little_box_of_horrors | I kissed a girl and I liked it.

I kissed a girl and I liked it.

(( PSL for

realitybendstomywill ))

[ Ashe steps out onto the front porch of her small county house, taking in a deep breath of the warm, desert air. It feels so good to be free from the shackles of her illness. After two and a half weeks of pain, misery and recuperating, she wanted to go out and do something that wasn’t lying in bed or being limited to the rooms in her house. Symmetra was leaving within the next day or two and she also felt the need to express her gratitude.

Because… yanno. Ashe wasn’t a pleasant person when she was sick and she knew that all too well. Not that they hadn’t reached an understanding and gotten through that initial unpleasantness, but still.

The day before, she’d suggested that they go into town in the evening for a girl’s night out. Ashe never really had a lot of girl friends in the past and had silently always wondered what it’d be like. She assumed it was a lot different than the loud and rowdy times she had with her boys; which was fine and dandy enough, but sometimes? Getting dressed up just for the sake of it (and maybe for the sake of turning a few heads) sounded like a much better time to her. A different thrill from the bar fights, gambling and alcohol induced shenanigans.

Waiting for the other woman to finish getting ready, she drops her purse on the first step and then turns to take a seat on the porch swing, settling against the back and looking out at the quiet desert before her. She smooths out the soft fabric of the yellow dress she wore and then reaches to adjust the light brown fringe that exposed her shoulders and hung just low enough for a tasteful amount of cleavage. Her normally straight hair held soft curls that framed her face, the longer side lightly bouncing over her shoulder as the breeze blew through the porch. The belt that hugs her slim waist is the same light brown as the fringe, the buckle in the shape of a flower and adorned with turquoise stones. She’d chosen some strappy sandals instead of heels; being that she was still in the process of recovering, she hadn’t wanted to push herself too much. Plus, it was such a nice day for a light and flowy garment. Hell, it was the first time she’d worn a dress in a long while.

Leaning her head back, she closes her eyes, content to enjoy the wind on her face and the calm silence that only someone who lives out in the middle of absolute nowhere could grow accustomed to. ]

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[With her emotions starting to overwhelm her as they are, Satya barely hears the sound of Ashe’s soft exhale: she hyper-focuses on the rattling sounds the keys make against the keychain and on the satisfying feeling of turning the key in the lock, wishing she could repeat that motion several times like she sometimes does, but if things are already this strained between them, she doesn’t want to know how they would be like if she showed Ashe clear evidence that she is on the spectrum.

She turns around just in time to realize Ashe is looking at her, which is somehow as unexpected as it was to hear that question while they were in the elevator, and reaches down to remove her shoes, placing them neatly by the door. When Ashe says yes, she doesn’t even feel glad or relieved, because her absolute lack of enthusiasm is downright appalling, and Satya puts her carefully built mask right back into place to keep her facial expression from giving away just how hurt she really feels.]

Of course.

[She manages a tired little curl of her lips, nowhere near the radiant smile she has shown her friend in nearly every video call they have made. She isn’t feeling up to it, not really, but she needs it, needs the music and the rhythm and the repetitive movements to regulate her own emotions. It doesn’t matter that Ashe has barely shown any interest or enthusiasm in watching her dance; given how quickly her own feelings are spiraling out of her control, she would have danced even if Ashe fell asleep twelve seconds into her performance.]

Have a seat, then.

[She gestures towards the couch as she walks into the living room, hoping Ashe will follow her without being told to. With her back turned to the other woman, she flicks through the holoscreen on her sound system in search of the right songs to dance to-- the right lyrics, the right tempo, the right intensity to make her return to normal-- and realizes that Ashe has already sat down. Good; this means she can begin.

When the music begins-- calm, soothing, no vocals and barely any instruments other than an expertly played sitar-- Satya doesn’t start dancing right away. For a long moment, she lets her hand rest against the speaker to feel its thrum against her skin, and then untucks her dupatta so she can use it freely as she dances. Right on cue, the music changes to something straight out of a Bollywood movie, and her dancing begins.

It is clear that Satya isn’t dancing to her fullest potential: her movements are still graceful, yes, but they seem strained, her expression almost pained, as if there is something holding her back. Halfway through the first song, something shifts in her expression as her mind finally clears, and Satya truly looks at Ashe for the first time since they got home. This may be my only chance to show her how I feel, she thinks to herself, unaware that her eyes show everything she is feeling at the moment. Things cannot get any worse than they already are. It is now or never, is it not?

And so Satya opens her heart just like she swore she wouldn’t: she lets go, and she smiles, and she sings.

The following songs pass by in a blur, gradually becoming slower and less energic. Without being fully aware of it, Satya moves closer to Ashe as she dances, the ends of her dupatta accidentally brushing against her friend’s knees a few times. Although she doesn’t mean to do it, her dancing becomes almost seductive during the last song, her every movement slow and captivating, until the song is about to end and she steps closer, placing the dupatta around Ashe’s shoulders as she lowers herself to the floor in one graceful movement, holding on to the ends of the scarf as she looks up at the other woman.

She… didn’t predict this. This was not her intention at all, and Satya finds herself frozen in place, kneeling like a supplicant in front of the woman she has unrequited feelings for, her face flushed as she tries to catch her breath.]

[ It surprises Ashe that she’s actually able to look in Satya’s general direction now, when she had so much trouble in the elevator. The extent of that sour mood certainly was evident in Satya’s far less colorful expression in a way that could only be described as dulled to grey. This is awful. And there’s really no reason for it. Maybe if Ashe had kept her mouth shut and just ridden the elevator in silence…

…No. That wouldn’t have helped either. Is there no winning tonight?

Following suit and removing her own shoes (that is going to take some getting used to), Ashe responds with a nod of her head to Satya’s instruction and quietly steps over to the couch to take a seat. She settles against the back, reaching up to tuck a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. Satya’s dancing would be a good distraction, right? Quell that negativity between them and then maybe they could start over.

And damn it all, she is going to confess tonight and kick this bit of unpleasantness to the way side. She hates seeing Satya so withdrawn. It’s just about to drive her mad.

Lost in her own thoughts, it’s the music that pulls her back down to the living room she’s sitting in. She lifts her gaze back over toward Satya, watching her curiously as she stands next the speaker. And then the dancing starts and Ashe can’t tear her gaze away. Perhaps she should have expected this level of expertise, but she didn't.

The progression of restrained to unrestrained is notable, even to her untrained eye. That shift in her demeanor is so apparent and also such a relief. There she is. That vibrant, beautiful spirit that caught Ashe’s eye over two months ago. That lovely woman that she spent so many nights talking into the small hours of the morning with. That smile that she saw long after she closed her eyes.

The movements are so graceful, so fluid and precise. Far superior to the performance that she witnessed back at the bar. There’s something more to this performance. More feeling. More emotion. More… heart. The spinning and flowing of her skirt is strangely alluring; and her attention keeps snapping down toward that bangle on her ankle. And then the dark shade of her skin; how truly lovely her feet and legs are; something she hadn’t really taken time to notice before, but her dancing accentuates every beautiful aspect of her.

Her scarf hits her knees a couple of times; by that time, Ashe has moved forward to sit on the edge of the couch, watching intently and almost wishing for Satya to dance closer to her. There’s that familiar longing in her chest. That warmth from earlier that evening when she’d been mere inches away from her. Close enough to kiss as she applied the surma. There is a hint of seduction in the ways she dances that only makes her that much more alluring. Ashe doesn’t even realize just how fondly she smiles at her friend as she watches her, all of that unpleasantness from earlier long forgotten.

