It had to start somewhere...

[Aurelia Wayne]

"Later, baby."

She stared at the screen long after the transmission ended, sighing wistfully. Nikole had turned her life upside down in a good, but bewildering way. Sighing, Auri rose and stretched, downing the last of her water as she powered the system down.

"Jamit?" she called.

"Yes, Aurelia?" he asked, peeking his head through the double doors.

"Let's call it an early night. If you promise not to work from home, I won't either."

He chuckled, and she wondered if that was because he never worked from home... or if he knew the odds of her avoiding work was minuscule. Aurelia smiled back at him though.

"Alright. Let's. See you in the morning, boss."

Aurelia smiled and packed up her things, taking the company 'speeder back to her apartment...

[Nikole Nystrom]

Four hours later ...

Her sisters decided to exit hyperspace during a long patch of space where there were no nearby planets - just stars and planets flickering in the black tapestry as the Ronan burned the sublights as fast as she could to keep them on schedule. Nikole was tucked into her cabin and waiting for Aurelia to accept her transmission. The hours were becoming increasingly unbearable. Her bond was solidifying swiftly and it was making the longing she felt for the Corellian wrench at her heart. A this rate, she'd barely make it back to Coruscant without unraveling and losing her mind ...

[Aurelia Wayne]

"Gah! Dammit!"

The knife clattered around the sink as Aurelia quickly covered her hand with a towel and ran for the bathroom. Given who her parents were, she'd had ample first aid training, so she knew the cut was bad but not requiring medical assistance. Working one handed, the wounded hand fisted around the towel, she quickly prepped sterilized bandages and bacta spray.

Angry with herself for such an amateur slip with the knife, Auri was quick to clean herself up and bandage her hand. She glanced at the chrono as she went back to the kitchen and swore again. Quickly cleaning up the splatter of blood at the sink and counter, Aurelia glared at the offending knife. She put the fruit she'd been cutting into a dish and ran with it to the bedroom, flipping open her datapad as she landed on the bed.

"Gah, don't end the transmission!" she yelped, seeing the timer on the call. Hurriedly, Aurelia accepted the comm and breathed a sigh of relief as she smiled. "Nikole!"

[Nikole Nystrom]

Fidgeting in her seat, her knee bounced a million times a minute, or at least felt like it, as she waited with bated breath for Aurelia to pick up on the other side. She knew she was having transmission issues prior and perhaps it had not been fixed, or gotten worse. Aurelia had state of the art technology! This shouldn't be an issue at all, yet here she was waiting, again, for her mate to pick up. She stared at the connection time and rolled her eyes in disbelief that she would have to wait several hours to reach out to her lover once again.

She reached to end the transmission when Aurelia's voice boomed over the speakers, making her jump! "Gods, Aurelia!"

[Aurelia Wayne]

"Nikole!" she exclaimed again.

It had only been hours and Aurelia felt like she'd not seen Nikole in weeks. It was crazy how she longed for her so swiftly, and how accident prone she was as a result! Shifting the datapad closer to her face, she studied her girlfriend's features. Aurelia smiled.

"Hi, baby. Long time no see!"

[Nikole Nystrom]

She touches the console, outlining Aurelia's face. "What took you so long?!" she tried to keep the panic out of her voice but it just all blurted out. "I was worried we'd miss each other again!"

[Aurelia Wayne]

"I know! I'm sorry!" she said with a wince. "I had a little incident..."

Aurelia shifted the datapad so the camera would show her bandaged palm. She wiggled her fingers in greeting, then shifted the camera back onto her face.

"...but you should see the other guy."

[Nikole Nystrom]

"Incident?" Her tone immediately shifted to concern and watched closely as Aurelia displayed her bandaged hand. When the view returned to her mate's face, Nikole scowled. "I know that expression. What really happened?"

[Aurelia Wayne]

Aurelia shook her head quickly to dispel Nikole's alarm.

