” Kino roared in laughter at the crowd of four serious-looking onlookers waiting to board. They all shared the same wide-eyed, shocked expression. One was a red collared Lieutenant, who just rolled his eyes.

“Uh, we’ll take the next one,” he muttered to the others, as the doors closed, cutting off the view and giggles.

When she finally caught her breath, Kino leaned her shoulder against the lift and turned to Reika, her lips and cheeks hurting from laughing, but unable to stop grinning. “That’ll get em talkin for sure, baby,” she winked at the Andorian with a chuckle. “Wanna go again, or ya ready for bed?”

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Decks 20 and 12 | Vector 03 | Turbolift, Corridor on deck 12, Reika's Quarters | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

[color=gold“You wanna have some fun, mess with some people?”[/color]

Reika leaned into the pale arms.  “Of course I do, as long as it’s with you, I’m always up for some good-natured fun."

“Humans have a term called a ‘fire drill.’  Ever heard of it?”

Reika tilted her head.  The only fire drill that she had experienced was at the Academy in the dorms.  “I know of a fire drill, but I’m not sure what you’re talking about?”

Once she heard the explanation, she smacked Kino on the backside and giggled as she started stripping off in the turbolift.

About ten minutes later, Reika had one leg through the leg hole in Kino’s shorts, she was just lifting her other leg to slip into the second leg hole when the doors opened once again.  She heard Kino say, “Oh fuck, busted.”

Reika blinked, one foot in the air.  Her head raised slowly, though she kept perfect balance.  She didn’t have to think.  She knew that everything below her navel was exposed, except a small swath of skin on her right leg.  She grinned, trying to look innocent, and quickly slipped her second leg into the shorts.  Even when they were pulled up, they didn’t leave a whole lot to the imagination.  “Uh…sorry,” she chuckled uncertainly.

“Uh, we’ll take the next one,” he said as the doors started to close. 

Unsure what came over her, when the doors were about halfway closed, Reika called out, “You sure?  We could swap clothes with you on the next go-round."  She saw the Lieutenant’s face snap around and his jaw opened without any audible noise escaping it before the doors closed between them. 

Reika wrapped her arms around Kino’s neck and all out belly laughed until the doors opened once again on Vector 3, Deck 12, but when the level was announced, she unwrapped herself from the Trill, but grabbing her hand, she pulled the slightly shorter woman out of the turbolift with her, but stopped once they were outside.  She turned to face Kino and tenderly brushed her silver hair away from her forehead.  “I haven’t laughed that long in…” Reika’s voice trailed off as she tried to ascertain how long it had been - maybe all the way back to the Academy.  “Too long.  If this is what the start of our relationship is like, I can only imagine how amazing the rest is gonna be, gorgeous.  Thank you.” 

Reika stood there in silence for a moment memorizing Kino’s face, the few miniscule laugh lines she had around her eyes, the dimple of her cheek.  She had been uncertain of her relationship with Barak for most of it, so for her to be so incredibly certain of this brand new relationship with the Trill.  But as a group of people exiting the Turbolift just behind them broke her reverie, she laced her fingers between the pale ones.  “My quarters are just down this way,” she said leading the way.

Twenty seconds later, they stood in front of a nondescript door - just like every other senior officer’s door on the Theurgy.  “It’s still a little spartan,” Reika warned as she input her code, saying it only loud enough for Kino to hear, “384955,”  But I’m happy to write it in permanent marker somewhere where only you can see it, and that likely with mirror,” she laughed.  This time it was a light yet mischievous laugh.  Once they stepped inside, Reika said, “Welcome Home, Gorgeous.”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Turbolift near Reika's Quarters, Deck 12 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]In the brief moment after the lift door closed, once their laughter subsided, the couple seemed to study each other after Reika’s comments. Kino’s lips curled up at the Andorian, the Trill’s face softened in understanding as blue fingers gently combed silver strands from her forehead; it was a tender moment, filled with the same surprising gentleness that Reika seemed to wield with uncanny ease. The Andorian’s eyes and antenna, ever emotive, seemed fit to burst with a happy contentedness that melted the Trill’s heart. Kino couldn’t help but blink in wonder at her; it was only the beginning, yet everything seemed so effortless, so...right. The non-com had opened her mouth to reply, but then found herself pulled along by the hand towards Reika’s quarters; a chuckle bubbled up from her throat as she stretched her stride out to keep pace.

Once they reached her door, Kino tilted her head at the Andorian’s teasing with a grin. “Hey, I can remember stuff just fine when I’m not distracted, thank-you-very-much,” her nose wrinkled up playfully, but knew that she was going to have to type it all out in a message to herself as soon as she could anyway. It was a lot of new numbers to memorize, and Kino had plenty of stuff packed into her brain-meat already.

