Nerds Are Hotby KingdaKaChapters1. The Dream Girl2. Fleur de Lis in Love3. Meltdown1. The Dream GirlIt was an almost instinctive thing for the world to turn her way whenever she was found walking through the masses. Bodies in motion would suddenly come to a standstill as they found themselves in the presence of one that could only be a goddess; eyes that were always so faithful couldn’t help but settle upon her form and stare in desire. Even those who would have once taken offense could only be left powerless by the understanding, knowing just how natural a motion it was. Everywhere she went, there were whispers and words that spoke to her supreme grace and unrivaled beauty. At one point in her life, Fleur would have admitted her guilt to achieving such ends, an intentional motion of movement that was meant to garner attention. But eventually, such purposeful acts were put to the wayside, deemed unnecessary and little more than girlish immaturity. Now, she found she gathered more looks and lustful glances than ever before. It mattered not that she held no desire for the worship of the crowd, she gained it by simply being. It would be awkward if she used her mental capacities to notice. During her high school days, she’d easily garnered endless stares from her schoolmates, whether it be boy or girl. It was of course a little more clandestine back then, due to shyness or uncertainty in regards to their own emotions. But a college campus saw no such inhibitions, with parental restrictions and values now cast to the wayside. The sheer number of stares and gawking faces that passed Fleur by were almost countless, with a growing number of women making sure to cast their eyes upon her flawless figure. To any who could hope to tear themselves away from her beauty, they would have seen what seemed like the entire world under her unwitting thrall. They all looked, lusted, and dreamed of Fleur- yet not once did a single one of them ever dare to make a move and try to gain her hand. It was some time before any of her friends began to notice something had gone amiss; so absorbed by their own lives and feelings that they did not have the time or emotion to spare for someone else. But before too long, it became rather difficult to ignore: wispy sighs that echoed through dormitory halls on her silken breath; dazed looks and sappy smiles that spoke of a precious mental fantasy; eyes so deeply clouded by longing as she gazed at a mysterious, hidden something that dwelled somewhere upon her phone. Any look towards it would see Fleur scurry away to her private abode, and perhaps to deal with her own boiling steam in a much more expressive fashion. But even quiet could not hope to hide such feelings any longer. Fleur, of all people in the world, was distracted. And driving her friends to distraction because of it. An overly crowded dorm room found itself smaller than usual thanks to present circumstances, or at least by Sugarcoat’s standards. Loudly busying herself with the preparation of a cup of instant ramen wasn’t enough to drown out the sounds she certainly didn’t want to hear, she only able to hope that the sound of a microwave running would be enough to at least subdue any exterior noise. A muffled moan that came from one of the bedrooms and she sighed; the cook time wasn’t going to be long enough and she knew it. Fleur was taking her time. It was a sick sense of pleasure that she found company in her misery; sitting at their battered kitchen table and appearing just as uncomfortable as her roommate was Lemon Zest, seemingly deep in an attempt to just ignore their beautiful friend’s self-indulgences as best she could; a mortified curl of her lip suggested that such attempts were proving themselves ineffective. With neither of the two able to block out Fleur’s new pastime, and Indigo having left the dorm to avoid the problem altogether, the palpable awkwardness was beginning to feel like a dam ready to burst. “I can actually not believe this is happening,” Sugarcoat muttered, banging her head against the kitchen counter in exasperation. “How has she been reduced to this?” Lemon Zest said nothing in response, continuing with her attempts to pretend that the problem –and all remarks regarding it- just didn’t exist. A magnificent feat in itself, considering that the silence allowed Fleur to hit a note that was rather impressive to the ear. The microwave’s hum came to a halt and allowed unfiltered silence to break through and magnify their beautiful friend’s pleasures to a new level, sounding more and more breathless with each passing moment. Sugarcoat wished the ramen cup came with a noisemaker, something that could cover up what she didn’t want to hear. It wasn’t that they all hadn’t thought of Fleur as attractive; they were human like anyone else. But this was just awkward… “Oh come on! Zest, you can’t just block it out!” Sugarcoat snapped, slamming down into her seat across from her willfully ignorant roommate, glaring daggers as their audible problem continued on in the nearby bedroom. “This is ridiculous, we have to do something!” “I know! Jeez, I’m not stupid!” Lemon Zest shot back. “It’s just- shit, we need to get that girl laid.” A stranger sentence had never before been uttered in all of human existence, Sugarcoat staring at her companion with a look of burning incredulity. “Are- are you kidding?” she replied faintly. “Girl, it’s Fleur, for god’s sake. I don’t think she needs help with that!” “Then what the hell is this about? She’s been a wreck for nearly a month now. What on earth has her like this?” “We’re gonna have to ask, I guess,” Sugarcoat said. “I mean, do you have any other ideas?” “We ask for a roommate transfer?” Lemon Zest suggested. “I mean, I know she’s our friend and all, but do you want to put up with this forever?” “Why do you think I’m talking to you?” “So let’s get this stupid-” At that precise moment came a last, joyous peal of ecstasy from behind the sealed door, Fleur clearly reaching the height of her pleasures in an act that could be mistaken for nothing else. The sweet ringing of such a lilted, lovely voice was a beautiful, mortifyingly embarrassing sound that neither of the girls present could stomach, Lemon Zest audibly groaning as she buried her face against the surface of the table. “Oh my god, I can’t do this anymore,” she moaned. “We have got to talk to her about this or else I’m going to go mad.” “When she comes out of the room, we confront her about it. Agreed?” Sugarcoat said. “Anything to get her to chill the hell out,” Lemon Zest said. “This is going to be so awful. I mean… who on earth could possibly get her like this?” The wait was painful due to their eagerness to see their discomfort permanently resolved, made all the worse by the few muffled words and sounds that still carried through drywall and wood. Sugarcoat busied herself with her noodle lunch while she waited for their friend’s appearance, glad to have something to keep her occupied; all Lemon Zest could do was stew in her embarrassment and hope that they could actually see the issue handled. At last came the sound of a doorknob rattling, Fleur making her appearance from the darkened depths of her dorm room and possessing a look of dreamy contentment on her splendid face. One so perfectly lovely, now seeming so happy due to sexual self-satisfactions, put her friends in a state of instinctual desire. Neither were single, and Sugarcoat wasn’t interested in girls, yet both young women couldn’t help but wish to be the ones that saw such a gorgeous being made satisfied by their own efforts. Fleur was just so magnificently beautiful; a face so flawlessly lovely and bearing skin as smooth as glass, silken hair that fell down to her slim waist, the most perfect pair of breasts that anyone could hope to possess with the height and figure of a supermodel. Why she was bothering with college was a mystery, since she could clearly just make money being beautiful. Actually, that was a good question, why was she here? Did that- Whatever hypnotic spell Fleur so easily cast on those around her was immediately dispelled when she strode past her roommates and into the nearby bathroom, a certain aroma about her that clearly couldn’t be anything else. Sugarcoat’s mind resumed normal function, the palpable awkwardness of their current scenario returning in full force. No, she wasn’t lusting after her friend, and her friend had clearly been flicking the bean. This was to be an intervention. “Well… No one helped themselves to my yakisoba, did they?” Fleur said pleasantly as she reappeared from the bathroom, cleaned up and turning to the fridge for nourishment. “I know I made plenty for everyone, but I wanted the last serving for myself if that’s alright-” “Fleur, we need to talk to you. Forget the stupid yakisoba.” Lemon Zest was clearly in no mood to delay the inevitable discussion, arms crossed and scowling up a storm. “You have no idea how annoying you’ve been lately.” Fleur paused from her meal prep and stared at her friend, clearly hurt by the abrasive words. “Zesty, what on earth?” she said. “I didn’t mean to make you mad, I made it for everyone. Isn’t it OK if I have the last bite?” “It’s not about the damn food, girl! Jeez! Are you seriously just going to pretend like we can’t hear you?” In a sudden turn of events, Fleur’s beautiful face that had once been flush with contentment now turned pale, memories of a pleasant moment now a horror. “Oh my gosh, you- am I being loud?” Sugarcoat was left stunned. “Fleur… did you actually think no one could hear you?” she asked. “It’d be difficult to think you were doing anything else but- well, masturbating.” The idea had apparently not occurred to her, Fleur seemingly shriveling as the revelation of her personal comforts having not been so private after all. “Oh- girls, I’m so sorry! I didn’t even- oh gosh…” The beautiful woman buried herself in her hands, unable to bear the accusing, embarrassed eyes of her companions. “How long have you known?” The situation was being resolved in all the ways no one wanted to endure; Sugarcoat shared a glance with Lemon Zest before saying, “Uh it has… look, a while.” “Oh no,” Fleur murmured, coming over to take a seat at the table alongside her friends. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t even know. I wasn’t even thinking that I was being that loud.” “Oh come on, Fleur,” Lemon Zest groaned. “How could you not know? And for this long? Like, what’s been going on with you lately? No one’s ever seen you like this before.” To their surprise, Fleur actually shrank into herself, a different sort of embarrassment taking hold of her flawless form. “I… well, I know it’s awkward already. Do you- you know, need to know?” “You definitely owe us a little explanation,” Sugarcoat replied, though feeling a twinge of sympathy for her mortified friend. “Is everything OK? Like, has something been bothering you lately, something at home? I remember you said your Dad was having surgery.” “No, Daddy’s fine,” Fleur mumbled, now making effort to avoid their inquisitive looks. “I just- I’ll be quieter from now on, I promise.” “Thanks, but come on. We do wanna help, at least a little,” Sugarcoat persisted. “Now… what’s the matter?” Fleur’s eyes darted about in the hopes of escape, positively squirming in her seat as she writhed against the secret within and the demand of an answer without, more ill at ease than her friends had ever imagined she could be. Just when they’d thought she really was going to hold out on any sort of response, the beautiful woman burst like a balloon and cried, “Oh, I can’t stop thinking about her!” Sugarcoat and Lemon Zest blanked. Out of all possible answers, it hadn’t occurred to them that it might actually be one that was so incredibly simple. Fleur de Lis, the most beautiful woman they’d ever seen, was infatuated with someone- and so deeply that she was finding herself forced to seek physical relief from the internal struggle that came from it. It was such a simple answer that it was almost impossible to believe. So of course they started laughing. Not mockingly, but out of sheer shock that Fleur could be undergoing such a simple issue. “Oh, is that all!” Lemon Zest giggled, her smile wide with delight at the revelation. “Goodness, what’s that got you so worked up for?” Fleur, already discomforted by the conversation, was left scandalized at the sound of their laughter. “Hey! That’s not fair,” she pouted. “Come on, I’m being serious!” “Fleur, you’re- I mean, come on, Zest is right! You’ve got no reason to be like this!” Sugarcoat said, subduing her laughter but still grinning. “Have you not seen yourself in a mirror? All you’d have to do is go up to her and say hello, she’d drop panties then and there!” The beautiful woman was taken aback by the remark. “What? No she wouldn’t! Why would you say that?” Sugarcoat’s smile faded, beaten down by Fleur’s continued seriousness on the matter. She wasn’t faking. “Fleur… girl, it’s because you’re gorgeous. Shit, I think you’re probably the most beautiful person on earth. You can have anyone you want, whenever you want. Do you not realize that?” “It’s not like that. I don’t want to- she doesn’t even know I exist, really,” Fleur muttered sadly. “I really wish she would, but…” The strangeness of the conversation continued to find ways to emphasize itself, Sugarcoat and Lemon Zest hardly able to believe what they were hearing. “You get stares from people when you’re wearing a hoodie and sweat pants, how could she not know you exist?” Fleur looked over at her phone before glancing at her friend. “Because she’s… Oh, this is stupid. Forget I said anything.” “I’m done putting up with hearing you spank it every day over this girl,” Sugarcoat said bluntly. “Look, we’ll help you out, OK? As your friends, we really do wanna help. So: what do we have to do?” “Why would she not notice you, anyway?” Lemon Zest added. Fleur mulled the proposition over for a bit, considering her friend’s self-interested aid. “Well… OK. Can you all come with me somewhere?” “Do we need to?” “I guess it’ll make more sense this way,” Fleur said, already on her feet and headed towards the door. “I hope that makes sense.” “Not yet it don’t,” Lemon Zest muttered. Thirty minutes and a walk through campus later, things had somehow found a way to make even less sense. Sugarcoat’s expectations –whatever they had been- had not prepared her for finding temporary residence in the library, amidst endless rows of books and computers that were used by dozens of students for a variety of class projects and papers. The idea that Fleur wanted someone who she knew would be here just… It didn’t make any sense. “Something is wrong,” Lemon Zest whispered, leaning in to her friend’s ear so as to avoid the dulled ears of a clearly distracted Fleur. “We’re in a library.” “I’m aware, dumbass,” Sugarcoat replied. “What’s your point?” “It means she knows their schedule that well, for one thing. Come on, that’s a bit creepy.” Another good point that only exacerbated the strangeness of their current now, Sugarcoat left struggling to figure out what to do. “Umm- Fleur?” “Mhm?” Fleur answered by instinct and not by will, her mind clearly scanning the world about them for something else. “Why are we here?” “Because she’ll be here, of course,” Fleur replied. A glance towards the door as though she hoped to see this mysterious person walk through the doors then and there. “She should be here soon, if she’s not here already. Oh gosh, I hope she’s not here already.” “You know her schedule… that well,” Sugarcoat remarked, not at all settled. Oh wow, this is getting so weird. Momma didn’t raise me for this. “I keep trying to say hello- but I never figure out how,” Fleur said wistfully. “Oh, maybe I’ll do it this time if she’s alone.” Lemon Zest looked as though she couldn’t actually believe she’d heard it said aloud; the very idea that Fleur was nervous about talking to someone was positively preposterous. “You’re not being serious right now- right?” she asked. “How would you go about it, Zesty?” Fleur asked, somehow appearing totally genuine. “I don’t really know how, I guess I never figured it out.” Sugarcoat’s eyes felt ready to pop out of their sockets. “What in the fu-” “Who the fuck could have you this slapped around?” Lemon Zest demanded. Fleur’s eyes drifted from her friends and over to the doors- and suddenly set afire with delight, her smile glowing as she caught sight of the one she adored. “Her,” she said in a dreamy sigh. Sugarcoat and Lemon Zest turned to the library entrance and felt themselves receive an almighty slap in the face; dressed in a soft-brown pullover and a dark pair of jeans walked in a young girl with hair the color of darkened lavender, a backpack thrown across a single shoulder as she looked about the place. An expression of mild concern adorned her inquisitive features, as though something weighed down her mind and kept her from a true happiness; a quiet of spirit that seemed drilled in rather than by instinct. It could not have been any stranger than if they’d tried. Unless they were somehow very wrong, Fleur was infatuated with Twilight Sparkle. “Isn’t she perfect?” Fleur said happily, watching Twilight walk along with all the feeling of a lovesick puppy. Her eyes remained glued to Twilight, soaking in every ounce of the unsuspecting young woman as she walked over to a table and began speaking to an awaiting student, the two of them seemingly meeting by appointment. A few pleasant words were shared before they adjourned to places unknown, likely a study room judging by the surplus of materials and paperwork that sat in their hands. Sugarcoat knew this had to be a dream. Lemon Zest knew it was a joke. The exquisite beauty across from them gave another happy sound before turning to her friends, clearly expecting joyous assent and commendation at the sight of her romantic desire. “So?” she said eagerly. “Isn’t she great? How should I try to say hello, do you have any idea? She’s so scary sometimes in class, and I just-” Fleur paused; her friends were staring at her with a look that wasn’t friendly. “What?” “Fleur,” Lemon Zest said hoarsely, “are you shitting me?” Fleur blanched. “Excuse me?” Sugarcoat tended to have a bit more subtlety than her often foul-mouthed companion, but even her added maturity was left speechless by this wild revelation. “Fleur, I just- why Twilight, of all people? Like can’t- can’t you do better?” Fleur gave a start as though she’d been slapped across the face, eyes held painfully wide at the remark. Then before her friends could try to stop her, an overwhelming force of anger overtook her pristine senses and set her to standing tall, a wrathful look in her eyes. “Oh, I’ve made a mistake-” “What do you mean, I could do better?!” “You got me banned from the library for two weeks! I have a paper due on Friday, what am I supposed to do if I can’t use the library for printing?” Lemon Zest demanded. They’d returned to their dorm room in a failure of emotional control, Fleur’s enraged outburst having seen them swiftly departing the library premises in record time. Indigo had clearly made herself at home in a lounging spot across the couch and was soon filled in on the matter, just as stunned as her fellow roommates. Fleur had a massive crush on Twilight Sparkle. How could you possibly make up something that stupid? “I will not apologize,” Fleur said flatly, not having budged an inch since her outburst. “And I’m not sorry, one little bit.” “This is ridiculous- what if my laptop breaks? I need to work somewhere!” “Say you’re sorry first and maybe I’ll reconsider,” Fleur replied. Lemon Zest wasn’t sure of whether or not she wanted to kill her roommate. Fleur’s excessive masturbation had been one thing, but this was flat-out insensitive. College wasn’t exactly cheap and this flawless bitch didn’t care! “What is wrong with you? All this over a nerd?” “Don’t make fun of her just because she’s smarter than you!” Fleur snapped, whirling about to face her friend. “Oh, you’re just jealous and you-” “Jealous?!” “Oh for god’s sake, shut the fuck up!” Indigo roared, bringing the barrage of anger and insults to a sudden halt. “Shit… are you two children or something? Come on, grow up and work this out like adults, why don’t you!” “She won’t stop making fun of my dreamgirl!” Fleur pouted. “And your dreamgirl is a nerd- get the hell over it, girl,” Indigo said bluntly. “Jeez, not a big deal, just is. Lemon Zest, shuttup. We all know you weren’t gonna write that paper.” Lemon Zest opened her mouth- and promptly sealed it shut; the accusation was a little too true. “Are we done?” Sugarcoat asked, having taken a seat and remained silent since they’d arrived back to the dorms. “OK, so that was… really weird. Fleur, are you for real?” “Of course I am! Just look at her!” Fleur cried, a stomp of her feet to hammer it home. “What am I supposed to do? Twilight’s so smart and sweet, I don’t know how to say anything to her!” Sugarcoat was trying her best to be reasonable, but the whole situation was just unbelievable. She didn’t even know how to wrap her head around it. “I- I guess you just go up and say hello,” she answered. I’m giving romantic advice to Fleur. Is this even real? “But how?” Fleur begged, positively despondent and fretting over the matter. “I can’t just go up and be weird, she’ll think I’m-” “Perfect?” Sugarcoat suggested. “Flawless?” Lemon Zest added. “A dream come true?” Indigo put in. “… Creepy,” Fleur said, wondering if anyone was going to take her seriously. “We’re in the same Physics class together… I want to try and say something there, but it’s always such a busy class.” “Fleur, you could say something to her whenever and you’d be fine,” Indigo remarked. “I’m honestly surprised you’re even worried about this.” “But why would she even like me?” Fleur wailed. They hadn’t heard that. “Because you’re gorgeous, you complete idiot!” Lemon Zest said. “Like that even matters!” Fleur said despairingly. “What?! How does that not matter?!” “But she’s-” Fleur was clearly struggling, seemingly on the verge of tears as she tried to put her feelings into spoken word. She at last managed to find a small voice and said, “She’s so smart, and so nice to everybody, and she’s always dressed so nicely. So, you know. People like her.” Not one of them was sure whether or not to actually believe any of what they were hearing, but the sight of this beautiful woman’s utter despondence was hard to deny. The idea that it was Twilight, of all people… “So, umm… how long have you liked her?” Sugarcoat attempted. “Since I was a freshman in high school,” Fleur said quietly. Seven fucking years ago! “Seven- oh gosh, you’ve got it bad,” Sugarcoat gasped, realizing the full scope of this nightmarish scenario. “OK, so, uh- OK. Umm, you really, really need to talk with her. Soon.” “But how?” Fleur whined. “You’re just gonna have to- well, I don’t really know,” she said. “Just… I don’t know, how’s your Physics grade?” Fleur shuffled her feet, slowly cottoning on to her friend’s guidance. “It’s alright,” she mumbled. “Could be better, though.” “There you are, then,” Indigo said pleasantly. “Ask her to tutor you and make your move there. Should be easy, right?” “I… guess so,” Fleur said. “I do have class with her tomorrow.” “Good. Ask her then. And that’s not negotiable,” Indigo added as she saw Fleur’s perfect face turn pale in fear. “Because if I hear you spanking it again, I’m gonna throw you out of this dorm. You feel me?” Fleur looked about at her friends and saw each of them united both for and against her, left with little choice but to resolve her personal matters sooner rather than later. “OK,” she said, and turned to her bedroom so as to be left in peace. Her three roommates remained in the living room, unified by silence and a still deeply held incredulity. “She likes Twilight,” Lemon Zest breathed. “Just… damn.” “Think Twilight will like her back?” Indigo inquired. “Are you kidding? I don’t think Twilight knows what love is.” It was either going to be the best or the worst day of her life. The lesson for today was actually important, and not at all easy to soak in. Fleur was good with art and history, the physical world that required tactile contact; mathematics were not her strong suit. She genuinely did need to pay attention. They had their mid-term exam next week! But the sight of her sitting there in her seat, diligently poring over notes, the smile that could sometimes be seen whenever Twilight turned her head to those beside her, the bright, cheerful voice that always had the right answer, that sweet form held within a white blouse and jeans… She knew better than to fight a losing battle; accepting defeat and doing nothing more than daydream for the rest of the class, the beautiful young woman simply stopped trying and figured she’d get any help later. Twilight was always nice to people like that. “Alright, make sure to have the homework done before Monday! And for those of you with lab, don’t forget- Monday evenings, I know some of you have been absent!” Fleur awoke from her favorite daydream of her and Twilight walking along a beach hand-in-hand and realized that class had actually ended. Had she been dozing for that long? They’d only begun a few minutes ago! And- Twilight was leaving already! The girls had actually taken her room key away to make sure she actually went through with talking to Twilight, and she had no intention of sleeping out in the halls tonight. Twilight’s bed sounds so much better- oh crap she’s down the hall! Dignity be damned, Fleur positively raced through the crowd to catch up with that lavender ponytail. “Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?” Her voice rang clearly through the halls and over the cacophony of noise that pervaded through the minutes between classes, bringing Twilight’s efforts to move along elsewhere to an abrupt pause. The intelligent woman she adored turned about for the source of her name and soon settled her eyes on Fleur, a small start as recognition took over. “Fleur?” “Hi, yes,” Fleur said breathlessly, amazed that she was actually this close. She could even smell Twilight, a pleasant aroma of herbal tea about the young woman. Ooh, I really like it. I wonder what she’s wearing. “Didn’t- we went to high school together, right?” Twilight asked. “Cheer captain at Crystal Prep?” She gave a glowing smile as her heart swelled like a balloon, delighted that Twilight actually remembered her. “Yeah! I was!” “OK, I thought so- wait, are we in Physics together?” The balloon burst in an instant. She doesn’t even know I exist! “Yeah, we are…” “OK. That’s great!” Twilight said. “Umm, well- it was good to see you, I guess-” “Can I ask you a favor?” Fleur said swiftly. She had been beaten down to the ground, but she wasn’t going to admit defeat just yet. “I, uh- I need some help.” Oh. OK,” Twilight said slowly. “Like… with the class?” “Yes. So much, that lesson had me so lost,” Fleur replied. “Can you- you tutor some of the other students, right? Would it be OK if you-” “I don’t mind helping you out!” Twilight said brightly, seemingly delighted at the prospect of mentoring another mind. “Hey, I actually have some free time this evening, if you’d like to come by the Student Ed. Center. About six?” “Yes! Thank you so much, Twilight,” Fleur said, her composure breaking down and she took Twilight in a hug that caused the brilliant young woman to give a small “Oh!” in surprise. “Sorry, am I keeping you from your next class?” “I’ve still got time, don’t worry. See you tonight, Fleur, it was nice to see you again!” Twilight turned about and walked away without another word, making for the hallway intersection and soon disappearing from amidst the dissipating crowd. Fleur could only stand there and sigh in her bliss, wondering how on earth she was supposed to keep herself under control until they met up again that evening. The education center wasn’t to be the best place for romancing the girl of her dreams, a nice and peaceful bedroom was more suited for such acts of affection. But maybe she could sneak away with a kiss, if she played her cards right? A date, at the very least. Oh, how was she supposed to manage this? And her past efforts of relief were more or less out the window, especially since she didn’t have her- “Oh jeez, my room key!” Fleur raced down the hall as fast as she could, hoping she’d catch Indigo before the woman had left for her afternoon class. It really hadn’t been a fair move. Author's Note This was supposed to just be one chapter only, I swear. Keep reading, I guess. 