"Incident with a knife in the kitchen. My hand slipped while cutting some fruit." The view shifted again, showing the bowl of fruit beside her atop the comforter, then went back to her face. "Simple, clumsy mistake. Bled hard but bacta spray took care of that. I'm okay. Really."

[Nikole Nystrom]

"I'm so sorry that happened..." she sighed in relief. "And I'm sorry I was so frustrated that it took you so long to answer the call when you were obviously in no shape to do so. Do you need to rest? As much as it would pain me to end our conversation so soon, I would completely understand."

[Aurelia Wayne]

Aurelia leaned back against the headboard, propping the datapad on her bent up knees so they were almost face-to-face. She smiled, touched at her concern. But, Aurelia had no intention of cutting the conversation off early!

"I'm okay, baby. Really. By tomorrow, this will be close to healed. I'm sorry to have held up being able to answer. I'm just relieved I made it before you gave up," she said, head tilted to the side as she gazed into beautiful brown eyes. "How are you? Where are you at this point?"

[Nikole Nystrom]

"It would take too long for me to figure out where I am and I'd rather spend that time talking with you," she admitted with a grave smile. "We don't have much time as it is."

Nikole exhaled sharply, lips pursed together nervously as time ticked away. "And I'm ... just anxious. Just want to get to Corellia and back."

[Aurelia Wayne]

"I want the same. For you to get here and back, that is," Aurelia replied.

She gazed thoughtfully at the beautiful face that stared back at her, heart skipping a beat. How was it that this smuggler had stolen her heart so quickly and thoroughly? It was unbelievable, as guarded as she had been.

"I really can't wait for you to get back."

[Nikole Nystrom]

"We need to go, Nik. Say your good-byes."

Shoulders sagged as Kalyn announced they needed to make the jump to lightspeed. Sorrowful eyes took one last look at Aurelia. "As you just heard, we have to go. And... I have to be honest. As much as these talks are helpful, they feel detrimental. They're making the trip needlessly longer. I think it would be best to communicate once we arrive at Corellia and when we're about to depart."

It was clear in her voice, that Nikole was reluctant to express this. "I don't want to do this but every time we speak, I'm irrational and anxious until we speak again in the hour. It's not healthy, and I know it's the bonds doing. Perhaps lengthening the time would be better...?"

[Aurelia Wayne]

Aurelia bit her lip, looking very conflicted. Obviously, she understood what Nikole was saying about why it made sense to wait to speak again. But, the idea of waiting was horrible! She wanted to protest that she needed the regular interaction and unconsciously clenched her wounded hand.

Wincing, she gave a reluctant nod and swallowed hard. "Alright. Yes, of course you're right, babe. Just... just contact me as soon as you arrive on Corellia, no matter what Coruscant local time is. Okay?"

[Nikole Nystrom]

"I don't enjoy being right about this, Aurelia," Nikole said plainly.

She attempted to detached herself from the feelings of need by being logical, and she could see the struggle in her mate's eyes to accept this.

"I promise you this. As soon as we enter Corellian space, I'll contact you immediately." She put on a brave smile. "Then we'll have loads to catch up on."

"Yo, Big Sis! Gotta go!" Katja's voice irritated her to know end.

"I'm sorry. We're jumping now. I love you, Aurelia. I'll see you before you know it." She reached out to stroke the screen, outlining her mate's face, wanting to etch Aurelia's beautiful face into memory.

[Aurelia Wayne]

Tears stood in Auri's eyes as she gazed back at Nikole, heart wrenched. "And I love you, babe."

And then, the connection winked out. Aurelia let out the breath she'd been holding and closed her eyes against the tears that slip through and trickled down her cheeks. She gathered up Nikole's scarf, inhaling her scent before dissolving into choked sobs.

It took some time to come down and allow her rational mind to reassert itself. Aurelia glanced at the chrono, swiftly doing the calculations to project when Nikole was likely to land at Corellia. Counting down the time gave her purpose and focus. Aurelia dove back into her work, gaze frequently turning to the chrono.

