Alltime High Note

by Some Leech

A Lesson on Loosening Up

Previous Chapter

“It’s too fucking hot out there,” Aria grumbled, idling by the front door to kick off her shoes.

Running in the summer heat wasn’t exactly what she’d consider pleasant, but it was worth the effort. Her fans and lover adored her physique, her health was superb, and she always managed to sleep like a brick. It wasn’t all that terrible, although it did require a fair bit of mental discipline.

Trotting into the house, snatching the yoga mat she kept in the foyer, she moved towards the living room. She’d recently started ending her exercise routines with stretching, after getting a poorly timed cramp during a concert; it had been an unpleasant experience which taught her a cruel lesson. Realistically speaking, limbering up wasn’t all that bad and was, in fact, it was a rather pleasant way to finish her workouts.

“There’s my little she-stud,” Aria mused, entering the den and spying her lover on the sofa.

Gear waved dismissively, keeping her eyes glued on the television. Cybercinema had released Retaliators 3: The Vengeance of Terramar just the night before and she’d been waiting months to watch the movie. She knew Aria didn’t care about it, often picking on her taste in films, so she figured she’d go ahead and view it herself.

Unfurling her mat on the floor, just to the left of the television, Aria stretched her shoulders. “Not gonna-”

Ssssssssh,” Gear hissed, pointing to the screen.

The siren rolled her eyes and eased herself down. If her mate wanted to watch her silly action movies, that was fine, although she wasn’t about to disrupt her routine. One of the unfortunate side effects of living with the hulking mechanic was the cozy nature of their home. There were only so many places she could perform yoga; the bedroom didn’t have much floor space, she wasn’t going to stretch out in the foyer or kitchen, and she definitely had no plans on going back into the oppressive heat of the outdoors.

Getting onto her hands and knees, Aria presumed a cat-cow position. She usually started with her back, before loosening up her arms and legs, so the pose seemed appropriate. Pushing her shoulders up, facing away from her paramour, she absentmindedly watched the television. Normally, she’d have some soothing music to help her relax, although she was treated to explosions and lasers instead.

“Do you really like this kinda crap?” she groused, watching a stallion get flung through a window.

“Shut up, it’s good!” Gear growled, turning up the volume.

“Good - Pffft!” Aria chuckled. Pressing her hips downward, assuming a cobra pose, she arched her back. “I can think of at least one other thing in the room that’s a little better to look at.”

Glancing over at the songstress, Gear’s eyes wandered over the siren’s body. Adorned in little more than a painfully snug and form-fitting leotard, the outfit left little to the imagination. It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen her lover naked more times than she could count, but there was something inexplicably hot about seeing her in something so tight. Sweat glistened on her exposed flesh, glinting in the warm light of the room.

It was only when one of the protagonists of the movie started screaming, unleashing a hellfire of rockets from an armored mech, did she drag her eyes off the provocative sight. They could fool around later - for the time being, she needed to see how the good guys would defeat the nefarious Admiral Armageddon. She’d avoided spoilers for ages, just so she could watch the latest movie without having anything ruined; be damned if she’d let the siren succubus would distract her.

Aria was no fool; she’d noticed the momentary diversion her backside had created and, being the impish slut that she was, she couldn’t help but press the envelope. Holding her position for another minute or so, lest she tip her hand, she planted her feet on the floor and pushed herself up. Bending at the waist, she transitioned into a downward dog stance.

Bent at nearly a ninety degree angle, with one palm on the floor, she swiftly pressed against her barely restrained package. Pushing her equipment back and clamping her thighs together, she had no doubt that the imprint of her junk would be impossible not to notice. With her hastily laid plans going into full swing, she hung her head.

“By the way, it’s hotter than Tartarus outside,” she casually noted. “Thank goodness I was able to find this outfit.”

Gear sighed, glancing over at the siren. The getup wasn’t really intended for jogging, but be damned if it didn’t look absolutely stunning on her. Crafted from a single piece of fabric, the leotard had been an absolute bastard to order. The company which manufactured them didn’t typically make the articles in Aria’s size, since she was significantly larger than most mares, but it fit her like a glove.

“It’s just so fucking comfortable,” Aria continued, contentedly swaying her hips from side to side, “it feels like I’m wearing nothing at all!”