2. Fleur de Lis in LoveWas she more nervous or excited? To give an honest answer was more than Fleur could manage at the moment. She just knew that she was going to be in close proximity to Twilight for at least a good hour of the evening, and she would have to capitalize on those sixty minutes as best as she could manage. Open seduction was probably off the table -a public setting was good at ruining that sort of fun- but she felt reasonably confident that she could at least get a date with the sweet-hearted woman of her dreams. Twilight wouldn’t be against that offer, right? Or would she? It was actually rather hard to tell sometimes, the tranquil girl’s intelligence making her a bit inscrutable even for Fleur’s senses of personal interaction. Come to think of it, would Twilight even be receptive to her? The beauteous woman just might have to win her over. That, Fleur thought confidently, is something I can achieve. No one knew how to flirt better than Fleur, even in such a subdued, restricted setting as a tutoring session. Much to Indigo’s humored exasperation, Fleur had spent most of the last hour trying to figure out a wardrobe that was both seasonally comfortable and fashionable. The fall had been lovely so far, but the nights had been a bit chilly. Should she go with the leather jacket and skirt? A dress was too thin, even if it gave her a more striking figure. But she’d be inside for most of her time away, too- the light-grey cardigan sweater and dark jeans ended up winning out, allowing for comfort and a relatively fashionable appearance. “What, no perfume?” Lemon Zest asked as Fleur strode out of her bedroom, heading to the bathroom for a quick touchup of her makeup. “You must be taking things slow, I figured you’d try to wow her.” “We’re meeting at the education center, not her dorm room,” Fleur sighed. “A tragedy. Her bed would be so much more comfortable.” “I don’t believe this,” Lemon Zest muttered, her word turning to a low stream of laughter. “Just- out of all people, Fleur. All people-! Twilight. You could have anyone you wanted, for shit’s sake.” “I don’t want anyone,” Fleur said proudly, annoyed that her friend continued to bash her romantic choices. “I want Twilight. And shame on you for not being happy for me.” “I just think it’s weird.” “Zest, just shut up already,” Indigo interjected, trying to focus on a video that flashed across her laptop. “Jeez, I know it’s a mismatch, but chill- Fleur, I swear you better make this work out. We all really want you to relax.” “Oh, I definitely will,” Fleur purred, pausing at the coat rack to ponder her selection of scarves. Was it too much for this early in the fall? “I can’t believe you girls never tried to go after her. Wasn’t she a friend of yours, once?” Indigo pondered the thought, then shrugged. “Too insecure to put up with,” she remarked. “But hey, you do you.” “Oh no Fleur won’t do Fleur,” Lemon Zest objected hotly. “Woman, go get your girl- because I can’t afford new headphones to block your private time out. OK?” Fleur smiled at their well-meaning abrasiveness and departed, positively skipping along the way. Oh, she was going to adore this! Poor Twilight couldn’t imagine what was in store for her. Much to her delight, the Ed Center was rather absent of life, only a trio of students in the far corner speaking amongst themselves to add to the sum of human presence; Fleur could only hope that they were closer to departing than arriving. There in the center of the room, a mass of scratch paper and a laptop beside her, sat Twilight Sparkle. Not yet alerted to her tutee’s presence allowed Fleur a chance to lavish her desires silently, adoring the very sight of this remarkable woman; dressed in little more than a college-themed shirt and sweatpants, her hair falling straight down behind her, the beautiful woman could find no words to properly describe what sat there before her. Oh my gosh, she’s so cute! Perhaps the overflow of muted admiration had somehow caught Twilight’s attention, but the bookish woman suddenly looked up from her laptop and caught sight of her companion, giving a bright smile and wave in recognition before motioning to the seat beside her. “Hey! Good to see you, I was worried you might not show up!” Twilight greeted as Fleur came beside her. “What? And not be around the smartest girl in college?” Fleur asked, another hug of her heart’s desire. “I wouldn’t dare.” Twilight laughed- and Fleur’s heart melted. “You’d be surprised. A lot of people will ask for help and then just never show up. I guess they’ve got other people and places they’d rather be.” “Well, they are missing out,” Fleur said. “You look very pretty, Twilight.” Twilight gave her new companion a strange look, quickly assessing herself and the wardrobe that adorned her skin. “I’m just wearing a shirt and sweatpants. I don’t think that’s supposed to be very pretty, Fleur.” “Then look at you, you overachiever!” Fleur replied. “I’m jealous, you look so comfy…” “It really is, these are definitely my favorite pants. So, umm… you ready to get started? Did you bring your laptop? I figured we’d just go over the homework that’s due for Monday.” Fleur could have gone on for ages; really, she just wanted to keep lavishing praise on Twilight until she somehow found a way to see those clothes come off. But Twilight was trying to be helpful, and she did appreciate that effort. Besides, she had the entire evening to see the job done. She could be patient. “Ooh, OK… this is actually a really hard one, I definitely get why you’re having trouble with this question,” Twilight said some time later, her eyes assessing the latest question with no small level of scrutiny. “Here, we’ll write this one out on paper, maybe that’ll help make it easier to figure out.” “Mm?” Fleur was trying accomplish two focuses at once and failing miserably. Her academic works needed proper attention and she knew it, but Twilight was so darn cute! She would have such adorable little dimples whenever she smiled, her eyes so aglow with a fervor whenever she studied- and even more when Fleur managed to get the question right! She seemed to so effortlessly be nice, and looked even prettier when she was being so. How on earth was one supposed to pay attention to physics when all she wanted to do was get physical? “Here. We’ll start with this part of the formula,” Twilight said, sliding over a bit closer to her companion and beginning to scratch out a series of letters and numbers. That perfume again! Fleur loved tea- wait, did she? She never drank it much, but she would definitely have to now. She’d think of Twilight every time. Maybe she could take her to a tea shop as a date? “OK, so this single string of wire has a resistance of-” Twilight, so focused on the problem at hand, was slow in noticing the distracted presence of the girl beside her. “Tired? We can stop if you need to rest.” “I’m fine,” Fleur said dreamily, shamelessly staring at Twilight with a gaze that couldn’t possibly be ignored. She wanted to caress that sweet face, feel those demure lips against hers, tear those pesky clothes away herself and get to the fun part already! Did public decency really have to matter here? “You keep staring, I don’t think you’re alright,” Twilight remarked. She pushed her laptop and scratchwork aside, gazing at Fleur with concern. “Are you feeling OK? Something bothering you?” “I’m thirsty,” Fleur replied, leaning in a little closer and seeing the gap between them shrink. “Could you, maybe, help me fix that?” “Sure! The water fountain’s just around the corner near the bathrooms, you can’t miss it!” The record scratch that ripped across her mind could have been audible across the spacious room. “What?” “The water fountains. I guess you didn’t bring a water bottle with you,” Twilight said cheerfully. “I guess I could use a stretch, too. I’ve been sitting around all day!” “Oh, if it’s exercise you want, I can help you with that,” Fleur replied, instantly composing herself at this new remark. “I’ll show you how to be flexible.” “That’d be a big help, really. What do you do- yoga?” She was being intentionally ignored and the thought of it was crushing. Surely Twilight couldn’t be missing these obvious signals? “I- I’ll be back in a minute,” Fleur stammered, departing down the halls and appearing to seek out a quick drink. She’s rebuffing me, the beauty silently wailed as she let the cool water touch her lips. She doesn’t want me at all, I know it! I bet she doesn’t even like girls, of course she doesn’t want me, she thinks I’m just a pretty idiot! She’s too smart to be missing what I’m saying! It was a painful thought to bear- but Fleur at least wanted to keep trying for a little bit more. And besides, she did need help with this homework. “Alright, ready to get back to work?” Twilight asked as Fleur returned to her seat, as excited as always at the prospect of further intellectual challenge. “I hope this isn’t boring you too much, I know it can be difficult to pay attention to sometimes.” “Oh, definitely,” Fleur agreed. “I’d much rather pay attention to you.” “That works fine!” the bright-faced woman said. “Here, I’ll write this one out and then you can explain how we got the answer. Does that sound a little easier?” Fleur felt as cold as a stone, knowing nothing about tonight was going to bend to her will in the slightest and she was fairly sure God was laughing at her. Sugarcoat and Indigo were trying their best to be sympathetic- really, they were. Abrasive as their words could be, they genuinely did like Fleur and considered her a friend. Beyond the loud moaning that permeated the last several days of their existence she was a great roommate, and an excellent chef that helped stem the tide of lowly college student meals. They were glad to have her around. So of course they’d tried to be supportive when Fleur had returned home that evening, weeping embarrassed tears and bemoaning how Twilight had rebuffed her every advance. Beyond the sympathy, they all felt a unified sense of dread at the days to come; how on earth were they going to prevent this beautiful woman from being even more of a wreck? “Of course she doesn’t like girls,” Fleur despaired, facedown against the table with her head hidden between her arms. “She was too good to be true, I just knew it.” Sugarcoat and Indigo exchanged a glance, trying to think of a way they could prevent a disaster. A hopeful Fleur had been enough of an embarrassment already- a miserable, moping Fleur was something they didn’t have the imagination or will to experience. “Look,” Indigo said at last, “it’s probably not that. Everyone likes you, Fleur- like to an insane degree, so many people. But she probably didn’t think you were being flirtatious.” “But I was so obvious!” Fleur wailed. “I can’t just start stripping her naked or something, that’d be horrible!” “Well… it was obvious to you,” Sugarcoat replied. “I’m sorry, but you’re in love with an idiot.” Fleur didn’t take kindly to that remark. “She’s the smartest person I’ve ever met! How-” “Yes, she’s an academic genius, I get it,” her friend continued, “but you weren’t around her much in high school. Twilight… she’s got the social sense of a dead slug. Cannot pick up cues to save her life. You thought you were being obvious, but I promise she didn’t catch any of it.” Fleur found herself torn between the desire to continue bathing in her misery and the almost foolhardy hope that maybe her heart’s longing wasn’t yet out of reach. “So she just… thought I was being serious?” “Yeah. Like, a hundred percent,” Sugarcoat said. “You’re basically gonna have to spell it out for her or she won’t get it. Like, all intelligence- no charisma.” “But she’s so sweet. There’s not a mean bone in her whole body,” Fleur said dejectedly. “You’re sure she wasn’t just trying to be nice and avoid it?” “I mean, it’s possible. But I really doubt it. She just won’t have noticed.” Sugarcoat continued to gawk at her friend, mystified that this conversation was even occurring at all- and the subject matter! Fleur could have anyone she wanted, married or single or whatever, and she’d somehow decided to lust for an oblivious nerd. If it hadn’t been for the length of time Twilight had spent in Fleur’s mind, she would’ve figured it was just a phase. “You’re just gonna… have to try again. And be totally straightforward.” “Well, then,” Fleur said, her doubts and despair cast aside in favor of this new potential outcome. “I don’t mind that at all. Heaven knows I know how to get someone’s attention.” “Uh- one last thing,” Indigo added, knowing full well her friend’s flair for the excessive. “Maybe a little restraint? No throwing her on the bed, stuff like that? Take it a bit slow.” She knew it was likely good advice, and a good counter to her desire for a torrid, sexual romanticism. But that only meant it was also exactly what she didn’t want to hear. “Spoilsport,” Fleur said in a huff, “just take all the fun out of it, why don’t you?” Despite her initial worries, the plan began with a smoothness that was almost suspicious. Their study session together hadn’t been entirely unfruitful, Fleur coming away with Twilight’s number even if it was given for academic questions rather than anything steamy. But still- a quick query if she could swing by Twilight’s dorm room regarding a question over class that was swiftly accepted and that was that; she now possessed the excuse she needed. But what to wear? It wasn’t as if she didn’t have plenty of options, although showing up dressed in a thick coat and lingerie underneath did have its appeal; sorting through her wardrobe for a longer time than Indigo could have imagined, Fleur eventually settled on something both fashionable and sensuous, despite her roommate’s objections that such an item was still too much. But why should it be? Fleur loved the look, and she wanted to wow Twilight- at least a little. As she adorned herself in the form-fitting fabric, the beautiful woman couldn’t help but grin in delight; the solitary strap across her shoulder that allowed her form to be just properly exposed, the open back for a little added sensuality, and the slit on the full skirt that fell down at her heels, all an emerald green that so perfectly clashed with her skin and made her whole body shine. “She’ll love it!” Fleur squeed. “And- holy jeez, you look hot!” Lemon Zest was the solitary member of their quartet still remaining at home that evening, now left stunned by the sudden and brilliant reminder of her friend’s capability for extreme beauty. “Uh, I- wait, that’s what you’re wearing to Twilight’s place?” “It fits the occasion, or at least it will before the night’s done,” Fleur said smoothly. “What do you think?” “I think you’re gonna get gawked at wherever you walk,” Lemon Zest answered bluntly. “Where on earth are you planning to even go?” “That’s a secret. And a surprise for Twilight,” Fleur said, taking a moment to adjust herself in the bathroom mirror. “Don’t you worry about me, I’ll be fine.” “What, not even a hint?” “Not this time,” was the answer. “Have a good night, Zesty! Don’t stay up all night playing video games, alright?” “Like you’ve got the right to tell me what to do with my private time!” Fleur was grateful for the speedy arrival of her ride, the coolness of fall beginning to descend on her collegiate dwellings in force. The driver was a rather friendly soul as well, eager to chat and –astoundingly- even willing to wait for Fleur to return with her awaiting companion, an extra $50 given in gratitude for his patience. She could hardly believe her luck at how things were going, and the night had only just started! Fleur’s short walk through the dormitory halls was an illuminating one; the place seemed cleaner, quieter, and even more sophisticated than the one in which she now dwelled, an air of tranquil calm that seemed to so fiercely clash with the common college experience. Fleur knew her parents had paid a rather expensive fee for her residence hall, and that was being shared with three other girls; what sort of money was Twilight paying to live in a place this nice? I guess I might ask. She found Twilight’s abode nestled in the back corner, well away from any entryways that could offer excess noise. Anyone who was back here was burdened by purpose, and Fleur was certainly weighted down with that. She couldn’t help but be nervous- that was fine, right? Who wasn’t nervous when they were trying to get their dreamgirl out on a date with them, and also maybe under her sheets for added measure? She just wanted Twilight to really, really like- well, her. Had anyone really ever? The sound of a lock sliding back and Twilight appeared at the door, her features aglow in welcome and a peaceful beauty. “Fleur, hello! It’s good- oh wow, you look amazing!” Twilight cast the door open and stared at her guest wide-eyed, apparently left awed by the sight that now stood before her. “Jeez, I feel underdressed! Here I am just in shorts and a hoodie, look at you!” The overlarge hoodie paired well with Twilight’s legwear, the entire ensemble positively cute to behold; Fleur couldn’t help but envy the level of comfort the lovely girl had achieved with something so simple. “You definitely look comfortable. I hope I didn’t interrupt your evening.” “You didn’t, don’t worry! I was just about to settle in and read for a bit,” Twilight said, gesturing to the cup of tea that sat atop a thick book of intimidating proportions. “Honestly, I think you probably came at a perfect time. Right before I could sit down!” So she wasn’t yet encumbered by any activity of leisure just yet! The scent of blood was in the water, and the flawless beauty was swiftly transforming into a hungering predator. The odds of her goal being achieved was steadily rising, as though lady luck had descended from on high and blessed her evening’s endeavors. “You don’t have anything planned for the evening? Twilight, it’s Friday!” “Oh, I know,” the cheerful girl said with a shrug. “I’m not a big social butterfly, and my scholarship got me a room to myself. So, you know- kinda like to be a shut-in after a long week.” “What a crime, keeping yourself locked away from everyone,” Fleur said in a scandalized gasp. “The whole world doesn’t know they’re missing out. I think we need to change that!” “It’s alright, really. I don’t mind too much.” Twilight seemed to mean it, perfectly at ease in her solitude. “I keep up with my friends from CHS, and I help people out throughout the week with things. I know a lot of people go out on weekends, but… well, it’s a bit loud for my tastes. I like something a little more relaxed.” “What a coincidence, so do I!” Fleur said delightedly, grasping her companion by the hand and holding tight to keep her ensnared. “All that noise and drunken silliness can be a bit gaudy, don’t you think? I was actually on my way to a lovely little bistro when I stopped by- oh, Twilight! You should come with me!” “Wait, what? Fleur!” Twilight’s comfortable appearance promptly became nerve-wracked, the prospect of a new experience an intimidating thought. “I mean, look at how you’re dressed, I don’t- aren’t you going somewhere really fancy?” “Oh, don’t you try and tell me that you wouldn’t fit in,” Fleur admonished, already walking over to the nearby closet doors and throwing them open. “Now, I know just the sort of styles that will be perfect for the evening, so let me just… aha! Now this would be lovely!” Indeed it was, even to the touch; a classically designed cocktail gown, sleeveless and prepared to give its wearer a graceful appearance akin to the women of yesteryear. Lacking sleeves, and a slight V-neck gave it just the right amount of modernity while still retaining its tasteful design. It was a beautiful outfit all on its own, and the idea that it would soon adorn Twilight so perfectly was a salivating thought. She couldn’t possibly let the opportunity slide! “Twilight, I’m sure this would be perfect on you. Wherever did you get it?” “Huh? Oh, my Mom. It was a gift for graduation day, back in high school,” Twilight answered. “I… never really have much of a reason to wear it.” “Well you certainly do tonight,” Fleur assured her. “I’d be delighted to see you in it- and our ride’s waiting for us outside! Come on, we’ll have a splendid time!” Twilight regarded the dress that now hung from her hands with uncertainty, an expression soon shared with her eager companion. “Are… are you sure you want me to go with you?” she asked at last. “I wouldn’t wish for anyone else,” Fleur replied delightedly, her hands diving into the depths of her purse and extracting her own personal makeup kit. “Get dressed, and quickly as you can! You’ll be the talk of the town before night’s end!” The welcoming warmth of the evening lights across the bistro floor gave the small wine bar a feeling of incredible comfort and sophistication; a light, barely audible string of notes echoed from speakers hidden from sight and gently caressed the ears that heard it. Darkened colors of the brick muted the soft orange bulbs that hung overhead, while the black marble of the nearby bar reflected the dimness in perfect harmony onto black wood that consumed it all entirely. The people that surrounded them were held close about small tables that only just gave room for all the glasses and miniature plates that were there to tempt their palate, only further adding to the cozy atmosphere and beckoning for those within to enjoy its quiet solitude from the rest of the world. Nestled far to the back of the building, beside a towering cabinet of wines that awaited their selection from eager guests, sat a young pair of women about a high-seating table, one letting her eyes look about the place in which she now dwelled while the other had eyes only for the girl with whom she sat. Fleur gazed at Twilight with no small amount of lavishness, amazed that this pretty thing she adored had somehow become all the more lovely. The warm lights that hung about them so perfectly contrasted against her dark colors, both dress and hair adorning her so magnificently and giving Twilight the appearance of being basked in starlight, an endless ocean that bore faint pinpricks of lights. How had she managed to find someone so pretty? “How… how am I going to afford this?” Twilight mused, looking as though she were in a daze. “This looks so expensive, oh my gosh.” “Nonsense! You’ll needn’t pay a thing,” Fleur said, waving away the very thought. “I’ll be glad to treat you, don’t you worry.” Twilight’s wandering eyes snapped back to her companion. “But- Fleur, you can’t!” “Can- and will,” she said sleekly. “Please, Twilight. It’d be my pleasure.” The classically dressed woman across from her seemed to struggle with the offer, unable or unwilling to accept the outpouring of generosity. “I… OK,” she said meekly. “You are really rich, aren’t you?” Fleur shrugged. “My family has been very lucky, that’s all.” They were actually quite rich, but she hardly felt like that mattered. What was the point of keeping that money to yourself? “Have you ever been to a wine bar before?” “N-no, I haven’t,” Twilight said. “I like to have some on the weekends every now and then, but… you know, college student budget. The scholarship only pays for school.” “Well, do you trust me?” Twilight’s nod set Fleur to glowing. “Wonderful. I’ll order for both of us.” Twilight’s smile remained uncertain, but now possessed a flicker of excitement in anticipation of a new experience, the sight of it a delight to the spirit of her beautiful companion. A small movement beyond and the sight of a dutiful server heading their direction was the cue to make a swift selection. Something romantic, Fleur promptly decided. Make yourself obvious. “Hi,” she greeted the pleasant-faced man who came beside their table. “We’re actually ready if you are.” “Glad to hear it. What’s on your mind?” he replied. Fleur stole a look over at Twilight and winked. “Two glasses of the Valmoissine, if you please- and two charcuterie boards as well. The pâté, proscuitto, and… manchego.” “Excellent choice, be back in just a moment with the wine.” Their server left them behind in a flash, a smugly smiling Fleur and an impressed Twilight in his wake. “You knew that almost instantly,” Twilight remarked. “You must know this sort of stuff really well.” “My mother is a socialite. She made sure to teach me everything I’d need to know about people and formal settings,” Fleur explained. “What to eat, to drink, anything you could think of. I’d like to see it put to use someday.” “How so?” “Politics, I hope,” Fleur answered. “Not a senator or mayor, but perhaps an ambassador. Something that would help people talk to one another.” Twilight regarded her companion. “That… would actually really suit you,” she said. “I bet you’d be great at it.” It was the first compliment Twilight had given her, and she held to it like a child clutching their favorite toy. “Oh? How so?” “Well because you’re so beautiful, people just want to agree with you!” Twilight’s eyes immediately flashed wide and her face began to flush red. “I’m sorry, that sounded really bad. I didn’t mean like you were manipulative or anything.” Fleur hadn’t even considered that to be an option, more focused on Twilight considering her beautiful than any other sort of foolishness. Two compliments in a row? Maybe there was reason to hope after all. “Oh, do you really think I’m pretty, Twilight?” she asked softly. Twilight stared at her as though she were mad. “You might be the most beautiful person on earth!” she said. “Of course I think you’re pretty, Fleur.” Heaven. Absolute heaven, and it had come down to rest upon her heart so fiercely that she could hear the angels singing. “Thank you so much. You’re so sweet,” Fleur breathed, positively beaming. “That means a lot, coming from you.” Twilight gave a small laugh at the passionate remark. “You’re welcome. After all, we’re friends, aren’t we?” And an immediate thud somewhere down to the depths. “Beg pardon?” “Well, I mean, I hope we are,” Twilight added. “I know we didn’t talk much in high school, but it’s been nice to be with you here. I think I missed out.” Fleur was a creature of subtlety, a lady of standing who had been impressed to not speak openly of personal matters. In the matter of an instant, all of her years of social education was immediately flung out the window like a sack of garbage. “Twilight, are you actually serious?” The brilliant girl paused, fearful. “Did- do you not want to be friends?” “I was hoping more for girlfriends. Romantically, I mean,” Fleur said, pausing in her efforts as their glasses were set before them. “I’d like this to be our first date.” Twilight could do little more than gawk, stunned into silence by the brash proclamation of her companion’s romantic advances. As the depth of the message began to sink in her face flushed a deep crimson, the smile on her face wide and embarrassed. “Umm… wow… Fleur, you’re not- do you really like me that way?” “Deeply. Ravenously. I adore you, Twilight,” Fleur replied, sending her already-sheepish companion into further depths. “I have spent every day since the semester started trying to figure out how to tell you, if you must know.” “Wow,” Twilight said again, staring at Fleur with stars in her eyes. “I mean- wow. But, well… why me?” “For starters?” Fleur asked, a sip of wine to help spur her tongue. “You are the nicest person I have ever met; I can hardly imagine you being mean. Secondly, I admire your mind, for I think you’re also the most intelligent person I’ve ever known. And you possess such a classic sort of prettiness, like an actress from yesteryear. How could I hope to resist you?” Twilight had managed to descend to shades of red darker than even her wine could match, the praise heaped upon her unlike anything she’d ever heard. “Oh my gosh… umm, thank you. I just- I never knew you thought of me like that.” “I could hardly resist telling you, anyway,” Fleur remarked. “I was starting to worry I’d never even get the chance.” Those lovely eyes looked over the rim of her glasses, mere slits that still fully betrayed all the longing she held for the woman opposite