When the door opened, Kino felt a wave of chilly air roll over her that was not altogether unexpected; what was, even after Reika’s warning, was how empty the room was. The Trill felt her brows crease together almost instantly as she stepped into the main sitting area, even as she smiled at Reika’s welcome. The place looked as if she had barely lived in it for more than a few hours. Two totes sat stacked upon each other next to the door leading to the bedroom – no doubt still packed with the bulk of the Andorian’s personal effects. Kino’s looked around as she dropped the bag from her shoulder on the couch near the star-filled viewport, then offered Reika a knowing, gentle smile. "R.H.I.P.," she hummed as she shook her head at her own amusement, but that faded as she remembered how it felt to be so recently thawed from stasis.

“You haven’t had much time to settle in," Kino gestured to the space. “I know how that goes,” she nodded in sympathy, as she rubbed her hands together for warmth. “I’d be happy to help you with that of course,” the Trill smiled, as she returned to the Andorian’s side, “if you like. If not, that’s okay too,” she lifted a shoulder, as her eyes glanced over the single poster on the wall – depicting a large, lupine beast of some kind, prowling on a frozen background. Kino lifted her chin at it, as her arms wrapped around Reika’s waist. “Is that from home,” she asked, a dark brow raised in appreciation. “I’ve never seen anything look quite so beautiful and dangerous at the same time,” the Trill blinked, then looked back into the Andorian’s icy blues with a smirk. “Oh wait, yes I have,” she smiled, then grinned at Reika’s expression.

“So, is there a story there," her silver head tilted to the poster, but her eyes held Reika's beautiful blues.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Decks 20 and 12 | Vector 03 |  Reika's Quarters | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

Reika took a second to process the “R.H.I.P” comment, but then smiled.  She turned to face Kino and laced both of her hands with the Trill’s, and pulling the Trill’s hands around her own back, their bodies pressed together.  “Maybe, but it’s not the view of the stars that makes a home, ya know.  It’s who you get to share the view with.”

When Kino’s tender and tentative answer was, “You haven’t had much time to settle in.  I know how that goes.  I’d be happy to help you with that.”

“Computer, raise ambient temperature by 5 degrees Celsius,” Reika said, her eyes turned upward almost as if ‘Thea’ would burst out of the ceiling at any moment.  But her eyes swept back over Kino’s light blues - almost the color of Andor’s oceans.  And the color reminded her of home in more ways than one.  But the suggestion that the Trill made couldn’t have made her more happy.  Getting to share in the experience of setting up her new quarters with Kino’s help - knowing that her girlfriend had a hand in how the space was decorated and how it turned out couldn’t have thrilled her more.  “I’d love it if you helped me.  What I don’t have that we’d like, we can replicate.” 

Kino picked up on the one thing on the wall. “Is that from home?”

Reika craning her head around to look at the drawing done with watercolor pencils, even though she knew exactly what the Trill was referring to.  “Yea,” she said softly remembering exactly when she had shot the picture of the beast and then when she had drawn it and then used her special watercolor brush to blend the pencil strokes.  It was one of her better drawings, and she loved the effect the watercolor brush had.  “It’s a tundra wolf.  They’re fairly prevalent on Andor, but there’s just something about them…and about this one in particular."

“I’ve never seen anything look quite so beautiful and dangerous at the same time.”  Kino’s eyes traveled from the picture back to her girlfriend.  “Oh wait.  Yes, I have,” she smirked.

Reika smiled an embarrassed smile and surprisingly blushed just enough for her face to grow a lilac undertone.  She tipped her chin away and closed her eyes for that moment trying to regain her composure.

“So is there a story there?”  Kino asked after a moment.

“There is,” Reika said softly.  “Among some of the older Andorian traditionalists like my Shreva- just a small part of the general population - there’s a rite of passage that’s practiced amongst Andorians when they come of age - when they turn 13,” Reika explained. “It’s called the far’is’relle.  It’s a three-day, 100 km trek that’s taken over the tundra on Andor.  You battle the elements and whatever else is out there - including these deadly creatures.”  The blue-skinned woman clasped her hands around Kino’s back and leaned slightly away from her to better watch her expressions.   “I became well acquainted with them during mine, but I found them so fascinating that I went back not long before I left for the Academy and took some holoimages of them.  This picture is based on one of those images.  I used watercolor pencils and then a special watercolor brush to blend the colors together.  I’ve got a couple more framed ones in the totes along with several sketchbooks, but this was on top when I was looking for something else, so I decided to hang it up instead of putting it back in the tote.”