Finally, Satya is in front of her and Ashe sits up a bit straighter in mild alarm upon feeling the fabric of her scarf around her. Her shoulders tense as she absolutely can’t tear her gaze away from Satya’s. She notes the flush on her face(from dancing for a solid few minutes straight, no doubt), barely hearing the way she pants for just how loud her own temporal pulse pounds in her ears.

Now what? ]

Is there anything you can't do, sugar? You dance like a dream.

[ A soft, breathless chuckle escapes her when she realizes just how red her own cheeks must have flushed, if the warmth she feels is any indicator at all. You know what? She’s done. She’s done playing around when Satya basically just poured her heart in soul into that dance and is sitting in front of her waiting for her to make a move. That’s how she’s interpreting it and she’s going to go with it.

Her gaze softening, she leans in closer to Satya, lifting a hand to rest it against her cheek. Her thumb gently brushes over her bottom lip as she looks into her eyes for a couple of seconds. Surely her heart must be trying to break it’s way out of her chest for just how hard it’s beating. ]

You ever get the idea that maybe we're... more than friends?

[Ever since she was a child, dancing has always put her in a trance-like state of calm and tranquility. That is why, even though she kept her eyes on Ashe as she danced, she’s only remembering or noticing certain details now, kneeling in front of her and looking up at her friend as she tries to catch her breath: how closely and intently Ashe watched her, the way her eyes often drifted down to her ankle, how she moved forward to the edge of the couch, the fond smile on her lips… she realizes belatedly how Ashe tensed up when she put the scarf around her, and that makes a pang of coldness appear between all the wonderful warmth she is feeling, grounding her and bringing her back to what is happening now.

Although she expects Ashe to compliment her abilities, she doesn’t expect her to do it quite like that, and neither does she expect to see her friend blushing in such a way.]

Thank you, [she says, even though the words she wishes she could say are quite different: Yes, there is-- I cannot make you feel for me what I feel for you. Satya is carefully reminding herself that their closeness and that look on her friend’s face mean nothing, because her insistence on Satya finding another girlfriend spoke volumes, but something shifts in Ashe’s eyes all of a sudden and then she leans in, looking almost as if she’s about to kiss her, and she touches her cheek and brushes her thumb along her lower lip, and oh.

Oh.

She… she feels the same way?

Her lips part in a silent gasp at the feeling of that thumb against her lower lip, her mouth curling into a delirious little smile as she leans into Ashe’s touch. She brings her own hand up to keep Ashe’s in place, staring right back into those gorgeous red eyes until she feels like it’s too much, too intense, and she closes her eyes, letting the wonderful warmth in her chest wash over her.]

I thought so, but... I have always been careful not to let the things I wish for distort my perception of reality.

[And oh, how she wished they could be more than friends, but never dared to hope that that was indeed what she was seeing. Satya swallows hard, her eyes opening again, but she doesn’t dare look at Ashe just yet: she tilts her head down, letting her eyes roam along the little details in the fabric of the pallu of her sari.]

There is a very significant reason why I did not give that woman a chance, [she begins, her voice far too soft, and she finally makes eye contact again, looking up at Ashe from under her eyelashes. Even with all the evidence in front of her, even with Ashe within kissing distance and her hand touching her face and her mouth, she still feels so afraid that everything will go wrong as soon as she dares to tell the truth. Satya cannot remember the last time her heartbeat felt so loud to her own ears.] I… I already feel very strongly for someone else.

[ Satya’s outward reaction alone would have told her everything she needed to know. However, even with Ashe touching her face and that question that should have made it so apparent, she still seems to have her doubts. Well, now. They simply can’t have that, can they?

Ashe is almost smug for just how incredibly relieved and happy she is that those feelings are mutual. Not that there shouldn’t have been any question about it. All the telltale signs were there; the only thing left was to talk about it, which had been all too difficult. Yet also insultingly easy once they finally got down to it. There was still plenty more to talk about, but not right now.

Not when there is a very real need to dismiss those residual doubts.

Ashe hums softly -- and almost gleefully -- allowing her hand to remain under Satya’s on her cheek for a few more seconds before she moves it; her fingertips sliding down to Satya’s chin as she gently grips it between her forefinger and thumb. She tips her chin upwards as she closes that remaining distance, chuckling softly against her lips, no sooner do they touch.

Heavens, they're just as soft as she imagined. A laugh escapes her and she pulls back briefly and just enough to murmur: ]

I reckon she’s a damn lucky woman.

[ And then her eyes fall closed as she kisses her. This definitely isn’t the position she wants to be in. Leaning forward like this is going to get uncomfortable and quick, but she just can’t wait another moment to fix it. ]

[Ashe is right: the hardest part was talking about it, which is only to be expected, given how badly both of them are equipped to handle such matters. The truth is that Satya has had far too many crushes on overly affectionate straight girls to know how easy it is to imagine things that aren’t there, and, over time, she became a little too cautious out of necessity, like a self-defense mechanism set in place to avoid heartbreak. Oh, she is perfect at seduction when she sets her mind to it, and when the object of her affections is nothing more than a casual sex partner. But to actually flirt with someone she cares about deeply, and someone she isn’t entirely sure is into girls or not? That is another thing entirely.

Luckily, every trace of doubt fades away as they enjoy their brand new closeness for what it is. That quiet hum is music to her own ears, and Satya smiles widely when Ashe moves her hand, tilting her chin upwards just so, a thrill of anticipation making her whole body shudder. The feeling of Ashe’s lips against her own is… so much better than she could have ever imagined, and nowhere near enough: Satya reaches up to tangle her fingers gently into Ashe’s hair like she’s dreamed of doing so many times by now, and she barely has enough time to marvel at how soft it is before the other woman pulls away to speak, of all things.]

She is, [Satya breathes out, a delighted-- and amazed and happy-- laugh escaping her because this is really happening and she still can’t believe it, but that sound quickly turns into a pleased little noise when they finally kiss.

She parts her lips almost immediately, welcoming their kiss as readily as she welcomed Ashe into her heart. If this were anyone else, if this were any other time, Satya would have mentally scolded herself for giving in so easily; but this is Ashe, her dearest friend who she has been slowly but surely falling for ever since they met, and she surrenders so eagerly-- so completely-- that she needs to place a hand on Ashe's knee for balance as she presses closer, the hand in Ashe's hair tightening slightly.]

[ The sound of Satya’s laugh is so satisfying and sweet; Ashe is fairly certain she’d never forget it. Nor would she forget this moment, for that matter. The way her heart is racing, the warmth in her chest and the relief that just made all of the past awkwardness fade away as though it never happened. Even though it did. It so did. However, none of that matters right now and all she can focus on is the woman in front of her.

Ashe tilts her head a bit, her own lips parting and moving just as eagerly against Satya’s. She doesn’t want to lose herself completely. No. Best to take things slower; treat it more delicately. Be gentle. This woman isn’t just some guy at a bar that she’s drunkenly making out with just for the sake of it. She sure as hell isn’t him. In fact, the distinct difference is the softness of her skin, that sweet scent of jasmine and even the taste of her is far more pleasant; the absence of that prickly facial hair, and the taste of beer and smoke is so greatly appreciated.