her. “I hope you don’t mind.” Twilight still stewed in her shock, little more than a flustered mess in a lovely dress as she struggled to comprehend the idea that this beautiful creature before her held a romantic flame for her. “Mind- mind?” she spluttered. “What, no- no, I don’t mind. I really like it.” “You do?” Fleur went breathless, her heart swelling as she was given answer in the form of Twilight’s sheepish nod. “Oh, wonderful! A toast, then; to our lovely evening together!” The rest of the evening couldn’t have gone better even if she had made a personal plea before the thrones of heaven. Their worlds so separate became intertwined, Fleur’s familiarity with finery allowing her to gently lead her heart’s desire through the evening with grace. She thoroughly enjoyed every moment, reveling in the pleasure Twilight took in each new novelty that came before her; a wondrous contrast to the admiration she held for the lovely woman’s obvious brilliance, fascinated by her ability to expound on numerous subjects with ease. That unbound enthusiasm she so easily displayed, occasionally putting Twilight through a sense of embarrassment, was something she enjoyed seeing. It was comforting to watch: no feigned interest in her companion’s words, no subduing of her own fervor, no liking things simply because one was supposed to. To be with Twilight was as refreshing as the spring rain. Like all good things, the evening was forced to come to an end, the two women slightly set abuzz by their evening’s enjoyment, Twilight far more mellowed than her beautiful counterpart. A quick ride up the road and they’d soon arrived back at Twilight’s residence hall, Fleur departing from the vehicle to see her new beau safely back- and perhaps gain a little privacy just in case. “That was fun. Thanks for inviting me,” Twilight said as they slowly made their way down the hall towards her solitary abode. “I haven’t done anything like that in a while.” “Like what?” “Like… well, a date,” came the shamefaced confession. “It was nice, though. And I got to spend it with you, so that’s nice, too.” “I hope it’s not our only one together,” Fleur said. “After all, I enjoyed being with you tonight. I’d hate for it to be just a one-off.” I- I guess we could.” Twilight fell against her door and tried to conceal her stream of surprised, somewhat inebriated giggles. “I just still- you really like me, that is so weird.” “You think I’m weird, Twilight?” Fleur teased, taking a stance before her companion and keeping her pinned to the door. “Why, that rather hurts.” Twilight laughed and immediately went from amusement to horror. “No, of course not! I'm just shocked that you like me of all people.” “Oh, I definitely do. And just in case- if you think I’m joking…” Fleur’s silken words fell to the wayside as her arm was pinned to Twilight’s side, the slit on her dress thrown wide as she leaned in and pressed her beautiful, flawless form against that of her partner, the magnificent breasts she bore summoning all of the intelligent woman's attentions for a mere heartbeat. As the young woman’s eyes went wide so Fleur’s sealed gently closed, her lips brought to Twilight’s in a deep, unmistakable, most definitely passionate kiss. She’d waited too long for this moment, waiting and dreaming for the feel of Twilight against her; the residual hint of wine on her lips, the subtle taste of her lip gloss that still remained, the gentle pressure that she possessed… her eyes opened just a tinge to see the object of her desire melt and swoon at this blissful, wondrously romantic union- the wondrous beauty couldn’t resist returning for one more, another, and then one last taste of Twilight’s lips before at last relenting. “Ooh, that was sexy.” Twilight was left breathless, in a daze by the hunger that had been within their kiss, little more than a melted fluster of emotions that couldn’t even summon strength to speak. Smile, perhaps, but even that only just. “See you Sunday for brunch?” Fleur suggested. “Sleep well, Twilight. I’ll be dreaming about you.” Her smile was all aglow with the rapturous mix of mischievous delight and sultry desire at last given room to breathe as she waved goodbye and strode away, the memory given strength in permanence when she heard the awestruck, delirious wheeze of Twilight’s voice: “Wow.” 3. MeltdownShe had never heard of valerian root before a liquidized version of it was set before her in a steaming mug, the earthen aroma of the freshly crafted brew weaving its way through her senses and registering as a pleasant one. The appearance of the mild drink enticed her, its thin layer of wafting steam pleading like a beckoning finger for her to come take a sip. Instead, Fleur simply curled her fingers about the handle and let the saucer sit peacefully upon her palm; this calming treat would need to settle before she plundered its depths. Besides, she was plenty occupied with the enjoyment of her current company. “Let me know what you think of it,” Twilight said, settling into her recliner with a filled teacup of her own in hand. “I haven’t had valerian tea in a long while, so I don’t know how it’ll be.” “It certainly smells lovely,” the beauteous woman remarked, a flowing sense of tranquility coursing through her body as she breathed in more and more of the woody scent. “Funny to think, too, seeing as the actual plant smells terrible,” Twilight said. “I honestly can’t believe someone decided to make a tea out of it.” Fleur couldn’t imagine a scenario that would bring such a thing about either, but was glad to share it with the woman she cherished. It had become their little ritual to end the evening, the two spending the dying hours of the day in the solitude of Twilight’s dorm room with a nice cuppa to help soothe the stress and worries of their collegiate world. They would study together, talk with one another, relax together, or Fleur would simply flirt with Twilight until the poor girl blushed red. She enjoyed herself, at the very least. Twilight was lovely company in just about every way: cordial, engaging, and so very appealing to the eye. And the more time Fleur spent with her, the more she enjoyed the remarkable woman’s soothing presence over the nigh-constant freneticism of her own dorm. Here she could think clearly, and the feeling was a treasured one. “You should be able to start drinking now,” Twilight said. “It kinda needs to settle for a little while before the flavor will intensify, so…” “Cheers, Sweets,” Fleur said, a wink to her companion and she raised the steaming cup to her lips alongside Twilight, the two taking a slow, full sip of the brew within. She allowed it to settle on her tongue, the heat and flavor intermingling and firing their effects upon her senses. What was she tasting? Hmmm… Fleur looked over at Twilight, and Twilight’s flat gaze turned itself to Fleur; in an instant, they both pulled a face and swallowed with clear and obvious dissatisfaction. “OK,” Twilight remarked. “That was… yeah, that wasn’t so good.” Fleur regarded her cup and saw just how much left she would have to swallow down if she were to drain the contents within to empty, an idea no longer all that appetizing. “It was worth a try, at the very least,” she said. “But I think I would have to agree.” “It’s supposed to really help you sleep, too. I figured it’d be a nice way to close out the day, but…” Twilight sighed and went to the sink, pouring out her contents with an air of severe disappointment. “Sorry.” “Don’t be, Sweets. You only wanted to try something new, it’s hardly your fault it didn’t work out,” Fleur soothed, coming to her girlfriend’s side as she echoed Twilight’s act. “I certainly appreciate the gesture.” “I’ll try to grab something else tomorrow, then.” Twilight pondered in her own thoughts for a moment before adding, “There’s that tea and spice shop down near the market. I know they have a really nice lemon flavored one that I liked, I’ll probably go get that instead.” “I hope you don’t mind me tagging along,” said her graceful companion. “I haven’t been to the market in quite a while, I’d love have you there with me.” Twilight immediately began to nod- and then her expression became suspecting, scrutinizing Fleur’s offer. “Fleur?” “Yes?” “You’re not going to try and buy it for me, are you?” “Mmm… and what if I find that fun?” Fleur teased, making no effort to hide her intentions. “I just might like it. I just might like you, too.” “Fleur, you can’t just keep doing that,” Twilight protested. “Come on, I’m grateful you want to, but- don’t just spend all your money on me, OK?” It was true that the beautiful heiress had been the one footing the bill for every date they’d had, not once minding that Twilight’s fare was thrown her way; she had money to spare. What hadn’t occurred to her was the idea that Twilight might not appreciate the continued generosity. “But I like doing it. I really do, Twilight,” she countered. “You don’t think I’m trying to show off or anything, do you? I promise I just want to be kind.” “No, I don’t think you’re showing off, I just… you just don’t have to do it every time, OK?” Twilight said. “It’s alright to let me spend a little money, I swear.” Fleur knew that Twilight meant no malice with her words. She was a fair-minded person, after all. But to say that the great beauty did not take them as a wound would be untrue; after years and years of holding her fondness for this lovely woman inside, she’d relished the opportunity to lavish her affections upon her in every manner she could achieve, whether it be through gifts and monetary means or the simple acts of physical affection that were a prize to her own spirit as well. To think that Twilight might not want them… The fun was being sucked out of the evening and she could feel it, the contentment she had felt only a short while ago evaporating like the morning mist. Fleur had done her best to ignore the issue, but Twilight never seemed to be comfortable with any romantic gesture Fleur gave to her, almost a fear whenever such an act came about. The eager heiress had tried her best to not be overwhelming, to let her love run wild- she certainly wanted to ravish Twilight, but had done her very best to be a little more subdued. She hadn’t gone overboard, had she? Pushed Twilight away instead? The lavender-haired woman stifled a yawn and surveyed the deepening darkness that swept across the world outside her window. “I’m sorry, Fleur, but I’m super tired tonight. I think I’m gonna go to bed. See you tomorrow?” “You certainly will,” Fleur assured her, cupping that lovely face in her hands and bringing lips together for the kiss she craved. Gentler than their first, sweeter and meant to be soft; she could feel Twilight’s weariness lessen, a small amount of her own will pouring into the gesture through the moment. As though her own desire was being intentionally kept subdued… “Ooh…” Twilight came away from the kiss with mists within her eyes, staring up at Fleur with a strange expression of confliction on her intelligent features. Hands that had been held to those of her lover were slow to relinquish themselves, a weakening of separation that came about by hesitancy. “I…” “Good night, Twilight,” Fleur breathed, more than a little unhappy that she couldn’t just stay the night. Twilight’s bed looked so comfortable, and just the right size for two to share and cuddle close. She so desperately wanted to ask… “Y- goodnight, Fleur.” Twilight’s movements were mechanical, forced, but she was free. And in a few moments, the two were separate. Why did Twilight never initiate any act of affection herself? Fleur tossed and turned throughout the night, sleep constantly interrupted by the bombardment of emotions that came by grappling with the question. Perhaps it was immature girlishness that had pushed to this point, but she knew for a fact that she loved Twilight. They’d only been dating for a month, true- but what was she supposed to do? Not adore her? Not admire that brilliant mind that excelled so effortlessly? To not melt at the sight of the smile that adorned that lovely face? Not to cherish the sound of her voice, the feel of her, the continuous warmth that felt like the softness of candlelight? Fleur loved Twilight- and hated the thought that it might not really matter. Twilight never initiated contact with her, was always the recipient but never the benefactress. Consistently friendly, but never flirtatious or openly romantic. She hadn’t objected to their relationship as of yet… but she never seemed to make anything of it. The thought was hurtful; Fleur wanted to feel Twilight, she dreamed of that woman reaching for her and loving her. Did Twilight think she couldn’t be adequate in that regard? A stupid thought, if she believed it; Fleur would be in raptures if Twilight gave her something so simple as a kiss. But if Twilight just didn’t actually like her very much- that one would hurt. Her daily schedule of classes came to an end and Fleur took temporary residence in the lane between buildings, an always chaotic thoroughfare of human presence and chatter that never faded until late into the night. She knew that Twilight’s last class still had ten minutes to go, and so she waited and let herself be soothed by the deepening coolness of the fall. It was a sunny day out, but not even the bright star above could bring a greater warmth to the briskness that chilled her skin. Not yet cold, but she rather liked this intermediary between the two. Not to mention, the fall fashion was always so fun to wear! Scarves had always been an enjoyable accessory to her tastes. A flash of the familiar on the stairs above and Fleur started- a smile blooming to life as she saw Twilight making her way down towards her, hands full as she sorted through her notes and let her mind be consumed by the information inscribed upon them. Knowledge of any kind, like an unconquerable vortex, always found a way to envelop her thoughts. It was a primacy of the mind that could always fascinate her attentions in a way little else in the world could hope to equal. Fleur, however, didn’t mind the challenge. The distraction already set in place, a swift pace to meet the occupied woman at the bottom of the stairs was all that was needed, she there to meet Twilight the moment her foot set upon the path once more. A hand that came to that lovely face and the unsuspecting girl gave a start and a small sound of surprise that was soon made muffled by eager lips finding their pair. So she was in public, endless pairs of wandering eyes able to see her grace the woman she adored with affection- so what? Let them stare all they wanted. If anything, she wanted them to know full well just to who she belonged, and vice versa. Let them be jealous. Twilight came away from Fleur’s kiss of greeting with a pink flush to her features, gaze wide and somewhat starry from the suddenness of the movement. “Oh- hi,” she said, perhaps a little breathlessly. “Hi,” Fleur said, slithering her way to the young woman’s side and seeing their arms interlocked. “Have fun in class?” “I did. How about you?” “Not a bit. I wasn’t with you,” she said. “But now that that’s remedied…” Twilight couldn’t fully stand under the weight of Fleur’s attentions, the shades of pink that still possessed their places upon her features turning a deeper shade, but now softened by a bashful grin. “Stop, oh my gosh. We’re in public.” “Mmm, I know,” Fleur whispered, a kiss on the cheek to heighten the moment, feeling the probing eyes of those about them that only seemed to spur her on. “It’s too bad for them; they didn’t try to get you when they had the chance.” The soft giggle that came from her lips did little to speak of ease. “I don’t think I’m the one they’re staring at,” Twilight mumbled. The answer was, as much as Fleur wished otherwise, probably true; she knew full well just how many people were willing to look at her, to carry on with gawking and lustful stares. But she would not cede ground entirely, a small Hmph! to scoff at the degrading remark. “They’re looking at both of us, of course! And who could blame them? We’re the hottest item they’ve ever laid eyes on.” Twilight looked as though she wished to protest but instead let the words die before they escaped her lips, an expression of unusual melancholy instead being born upon her face. “I- we should get moving,” was her only reply. “Alright, then. Would you mind if we stopped by my room for a bit? I’d like to drop off my things before we go.” Her messenger bag wasn’t particularly weighted down, but why bring along anything unnecessary? “That’s fine.” The walk through campus somehow became all the better in the presence of such lovely company. The sun’s rays felt a little warmer, the natural things of the world became all the more beautiful, each sound and sight of the ordinary now something special that was there to be enjoyed. Fleur loved it, at last content in the presence of the woman she’d craved since she was a teenager; how many people could claim that sort of happiness? She rather wondered if perhaps she should pinch herself and ensure it was not indeed a dream. “I’m guessing the girls are done with class for the day?” Twilight asked as they entered the residence hall, immediately pressed upon by the cacophony of sound that came from the countless souls within. “Indigo and the others?” “At least for now. Zesty has an evening class because she hates mornings,” Fleur answered. “It’s why she might fail her History class, it’s at eight in the morning and she just naps through it.” “Yes, that… that sounds like her,” Twilight said. “We’ll be really quick, right?” “Of course! Thanks for being patient with me, I didn’t want to drag this thing around.” A quick slide of a card and the door light flashed green- unlocked and ready to be opened. As per usual form, Fleur strode through the threshold of the dorm room and found her roommates occupying their usual spots: Lemon Zest entranced by the chaotic action of a video game that raced by on the TV, Sugarcoat typing away on a laptop with her back to the door, and the light in Fleur’s room gave away the presence of Indigo lounging quietly within. It was not until the door closed that any of them gave notice to the new arrivals, Sugarcoat turning from her work for the briefest moment to give recognition to the pair with a small wave before promptly resuming her typing. “Thanks for the biscuits this morning, Fleur,” she said. “You’re welcome. Sorry if they weren’t my best,” Fleur replied. Sugarcoat shrugged. “Not like I wasn’t gonna eat them.” Lemon Zest, distracted from her favorite pastime by the sound of conversation behind her, turned about to see what was the matter. “Look who’s here! Hey, Twilight, long time no see. Man, you look like you’ve got something on your mind for sure.” “Hey, Lemon Zest,” Twilight said, an even tone to her words; it was a subtle movement, but Fleur felt the gap between she and her widen, a slight shrinking of Twilight’s form as though crumpling under pressure. “Doing alright?” “As always. Still way too much into books and school? You always did want to be freaky smart.” Twilight could only nod to that; there was a strangeness in the air now, Fleur left mystified as to the reason why. “We’ll only be a minute, just dropping by bag off before we head to Market Street. Would you girls like me to bring anything back?” “Mountain Dew-” “Market Street, not the grocery, jackass,” Sugarcoat cut in- “I’m good, thanks.” “And me too, Fleur,” Sugarcoat added. “Appreciate the offer, though.” A nod, then a quick dip into the seclusion of her bedroom, Indigo residing atop her unkempt bed as she rocked to the rhythm of an unknown beat that poured from her headphones, a small start as she caught sight of the two women entering to the room within, a relaxed expression transforming into one of deep discomfort. “Oh, Twilight… hey.” “Hey…” Neither of the two could seem to look the other in the eye, the pressure in the room rising like steam caught in a pipe; As Fleur unpacked her bag and began to put her things away, both Indigo and Twilight remained rooted to their respective places, unable to break the tension that kept them bound nor capable of resuming their efforts of before. Twilight bit her lip and kept her eyes absolutely fixed on her girlfriend, unwilling to put her gaze elsewhere. Indigo would not dare to lay eyes on a single soul, seeking out the inanimate and giving them her fullest focus rather than anything that moved and breathed. “Alright, that’s everything,” Fleur said, wiping her hands free of any dust and turning back to her beloved. “Ready to go?” “Mhm.” Twilight’s response was prompt, swift. “Umm… see you, Indigo.” “Uh- later...” Indigo could still face no one, not an eye in their direction until they were at last out of sight. As they made for the door to depart, Lemon Zest turned from the TV and called, “Wow, that was quick. Have fun, Twilight! Hold on to her while you can!” Fleur would have sworn she felt a fire ignite somewhere in her brain, snapping about to give her roommate a ferocious glare that left no doubt as to what she thought of such a statement; Her gesture was of no avail, as Lemon Zest simply shrugged off whatever criticisms the besotted beauty had to offer and returning her attentions back to the TV. Their shopping trip seemed to carry an aura of gloom about it, despite the shining rays of the sun that fell down to meet them. Fleur’s anger was a rare sight, and often slow to awaken; Lemon Zest’s departing barb had roused it fully to life, however, and the heavy fire that now burned was not apt to be so easily extinguished. In contrast was Twilight’s cold silence, a total lack of emotion affixed to her normally relaxed form. Fleur’s memories of youthful days not so far gone felt a dim flicker of recognition, comparing it to the young girl she’d first fallen for in high school: those slumped shoulders, that emptiness of spirit- it all looked terribly familiar to days when she had been at Crystal Prep. Dammit, Lemon Zest, how could you? Fleur snarled mutely. Unbelievable, so cruel. As if I’d leave Twilight at the drop of a hat! She couldn’t decide which wild side of her emotions was going to win out- her anger at Lemon Zest, or her sympathy for Twilight’s spirit. She hated the idea that Twilight might have actually believed what had been cast her way, too. But then again, Fleur thought as the pair perused through the shop’s assortment of teas, it would be rather fun to make sure she knows that. “Fleur?” Twilight’s voice was quiet, deflated. “Yes, Sweets?” Fleur’s anger was dissipating, washed away by the excitement of a brand new idea that turned her tone to a honeyed sweetness. “Are… how long have you been friends with Indigo and the others?” “Oh, for a few years,” Fleur answered, leaning in to read the miniscule print on a teabag, “Are they any different from how you knew them?” Twilight grimaced. “Not really, no. Well- maybe a little bit, though.” “I hope you don’t think I’m the same silly girl I was in high school,” Fleur drawled. “Heaven knows I barely had any sense to me.” “You were fine, I think. I guess I really didn’t know you all that well back then.” “You could always get to know me a little better,” was the reply, Fleur giving the shop a swift look-over to see who was where: the sole employee present had just turned to head back somewhere behind the counter, leaving them alone. She definitely couldn’t resist now. “A little more personally?” “What do you-” Twilight turned to face the cause of her confusion and promptly began to splutter; fingers slipped beneath fabric and tugged, Fleur rolling up her top to reveal a braless pair of voluptuous breasts that not even the gods could have hoped to match. Splendidly busty and perfect to the eye, a tantalizing offer of carnal pleasure for the girl who now could only stand stupefied by the bidding that lay there for her to claim. “I- umm. Uhm.” “You don’t have to look if you want,” Fleur purred, her free hand taking Twilight from her comatose state and guiding her hand to the perfect place for a good fondle. “I’d rather you touch instead.” “We’re in public.” Twilight somehow managed to choke out the words from a tightened throat, growing more red and breathless by the second. “Mmm, I know.” Fleur pulled the speechless woman in closer to her hungering form, those lidded eyes aflutter and beckoning for Twilight to give her that carnal release. “Why don’t you take me somewhere so we can be alone? Get to really know each other…” Twilight ogled Fleur’s pristine mounds, as though her sight was bound to their presence alone- and then suddenly came to life, pulling back and away from the eager offering. “We’re gonna get caught!” She’d rushed away from Fleur’s offered body so quickly. Instantly, almost with a force behind the action. “Twilight, I was just-” “Just stop, OK? Please?” Twilight looked stricken, somehow more upset from Fleur’s actions than she had been my Lemon Zest’s parting jab. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Without another word she departed, heading out the door only to come right back and return the teabag she had accidentally held onto before truly leaving both shop and a very heartbroken Fleur de Lis behind. It wasn’t something her mind could hope to understand. What had Twilight even been upset about in the first place? Fleur had meant every word, every gesture. She’d been craving the feel of Twilight upon her for so long- and then to have the pleasure denied her! The memory was sickening to her spirit, her stomach put to a knot that felt impossible to unravel. She half-wondered if she might be ill. Fleur returned to her room after a fashion, quietly shutting the door and simply laying down upon the bedsheets in a heap. She felt dispirited, drained, and just about every other negative emotion in the book. Twilight had quite blatantly rejected her, even after a month of a steady relationship. Had she felt forced into it, perhaps? Fleur had tried her best not to be pushy, despite her eagerness for such a thing. Was this why Twilight never seemed to reciprocate all the hugs and kisses she gave, didn’t ever initiate herself? Did Twilight just not like her at all? A month ago, that thought would have been painful, but at least bearable; now, it would be soul-crushing. “Are you sure you don’t want any help?” Indigo remained across the room on her bed, keeping an eye on her disconsolate roommate. “I’m really sorry, Fleur. Honest.” “I just don’t get it,” she said in a flat voice. “I thought we were doing fine. But she didn’t want to-” Just trying to say it hurt. Indigo shuffled in her seat. “Look, umm… I- I might know a reason why she backed off. Just maybe.” “How?” “I mean… me, Sugarcoat, Zest- we were her friends once. And now we’re your roommates.” “So?” Fleur asked. “I don’t get it.” Indigo rocked back and forth in her place, avoiding looking Fleur in the eye. “I mean- nevermind.” The beautiful girl frowned; the fretfulness of Fleur’s spirit was not keen on letting her rest peacefully. She’d initially tried to simply sleep away the pain and instead was granted little more than a gnawing in her stomach. Even speaking about what had transpired to the only other truly mature person in the dorm wasn’t offering much relief. The only person who could resolve the issue was the one who’d walked away from her in the first place, and she wasn’t at all sure of whether or not Twilight would ever even talk to her again. But she most definitely did need to know. “I’m going to her place,” Fleur declared, popping to her feet in a snapping motion from her seat atop the bed. Indigo was taken aback by the sudden decision. “Wait, what? You’re going- Fleur, are you serious?” “Do you not want me to be with her or something?” the words were as much a challenge as they were a question. “Not what I mean. It’s kinda close to midnight at this point, don’t you think it’s a bit late?” “I don’t care. I can’t just sit here and wait, I’m sorry,” Fleur said, shuffling through clothes as fast as her fingers could trace the fabric. “I’m going to go over there and then…” “Uh, do what, exactly?” Indigo asked, almost fearfully- A hand at last settled upon a chosen garment, summoning them forth and letting them be displayed in all their glory- Indigo didn’t know whether she should applaud or groan. “So much for subtlety.” The coat she now wore was a necessity, the sun’s warmth long gone from the world of night. Fleur’s stride was hurried, purposeful, but not yet a run despite her inclination to do so. It was a fair point that this spur-of-the-moment decision wasn’t exactly a stellar one, but she just couldn’t take it. She needed to know, and she needed to know now. It was more than just Twilight that concerned her, but just something so much worse. Not her, too. Please, not her, too. To little surprise, the residence hall was rather darkened and dimly lit, halls empty and more or less bereft of life as she walked down the way towards Twilight’s door. Fleur possessed no speech, no words prepared, but knew exactly what she wanted to accomplish. Politics and politeness be damned, there was no way she wasn’t going to get the point across! Her knock against the painted wood was hurried, even frantic- “Please, it’s late!” Twilight’s voice came through muffled but still audible, her displeasure and anxiety at this sudden rush of attention to her quarters not at all welcome. “Is it an emergency?” “Twilight, it’s me. Fleur?” She tried not to sound pleading, but the effort wasn’t exactly her best. Emotions had a way of undoing her supposed poise. There was silence- then the door swung open in a flash, Twilight standing there in her pink pajamas and staring at Fleur in no small amount of shock. “Fleur, what on- why are you here, it’s past midnight!” “Can- can we talk, please?” Fleur asked, squirming where she stood. She ached at the sight of this girl, heart melted and turned to mush at the sight of her so serene and sweet. “I- I guess,” Twilight said, making way for Fleur to enter and trying to stifle a yawn. “Are you OK, is something wrong? Are the girls mad at you for someth-” Fleur turned on Twilight the moment the door swung shut. “I want to have sex with you.” “Did they try to tell you to break up with- wait, what?” Twilight looked as though she couldn’t actually believe she’d heard Fleur correctly. “I want to sleep with you right this instant, Twilight.” A pull of the sash about her coat and it was dropped to the ground to reveal- “Fleur- oh wow.” Twilight gasped at the sight of Fleur garbed in fine lingerie, purest white and so beautiful to the eye that it had transformed the beautiful woman into an angel. Lines of lace across them, long stockings that led to frilled garters, bound to an exquisite bustier that was made of thin filaments of silk, perfectly see-through and only just hiding the magnificent body from unblemished view. “Uh.” “Please, Twilight. I am desperate for you right now,” Fleur begged, whatever dignity she possessed now long forgotten. “Do whatever you want to me, I promise it’s fine!” “Umm.” Twilight was struggling with herself, clashing between obviously inflamed desire and an unknown emotion that Fleur couldn’t recognize. “Fleur, I just-” She squeezed her eyes shut and forced a single intake of breath. “Where is it?” Fleur was left nonplussed. “Where’s what?” “The camera,” Twilight said. “The phone, whatever it is you’re using to record this.” “Record? Twilight, darling-” “Why do wanna do this to me? Just point, laugh, and be done with it, please!” Fleur was horrified, disgusted by the suggestion of subterfuge. “Twilight, please…” “No, Fleur. Just- no!” She’d been rejected at last. Her last, desperate, monumentally stupid attempt at romance had sputtered off a cliff and died. Fleur had tried to be as rational as possible, maintain a sense of dignity and not let her emotions run away with her good sense. But that had been ages ago, and she was nowhere near inclined to be sensible. So crying sounded like a great idea. Twilight heard the tears before she saw them, her sealed gaze opening and turning to horror as a pair of fat tears rolled down Fleur’s now-crumpling face. “Oh no.” “Do you just not like me at all?” Fleur asked, swiftly transforming into an absolute mess as her deepest desire went up in smoke. “Twilight, did I force you into something you didn’t want?” “I didn’t- Fleur, oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean-” Dammit, I did. “I’m sorry,” Fleur said thickly, trying to find the door through the blur of her vision, “Of course you didn’t, I messed up. Not like anyone ever has.” “Whoa. Hey, Fleur! Hold on,” Twilight blocked her from departing, taking Fleur by the hand and guiding her away from her nearest goal. “Look, it’s- umm- don’t leave. I promise, don’t leave. Just… try to calm down, OK? Can you do that?” Fleur most certainly could not do that, obviously not OK and in need of turning her wracked emotions into something a little more tangible. As Twilight led her elsewhere, she continued to sob away her sorrow, her senses not yet recognizing that her companion had yet to relinquish the grip that was held fast upon her hands. She cried further until she felt the worst of it begin to pass by, like a great wave that seeks out ships to sink. When she felt like she could manage a calmer, more tranquil breath, she took in oxygen in a rattle, at last able to see clearly and recognize her surroundings. Oddly enough, it was Twilight’s bedroom. And she was on Twilight’s bed, with Twilight right beside her, seeing her as though Fleur really was someone tangible and real. “It’s not fair,” Fleur mumbled. “No one’s ever actually liked me.” “That’s just not true,” Twilight protested. “Of course people have liked you. Loads of people!” “They like how I look!” Fleur spat. “They think I’m pretty and then that’s all they care about. Right to bed, not a word said, everything about how I look. No one actually likes… me.” She gave a dampened sigh, struggling against her sorrowful state. “No one ever even tries to get to know me. All the girls couldn’t believe it when I told them I could actually cook. Lemon Zest laughed when she found out I liked you. Not even my friends care about who I am.” Twilight kept her hands upon Fleur’s continuing to give them small, tentative squeezes, her smile both guilty and sympathetic as she sat there beside her beautiful companion and listened. “I really like you, Twilight. I didn’t mean to force you into anything you didn’t want,” Fleur said in a small voice. “Please don’t be mad.” “Be mad? No, of course not!” Twilight replied, putting her arms about Fleur and cloaking the downcast woman in affection that was a salve to her spirit. “Fleur, I am so sorry. I- can you let me talk for a little bit so I don’t seem like such a jerk?” When she received a nod in return, the poor girl gave a quick exhale and shook herself into composure. “I… wow, this is going to sound really bad- I actually didn’t think you were serious when you said you liked me.” That wasn’t the answer she’d expected. “Beg pardon?” “I was friends with Indigo. And Sugarcoat, and Lemon Zest. When we were kids, I mean,” Twilight explained. “I mean, they weren’t really my friends then, and I- they made fun of me a lot. And so when I saw that you were friends with them, I sort of thought that, you know, they’d egged you on to this. To pretend that you liked me so they could make fun of me some more. Because why would someone as pretty as you like me?” “As a joke? Twilight!” Fleur gasped. “No, not ever! I swear, they couldn’t keep me from you if they tried! I’ve meant every word, every kiss, and I most definitely meant what I said tonight.” She refused to let Twilight be set free from her embrace, keeping Twilight atop her lap and directly in her gaze. “If you don’t feel the same, that is perfectly fine. But don’t you ever doubt a single thing, I have been infatuated with you since I was in high school.” “But- I mean, Fleur, are you sure? I really do like you, but I get it if you think I’m just a nerd.” “I am absolutely sure I- say that again, please?” The hunger that had laid dormant in her breast began to thrum back to life, a heady pulse in her chest that threw Fleur into a trance. Twilight felt wonderful in her arms, and now appearing especially pretty to her lusting eye. Twilight, perfectly settled in Fleur’s lap, began to blush a shade of pink, a smile coming unbidden and in the form of something bashful. “I really, really do like you a ton. Like, oh my gosh, so much. You’re fun to talk to, and you’re really smart with people. And- and you’ve been helping me branch out and try a lot of new things, and it’s been a lot of fun. I mean, it helps that you’re beautiful, but you’re always so patient with others and-” And what else that Twilight had on her mind was to be said another time, Fleur not allowing another word to escape from those lovely lips before she ensnared them in an absolutely ferocious kiss. Hands ran themselves across body as the heat of the moment overcame her, driving the incensed woman deeper and deeper into her own fiery lusts. Fleur could not hope to restrain herself, continuing to kiss Twilight with every ounce of her being, delving further and further until she was glued by the mouth to the women she’d craved for so many years- And Twilight was kissing her back! Perhaps unable to fully match Fleur’s frenzied emotions that supercharged the moment, but she returned each kiss with a press and sensation of her own; delicate hands wove their way to the awaiting bosoms that were only barely concealed by fine silk, pausing there for a time before weaving through hair and across smooth skin. She no longer held back, no longer restrained by fear of a lie, Twilight happily kissed the woman with whom she was wound. Their eagerness began to grow frenzied, insatiable- “Wait!” Fleur forced herself to relent in her amorous conquest, yet unable to prevent herself from enjoying one last nibble of Twilight’s lower lip. “Are- I’m not going too fast, am I? You’re OK with this?” “Why’d you stop?” Twilight demanded, appearing absolutely scandalized by the utter lack of romantic contact that had suddenly materialized in their midst. “I just wanna be sure-” “Oh my gosh yes, just keep going already!” “Thank God…” Fleur’s inhibitions were cast aside like dirty laundry, plunging deep into Twilight’s willing mouth as the force of her passions cast the two down onto the bedsheets, little more than a tangled mess of tongue that could not seem to hold themselves from one another. Twilight was more than willing to surrender to her beautiful lover’s wild assault, muffled sighs of unrepressed delight swatted away by plundering tonguestrokes that lathered her worship wherever it could manage to lick. Arms about Fleur’s neck, two bodies pressed fiercely together and giving in to the desire to grind, more sounds of frenetic movement and utter desire growing all the more potent. But there! Twilight felt fabric pushed aside, the light sensation of her pajamas across her waist a forgotten feeling as fingers plunged greedily below and found her unsuspecting folds. It was a delight of the senses even her willing mind could not have prepared for, Fleur attending to her in every conceivable way that romance could offer. That flawless figure pressed so fiercely against her own form, those exquisite lips unwilling to relinquish their place upon hers, that silken, delectable tongue licking through the insides of her mouth in a way she couldn’t even hope to rival- and now those graceful fingers! Twilight was overwhelmed, turned senseless as Fleur’s prying digits plucked at her folds as though she were a musician, bringing the brilliant girl’s heart to notes of song that were devoured by the lips that still dominated her, unwilling to not let her feel anything but relentless, sensuous ecstasy in all its fury. She couldn’t help but squirm, her body throbbing with an agony that was wondrous to endure, impossible to endure- Wait, no! Too soon, not yet! She felt her body begin to quake, shivering as the inevitable came to its conclusion. She wanted to hold on, it still felt so good-! Twilight gave one heaving shudder and even Fleur’s constant caress of her tongue could not hope to keep the deepened sigh of relief from awaiting ears. She felt her body quake, juices bubbling to the surface and pouring out onto delicate fingers that had plied their trade, an overflowing well that had been so ravenously conquered. She felt her breathing at last begin to slow, hurried pants that begged for air now heavy and laborious from exertion. Fleur no longer continued in her ravishing of Twilight’s body but instead examined her now-slickened fingers, staring at the juices that covered them so as though it were a marvel. “… Sorry,” Twilight managed weakly. Sorry? Fleur whipped around as though it were the most shocking thing she’d ever heard. “No! Don’t you dare be sorry!” she breathed, her attentions now turned to the viscous liquids that coated her skilled hands. “I’ve waited so long to do that, I- let me take care of it. It’s my mess.” “Your mess-? Fleur, it’s… oh.” Twilight’s protests quickly quieted as Fleur descended from her place atop her body and down to the soaked skin below, her intent obvious. With slow, delicate laps did the luscious beauty begin her work, cleaning up Twilight’s ravished juices with the same tonguework that had so easily entranced her partner. Those first few licks were gentle, tentative; Fleur wished for her efforts of love were to be seen and enjoyed, not yet a full act of feeling. But the more of Twilight’s fluids that she found, the more parched she seemed to become, drinking away madly as though those viscous juices were the waters of life. And the feeling! Twilight felt her heart shake at its core, the soft, damp smoothness of Fleur’s tongue a wondrous sensation on her body, even more than it had been against her own pink muscle. She could feel every lick that wiped away the juices from her thighs, reveling in the tingling that came whenever Fleur would kiss her folds; every part that felt so good was something she encouraged, delighted coos escaping her lips so as to encourage the act further. This beautiful, magnificent woman had fingered her wonderfully, and now eagerly lapped up the results of her handiwork? The thought was like a fire in her brain, pushing her own sensual desires to seek release. She’d wanted that body since the moment Fleur had appeared at her door in that dress- she’d be damned if she didn’t have her tonight. Fleur’s last, slow slithering of tongue wiped away the last droplets that dotted Twilight’s sex, peering up to seek out the eyes of her beloved; Twilight was gazing at her hungrily, biting her lip so as to hold back words from flowing out. “How was that?” Fleur inquired. “That was… so hot,” Twilight whispered, her voice strained. “Oh my god- you’ve got to let me return the favor.” Twilight wanted her body. Could life be any more perfect? Fleur came to a kneeling position, arms cast wide as though she were an offering, the fullness of her unrivaled form there for Twilight to take. “Feel free to unwrap your present,” she said. Twilight glowed at the words, first casting aside her own clothing so as to equal the offer; a slender figure, well-lined and graceful to the eye, that classic loveliness to her form that Fleur had always suspected. What she hadn’t expected, however, was a rather marvelous pair of breasts that added to her already-pleasurable figure, just the perfect shape and size for hands to come and caress them with loving care. “Oh my,” Fleur said, inching closer to her girlfriend and promptly performing a physical assessment of Twilight’s mounds. “You’ve been hiding from me, you naughty girl. You look perfect.” “Do you mind letting me see yours again?” Fleur did not mind in the least, raising her arms high and allowing Twilight to unhook the clasps that held bustier to body, at least freeing her form and leaving only the stockings to still adorn her skin. Those splendid hands sailed across Fleur’s body, gentle patterns that were intent on feeling every inch of flawless skin until she knew the sensation by heart; her initial explorations satisfied, Twilight at last took to the wondrous breasts that Fleur possessed and gave them the fullness of her adoration, loving upon them with a wondrous affection. It was a surprise, albeit a delightful one, to find that Twilight was not at all inexperienced in this particular act of carnal affection; kisses that played their way around the nipple, slow latherings of tongue across titflesh that excited the skin and set electric currents through Fleur’s form- even a small nibble to add to the excitement, a flourish of skill that seemed so out of place, yet most definitely welcome. The graceful woman tended to each breast in kind, ensuring they were lovingly treated and adored, leaving Fleur positively melting from this gracious outpouring of love. “Twilight, you’ve been keeping secrets from me. Now where did you learn to do that so well?” Twilight gave a smirk that could not quite overcome the slight tinge of color on her cheeks. “I… may have been- studying. How to please a woman,” she answered cheekily. “Just in case you actually wanted me that way.” Fleur wanted to laugh, stunned that the seemingly pure and perfect Twilight could seemingly do something so devious. “Why, you minx! You certainly are a fast learner… how about showing me what else you learned?” Twilight grinned and plunged for Fleur’s lips, the surprise gesture setting them back against the pillows as she took to a cavalcade of kisses, the two women soon entangled as their harmonious affections united. In her initial assault of ravenous desire, Fleur had dominated her partner out of sheer lust; this new union of lips was something different, a more equal effort between them than sheer overpowering that had come prior. Twilight could kiss! Wonderfully so, marvelous in feeling; and just when Fleur wondered if she could be any more surprised, there came a wondrous sensation of her own tongue being caressed by its mate- and pulled out into the open air, only for Twilight’s lips to capture it in between, a slow, tender suckling of tongue, her newest act of love. Fleur gave a dreamy sigh, losing herself in the moment. She did not want to feel anything but Twilight upon her, perfectly content to let this blissful caress of her tongue continue ever on; Twilight sucked and kissed her tongue, lathering her saliva upon it until they intermingled and were indistinguishable from the other. Bonds of liquid held them together as hands plied across body, the two women becoming more and more entangled until it was impossible to know one form from the other. “Oh my god, Twilight,” Fleur gasped, having to escape this perfect woman’s sapphic clutches before she went mad. “Why did you make me wait? And for so long!” “Sorry. I hope I can make it up to you,” Twilight replied, more than a little coy and clearly interested in intensifying their engagement. “There was one thing I wanted to try. Just a little- if that’s OK. Something a little more fun?” Fleur bit her lip to prevent the escape of delighted laughter, relishing every moment of this long night. A kiss of Twilight’s lips, a soft gesture that continued to trail along her cheek and down to the neck, a swift press upon the edge of her breasts before turning to her ear and whispering, “Surprise me.” Twilight’s eyes gleamed with excitement, eager to initiate yet struggling to decide on how to begin, her hands held to Fleur’s side as though wishing to guide her movements. “If we could- I guess it’ll sound a bit weird to say it, I’m kind of wondering how-” “I’m alright with anything you want to try,” Fleur cut in, trying to help focus her charged companion. “Go on ahead.” “Umm, can- just go and lie down, please? And I’ll be atop you, like this…” As Fleur was slowly laid to rest against tussled bedsheets, she couldn’t contain the wide grin that came from realization of the intended gesture. Twilight’s naked form came atop her own splendid figure and took a reversed position, her petite rear end fully encompassing the beautiful woman’s vision. Just above the salivating lips of Fleur, like a delectable fruit hanging from the branches, was Twilight’s sex, sparkling clean and eagerly awaiting another manufactured mess to be made. “This- you’re OK with this, right?” Twilight asked once more. “I mean, are you comfortable and ever-” Fleur’s patience was at an end, a deep dive of tongue in between folds that was forceful and slow, a veritable onslaught of presence that made the uncertain girl quiver at the potency of the sensation. “Don’t keep me waiting,” Fleur said, holding back no longer and joyously diving into her awaiting feast. She took to Twilight’s folds with a fervor, wishing to turn this lavish prize into an overflowing paradise that would swell by her actions. Fleur wanted to relish her time within and at first began slow, allowing herself to become familiar with the tastes she continued to discover, the feeling that came as she swirled her tongue about. She was here at last, delving into Twilight’s depths for as long as she wished; the very thought made her spirit sing! After all this time spent waiting, Fleur knew she would have to make it worth both their whiles, a sensation that Twilight would forever hunger for, and an act that she herself would relish giving. A tonguestroke that slid on the outer lines of her folds- oh my god, I’m in heaven. Fleur had expected this dreamed-of moment to be good; what she hadn’t considered was how perfect it would feel when the very same gesture was given in return. Twilight’s own mouthwork was gentler, more tentative, but carried all her careful intent and effort that she gave to everything she did. While Fleur’s own caress was exploratory and curious, Twilight’s continued laps were thorough; every ounce of Fleur’s own delicacies were to be tended to, not a single inch of her left untouched. This splendid woman cradled Fleur from beneath, hands giving her ass an occasional knead as though to heighten the effect. The feeling of that slick muscle massaging her own sweetness, combined with the fingers that plumped her plush bottom, was intoxicating. Twilight felt excellent already, and would only become all the more so with time and familiarity. The moan that escaped her throat was instinctive, unbidden; Fleur couldn’t restrain the sapphic sound from leaving her, Twilight’s attentions to her lower portions not something to easily ignore. She’d waited so long for this, and now it felt so good… she was trying to hold on and enjoy the ride, but the pure pleasure of it was stronger than her will could manage to restrain for long. Twilight was going to make her cum, and she didn’t even know if she could prevent it! Fleur willed herself to hold on, forcing her senses to focus solely on Twilight’s own glistening folds rather than any of her own senses. She plundered deep into their depths, her soothing movements now becoming ravenous. Anything to make the moment last longer, just so long as she could keep on feeling Twilight’s pleasures within her! It felt joyous, wondrous, so worth every second of waiting- Oh yes! Fleur could feel the first wave of orgasm approaching and she drove herself into Twilight’s very core, pulling at the labia in the hopes of hanging on a little longer. The cry that came from her partner was like music to her ears, the unexpected mixture of delight and mild pain on such sensitivity taking Twilight by surprise. Do it again, again! Fleur allowed herself to become a little more voracious, a roughness to her action that Twilight seemed to enjoy, pushing the poor girl to her limits- The great wave crashed onto shoreline and Fleur was forced to release. She felt herself flow outwards, pouring directly onto Twilight and setting senses to the realms of the electric. But even as she felt her own mind become overwhelmed by delight, Fleur beseeched that she continue; her efforts needed to bear fruit, and quickly! Taking the energy that came from orgasm and pouring it out in return, she razed Twilight’s flower with a great fire that made the poor girl pause in her works and suffer through the agonizing joy. The shiver that came was more akin to a quake of the earth, the tremor coursing through body and reaching a crescendo; Fleur opened her mouth wide and soon found herself swimming, Twilight’s juices flowing about her and turning this long-cherished dream into reality. The flavor was superb, the feeling of it about her glorious; the two women had gone to conquer and had been conquered in return, leaving them both a delighted but thoroughly messy pair of exhausted forms so deeply entangled together. Fleur felt the weighted presence atop her begin to dissipate; Twilight was leaving her straddled position and falling to the bed, her efforts expended and turning her into a gasping heap of ravished loveliness. Her own mind still consumed by the thoughts and sensations that came by sexual instinct, Fleur slowly crawled to her beloved’s side and simply lay there, the two women taking their time to recover from their loving, eager efforts. “Fleur?” Twilight began. “Yes, Sweets?” The bedraggled girl turned her head to face her beauteous partner, a faint smile on those wearied lips. “Are you sure you really like me?” Fleur gave a start so great that it shook the bed, utterly taken aback that Twilight could still even have a solitary doubt- then promptly bursting into laughter. Their voices intertwined just as their forms had once been, the silliness of the joke now shared between them in fatigued mirth, their throes of passion leaving them as little more than heaps of spent emotion and physical mess, both body and bedsheets ravaged from the night’s pleasantries. “Just making sure,” Twilight said, trying to stretch and instead grimacing at the fatigue that now wracked her frame. “Oh my gosh, I feel like a mess.” “Maybe we should take a shower?” Fleur suggested, just as tired yet forcing herself to rise from her fetal position. “You’ll feel better if you get cleaned up.” “Uh- as in together?” Twilight asked. “If you don’t mind sharing,” Fleur added. “I hope it’s alright if I stay the night.” Twilight looked around her secluded quarters, perhaps marveling at the numerous changes of both life and presence that had consumed it in just a short time. “I- wow… Why on earth would I mind spending the night with you?” ~Three Months Later~ The dorm room was exactly as they’d left it when they had departed for winter break, the same mess and chaos that had been their world now coated in a fine layer of dust that had settled in their absence. “Oh joy. Back to the cult of academia,” Lemon Zest moaned, tossing her bag onto the couch and lying next to it in an unhappy heap. “Please tell me we’re almost done with this.” “You’ll be done sooner than you think if you don’t bother trying in your classes this semester,” Sugarcoat said. “Jeez, do you enjoy being on probation?” “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” Sugarcoat rolled her eyes at the pointless remark, long past caring deeply about her roommate’s cavalier attitude. “And she even has student loans… hey, where’s Fleur’s things?” Lemon Zest perked up from her place on the couch and looked about the dorm room; more than a few items that had once been commonplace were now mysteriously absent, chunks of kitchenware missing from counter, cupboard, and drawer in more than one place. Even the flower calendar that had marked the wall was gone, cast away somewhere they couldn’t imagine. “What the hell..?” Lemon Zest muttered. “What happened to her shit?” “She moved out,” Indigo answered, appearing from her now-solitary dorm room with a slight grin on her features. “Took an apartment a little outside of town, from what she told me. A nice place.” A horror that had once been left unnamed now began to grow in Lemon Zest’s mind, taking root and flourishing with nightmarish speed. Fleur had moved out: no free meals, no free dishware, no microwave, no reminders of her schedule- “Wait a minute!” she cried. “Moved out?! What for?!” Indigo stared at the incredulous girl. “Are you serious?” she asked. “Who do you think she moved in with?” Sugarcoat bit her lip to stifle laughter, waiting for the ticking time bomb that was Lemon Zest’s mind to catch up to their current circumstances. They could see the thoughts moving through like a horse-drawn carriage, or a man on a Sunday stroll. And then- “Wait, she moved in with that nerd?!” Author's Note This one chapter is longer than I thought the entire story would be. Sweet hell. Enjoy, I guess. Shit; still don't feel like I got it quite right.
