A Forbidden Act

Part 9 - Confrontation

Once again, Sharon was in front of Tarja's door. How many times had she been there? She couldn't count. She remembered that time when she had come in there to see Tarja about their moment on the bench. When they had... Kissed. It had felt so right. But it seemed like ages ago, from a time where they weren't afraid to see eachother.

Sharon cleared her throat quietly and tried to make herself breath properly. She kept repeating a single phrase in her head: "It'll be okay." That was what Tarja had told her when Sharon had just told her about the marriage proposal, and was crying in her arms. "It'll be okay". Taking a deep breath, she knocked.

"Come in!" answered a lovely voice from inside.

Sharon did so, and shut the door behind her. As soon as Tarja saw Sharon, her smile disappeared. She made a disapproval sound, and clenched her teeth.

"Listen Tarja, I think we need to talk..."

Tarja didn't answer, she simply walked to arrange the flowers on her shelf.

"Who are they from...?" Sharon asked carefully.

After a moment of silence that seemed like years to Sharon, she answered.

"Timo." she said harshly, then muttered something.

Sharon swallowed nervously then sat down on the bed. Tarja didn't even look at her.

"Tarja... What happened? Between us...? We used to be so close, and now... You won't even look at me. Tarja, please. I'm begging you."

"Keep on begging." Tarja responded, her voice as cold as ice.

Those words were like thousands of knives piercing Sharons skin. "Wh-What...?" she couldn't believe it.

"Oh don't make me laugh." Tarja finally turned around, but her eyes were full of hatred. "You hurt me, you laugh at me then come back begging? Why would I want to be with a girl like that?"

Sharon was dumbfounded. Hurt her...? Laughed at her...? How? How could Sharon have hurt her, and how could Tarja believe she had been laughing at her?

"See? You don't have anything to answer to that." Tarja chuckled bitterly.

"That's because... That's because it's not true... Tarja, I never meant to hurt you-"

"Oh stop pretending." There was some silence as Tarja seemed to be thinking about what to say. "Timo told me. Everything."

Timo. Of course. It all became clear to Sharon. Why they looked so happy together, why Tarja had been distancing herself from Sharon.

"He told me it was all lies. Everything. You only pretended to love me, and you were laughing behind my back." Tarja choked. "I shouldn't have trusted you."

Sharon really didn't know what to say. But somehow, she was relieved. Timo had done this. It wasn't Tarja who had decided to drift away.

"Tarja, please, listen to me." Sharon was relieved as she did so. "That isn't true. I have never lied to you. I have never laughed behind your back. And I never will. Because I love you, Tarja. I give you my word. To me, you are the most important person in this whole universe, and I will always protect you."

"How can know if I can trust you?" Tarja whispered.

Sharon smiled a little and took Tarja by the shoulders. "It's your choice. But let me tell you something; what I do know is, even being your brother, you can't trust Timo" Tarja started to get away from Sharon but the brunette didn't give up. "He hit you, Tarja. He lied to you. He took advantage of your weakness when I had left you all alone." Sharon took Tarja's hand and held it tight. Then she noticed it. Small scars all across Tarja's wrists. "Tarja, who did this to you?!"

Tarja didn't answer.

"Was it Timo?! Please Tarja, tell me!"

"It wasn't Timo... It..."

"Did... Did you do this to yourself...?"

Tarja looked away, tears starting to appear in her beautiful emerald eyes.

"Oh, Tarja..." Sharon wrapped her arms around her. "My love, I never should have left you..." she whispered.

"No, you shouldn't have..." Tarja's voice broke. She finally gave in and cried on Sharon's shoulder, who was stroking her back soothingly. "I've missed you so much..."

"Shh... Shh... It'll be okay... I'm here now..." Oh, how Sharon had missed those arms, that presence that was home. For a moment there was only the sound of Tarja's sobs muffled by Sharon's skin. "I'm so sorry."

Tarja didn't answer, just stayed there, her arms wrapped around Sharon, and cried all the tears she had. Sharon felt so helpless. She simply kept on stroking her back, and whispering soothing words into her ear. Tarja backed away a little and wiped her eyes. Sharon smiled.

"Good thing you weren't wearing any make up."

Tarja smiled faintly and sat onto the bed, followed by Sharon. None of them knew what to say. Truth be told, there was nothing to be said. They both looked into eachother's eyes longingly.

"I've missed you too, Tarja. I've missed you so much." Sharon leaned in and took Tarja by the chin with her delicate fingers. But Tarja recoiled.

"I'm sorry, it's... It's too early." she said, biting her lip.

"Oh, y-yes I understand, I'm so sorry..." Sharon blushed and looked away. "I, uh, I guess I'll go..."

She really didn't want to, but Tarja didn't make any objection. The brunette got up, but was stopped by a hand on her cheek forcing her to turn her head, then that so familiar taste on her lips. Sharon couldn't hold back. She kissed Tarja longly and passionately, as if to catch up for all the time they had spent apart. And it felt so good, almost unreal. But it was real, and Sharon relished in that fact. Tarja finally broke the kiss, out of breath, and her cheeks rosy.

"Too early, eh?" Sharon smirked playfully.

"Oh, who cares." Tarja responded as she started undressing Sharon, who was chuckling. Tarja had trouble untying Sharon's corset, and they were both laughing by the end of it. When Sharon was only wearing a thin underdress, she proceeded to undress Tarja too, and managed to get her corset with more ease. As she started unbuttoning Tarja's thin layer of clothes, she was stopped by a hand on her own.

"There's... There's something you have to know." she said nervously.

"What is it, love...? Is this your first time?" she smiled. "Me too-"

"That's not it... Yes, it's my first time but... Well, you might be afraid of what you see..." she bit her lip.

Sharon frowned a little and carefully, slowly undressed her. What she saw did not scare her, but made her heart sink. Tarja's body was covered with bruises. Sharon knew who hit her, but she didn't mention it. Now was not the time to talk about him. Now was a sacred moment between then, and nothing could ruin it. No one could get in their way. Not even him. Sharon smoothly placed a kiss on Tarja's ear.

"I'll be careful, my love."

The two women had never been so close before, and it felt so heartwarming. Sharon kept kissing Tarja sweetly, and before she knew it, she was one with the woman she loved.