Do you know why I took this position, Doctor Brennan? It wasn't for power, or anything grand like that. I do this because I am good at it, and my skill will keep others alive. I am not a sentimental person. There is no forgiving what I did, so I do not seek that. But I can do this small thing while I am here, and that--that is something.
Maketh just smiles. It's slower than she's used to, but that's all right. They have time. "Good."
Calmly, she unhooks her bra. Drops it. Then she leans forward to press against Rey, just holding her a moment. Skin against skin. It's warm. Comforting, in some ways.
They're together now, closer than before with clothes between them. She shifts then, moving to throw down what's left of her dress onto the floor.
When it comes to being exposed and seen by others in her undergarments, Rey isn't a modest one by any means. She's used to it. But never has it been anything like this. Pressed up to another body. Warm. Loved. The heat radiating off Maketh's soft skin. Rey feels as though she might burst with emotion and content.
"Good," Rey echoes in a whisper. She nuzzles the side of Maketh's throat, before bringing her kisses to the other woman's neck.
[That is all Brennan says in protest. She listens, and in a way, she understands as best as she can. Booth approaches his job similarly. He once told her he wanted to bring to justice at least as many people as he killed as a sniper. It is not the same as what Maketh did, but Brennan can at least imagine what inspires Maketh to act the way that she does.
She nods, no judgment in her gaze or stance.]
Do not... allow your goal to consume you.
[Maketh is more than her goal, and she should not forget that.]
Ah, that's nice. Maketh tips her head back, humming. She closes her eyes a moment, enjoying the closeness. The warmth. The brush of Rey's mouth against her pulse.
Wonderful, she thinks.
Gently, she takes one of Rey's hands, squeezing briefly. Such strong hands and yet they hold her so carefully....
[How strange to hear that from someone else. Maketh watches Brennan a moment, uncomfortable suddenly. This is her place, where she belongs, and yet she feels challenged. Not in the conventional way, not in a way that she's learned to counter and even enjoy - what is the point of having rank if you cannot hold it? - but something subtler. More insidious because, she fears, it is born of kindness.
Maketh thins her mouth. She has nothing to say to that.]
Judging by the response, Rey has a feeling that she's on the right track. Inexperience does not at all equate to ignorance, as she has some idea what to do. Where certain erogenous zones can be found. Her fingers entwine and softly tighten between Maketh's as she takes in her tender flesh.
"Yes," Rey exhales, lips pressed to skin, kisses finding their way to Maketh's ear. The corner of her mouth curls into a grin. "Tell me what my wife likes."
Everyone has their preferences, she knows. Rey just wants to please her. Make her wife happy.
Besides, two can play at that game. Hers just comes in the form of soft nips against the side of Maketh's ear. She has the mind not to make it a painful sensation -- not unless that happens to be her thing. Rey never knew, herself. Right now, she's testing the waters. Trying to find what works for both of them.
"I'll see what I can do." She slips from Maketh's hand for a moment, bringing her touch to the other woman's chin so that Rey could look her lover in the eye for a moment. "Have I told you enough times how fucking beautiful you are?"
As eloquent as one can always expect from Rey, awake or dreaming.
Maketh's eyes are bright and watchful, shining like her grin. She tips her head back, shivering at the touch. The feel of teeth against her ear. And oh, she likes that. "Hmm. I could stand to hear it again."
She curls her hand around Rey's hip, pressing her fingers in.
From body language to vocal cues, Rey allows herself to remember and take note for future reference. She beams, satisfied with her work so far.
"You're beautiful," she tells Maketh again, both sincerity and fondness in her tone when she says this. "I'll be sure to remind you every day, so you never forget."
What Maketh says next does help, though. Both assured by her words and gesture, the feeling at Rey's side, a playful glint flickers across her expression.
Shortly after being prompted, Rey leans forward for another kiss. This time teething Maketh's lower lip after. Not enough to pinch or draw blood, mind. Just a little something.
[Brennan almost sighs. There is nothing she wants except to go home to be with her family, but that is not something Maketh can give her.
But as far as this conversation is concerned--]
You have answered my questions. I have nothing more to ask you. Thank you for answering them. [She gives a quick nod.] I will leave so you may continue working.
[If there is nothing else, she will take her leave here, walking out with the same posture and stride as she arrived with.]