And suddenly, she was ready to be unpacked.  It was interesting how all it took for her to embrace the reality, brevity, and gravity of this time was to have someone to share it with.  No more putting off living life because she was no longer alone.  Her tone dropped to almost a whisper as she leaned back in slightly and ran the back of her hand aside Kino’s pale face.  “But if you’re willing to help me, I’m ready to unpack and not just call tis place home, but to think of it as home as well.”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Reika’s Quarters | Deck 12 | Vector 3 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Nodding at Reika’s tale, and her subdued addition, Kino’s brows knitted slightly as concern hardened her features. Both hands rose to cup the Andorian’s face in a gentle hold, as the Trill tilted her head. “I offered to help, didn’t I,” Kino whispered with a small smile. “I’m here – I got hands and legs,” she grinned, nodding, trying to lighten the mood. “Two heads is still better than one, yeah,” her head tilted the other way with a laugh. “So yeah, babe, lets get you squared away,” Kino winked, then stole a kiss as she playfully swatted the Andorian’s ass.

A quick retreat followed, back to the totes with a grin.

“So – you paint,” Kino stated as she opened the top crate, turning to look back at Reika. “And your good at it,” she nodded to the tundra wolf. “That’s awesome. Oh, here,” the Trill grabbed the top tote and moved it over to the couch, so Reika could access the bottom one. “Uh, you want me to just call out stuff, and you tell me where you want it, orrr...how d’you wanna do this,” she asked with a chuckle. “Last person I helped unpack was kinda...all over the place,” Kino grimaced briefly, but then smirked, thinking of Azrin as she did a quick inventory of what she could see within. “Red had waaay more stuff though, so this should be a snap in comparison.”

“This one looks like more paintings, some PADDs, art supplies, and clothes,” the non-com counted off on the fingers of one hand, as the other plucked a tablet carefully from the box. Her eyes widened and brows rose to her hairline as she read off the list of sultry romance novels within. “Lieutenant,” Kino gasped with a grin, “good night, quite a scandalous collection you got here,” she teased, brows wiggling at the Andorian with a chuckle, then blew her a kiss with a wink.

Kino smirked at her reaction, then glanced around. “Okay, you got two shelves in here and a bunch of space under the couch, and the sill on that ridiculously large view-port just begging to be filled with nick-knacks, and if memory serves, you should have more storage under the bed,” the Trill’s nose scrunched up as her voice dropped to a whisper. “Better not have a torpedo in there, or I’m gonna start asking security-type questions,” she bit her lip playfully then, arching a brow. “Cuffs’ll come out, too.”

A chuckle followed at Reika’s reaction, to which the Trill just shrugged innocently. “Hey – just doin’ my job,” she held her hands up with a grin.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Kino's Quarters | Decks 20 and 12 | Vector 03 |  Reika's Quarters | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

Reika smiled at Kino as the kiss broke, and when Kino smacked her backside, she squealed gleefully in surprise. 

“Actually I don’t paint…usually,” Reika’s mind went very briefly to the art exhibition a couple of days before. “That,” she nodded toward the picture on the wall, "is actually a drawing with special watercolor pencils that I blur with a special brush."

“Red?  Who’s Red?” Reika asked as she headed over to the opposite tote than Kino had taken up residence at, and she crouched down beside it to start going over it. Unlatching the lid, the Andorian extricated it and set it aside.  Afterward, she reached inside and lifted one of her blades - her flabjellah - off the top of the tote, but as she did Kino’s teasing voice, “Lieutenant,” she gasped and then laughed at girlfriend with her eyes. 

Reika’s head craned around and her eyes met Kino’s. “Quite a scandalous collection you’ve got here,” which prompted Reika’s bark of laughter.  “Well, ya know,” she chuckled, “anytime you want to role play any of them, let me know.  I’m down.” Reika caught the tossed kiss and planted it on her lips. 

“Better not have a torpedo in there, or I’m gonna start asking security-type questions.  Cuff’ll come out too,” Kino said.

“Damn!” Reika said as she cocked her head.  “If I had known that, I would have found a way to smuggle one in.”  Her tongue pressed against her upper teeth as she grinned at the silver-haired woman standing over the other tote. 

As Reika adjusted the tote, something behind it shifted.  Her brows raised and she leaned over to see what was behind the receptacle.  It was her ‘painting’ of the naked Hirek.  She decided to leave it right where it was - behind the trunk. 