1. The Dream GirlIt was an almost instinctive thing for the world to turn her way whenever she was found walking through the masses. Bodies in motion would suddenly come to a standstill as they found themselves in the presence of one that could only be a goddess; eyes that were always so faithful couldn’t help but settle upon her form and stare in desire. Even those who would have once taken offense could only be left powerless by the understanding, knowing just how natural a motion it was. Everywhere she went, there were whispers and words that spoke to her supreme grace and unrivaled beauty. At one point in her life, Fleur would have admitted her guilt to achieving such ends, an intentional motion of movement that was meant to garner attention. But eventually, such purposeful acts were put to the wayside, deemed unnecessary and little more than girlish immaturity. Now, she found she gathered more looks and lustful glances than ever before. It mattered not that she held no desire for the worship of the crowd, she gained it by simply being. It would be awkward if she used her mental capacities to notice. During her high school days, she’d easily garnered endless stares from her schoolmates, whether it be boy or girl. It was of course a little more clandestine back then, due to shyness or uncertainty in regards to their own emotions. But a college campus saw no such inhibitions, with parental restrictions and values now cast to the wayside. The sheer number of stares and gawking faces that passed Fleur by were almost countless, with a growing number of women making sure to cast their eyes upon her flawless figure. To any who could hope to tear themselves away from her beauty, they would have seen what seemed like the entire world under her unwitting thrall. They all looked, lusted, and dreamed of Fleur- yet not once did a single one of them ever dare to make a move and try to gain her hand. It was some time before any of her friends began to notice something had gone amiss; so absorbed by their own lives and feelings that they did not have the time or emotion to spare for someone else. But before too long, it became rather difficult to ignore: wispy sighs that echoed through dormitory halls on her silken breath; dazed looks and sappy smiles that spoke of a precious mental fantasy; eyes so deeply clouded by longing as she gazed at a mysterious, hidden something that dwelled somewhere upon her phone. Any look towards it would see Fleur scurry away to her private abode, and perhaps to deal with her own boiling steam in a much more expressive fashion. But even quiet could not hope to hide such feelings any longer. Fleur, of all people in the world, was distracted. And driving her friends to distraction because of it. An overly crowded dorm room found itself smaller than usual thanks to present circumstances, or at least by Sugarcoat’s standards. Loudly busying herself with the preparation of a cup of instant ramen wasn’t enough to drown out the sounds she certainly didn’t want to hear, she only able to hope that the sound of a microwave running would be enough to at least subdue any exterior noise. A muffled moan that came from one of the bedrooms and she sighed; the cook time wasn’t going to be long enough and she knew it. Fleur was taking her time. It was a sick sense of pleasure that she found company in her misery; sitting at their battered kitchen table and appearing just as uncomfortable as her roommate was Lemon Zest, seemingly deep in an attempt to just ignore their beautiful friend’s self-indulgences as best she could; a mortified curl of her lip suggested that such attempts were proving themselves ineffective. With neither of the two able to block out Fleur’s new pastime, and Indigo having left the dorm to avoid the problem altogether, the palpable awkwardness was beginning to feel like a dam ready to burst. “I can actually not believe this is happening,” Sugarcoat muttered, banging her head against the kitchen counter in exasperation. “How has she been reduced to this?” Lemon Zest said nothing in response, continuing with her attempts to pretend that the problem –and all remarks regarding it- just didn’t exist. A magnificent feat in itself, considering that the silence allowed Fleur to hit a note that was rather impressive to the ear. The microwave’s hum came to a halt and allowed unfiltered silence to break through and magnify their beautiful friend’s pleasures to a new level, sounding more and more breathless with each passing moment. Sugarcoat wished the ramen cup came with a noisemaker, something that could cover up what she didn’t want to hear. It wasn’t that they all hadn’t thought of Fleur as attractive; they were human like anyone else. But this was just awkward… “Oh come on! Zest, you can’t just block it out!” Sugarcoat snapped, slamming down into her seat across from her willfully ignorant roommate, glaring daggers as their audible problem continued on in the nearby bedroom. “This is ridiculous, we have to do something!” “I know! Jeez, I’m not stupid!” Lemon Zest shot back. “It’s just- shit, we need to get that girl laid.” A stranger sentence had never before been uttered in all of human existence, Sugarcoat staring at her companion with a look of burning incredulity. “Are- are you kidding?” she replied faintly. “Girl, it’s Fleur, for god’s sake. I don’t think she needs help with that!” “Then what the hell is this about? She’s been a wreck for nearly a month now. What on earth has her like this?” “We’re gonna have to ask, I guess,” Sugarcoat said. “I mean, do you have any other ideas?” “We ask for a roommate transfer?” Lemon Zest suggested. “I mean, I know she’s our friend and all, but do you want to put up with this forever?” “Why do you think I’m talking to you?” “So let’s get this stupid-” At that precise moment came a last, joyous peal of ecstasy from behind the sealed door, Fleur clearly reaching the height of her pleasures in an act that could be mistaken for nothing else. The sweet ringing of such a lilted, lovely voice was a beautiful, mortifyingly embarrassing sound that neither of the girls present could stomach, Lemon Zest audibly groaning as she buried her face against the surface of the table. “Oh my god, I can’t do this anymore,” she moaned. “We have got to talk to her about this or else I’m going to go mad.” “When she comes out of the room, we confront her about it. Agreed?” Sugarcoat said. “Anything to get her to chill the hell out,” Lemon Zest said. “This is going to be so awful. I mean… who on earth could possibly get her like this?” The wait was painful due to their eagerness to see their discomfort permanently resolved, made all the worse by the few muffled words and sounds that still carried through drywall and wood. Sugarcoat busied herself with her noodle lunch while she waited for their friend’s appearance, glad to have something to keep her occupied; all Lemon Zest could do was stew in her embarrassment and hope that they could actually see the issue handled. At last came the sound of a doorknob rattling, Fleur making her appearance from the darkened depths of her dorm room and possessing a look of dreamy contentment on her splendid face. One so perfectly lovely, now seeming so happy due to sexual self-satisfactions, put her friends in a state of instinctual desire. Neither were single, and Sugarcoat wasn’t interested in girls, yet both young women couldn’t help but wish to be the ones that saw such a gorgeous being made satisfied by their own efforts. Fleur was just so magnificently beautiful; a face so flawlessly lovely and bearing skin as smooth as glass, silken hair that fell down to her slim waist, the most perfect pair of breasts that anyone could hope to possess with the height and figure of a supermodel. Why she was bothering with college was a mystery, since she could clearly just make money being beautiful. Actually, that was a good question, why was she here? Did that- Whatever hypnotic spell Fleur so easily cast on those around her was immediately dispelled when she strode past her roommates and into the nearby bathroom, a certain aroma about her that clearly couldn’t be anything else. Sugarcoat’s mind resumed normal function, the palpable awkwardness of their current scenario returning in full force. No, she wasn’t lusting after her friend, and her friend had clearly been flicking the bean. This was to be an intervention. “Well… No one helped themselves to my yakisoba, did they?” Fleur said pleasantly as she reappeared from the bathroom, cleaned up and turning to the fridge for nourishment. “I know I made plenty for everyone, but I wanted the last serving for myself if that’s alright-” “Fleur, we need to talk to you. Forget the stupid yakisoba.” Lemon Zest was clearly in no mood to delay the inevitable discussion, arms crossed and scowling up a storm. “You have no idea how annoying you’ve been lately.” Fleur paused from her meal prep and stared at her friend, clearly hurt by the abrasive words. “Zesty, what on earth?” she said. “I didn’t mean to make you mad, I made it for everyone. Isn’t it OK if I have the last bite?” “It’s not about the damn food, girl! Jeez! Are you seriously just going to pretend like we can’t hear you?” In a sudden turn of events, Fleur’s beautiful face that had once been flush with contentment now turned pale, memories of a pleasant moment now a horror. “Oh my gosh, you- am I being loud?” Sugarcoat was left stunned. “Fleur… did you actually think no one could hear you?” she asked. “It’d be difficult to think you were doing anything else but- well, masturbating.” The idea had apparently not occurred to her, Fleur seemingly shriveling as the revelation of her personal comforts having not been so private after all. “Oh- girls, I’m so sorry! I didn’t even- oh gosh…” The beautiful woman buried herself in her hands, unable to bear the accusing, embarrassed eyes of her companions. “How long have you known?” The situation was being resolved in all the ways no one wanted to endure; Sugarcoat shared a glance with Lemon Zest before saying, “Uh it has… look, a while.” “Oh no,” Fleur murmured, coming over to take a seat at the table alongside her friends. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t even know. I wasn’t even thinking that I was being that loud.” “Oh come on, Fleur,” Lemon Zest groaned. “How could you not know? And for this long? Like, what’s been going on with you lately? No one’s ever seen you like this before.” To their surprise, Fleur actually shrank into herself, a different sort of embarrassment taking hold of her flawless form. “I… well, I know it’s awkward already. Do you- you know, need to know?” “You definitely owe us a little explanation,” Sugarcoat replied, though feeling a twinge of sympathy for her mortified friend. “Is everything OK? Like, has something been bothering you lately, something at home? I remember you said your Dad was having surgery.” “No, Daddy’s fine,” Fleur mumbled, now making effort to avoid their inquisitive looks. “I just- I’ll be quieter from now on, I promise.” “Thanks, but come on. We do wanna help, at least a little,” Sugarcoat persisted. “Now… what’s the matter?” Fleur’s eyes darted about in the hopes of escape, positively squirming in her seat as she writhed against the secret within and the demand of an answer without, more ill at ease than her friends had ever imagined she could be. Just when they’d thought she really was going to hold out on any sort of response, the beautiful woman burst like a balloon and cried, “Oh, I can’t stop thinking about her!” Sugarcoat and Lemon Zest blanked. Out of all possible answers, it hadn’t occurred to them that it might actually be one that was so incredibly simple. Fleur de Lis, the most beautiful woman they’d ever seen, was infatuated with someone- and so deeply that she was finding herself forced to seek physical relief from the internal struggle that came from it. It was such a simple answer that it was almost impossible to believe. So of course they started laughing. Not mockingly, but out of sheer shock that Fleur could be undergoing such a simple issue. “Oh, is that all!” Lemon Zest giggled, her smile wide with delight at the revelation. “Goodness, what’s that got you so worked up for?” Fleur, already discomforted by the conversation, was left scandalized at the sound of their laughter. “Hey! That’s not fair,” she pouted. “Come on, I’m being serious!” “Fleur, you’re- I mean, come on, Zest is right! You’ve got no reason to be like this!” Sugarcoat said, subduing her laughter but still grinning. “Have you not seen yourself in a mirror? All you’d have to do is go up to her and say hello, she’d drop panties then and there!” The beautiful woman was taken aback by the remark. “What? No she wouldn’t! Why would you say that?” Sugarcoat’s smile faded, beaten down by Fleur’s continued seriousness on the matter. She wasn’t faking. “Fleur… girl, it’s because you’re gorgeous. Shit, I think you’re probably the most beautiful person on earth. You can have anyone you want, whenever you want. Do you not realize that?” “It’s not like that. I don’t want to- she doesn’t even know I exist, really,” Fleur muttered sadly. “I really wish she would, but…” The strangeness of the conversation continued to find ways to emphasize itself, Sugarcoat and Lemon Zest hardly able to believe what they were hearing. “You get stares from people when you’re wearing a hoodie and sweat pants, how could she not know you exist?” Fleur looked over at her phone before glancing at her friend. “Because she’s… Oh, this is stupid. Forget I said anything.” “I’m done putting up with hearing you spank it every day over this girl,” Sugarcoat said bluntly. “Look, we’ll help you out, OK? As your friends, we really do wanna help. So: what do we have to do?” “Why would she not notice you, anyway?” Lemon Zest added. Fleur mulled the proposition over for a bit, considering her friend’s self-interested aid. “Well… OK. Can you all come with me somewhere?” “Do we need to?” “I guess it’ll make more sense this way,” Fleur said, already on her feet and headed towards the door. “I hope that makes sense.” “Not yet it don’t,” Lemon Zest muttered. Thirty minutes and a walk through campus later, things had somehow found a way to make even less sense. Sugarcoat’s expectations –whatever they had been- had not prepared her for finding temporary residence in the library, amidst endless rows of books and computers that were used by dozens of students for a variety of class projects and papers. The idea that Fleur wanted someone who she knew would be here just… It didn’t make any sense. “Something is wrong,” Lemon Zest whispered, leaning in to her friend’s ear so as to avoid the dulled ears of a clearly distracted Fleur. “We’re in a library.” “I’m aware, dumbass,” Sugarcoat replied. “What’s your point?” “It means she knows their schedule that well, for one thing. Come on, that’s a bit creepy.” Another good point that only exacerbated the strangeness of their current now, Sugarcoat left struggling to figure out what to do. “Umm- Fleur?” “Mhm?” Fleur answered by instinct and not by will, her mind clearly scanning the world about them for something else. “Why are we here?” “Because she’ll be here, of course,” Fleur replied. A glance towards the door as though she hoped to see this mysterious person walk through the doors then and there. “She should be here soon, if she’s not here already. Oh gosh, I hope she’s not here already.” “You know her schedule… that well,” Sugarcoat remarked, not at all settled. Oh wow, this is getting so weird. Momma didn’t raise me for this. “I keep trying to say hello- but I never figure out how,” Fleur said wistfully. “Oh, maybe I’ll do it this time if she’s alone.” Lemon Zest looked as though she couldn’t actually believe she’d heard it said aloud; the very idea that Fleur was nervous about talking to someone was positively preposterous. “You’re not being serious right now- right?” she asked. “How would you go about it, Zesty?” Fleur asked, somehow appearing totally genuine. “I don’t really know how, I guess I never figured it out.” Sugarcoat’s eyes felt ready to pop out of their sockets. “What in the fu-” “Who the fuck could have you this slapped around?” Lemon Zest demanded. Fleur’s eyes drifted from her friends and over to the doors- and suddenly set afire with delight, her smile glowing as she caught sight of the one she adored. “Her,” she said in a dreamy sigh. Sugarcoat and Lemon Zest turned to the library entrance and felt themselves receive an almighty slap in the face; dressed in a soft-brown pullover and a dark pair of jeans walked in a young girl with hair the color of darkened lavender, a backpack thrown across a single shoulder as she looked about the place. An expression of mild concern adorned her inquisitive features, as though something weighed down her mind and kept her from a true happiness; a quiet of spirit that seemed drilled in rather than by instinct. It could not have been any stranger than if they’d tried. Unless they were somehow very wrong, Fleur was infatuated with Twilight Sparkle. “Isn’t she perfect?” Fleur said happily, watching Twilight walk along with all the feeling of a lovesick puppy. Her eyes remained glued to Twilight, soaking in every ounce of the unsuspecting young woman as she walked over to a table and began speaking to an awaiting student, the two of them seemingly meeting by appointment. A few pleasant words were shared before they adjourned to places unknown, likely a study room judging by the surplus of materials and paperwork that sat in their hands. Sugarcoat knew this had to be a dream. Lemon Zest knew it was a joke. The exquisite beauty across from them gave another happy sound before turning to her friends, clearly expecting joyous assent and commendation at the sight of her romantic desire. “So?” she said eagerly. “Isn’t she great? How should I try to say hello, do you have any idea? She’s so scary sometimes in class, and I just-” Fleur paused; her friends were staring at her with a look that wasn’t friendly. “What?” “Fleur,” Lemon Zest said hoarsely, “are you shitting me?” Fleur blanched. “Excuse me?” Sugarcoat tended to have a bit more subtlety than her often foul-mouthed companion, but even her added maturity was left speechless by this wild revelation. “Fleur, I just- why Twilight, of all people? Like can’t- can’t you do better?” Fleur gave a start as though she’d been slapped across the face, eyes held painfully wide at the remark. Then before her friends could try to stop her, an overwhelming force of anger overtook her pristine senses and set her to standing tall, a wrathful look in her eyes. “Oh, I’ve made a mistake-” “What do you mean, I could do better?!” “You got me banned from the library for two weeks! I have a paper due on Friday, what am I supposed to do if I can’t use the library for printing?” Lemon Zest demanded. They’d returned to their dorm room in a failure of emotional control, Fleur’s enraged outburst having seen them swiftly departing the library premises in record time. Indigo had clearly made herself at home in a lounging spot across the couch and was soon filled in on the matter, just as stunned as her fellow roommates. Fleur had a massive crush on Twilight Sparkle. How could you possibly make up something that stupid? “I will not apologize,” Fleur said flatly, not having budged an inch since her outburst. “And I’m not sorry, one little bit.” “This is ridiculous- what if my laptop breaks? I need to work somewhere!” “Say you’re sorry first and maybe I’ll reconsider,” Fleur replied. Lemon Zest wasn’t sure of whether or not she wanted to kill her roommate. Fleur’s excessive masturbation had been one thing, but this was flat-out insensitive. College wasn’t exactly cheap and this flawless bitch didn’t care! “What is wrong with you? All this over a nerd?” “Don’t make fun of her just because she’s smarter than you!” Fleur snapped, whirling about to face her friend. “Oh, you’re just jealous and you-” “Jealous?!” “Oh for god’s sake, shut the fuck up!” Indigo roared, bringing the barrage of anger and insults to a sudden halt. “Shit… are you two children or something? Come on, grow up and work this out like adults, why don’t you!” “She won’t stop making fun of my dreamgirl!” Fleur pouted. “And your dreamgirl is a nerd- get the hell over it, girl,” Indigo said bluntly. “Jeez, not a big deal, just is. Lemon Zest, shuttup. We all know you weren’t gonna write that paper.” Lemon Zest opened her mouth- and promptly sealed it shut; the accusation was a little too true. “Are we done?” Sugarcoat asked, having taken a seat and remained silent since they’d arrived back to the dorms. “OK, so that was… really weird. Fleur, are you for real?” “Of course I am! Just look at her!” Fleur cried, a stomp of her feet to hammer it home. “What am I supposed to do? Twilight’s so smart and sweet, I don’t know how to say anything to her!” Sugarcoat was trying her best to be reasonable, but the whole situation was just unbelievable. She didn’t even know how to wrap her head around it. “I- I guess you just go up and say hello,” she answered. I’m giving romantic advice to Fleur. Is this even real? “But how?” Fleur begged, positively despondent and fretting over the matter. “I can’t just go up and be weird, she’ll think I’m-” “Perfect?” Sugarcoat suggested. “Flawless?” Lemon Zest added. “A dream come true?” Indigo put in. “… Creepy,” Fleur said, wondering if anyone was going to take her seriously. “We’re in the same Physics class together… I want to try and say something there, but it’s always such a busy class.” “Fleur, you could say something to her whenever and you’d be fine,” Indigo remarked. “I’m honestly surprised you’re even worried about this.” “But why would she even like me?” Fleur wailed. They hadn’t heard that. “Because you’re gorgeous, you complete idiot!” Lemon Zest said. “Like that even matters!” Fleur said despairingly. “What?! How does that not matter?!” “But she’s-” Fleur was clearly struggling, seemingly on the verge of tears as she tried to put her feelings into spoken word. She at last managed to find a small voice and said, “She’s so smart, and so nice to everybody, and she’s always dressed so nicely. So, you know. People like her.” Not one of them was sure whether or not to actually believe any of what they were hearing, but the sight of this beautiful woman’s utter despondence was hard to deny. The idea that it was Twilight, of all people… “So, umm… how long have you liked her?” Sugarcoat attempted. “Since I was a freshman in high school,” Fleur said quietly. Seven fucking years ago! “Seven- oh gosh, you’ve got it bad,” Sugarcoat gasped, realizing the full scope of this nightmarish scenario. “OK, so, uh- OK. Umm, you really, really need to talk with her. Soon.” “But how?” Fleur whined. “You’re just gonna have to- well, I don’t really know,” she said. “Just… I don’t know, how’s your Physics grade?” Fleur shuffled her feet, slowly cottoning on to her friend’s guidance. “It’s alright,” she mumbled. “Could be better, though.” “There you are, then,” Indigo said pleasantly. “Ask her to tutor you and make your move there. Should be easy, right?” “I… guess so,” Fleur said. “I do have class with her tomorrow.” “Good. Ask her then. And that’s not negotiable,” Indigo added as she saw Fleur’s perfect face turn pale in fear. “Because if I hear you spanking it again, I’m gonna throw you out of this dorm. You feel me?” Fleur looked about at her friends and saw each of them united both for and against her, left with little choice but to resolve her personal matters sooner rather than later. “OK,” she said, and turned to her bedroom so as to be left in peace. Her three roommates remained in the living room, unified by silence and a still deeply held incredulity. “She likes Twilight,” Lemon Zest breathed. “Just… damn.” “Think Twilight will like her back?” Indigo inquired. “Are you kidding? I don’t think Twilight knows what love is.” It was either going to be the best or the worst day of her life. The lesson for today was actually important, and not at all easy to soak in. Fleur was good with art and history, the physical world that required tactile contact; mathematics were not her strong suit. She genuinely did need to pay attention. They had their mid-term exam next week! But the sight of her sitting there in her seat, diligently poring over notes, the smile that could sometimes be seen whenever Twilight turned her head to those beside her, the bright, cheerful voice that always had the right answer, that sweet form held within a white blouse and jeans… She knew better than to fight a losing battle; accepting defeat and doing nothing more than daydream for the rest of the class, the beautiful young woman simply stopped trying and figured she’d get any help later. Twilight was always nice to people like that. “Alright, make sure to have the homework done before Monday! And for those of you with lab, don’t forget- Monday evenings, I know some of you have been absent!” Fleur awoke from her favorite daydream of her and Twilight walking along a beach hand-in-hand and realized that class had actually ended. Had she been dozing for that long? They’d only begun a few minutes ago! And- Twilight was leaving already! The girls had actually taken her room key away to make sure she actually went through with talking to Twilight, and she had no intention of sleeping out in the halls tonight. Twilight’s bed sounds so much better- oh crap she’s down the hall! Dignity be damned, Fleur positively raced through the crowd to catch up with that lavender ponytail. “Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?” Her voice rang clearly through the halls and over the cacophony of noise that pervaded through the minutes between classes, bringing Twilight’s efforts to move along elsewhere to an abrupt pause. The intelligent woman she adored turned about for the source of her name and soon settled her eyes on Fleur, a small start as recognition took over. “Fleur?” “Hi, yes,” Fleur said breathlessly, amazed that she was actually this close. She could even smell Twilight, a pleasant aroma of herbal tea about the young woman. Ooh, I really like it. I wonder what she’s wearing. “Didn’t- we went to high school together, right?” Twilight asked. “Cheer captain at Crystal Prep?” She gave a glowing smile as her heart swelled like a balloon, delighted that Twilight actually remembered her. “Yeah! I was!” “OK, I thought so- wait, are we in Physics together?” The balloon burst in an instant. She doesn’t even know I exist! “Yeah, we are…” “OK. That’s great!” Twilight said. “Umm, well- it was good to see you, I guess-” “Can I ask you a favor?” Fleur said swiftly. She had been beaten down to the ground, but she wasn’t going to admit defeat just yet. “I, uh- I need some help.” Oh. OK,” Twilight said slowly. “Like… with the class?” “Yes. So much, that lesson had me so lost,” Fleur replied. “Can you- you tutor some of the other students, right? Would it be OK if you-” “I don’t mind helping you out!” Twilight said brightly, seemingly delighted at the prospect of mentoring another mind. “Hey, I actually have some free time this evening, if you’d like to come by the Student Ed. Center. About six?” “Yes! Thank you so much, Twilight,” Fleur said, her composure breaking down and she took Twilight in a hug that caused the brilliant young woman to give a small “Oh!” in surprise. “Sorry, am I keeping you from your next class?” “I’ve still got time, don’t worry. See you tonight, Fleur, it was nice to see you again!” Twilight turned about and walked away without another word, making for the hallway intersection and soon disappearing from amidst the dissipating crowd. Fleur could only stand there and sigh in her bliss, wondering how on earth she was supposed to keep herself under control until they met up again that evening. The education center wasn’t to be the best place for romancing the girl of her dreams, a nice and peaceful bedroom was more suited for such acts of affection. But maybe she could sneak away with a kiss, if she played her cards right? A date, at the very least. Oh, how was she supposed to manage this? And her past efforts of relief were more or less out the window, especially since she didn’t have her- “Oh jeez, my room key!” Fleur raced down the hall as fast as she could, hoping she’d catch Indigo before the woman had left for her afternoon class. It really hadn’t been a fair move. Author's Note This was supposed to just be one chapter only, I swear. Keep reading, I guess.
