#sillysillyflufffluff

[jtl07]

Neck kisses

the first time it happens, it's an accident.

ava's sitting at the sofa, wracking her brain over the last answer in the word puzzle app she's been working on, when beatrice lays a soft hand on her shoulder and a fresh cup of coffee onto the side table and instinctively, ava turns her head, leans up intending to to kiss beatrice's cheek.

she misses but she figures she was close, an absentminded "thanks, babe" already at her lips when she hears beatrice's breath sharply stop, then after a moment, start. (ava files it away with all the notes she takes about beatrice)

*

the second time it happens, ava is starving. beatrice is at the stove, humming along to a song she continues to swear she doesn't like but here she is, swaying as she stirs something that smells delicious from several pans. she's so relaxed, so herself - it's all too easy for ava to wrap her into a hug from behind. she feels beatrice's laugh more than she hears it and it warms ava to her heart.

she props her chin atop beatrice's shoulder, loops her arms around so that her hands are resting atop beatrice's. "hey we could do something like the swedish chef," she giggles. then, off of beatrice's confused look, "yknow, from the muppets?" ava imitates the nonsensical sounds as she follows beatrice's hands. feels beatrice laugh again; feels whole.

"maybe next time, darling." then, beatrice nudges ava gently with her forehead (ava files this away in her mental folder titled 'bea = cat'), "could you set the table?"

and ava, ever eager to comply, gives beatrice another squeeze, kisses the skin in reach. she feels beatrice stiffen and she pauses, unsure now, ready to apologize - then feels one of beatrice's hands come up to squeeze her own. takes it as an answer, takes it as permission for more.

*

there are plenty of other kisses ava gives beatrice as well - her cheeks when her freckles are on display (everyday), her lips when she says something adorable or badass or both, her forehead or the back of her hand when her devotion is shining through (it's those times when ava is at a loss for words, when the only thing her mouth can do is pray against beatrice's skin).

most of their kisses happen in bed - not because of that but because they simply like to be close. it's always been a place where they could find comfort in each other and it's been no different since ava's return, since the war was won. here, in the quiet and comfort of their home; now where there's safety, and love, and time.

ava tucks herself into her favorite place, nuzzles into beatrice's shoulder, brushes her lips gently along beatrice's neck. feels the arm around her shoulders tighten; a quickened breath.

she does it again, her eyes open and curious as she does. hears beatrice moan. oh, ava thinks, it's about that - "more?" she asks, her lips hovering over where it's warm and inviting. gets her answer in the form of a hand at the back of her head and pressing her close.

*

+1

ava launches herself into beatrice's arms, cheering as their friends grumble about their win. "champions again!" ava crows as beatrice spins her around, laughing along with her.

it's as beatrice is lowering her back down onto her feet that ava feels it - the warm press of beatrice's lips against her neck - and she shivers.

when ava pulls back, she catches sight of beatrice's eyes, dark and knowing before she dips in low again - but this time she instead of a shiver, ava squeals. "that tickles!"

oh shit, she thinks, as beatrice's eyes narrow in mischief - yells as she runs from beatrice's outstretched fingers.

[ecoamerica]

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