Deciding that she’d rather work in tandem with Kino than on the other tote, she stood and turned to head over.  Her foot accidentally shifted the tote further away from the wall.  “Okay, why don’t we just start working on that tote together?  Um…Painting supplies can go on the shelves in the bedroom.  Why don’t you do that, while I start setting out these sketches in the areas I want to hang them.”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Reika’s Quarters | Deck 12 | Vector 3 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]Oops, her mind chuckled at Reika’s correction – it looked like a painting, but Kino just shrugged a shoulder fractionally. Arts and crafts was never her thing, so to speak, but she hadn’t been trying to flatter Reika; she really was talented, and the tundra wolf was proof enough of that. Belatedly, the Trill’s brows knitted together, wondering how crazy that must have been for a teenager. She was out in the frozen wilds of Andor with those, while I was…

A blink and a shake of her head shook that line of thought away. “Red is Azrin honey – I’m sure you’ll run into her soon enough. Hard to forget, that one,” Kino answered, as her eyes returned to the PADD full of ludicrously cheesy romance titles: Arcadian Dreams, Risan Leather, Claws of Passion – Book I of the Caitian Dynasty Series...Kino’s brows rose at the last one with a chuckle, thinking of her comment about role play. “I dunno Legs, these sound a bit out of my comfort zone,” she grinned at the smiling Andorian as she passed with an arm full of art supplies. “The Queen’s Conquest might be doable – I’ll have to read it first,” the Trill winked.

Upon entry into Reika’s bedroom, Kino set the PADD down first so she could read aloud as she placed the crafting items onto the shelf. It was the middle of a chapter of The Queen’s Conquest, apparently, where Reika had left off...

'Nepheton’s tempestuous storms rained upon their bodies in the firelight; the sounds of their gasps and moans muffled over the crack of lightning and rolling thunder. Fenri bared herself to him – her captor, her savior – in ways no noble-borne scion of the Gilded Throne ever should; especially not one such as she, affianced to the High King himself. Lothar held her wrists up above the drenched and matted ruination of her golden hair – taking everything he wanted – all that she, drowned in lust, willingly gave. His merciless passion left Fenri’s bare chest heaving, limbs and womanhood aching in need as they clenched onto and around his glistening, fire-lit body.'

“I am yours – I am yours,” the Queen’s quivering lips promised him, over and over, with every blissful thrust.

Holy fuck that’s just terrible, Kino stifled a chuckle as she set the last box into place, turning her mirthful features to Reika. “Okay, spill it – what's the story. No spoilers, but who is who? This a classic ‘the lady falls for the rugged kidnapper trope’,” the non-com grinned as she scooped the PADD up and headed back to the tote for more supplies. Her eyes caught sight of what appeared to be another painting though, right before her foot hit it. “Hm, must have fallen out…,” Kino muttered as she picked it up, then turned it over to look. “...of the other one,” she snorted, eyes wide and brows lifted as she grinned at Reika. “Private stash, huh,” she asked with a chuckle - wondering why the completely nude model looked so...greasy. "Want this one in the bedroom then," Kino's brows bounced teasingly.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Reika's Quarters | 12 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

Reika watched as Kino’s lips mouthed the words of the different ‘adult’ book titles on the PADD she held her pale hand.  Reika watched with amusement as Kino’s eyes and mind processed the titles.  She really hadn’t had any intention of showing those off to Kino, but seeing her girlfriend get a kick out of it - not only didn’t she mind - she was rather enjoying it. 

“I dunno Legs, these sound a bit out of my comfort zone.  The Queen’s Conquest might be doable -- I’ll have to read it first.”

Kino’s wink brought a smile to Reika’s azure lips. 

As Kino carried an armful of things into her bedroom, Reika dove back into the tote.  She moved the pictures that were on top of the and set them around her main room where she wanted to hang them.  But the last one that she extracted was a holo pic of her family.  Unfortunately for her, Barak was also in the picture, but that’s not where her eyes lighted, her eyes looked very lovingly at her family.  She missed them - desperately.

But then she heard Kino’s voice read…”Nepheton’s tempestuous storms rained upon their bodies in the firelight; the sounds of their gasps and moans muffled over the crack of lightning and rolling thunder. Fenri bared herself to him – her captor, her savior – in ways no noble-borne scion of the Gilded Throne ever should; especially not one such as she, affianced to the High King himself. Lothar held her wrists up above the drenched and matted ruination of her golden hair – taking everything he wanted – all that she, drowned in lust, willingly gave. His merciless passion left Fenri’s bare chest heaving, limbs and womanhood aching in need as they clenched onto and around his glistening, fire-lit body.'

“I am yours – I am yours,” the Queen’s quivering lips promised him, over and over, with every blissful thrust.”

As she listened, she leaned against the wall in the living room, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.  Her shoulders bobbed up and down as her head shook back and forth and her lips curled up in a wide laughter-filled grin. 

When she heard Kino’s words, “Okay, spill it - what’s the story.  No spoilers, but who is who?  This is a classic ‘the lady falls for the rugged kidnapper trope,” Reika opened her eyes. 

