I was still holding Anne when I woke up. As much as I wanted to stay, Victoria had already left and I was sore. I tried so hard to get up without waking Anne but I failed.

“Noooo,” she whined, rolling over and grabbing onto me, “don’t go.”

“Anne, everything hurts a little, I need to shake it off, and I need to pee.”

She let go, “Fine, but I’m getting up too then.”

“Sure.” I laughed a little. Anne did not wake up quickly. It is a miracle she made it through basic.

I almost fell when the train turned but otherwise I managed to relieve myself and fall onto a couch without issue. Victoria was sitting at a table reading from her little notebook, wearing the same suit she wore yesterday but with a black shirt and a gray skinny tie.

“Good morning.” She said, still reading.

I groaned, “I guess, sorry I’m still in my underwear, my uniform is on the floor and that wasn’t going to happen.”

“I understand.”

“What time is it? I see you got your stuff from your cabin.”

“10ish. I was up at like 6, it’s petty, but I figured I would send a steward early to get my stuff, hopefully I woke them up.”

“Did you not sleep well?”

“No.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“When Anne gets up, I don’t want to have to repeat myself.”

“That might take some time, I woke her up when I got up, but it takes her a while.”

“That’s fine. I wasn’t sure when you two would want breakfast so I got some bread and cheese.”

I hadn’t noticed. Sadly it was on the coffee table in front of the other couch so I had to awkwardly fall on that one to get at the food.

“Victoria, can you get me some water, sorry.”

“Of course.”

“Thanks, I don’t like disturbing you while you read whatever you’re reading.”

“Don’t worry it’s nothing. The test for being a healer is simple, but there is so much to memorize, these are my notes, and when I have free time I just read them over and over again so it sticks.”

“Makes sense.”

I was happy to have bread. I ate too much meat yesterday. I didn’t want any more. It was nicer bread than what I was used to, but still familiar. It was the same with the cheese. I am sure something about it was fancy and expensive but it just tasted like cheese to me.

It took about 20 minutes for Anne to wake up, then another 10 or so for her to shower and get dressed. She yawned as she sat down next to me.

“Sorry, I’m still so sleepy, I didn’t mean to keep y’all waiting.”

“Actually we both kept Victoria waiting.”

“Actually it’s fine, I am glad you slept. You two have been through so much these past few days.”

“I hope the worst of it is over.” I said.

We ate for a little while longer while Victoria read.

“Okay,” she said, closing her notebook. “The train has a stop today, I think we should get papers, everything we can on the battle of the Rosberg Sea and the state of politics in the capitol, and a change of clothes for you two.”

“We haven’t been paid yet, we don’t have any money.” Anne said.

“Okay then forget the clothes, I will pay for the newspapers. I guess I can ask around. I am sure if I explain the situation they will be able to wash your uniforms quickly so you two can sleep naked tonight and have clean clothes in the morning.”

“We can go a week with dirty clothes, It was two weeks at a time in the trenches.”

“Zal, this isn’t the trenches, I am trying to raise your standards.”

“Right.”

“Are you awake enough for a hard conversation?” Victoria asked Anne.

“Yea, yea, but, if I yawn, don’t be mad.”

Victoria nodded, “This was supposed to be easy money for me, I assumed the General had hired some succubus to help him keep up his act in the capitol –”

“His act?” Anne asked.

“He’s gay.”

“Really? I didn’t get that at all.”

“He hides it well, anyway, I thought I was here for the succubus and was expecting to have some public dinners and some emotionless professional sex with a succubus, but obviously that didn’t happen. With Zal I figured that I could handle things. I am trying to be a healer professionally so while I have no experience and felt horribly underqualified I knew I was better than the nothing Zal had so I could, and should, help her. Then when Anne, let's say, explained, the situation it was clear that this wasn’t close to what I signed up for. I had to help, of course I did, we are sisters in a way, fighting the same fight, but I try to keep my personal and professional life separate and I think it is obvious after yesterday you two are on the personal side of things.”

I frowned a little, “Victoria, that puts me in a difficult position.”

