[SFW VERSION]
🌹 There's something wonderful in those who stare death in the face. Even in a world wracked by relentless calamity, flowers blossom between a sea of corpses, the shapeless crimson rivers marched over by mechanical instruments of mass...
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"I'm sorry, Commander. I'm bad at this."
Vesti sighed. She kept stealing glances at the hand you offered to her, every now and then breaking eye contact to stare down at her feet. She didn't take your hand though; it was clear to you that the girl was pressed between giving into the desire and being unable to step out of her shell.
"I can't stop," she said, shutting her eyes.
"Deep breath, Vesti," you said. "It's simple."
"I know it is, and I feel so silly for not being able to do it — but I can't stop shaking." Vesti lifted her arms from her sides and pressed her cheeks into her palms. "I can never stop shaking when I'm around you. I'm so sorry. I'm a mess."
"Hey, hey." You reached your hand out, brought your fingers to the girl's chin. "Look at me." She flinched at your touch, unexpected, but soon did not shun your closeness.
Your fingers lifted her chin, made her look up into your eyes. Her baby-blue hues seemed to sparkle beneath the harsh artificial sun; it almost felt like looking into the eyes of the sea, a calm ocean swirling within glimmering orbs.
"C-Commander..."
Every stress, every pressure, melted away. Vesti felt her once-stiff shoulders turn loose, her warm cheeks turn warmer. Your charming smile was all too alluring for the girl's heart to handle. At the same time, it pushed her forward — it was that final step she needed to take in order to break out of her shell.
She gazed longingly in your eyes, went as silent as a mouse, and allowed you to take her hand. Vesti looked down at how your fingers interlaced with hers, forming a bond that would never break so long as you held onto her with simply the bare minimum.
Vesti wouldn't want to let go under any circumstance regardless. She smiled and at last, stopped shaking.
As she drew her final breath and allowed her heart to be pierced by a Rapture's shot, she wasn't shaking at that point either. But unlike within the sweet memory of falling even deeper in love with you, Vesti was not smiling.
* * *
"That's adorable." Emma spared no effort in making sure she caressed every little moan and groan out of you. Her hands worked wonders. Your muscles instinctually succumbed to her; how she hit that spot over there just right and moved her fingers so sensually atop your skin and easily relaxed every knot that had left you sore.
