Bette had thought at the time how very sad it was that such a reaction was necessary. She felt empathy, and yet wondered too if we are generally fooled by a sense of living in a “safe” community.  If we were not under such an illusion that we lived with the comfort and protection of the law, we would probably not take such experiences so personally, perhaps being more prepared, forewarned. But, we do imagine we are generally safe. So when such an experience is endured, it must change the shapes of the shadows in our lives.

Having a family, Bette understood pertinently what protective instincts would drive you should you not live under an umbrella of law, we were spoiled in truth, lucky, but maybe always a little naive as to how thin the veil was between paranoia and complacency. What good there is in the World is surly matched with equal darkness, its a sobering thought.

Bette let out another sigh, rolling on her side. Watching Tina as she slept, in such a moment she almost felt too lucky. How could you feel anything but warm, safe and blessed at such fortune. Out there, wars raged, people suffered and here she rested naked under a thick warm duvet watching the rise and fall of the unhindered breathing of someone she adored beyond reason or expectation. There is such a fear in having, that it should be taken away. Is that the balance, the price you must pay ? In truth, the fee was hardly comparable to the alternative, and she knew it. Life was capricious and all you could really do, is to give justice to such fortune by enjoying it. Letting it touch you so deep that you know safe and affluent, or in harm way impoverished, you would cling to the same foundations of love and relationships.  Knowing the weight and warmth of your child in your arms, the map of their expressions as a mantra of your fortitude in troubled times, and the touch, laughter and taste of your lover as the substance of joy and serenity that clothes and invigorates your soul, the same, irrelevant of circumstance, time or location.

It is comforting to know what the substance of life boils down to, that we can forsake, strip away the distractions, and that standing strong and bright in the centre is what we would, with out hesitation, fight for. It makes us strive, makes us really see.

Bette smiled at the soft muttering that sleepily came from her lover as she changed position. Pushing herself up against her back, spooning the outline of her with her own warm form, she relished the feel of her body responding. She could feel the very blood within her gravitate to cup her, she kissed the nape of her neck, placed soft kisses on the outside edge of her earlobe, and inhaled softly the tantalising essence of her that sung so eloquently with her feelings of rising desire.  

She relished the teasing struggle within herself to not awaken her with her adore, but to just simply observe and chart her feelings and physical response to wrapping herself around her. She could feel the elevation of her heartbeat, the rise of her temperature, the slick distraction of passion warming, every curve their bodies jointly hugged and the sensation of Tina skin and curls playing on her lips. What powerful magic can we stir.

Bette let the night-time lighten around her before she allowed sleep to claim her, what dreams would come, what battles may be faced. But the crest on her shield was made from golden thread and within the intimate construct of the design were beautiful vivid colours that defied any darkening sky, as long as she had such love, she had courage, one can only hope that it is never necessary to draw from the scabbard to defend, but, what is worthy and sacred must always be defended for what is a life without such.