“I know, I was going to suggest you find a place at every stop but I thought you had been paid. Now I know that isn’t an option. You’ve gone longer without it though so it’s possible, even though it is bad for you. This is a hard line for me. It is too personal, too many emotions involved, and you two love each other. Yesterday I was worried about pushing you together, but after sleeping on it I am more worried about keeping you two apart. I know what it’s like. I am in love with someone the world doesn’t want me to love, and I remember in the beginning we were so afraid and had so much doubt that we could be good together. That doubt didn’t win then and while for a brief moment it won yesterday I am not going to let it win now. I want to be for you what I wish I had. Anne and Zal, you two clearly love each other and belong together. You are both trying to be so careful but love like ours can’t be careful, not in this world. The Anne that stood up for herself yesterday, and the Zal that did whatever really happened in the trenches, that is why you two can be together, should be together. I am excited to go on double dates with you, to see how you grow as a couple, just to see you together. It won’t always be easy, but trust me, there is joy in fighting for your love, and you aren’t alone, and you two are a cute couple. I still want to teach both of you about Zal’s health, you don’t know enough, but for now I am going to the bedroom to read, maybe take a nap, you two talk it over, knock when you’re done.”

Anne and I turned sideways on the couch so we were facing each other.

She looked at me sweetly, “I didn’t expect that, but it makes sense. I’m glad she told us. I already feel bad, I don’t want to make her more uncomfortable.”

“And she has been so helpful, I don’t know what we would have done without her.”

“And she said such nice things about us.”

There was a brief silence before Anne leaned against me and held my hand.

“Zal…You know I want to try being together again, properly this time. Victoria’s argument about consent convinced me, but it is more than that. I am angry that you get treated badly, that you can’t live the life humans, or even beastfolk, do. I’m angry at everything and it is scary but it feels good at the same time. I want people to see us together and see how perfect we are and be mad for us too. I want my family mad that you don’t get to be around the young ones. I want people to cry when I tell them what we can’t have. Most importantly though, right now, I am happy with you. Please don’t deny my happiness now for fear of taking away some happiness I might have in the future.”

“It’s just, I will make your life harder.”

“No, you are worth it, and even if you do, I love you, and you can’t deny me the choice of making my life a little harder to make the life of the woman I love so much easier. How often did Victoria say you should be having sex?”

“Once a day at least, for the next few years, and she implied it should be more if I am emotional, stressed, or physically exhausted.”

Stolen story; please report.

“And we both know you won’t be able to manage that on your own, and I don’t want you to, and I like caring for you. The idea that you could go through something rough, that you could be hurting, and have to go to some stranger, it hurts me. And it’s not just the sex, it’s the bad sex when you can’t do much, it’s helping you walk, getting food for you, showering with you, I like caring for you, let me. How dare you consider denying us because of how you being a part of my life makes my life harder when your life will be so much harder without me in it. You are not allowed to care about me and not let me care about you.”

I closed my eyes and covered my face with my hand.

“Fuck, I’m sorry, you’re right. Of course you care about me, I know that, and as impossible as it feels sometimes that you really want to care about me I should trust you, that you are doing what you want to.”

“Hey hey hey,” Anne said softly as she pulled my hand off my face, “Look at me.” I did, so she continued, “I love that you care so much about me but I love caring about you, and for the other thing I know you are worried about, Victoria was wrong. I will never resent you or hate you. I was so mad yesterday, it was all I could think of, it consumed me, I actually think I may have anger issues, but it wasn’t at you, not even a little, and it will never be at you. Whatever happens with us I will always love you, even if we don’t stay together the rest of our lives.”

I imagined a life with Anne countless times, but never the moment when I would run out of excuses, out of obstacles, so I didn’t understand it was that moment. I tensed up and started crying. Anne hugged me, telling me it was okay, over and over. It was strange slowly realizing she was really holding me, that we were together again, that we would be together tomorrow, that we would be together the day after tomorrow, that I could kiss her. I couldn’t get the words out but thankfully when I wiped away my tears and pulled her down with me as I fell backwards onto the couch she saw my smile and kissed me. I liked feeling her on top of me, it felt safe. I hadn’t gotten dressed so it was easy for her to reach into my bra and grab my breast. I almost felt confused at how it felt to kiss her like this again, to be touched by her. It felt like it should be a dream.