[Nikole Nystrom]

With eyes closed, Nikole tensed her arms and shoulders. She needed for force the strain to avoid ramming her fist into something. She hated to end the conversation like that, well aware that both she and Aurelia both suffered. The bond was a blessing when together - allowing them the small pleasures of warmth and empathy, able to anticipate needs both physical and mental. Arguably it gave a slight advantage over other couples getting to know one another, cutting through months of rituals to know your partners idiosyncrasies by half. And not just because of being intuitive - but by calming anxiety and forcing truths, for a mate would know the other was lying or hiding something. They wouldn't know what it was, just that their bond wasn't harmonious.

Like now. Being apart was an affliction, polar opposite of the bond. Nikole's anxiety tormented her with such severity that the untouched stencil began floating off of the desk. She was in anguish and it felt all consuming.

"Nikole?"

Her twin's voice shocked her back conscious and she stopped the stencil from rolling off the desk, thinking she bumped it in surprise. "Yes?"

Kalyn masked her own surprise at what she saw. "How about we play some dejarik? Get your mind focused on something else."

She gave a faint nod. "Alright. Thank you."

With a sigh, she stood up and glanced at the monitor one last time before joining her sister. Kalyn's face was compassionate and warm as she rubbed her twin's shoulder, despite being worried at what the future would hold for the two of them.

[Aurelia Wayne]

One didn't run the catwalks of Coruscant unless they were fleeing the authorities or plain crazy. That's why Aurelia Wayne watched the crazy being from the comfort of her apartment as she watched HNN as she ran on her treadmill. It was a bizarrely unfolding story that kept her mind distracted as the exercise equipment kept the tension in her body in check.

As night had turned back to day, Auri had remained in her sumptuous apartment rather than go to the office. She didn't feel emotionally capable of being Aurelia Wayne, CEO. Staying focused through sheer will in the privacy of her home was enough work!

Her attention diverted from the HNN report and she was forced to slow her runner's pace when her comlink chimed a rare incoming call from her twin brother, Keir. Shifting back to a steady walking pace, she accepted the call and his rich voice came through the surround speakers.

"Hey, sis."

"Hi, Dr. Keir," she replied, a smirk flitting over her lips.

"Ha. I guess this is a house call I'm making then?"

She blinked. "What's that mean?"

"Go open your door and find out," he replied.

Aurelia hopped off the treadmill in a flash, killing its momentum. Drenched in sweat, the petite Corellian went to the door and checked; sure enough, the often too-busy Keir Wayne stood there with a stupid grin on his handsome face.

"What are you doing here? I never see you!" Aurelia exclaimed in surprise.

"Keeping you busy. I could feel your angst halfway across the planet."

She pulled him inside and shut the door.

[Nikole Nystrom]

With a sigh, Nikole sipped hot tea in the cockpit and mindlessly watched the swirling lights of hyperspace. She hadn't slept, though neither had Kalyn. Her twin had graciously stayed up all 'night' to play dejarik and sabacc. Katja's commentary had amused the older Nystroms. She had claimed that she could beat them both in either game, then lost repeatedly. Now she was scrubbing the cargo hold as payment. At least that amused Nikole.

"How long has it been since you looked?" Kalyn asked. She plopped beside her in the co-pilot's chair, the leather cushions squeaking to compensate the new weight.

"169 seconds in standard configuration." Nikole hadn't hesitated, her memory impeccable like her twin's. They both had eidetic memories and were good at numbers. Kalyn thrived in the financial aspect of their family business, able to invest wisely, whereas Nikole was calculating odds. Or in this case, how many seconds had passed since she last looked at the chronometer.

Kalyn's face grew long with concern. "You need to sleep. And that tea won't help."

"I can't sleep. That's the problem."

"And so nonchalant about it too."

With a snort, Nikole too another sip and the two of them sat in comfortable silence for awhile.

"What's it like?" Kalyn asked.