Uh-huh,” Gear grunted, trying her damnedest to avoid looking at the magnificently displayed ass before her.

Just south of the delectably succulent siren ass rested the unmistakable bulge of two plump nuts and the swell of a semi-flaccid marecock. Though the woman had only been in the room for a few minutes, and was situated roughly six or seven feet away, she could already detect the heavenly aroma of fresh sweat and musk. Sweet Celestia - if it was that strong at a distance, if she were to get closer and…

Grumbling to herself, she returned to watching the film. The vile temptress could wait until she was finished - at least, that’s what she told herself. Not a minute or so after directing her attention back to the movie, a slow movement caught her eye. The songstress shifted, spreading her legs and leaning forward.

“My only complaint about this thing is that it’s a little too snug in places - ya know?” Aria murmured, tugging at the fabric over her crotch. “It’s pretty obvious that these things weren’t made for chicks packing heat, but you’d think they’d make the chest a little more accommodating…”

Resting one hand on her knee, she turned her torso to the side and looked back. “Feels like my tits are getting strangled in here!” she halfheartedly grouched, pulling at the cloth over her rack. “It keeps the girls from bouncing around when I run but - Jeez - my sweater puppies are just crammed in here.”

Feeling her mouth beginning to water, seeing the sly grin on the songstress’ face, Gear knit her brow. “Maybe order one that’s a little larger next time or, I don’t know, you could figure out how to take your measurements properly.”

Aria shrugged, before going back to her stretching. “Eh - it’s not that big of a deal. Anyhow, I passed this little couple on the last leg of the run who were apparently fans of mine. Stopped to say hello, gave them a handshake and told them about our show next month. It was cute, even if they kept ogling the goods. If I was single, I may’ve just invited them back to plow their brains out,” she remarked, casually getting into a forward bend.

“Do you ever…” Gear’s complaint died in her throat, as she noticed the log of flesh within her lover’s shorts beginning to swell. Growing in length and girth, it only took a second for the dark mauve tip of her tool to slip out one leg of her outfit.

“Oh man, just imagining it gives me shivers. Me pumping a load into that stallion while his marefriend polished and worked my nuts,” Aria groaned, adding yet more fuel to the fire. “I bet they’d be picking up a strap-on before too long. Too bad silicone can’t compare to the genuine article.”

Though she wasn’t looking back, she heard the couch creak behind her. She loved Gear - she really did - but getting her worked up was just too easy. Sure enough, in the blink of an eye, a hand ran up the back of her thigh and to her groin. Wiping the mischievous grin from her face, she stood and wheeled around.

“Excuse me!” Aria blurted, facing her partner. “I’m trying to stretch!”

“You say that after showing off and bragging about how you would bag and plow a couple?” Gear retorted, folding her arms under her rack.

Holding a hand to her chest, as if stricken, Aria gasped. “I would never do such a thing! I’m committed to you and I’d never bring someone home without your agreement. Now would you please let me finish?” she innocently attested.

Gear scrunched her snout. It was clear that the siren wasn’t going to let her finish her movie, so she may as well abandon any hope watching the thrilling conclusion of the film. “What’s that sumo pose?”

“The what? Are you talking about a malasana squat?” Aria countered, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, the squat thing. How about you do that on my face,” the mechanic snickered, “then we can take a shower and I can help you stretch that ass a little.”

“Or maybe I help you loosen up a bit,” Aria giggled, walking her fingers around her lover’s waist.

“Someone must be feeling feisty, since I thought you were hoping to relax after your run,” Gear noted, as the siren groped her tush.

“How about this. If I can make you bust a nut in under five minutes, I get to top you - if not, you can fuck me silly,” the songstress offered.

Truth be told, Gear wasn’t opposed to getting dicked down occasionally - even if she wasn’t usually the bottom. With the offer of a bet on the table, and considering her paramour seemed to be in the mood to dominate someone, she wasn’t one to oppose. She grinned and shrugged her shoulders.

“Fuck it, I’m game,” she snickered.

“Alright, lie down on the mat, facing up, and take your pants off,” Aria instructed, stepping off the padded surface.

Gear did as asked, slipping her tank top up and over her head. She hadn’t bothered with a bra, since she was just lounging around the house, so her bare bosoms were quickly left uncovered. After unbuttoning her pants, she wiggled about and pulled the article down her muscled legs. As the slacks were drawn down her thighs, her semi-rigid length sprang into view.

