Bette chuckled, “Like what?”

“No, I like it. I want you to say it like that all the time.”

They kissed again, Tina excited by their position still. The warm feeling on her inner thigh stopped Tina short, just waiting as Bette’s fingers drifted up between her legs. They were teasing.

“Bette …”

“Is this something you want too …?”

Tina moaned desperately, wanting to close her legs. Wanting to keep them open. She wasn’t used to the position, but she was enjoying it. “… Yes …” Bette’s fingers were teasing her without delving inside. Tina wanted more.

“Do you want me inside of you …?”

“Yes …”

The rhythm built passionately, but as Tina came to her third release of the night, she wept. Her head dropped into the pillow, her arms too weak to hold herself up anymore.

“T! …” Bette whispered, concerned for what might have happened. But she felt it was likely an emotional release as well. “T, tell me what’s wrong.” She drifted her hands over Tina’s naked sides before turning her over and pulling the blond up into her lap. “Hey … talk to me.”

“I’m sorry,” Tina sobbed, “I’ve just never told anyone so much about him … I don’t ever talk about him … I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Bette insisted, breathing a sigh of relief that Tina was alright. She’d had a feeling that Tina’s speaking so much about her ex would have an effect, letting her emotional side take her over for a while. In a way, Bette thought it was just nice that Tina felt she could open up with her. She didn’t like to see Tina cry, but she would always be there for her. And bottling it all up inside wouldn’t do any good. She didn’t try to shush Tina or to put her to sleep; she just held her while she cried.

Finally all out of tears, Tina shook a little from the cold, and then relaxed when Bette pulled the comforter around them. “I’ve never cried like that with anyone before.”

Bette was quiet at first, re-adjusting her arms holding Tina’s naked back. “I’ve never wanted to be there while a woman cried before.”

“You can’t possibly want to be here.”

“But I do.” Bette held Tina even closer. “I love you so much. More and more all the time.”

Tina smiled in her crooked way, closing her eyes. “I’m not sorry I cried …” She spoke it as if she was asking a question. It was hesitant.

“Good. You shouldn’t be. It’s healthy to let it out, Tina.”

“What – not bottled up like I always used to be? … I really never had anyone to talk to about him before … I never really felt that anyone ever heard me.”

“I’ll always be listening.”

“Well, I hope I won’t always be crying,” Tina smiled, relaxing again with Bette’s laughter.

“I hope not too. But I have to say, I like this.”

“I feel like a baby,” Tina chuckled back, kissing Bette’s arm. Appreciating its strength as Bette gently let her onto her back again. She didn’t feel as vulnerable as she felt she would.

Bette was silent, just watching Tina’s face, touching her cheek.

“… Maybe not as alone as I thought.” Tina combed Bette’s bangs behind the adorable ear, and watching it fall back into her face anyway. She smiled at that, letting her hands fall to the bed in surrender. Staring into the eyes that were dark in the shadows, but smiling at her still.

“Maybe not.”