And then there’s the overall feeling of her. The closeness. That happiness that washed over her when Ashe pressed her lips against hers. It was the same that washed over Ashe when she reciprocated and then continues to do so. It's a far different, more wonderful experience than anything she's felt for or had with anyone else and she's fairly certain that she wants this to continue... for as long as it can. Than again, that's infatuation for you. One step at a time, Ashe.

Her fingertips gently run down the side of Satya’s jaw, to her neck and then her shoulder, that warmth in her chest turning into something akin to burning. And then that hand against her knee reminds her of the need to breathe and she breaks the kiss, panting softly as she gently resting her free hand over Satya’s. ]

C’mon… Get up here, sugar. [ She whispers breathlessly, taking her hand into hers and giving it a tug with a hint of that same eagerness. She pats her leg with her opposite hand, inviting Satya to sit in her lap. She still wants to kiss her; in fact, she didn’t even want to stop, but more than that? She wants to hold her, and what better way? ]

[Much like her friend, Satya doesn’t want to get so lost in their kiss that she loses track of how fast everything is happening: no, she wants to take it slow as well, to savor every little reaction and commit every single detail to memory. She doesn’t even know how much experience Ashe has with women, or if she has any experience at all-- that is a conversation they have done a superb job at avoiding for the past couple of months-- and as such, she doesn’t want to scare her away by showing her too much intensity, too fast.

It is easier said than done. When Ashe traces her fingertips down her jaw and along her neck, Satya feels like she’s burning up, too, and barely has the presence of mind to realize how ridiculous it is for her to feel so much this soon into their very first kiss, when other women have had to work a lot more to get such a reaction out of her.

It’s a good thing her mind is too busy to think about that.

Her reaction to Ashe no longer kissing her is as immediate as it is instinctive: she leans in, about to resume kissing her, when she realizes that she also needs to breathe. Huh… it’s been a while since a single kiss has left her so breathless, too.

When Ashe tells her to move closer, Satya doesn’t realize at first what she is getting at, certain that she means the architech should sit down next to her. But Ashe pats her leg right after, making it very clear exactly where she wants her to sit, and she licks her lips, her mouth suddenly going dry. Well then. She did not expect to be invited into Ashe’s lap so soon, and the only thing she can do for a moment is to nod slowly, as if in a daze.]

Somehow, I did not envision this when I imagined what our night would be like.

[Her words are as breathless as the laugh that comes after them, and Satya rises to her feet, still holding Ashe’s hand. She intertwines their fingers together even as she moves closer, her other hand reaching for her skirt to make it easier for her to move and, as gracefully as she rose to her feet just now, Satya straddles Ashe’s lap, leaving enough distance between them so that their chests aren’t pressed close together, not just yet. She brings their joined hands to her mouth and kisses the back of Ashe’s hand, before smiling fondly at her.]

Better?

Edited 2019-05-08 04:36 (UTC)

Can’t say I did either. That dancin’ of yours must’a done it. You've got me under some kinda spell.

[ And, well… there’s that incriminating fact that they’ve been flirting for two months, but who’s keeping track of details like that?

The dazed look on Satya’s face as she nods her head in response to her suggestion does something to her. There may also be a small part of Ashe that is wondering if this is really happening herself. It’s funny, because again- She’s never been opposed to the idea of being with another woman, but she’d sure never given it much thought either. In the grander scheme of things, what did gender have to do with anything? ~~Other than the fact that most men were dumb as rocks.~~ Either way, it hadn’t been a second thought in her mind until Satya came along and filled the lonely void with her presence for two weeks and then gave her something to look forward to every day after that.

It’s all new territory for her, which only makes it all that more exciting. Plus, in addition to those feelings of attraction, Satya is a friend. A true friend. Something she’d also had too little of in her lifetime. Having someone to talk with; someone that she enjoyed spending time with and that she even trusted to some extent… That, in itself, made a world of difference.

Ashe willingly allows Satya to lace their fingers together, not terribly keen on letting go of her despite her moving closer. There’s such a genuine want to touch and be touched; it’s fresh and new and-

Oh. She’s going to sit in her lap this way, is she? She figured that she’d sit in her lap sideways, but no. She’s straddling her and they are now face to face. Alright. This… isn’t what she’d been expecting, but it’s far too good to pass up. A very brief flash of surprise colors her expression before she smiles just as fondly at Satya does.

Underneath that cool smile, her heart is pounding a little too hard in her chest all over again. However, she's feeling so euphoric, that she doesn't even care. ]

Much better.

[ She gives Satya’s hand a light squeeze. Lifting her other hand, she goes to place it on Satya’s waist, forgetting entirely that her skin was exposed there. That sure doesn’t help the way her cheeks are already flushed. The other woman's skin is so marvelously soft and, even as marginally more hesitant as she becomes, she still moves her hand around to her back and gently pulls her closer. ]

I reckon I might just keep you here a while. [ She leans in and kisses the corner of her mouth. ] Unless you have any objections...

[Satya laughs, not expecting to hear those words. She doesn’t think she will ever stop being amused when Ashe mentions witchcraft or magic as she refers to her various abilities.]

Ah, you caught me. My witchcraft has been found out yet again.

[It's strange, fascinating even, to consider the chain of events that brought them where they are now. If that woman hadn't flirted with her, Ashe wouldn't have reacted the way she did; if Ashe hadn't reacted the way she did, she wouldn't have made Satya feel overwhelmed; if Satya hadn't felt overwhelmed, she wouldn't have resorted to dancing to get her emotions under control, and things wouldn't have developed the way they did... She wonders, briefly and irrelevantly, how big of a social faux-pas it would be to call that stranger to thank her for her accidental help.

When she straddles Ashe’s lap, she can see a flicker of surprise crossing her features for a split second, and she immediately wonders if she has done something wrong. Why did her friend react in such a way? Was she bluffing when she told her to get on her lap, or did she think Satya wouldn’t do it? Or did she mean for her to sit on her lap sideways? Or--

Her doubts clear away when Ashe smiles, answering her question and squeezing her hand right after. What a relief. She doesn’t realize what the other woman is about to do next until she feels her hand on her waist, the warm touch to her bare skin making her eyelids flutter shut for a second, and then that hand moves to her lower back and oh, she is most definitely pulling her closer. Satya breathes in sharply through her nose, not expecting Ashe to close the distance between them quite so efficiently-- and quite so soon-- but she isn’t complaining; she has been daydreaming about this for weeks.

There are very few things I would object to you doing, at this point, she thinks to herself, swallowing hard.]

I do not object, no. [Spoken softly and far too breathlessly against Ashe’s mouth. Nuzzling the other woman’s nose, Satya releases her hand, only to guide it to her waist and place it there, silently telling her that she would really like to be held. It is only then that she reaches up to wrap her arms around Ashe’s shoulders, returning that kiss to the corner of her mouth with a small nibble to Ashe’s lower lip.] There is nowhere else I would rather be.

[They should talk about things-- talk about them-- and she should really ask Ashe if she has ever been with a woman before, but Satya finds it impossible not to give in just a little longer: so she kisses her instead, encouraged by the warmth of Ashe’s beautiful hands against her skin]

[ Apparently, any form of talking about them, what needs to happen now, boundaries and other related matters is going to take a backseat to this newfound desire. Because rushing into the physical stuff is always a good idea, right?