Kicking the garment aside, she eased herself down, rolled onto her back, and rested her head on her hands. She watched as the siren stepped over her, placing her hands on her hips and swaying her waist from side to side. It was an admittedly nice view, peering up at her lover’s groin from below, but it didn’t hold a candle to what was to come.

Hooking her fingers around one shoulder strap, she pulled one arm free. Mirroring the act, after the limb was removed, she started laboriously pulling the leotard down her torso. After lifting one leg and smoothly withdrawing it from the outfit, she hopped on one foot and kicked the article free. Butt naked, feeling the cool are on her sweaty flesh, she smiled.

There weren’t many who could withstand what she was about to enact, although she knew good and damn well that Gear could handle it. Her lover was remarkably well built and durable, leaving her with no reservations whatsoever. Lowering herself, with her feet firmly planted to either side of the supine dickmare, she eased her bare ass onto her paramour’s face.

The sweat slick cheeks of Aria’s backside bore down on Gear’s muzzle, all but entombing her snout. Beyond the exquisite view, the earthy musk was downright divine. Strong and heady, yet maintaining a certain marish decadence, the scent alone was enough to make her rock hard, so the sensation of the two sculpted buns against her only added to her excitement.

“Bet you fuckin love this don’t you, you slut,” Aria giggled.

Rocking her waist forward and back, smearing the dickmare’s muzzle with perspiration, she gradually bore more weight against her lover. Carefully, kicking one leg out at a time, her feet danced down her lover’s frame, over her abdomen, and towards the towering pillar of flesh at her groin. It may be a bit underhanded, but there was one technique which would virtually guarantee her success.

Blinded by the shapely ass on her face, breathing in the intoxicating fragrance of her mate, Gear hadn’t the slightest idea what she was in for - that was, until something warm glided over her cock. The sensation was accompanied by the siren shifting, leaning back slightly and alleviating some of the weight on her head. Given the circumstances, she was being treated to only one thing.

“Such a big girl,” Aria cooed.

Her toes drifted up and down her mate’s girthy shaft, gently kneading the tender flesh. Seated on her lover’s face, with her arms braced behind herself, she toyed with the mechanic’s tool. Before meeting Gear, she’d never really given much thought to giving foot-jobs, but she’d slowly grown to enjoy it.

The titanic mare was an absolute whore for her feet, having gone so far as to purchase her several rings for her toes. Aria thought it was a joke at first, although she soon discovered otherwise and took steps to please her partner. Since they’d formally started dating, she’d gone so far as to practice her carnal footwork in secret.

Gear closed her eyes, reached up, and sunk her fingers into the siren’s ample hips. The sensation of the songstress’ supple soles sandwiching and caressing her shaft were a relatively rare treat, almost tempting her to fixate on the sinful feeling - almost. Kissing and licking the pronounced pucker against her lips, she shamelessly feasted on her paramour’s booty.

Skillfully working the dick between her feet, taking care to massage the sensitive underside of the shaft, Aria’s efforts were quickly rewarded by the first drops of pre-cum dribbling from the dickmare’s member. It really didn’t take much to get Gear wound up, when it came to her tootsie tool-work, so she figured it wouldn’t take long - still, she wanted to hammer the point home. Adjusting her positioning, she switched things up.

The cool metal toe ring, contrasting against the warm digits on her hefty nuts, caused Gear to groan into Aria’s tush. Seeing the siren traipse about barefoot, while wearing the golden reminder of their commitment to one another, damn near always managed to get her worked up; the fact that the siren was wearing it currently, while massaging her junk, virtually drove her mad with lust.

“Gonna cum for me, baby? Go ahead, just blow that hot load all over my little toes so you can lick them clean,” Aria purred, continuing her onslaught.

The rimjob was pleasant enough, even though she doubted she’d need the warmup and slick hole. Concentrating, rhythmically pumping the throbbing log of marecock between the arches of her feet, she stroked her mate’s pole. In less than a minute, her soles and toes were covered with the slick, gooey pre-cum leaking from Gear’s prodigious member.

Try as she might, Gear was having a hard time not losing her composure. The siren was assaulting every sense she had; the honeyed words, the cloying flavor of sweat, the musk flooding her sinuses, the sensation of the foot-job, it was all a dreadfully sensual weight to bear and her resolve began to crumble because of it. Despite having planned to deposit her seed into her lover’s ass, she was steadily coerced to do otherwise.