Nikole knew what her sister asked and leaned back in the chair. Kalyn wanted to know what the bond was like during separation. "It's this itch so deep inside your skin you just can't scratch at it. And what's worse? It's on a place you can't reach. You try and claw at the surrounding skin, or rub against a corner to find some relief, but there is none. The annoyance turns to pain and then it spreads. Like every nerve is on fire. Always there, making you twitch uncomfortably."

Kalyn took that into consideration and smiled. "But it's worth it though. Right?"

"Yes," Nikole replied firmly. "I've never felt anything so intimate and pure with anyone. Well, besides you ..."

She laughed. "Yes! But I don't count! You're not sleeping with me!"

"What the hell kinky shit is going on up in here?" yelled Katja as she was passing through with mop stick resting on her shoulder.

The twins burst into laughter.

"Nothing. Honestly," explained Kalyn. "Back to work minion."

"Pah!" She stuck out her tongue and went on her way, voice trailing down the hall. "But if there's talk of such things of the kink variety, INCLUDE ME!"

[Aurelia Wayne]

They sat in the living room, Keir in the arm chair, his legs kicked out in front of him. Aurelia was curled into the corner of the sofa, legs tucked beneath her. They both sipped Corellian ales and a big bowl of popcorn sat on the low table between them.

Talking about her problems was not Aurelia's strength. Keir knew that and didn't prod her too hard. Instead, they ate, drank, and he told her stories about what his life had been like in the past several months. He described his long hours, what being a doctor was like now that he was in the final weeks of his program, and he philosophized on what would come next. Aurelia listened intently, forcing herself to concentrate on Keir's monologue in order to keep from longing so hard for Nikole.

And she was so proud of her brother! Keir was doing amazing things and had a hugely promising career in front of him. Aurelia was beyond excited at the idea of presenting him with their grandfather's medical bag as his graduation present. It would be perfect.

Nikole is away, getting it for us.

The reality of that came crashing down on her and Auri choked back a sob. Keir jumped up to console her, pulling Aurelia into an one-armed hug.

"Hey, I didn't think I could really bore someone to tears!" he kidded.

Auri snorted and smiled. "Not you, dummy... just missing Nikole."

Keir rubbed her shoulder. "You fell hard, huh?"

"You can say that again." Then, she shot him a warning look because he was apt to repeat the question just to be a brat. "Yeah. I did."

"She'll be back," Keir said with a soft grin.

Aurelia didn't doubt that; she nodded in agreement. "It's just hard, her being gone."

Keir was practical where she had all the empathy traits. Still, he knew better than to point out that she'd be apt to deal with a lot of alone time since Nikole and her sister were smugglers. Keir realized Auri had likely thought about that fact too. He reached past her for the popcorn bowl and set it in his lap.

"Pick up your ale. Here's what we'll do." Keir tossed a piece up in the air and caught it in his mouth. "I catch it, I eat it. I miss and we both take a drink."

"Oh, we'll be roaring drunk then because that was surely a lucky catch there," Aurelia said with a smirk.

"Alright then. Bottom's up, sis," he replied and threw another piece in the air.

[Nikole Nystrom]

"You need to have a serious chat with Aurelia when you get home," Kalyn stated when there was only an hour left of their journey to Corellia.

Nikole looked at her gruffly. She found the comment out of place. "About what precisely?"

Kalyn had wanted to approach her twin regarding what she earlier today in Nikole's quarters, but there had never been a good time until now. Her sister appeared as calm as Morellian possible, knowing that in just under an hour, she'd be able to speak with Aurelia once more. What had been most manifesting as anxiety, had shifted to anticipation.

"Nothing bad. Well, I think it's not."

"What could be worse than being separated from my mate?"

"Ah, being a Force User?" she replied bluntly.

It made her sister laugh at the preposterous notion. "Try again."

"I'm being serious."

