Quiet Moments

18 - A Fire Within

The bunker's council chamber was a somber space, the air heavy with the weight of their people's future. Octavia sat at the head of the long table, her eyes fixed on the holographic display in front of her, but her mind was far away.

As the council members discussed the allocation of resources and strategies for defending the bunker against potential threats, Octavia's thoughts drifted back to a time before the weight of leadership had settled on her shoulders. She remembered the first night she had spent with Jade, their passion igniting like wildfire in the darkness of their cramped quarters.

The memory was vivid, every sensation etched into her mind like a painting. She could still feel the warmth of Jade's skin against hers, the way their bodies had moved together in perfect harmony, the softness of her lips as they had kissed with a hunger born of longing and desire.

Octavia's cheeks flushed with heat as the memory washed over her, her pulse quickening with the intensity of it all. She was so lost in her reverie that she didn't notice the curious glances from the council members around her, nor did she hear the murmurs of conversation that had started to fill the chamber.

It wasn't until the council member's voice cut through the haze of her thoughts that Octavia snapped back to reality with a start. "Blodreina," Theseus said, his tone tinged with concern, "why is your face so red?"

Octavia blinked, her cheeks burning with embarrassment as she realized that she had been caught daydreaming in the middle of an important meeting. She glanced around the table, meeting the curious gazes of the council members with a sheepish smile.

"I, uh..." Octavia stammered, struggling to come up with a plausible explanation.

Indra rolled her eyes, cutting off Octavia's stumbling attempt at an excuse. "She's just embarrassed because she forgot to turn the heating down in her quarters again," Indra said, her voice loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. "Isn't that right, Blodreina?"

Octavia's cheeks burned even hotter at Indra's blatant lie, but she was grateful for the distraction. She nodded quickly, eager to move past the awkward moment. "Yes, that's right," she said, grateful for Indra's quick thinking. 

The council members seemed satisfied with the explanation, and the conversation soon returned to the matters at hand. Octavia breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that she had been saved from further embarrassment.

As the meeting continued, Octavia made a conscious effort to keep her mind focused on the task at hand, but the memory of that first night with Jade lingered in the back of her mind, a tantalizing reminder of the passion and intimacy they shared. And as she glanced over at Jade, who was sitting across the table from her, smirking, she couldn't help but feel a surge of desire coursing through her veins, igniting a fire that she knew would never truly be extinguished.