The dickmare’s muffled groaning, the way she was ineffectually was thrusting her hips, and just how fucking hard her stallionhood was throbbing meant only one thing - Gear was about to lose their little wager. Balancing herself on one arm, Aria reached down and grabbed her sweetheart’s hand. It was time to finish the woman off and she knew just how to pull the trigger.

“Gear,” she moaned out, continually stroking her lover’s length, “I want to be with you forever.”

With those words, Gear’s fate was sealed. Gritting her teeth, a tide of bliss overtook her. Every muscle about her heavy frame tensed and twitched, as bolts of pleasure shot through her body. Like some fecund geyser, her cock erupted. Although she couldn’t see it, hot jizz spattered and gushed over the siren’s feet and lower legs, as well as coating her own groin, thighs, and abdomen in the process. Losing some paltry bet was a small price to pay, for such a rare and decadent finish.

Hmmhmmhmm - too easy,” Aria smugly teased, pushing herself up and removing her saliva streaked rear from the mare’s face.

Panting, licking her lips of what little sweat was left there, Gear stared up at her mate. “Sweet Celestia, I love you,” she wheezed, heaving air into her chest.

“I know,” the siren smoothly replied, leaning in and giving the mechanic a kiss on the lips, “and I love you too. Now then, roll over.”

“Can’t we do it on the bed?” Gear grumbled, begrudgingly doing as she was asked.

“It’s a yoga mat,” Aria noted, watching the dickmare flip over. “It’s made for stretching and working out - which is exactly what I’m going to be doing to that ass of yours.”

Looming over her paramour, she gave herself a moment to appreciate the sight. Like herself, if not slightly moreso, Gear was exquisitely well built and covered in muscle. She was definitely a woman, that much was for sure, yet she was huge, strong as an ox, and extraordinarily well hung. In every conceivable way, she was built to fuck - but not today.

Pressing her palms to the floor on either side of Gear’s hips, she brought her face towards her lover’s legs. Every contour and curve, from the small valleys of the bundled, cable-like muscle to the large crevices of her joints, was simply magnificent. Moving up the dickmare’s body, she brought her face to the sculpted, coral colored rump before her.

“I’m just gonna…” Aria hummed, burying her snout between the two beefy buns of the mechanic’s brawny backside.

It wasn’t like they didn’t have lube in the bedroom, but she’d be remiss for not returning the treatment Gear had given her. Digging her tongue into her mate’s taut pucker, she slickened the hole with her saliva. Practically making out with the woman’s backdoor, she closed her eyes and relished her lover’s pungent musk.

Gear’s eye’s fluttered slightly, as she was loosened up. While the siren rarely topped, typically being the one getting her rump played with in some form or fashion, there was no denying the skill and precision of her lover’s tongue. Not only could she feel the tightness of her pucker loosening slightly, but her prostate was getting its fair share of affection as well. Subconsciously, she lifted her waist and pressed herself back.

Retracing her head, Aria dragged her body over her paramour’s back. Kissing and licking, squeezing and caressing, she worshiped Gear like some ancient adonic she-stud made flesh. It was only when she draped her head over the woman’s shoulder, pressing her cheek to her mate’s own, did she stop and grin. Situated as they were, chest to back, her crotch rested against the colossal woman’s behind.

“Feel that?” she teased. Playfully bucking her hips, she caused her throbbing stallionhood to hotdog her lover’s buns. “That’s gonna fuck the cum out of you and make you cry out like a bitch in heat.”

“That is, if you don’t pop in the ten seconds,” Gear taunted, glancing sidelong at the siren. “How about you put your money where that beautiful, dick-sucking mouth of yours is and bang me already.”

“Just don’t forgive me if you’re walking funny tomorrow,” Aria giggled, pushing herself up.

Balancing herself on one arm, she reached down and guided the tip of her length to the woman’s hole. Resting the head of her stallionhood against the meaty pucker beneath her, she cranked the base of her shaft to produce a gobbet of pre. She’d be coating her mate’s insides with the slick substance quickly enough, after the initial penetration, but she wanted them both to enjoy it.