That made Nikole glance over at her sister warily. She had firmly explained to Aurelia she was not a Force User and wherever this was coming from needed to stop. "Why are doing this? You know we aren't."

Kalyn glared in response and it made the older of the two frown to reconsider. Her twin did not lie or make up grandiose stories, the later was Katja's preference. With reluctance, she sighed and leaned back in the pilot's chair and motioned for her to explain.

"What makes you believe this?"

"Earlier in your quarters I watched a stencil floating above your desk. It was just after ending your communication with Aurelia and quite emotionally charged, so to speak."

"I never saw it."

"Because you were too distracted with your grief."

"Why didn't you say anything then?"

"Because you were too distracted with your grief."

She snorted derisively. "Really now?"

"Yes. I didn't want to tell you until you were receptive enough to listen." She crossed her arms and frowned. "Have a made an error now, too?""

"No," she lowered her head with a matching expression. "Are you sure you misunderstood what you saw?"

"Impossible. I saw it clearly." She unfolded her arms to touch Nikole's shoulder. "Does it help that I've been trying to replicate it? Waving my hands around and staring hard at anything to see if it moves? Gave myself some serious eyestrain and a headache, but nothing mystical occurred."

With a chuckle, she patted her sister's hand. It was a small and significant gesture that spoke volumes between them. That Nikole believed her.

"I ... don't have any explanation. Or why Aurelia hadn't notice that I could be a latent user. We were quite close enough for her to sense something even if she's been trained on a limited basis."

"The bond you too forged probably awakened it. The distance and anxiety then amplified it," Kalyn offered.

Nikole couldn't argue that assumption. "I'll speak with her. When I see her though. This is a conversation meant to be done in person."

"After you two fuck like wild animals? Hey! Ow!" She pulled back and rubbed at her arm. "That really hurt you brat!"

With a laugh, she leaned over and hugged her twin, tears glistening in her eyes.

"It'll be alright," Kalyn replied knowingly as she pet Nikole's hair. "We'll figure this out. I promise."

[Aurelia Wayne]

Later...


After separate showers followed by a hearty breakfast and several pots of caf, Keir kissed into his twin's hair and gave her a knowing smile.

"Thanks for this, Keir. I'm glad you came running to my rescue," she said, blushing.

"Anytime. Except when I'm in surgery. Keep yourself under control then," Keir teased.

Aurelia chuckled and nodded. "Promise. Nikole will be in touch soon--"

"Yeah, you mentioned," he said with a wink.

"--so, I'll be okay." She smiled, amused at his banter. "Thank you again. I'll see you at commencement, if not before."

"Better be before. As your older--"

"Pfft."

"--brother, I need to meet this girl you've fallen for and give my blessing. Or whatever the job entails."

Aurelia rolled her eyes and laughed. "Keir, go save lives. I'll comm you when she's back so you can meet."

"Alright." He gave her another kiss, this time on her forehead, and then was out the door.

Auri sighed and smiled as the door wooshed closed. She leaned against it for several seconds, thankful for her twin, but cognizant of how she yearned for Nikole. A glance at the chrono set her in motion, pouring yet another mug of caf before going to hover at her datapad.

[Nikole Nystrom]

Incoming Transmission ... accept?

Initiating Slicing Protocol Princess

...
....
.....
{{......... 01010100 01110010 01100001 01101110 01110011 01101101 01101001 01110011 01110011 01101001 01101111 01101110 00100000 01000011 01101111 01110010 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101001 01100001 00101110 00100000 01010000 01100001 01100011 01101011 01100001 01100111 01100101 00100000 01110010 01100101 01110100 01110010 01101001 01100101 01110110 01100101 01100100 00101110 00100000 01010010 01100101 01110100 01110101 01110010 01101110 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101000 01101111 01101101 01100101 00101110 .......}}

Source Location Corellia. Package retrieved. Returning home.