And her head moved back and forth in slight movements. “Okay, the queen, Fenri, isn’t the queen yet.  She’s betrothed to the king making her queen aparant, but she doesn’t love the king.  A rival Kingdom tries to destroy the kingdom by kidnapping her before the wedding and, of course, Fenri falls for Lothar instead.  I won’t spoil the ending.  This is my ,” she paused in thought, “third time through it.”  But then laughing out loud.  “Hey don’t judge me,” she wrinkled her nose at the beautiful Trill.

But as Kino’s foot hit Reika’s other painting, Reika took in a breath of air.

“Private stash, huh?  Want this one in your bedroom?”

Reika rolled her eyes.  “There was a painting evening two nights ago, and this was what I painted that evening.  The model was nude, that’s all.”  Reika went back to the tote to grab the next armful of items, but stopped.  “Unless you want the painting for yourself?”  She chuckled as she watched for Kino’s reaction. 

The next handful of items were her bladed weapons.  Her flabjellah, gorjellah, and her Ushan Tor.  She saw no reason to pack them away.  She put them in a prominent place on one of the shelves in the main room and turned to Kino.  "Ever seen any Andorian bladed weapons before?"

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Reika’s Quarters | Deck 12 | Vector 3 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]“Ha, no judgement here,” Kino smiled, tucking the PADD up under her arm. “One of my guys reads tentacle comics – the other is into super cheesy horror holos. Everyone has their thing, hon,” Kino added with a grin. “It sounds entertaining,” the corner of her lips pulled to the side as a brow raised. “Been awhile since I read anything other than reports.”

The mention of Reika’s ‘paint night’ prompted another lift of her brows in surprise. That's a first – who knew? Although, with everything going on, it shouldn’t have been that surprising. Well, minus the naked model, but then again…not surprising either, she smirked. With another nose wrinkled grin, Kino's eyes returned to the painting with a chuckle at Reika’s question. On one hand, she did want it just because it was something Reika had made, while on the other, Kino wasn’t sure if she really liked it or would enjoy seeing it every day. Never was into art much, the non-com chewed her lip in thought for a moment then shook her head with a shrug.

“I'd rather have one of you, or us,” Kino admitted with a tilt of her head, as her eyes followed the leggy Andorian’s movements with a smile. “There’s some nice locations on the ship we could use, or the holodeck,” the painting was set down with the others, as Reika passed to set up her blade collection on a shelf. Kino scooped up a pile of clothes from the tote, then tilted her head at the Andorian’s question, brows elevated in interest while examining them on the shelf with a subtle ‘ooh’.

She’d seen plenty of knives – nothing quite like these. Dark brows pinched together in confusion at first, as Kino wondered how they were supposed to be held and utilized properly, then remembered the bundle of clothes in her arms. She turned to set those on the bed quickly.

“Are these practical or ceremonial,” she asked with a gesture; to her eyes they all looked perfectly serviceable – if unwieldy; admittedly, Kino wasn’t that great with blades. A brow quirked at Reika, as Kino remembered their spar; if she handled them with the same grace and proficiency as her lovely blue body…damn.

“What about them,” she asked with a side-nod, as her eyes lingered on a group photo of four Andorians and a human. The more she looked, the more Kino recognized the obvious similarities; they were Reika’s family…there were dozens of pictures of them, spread across the room and the sitting room beyond. Not knowing how they are must be eating her up, Kino frowned at the thought, then turned to meet the Andorians eyes  – features softened as she took a blue hand in hers. “The resemblance is pretty obvious,” she nodded with a small smile. “I hope I get to meet them all someday.”

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Reika's Quarters | 12 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

“If you’ve not read anything but reports in so long, Gorgeous, you need a little more downtime.  And ya know,” Reika said as she crossed her arms under her chest, “I’m very happy to help make sure you get that downtime,” she said grinning at her new girlfriend.

But then the grin on her face faded as Kino examined her painting of the naked Hirek…The same one she spent a good deal of the night satisfying both his and her own primal needs that had gone unfulfilled - at least for Reika - for quite some time.  It was before she and Kino had hooked up…but… And the Andorian stood there studying Kino trying to guage how she might react to the news as Kino looked at her painting.

“I’d rather have one of you or us,” Kino said.  “There’s some nice locations on the ship we could use, or the holodeck.”

“I absolutely love that idea.  We should do that.  Maybe we can brainstorm ideas as we nod off together tonight - or honestly, this morning together.  What time is it?”  She glanced down at her chronometer.  “Oh.  It’s only 1am.  We’ve got plenty of time yet,” she winked.

