–Um, yes?– Kes asked, getting up to her feet. Part of her thought she should say something else, but she couldn’t think of what that could possibly be at the moment.

Anara then offered to share her cot with her. It wasn’t a sexual overture, there was no mistaking that is wasn’t. Kes could easily tell that she was just offering her a place to sleep because she needed one and because she was grateful and it wasn’t more than that.

So, a little reluctantly, Kes agreed. It was awkward for her, and she kept mostly silent as she took off her outer clothing, leaving herself in close-fitting while shorts and a sleeveless shirt and sat on the edge of the cot. Anara didn’t seem to think anything of it at all though. Kes swallowed a little nervously, and Anara came up behind her, holding her shoulders and moving close to her. Kes felt heat flush through her all over, it was shocking how nice that felt. Anara’s skin was so soft, her touch sure and comforting in a way Kes very much liked…

’Lay down with me’ Anara spoke gently.

Kes was powerless not to do as she was asked. –Sorry, I was… lost in thought for a moment.– Kes told her as she turned and brought her legs up onto the cot. Until that moment… she hadn’t fully realized it… how lonely she’d felt all this time. She supposed now would be the time she’d see it most clearly though, when she wasn’t alone anymore. So she lay down with Anara under her blanket. Anara wrapped her arms around her and cuddled up to her, sighing and immediately falling away to sleep next to her.

Kes lay there and thought to herself about how this felt… She’d… never lain with anyone like this. When she was younger, she’d shared a bed with Tae a few times, but they’d both been too young to think anything of it. Still, Kes remembered loving that feeling of being so close to her friend and wishing that Tae could sleep with her like that every night. Even then, though she hadn’t known what it was, she’d been falling in love with her best friend.

Laying here with Anara though, it was very far removed for her from those memories she had of Tae and her as children. This was… she found herself relaxing and smiling. It was a completely wonderful feeling. She cuddled with Anara a little more, finding the scent of her hair soothing. The feel of her skin, the sound of her breath, the way her hair felt on her skin… it felt all felt strange and perfect and just… right.

She knew not to hope for anything with this woman, but, still, she didn’t feel alone anymore, and more… she felt safe – safe in a way those men she’d met had taken from her. Those were wonderful things, amazing gifts that she was grateful for, even if this was all it ever would be.

She drifted off to sleep, content.

———

to be continued

and I’m always happy to get comments (even really short ones)