Playing recording - # 34


Hello, darling. I know we said no speaking to one another until I get to Corellia, but I believe it's better that I speak to you this way. The longing is terrible. So, so, terrible that to be able to speak to you gives me such joy but also fear that we'll just end up prattling on and on about everything that I could just spend those hours getting back to you. That's what I need. You. And I'm not stopping until I'm back on Coruscant doing just that. We do have your brother's gift safely secured aboard and I've news to share. Oh, and before you ask yourself did Nikole really record 33 other messages before this one, then yes, you'd be correct. I kept trying to make it perfect and driving myself space happy. The previous message actually had me going over ever little bit of detail of what happened on Corellia. And I do mean everything. It was bloody ridiculous being over ten minutes long. So this is what you've got instead. So with that I say this.

I love you, Aurelia. Be home to you soon.

[Aurelia Wayne]

Aurelia sat on the couch, Nikole's scarf wrapped loosely around her neck. It's tails trailed down her chest. She sat there, eyes closed, hugging the datapad to her person since committing Nikole's words to memory.

Come home soon, baby, she thought desperately. I know exactly the longing you feel!

After all, while anticipating the comm that never came, Auri had been poring over everything she wanted to tell Nikole about Keir's visit, and all the mundane things she'd been doing. It made her laugh to read that Nikole was feeling the exact same way!

Hugging the datapad and reliving its message in her mind, Aurelia counted down the days and hours until Nikole came home.

[Nikole Nystrom]

Three Days Later.
1643 hours - per local Coruscant Time
Aurelia Wayne's Flat

A well dressed, young human teenager rang the buzzer. His suit was but of many gray and white courier suits that were issued by the delivery company. The company logo was neatly sewn over the metallic name plate where the name Vonce was etched. He waited, rocking back and forth on his heels in excitement because this was his last delivery for the day. And an easy one! The white rectangular box was easily held with one hand despite its length, and the signature pad was readied in the other. This was manageable unlike the large wine cooling unit that he pull off the lift on the previous stop.

[Aurelia Wayne]

Aurelia lifted her head from the reading that she was presently using to distract herself, curious. She rose and made her way to the comm panel, eyeing what was clearly a courier on the video screen.

She pressed the audio feed and simply said, "Yes?"

[Nikole Nystrom]

Vonce glanced into the camera, smiled, and offered a little wave. "I've a package here for Ms. Wayne."

He lifted the box up a big further into the air as if it needed to be seen better.

"It's from a Ms. Nystrom. Oh! Almost forgot." He reached into the inner jacket pocket and scrolled his mini-pad. "Ah, heh. I should've remembered this. All she wanted to say was 'Soon'."

He lowered the pad, shrugged and waited. There were worse things he had to say but saying 'soon' was definitely the most mysterious.

[Aurelia Wayne]

Aurelia smiled brightly at Vonce. "Just a moment then!"

She cut the communication and went to the door, opening it up to smile at him directly. Nikole's scarf was looped loosely around her neck, clashing with her outfit of the day, but she didn't care.

"Soon, hm? I like the sound of that," she said to him, looking expectantly at the long, rectangular box.

[Nikole Nystrom]

Aurelia Wayne was the most high profile, big money client, that he had the pleasure of meeting during a delivery. She was very pretty too and got lost gazing at her for a moment. Then she looked expectant, making his eyes narrow in thought, wondering what he missed her say. He saw her mouth move but didn't quite hear what she said! Thankfully he could follow her line of sight.

"Here ya are!" he said cheerfully and handed the package over.

[Aurelia Wayne]

Auri half-smiled at Vonce as she accepted the package. She handed him a few credits gratuity too.

"Thank you very much. Have a good rest of your day," the young executive said.

She stepped back to close the door, wondering what Nikole was surprising her with!