It was then that Reika walked over to the collection.  “This one,” she held up an elongated oval with spikes down its spine and a handle on the opposite side, “is called an Ushaan Tor.  I would carry it with me on Andor.”  She set that one down and picked up a twenty-centimeter-long slender flexible blade with an upside-down-u-shaped hand guard.  "This one is called a flabjellah.  This last one, is called a chaka.”  This time she picked up what looked like half a star. It had three pointed edges and the edge between the two outer points was serrated on each end with a smooth cushioned handle in the middle.  “All of them are traditional Andorian weapons.  Some people still use these and carry them in public, though that’s becoming less and less prominent.  But they’re also ceremonial, and are used in different combats on the planet as well.”

But it wasn’t long before Kino called her attention to the picture of two Andorian males and two Andorian females and a human.  Reika’s inside twisted that among all of the family pictures she would choose the one with Barak - Barak who had met her parents.

Reika swallowed hard as Kino wrapped her pale fingers in Reika’s blue ones.  “Yeah.  These four are my parents.” She blinked several times in quick succession and looked up at the ceiling.  It took her a minute before she could talk again. The five were standing slightly staggered with the men in the back and the women in front between the men.  “This one,” she gestured to the tallest of the men, "Is my Thavan - Yintranic.  This is my shreva Trian’ezza.  My Charan, Vesbroc, and my Zhavey, Ni’vral’unna.  And this,” she said, “In case you haven’t guessed in Barak.”

But Reika turned toward Kino and slipped her arm around her slender waist.  “And as soon as we get ourselves out of this mess here on the Theurgy, I’m going to take you to meet my parents, and I’m SURE that they will love you.”  Long white locks shook with her head.  “Like I do,” the Andorian said stepping in close.  She leaned in and rubbed her nose against the pale nose opposite before going in for a gentle kiss.   When their lips parted, she whispered.  “It’s so hard to understand and even harder to believe that I’m this certain so quickly, but maybe after having been in wrong relationship before, it’s so clear when it’s the right one.”  She laid her head against Kino’s just drinking in their closeness and the tenderness of the moment. 

After a little time, she pulled back and looked at Kino. “Let’s get these clothes and a few other things put away so I can take you to bed….again…”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Reika’s Quarters | Deck 12 | Vector 3 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]“Oh, likewise honey,” Kino grinned up at Reika in agreement, thinking of all the ways they could spend downtime together; having someone to share it with brought on a whole new appeal – once they were away from QonoS (not the Trill’s ideal vacation locale) the options were literally endless, provided they reach some semblance of a safe harbor again, that is. In the meantime, there were plenty of relatively calm places on the ship for them to spend time together.

Her silver head nodded as Reika identified the various blades; curiosity pulled Kino’s bottom lip into a slight frown as she visualized herself wielding them and defending against them. Ultimately, she concluded that more context was required – perhaps another day – maybe they could spar with them, or Reika could provide a demonstration. Kino was always keen to learn new weapons and techniques for her hand-to-hand repertoire.

Those thoughts were dismissed as her blue eyes flicked back to the Andorian, noting her internal momentary struggle. Kino’s brows creased in concern; hoping she hadn’t brought up a sore subject, but also empathetic to how difficult it must have been for Reika to talk about. Such things needed to to be said; they needed to be shared, vented out into the air, lest they fester and poison a person’s soul. Of course she missed her family. Of course she was worried, because they were dearly loved – that much was painfully obvious in Reika’s beautifully lit sapphire eyes.

A blue arm slipped around her, and Kino welcomed and reinforced the gesture with her own.

Holding Reika close, Kino nodded trying to remember all the different names of the Andorian’s parents; while her eyes narrowed at the human in envy. From what she had learned of Barak, he didn’t seem to value what he had; it was difficult for the Trill not to hold that against him – even if the circumstances were very different during Reika’s relationship with him. Well, I sure as hell do, she thought at his picture, brows furrowed, then pulled away from the Andorian’s embrace just enough to steal another kiss. “I’ve never met anyone’s parents before – I’m sure they are wonderful people. I can’t wait to tell them how we met,” she whispered with a smile, just before Reika suggested they finish packing up a few more things before heading to bed.

“Let’s get crackin’ then, before it gets too late. As much as I’d love to stay up with you all night,” Kino smirked, “and I just might anyway, because you drive me crazy – I do have shit to do tomorrow,” the Trill teased with a grin, moving off to scoop up the clothes she’d placed on the bed.

“Drawers, or closet,” Kino asked with a slight tilt to her head, then smiled as she arched a brow at her love. “I’m really glad I got to help with this. It’s important for you to make this space your own, you know. Everyone needs a place to call home; to decompress,” she gestured around the room briefly. “How do you feel about it now?”