“You gonna sit back there and jack off all afternoon or actually do me?” Gear goaded, pulling her buns apart.

“Remember that when you’re calling me Mommy,” Aria laughed, thrusting downward.

After the bloated tip of her cock popped into her lover, the rest was surprisingly easy. Only the very base of her length rivaled the girth of her glans, so she was able to plunge into Gear with relative ease. Inch after inch of her shaft sank into the mechanic’s brawny backside, until she was nearly hilted.

The siren paused for a moment, letting Gear adjust to the fullness she afforded, before she retracted her hips. Pulling her tool free, save for the tip, she hammered herself back inside. Like some great engine rousing from its slumber, she gradually picked up speed until she found a steady pounding rhythm.

Essentially sandwiched between the floor and a humping siren, there wasn’t all that much Gear could do. Lifting her waist to meet the songstress’ thrusts, while clenching on the backstrokes, she worked to milk her lover’s shaft. While their positioning limited her freedom of movement, there was one massive benefit - her prostate was getting absolutely pummelled.

“That’s right, work that dick,” Aria huffed, steadily pounding away.

Pounding her lover from above, the siren’s throbbing tool was embraced by her mate’s hot, silken depths. The mechanic was tight enough as it was, so the added pressure of clenching only compounded the natural snugness. Beyond the sublime physical sensations afforded by the normally dominant woman, knowing she was in control added an exotic spice to the situation as a whole.

“I learned - Mmmph - it from the best,” Gear remarked, resting her head to the side and peering up at the siren.

“Let me return the favor,” Aria snickered. Adjusting the angle of her thrusts, she crushed the mechanic’s p-spot and elicited a throaty moan from the woman.

She’d been fucked in the ass more times than she could possibly count, and she knew exactly where the sweet spots were. While she did prefer to be on the receiving end of a hot dicking, she was more than capable of pounding a dickmare or stallion until they were a whimpering, shaky-legged mess. Increasing the speed of her plunges, she cranked up the intensity.

Gear’s eyelids fluttered, while the siren grunted and huffed above her. The room was silent, save for the sounds of heavy breathing, flesh slapping hotly on flesh, and the occasional stifled sound of pleasure. Worming her hands beneath her chest, against the hardwood floor, the mechanic pinched and twisted her nipples; if she was going to get railed out, she may as well enjoy it.

In spite of having only climaxed a few minutes prior, her monstrous cock was diamond hard against the floor. Pinned between the mat and her legs, stimulated solely by the pressure of her thighs, pre-cum and spunk seeped from her tool. It was a bit of a shame, knowing it wasn’t being used to obliterate a nice warm hole, but she couldn’t care less.

The flames of her marish desires were a raging inferno, spurring her to savor being used and abused by her lover; such instances, while uncommon, were more than enjoyable. She wouldn’t bottom for just anyone, but the siren was a welcome exception - after all, since they were both adorned with the same equipment, it was only fair that they switch roles every so often.

“H...harder,” she croaked, feebly pushing back to meet the siren’s thrusts.

Craning her neck downward, Aria peppered her mate’s neck with dainty kisses. Working one hand under the dickmare’s chest, gently taking hold of Gear’s wrist, she pulled one of the woman’s arms free. She quickly mirrored the movement with the other limb, leaving the two upper extremities held to the floor to either side of her paramour’s head.

“Mmmph - gonna rut you like the good little bitch you are,” she snarled, lacing her fingers with her mate’s.

U...uh-huh,” Gear whimpered, feebly nodding.

She could practically feel her strength bleeding away, replaced by the need to get a scalding load of seed in her ass. Sweet stars above, even when she was willing to be on the receiving end of a fucking, she couldn’t remember the last time someone made her feel like this. In that moment, being plowed like a field in spring, her domineering streak simply crumbled under the might of her lover’s assault.

Sinking her length into the mechanic, Aria slowed and waggled her hips. “Beg for it…”

“Please, b...breed me,” Gear immediately moaned, shivering from head to toe.

“Atta girl,” the siren purred, just a split second before pulling out all the stops.

She’d been growing steadily closer to her limit and realized she wouldn’t be able to last all that much longer. Between the wonderful rim job she’d received, the control her position gave her, and the blissful sensations of her Gear’s depths, the blinding light of rapture was growing nearer with every passing second. Knowing she had little time left, she enacted her final plan.