2. Fleur de Lis in LoveWas she more nervous or excited? To give an honest answer was more than Fleur could manage at the moment. She just knew that she was going to be in close proximity to Twilight for at least a good hour of the evening, and she would have to capitalize on those sixty minutes as best as she could manage. Open seduction was probably off the table -a public setting was good at ruining that sort of fun- but she felt reasonably confident that she could at least get a date with the sweet-hearted woman of her dreams. Twilight wouldn’t be against that offer, right? Or would she? It was actually rather hard to tell sometimes, the tranquil girl’s intelligence making her a bit inscrutable even for Fleur’s senses of personal interaction. Come to think of it, would Twilight even be receptive to her? The beauteous woman just might have to win her over. That, Fleur thought confidently, is something I can achieve. No one knew how to flirt better than Fleur, even in such a subdued, restricted setting as a tutoring session. Much to Indigo’s humored exasperation, Fleur had spent most of the last hour trying to figure out a wardrobe that was both seasonally comfortable and fashionable. The fall had been lovely so far, but the nights had been a bit chilly. Should she go with the leather jacket and skirt? A dress was too thin, even if it gave her a more striking figure. But she’d be inside for most of her time away, too- the light-grey cardigan sweater and dark jeans ended up winning out, allowing for comfort and a relatively fashionable appearance. “What, no perfume?” Lemon Zest asked as Fleur strode out of her bedroom, heading to the bathroom for a quick touchup of her makeup. “You must be taking things slow, I figured you’d try to wow her.” “We’re meeting at the education center, not her dorm room,” Fleur sighed. “A tragedy. Her bed would be so much more comfortable.” “I don’t believe this,” Lemon Zest muttered, her word turning to a low stream of laughter. “Just- out of all people, Fleur. All people-! Twilight. You could have anyone you wanted, for shit’s sake.” “I don’t want anyone,” Fleur said proudly, annoyed that her friend continued to bash her romantic choices. “I want Twilight. And shame on you for not being happy for me.” “I just think it’s weird.” “Zest, just shut up already,” Indigo interjected, trying to focus on a video that flashed across her laptop. “Jeez, I know it’s a mismatch, but chill- Fleur, I swear you better make this work out. We all really want you to relax.” “Oh, I definitely will,” Fleur purred, pausing at the coat rack to ponder her selection of scarves. Was it too much for this early in the fall? “I can’t believe you girls never tried to go after her. Wasn’t she a friend of yours, once?” Indigo pondered the thought, then shrugged. “Too insecure to put up with,” she remarked. “But hey, you do you.” “Oh no Fleur won’t do Fleur,” Lemon Zest objected hotly. “Woman, go get your girl- because I can’t afford new headphones to block your private time out. OK?” Fleur smiled at their well-meaning abrasiveness and departed, positively skipping along the way. Oh, she was going to adore this! Poor Twilight couldn’t imagine what was in store for her. Much to her delight, the Ed Center was rather absent of life, only a trio of students in the far corner speaking amongst themselves to add to the sum of human presence; Fleur could only hope that they were closer to departing than arriving. There in the center of the room, a mass of scratch paper and a laptop beside her, sat Twilight Sparkle. Not yet alerted to her tutee’s presence allowed Fleur a chance to lavish her desires silently, adoring the very sight of this remarkable woman; dressed in little more than a college-themed shirt and sweatpants, her hair falling straight down behind her, the beautiful woman could find no words to properly describe what sat there before her. Oh my gosh, she’s so cute! Perhaps the overflow of muted admiration had somehow caught Twilight’s attention, but the bookish woman suddenly looked up from her laptop and caught sight of her companion, giving a bright smile and wave in recognition before motioning to the seat beside her. “Hey! Good to see you, I was worried you might not show up!” Twilight greeted as Fleur came beside her. “What? And not be around the smartest girl in college?” Fleur asked, another hug of her heart’s desire. “I wouldn’t dare.” Twilight laughed- and Fleur’s heart melted. “You’d be surprised. A lot of people will ask for help and then just never show up. I guess they’ve got other people and places they’d rather be.” “Well, they are missing out,” Fleur said. “You look very pretty, Twilight.” Twilight gave her new companion a strange look, quickly assessing herself and the wardrobe that adorned her skin. “I’m just wearing a shirt and sweatpants. I don’t think that’s supposed to be very pretty, Fleur.” “Then look at you, you overachiever!” Fleur replied. “I’m jealous, you look so comfy…” “It really is, these are definitely my favorite pants. So, umm… you ready to get started? Did you bring your laptop? I figured we’d just go over the homework that’s due for Monday.” Fleur could have gone on for ages; really, she just wanted to keep lavishing praise on Twilight until she somehow found a way to see those clothes come off. But Twilight was trying to be helpful, and she did appreciate that effort. Besides, she had the entire evening to see the job done. She could be patient. “Ooh, OK… this is actually a really hard one, I definitely get why you’re having trouble with this question,” Twilight said some time later, her eyes assessing the latest question with no small level of scrutiny. “Here, we’ll write this one out on paper, maybe that’ll help make it easier to figure out.” “Mm?” Fleur was trying accomplish two focuses at once and failing miserably. Her academic works needed proper attention and she knew it, but Twilight was so darn cute! She would have such adorable little dimples whenever she smiled, her eyes so aglow with a fervor whenever she studied- and even more when Fleur managed to get the question right! She seemed to so effortlessly be nice, and looked even prettier when she was being so. How on earth was one supposed to pay attention to physics when all she wanted to do was get physical? “Here. We’ll start with this part of the formula,” Twilight said, sliding over a bit closer to her companion and beginning to scratch out a series of letters and numbers. That perfume again! Fleur loved tea- wait, did she? She never drank it much, but she would definitely have to now. She’d think of Twilight every time. Maybe she could take her to a tea shop as a date? “OK, so this single string of wire has a resistance of-” Twilight, so focused on the problem at hand, was slow in noticing the distracted presence of the girl beside her. “Tired? We can stop if you need to rest.” “I’m fine,” Fleur said dreamily, shamelessly staring at Twilight with a gaze that couldn’t possibly be ignored. She wanted to caress that sweet face, feel those demure lips against hers, tear those pesky clothes away herself and get to the fun part already! Did public decency really have to matter here? “You keep staring, I don’t think you’re alright,” Twilight remarked. She pushed her laptop and scratchwork aside, gazing at Fleur with concern. “Are you feeling OK? Something bothering you?” “I’m thirsty,” Fleur replied, leaning in a little closer and seeing the gap between them shrink. “Could you, maybe, help me fix that?” “Sure! The water fountain’s just around the corner near the bathrooms, you can’t miss it!” The record scratch that ripped across her mind could have been audible across the spacious room. “What?” “The water fountains. I guess you didn’t bring a water bottle with you,” Twilight said cheerfully. “I guess I could use a stretch, too. I’ve been sitting around all day!” “Oh, if it’s exercise you want, I can help you with that,” Fleur replied, instantly composing herself at this new remark. “I’ll show you how to be flexible.” “That’d be a big help, really. What do you do- yoga?” She was being intentionally ignored and the thought of it was crushing. Surely Twilight couldn’t be missing these obvious signals? “I- I’ll be back in a minute,” Fleur stammered, departing down the halls and appearing to seek out a quick drink. She’s rebuffing me, the beauty silently wailed as she let the cool water touch her lips. She doesn’t want me at all, I know it! I bet she doesn’t even like girls, of course she doesn’t want me, she thinks I’m just a pretty idiot! She’s too smart to be missing what I’m saying! It was a painful thought to bear- but Fleur at least wanted to keep trying for a little bit more. And besides, she did need help with this homework. “Alright, ready to get back to work?” Twilight asked as Fleur returned to her seat, as excited as always at the prospect of further intellectual challenge. “I hope this isn’t boring you too much, I know it can be difficult to pay attention to sometimes.” “Oh, definitely,” Fleur agreed. “I’d much rather pay attention to you.” “That works fine!” the bright-faced woman said. “Here, I’ll write this one out and then you can explain how we got the answer. Does that sound a little easier?” Fleur felt as cold as a stone, knowing nothing about tonight was going to bend to her will in the slightest and she was fairly sure God was laughing at her. Sugarcoat and Indigo were trying their best to be sympathetic- really, they were. Abrasive as their words could be, they genuinely did like Fleur and considered her a friend. Beyond the loud moaning that permeated the last several days of their existence she was a great roommate, and an excellent chef that helped stem the tide of lowly college student meals. They were glad to have her around. So of course they’d tried to be supportive when Fleur had returned home that evening, weeping embarrassed tears and bemoaning how Twilight had rebuffed her every advance. Beyond the sympathy, they all felt a unified sense of dread at the days to come; how on earth were they going to prevent this beautiful woman from being even more of a wreck? “Of course she doesn’t like girls,” Fleur despaired, facedown against the table with her head hidden between her arms. “She was too good to be true, I just knew it.” Sugarcoat and Indigo exchanged a glance, trying to think of a way they could prevent a disaster. A hopeful Fleur had been enough of an embarrassment already- a miserable, moping Fleur was something they didn’t have the imagination or will to experience. “Look,” Indigo said at last, “it’s probably not that. Everyone likes you, Fleur- like to an insane degree, so many people. But she probably didn’t think you were being flirtatious.” “But I was so obvious!” Fleur wailed. “I can’t just start stripping her naked or something, that’d be horrible!” “Well… it was obvious to you,” Sugarcoat replied. “I’m sorry, but you’re in love with an idiot.” Fleur didn’t take kindly to that remark. “She’s the smartest person I’ve ever met! How-” “Yes, she’s an academic genius, I get it,” her friend continued, “but you weren’t around her much in high school. Twilight… she’s got the social sense of a dead slug. Cannot pick up cues to save her life. You thought you were being obvious, but I promise she didn’t catch any of it.” Fleur found herself torn between the desire to continue bathing in her misery and the almost foolhardy hope that maybe her heart’s longing wasn’t yet out of reach. “So she just… thought I was being serious?” “Yeah. Like, a hundred percent,” Sugarcoat said. “You’re basically gonna have to spell it out for her or she won’t get it. Like, all intelligence- no charisma.” “But she’s so sweet. There’s not a mean bone in her whole body,” Fleur said dejectedly. “You’re sure she wasn’t just trying to be nice and avoid it?” “I mean, it’s possible. But I really doubt it. She just won’t have noticed.” Sugarcoat continued to gawk at her friend, mystified that this conversation was even occurring at all- and the subject matter! Fleur could have anyone she wanted, married or single or whatever, and she’d somehow decided to lust for an oblivious nerd. If it hadn’t been for the length of time Twilight had spent in Fleur’s mind, she would’ve figured it was just a phase. “You’re just gonna… have to try again. And be totally straightforward.” “Well, then,” Fleur said, her doubts and despair cast aside in favor of this new potential outcome. “I don’t mind that at all. Heaven knows I know how to get someone’s attention.” “Uh- one last thing,” Indigo added, knowing full well her friend’s flair for the excessive. “Maybe a little restraint? No throwing her on the bed, stuff like that? Take it a bit slow.” She knew it was likely good advice, and a good counter to her desire for a torrid, sexual romanticism. But that only meant it was also exactly what she didn’t want to hear. “Spoilsport,” Fleur said in a huff, “just take all the fun out of it, why don’t you?” Despite her initial worries, the plan began with a smoothness that was almost suspicious. Their study session together hadn’t been entirely unfruitful, Fleur coming away with Twilight’s number even if it was given for academic questions rather than anything steamy. But still- a quick query if she could swing by Twilight’s dorm room regarding a question over class that was swiftly accepted and that was that; she now possessed the excuse she needed. But what to wear? It wasn’t as if she didn’t have plenty of options, although showing up dressed in a thick coat and lingerie underneath did have its appeal; sorting through her wardrobe for a longer time than Indigo could have imagined, Fleur eventually settled on something both fashionable and sensuous, despite her roommate’s objections that such an item was still too much. But why should it be? Fleur loved the look, and she wanted to wow Twilight- at least a little. As she adorned herself in the form-fitting fabric, the beautiful woman couldn’t help but grin in delight; the solitary strap across her shoulder that allowed her form to be just properly exposed, the open back for a little added sensuality, and the slit on the full skirt that fell down at her heels, all an emerald green that so perfectly clashed with her skin and made her whole body shine. “She’ll love it!” Fleur squeed. “And- holy jeez, you look hot!” Lemon Zest was the solitary member of their quartet still remaining at home that evening, now left stunned by the sudden and brilliant reminder of her friend’s capability for extreme beauty. “Uh, I- wait, that’s what you’re wearing to Twilight’s place?” “It fits the occasion, or at least it will before the night’s done,” Fleur said smoothly. “What do you think?” “I think you’re gonna get gawked at wherever you walk,” Lemon Zest answered bluntly. “Where on earth are you planning to even go?” “That’s a secret. And a surprise for Twilight,” Fleur said, taking a moment to adjust herself in the bathroom mirror. “Don’t you worry about me, I’ll be fine.” “What, not even a hint?” “Not this time,” was the answer. “Have a good night, Zesty! Don’t stay up all night playing video games, alright?” “Like you’ve got the right to tell me what to do with my private time!” Fleur was grateful for the speedy arrival of her ride, the coolness of fall beginning to descend on her collegiate dwellings in force. The driver was a rather friendly soul as well, eager to chat and –astoundingly- even willing to wait for Fleur to return with her awaiting companion, an extra $50 given in gratitude for his patience. She could hardly believe her luck at how things were going, and the night had only just started! Fleur’s short walk through the dormitory halls was an illuminating one; the place seemed cleaner, quieter, and even more sophisticated than the one in which she now dwelled, an air of tranquil calm that seemed to so fiercely clash with the common college experience. Fleur knew her parents had paid a rather expensive fee for her residence hall, and that was being shared with three other girls; what sort of money was Twilight paying to live in a place this nice? I guess I might ask. She found Twilight’s abode nestled in the back corner, well away from any entryways that could offer excess noise. Anyone who was back here was burdened by purpose, and Fleur was certainly weighted down with that. She couldn’t help but be nervous- that was fine, right? Who wasn’t nervous when they were trying to get their dreamgirl out on a date with them, and also maybe under her sheets for added measure? She just wanted Twilight to really, really like- well, her. Had anyone really ever? The sound of a lock sliding back and Twilight appeared at the door, her features aglow in welcome and a peaceful beauty. “Fleur, hello! It’s good- oh wow, you look amazing!” Twilight cast the door open and stared at her guest wide-eyed, apparently left awed by the sight that now stood before her. “Jeez, I feel underdressed! Here I am just in shorts and a hoodie, look at you!” The overlarge hoodie paired well with Twilight’s legwear, the entire ensemble positively cute to behold; Fleur couldn’t help but envy the level of comfort the lovely girl had achieved with something so simple. “You definitely look comfortable. I hope I didn’t interrupt your evening.” “You didn’t, don’t worry! I was just about to settle in and read for a bit,” Twilight said, gesturing to the cup of tea that sat atop a thick book of intimidating proportions. “Honestly, I think you probably came at a perfect time. Right before I could sit down!” So she wasn’t yet encumbered by any activity of leisure just yet! The scent of blood was in the water, and the flawless beauty was swiftly transforming into a hungering predator. The odds of her goal being achieved was steadily rising, as though lady luck had descended from on high and blessed her evening’s endeavors. “You don’t have anything planned for the evening? Twilight, it’s Friday!” “Oh, I know,” the cheerful girl said with a shrug. “I’m not a big social butterfly, and my scholarship got me a room to myself. So, you know- kinda like to be a shut-in after a long week.” “What a crime, keeping yourself locked away from everyone,” Fleur said in a scandalized gasp. “The whole world doesn’t know they’re missing out. I think we need to change that!” “It’s alright, really. I don’t mind too much.” Twilight seemed to mean it, perfectly at ease in her solitude. “I keep up with my friends from CHS, and I help people out throughout the week with things. I know a lot of people go out on weekends, but… well, it’s a bit loud for my tastes. I like something a little more relaxed.” “What a coincidence, so do I!” Fleur said delightedly, grasping her companion by the hand and holding tight to keep her ensnared. “All that noise and drunken silliness can be a bit gaudy, don’t you think? I was actually on my way to a lovely little bistro when I stopped by- oh, Twilight! You should come with me!” “Wait, what? Fleur!” Twilight’s comfortable appearance promptly became nerve-wracked, the prospect of a new experience an intimidating thought. “I mean, look at how you’re dressed, I don’t- aren’t you going somewhere really fancy?” “Oh, don’t you try and tell me that you wouldn’t fit in,” Fleur admonished, already walking over to the nearby closet doors and throwing them open. “Now, I know just the sort of styles that will be perfect for the evening, so let me just… aha! Now this would be lovely!” Indeed it was, even to the touch; a classically designed cocktail gown, sleeveless and prepared to give its wearer a graceful appearance akin to the women of yesteryear. Lacking sleeves, and a slight V-neck gave it just the right amount of modernity while still retaining its tasteful design. It was a beautiful outfit all on its own, and the idea that it would soon adorn Twilight so perfectly was a salivating thought. She couldn’t possibly let the opportunity slide! “Twilight, I’m sure this would be perfect on you. Wherever did you get it?” “Huh? Oh, my Mom. It was a gift for graduation day, back in high school,” Twilight answered. “I… never really have much of a reason to wear it.” “Well you certainly do tonight,” Fleur assured her. “I’d be delighted to see you in it- and our ride’s waiting for us outside! Come on, we’ll have a splendid time!” Twilight regarded the dress that now hung from her hands with uncertainty, an expression soon shared with her eager companion. “Are… are you sure you want me to go with you?” she asked at last. “I wouldn’t wish for anyone else,” Fleur replied delightedly, her hands diving into the depths of her purse and extracting her own personal makeup kit. “Get dressed, and quickly as you can! You’ll be the talk of the town before night’s end!” The welcoming warmth of the evening lights across the bistro floor gave the small wine bar a feeling of incredible comfort and sophistication; a light, barely audible string of notes echoed from speakers hidden from sight and gently caressed the ears that heard it. Darkened colors of the brick muted the soft orange bulbs that hung overhead, while the black marble of the nearby bar reflected the dimness in perfect harmony onto black wood that consumed it all entirely. The people that surrounded them were held close about small tables that only just gave room for all the glasses and miniature plates that were there to tempt their palate, only further adding to the cozy atmosphere and beckoning for those within to enjoy its quiet solitude from the rest of the world. Nestled far to the back of the building, beside a towering cabinet of wines that awaited their selection from eager guests, sat a young pair of women about a high-seating table, one letting her eyes look about the place in which she now dwelled while the other had eyes only for the girl with whom she sat. Fleur gazed at Twilight with no small amount of lavishness, amazed that this pretty thing she adored had somehow become all the more lovely. The warm lights that hung about them so perfectly contrasted against her dark colors, both dress and hair adorning her so magnificently and giving Twilight the appearance of being basked in starlight, an endless ocean that bore faint pinpricks of lights. How had she managed to find someone so pretty? “How… how am I going to afford this?” Twilight mused, looking as though she were in a daze. “This looks so expensive, oh my gosh.” “Nonsense! You’ll needn’t pay a thing,” Fleur said, waving away the very thought. “I’ll be glad to treat you, don’t you worry.” Twilight’s wandering eyes snapped back to her companion. “But- Fleur, you can’t!” “Can- and will,” she said sleekly. “Please, Twilight. It’d be my pleasure.” The classically dressed woman across from her seemed to struggle with the offer, unable or unwilling to accept the outpouring of generosity. “I… OK,” she said meekly. “You are really rich, aren’t you?” Fleur shrugged. “My family has been very lucky, that’s all.” They were actually quite rich, but she hardly felt like that mattered. What was the point of keeping that money to yourself? “Have you ever been to a wine bar before?” “N-no, I haven’t,” Twilight said. “I like to have some on the weekends every now and then, but… you know, college student budget. The scholarship only pays for school.” “Well, do you trust me?” Twilight’s nod set Fleur to glowing. “Wonderful. I’ll order for both of us.” Twilight’s smile remained uncertain, but now possessed a flicker of excitement in anticipation of a new experience, the sight of it a delight to the spirit of her beautiful companion. A small movement beyond and the sight of a dutiful server heading their direction was the cue to make a swift selection. Something romantic, Fleur promptly decided. Make yourself obvious. “Hi,” she greeted the pleasant-faced man who came beside their table. “We’re actually ready if you are.” “Glad to hear it. What’s on your mind?” he replied. Fleur stole a look over at Twilight and winked. “Two glasses of the Valmoissine, if you please- and two charcuterie boards as well. The pâté, proscuitto, and… manchego.” “Excellent choice, be back in just a moment with the wine.” Their server left them behind in a flash, a smugly smiling Fleur and an impressed Twilight in his wake. “You knew that almost instantly,” Twilight remarked. “You must know this sort of stuff really well.” “My mother is a socialite. She made sure to teach me everything I’d need to know about people and formal settings,” Fleur explained. “What to eat, to drink, anything you could think of. I’d like to see it put to use someday.” “How so?” “Politics, I hope,” Fleur answered. “Not a senator or mayor, but perhaps an ambassador. Something that would help people talk to one another.” Twilight regarded her companion. “That… would actually really suit you,” she said. “I bet you’d be great at it.” It was the first compliment Twilight had given her, and she held to it like a child clutching their favorite toy. “Oh? How so?” “Well because you’re so beautiful, people just want to agree with you!” Twilight’s eyes immediately flashed wide and her face began to flush red. “I’m sorry, that sounded really bad. I didn’t mean like you were manipulative or anything.” Fleur hadn’t even considered that to be an option, more focused on Twilight considering her beautiful than any other sort of foolishness. Two compliments in a row? Maybe there was reason to hope after all. “Oh, do you really think I’m pretty, Twilight?” she asked softly. Twilight stared at her as though she were mad. “You might be the most beautiful person on earth!” she said. “Of course I think you’re pretty, Fleur.” Heaven. Absolute heaven, and it had come down to rest upon her heart so fiercely that she could hear the angels singing. “Thank you so much. You’re so sweet,” Fleur breathed, positively beaming. “That means a lot, coming from you.” Twilight gave a small laugh at the passionate remark. “You’re welcome. After all, we’re friends, aren’t we?” And an immediate thud somewhere down to the depths. “Beg pardon?” “Well, I mean, I hope we are,” Twilight added. “I know we didn’t talk much in high school, but it’s been nice to be with you here. I think I missed out.” Fleur was a creature of subtlety, a lady of standing who had been impressed to not speak openly of personal matters. In the matter of an instant, all of her years of social education was immediately flung out the window like a sack of garbage. “Twilight, are you actually serious?” The brilliant girl paused, fearful. “Did- do you not want to be friends?” “I was hoping more for girlfriends. Romantically, I mean,” Fleur said, pausing in her efforts as their glasses were set before them. “I’d like this to be our first date.” Twilight could do little more than gawk, stunned into silence by the brash proclamation of her companion’s romantic advances. As the depth of the message began to sink in her face flushed a deep crimson, the smile on her face wide and embarrassed. “Umm… wow… Fleur, you’re not- do you really like me that way?” “Deeply. Ravenously. I adore you, Twilight,” Fleur replied, sending her already-sheepish companion into further depths. “I have spent every day since the semester started trying to figure out how to tell you, if you must know.” “Wow,” Twilight said again, staring at Fleur with stars in her eyes. “I mean- wow. But, well… why me?” “For starters?” Fleur asked, a sip of wine to help spur her tongue. “You are the nicest person I have ever met; I can hardly imagine you being mean. Secondly, I admire your mind, for I think you’re also the most intelligent person I’ve ever known. And you possess such a classic sort of prettiness, like an actress from yesteryear. How could I hope to resist you?” Twilight had managed to descend to shades of red darker than even her wine could match, the praise heaped upon her unlike anything she’d ever heard. “Oh my gosh… umm, thank you. I just- I never knew you thought of me like that.” “I could hardly resist telling you, anyway,” Fleur remarked. “I was starting to worry I’d never even get the chance.” Those lovely eyes looked over the rim of her glasses, mere slits that still fully betrayed all the longing she held for the woman opposite her. “I hope you don’t mind.” Twilight