Ashe is pretty sure that she’s never felt such a strong rush of warmth to her cheeks. Not in a long time, that is. Just when she feels as though her face can’t get any redder, something else happens, only increasing that warmth.

That guiding touch of her other hand to Satya’s waist is definitely what does it and that nibble to her lower lip only draws her in further. She’s more than happy to oblige the other woman's silent wish to be held. In fact, it’s going to take everything she has in her not to allow her hands to wander where they shouldn’t (not yet, anyway). But, she finds that the feeling of her skin underneath her hands is something she wants more of. ]

Good. [ Her voice is softer; quiet and trailing off as she returns Satya’s kiss all too happily. One hand slowly moves up Satya’s spine, a couple of her fingers catching on the hem of her shirt. It’s a shame when clothes get in the way of intimacy, isn’t it? More so when she knows that things shouldn’t be progressing this quickly even as much as she wants them to.

So much for taking it slow, Ashe.

Instead of sliding her fingers up the back of her shirt like she wants to, she gently runs both hands down her bare sides, continuing to marvel at the warmth and softness of her skin. She finally rests them on the curve of her hips; and that only ends up being her new favorite place for her hands to be. It's interesting what one might take more notice of by touch alone; for instance, Satya has a amazing body.

After a while, she pulls back just enough to break their kiss and moves on further; to her chin, the edge of her jaw, underneath her jaw and then her neck. Both of her hands slide around to her back, keeping her pressed close as she gives her skin a few experimental nips with her teeth; gently. Carefully. Cognizant enough to gauge her reaction and willing to stop if she so much as flinches. ]

[Satya is no stranger to giving into desire a little too quickly. Other than what happened with her, every sexual encounter she’s had was nothing more than casual sex, mutually agreed upon to be exactly that. She is used to flirting, to seducing, to teasing and making her partner fall apart several times over, and she is also used to leaving in the morning or even in the same night. She has always liked it-- she likes it a lot, and she also likes staying in control of herself through it all, even as her partner for that night makes sure to return the favor just as thoroughly.

But she isn’t used to this: to being blindsided not just by desire but also by affection, to have someone she would call a good friend-- her only friend, really; does that make Ashe her best friend?-- make her lose her grasp on self-control with only a few touches and kisses. It’s strange to give in like she is doing, and almost terrifying in how new it all is, but… she likes it, and perhaps that is the strangest part of it all.

Satya is not expecting Ashe’s hands to slide slowly up her spine like that, her fingers teasing at the edge of her blouse like she’s about to slip her hand inside it, and she makes a quiet little sound of surprise against Ashe’s mouth, her body tensing up reflexively; not out of discomfort or any unpleasant feeling, but simply because it was unexpected. She doesn’t predict what happens next, either, and Satya all but melts under the other woman’s touch as she drags her hands down again, her body arching against Ashe’s as a shiver runs through her.

Suddenly, she isn’t so sure about interrupting what is turning out to be a very pleasant night just to ask questions, especially when Ashe is turning out to be even bolder and more confident than most women she has been intimate with. Surely she has been with other women before, no? Does it even matter, when she’s already making Satya unravel?

It is only when the other woman breaks the kiss that Satya’s brain seems to restart, even though Ashe is doing a frighteningly good job of short-circuiting it by keeping her hands on her hips. So she lets go of her shoulders and slides her hands along the pallu, tugging slightly so it comes undone, and slides it off Ashe’s shoulder in one swift motion, as graceful as every dance move she showed earlier. But then Ashe kisses along her jaw and neck and oh, her fingers tighten on the fabric of the sari before she pulls it aside, and then she feels those perfect teeth on her neck and her right hand moves up to Ashe’s hair, fingers tangling on the blonde strands like it’s the only thing she can do to keep herself from falling apart.

Ashe doesn’t have to worry about making her flinch: Satya enjoys the way she nips gently at her neck so much that she tilts her head slightly to the side to give her better access, the hand on her hair pulling her in closer. If she could speak at all, if she could do anything other than breathe hard and melt against Ashe’s body, she would make one thing very clear: go ahead. I won’t break.]

[ Every little noise, movement, and breath seems to only wind Ashe up more than she already is. Nevermind the fact that Satya is very clearly consenting, which only exudes Ashe’s confidence as she progresses further. She doesn’t even notice how the other woman pulled the pallu of her sari loose for just how focused she is on her; however, she does feel strangely lighter.

With better access to her neck, granted by Satya’s silent permission for her to continue, Ashe lifts a hand from her back, gently curling her fingers around those beautiful, long black strands to pull them aside. She tips her head sideways a bit, pressing a few kisses to her neck before giving the skin another nip and then a bite, her breath warm against Satya's skin.

As she draws the hair away from her neck, her hand brushes against the drawstrings that tie the back of her blouse together and, consequently, the exposed skin from the mostly open back. Of course, she had failed to notice it. Her hair had been covering it all night.

Oh, perfect.

Running her other hand up Satya’s back again, her fingers trail over the blouse and toward one of the ornaments on the end of the drawstrings, giving it a slow pull to untie and pull it loose. In all honesty, she would just as soon have the shirt come off entirely. It’s so unneeded at this point; and Ashe is already too far gone to put reason behind why it should stay on. She yanks the strings apart and then gives one corner a tug, loosening the fabric at the base of Satya’s neck. At that point, she moves down further, brushing her lips against and nipping at her collarbone.

Releasing her hair, she moves both of her hands back down to her hips, giving them a light squeeze. She can't quite seem to decide where she wants her hands to stay for just how much she wants to explore every little part of her. She resigns herself to leaving one hand on her hip, while the other trails down her thigh. Again. There’s the fabric of her skirt getting in the way. Her legs were lovely and she’d love to touch them. Both of them, if given the chance. She gives a slow, tentative tug at the fabric, pulling it away from her ankle and drawing it up to her knee. ]

[Satya doesn’t just tug the pallu aside: she is actively trying to untuck the whole sari from the petticoat, a task easier said than done given that she is doing it one handedly while in a less than favorable position, but she is nothing if not a perfectionist and an expert at taking complicated clothes off of beautiful women. The hardest part of it all is to keep her focus as the other woman teases her, but by the time Ashe kisses her neck and bites down just the way she likes it, she is just finished with the complicated task of untucking the pleats; excellent timing, really, because the feeling of her teeth sinking into her neck is so good that Satya whimpers, arching against the other woman yet again. She forgets about the sari for a moment, but now that the pleats have come off, it is quicker to finish what she started, the drape now pooling around Ashe’s waist and hips.

She is so proud of her handiwork that she doesn’t even realize what Ashe is about to do until she feels her tug on the drawstring, the motion so tantalizingly slow that Satya shivers in anticipation of the moment her blouse comes undone. Has her collarbone ever felt so sensitive? No, has her whole body ever felt so sensitive? She doesn’t remember, and she isn’t particularly interested in focusing on such unimportant questions when the woman she is irresistibly attracted to is actively trying to make her fall apart and being damn good at it.

Without knowing for sure if Ashe has ever been with another woman or not, Satya didn’t want to risk overwhelming her friend or doing something she didn’t like. But right now, with Ashe’s teeth on her collarbone and her hands moving lower and lower, Satya is completely, wonderfully sure that, even if Ashe has never been with another woman in her entire life, she most definitely wants to by now, so it’s okay if Satya is a little bolder, too. So when Ashe’s hands settle on her hips, squeezing them lightly, Satya doesn’t hold herself back from grinding her hips down against Ashe’s, slowly but not hesitantly, her breath catching in reaction.