If the words were empty, Maketh would have laughed them off. Flattery is acceptable in small doses, even if it isn't meant, just for the ego boost. But it's different when Rey does it - she means each word and choses them carefully - and Maketh shivers into the kiss. Feels teeth worrying into her lip. You're beautiful. They're not empty words. I'll be sure to remind you every day.
Rey is an excellent marksman. She hits what she means to.
Maketh puts her hands on Rey's face and kisses her back hard.
If Rey were sucking up in any way, she would have been more remiss to share such meaningful words with anyone. But they're not hollow with Maketh. She does mean them, and something tells her that she has made no mystery of this.
The kiss alone is enough to tell her that. Rey would have gasped if Maketh hadn't then taken her breath away, as she returns the kiss with as much fervor as she is met with.
If this proves anything, it's that they're on the same wavelength with what they want...
With an arm propping her upright, Rey slides her other down Maketh's neck, her shoulder. Cupping her chest as she presses herself against the other woman. Exploring skin. The feeling of hers under her own rough palms. Soft and warm. A sensation she doesn't get between clothes.
Oh, that's nice. Maketh tips her head back, chasing the feeling. The strength of Rey's hands. No hesitation now. She runs a hand through Rey's hair, tugging just enough to feel. The other she puts firmly on Rey's breast. "Better."
The slight sting over her scalp is oddly pleasant. At least, Rey doesn't unwelcome it. A shudder runs down her spine under Maketh's touch, as she begins to knead the other woman's skin. Gentle first. Then dragging the tips of her nails beneath, down Maketh's side, under her back. Exploring body and want as her kisses deepen, more aggressive in her desire that she gasps between their lips.
Maketh bares her teeth against Rey's neck, a wicked grin. There's confidence in the way Rey touches her. No more hesitation.
Good. Maketh kisses her neck, worrying a mark there with her teeth. They're so close now, she can feel everything. Rey's breathing. The heat of her. She draws circles with her thumb against Rey's breast, sighing. Subtle for now. Learning the shape of her.
Most of her reluctance ebbs into ripples the more Rey allows herself to sink into her instinctual hunger. It never occurred to her how much she needed this. Needed someone to touch her like this, hold her like this -- love her in a way no one else has nor she would allow. She was scared at first, but suddenly the hammering in her chest drums to a different emotion. Something not driven by fear.
Breath catching with the thrill of teeth and touch tempting her senses, she shifts on the couch. Knee slipping between Maketh's thighs as Rey props her wife a few inches from the cushion, her arm strong and slung under Maketh's back. She rests her hand at the hip, thumb teasing the hem of the remaining undergarment in the middle of them.
"Is this okay, right here?" Rey mutters, tilting her head to offer Maketh more skin for her teeth to tread. "You're comfortable?"
Maketh feels her breath catch, biting at Rey's neck. Harder this time. Anticipation. She feels pulled taunt, ready for something. Perhaps she's been ready for a long time and only just now realized it. Rey's hands are so warm on her skin, her arm an unyielding force.
Beautiful.
Maketh grins. Hopes Rey can feel it against her skin.
"If you do not continue," she says, matter-of-factly, "I will be very displeased!"
In some way, her skin is hotter than it should be. Radiating from her blood. Their dream-minds keep the normalcy, keep her from questioning any of this. Rey doesn't want to stop any more than Maketh, and yet...
And yet she smirks.
"Displeased?" Rey feigns incredulity. "You'll do... what, huh?"
Although Rey can't help herself but continue, tempting Maketh with every motion of her touch, she also finds herself tempting. Playful. This is fun. This is new. She likes it; she didn't think she would.
There's something about Maketh's pout and frustration. Of Rey hooking her thumb over the hem so she can touch more skin underneath the fabric. Be just a few inches closer than she was before.
"Well, I wouldn't... But when you make a face like that, I'm admittedly a little curious."
Maketh lifts her chin, a little breathless. She looks ridiculous and she knows it, but what's the point of sex if you can't enjoy it? "Oh, I see. You're challenging me. Is that so?"
For some reason, 'fun' was never the word that came to mind when Rey thought of sex. Sex was something to be feared. Something that required some degree of vulnerability.
But as she's allowed herself to take control, there is something truly fun about it. Of taking her partner's breath away with every tease. Their playful banter even helps Rey to ease into the situation more and more.
"What if I am?" Rey places a few careful kisses to the side of Maketh's jaw, down her neck.
Maketh laughs, tipping her head back. She puts her hands on Rey's hips and squeezes meaningfully. "Oh, I see. Then you'd best let me up and I'll show you what I mean."
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