still stewed in her shock, little more than a flustered mess in a lovely dress as she struggled to comprehend the idea that this beautiful creature before her held a romantic flame for her. “Mind- mind?” she spluttered. “What, no- no, I don’t mind. I really like it.” “You do?” Fleur went breathless, her heart swelling as she was given answer in the form of Twilight’s sheepish nod. “Oh, wonderful! A toast, then; to our lovely evening together!” The rest of the evening couldn’t have gone better even if she had made a personal plea before the thrones of heaven. Their worlds so separate became intertwined, Fleur’s familiarity with finery allowing her to gently lead her heart’s desire through the evening with grace. She thoroughly enjoyed every moment, reveling in the pleasure Twilight took in each new novelty that came before her; a wondrous contrast to the admiration she held for the lovely woman’s obvious brilliance, fascinated by her ability to expound on numerous subjects with ease. That unbound enthusiasm she so easily displayed, occasionally putting Twilight through a sense of embarrassment, was something she enjoyed seeing. It was comforting to watch: no feigned interest in her companion’s words, no subduing of her own fervor, no liking things simply because one was supposed to. To be with Twilight was as refreshing as the spring rain. Like all good things, the evening was forced to come to an end, the two women slightly set abuzz by their evening’s enjoyment, Twilight far more mellowed than her beautiful counterpart. A quick ride up the road and they’d soon arrived back at Twilight’s residence hall, Fleur departing from the vehicle to see her new beau safely back- and perhaps gain a little privacy just in case. “That was fun. Thanks for inviting me,” Twilight said as they slowly made their way down the hall towards her solitary abode. “I haven’t done anything like that in a while.” “Like what?” “Like… well, a date,” came the shamefaced confession. “It was nice, though. And I got to spend it with you, so that’s nice, too.” “I hope it’s not our only one together,” Fleur said. “After all, I enjoyed being with you tonight. I’d hate for it to be just a one-off.” I- I guess we could.” Twilight fell against her door and tried to conceal her stream of surprised, somewhat inebriated giggles. “I just still- you really like me, that is so weird.” “You think I’m weird, Twilight?” Fleur teased, taking a stance before her companion and keeping her pinned to the door. “Why, that rather hurts.” Twilight laughed and immediately went from amusement to horror. “No, of course not! I'm just shocked that you like me of all people.” “Oh, I definitely do. And just in case- if you think I’m joking…” Fleur’s silken words fell to the wayside as her arm was pinned to Twilight’s side, the slit on her dress thrown wide as she leaned in and pressed her beautiful, flawless form against that of her partner, the magnificent breasts she bore summoning all of the intelligent woman's attentions for a mere heartbeat. As the young woman’s eyes went wide so Fleur’s sealed gently closed, her lips brought to Twilight’s in a deep, unmistakable, most definitely passionate kiss. She’d waited too long for this moment, waiting and dreaming for the feel of Twilight against her; the residual hint of wine on her lips, the subtle taste of her lip gloss that still remained, the gentle pressure that she possessed… her eyes opened just a tinge to see the object of her desire melt and swoon at this blissful, wondrously romantic union- the wondrous beauty couldn’t resist returning for one more, another, and then one last taste of Twilight’s lips before at last relenting. “Ooh, that was sexy.” Twilight was left breathless, in a daze by the hunger that had been within their kiss, little more than a melted fluster of emotions that couldn’t even summon strength to speak. Smile, perhaps, but even that only just. “See you Sunday for brunch?” Fleur suggested. “Sleep well, Twilight. I’ll be dreaming about you.” Her smile was all aglow with the rapturous mix of mischievous delight and sultry desire at last given room to breathe as she waved goodbye and strode away, the memory given strength in permanence when she heard the awestruck, delirious wheeze of Twilight’s voice: “Wow.”
3. MeltdownShe had never heard of valerian root before a liquidized version of it was set before her in a steaming mug, the earthen aroma of the freshly crafted brew weaving its way through her senses and registering as a pleasant one. The appearance of the mild drink enticed her, its thin layer of wafting steam pleading like a beckoning finger for her to come take a sip. Instead, Fleur simply curled her fingers about the handle and let the saucer sit peacefully upon her palm; this calming treat would need to settle before she plundered its depths. Besides, she was plenty occupied with the enjoyment of her current company. “Let me know what you think of it,” Twilight said, settling into her recliner with a filled teacup of her own in hand. “I haven’t had valerian tea in a long while, so I don’t know how it’ll be.” “It certainly smells lovely,” the beauteous woman remarked, a flowing sense of tranquility coursing through her body as she breathed in more and more of the woody scent. “Funny to think, too, seeing as the actual plant smells terrible,” Twilight said. “I honestly can’t believe someone decided to make a tea out of it.” Fleur couldn’t imagine a scenario that would bring such a thing about either, but was glad to share it with the woman she cherished. It had become their little ritual to end the evening, the two spending the dying hours of the day in the solitude of Twilight’s dorm room with a nice cuppa to help soothe the stress and worries of their collegiate world. They would study together, talk with one another, relax together, or Fleur would simply flirt with Twilight until the poor girl blushed red. She enjoyed herself, at the very least. Twilight was lovely company in just about every way: cordial, engaging, and so very appealing to the eye. And the more time Fleur spent with her, the more she enjoyed the remarkable woman’s soothing presence over the nigh-constant freneticism of her own dorm. Here she could think clearly, and the feeling was a treasured one. “You should be able to start drinking now,” Twilight said. “It kinda needs to settle for a little while before the flavor will intensify, so…” “Cheers, Sweets,” Fleur said, a wink to her companion and she raised the steaming cup to her lips alongside Twilight, the two taking a slow, full sip of the brew within. She allowed it to settle on her tongue, the heat and flavor intermingling and firing their effects upon her senses. What was she tasting? Hmmm… Fleur looked over at Twilight, and Twilight’s flat gaze turned itself to Fleur; in an instant, they both pulled a face and swallowed with clear and obvious dissatisfaction. “OK,” Twilight remarked. “That was… yeah, that wasn’t so good.” Fleur regarded her cup and saw just how much left she would have to swallow down if she were to drain the contents within to empty, an idea no longer all that appetizing. “It was worth a try, at the very least,” she said. “But I think I would have to agree.” “It’s supposed to really help you sleep, too. I figured it’d be a nice way to close out the day, but…” Twilight sighed and went to the sink, pouring out her contents with an air of severe disappointment. “Sorry.” “Don’t be, Sweets. You only wanted to try something new, it’s hardly your fault it didn’t work out,” Fleur soothed, coming to her girlfriend’s side as she echoed Twilight’s act. “I certainly appreciate the gesture.” “I’ll try to grab something else tomorrow, then.” Twilight pondered in her own thoughts for a moment before adding, “There’s that tea and spice shop down near the market. I know they have a really nice lemon flavored one that I liked, I’ll probably go get that instead.” “I hope you don’t mind me tagging along,” said her graceful companion. “I haven’t been to the market in quite a while, I’d love have you there with me.” Twilight immediately began to nod- and then her expression became suspecting, scrutinizing Fleur’s offer. “Fleur?” “Yes?” “You’re not going to try and buy it for me, are you?” “Mmm… and what if I find that fun?” Fleur teased, making no effort to hide her intentions. “I just might like it. I just might like you, too.” “Fleur, you can’t just keep doing that,” Twilight protested. “Come on, I’m grateful you want to, but- don’t just spend all your money on me, OK?” It was true that the beautiful heiress had been the one footing the bill for every date they’d had, not once minding that Twilight’s fare was thrown her way; she had money to spare. What hadn’t occurred to her was the idea that Twilight might not appreciate the continued generosity. “But I like doing it. I really do, Twilight,” she countered. “You don’t think I’m trying to show off or anything, do you? I promise I just want to be kind.” “No, I don’t think you’re showing off, I just… you just don’t have to do it every time, OK?” Twilight said. “It’s alright to let me spend a little money, I swear.” Fleur knew that Twilight meant no malice with her words. She was a fair-minded person, after all. But to say that the great beauty did not take them as a wound would be untrue; after years and years of holding her fondness for this lovely woman inside, she’d relished the opportunity to lavish her affections upon her in every manner she could achieve, whether it be through gifts and monetary means or the simple acts of physical affection that were a prize to her own spirit as well. To think that Twilight might not want them… The fun was being sucked out of the evening and she could feel it, the contentment she had felt only a short while ago evaporating like the morning mist. Fleur had done her best to ignore the issue, but Twilight never seemed to be comfortable with any romantic gesture Fleur gave to her, almost a fear whenever such an act came about. The eager heiress had tried her best to not be overwhelming, to let her love run wild- she certainly wanted to ravish Twilight, but had done her very best to be a little more subdued. She hadn’t gone overboard, had she? Pushed Twilight away instead? The lavender-haired woman stifled a yawn and surveyed the deepening darkness that swept across the world outside her window. “I’m sorry, Fleur, but I’m super tired tonight. I think I’m gonna go to bed. See you tomorrow?” “You certainly will,” Fleur assured her, cupping that lovely face in her hands and bringing lips together for the kiss she craved. Gentler than their first, sweeter and meant to be soft; she could feel Twilight’s weariness lessen, a small amount of her own will pouring into the gesture through the moment. As though her own desire was being intentionally kept subdued… “Ooh…” Twilight came away from the kiss with mists within her eyes, staring up at Fleur with a strange expression of confliction on her intelligent features. Hands that had been held to those of her lover were slow to relinquish themselves, a weakening of separation that came about by hesitancy. “I…” “Good night, Twilight,” Fleur breathed, more than a little unhappy that she couldn’t just stay the night. Twilight’s bed looked so comfortable, and just the right size for two to share and cuddle close. She so desperately wanted to ask… “Y- goodnight, Fleur.” Twilight’s movements were mechanical, forced, but she was free. And in a few moments, the two were separate. Why did Twilight never initiate any act of affection herself? Fleur tossed and turned throughout the night, sleep constantly interrupted by the bombardment of emotions that came by grappling with the question. Perhaps it was immature girlishness that had pushed to this point, but she knew for a fact that she loved Twilight. They’d only been dating for a month, true- but what was she supposed to do? Not adore her? Not admire that brilliant mind that excelled so effortlessly? To not melt at the sight of the smile that adorned that lovely face? Not to cherish the sound of her voice, the feel of her, the continuous warmth that felt like the softness of candlelight? Fleur loved Twilight- and hated the thought that it might not really matter. Twilight never initiated contact with her, was always the recipient but never the benefactress. Consistently friendly, but never flirtatious or openly romantic. She hadn’t objected to their relationship as of yet… but she never seemed to make anything of it. The thought was hurtful; Fleur wanted to feel Twilight, she dreamed of that woman reaching for her and loving her. Did Twilight think she couldn’t be adequate in that regard? A stupid thought, if she believed it; Fleur would be in raptures if Twilight gave her something so simple as a kiss. But if Twilight just didn’t actually like her very much- that one would hurt. Her daily schedule of classes came to an end and Fleur took temporary residence in the lane between buildings, an always chaotic thoroughfare of human presence and chatter that never faded until late into the night. She knew that Twilight’s last class still had ten minutes to go, and so she waited and let herself be soothed by the deepening coolness of the fall. It was a sunny day out, but not even the bright star above could bring a greater warmth to the briskness that chilled her skin. Not yet cold, but she rather liked this intermediary between the two. Not to mention, the fall fashion was always so fun to wear! Scarves had always been an enjoyable accessory to her tastes. A flash of the familiar on the stairs above and Fleur started- a smile blooming to life as she saw Twilight making her way down towards her, hands full as she sorted through her notes and let her mind be consumed by the information inscribed upon them. Knowledge of any kind, like an unconquerable vortex, always found a way to envelop her thoughts. It was a primacy of the mind that could always fascinate her attentions in a way little else in the world could hope to equal. Fleur, however, didn’t mind the challenge. The distraction already set in place, a swift pace to meet the occupied woman at the bottom of the stairs was all that was needed, she there to meet Twilight the moment her foot set upon the path once more. A hand that came to that lovely face and the unsuspecting girl gave a start and a small sound of surprise that was soon made muffled by eager lips finding their pair. So she was in public, endless pairs of wandering eyes able to see her grace the woman she adored with affection- so what? Let them stare all they wanted. If anything, she wanted them to know full well just to who she belonged, and vice versa. Let them be jealous. Twilight came away from Fleur’s kiss of greeting with a pink flush to her features, gaze wide and somewhat starry from the suddenness of the movement. “Oh- hi,” she said, perhaps a little breathlessly. “Hi,” Fleur said, slithering her way to the young woman’s side and seeing their arms interlocked. “Have fun in class?” “I did. How about you?” “Not a bit. I wasn’t with you,” she said. “But now that that’s remedied…” Twilight couldn’t fully stand under the weight of Fleur’s attentions, the shades of pink that still possessed their places upon her features turning a deeper shade, but now softened by a bashful grin. “Stop, oh my gosh. We’re in public.” “Mmm, I know,” Fleur whispered, a kiss on the cheek to heighten the moment, feeling the probing eyes of those about them that only seemed to spur her on. “It’s too bad for them; they didn’t try to get you when they had the chance.” The soft giggle that came from her lips did little to speak of ease. “I don’t think I’m the one they’re staring at,” Twilight mumbled. The answer was, as much as Fleur wished otherwise, probably true; she knew full well just how many people were willing to look at her, to carry on with gawking and lustful stares. But she would not cede ground entirely, a small Hmph! to scoff at the degrading remark. “They’re looking at both of us, of course! And who could blame them? We’re the hottest item they’ve ever laid eyes on.” Twilight looked as though she wished to protest but instead let the words die before they escaped her lips, an expression of unusual melancholy instead being born upon her face. “I- we should get moving,” was her only reply. “Alright, then. Would you mind if we stopped by my room for a bit? I’d like to drop off my things before we go.” Her messenger bag wasn’t particularly weighted down, but why bring along anything unnecessary? “That’s fine.” The walk through campus somehow became all the better in the presence of such lovely company. The sun’s rays felt a little warmer, the natural things of the world became all the more beautiful, each sound and sight of the ordinary now something special that was there to be enjoyed. Fleur loved it, at last content in the presence of the woman she’d craved since she was a teenager; how many people could claim that sort of happiness? She rather wondered if perhaps she should pinch herself and ensure it was not indeed a dream. “I’m guessing the girls are done with class for the day?” Twilight asked as they entered the residence hall, immediately pressed upon by the cacophony of sound that came from the countless souls within. “Indigo and the others?” “At least for now. Zesty has an evening class because she hates mornings,” Fleur answered. “It’s why she might fail her History class, it’s at eight in the morning and she just naps through it.” “Yes, that… that sounds like her,” Twilight said. “We’ll be really quick, right?” “Of course! Thanks for being patient with me, I didn’t want to drag this thing around.” A quick slide of a card and the door light flashed green- unlocked and ready to be opened. As per usual form, Fleur strode through the threshold of the dorm room and found her roommates occupying their usual spots: Lemon Zest entranced by the chaotic action of a video game that raced by on the TV, Sugarcoat typing away on a laptop with her back to the door, and the light in Fleur’s room gave away the presence of Indigo lounging quietly within. It was not until the door closed that any of them gave notice to the new arrivals, Sugarcoat turning from her work for the briefest moment to give recognition to the pair with a small wave before promptly resuming her typing. “Thanks for the biscuits this morning, Fleur,” she said. “You’re welcome. Sorry if they weren’t my best,” Fleur replied. Sugarcoat shrugged. “Not like I wasn’t gonna eat them.” Lemon Zest, distracted from her favorite pastime by the sound of conversation behind her, turned about to see what was the matter. “Look who’s here! Hey, Twilight, long time no see. Man, you look like you’ve got something on your mind for sure.” “Hey, Lemon Zest,” Twilight said, an even tone to her words; it was a subtle movement, but Fleur felt the gap between she and her widen, a slight shrinking of Twilight’s form as though crumpling under pressure. “Doing alright?” “As always. Still way too much into books and school? You always did want to be freaky smart.” Twilight could only nod to that; there was a strangeness in the air now, Fleur left mystified as to the reason why. “We’ll only be a minute, just dropping by bag off before we head to Market Street. Would you girls like me to bring anything back?” “Mountain Dew-” “Market Street, not the grocery, jackass,” Sugarcoat cut in- “I’m good, thanks.” “And me too, Fleur,” Sugarcoat added. “Appreciate the offer, though.” A nod, then a quick dip into the seclusion of her bedroom, Indigo residing atop her unkempt bed as she rocked to the rhythm of an unknown beat that poured from her headphones, a small start as she caught sight of the two women entering to the room within, a relaxed expression transforming into one of deep discomfort. “Oh, Twilight… hey.” “Hey…” Neither of the two could seem to look the other in the eye, the pressure in the room rising like steam caught in a pipe; As Fleur unpacked her bag and began to put her things away, both Indigo and Twilight remained rooted to their respective places, unable to break the tension that kept them bound nor capable of resuming their efforts of before. Twilight bit her lip and kept her eyes absolutely fixed on her girlfriend, unwilling to put her gaze elsewhere. Indigo would not dare to lay eyes on a single soul, seeking out the inanimate and giving them her fullest focus rather than anything that moved and breathed. “Alright, that’s everything,” Fleur said, wiping her hands free of any dust and turning back to her beloved. “Ready to go?” “Mhm.” Twilight’s response was prompt, swift. “Umm… see you, Indigo.” “Uh- later...” Indigo could still face no one, not an eye in their direction until they were at last out of sight. As they made for the door to depart, Lemon Zest turned from the TV and called, “Wow, that was quick. Have fun, Twilight! Hold on to her while you can!” Fleur would have sworn she felt a fire ignite somewhere in her brain, snapping about to give her roommate a ferocious glare that left no doubt as to what she thought of such a statement; Her gesture was of no avail, as Lemon Zest simply shrugged off whatever criticisms the besotted beauty had to offer and returning her attentions back to the TV. Their shopping trip seemed to carry an aura of gloom about it, despite the shining rays of the sun that fell down to meet them. Fleur’s anger was a rare sight, and often slow to awaken; Lemon Zest’s departing barb had roused it fully to life, however, and the heavy fire that now burned was not apt to be so easily extinguished. In contrast was Twilight’s cold silence, a total lack of emotion affixed to her normally relaxed form. Fleur’s memories of youthful days not so far gone felt a dim flicker of recognition, comparing it to the young girl she’d first fallen for in high school: those slumped shoulders, that emptiness of spirit- it all looked terribly familiar to days when she had been at Crystal Prep. Dammit, Lemon Zest, how could you? Fleur snarled mutely. Unbelievable, so cruel. As if I’d leave Twilight at the drop of a hat! She couldn’t decide which wild side of her emotions was going to win out- her anger at Lemon Zest, or her sympathy for Twilight’s spirit. She hated the idea that Twilight might have actually believed what had been cast her way, too. But then again, Fleur thought as the pair perused through the shop’s assortment of teas, it would be rather fun to make sure she knows that. “Fleur?” Twilight’s voice was quiet, deflated. “Yes, Sweets?” Fleur’s anger was dissipating, washed away by the excitement of a brand new idea that turned her tone to a honeyed sweetness. “Are… how long have you been friends with Indigo and the others?” “Oh, for a few years,” Fleur answered, leaning in to read the miniscule print on a teabag, “Are they any different from how you knew them?” Twilight grimaced. “Not really, no. Well- maybe a little bit, though.” “I hope you don’t think I’m the same silly girl I was in high school,” Fleur drawled. “Heaven knows I barely had any sense to me.” “You were fine, I think. I guess I really didn’t know you all that well back then.” “You could always get to know me a little better,” was the reply, Fleur giving the shop a swift look-over to see who was where: the sole employee present had just turned to head back somewhere behind the counter, leaving them alone. She definitely couldn’t resist now. “A little more personally?” “What do you-” Twilight turned to face the cause of her confusion and promptly began to splutter; fingers slipped beneath fabric and tugged, Fleur rolling up her top to reveal a braless pair of voluptuous breasts that not even the gods could have hoped to match. Splendidly busty and perfect to the eye, a tantalizing offer of carnal pleasure for the girl who now could only stand stupefied by the bidding that lay there for her to claim. “I- umm. Uhm.” “You don’t have to look if you want,” Fleur purred, her free hand taking Twilight from her comatose state and guiding her hand to the perfect place for a good fondle. “I’d rather you touch instead.” “We’re in public.” Twilight somehow managed to choke out the words from a tightened throat, growing more red and breathless by the second. “Mmm, I know.” Fleur pulled the speechless woman in closer to her hungering form, those lidded eyes aflutter and beckoning for Twilight to give her that carnal release. “Why don’t you take me somewhere so we can be alone? Get to really know each other…” Twilight ogled Fleur’s pristine mounds, as though her sight was bound to their presence alone- and then suddenly came to life, pulling back and away from the eager offering. “We’re gonna get caught!” She’d rushed away from Fleur’s offered body so quickly. Instantly, almost with a force behind the action. “Twilight, I was just-” “Just stop, OK? Please?” Twilight looked stricken, somehow more upset from Fleur’s actions than she had been my Lemon Zest’s parting jab. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Without another word she departed, heading out the door only to come right back and return the teabag she had accidentally held onto before truly leaving both shop and a very heartbroken Fleur de Lis behind. It wasn’t something her mind could hope to understand. What had Twilight even been upset about in the first place? Fleur had meant every word, every gesture. She’d been craving the feel of Twilight upon her for so long- and then to have the pleasure denied her! The memory was sickening to her spirit, her stomach put to a knot that felt impossible to unravel. She half-wondered if she might be ill. Fleur returned to her room after a fashion, quietly shutting the door and simply laying down upon the bedsheets in a heap. She felt dispirited, drained, and just about every other negative emotion in the book. Twilight had quite blatantly rejected her, even after a month of a steady relationship. Had she felt forced into it, perhaps? Fleur had tried her best not to be pushy, despite her eagerness for such a thing. Was this why Twilight never seemed to reciprocate all the hugs and kisses she gave, didn’t ever initiate herself? Did Twilight just not like her at all? A month ago, that thought would have been painful, but at least bearable; now, it would be soul-crushing. “Are you sure you don’t want any help?” Indigo remained across the room on her bed, keeping an eye on her disconsolate roommate. “I’m really sorry, Fleur. Honest.” “I just don’t get it,” she said in a flat voice. “I thought we were doing fine. But she didn’t want to-” Just trying to say it hurt. Indigo shuffled in her seat. “Look, umm… I- I might know a reason why she backed off. Just maybe.” “How?” “I mean… me, Sugarcoat, Zest- we were her friends once. And now we’re your roommates.” “So?” Fleur asked. “I don’t get it.” Indigo rocked back and forth in her place, avoiding looking Fleur in the eye. “I mean- nevermind.” The beautiful girl frowned; the fretfulness of Fleur’s spirit was not keen on letting her rest peacefully. She’d initially tried to simply sleep away the pain and instead was granted little more than a gnawing in her stomach. Even speaking about what had transpired to the only other truly mature person in the dorm wasn’t offering much relief. The only person who could resolve the issue was the one who’d walked away from her in the first place, and she wasn’t at all sure of whether or not Twilight would ever even talk to her again. But she most definitely did need to know. “I’m going to her place,” Fleur declared, popping to her feet in a snapping motion from her seat atop the bed. Indigo was taken aback by the sudden decision. “Wait, what? You’re going- Fleur, are you serious?” “Do you not want me to be with her or something?” the words were as much a challenge as they were a question. “Not what I mean. It’s kinda close to midnight at this point, don’t you think it’s a bit late?” “I don’t care. I can’t just sit here and wait, I’m sorry,” Fleur said, shuffling through clothes as fast as her fingers could trace the fabric. “I’m going to go over there and then…” “Uh, do what, exactly?” Indigo asked, almost fearfully- A hand at last settled upon a chosen garment, summoning them forth and letting them be displayed in all their glory- Indigo didn’t know whether she should applaud or groan. “So much for subtlety.” The coat she now wore was a necessity, the sun’s warmth long gone from the world of night. Fleur’s stride was hurried, purposeful, but not yet a run despite her inclination to do so. It was a fair point that this spur-of-the-moment decision wasn’t exactly a stellar one, but she just couldn’t take it. She needed to know, and she needed to know now. It was more than just Twilight that concerned her, but just something so much worse. Not her, too. Please, not her, too. To little surprise, the residence hall was rather darkened and dimly lit, halls empty and more or less bereft of life as she walked down the way towards Twilight’s door. Fleur possessed no speech, no words prepared, but knew exactly what she wanted to accomplish. Politics and politeness be damned, there was no way she wasn’t going to get the point across! Her knock against the painted wood was hurried, even frantic- “Please, it’s late!” Twilight’s voice came through muffled but still audible, her displeasure and anxiety at this sudden rush of attention to her quarters not at all welcome. “Is it an emergency?” “Twilight, it’s me. Fleur?” She tried not to sound pleading, but the effort wasn’t exactly her best. Emotions had a way of undoing her supposed poise. There was silence- then the door swung open in a flash, Twilight standing there in her pink pajamas and staring at Fleur in no small amount of shock. “Fleur, what on- why are you here, it’s past midnight!” “Can- can we talk, please?” Fleur asked, squirming where she stood. She ached at the sight of this girl, heart melted and turned to mush at the sight of her so serene and sweet. “I- I guess,” Twilight said, making way for Fleur to enter and trying to stifle a yawn. “Are you OK, is something wrong? Are the girls mad at you for someth-” Fleur turned on Twilight the moment the door swung shut. “I want to have sex with you.” “Did they try to tell you to break up with- wait, what?” Twilight looked as though she couldn’t actually believe she’d heard Fleur correctly. “I want to sleep with you right this instant, Twilight.” A pull of the sash about her coat and it was dropped to the ground to reveal- “Fleur- oh wow.” Twilight gasped at the sight of Fleur garbed in fine lingerie, purest white and so beautiful to the eye that it had transformed the beautiful woman into an angel. Lines of lace across them, long stockings that led to frilled garters, bound to an exquisite bustier that was made of thin filaments of silk, perfectly see-through and only just hiding the magnificent body from unblemished view. “Uh.” “Please, Twilight. I am desperate for you right now,” Fleur begged, whatever dignity she possessed now long forgotten. “Do whatever you want to me, I promise it’s fine!” “Umm.” Twilight was struggling with herself, clashing between obviously inflamed desire and an unknown emotion that Fleur couldn’t recognize. “Fleur, I just-” She squeezed her eyes shut and forced a single intake of breath. “Where is it?” Fleur was left nonplussed. “Where’s what?” “The camera,” Twilight said. “The phone, whatever it is you’re using to record this.” “Record? Twilight, darling-” “Why do wanna do this to me? Just point, laugh, and be done with it, please!” Fleur was horrified, disgusted by the suggestion of subterfuge. “Twilight, please…” “No, Fleur. Just- no!” She’d been rejected at last. Her last, desperate, monumentally stupid attempt at romance had sputtered off a cliff and died. Fleur had tried to be as rational as possible, maintain a sense of dignity and not let her emotions run away with her good sense. But that had been ages ago, and she was nowhere near inclined to be sensible. So crying sounded like a great idea. Twilight heard the tears before she saw them, her sealed gaze opening and turning to horror as a pair of fat tears rolled down Fleur’s now-crumpling face. “Oh no.” “Do you just not like me at all?” Fleur asked, swiftly transforming into an absolute mess as her deepest desire went up in smoke. “Twilight, did I force you into something you didn’t want?” “I didn’t- Fleur, oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean-” Dammit, I did. “I’m sorry,” Fleur said thickly, trying to find the door through the blur of her vision, “Of course you didn’t, I messed up. Not like anyone ever has.” “Whoa. Hey, Fleur! Hold on,” Twilight blocked her from departing, taking Fleur by the hand and guiding her away from her nearest goal. “Look, it’s- umm- don’t leave. I promise, don’t leave. Just… try to calm down, OK? Can you do that?” Fleur most certainly could not do that, obviously not OK and in need of turning her wracked emotions into something a little more tangible. As Twilight led her elsewhere, she continued to sob away her sorrow, her senses not yet recognizing that her companion had yet to relinquish the grip that was held fast upon her hands. She cried further until she felt the worst of it begin to pass by, like a great wave that seeks out ships to sink. When she felt like she could manage a calmer, more tranquil breath, she took in oxygen in a rattle, at last able to see clearly and recognize her surroundings. Oddly enough, it was Twilight’s bedroom. And she was on Twilight’s bed, with Twilight right beside her, seeing her as though Fleur really was someone tangible and real. “It’s not fair,” Fleur mumbled. “No one’s ever actually liked me.” “That’s just not true,” Twilight protested. “Of course people have liked you. Loads of people!” “They like how I look!” Fleur spat. “They think I’m pretty and then that’s all they care about. Right to bed, not a word said, everything about how I look. No one actually likes… me.” She gave a dampened sigh, struggling against her sorrowful state. “No one ever even tries to get to know me. All the girls couldn’t believe it when I told them I could actually cook. Lemon Zest laughed when she found out I liked you. Not even my friends care about who I am.” Twilight kept her hands upon Fleur’s continuing to give them small, tentative squeezes, her smile both guilty and sympathetic as she sat there beside her beautiful companion and listened. “I really like you, Twilight. I didn’t mean to force you into anything you didn’t want,” Fleur said in a small voice. “Please don’t be mad.” “Be mad? No, of course not!” Twilight replied, putting her arms about Fleur and cloaking the downcast woman in affection that was a salve to her spirit. “Fleur, I am so sorry. I- can you let me talk for a little bit so I don’t seem like such a jerk?” When she received a nod in return, the poor girl gave a quick exhale and shook herself into composure. “I… wow, this is going to sound really bad- I actually didn’t think you were serious when you said you liked me.” That wasn’t the answer she’d expected. “Beg pardon?” “I was friends with Indigo. And Sugarcoat, and Lemon Zest. When we were kids, I mean,” Twilight explained. “I mean, they weren’t really my friends then, and I- they made fun of me a lot. And so when I saw that you were friends with them, I sort of thought that, you know, they’d egged you on to this. To pretend that you liked me so they could make fun of me some more. Because why would someone as pretty as you like me?” “As a joke? Twilight!” Fleur gasped. “No, not ever! I swear, they couldn’t keep me from you if they tried! I’ve meant every word, every kiss, and I most definitely meant what I said tonight.” She refused to let Twilight be set free from her embrace, keeping Twilight atop her lap and directly in her gaze. “If you don’t feel the same, that is perfectly fine. But don’t you ever doubt a single thing, I have been infatuated with you since I was in high school.” “But- I mean, Fleur, are you sure? I really do like you, but I get it if you think I’m just a nerd.” “I am absolutely sure I- say that again, please?” The hunger that had laid dormant in her breast began to thrum back to life, a heady pulse in her chest that threw Fleur into a trance. Twilight felt wonderful in her arms, and now appearing especially pretty to her lusting eye. Twilight, perfectly settled in Fleur’s lap, began to blush a shade of pink, a smile coming unbidden and in the form of something bashful. “I really, really do like you a ton. Like, oh my gosh, so much. You’re fun to talk to, and you’re really smart with people. And- and you’ve been helping me branch out and try a lot of new things, and it’s been a lot of fun. I mean, it helps that you’re beautiful, but you’re always so patient with others and-” And what else that Twilight had on her mind was to be said another time, Fleur not allowing another word to escape from those lovely lips before she ensnared them in an absolutely ferocious kiss. Hands ran themselves across body as the heat of the moment overcame her, driving the incensed woman deeper and deeper into her own fiery lusts. Fleur could not hope to restrain herself, continuing to kiss Twilight with every ounce of her being, delving further and further until she was glued by the mouth to the women she’d craved for so many years- And Twilight was kissing her back! Perhaps unable to fully match Fleur’s frenzied emotions that supercharged the moment, but she returned each kiss with a press and sensation of her own; delicate hands wove their way to the awaiting bosoms that were only barely concealed by fine silk, pausing there for a time before weaving through hair and across smooth skin. She no longer held back, no longer restrained by fear of a lie, Twilight happily kissed the woman with whom she was wound. Their eagerness began to grow frenzied, insatiable- “Wait!” Fleur forced herself to relent in her amorous conquest, yet unable to prevent herself from enjoying one last nibble of Twilight’s lower lip. “Are- I’m not going too fast, am I? You’re OK with this?” “Why’d you stop?” Twilight demanded, appearing absolutely scandalized by the utter lack of romantic contact that had suddenly materialized in their midst. “I just wanna be sure-” “Oh my gosh yes, just keep going already!” “Thank God…” Fleur’s inhibitions were cast aside like dirty laundry, plunging deep into Twilight’s willing mouth as the force of her passions cast the two down onto the bedsheets, little more than a tangled mess of tongue that could not seem to hold themselves from one another. Twilight was more than willing to surrender to her beautiful lover’s wild assault, muffled sighs of unrepressed delight swatted away by plundering tonguestrokes that lathered her worship wherever it could manage to lick. Arms about Fleur’s neck, two bodies pressed fiercely together and giving in to the desire to grind, more sounds of frenetic movement and utter desire growing all the more potent. But there! Twilight felt fabric pushed aside, the light sensation of her pajamas across her waist a forgotten feeling as fingers plunged greedily below and found her unsuspecting folds. It was a delight of the senses even her willing mind could not have prepared for, Fleur attending to her in every conceivable way that romance could offer. That flawless figure pressed so fiercely against her own form, those exquisite lips unwilling to relinquish their place upon hers, that silken, delectable tongue licking through the insides of her mouth in a way she couldn’t even hope to rival- and now those graceful fingers! Twilight was overwhelmed, turned senseless as Fleur’s prying digits plucked at her folds as though she were a musician, bringing the brilliant girl’s heart to notes of song that were devoured by the lips that still dominated her, unwilling to not let her feel anything but relentless, sensuous ecstasy in all its fury. She couldn’t help but squirm, her body throbbing with an agony that was wondrous to endure, impossible to endure- Wait, no! Too soon, not yet! She felt her body begin to quake, shivering as the inevitable came to its conclusion. She wanted to hold on, it still felt so good-! Twilight gave one heaving shudder and even Fleur’s constant caress of her tongue could not hope to keep the deepened sigh of relief from awaiting ears. She felt her body quake, juices bubbling to the surface and pouring out onto delicate fingers that had plied their trade, an overflowing well that had been so ravenously conquered. She felt her breathing at last begin to slow, hurried pants that begged for air now heavy and laborious from exertion. Fleur no longer continued in her ravishing of Twilight’s body but instead examined her now-slickened fingers, staring at the juices that covered them so as though it were a marvel. “… Sorry,” Twilight managed weakly. Sorry? Fleur whipped around as though it were the most shocking thing she’d ever heard. “No! Don’t you dare be sorry!” she breathed, her attentions now turned to the viscous liquids that coated her skilled hands. “I’ve waited so long to do that, I- let me take care of it. It’s my mess.” “Your mess-? Fleur, it’s… oh.” Twilight’s protests quickly quieted as Fleur descended from her place atop her body and down to the soaked skin below, her intent obvious. With slow, delicate laps did the luscious beauty begin her work, cleaning up Twilight’s ravished juices with the same tonguework that had so easily entranced her partner. Those first few licks were gentle, tentative; Fleur wished for her efforts of love were to be seen and enjoyed, not yet a full act of feeling. But the more of Twilight’s fluids that she found, the more parched she seemed to become, drinking away madly as though those viscous juices were the waters of life. And the feeling! Twilight felt her heart shake at its core, the soft, damp smoothness of Fleur’s tongue a wondrous sensation on her body, even more than it had been against her own pink muscle. She could feel every lick that wiped away the juices from her thighs, reveling in the tingling that came whenever Fleur would kiss her folds; every part that felt so good was something she encouraged, delighted coos escaping her lips so as to encourage the act further. This beautiful, magnificent woman had fingered her wonderfully, and now eagerly lapped up the results of her handiwork? The thought was like a fire in her brain, pushing her own sensual desires to seek release. She’d wanted that body since the moment Fleur had appeared at her door in that dress- she’d be damned if she didn’t have her tonight. Fleur’s last, slow slithering of tongue wiped away the last droplets that dotted Twilight’s sex, peering up to seek out the eyes of her beloved; Twilight was gazing at her hungrily, biting her lip so as to hold back words from flowing out. “How was that?” Fleur inquired. “That was… so hot,” Twilight whispered, her voice strained. “Oh my god- you’ve got to let me return the favor.” Twilight wanted her body. Could life be any more perfect? Fleur came to a kneeling position, arms cast wide as though she were an offering, the fullness of her unrivaled form there for Twilight to take. “Feel free to unwrap your present,” she said. Twilight glowed at the words, first casting aside her own clothing so as to equal the offer; a slender figure, well-lined and graceful to the eye, that classic loveliness to her form that Fleur had always suspected. What she hadn’t expected, however, was a rather marvelous pair of breasts that added to her already-pleasurable figure, just the perfect shape and size for hands to come and caress them with loving care. “Oh my,” Fleur said, inching closer to her girlfriend and promptly performing a physical assessment of Twilight’s mounds. “You’ve been hiding from me, you naughty girl. You look perfect.” “Do you mind letting me see yours again?” Fleur did not mind in the least, raising her arms high and allowing Twilight to unhook the clasps that held bustier to body, at least freeing her form and leaving only the stockings to still adorn her skin. Those splendid hands sailed across Fleur’s body, gentle patterns that were intent on feeling every inch of flawless skin until she knew the sensation by heart; her initial explorations satisfied, Twilight at last took to the wondrous breasts that Fleur possessed and gave them the fullness of her adoration, loving upon them with a wondrous affection. It was a surprise, albeit a delightful one, to find that Twilight was not at all inexperienced in this particular act of carnal affection; kisses that played their way around the nipple, slow latherings of tongue across titflesh that excited the skin and set electric currents through Fleur’s form- even a small nibble to add to the excitement, a flourish of skill that seemed so out of place, yet most definitely welcome. The graceful woman tended to each breast in kind, ensuring they were lovingly treated and adored, leaving Fleur positively melting from this gracious outpouring of love. “Twilight, you’ve been keeping secrets from me. Now where did you learn to do that so well?” Twilight gave a smirk that could not quite overcome the slight tinge of color on her cheeks. “I… may have been- studying. How to please a woman,” she answered cheekily. “Just in case you actually wanted me that way.” Fleur wanted to laugh, stunned that the seemingly pure and perfect Twilight could seemingly do something so devious. “Why, you minx! You certainly are a fast learner… how about showing me what else you learned?” Twilight grinned and plunged for Fleur’s lips, the surprise gesture setting them back against the pillows as she took to a cavalcade of kisses, the two women soon entangled as their harmonious affections united. In her initial assault of ravenous desire, Fleur had dominated her partner out of sheer lust; this new union of lips was something different, a more equal effort between them than sheer overpowering that had come prior. Twilight could kiss! Wonderfully so, marvelous in feeling; and just when Fleur wondered if she could be any more surprised, there came a wondrous sensation of her own tongue being caressed by its mate- and pulled out into the open air, only for Twilight’s lips to capture it in between, a slow, tender suckling of tongue, her newest act of love. Fleur gave a dreamy sigh, losing herself in the moment. She did not want to feel anything but Twilight upon her, perfectly content to let this blissful caress of her tongue continue ever on; Twilight sucked and kissed her tongue, lathering her saliva upon it until they intermingled and were indistinguishable from the other. Bonds of liquid held them together as hands plied across body, the two women becoming more and more entangled until it was impossible to know one form from the other. “Oh my god, Twilight,” Fleur gasped, having to escape this perfect woman’s sapphic clutches before she went mad. “Why did you make me wait? And for so long!” “Sorry. I hope I can make it up to you,” Twilight replied, more than a little coy and clearly interested in intensifying their engagement. “There was one thing I wanted to try. Just a little- if that’s OK. Something a little more fun?” Fleur bit her lip to prevent the escape of delighted laughter, relishing every moment of this long night. A kiss of Twilight’s lips, a soft gesture that continued to trail along her cheek and down to the neck, a swift press upon the edge of her breasts before turning to her ear and whispering, “Surprise me.” Twilight’s eyes gleamed with excitement, eager to initiate yet struggling to decide on how to begin, her hands held to Fleur’s side as though wishing to guide her movements. “If we could- I guess it’ll sound a bit weird to say it, I’m kind of wondering how-” “I’m alright with anything you want to try,” Fleur cut in, trying to help focus her charged companion. “Go on ahead.” “Umm, can- just go and lie down, please? And I’ll be atop you, like this…” As Fleur was slowly laid to rest against tussled bedsheets, she couldn’t contain the wide grin that came from realization of the intended gesture. Twilight’s naked form came atop her own splendid figure and took a reversed position, her petite rear end fully encompassing the beautiful woman’s vision. Just above the salivating lips of Fleur, like a delectable fruit hanging from the branches, was Twilight’s sex, sparkling clean and eagerly awaiting another manufactured mess to be made. “This- you’re OK with this, right?” Twilight asked once more. “I mean, are you comfortable and ever-” Fleur’s patience was at an end, a deep dive of tongue in between folds that was forceful and slow, a veritable onslaught of presence that made the uncertain girl quiver at the potency of the sensation. “Don’t keep me waiting,” Fleur said, holding back no longer and joyously diving into her awaiting feast. She took to Twilight’s folds with a fervor, wishing to turn this lavish prize into an overflowing paradise that would swell by her actions. Fleur wanted to relish her time within and at first began slow, allowing herself to become familiar with the tastes she continued to discover, the feeling that came as she swirled her tongue about. She was here at last, delving into Twilight’s depths for as long as she wished; the very thought made her spirit sing! After all this time spent waiting, Fleur knew she would have to make it worth both their whiles, a sensation that Twilight would forever hunger for, and an act that she herself would relish giving. A tonguestroke that slid on the outer lines of her folds- oh my god, I’m in heaven. Fleur had expected this dreamed-of moment to be good; what she hadn’t considered was how perfect it would feel when the very same gesture was given in return. Twilight’s own mouthwork was gentler, more tentative, but carried all her careful intent and effort that she gave to everything she did. While Fleur’s own caress was exploratory and curious, Twilight’s continued laps were thorough; every ounce of Fleur’s own delicacies were to be tended to, not a single inch of her left untouched. This splendid woman cradled Fleur from beneath, hands giving her ass an occasional knead as though to heighten the effect. The feeling of that slick muscle massaging her own sweetness, combined with the fingers that plumped her plush bottom, was intoxicating. Twilight felt excellent already, and would only become all the more so with time and familiarity. The moan that escaped her throat was instinctive, unbidden; Fleur couldn’t restrain the sapphic sound from leaving her, Twilight’s attentions to her lower portions not something to easily ignore. She’d waited so long for this, and now it felt so good… she was trying to hold on and enjoy the ride, but the pure pleasure of it was stronger than her will could manage to restrain for long. Twilight was going to make her cum, and she didn’t even know if she could prevent it! Fleur willed herself to hold on, forcing her senses to focus solely on Twilight’s own glistening folds rather than any of her own senses. She plundered deep into their depths, her soothing movements now becoming ravenous. Anything to make the moment last longer, just so long as she could keep on feeling Twilight’s pleasures within her! It felt joyous, wondrous, so worth every second of waiting- Oh yes! Fleur could feel the first wave of orgasm approaching and she drove herself into Twilight’s very core, pulling at the labia in the hopes of hanging on a little longer. The cry that came from her partner was like music to her ears, the unexpected mixture of delight and mild pain on such sensitivity taking Twilight by surprise. Do it again, again! Fleur allowed herself to become a little more voracious, a roughness to her action that Twilight seemed to enjoy, pushing the poor girl to her limits- The great wave crashed onto shoreline and Fleur was forced to release. She felt herself flow outwards, pouring directly onto Twilight and setting senses to the realms of the electric. But even as she felt her own mind become overwhelmed by delight, Fleur beseeched that she continue; her efforts needed to bear fruit, and quickly! Taking the energy that came from orgasm and pouring it out in return, she razed Twilight’s flower with a great fire that made the poor girl pause in her works and suffer through the agonizing joy. The shiver that came was more akin to a quake of the earth, the tremor coursing through body and reaching a crescendo; Fleur opened her mouth wide and soon found herself swimming, Twilight’s juices flowing about her and turning this long-cherished dream into reality. The flavor was superb, the feeling of it about her glorious; the two women had gone to conquer and had been conquered in return, leaving them both a delighted but thoroughly messy pair of exhausted forms so deeply entangled together. Fleur felt the weighted presence atop her begin to dissipate; Twilight was leaving her straddled position and falling to the bed, her efforts expended and turning her into a gasping heap of ravished loveliness. Her own mind still consumed by the thoughts and sensations that came by sexual instinct, Fleur slowly crawled to her beloved’s side and simply lay there, the two women taking their time to recover from their loving, eager efforts. “Fleur?” Twilight began. “Yes, Sweets?” The bedraggled girl turned her head to face her beauteous partner, a faint smile on those wearied lips. “Are you sure you really like me?” Fleur gave a start so great that it shook the bed, utterly taken aback that Twilight could still even have a solitary doubt- then promptly bursting into laughter. Their voices intertwined just as their forms had once been, the silliness of the joke now shared between them in fatigued mirth, their throes of passion leaving them as little more than heaps of spent emotion and physical mess, both body and bedsheets ravaged from the night’s pleasantries. “Just making sure,” Twilight said, trying to stretch and instead grimacing at the fatigue that now wracked her frame. “Oh my gosh, I feel like a mess.” “Maybe we should take a shower?” Fleur suggested, just as tired yet forcing herself to rise from her fetal position. “You’ll feel better if you get cleaned up.” “Uh- as in together?” Twilight asked. “If you don’t mind sharing,” Fleur added. “I hope it’s alright if I stay the night.” Twilight looked around her secluded quarters, perhaps marveling at the numerous changes of both life and presence that had consumed it in just a short time. “I- wow… Why on earth would I mind spending the night with you?” ~Three Months Later~ The dorm room was exactly as they’d left it when they had departed for winter break, the same mess and chaos that had been their world now coated in a fine layer of dust that had settled in their absence. “Oh joy. Back to the cult of academia,” Lemon Zest moaned, tossing her bag onto the couch and lying next to it in an unhappy heap. “Please tell me we’re almost done with this.” “You’ll be done sooner than you think if you don’t bother trying in your classes this semester,” Sugarcoat said. “Jeez, do you enjoy being on probation?” “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” Sugarcoat rolled her eyes at the pointless remark, long past caring deeply about her roommate’s cavalier attitude. “And she even has student loans… hey, where’s Fleur’s things?” Lemon Zest perked up from her place on the couch and looked about the dorm room; more than a few items that had once been commonplace were now mysteriously absent, chunks of kitchenware missing from counter, cupboard, and drawer in more than one place. Even the flower calendar that had marked the wall was gone, cast away somewhere they couldn’t imagine. “What the hell..?” Lemon Zest muttered. “What happened to her shit?” “She moved out,” Indigo answered, appearing from her now-solitary dorm room with a slight grin on her features. “Took an apartment a little outside of town, from what she told me. A nice place.” A horror that had once been left unnamed now began to grow in Lemon Zest’s mind, taking root and flourishing with nightmarish speed. Fleur had moved out: no free meals, no free dishware, no microwave, no reminders of her schedule- “Wait a minute!” she cried. “Moved out?! What for?!” Indigo stared at the incredulous girl. “Are you serious?” she asked. “Who do you think she moved in with?” Sugarcoat bit her lip to stifle laughter, waiting for the ticking time bomb that was Lemon Zest’s mind to catch up to their current circumstances. They could see the thoughts moving through like a horse-drawn carriage, or a man on a Sunday stroll. And then- “Wait, she moved in with that nerd?!” Author's Note This one chapter is longer than I thought the entire story would be. Sweet hell. Enjoy, I guess. Shit; still don't feel like I got it quite right.
