”Tu, e il mio orgoglio che può aspettare
E anche quando c’è più dolore
Non trovo un rimpianto
Non riesco ad arrendermi
A tutti i miei sbagli
Sei tutti i miei sbagli
Sei tutti i miei sbagli
Sei tutti i miei sbagli”
[“You, and my pride that has to wait
And even when there’s so much pain
I don’t find any regret
I cannot surrender
To all of my mistakes
You’re all of my mistakes
You’re all of my mistakes
You’re all of my mistakes”]**

“I love you”.
Shane’s voice, breathless. Throaty. Full of an overwhelming emotion.
Green eyes.
Deep green eyes trying hard to stay open, and narrowing, trying not to succumb at those waves of pleasure crashing, crashing like a stormy ocean. Her free hand brushing Carmen’s cheek, moving some strands of hair away from her eyes.
Carmen’s hand grabbing Shane’s, kissing her fingers, her palm.
“I love you too”. Somehow, a sweet, painful admission of defeat.
Carmen rests her forehead on Shane’s shoulder.
“…I love you so much…”, she murmurs as their bodies shake.
“God…”, Carmen whispers against her lover’s skin, nibbling it.
Shane just lets go a long, soundless moan.
They remain motionless, trying hard to calm their heartbeat, legs entwined, hands caressing incessantly.
Shane kisses Carmen’s chin, lips, eyelids, forehead.
“That was… unbelievable”.
“Yeah… Definitely… I didn’t think you would let me -”.
“I know you didn’t…”, Shane cuts in, sweetly, “…But I’m realizing that maybe I am not the same person I was three years ago…”.
Carmen smiles.
“…I can see that. You seem less scared of feelings…”.
“I am…”, Shane pants, “…And also… I am here to stay…”,.
“I know you’re being honest…”. Carmen’s fingers are deciphering the features of Shane’s face.
She moves away from her lap and gets up, taking Shane’s hand and pulling her towards the bed.
They lay down, breathing each other’s scent. Shane spoons Carmen and they both stare at the furious storm outside the window.
“How do you feel?”, Shane asks.
Carmen turns around and nestles against her body.
Shane shivers, again.
There’s this magic, in Carmen. This spell she cannot avoid. This has never changed.
Carmen exhales, her breath tickling Shane’s neck.
“I feel like every single thing in my life has finally found its place”, she whispers.
Shane smiles in the dark.
“I’ve missed you so much…”, she mutters.
Carmen remains silent for a while, then simply says.
“When can talk, if you want…”.

**
SOUNDTRACK
* “Never Is A Promise” (Fiona Apple)
* “Tutti I Miei Sbagli” (Subsonica)