Simply climaxing would have been fully acceptable, but she’d be remiss for not trying to push her paramour to a second orgasm. Shifting gears from a steady deep dicking to a furious jackhammering, making sure to keep her medial ring squarely above the dickmare’s sizable prostate, her hips became a blur.

Huffing with every thrust, feeling herself beginning to flare, Gear suffered through the full carnal might of the songstress. Given how hard Aria was throbbing within her, not to mention the furious and unraveling rhythm of the girl’s thrusts, she had to be close. Peering back, seeing her lover’s sweat streaked face, she was moved by just how dominant the siren could be.

Gritting her teeth, holding out for as long as she possibly could, Aria knew she had lost the battle. Her head shot downward, as she firmly grasped her mate’s hands in her own. Surprising Gear with a deep, romantic kiss, leaving their tongues to war with one another, she hilted. The floodgates burst, as their passion reached its zenith.

Gear would have cried out, would have howled like a beast possessed, yet all she could do was to groan into the siren’s mouth. As soon as the first gout of roiling spunk surged into her, she came with the force of a collapsing star. Her toes curled, shivers ran up her spine, and her limbs trembled uncontrollably. Every muscle on her body spasmed and shook, while she suffered through monumentally intense rapture.

Aria wasn’t much better off. Quivering, fitfully bucking her hips, she pumped wave after seething wave of her seed into Gear’s ass. Surging through her mate’s guts, like a blown fire hydrant, her jizz was deposited deep into her lover. Besides feeling heavenly, knowing that she was marking her paramour with her essence, claiming her in such an erotic way, drove her ecstasy to unimaginable heights.

The two stayed like that, one twitching atop the other, while they rode out their nearly tandem climaxes. It was only when the siren’s mighty tool began to soften, leaking the final dregs of her foal-batter into the mechanic, did she move. Rolling to her side, pulling Gear along with herself, Aria made herself comfortable.

“Have - Cough - fun?” Gear wheezed, reaching back to caress the songstress’ hip.

“As if you didn’t like it,” Aria wearily teased, stroking her lover’s belly. Slightly swollen and distended, if only just, she giggled to herself. “Bottom bitch gets to clean up.”

“Then you’ll have a full afternoon ahead of you,” Gear rebuked.

Slapping her lover’s ass, she flashed a wolfish grin over her shoulder. Even though she may have a liter of siren spunk sloshing around inside of her, and a semi-rigid dick in her ass, she was definitely not the bottom bitch in the relationship. Giving a little peck to her mate’s nose, she looked deeply into her lover’s eyes.

“If I’m the bottom bitch, maybe you should prove it,” Aria mused, as an insidious smirk crept across her face.

“Oh I’ll prove it in the shower - after all, it wouldn’t be fair for you to mop up any more cum off the floor or, Celestia forbid, have to change the sheets of the bed again,” Gear giggled, playfully throwing her ass back.

“On one condition,” Aria tutted, pressing a finger to the woman’s snout.

“And what’s that?” Gear whispered, feeling her loins stir.

“Only if I can look at that gorgeous face of yours while you’re fucking me into a coma,” the siren responded.

Flexing her pelvis, sending blood to her partially flaccid cock, she shifted and pushed herself up on one arm. Though it wasn’t easy, and took a considerable amount of her concentration, she managed to awkwardly get to her feet and haul Gear into a princess carry - all while her stallionhood remained entombed within her paramour. Cradling the massive dickmare to her chest, she loped off towards the shower.

Gear’s mouth flapped for a second, as she was whisked off to the restroom. It was just one more thing that reminded her that she’d met the perfect mate and she honestly couldn’t imagine being luckier. Strong, gorgeous, skillful, and delightfully cheeky, Aria was everything she could ever dream of in a partner, inspiring her in ways she didn’t think possible.

“You know,” Aria nonchalantly noted, as she walked along, “I really do love you.”

“I wouldn’t have given you a key if you didn’t,” Gear laughed, reaching around and squeezing the siren’s ass.

Sure, she may be farting cum for the rest of the afternoon, but it was Aria’s cum. She’d get her payback, eventually, and it wasn’t like they hadn’t done the song and dance before. There wasn’t much she wouldn’t do for the slatternly siren, or visa versa, which was one of the many, many reasons why she hoped they’d stay together for a long, long time…