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Reika's Quarters | 12 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

It felt so good with something as simple as Kino held her close.  How can something as innocent as being held close feel so amazing? She asked herself, and while she couldn’t figure that answer out in such a short amount of time why, but it didn’t matter.  All that did matter at that moment was that it DID feel amazing.

“When we meet my parents,” Reika assured Kino.  “I’ll make sure that you’re the one who gets to tell them that story,” the blue lips said as she turned to face the Trill, setting both hands atop of her hips. 

But after a quick kiss and a short conversation, Kino pulled back slightly to help Reika put away her clothes. 

“Drawers or closet?”

Reika looked over before grabbing her own handful of clothes to put away.  “Um…Those will go in the drawers over there,” she nodded toward a specific set.  “Be careful with those panties.  I want you to see me in…well, and out of them at some point,” Reika laughed and winked at her. 

Kino seemed as fastidious about her clothes as Reika was.  Everything was neatly folded and carefully placed in the drawers as Reika started hanging her clothes in the closet.  Some of them were things that you’d expect like her uniforms and others were a little crazy and a couple were even a little kinky. 

Several trips back and forth from the totes that had been on ice along with the Andorian, and things were looking filled out and her totes were looking empty. 

Reika plopped on the end of the bed, placed her hands behind her, and leaned back on them surveying the progress the two had made when Kino asked her how she felt about it.

The Andorian tilted her head just a little as she considered the question.  “Ya know.  It feels good to be unpacked, but what feels even better is having someone to share it with, having someone working alongside me.  And now, every time I look at everything, I’ll remember what a hot woman helped me get everything put out,” she patted the end of the bed next to her.  “How do you feel about the room now?” she asked as she batted her eyelashes at Kino.

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Reika’s Quarters | Deck 12 | Vector 3 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]“Your daughter beat my ass and I loved every second of it,” Kino laughed.

For some reason, folding clothes always put her in a good mood. Given the vast differences between her youth – full of attitude and disorder – where she had practically rebelled against any and all forms of authority and conformity, Kino couldn’t help but grin at herself now. Everything had a place; everything had a purpose. Taking the time to ensure order around her left her with a sense of comfort and accomplishment; after all – when you knew where everything was, that was one less thing to worry about.

And of course, Kino was in the presence of someone who appreciated that, and her.

That makes all the difference in the world, the Trill chewed her lip with a grin.

“Always,” the Trill smirked at Reika’s teasing concern over her panties as she folded them by muscle memory. Her eyes had caught more than a few curious other items during the course of helping the Andorian unpack – all of which Kino couldn’t help but visualize briefly with a knowing smile. Honestly, Reika’s bare, beautifully toned body was more than enough to light her fire on its own; Kino was relatively sure the Andorian knew that much already. Additional wrappings were just icing on an already deliciously sweet cake.

After one last trip to the closet to hang up some additional items, it seemed that were done, for the moment at least. Kino’s silvered head tilted opposite of Reika’s, as the Trill chewed her lip at the look in those bright blue eyes. “Careful, Miss Sh’laan – I’m susceptible to flattery,” Kino grinned at her, then nodded with a gesture to the room. “I think it’s properly yours now, and I’m happy to have helped,” she added, closing the distance between them to stand just before the Andorian.

Ignoring the pat of a blue hand on the bed, opting to slide her knee in between Reika’s before climbing up to straddle her lap carefully and slowly, Kino rested her hands on the mattress just behind the Andorian’s amazing curves. “Now, is there something else I can help you with,” Kino’s lips brushed against dark blues with a smile, tilting her hips teasingly.

[Lt Reika Sh'laan | Reika's Quarters | 12 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] @Dumedion

Reika laughed at Kino’s smart-ass remark.  But the laughter was lighter than usual - easy - genuine in a way that she had never completely experienced before.  It amazed her how the right person could change something so simple as a laugh.  And this was just the beginning of their journey together, what would it look like and how would it change her months or years from now?

Reika stopped midway through putting some items onto one of her shelves and just watched Kino as she folded her panties…it was simple, but even in the way she folded them - something in it spoke of her care for the items.  Reika shook her head and returned to putting the items away.

But as she finished and made her way over to the edge of the bed beckoning Kino to join her, as Kino instead placed her knee gently between Reika’s legs, Reika pressed into that knee, her eyes rolling back into her head for a moment until this time, Kino crawled up to straddle her lap, placing her hands just behind Reika, and bringing her face within centimeters of the Andorian. 

“Now is there something else I can help you with?” Kino asked.  Then those beautiful plump pink lips descended, and Reika’s parted to allow the Trills to slip in and around.  Tender, soft, sweet to the taste.