After a few minutes Anne sat up and started taking off her uniform. I wanted her, but I didn’t want our first time back together to be a quickie on a couch.

“Anne, love, can we wait a bit, do this properly, on the bed, take our time with it?”

“Ah fuck, you’re right. How am I more horny than my succubus girlfriend. That is what we are now right, girlfriends?”

“Of course.”

She gave me a quick kiss.

“Great, I will go kick Victoria out.”

Victoria laughed when she saw Anne. “Went well I take it?”

“Yep, I got her back!” Anne was so proud of herself I couldn’t help but be proud of her too, even though that didn’t make sense. “And we would like the bedroom now.”

“Okay but first –”

“Really?”

I had made my way over at that point, using the handrail on the wall.

“Anne, Zal isn’t doing great today, and you don’t know the basics.”

“Fine.” Anne was frustrated.

“Time matters more than the number of orgasms or the intensity, think of how priests pray for months for a single spell, they don’t just surround themselves with as many holy relics as possible. Magic is slow, you can’t rush it. Also, Zal likely won’t be in pain during it, but the damage is still there, don’t let her push herself too much. Make sure she is comfortable, especially at first. If you want to do something where she is more active, save it until the end, the longer you wait the better, so Zal’s body can heal as much as possible. Don’t overdo it, there’s no need, you two will have lots of time together, and I’m happy for you, both of you.”

“Yea, now out.”

“Anne don’t be rude, thanks for –”

“You can thank her later.” Anne was mad, and in this moment, it was cute.

“Anything in particular you want to do?” I asked Anne.

“I have some ideas, you?”

“Still thinking about kissing you.”

“Fucking prude.”

“Don’t you mean romantic?”

Anne rolled her eyes at me. She wasn’t trying to be sexy, she was just taking off her clothes as quickly as possible, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off her as I tried to understand that this was really happening. She was more beautiful than I remembered. The curve from her waist to her hips, her little belly, how thick her thighs were, it was all perfect.

“Are you going to just stand there?” Her voice took me out of my trance. I took off my bra and underwear as quick as I could and lay on the bed.

“That’s better.” Anne purred.

She sat next to me and gently ran her hand up my thigh as she leaned down and kissed me. I gasped a little when she put her hand on my pussy. I didn’t expect it, we had never used that part of me before.

“I want to try,” Anne said, “I don’t know how it will work with you having a dick instead of a clit, but, I want to.”

I nodded. I just wanted her, I didn’t care how.

After she made her way between my legs she teased me, kissing and licking on and around my pussy, and at the base of my dick where my clit would be. It was as relaxing as it was sexy. I closed my eyes and lost myself in the new sensations. When she slid a finger into me I arched my back a little and moaned. I didn’t know that was what I wanted but as soon as she did it I knew I wanted more. I managed to say “more” so Anne added a second finger and put the smallest bit of pressure on my g-spot. I tried to angle my hips to get more but Anne wouldn’t let me so I gave up, accepting that she was going to tease me as long as she liked. It was nice once I was just along for the ride. I started to get these lovely little tremors that ran through my body, each one leaving me more sensitive to the next one. I’d assumed it would end with Anne getting rough but instead she took my dick in her mouth. My eyes were closed so I came from the surprise of it. I could feel myself squeeze her fingers as I came, but Anne, instead of stopping, moved her fingers faster and pushed harder, still sucking me off. My orgasm blended into a second stronger one. It was too much, I couldn’t make any noise, I just shook as Anne stopped moving, taking her mouth off my dick but leaving her fingers in me. She rested her head on my stomach as she waited for me to calm down.

“How was that?” Anne asked as she played with my tail.

“Good, intense, I don’t know though, I didn’t like that I couldn’t hug or kiss you.”

“Gross, you’re gross.” She teased.

“And yet you love me, so what does that say about you?”

“Nothing, obviously.” She kissed me.

“Now what?” I asked.

“I don’t know, any ideas?”

“Something where I can hug and kiss you?”