Although she remains unaware of such an interesting fact, Satya’s train of thought mirrors Ashe’s almost perfectly: why do they still need all these clothes when they obviously can’t get enough of touching each other’s bodies? Satya curses her own decision to give Ashe a long sleeved blouse when she picked her sari, and moves her cybernetic hand to the hem of the offending garment, her breath quickening as she feels Ashe’s hand moving down her leg, anticipating her next move even before the other woman brings the skirt up to her knee. Although things are moving significantly faster than Satya could have ever dreamed of, this doesn’t feel rushed: no, it feels urgent, like the need to touch every inch of each other’s skin is as necessary to them as oxygen. Satya’s usually legendary self-control is in tatters, her right hand sliding down from Ashe’s hair to undo the buttons on the back of her blouse as her cybernetic hand tugs on the drawstring, and just like that, the blouse comes undone, her hands moving to Ashe’s shoulders to help slide it off of them.]

[ Any and all ideas of taking things slow are completely gone and Ashe is fairly certain they’ve crossed that point of no return. In fact, they probably did the moment that Satya climbed onto her lap. Right now, she can’t even imagine the thought of letting Satya out of her grasp and has absolutely no intention of stopping their activities. Not when she hadn't even realized that she's wanted this kind of meaningful intimacy for such a long time; and then along comes this gorgeous, brilliant woman that she absolutely cannot get enough of.

Life's just funny that way, ain't it?

Satya grinding down against her hips draws a soft gasp from Ashe, her heart rate spiking all over again. Only once? Why not again-Wait. And it's only then that she notices her shirt being pulled down her shoulders only because her arms were suddenly restricted. Pulling back from Satya's neck, she's very quick to allow her to slide the shirt off her arms, taking it from her and flinging it a good distance from the couch. This is much better; her bra could come off soon too if that’s what Satya wanted. Since they're shedding clothes, she’s going to rid her friend of her shirt and keep things moving. It’s gotten in the way one too many times already.

Moving her hands back behind her again, she tugs her close, nipping gently at her lower lip and then kissing her again as she fumbles with the clasp holding that remaining section of Satya’s blouse together. Of course it can’t be as simple as hers was to remove. Or, perhaps, she’s just in too big a hurry. ]

Why the hell do your clothes have to be so complicated?

[ She murmurs in an indignant huff against Satya’s lips, her fingers finally freeing the first hook from the eyelet; the second and third are then much easier to undo. There we go. She gives the fabric a fervent yank from Satya's shoulders and down her arms. ]

[Satya cannot imagine the thought of letting go, either, and just like Ashe, she has no intention of stopping what they are doing: not until they are both so sated and spent that they can barely move at all, that is. And yet, even though her body is all but burning up with desire, that is not the only thing making this moment so intense: the warmth in her chest is just as powerful and all consuming, if not even more so.

When Ashe gasps, Satya makes sure to commit it to memory just like she has done with every other wonderful reaction the other woman has shown her, but she is distracted from that mental task quite efficiently when Ashe pulls back to make it easier for the blouse to come off, and oh, her eyes are drawn irresistibly to her breasts, covered by a simple yet elegant bra, so unlike her own fancy one. That garment deserves better than to be thrown so carelessly onto the floor, she almost says, before Ashe tugs her closer and kisses her again, trying to remove Satya’s blouse and failing at it. The architech laughs breathlessly, equal parts delighted and amused.]

They are not complicated, you simply lack the proper training to remove them as quickly as I do, [Satya points out, her tone of voice as playful as the chastising little tug she gives Ashe’s hair, a friendly retaliation for being so careless with such delicate clothes. The solution to Ashe’s lack of training is obvious, of course: Satya will be all too happy to let her practice.] The sari you were wearing is far more complicated than my lehenga, and yet I still managed to remove it without you even noticing.

[And she sounds damn smug about it, too, even as she brings her arms back to allow for Ashe to remove her blouse, which she does far too roughly for her own liking. In one swift motion, Satya folds the choli and places it against the back of the couch, and then she’s pressing closer, her hips grinding down a little more insistently as she leans in to kiss along Ashe’s neck, until she can no longer resist doing something she has been all but craving ever since she got on her friend’s lap: she sinks her teeth into the curve between her neck and shoulder, exactly like Ashe did to her, her right hand sliding down from her shoulder to tentatively cup a breast through the bra.]

[ And it’s at this point that every little thing Satya does is driving Ashe crazy. From the laugh in response to her question, to that chastising little tug on her hair. A soft mmph leaves her lips and she’s certain that if she could purr, she would. In fact, she wishes she'd pulled a touch harder. And multiple times. But that one would do for now, as she’s almost too distracted to take heed of Satya’s words.

Had she removed her sari-Oh. Yep. Would you look at that. She breathes a soft laugh as her eyes lower toward the couch where the fabric is piled around her hips. ]

Listen. I ain’t used to your fancy Indian clothes, alright?

[ Wait. Is… Satya folding that blouse? Yep. She sure is. And placing it on the back of the couch before she finds the opportunity to make it experience flight. Really, Satya? She almost comments on her ability to fold so quickly and efficiently before she’s suddenly pressed closer; the feeling of her hips grinding against hers causing Ashe to lose her voice. Instead, she leans into those little kisses against her neck, tilting her chin upwards as her eyes flutter closed.

There’s so much going on that it’s no wonder when that soft moan to escapes her. The bite to her neck (which feels amazing, by the way) and the warm touch against her breast is only reducing the gunslinger to putty in Satya’s all too capable hands. Even as quickly as things are progressing, Ashe simply can’t get enough and it’s that burning desire that gets her moving again.

The distraction having only briefly halted her own wandering hands, Ashe suddenly remembers her own agenda and returns to her fight against Satya’s skirt, pulling it up the rest of the way and then running her hands along the outside of her bare thighs. Her legs are so nice; and unsurprisingly, she also has some rather impressive assets. Those of which, she can’t quite help but give a nice firm squeeze as she pulls back just enough to get her bearings. The wheels in her head are turning as she casts a sidelong glance over to the couch, estimating the amount of space there is and the feasibility of her next move.

Yeah. It's going to work out just fine.

Without warning, Ashe wraps her arms around Satya’s waist and heaves her over and down onto the space next to them, placing her on her back and shifting to sit on her knees in between her legs. With a satisfied smirk, she traces her hands from the architech's knees, up her thighs, to her hips, her waist and then ghosting up and over her stomach and chest before she carefully settles down on top of her. Propping one arm against the couch to support herself, her opposite hand moves to tangle in the other woman's hair. ]

How far we goin', sugar? [ She kisses her jaw, nipping at it's edge. ] 'Cause at this rate, I'd reckon we're 'bout to get ourselves in a whole mess’a trouble.

[ Which she is totally and completely fine with. ]

Edited 2019-05-16 04:08 (UTC)

[Although Satya isn’t at her most logical right now, she is so focused on the other woman that it would be impossible to miss the clear cause-effect between tugging at her hair and the way she hums, the sound far too similar to a purr. The architech saves that information for later, and starts thinking of just what variables she can manipulate to achieve the best results. Perhaps she can grab a handful of that beautiful hair the next time, and try tugging on the strands a little less gently…?