Reika tipped her head back even further exposing her neck to the Trill.  “Well, now that you mention it…I’m feeling a little overheated, flushed?  Do I look flushed?” Reika asked innocently pressing her hips against the ones that Kino was tilting against the Andorian’s.  “Maybe I’m overdressed?  And well, I’m kinda pinned in here.  I can’t move much.  I think I might need,” she said before kissing her again, “some help getting undressed?”

[PO2 Kino Jeen | Reika’s Quarters | Deck 12 | Vector 3 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @Dree
[Show/Hide]While Kino watched Reika ease her head back in an oh-so-tempting gesture, the Trill bit her lip in a grin, loving the lingering taste of the Andorian’s lips – how playful and effortlessly Reika drew her in – and how good it felt to just...be with her. Time had kept right on ticking, but neither one of them seemed to pay it any mind; for her part, Kino’s attention lay solely fixed on the woman that stole her heart.

My Reika…you beautiful blue temptress.

“Oh? Sounds serious,” Kino hummed as she readjusted, shifting her weight back while pulling Reika up into a sitting position. Pale spotted hands slid up the Andorian’s side, up under Kino's borrowed t-shirt, feathering across blue skin. Her lips trailed soft kisses along an azure jawline, then teased an earlobe with a soft sigh. “Let’s get you cooled off then love,” Kino nodded, breathing in Reika’s scent as platinum strands of hair tickled her face.

Shifting back enough to watch, Kino bit her lip as she slowly pulled Reika’s shirt up, then blew softly across the beautiful blue skin revealed. Her silver head tilted down and to the side as her hands paused, rolling up just enough shirt to expose the pale blue undersides of her bust, the fabric pulled tight to teasingly caress the darkened peaks of her nipples. The Trill’s brows twitched playfully as her eyes darted up into Reika’s, lips curled in enjoyment; once revealed, Kino took her time to blow across each one, with strokes of her thumbs in teasing circles, then continued. Soon enough, Reika’s arms rose as the shirt nearly cleared her face, only her eyes and antenna remained concealed. Kino, unable to let such an opportunity pass, let Reika decide to remove it completely; her fingertips trailed back down supple azure skin, lips nipping in their wake. “Think it might be contagious,” the Trill purred between soft kisses, “feeling a bit warm myself,” her lips curled into Reika’s skin, listening to the soft sighs of pleasure from her love.

Kino leaned back to unzip her hoodie, as blue hands felt up her thighs, tugging at her sweatpants; looking down at the perfection that was her lover, she couldn’t stop smiling. The Trill wiggled her hips some more, gyrating in a playful come and get it gesture as she pulled the hoodie from her torso to fall to the floor behind her. Kino shook her head though, still smiling seductively, as she backed away from the Andorian’s grasping hands. “Shorts should go too, I think,” Kino whispered as she dismounted, lowering her lips to Reika’s bare abs. A trail of kisses and subtle licks followed, till her mouth reached the waistband; a combination of teeth and fingers pulled – all the way down those lovely limbs the Trill adored and desired so much – until Reika lay gloriously nude in the soft white light of her bedroom.

Kino stood at the foot of the bed, one knee resting on the mattress; the grin on her face was entirely Reika’s making, and belonged only for her, as Kino’s eyes drank in every detail of her body. “Still warm,” the Trill asked with an innocent head tilt. “I know something that might help,” she winked, then ordered a glass of crushed ice from the replicator. Once she returned a few shards popped in her mouth, Kino let them melt just enough to cool her tongue – while pale hands and fingers played up and down Reika’s outer thighs – before she lowered her lips to blue skin once again. Starting just above the Andorian’s knee, Kino let her lips and tongue push the ice chips up along azure flesh, pausing only to breathe and suckle the melting liquid.

She took her time, pale blue eyes glancing up from her efforts to watch Reika’s reactions. All too quickly, the ice melted away; a quick suckle to the tender skin of Reika’s thigh preempted Kino from reloading. “Feel good,” the Trill grinned as she popped a few more ice chips in her mouth, intent on giving Reika’s other thigh the same treatment.

"Wonderfully so," Reika murmured through the smile that melted Kino's heart, beckoning the Trill up her azure body with a curl of one finger. "But I know what will feel even better."

A dark brow arched over the Trill's cybernetic eye playfully, all thought of teasing disregarded. The bowl of ice chips was set aside before her spotted length prowled up the Andorian's body, trailing feathered kisses as she went.

In the end, the night concluded much as it began; two souls, hearts, bodies entwined - pulled together inextricably by something neither of them fully understood - yet recognized instantly. As they drifted off into slumber, limbs wrapped around each other peacefully, the light of a new day broke over the arch of Qo'noS above them: the planet slowly turned, the stars continued to burn, the universe itself marched to its own unknowable, infinite clockwork.

Come what may, it always would.

~FIN~