Immortal Love

10

The days following the council meeting were a whirlwind of activity and emotion. The support Engfa and Charlotte had garnered filled them with a renewed sense of hope, but the constant strategizing and planning left little room for rest. Allies were beginning to rally, and the couple spent their days coordinating with newfound supporters and their nights in hushed conversations, piecing together the fragile beginnings of their new world.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and cast long shadows across Charlotte's apartment, Nudee arrived for another planning session. Engfa greeted her warmly at the door, their interaction easy and familiar. Charlotte watched from the kitchen, a flicker of unease growing as she noticed the closeness between the two.

Nudee’s laughter filled the room, and Charlotte felt a pang of jealousy twist in her chest. She tried to shake it off, but the feeling lingered, gnawing at the edges of her mind. Engfa and Nudee shared a history, a bond forged in the fires of rebellion and mutual understanding. It was a bond Charlotte couldn’t help but feel excluded from.

As the evening wore on, the atmosphere in the apartment grew increasingly tense. Nudee eventually excused herself, sensing the unease, and left with a promise to come back the next day. Engfa closed the door behind her and turned to find Charlotte standing in the middle of the room, her arms crossed and her expression guarded.

“What’s wrong?” Engfa asked, concern etching her features.

Charlotte took a deep breath, struggling to keep her voice steady. “You and Nudee seem very close.”

Engfa’s brow furrowed. “We are. She’s been a loyal friend for many years.”

“I know,” Charlotte replied, her voice trembling slightly. “But sometimes it feels like there’s more between you two.”

Engfa stepped closer, reaching out to touch Charlotte’s arm. “Charlotte, you know that you’re the one I love.”

Charlotte pulled away, frustration and insecurity bubbling to the surface. “Do I? Because it feels like there’s a part of you that I can never reach, a part that’s always with her.”

Engfa’s eyes softened, and she took another step forward. “Charlotte, there’s nothing between Nudee and me. She’s a friend, a sister in arms. But you...you are everything to me.”

Charlotte shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “I just...I can’t help but feel like I’m competing with her.”

In a sudden burst of emotion, she swung her arm, lightly hitting Engfa. “You have to understand how hard this is for me!”

Engfa, taken aback, stumbled slightly but quickly regained her balance. Charlotte’s push carried more emotional weight than physical force. Engfa gently caught her arms, pulling her close and guiding her towards the bed. Charlotte resisted for a moment before collapsing onto the mattress, her frustration giving way to tears.

Engfa sat beside her, her voice soothing. “Charlotte, look at me.”

Charlotte’s gaze met hers, and Engfa’s heart ached at the sight of her pain. “You don’t have to compete with anyone. You are my heart, my future. I need you to believe that.”

Charlotte sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “I just want to feel secure. To know that I’m enough.”

Engfa cupped Charlotte’s face in her hands, her touch gentle and reassuring. “You are more than enough. You’re my strength. I’m sorry if I made you feel otherwise.”

The sincerity in Engfa’s eyes melted the last of Charlotte’s defenses. She leaned in, their foreheads touching. “I love you, Engfa.”

“And I love you, Charlotte. Always.”

Their lips met in a tender kiss, the tension between them dissolving into a shared moment of vulnerability and connection. Engfa gently guided Charlotte's back onto the mattress, their kiss deepening as they sought solace in each other’s arms.

Charlotte, still feeling the lingering jealousy, now softly pushed Engfa onto the bed, climbing over her and pinning her down gently. Engfa's eyes widened in surprise, but she saw the determination and love in Charlotte's gaze.

“Show me,” Charlotte whispered, her voice a mix of vulnerability and desire. “Show me that I’m the only one.”

Engfa’s hands moved slowly, tenderly tracing the contours of Charlotte’s body, her touch a promise of love and reassurance. “You are the only one,” she murmured, her voice filled with emotion.

Charlotte kissed Engfa again, deeper this time, letting her hands explore Engfa’s body with a mixture of possessiveness and affection. Engfa responded in kind, her hands roaming over Charlotte’s back, pulling her closer.

Their kisses grew more passionate. Engfa’s touch was everywhere, grounding Charlotte in the reality of their bond. The insecurities and fears melted away, replaced by a undeniable connection.

Charlotte whispered against Engfa’s lips, “Together. Always.”

Engfa nodded, her eyes shining with love.