She laughs again at Ashe’s words, watching as she looks down and examines her handiwork. If only she could have removed the petticoat, too, but it is simply impossible to remove it in their current position, and she isn’t particularly inclined to stop straddling Ashe’s lap any time soon.]

You will have plenty of opportunities to get used to them, I assure you.

[And to get Satya out of them, but that should go without saying.

Ashe looks almost like she’s about to say something when Satya folds her blouse, but then she grinds her hips down and Ashe doesn’t say anything at all; not verbally, that is, because her body language speaks volumes, and so does that wonderful little moan. The sound of it alone makes a wave of heat crash over her again, and she wonders: if she is already so hyperfocused on every single sound and gesture and they aren’t even naked yet, how will it be when they are finally intimate for the very first time? Will her brain even be able to handle it at all?

She is once again distracted from her own thoughts when Ashe pulls her skirt up, and for a moment, Satya ponders if she should help her with it but decides not to: there is something undeniably erotic about Ashe doing it herself, after all. She licks her lips as she feels Ashe’s hands sliding along her thighs, and then they move up and squeeze, Satya’s breath catching in response to such a bold move.

She does not expect Ashe to do what she does next, and when the other woman flips them over, Satya lets out a surprised little sound, reaching automatically for her friend’s shoulders for stability. When her body hits the couch, the flowers in her hair fall everywhere, the petals scattering in such a way that they form an almost ethereal halo around her face and shoulders. Satya opens her mouth to speak, to say something like If you wanted me like this, all you had to do was ask, but then Ashe settles between her legs and slides her hands up her body, and all coherent speech deserts her for a very long moment. Her lips part and her breath quickens as Ashe touches her, but it’s not until her hands are sliding up her stomach that Satya moves: she arches up into her touch, a frustrated little sound escaping her lips when Ashe pulls her hands away.]

Ashe--

[Her name falls from Satya’s lips almost like a plea, only to trail off into a breathless, delirious little sound as the other woman gets on top of her. Satya shifts her hips slightly as Ashe presses their bodies so wonderfully close together, gasping as she adjusts the angle just so, making Ashe fit perfectly between her legs. And then she has to go and say that, and Satya tilts her head to the side to make it easier for her friend to bite down like she did earlier. She gives a low, breathless chuckle.]

We are far from being innocent, darling.

[To make her point even clearer, as if she even needs to make it any clearer than what it already is, Satya wraps her legs around Ashe’s waist, pulling her in even closer, gasping yet again as she does so. She moves her hands lower, to Ashe’s knees, pleasantly surprised to realize that her friend pulled the petticoat up-- to allow for better movement, no doubt-- and that she can actually touch skin, and she slides her hands slowly along Ashe’s thighs, giving them a squeeze, accidentally digging in her fingernails in her eagerness to pull the other woman closer.]

I will go as far as you want to go.

[ No amount of preparation could have allowed for Ashe to anticipate her causing this woman to all but moan her name before they’ve done anything more than make out and get halfway undressed. Not that she’s uncertain of her own abilities, but damn. It’s a pretty good feeling when she’s done little more than flirt with another woman to: a) get information or b) because she was drunk or bored. At least she can safely say that she’s making a good first impression.

And so is Satya for that matter.

That soft plea does earn her friend a smug little chuckle against her skin as Ashe gives her neck another good bite, simultaneously giving her hair a harder tug. Before she can fully grasp what Satya is doing, her legs are wrapped around her waist and she’s tugging her closer; not only with her legs, but with her hands. In fact, the feeling causes her to pause briefly.

The fun of this little session is every little move she makes, Satya meets her halfway and makes it even better. Apart from maybe one other person, she’s also confident that no one else has ever caused her heart to feel as though it would burst at any moment. Every kiss leaves her breathless and every touch causes her heart to race. That squeeze and then the nails digging into her thighs pulls Ashe back and she remembers to breathe, laughing almost weakly against Satya’s neck.

She’s just about to respond gratuitously when her phone suddenly begins to ring.

Uhm. What?

Brow furrowing, she slowly lifts her head, glancing back toward the little end table where she’d set it earlier. Sure enough, the buzz against the wooden frame and the continued ring confirms that she is not hearing things. Because of course her stupid, idiotic boys would call her at the absolute worse possible time. It never fails and she is damn mad about it.

Lips pressed into a firm line, Ashe glances down at Satya briefly, murmuring a soft: ] Gotta take this. [ Carefully, she climbs off her, lifting the leg that was against the back of the couch up so that both of Satya’s legs could rest in her lap as she reaches to grab her phone from the table with an indignant huff.

This had better be good.

Accepting the call, she snaps sharply at the man on the other line. ]

What?

[In all fairness, Satya herself could never have anticipated moaning out Ashe’s name when they barely even did anything, either, just like she could never have anticipated losing control so spectacularly and so dizzyingly fast. But it’s impossible to hide how affected she already is, and that chuckle against her neck only makes it worse: she hears it as a prelude of more interesting things to come, and sure enough, Ashe bites down and tugs on her hair just the way she likes it, making Satya arch up against her with a moan.

Although Satya has fantasized about being this close to Ashe-- multiple times throughout the past two months, in fact-- she never could have predicted it would be like this, with both of them falling hard and fast into the kind of burning desire that Satya has only ever dreamed of feeling, like a mutual challenge to see who can fan the flames even higher with every single touch. Everything feels exponentially more intense than it ever did with any other woman-- even her-- and every inch of skin on her body feels oversensitized, as if Ashe’s closeness was enough to awaken her body in ways she had never experienced before. Her beautiful hair tickling her collarbones, the erotic feeling of their chests pressed together with only their bras in the way, the sheer warmth of Ashe fitting perfectly between her legs… it’s all too much and yet not enough, and Satya wants to get rid of their clothes, to feel skin against skin, wants to worship her like she deserves, until Ashe gives in to pleasure so completely that a single touch can make her fall apart.

She wants it all, and she never wants to stop…

And that is exactly what happens when Ashe’s phone rings. Satya blinks when her friend lifts her head, not realizing what is going on at first.]

Why did you stop? [Her voice isn’t just breathless: it’s impatient, and Satya doesn’t do impatient-- except, apparently, when she wants Ashe to go back to making her fall apart right about now. It’s only when the other woman looks back at her, looking just as displeased as Satya herself feels, that she realizes why she stopped at all.] ...oh.

[How disappointing.

Satya is so dazed that she feels as if everything is happening in slow motion: from Ashe climbing off her to how she ensures that both of her legs are now on her lap as she picks up the phone, snapping immediately at whoever it is that interrupted them. The architech doesn’t even glance at her right then: she stares up at the ceiling, her arms above her head as she tries to bring her body and mind back from the pleasurable haze they got deep into. Now that she no longer has Ashe’s body pressed so closely against her own, she shivers as her warm skin cools down, her skirt still pulled all the way up, scrunched up around her hips; all in all, Satya looks like she was very thoroughly ravished.

She doesn’t know for how long she stays there, her body and mind both cooling down as Ashe talks on the phone. After a short while, Satya finally sits up, keeping her legs on Ashe’s lap as she leans against her with a quiet sigh, hiding her face against her shoulder.]