[Nikole Nystrom]

Nikole had sneaked into the flat through the backdoor as the delivery boy distracted Aurelia. It was all a clever ploy to surprise her beloved mate! She had used the minimal time wisely, heading straight into the kitchen to pour two glasses of wine and gods did it feel good! To be in the vicinity of Aurelia had obliterated the anxiety she had felt for a week. Which is why it took all of her self control to drop the illusion and just pounce on Aurelia instead despite the different ache of longing in her heart. It was a gift to see Aurelia's face walk away from the door with the package in hand and looking so joyful - eager to open the gift that Nikole had sent.

It was nothing extraordinary but to Aurelia they would mean the world - the very sweater that she let Nikole borrow and the medical bag that she hired the Nystroms for to begin with. What was even more significant? That meant Nikole was home...

[Aurelia Wayne]

Carrying the package back into the apartment, Aurelia gazed at it with pensive surprise. It was sweet to think that Nikole had pre-planned a gift while she was still flying back from Corellia!


"Soon," she whispered to herself as she set the package down. Auri reached for scissors in a drawer with which to open the box, so pre-occupied by its arrival that she didn't catch the difference in how she felt, much less that Nikole was mere feet away in the kitchen!

[Nikole Nystrom]

"So soon in fact, that soon is now!" She couldn't help it, or wait a moment longer to reveal herself. Aurelia was so happy and expectant that Nikole just needed to help further that joy by reuniting with her at that very second.

Her smile was bright as she approached her, still holding the two glasses of wine with a twinkle in her eye. "And I can't believe you didn't just tear into the package I sent you!"

[Aurelia Wayne]

Aurelia yelped in surprise and turned to face the wondrous sight of Nikole coming toward her as if she'd never left. Package forgotten and scissors dropped onto the cushion, she paused because she was ready to tackle the brunette but she was holding a pair of wine glasses!


"Nikole! Oh gods, you're here!" she exclaimed. "I was going to savor opening it, and-- wait! What're you doing here already?!"


She took both glasses from her and set them down. Then, Aurelia launched herself at her girlfriend, laughing and crying.

[Nikole Nystrom]

Nikole happily laughed as Aurelia squished her so tightly. When she was able to get an arm free, it immediately went to smoothing out her girlfriend's hair so she could plant a gentle kiss there.

"I wanted to surprise you," she said through joyful tears. "And I was going to wait until you opened the package, but I couldn't help myself, darling."

[Aurelia Wayne]

"Trust me, I'm surprised!" Auri replied with a laugh.


She reached up to cup her face in her hands and gave her a solid kiss, needing that to express herself more than any words she could try to string together just then. Aurelia caressed her cheeks with her thumbs, then pulled back, staring at her.


"Gods, I missed you!"

[Nikole Nystrom]

Aurelia's presence had soothed her heart but the kiss had mended her fractured soul.

"Mm... I've missed you too. So much, darling," she said softly. Nikole had missed the blue orbs staring at her with such love and relief. The same feelings that reverberated through her entire being.

Closing her eyes, Nikole moved into Aurelia's touch with a slight tilt of her head to reconnect.

[Aurelia Wayne]

Aurelia caressed her face and let her fingers trail down her neck, relearning the feel of her soft skin. She stared intently at her, afraid to blink in case the woman vanished.

"You're home. Gods, I'm so relieved, Nikole..."

She kissed her again, needing that press of her lips.

[Nikole Nystrom]

Aurelia could watch as Nikole swallowed hard before lips parted in a soft sigh. To feel her touch, her intent, was so powerful that Nikole felt the moment everything aligned perfectly inside her soul. And she couldn't even respond as Aurelia's eagerness already had their lips pressed together. Without another thought, she returned the kiss with great need, the wine and gift long forgotten between them.

They both needed this moment after the days apart. Everything else would wait.

[Aurelia Wayne]

Aurelia wrapped her arms around Nikole as she kissed her, everything but her presence muted and forgotten. The longing she'd felt with her gone had been more painful than she could properly articulate, and even that faded now, having her back. Aurelia's kiss made it clear how deeply she felt about this woman who'd knocked her whole universe sideways.

She held her tight, pressing their bodies together snugly. It felt utterly perfect.