“Ugh fine, we’ll do the usual, but we are not going to get stuck in a one kind of sex rut again.” She was so cute, pretending to be annoyed with me.

She kissed me and I reached down to play with her pussy. I missed her. I missed fucking someone I knew how to fuck. I knew how to play with her clit, with her breasts, when to start fingering her. I could easily tell when she was about to come so I stopped, leaving her on the edge as I pulled her on top of me so I could kiss and hug her.

“Tease.” She whispered into my ear.

I laughed, “just returning the favor.”

“Well I’m not playing that game.”

She sat up and unceremoniously guided my dick into her.

She smiled and let out a satisfied sigh, “I missed us.”

“Me too love.” I sat up and looked into her eyes, “Kiss?”

“Like you need to ask.” Anne replied as she pulled my face to her’s and kissed me. I liked it, just being in her, not fucking, but not, not fucking. It didn’t last long, Anne didn’t have the patience. She started fucking herself on me. I took the chance to refamiliarize myself with her body. I wrapped my tail around her wrist and kissed her, not just on her lips but on her cheeks, her neck, her chest, her breasts. They were perfect, more than a handful, but not too much more. I ran my fingers through her soft sand colored fur. When we were apart I had forgotten some small details of how she felt, how she moaned, how she reacted to all the ways I could touch her. I wouldn’t let that happen again. When I felt she was close I played with her clit to push her over the edge. I felt her come around me and I did my best to enjoy it and remember every detail.

Anne always needed at least a little recovery time. I kissed her.

“Sorry,” she said, “I need a little break.”

I kissed her again. “I know love, don’t be sorry. I like just being in you, it lets me feel close to you.”

“Gross.”

“I wonder if we could sleep like this.”

Anne laughed and rested her head on my shoulder. “Very gross, but now I want to try it sometime, I'm curious. I bet we could.”

I rubbed her back and waited for her to be ready for whatever we were doing next.

Anne started stroking my horns.

“So,” she said, “I know this isn’t your style, and you might not feel up to it, but could you just fuck me, and maybe be a little rough with it.”

“Yea, okay, but I will need cuddles after.”

“Ugh fine, I guess I was going to anyway.” She said sarcastically.

She didn’t move, her head still on my shoulder.

“Anne, you have to get off me first.”

She groaned unhappily but she did lay down on the bed. I wrapped my tail around her wrist again.

“Pull if it is too much.”

“It won’t be.”

“I know, still.”

“Okay.”

I bent down and kissed her before I guided myself in and started slowly fucking her.

“Zal, I’m already very warmed up, don’t start so slow, and use your whole length, go as far out as you can without going all the way out.”

I did as she asked and she smiled.

“Much better. When you thrust in, go as hard as you can, and when you go faster don’t use less, keep using your whole length, just go faster.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“It won’t hurt, and if it does that’s a good thing.”

I bite my lip. Hearing her say that made me feel something. Anne noticed and laughed at me.

“Maybe one day we will actually manage to get you to enjoy sex.”

“I’m enjoying this.”

“Is it the sex though, or are you just in love with me.”

“It’s the love obviously, nothing can be better than that.”

“You’re too romantic.”

“Maybe, but what are you going to do about it?”

She rolled her eyes at me. “Just fuck me how I told you to.”

I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. She was so beautiful, her breasts and belly shaking with every thrust, and the moans she made were delightful. I didn’t wait for her to ask me to go faster, I just did when I felt like it. I got the impression she wanted me to take charge a little and she seemed to like it. She wasn’t looking at me, or at anything, she was lost in it and I felt so sexy that I did that to her. Anne cried out for more and before I could figure out what that meant she came. She moaned my name as her legs and then her core started shaking. Her legs wrapped around my waist and squeezed, pulling me deeper into her. I didn’t think I was close but seeing her feel so good, knowing I did it, knowing I loved her and she loved me, I couldn’t stop it, I came too.

I hugged her, and she hugged back. We lay there a few minutes, holding each other through the aftershocks.

“I love you.” Anne whispered.

“I love you too,” I whispered back, “we were stupid to think we could be apart.”

“Yea.”