[ Why did you stop? That impatience in Satya’s tone only makes Ashe want to throw her phone across the room and pick up where she left off. It’s a reflection of how she’s feeling toward the imbecile that is babbling on about things that could wait to be dealt with when she wasn’t overseas.

Her free hand resting on Satya’s shin, she absently slides it down toward that bangle on her ankle, eyes lowering as she observes it in the midst of her burning rage. At least she has something nice to look at in the meantime and Satya’s legs are very nice. ]

Terran. [ She interrupts him, the indiscernible talking coming to a halt no sooner does that name leave her mouth. ] What did I say before I left?

[ A beat. The talking continues, though it sounds more like stammering. ]

I told you not to call me unless it was an emergency.

[ She feels a shift next to her and then pressure against her shoulder. Her eyes flicker over to Satya as she notes her head against her shoulder. With a subtle upturn of one corner of her lips, she moves her hand from her ankle to wrap an arm around her waist, turning her head to press a soft kiss to her forehead.

Why is this even happening? They should still be losing themselves in each other on this very couch. What a waste.

More voices can be heard in the background as Terran appears to be having some kind of disagreement with two other men. Ashe rolls her eyes. Unfortunately, their concerns are completely valid and it looks as though she’s going to have to hear them out before she can hang up. Ugh. Why did her boys have to be good at their damn jobs when she’s on vacation? ]

Would you three quit? One at a time. Tell me what’s goin’ on.

[ She settles back a little more comfortably on the couch, content to at least hold the other woman. The conversation goes on ten minutes longer than Ashe feels is necessary, but problems were resolved, her boys could get back to work and she can relax. Even as much as she doesn’t want to relax. No. She’d like to go back in time and resume what she’d started.

Telling her boys a very dry goodbye, she hangs up, turns her phone off and tosses it on the table next to her.

And then, for a couple seconds, she sits there in silence. Because it hits her: even as much as she’d like to revisit their previous activities? Things had been moving awfully fast. Faster than she’d ever intended for them to. ]

So… [ She says at last. ] Sorry ‘bout that. Ain’t never a dull moment with those three.

[Oh, she really likes the way Ashe touches her shin, and how she slides that hand down to play with the bangle around her ankle. Now that her mind is slowly but surely starting to function again, she can’t help but be amazed-- and amused-- that Ashe just can’t stop touching her.

That’s quite alright. Satya can’t stop touching her, either; when she sits up and leans against the other woman, she lets her right hand rest against her lower back, drawing circles along her skin, over and over again.

She isn’t expecting Ashe to hold her and place that gentle kiss to her forehead-- not while she is still on the phone, that is-- and Satya closes her eyes in silent contentment, shifting slightly so that both of her arms are wrapped loosely around Ashe’s waist. She doesn’t mean to listen in on the conversation, she really doesn’t, but their bodies are so close that it’s impossible not to pick up on a thing or two as Ashe speaks on the phone. She listens with rapt attention as her friend seems to school her subordinates on how to engage in proper diplomacy for a very significant period of time, and two things become very clear: one, Ashe is remarkably good at what she does, and two, there is something undeniably attractive about the confidence Ashe displays while giving out orders through a simple phone call.

Well then. She should add that to the list of things she wasn’t fully aware she was attracted to.

Although they are no longer surrendering to this wonderful new thing between them, Satya can’t help feeling a shiver of anticipation as Ashe turns the phone off and literally throws it onto the table by the couch. What happens now? Are they going to go back to what they were doing? Is it even a good idea to go back to what they were doing, given how fast things were going between them? Much like the other woman, Satya did not plan for things to move so fast, either, but she can’t say she dislikes it; it will take some time getting used to losing control so spectacularly, though.]

There is no need to apologize. Being interrupted by phone calls is the downside of being indispensable at your workplace, is it not?

[She is all too familiar with that; in fact, she is surprised that it was Ashe’s phone that rang, not her own, even though she did leave her team all the necessary instructions to survive without her.

Satya shifts a little closer, just enough to lean her head against the curve between Ashe’s neck and shoulder. Are they supposed to talk about what happened, or are they supposed to go back to what they were doing...? She doesn’t know; her usual encounters never involved much talking, and they were usually not interrupted by random phone calls. Satya doesn’t know how to ask just where they stand after that happened, so while her brain gathers up the resources so she can articulate what she means to say, she picks up a simpler subject instead.]

I did not know you were such an expert at diplomacy. I am impressed.

Edited 2019-05-23 08:46 (UTC)

[ With her phone no longer occupying her right hand, she moves it to rest on Satya’s ankle, glancing down toward that bangle again. It looks so nice against Satya’s dark skin. She idly runs her fingers over the designs as she thinks to herself.

Nodding her head in response to Satya’s words following her brief apology, she tilts her head to rest against Satya’s. It’s so nice to hold someone for a change. Someone that she’s attracted to and genuinely cares about. The real question is where to draw the line. Again, she doesn’t want this to be some fling that ends in a few weeks or a few months. After it took so long for them to admit their feelings, she wants to talk about them, and what's stopping them? Yanno... other than the how to bring it up.

Surprise, surprise.

The next thing Satya says, that sincere compliment, gets a small, but genuine smile from Ashe. Even though she knows she’s good with diplomacy; with talking to people and negotiating. Even when she’s devoted her entire life to that and it was the one thing her parents gave her that was worth a damn. It’s nice to hear that from someone who matters. ]

Of course. It’s my livelihood. I’d better be good at it by now. [ A beat, and then a quiet: ] Thank you.

[ That means a lot should have followed, but it’s heavily implied.

Growing bored of the bangle, Ashe traces her fingers up Satya’s shin, finally bringing her hand to rest against her knee. With her legs so exposed, it’s difficult for her not to want to keep touching her. Especially when she feels so warm with Satya as close as she is. She goes quiet for a few more seconds, just enjoying the feeling of Satya's arms around her waist.

And it's this lovely feeling that should give them all the more reason to talk. Work things out. Discuss where they stand. Time to get this over with. Because what the hell? What's the worst that's going to happen? Other than them not talking about it? ]

Alright… Let's not drag this out anymore. We did plenty'a that already. How 'bout we address the obvious? [ She lifts her head and looks at Satya, waiting to meet her gaze. ] What's next, sugar? I'd like to know where we go from here. If I didn't make it clear enough already, I like you. And you obviously like me too, or we wouldn't be here.

[ Where was this blunt, confident attitude earlier? Ugh. She really hates feelings. ]

[Satya smiles as Ashe toys with the bangle, watching as she runs her fingers over the intricate patterns on the metal surface. There is something wonderfully intimate about it all, and about the way Ashe rests her head against Satya’s, content to just stay like that for a moment. Much like the other woman, Satya is all too happy about holding each other for a while, too, basking in the warmth of Ashe’s skin against her own.

She chuckles at those words, amused at the way Ashe phrased things. She knows the other woman well enough by now to hear the that means a lot hidden behind her thanks.]

There is no need to thank me for speaking the truth.

[She places a feather-light kiss on Ashe’s cheek, conveying that unspoken you’re welcome through that single display of affection.

Her eyes move to Ashe’s hand as she slides it up her shin, fascinated by the contrast between their skin tones, and then she lets her hand rest on Satya’s knee and oh, for a moment there she was certain her friend was going to keep moving that hand up. The architech chuckles breathlessly, surprised all over again by how quickly she responds to Ashe touching her, even when her touch is so harmlessly casual. She nuzzles Ashe’s jaw in response.

Just like the other woman, Satya can’t help but wonder where they go from here. Does Ashe want a relationship, or would she prefer something more casual? Would she rather date or just be friends with benefits? She is trying to figure out the best way to bring the subject up when Ashe goes ahead and does it for her, her words refreshingly honest and straight to the point. Satya likes that; she likes it a lot.]

Indeed, I think we spent quite some time showing just how much we like each other until we were so rudely interrupted. [She meets Ashe’s eyes with a warm smile, a hint of amusement to her words before her expression turns a little more serious.] I think… I would really enjoy building something together with you.

[A relationship, Satya. It is called a relationship, she mentally scolds herself. She reaches for Ashe’s hand on her knee, tentatively touching her cybernetic fingertips to Ashe’s.]

Unless you would rather opt for something more casual. I understand if you would rather not get… attached.

[Unlike Ashe, Satya doesn’t hate feelings, but she hates the way they cloud her thoughts and make her almost stumble over the right thing to say-- a rare occurrence, given how she always knows just what to say.]

[ Enjoying the attention and affection Satya’s giving her, Ashe smiles fondly at her as she speaks. Another question answered. And then she keeps on going, suggesting that maybe Ashe would be the type of person who wouldn’t want to get attached.

Truthfully, she’s right. Getting attached and even dating someone else in her position doesn’t always work out to her benefit, but… unfortunately, she crossed that point of no return two months ago upon meeting this woman. Inevitably, she became attached all too quickly and now here they are. Sitting close, almost cuddling in Satya’s apartment in India. She made an overseas trip to visit someone because her damn heart told her to.

Like a fool, she listened.

The touch of Satya’s cybernetic hand draws Ashe’s attention back down to her knee. She lifts her hand just enough to rest it on top of it instead. Head tilting curiously, she runs her forefinger along the individual digits and the joints. She’s looked at her arm before, but not this closely. It’s amazing, isn’t it? How real some prosthetics look for just how precisely they move.

However, not so lost in her intrigue that she can’t respond, she laces their fingers together, pressing her palm against the palm of Satya’s cybernetic one. ]

Think it's too late for that. I’m already attached. [ She turns her head to meet her gaze again. ] Say we do build somethin’ together. [ Soft little chuckle. ] Go on a few dates. Get t’know each other a little more… Try for a long-distance romance. [ She gives her a playful wink. ] Could be plenty fun, couldn't it?

Before all that, I reckon-[ There's a subtle furrow of her brow, but it is notable. ]-I ought'a tell you a little somethin' more 'bout me.

[ A beat. She really hasn't done this a lot. Her flings were short-lived and didn't require talking like this. This feels... meaningful and requires transparency. Even if she can't tell her everything right now. She needs to tell her some of it. There's a need. Almost as though she owes it to her. Damn. How far gone is she? ]

Just in case it wasn't obvious: I’m in the business of organized crime. That bein' said, my work ain’t too savory to most folks. [ Another beat, she studies her expression. ] That somethin' that might bother you, darlin'? Can you handle that?

[That smile makes Satya feel wonderfully warm, like when she dances to her favorite songs or curls up under her weighed blanket, and it makes her want to pull her friend into a kiss they can both get lost in. However, given what they were doing before they were interrupted by Ashe’s associate, she’s certain that kissing would make them go back to that in no time, and they really need to talk. So she doesn’t kiss the other woman, but the warmth in her eyes and the way she leans a little closer to her make her affection obvious enough.

Satya doesn’t usually get attached, either. What happened with her was a learning experience, shaping every romantic and sexual interaction for years to come, and since then, the architech has always been careful to define parameters ahead of time, to avoid giving her casual sex partners the wrong idea-- to prevent herself from getting the wrong idea, as well. She got used to it fairly easily, focusing on her work and isolating herself socially as always, keeping loneliness at bay by pretending she wasn’t lonely at all. And she was doing just fine, thank you very much, until she was all but forced to take care of a sick, stubborn woman, and she remembered just how wonderful it can be to share the company of another human being--especially one as brilliant, strong-willed and beautiful as Ashe. Her carefully built walls never stood a chance.

In the split second that passes between Ashe lifts her hand and settles it down on top of Satya’s, the architech can’t help but think that maybe she shouldn’t have touched her like this, that maybe Ashe finds that part of her body weird and uncomfortable and ugly and would rather not be touched by it at all. But then she runs a fingertip over the many details on her prosthetic hand and intertwines their fingers together, and Satya realizes that her friend is quite okay with it, after all. She isn’t self-conscious about her prosthetic arm, not anymore, but there is always a certain hesitation with a new partner, a slight uncertainty of just what she can or cannot do with her prosthetic limb.

I’m already attached, Ashe says, and that wonderful warmth comes rushing back with full force, her smile widening with each word the other woman says. A long-distance relationship is not ideal, but she is more than willing to give it a try, the euphoria of having her feelings reciprocated clouding her better judgement regarding the pros and cons of being with someone who lives on the other side of the world. She smiles, nodding her yes, and is just about to reply with I would like that very much when Ashe says she needs to tell her something about herself, before going silent for a moment.

Of course there would be a catch. Of course.

She blinks in surprise when Ashe finally says what she meant to say, frowning slightly at her. Well then. She was expecting to hear several unlikely things, from I have two children from a previous marriage to I have never been involved with anyone before, but she did not expect to hear I’m in the business of organized crime. Oh, she was certain her friend’s actions weren’t fully legal-- she can’t criticize that, given everything she has done as Symmetra to guarantee a better world for everyone-- but organized crime is a whole different thing.

She knew this was too good to be true-- that Ashe was too good to be true. Other than that annoyingly asymmetrical haircut, her friend was simply too perfect. She should have tried to find her flaws, just like she has done with everyone else she has ever been attracted to.]

It… wasn’t very obvious, no, even though I was certain you were in the business of doing things illegally. [Does it bother her? Yes, quite a bit: she remembers the street gangs in Hyderabad and how they blossomed from chaos and pushed the slums even deeper into it as they gained power. Can she handle it? Satya can handle a lot of things, but she remains faithful to her principles, and she doesn’t know if she can handle this.] I do not know. I need to think and examine this new development more thoroughly.

[Staying close to Ashe while thinking about something so important just won’t cut it: she needs something to help her think. Shifting slightly so that her arm is no longer around Ashe’s waist, she brings that hand to her lap and gently releases her cybernetic hand from Ashe’s grasp, looking almost like she’s about to let go and pull back, until she reaches for Ashe’s hand and turns it so that it is placed palm-up on her lap.]

Keep your hand like this for a moment, please.

[With Ashe’s palm and fingers facing up, Satya begins the process of creating a few threads out of hard-light, looping them around her fingers and Ashe’s in a modified game of cat’s cradle. It is clear that the repetitive motions and the intricate patterns help her ground her thoughts: her expression gradually changes from confused to thoughtful, and her body-- which had tensed up ever so slightly at Ashe’s unexpected revelation-- fully relaxes against the other woman once again. Her fingers stop all of a sudden as two important questions pop up in her mind, and she looks up at the other woman, wanting to gauge out her reaction to them.]

Do you try to create order? Is there a purpose to it, or is chaos your only goal?

I kissed a girl and I liked it.

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