Shadows of Revenge

26.Quiet Flames

The soft golden light of the afternoon slipped through the curtains, casting long shadows in the room. Freen and Becky sat on the sofa, the air between them heavy with an unspoken tension that lingered after their playful flirting. Freen shifted slightly, her arm still draped casually around Becky’s shoulders, but the ease they’d both felt just moments ago had now deepened into something else—something more intimate, more charged.

Becky turned her head, her gaze locking with Freen’s, and for a brief moment, neither of them spoke. The teasing smiles had faded, replaced by the quiet awareness of how close they were, how the space between them seemed to shrink without either of them moving. The soft warmth of Becky’s body pressed against Freen’s side was both comforting and electrifying at the same time.

Freen’s hand, which had been resting lightly on Becky’s shoulder, slid down slowly, her fingers tracing gentle patterns on Becky’s arm. Becky’s breath hitched, just barely noticeable, but enough for Freen to feel it. She hesitated, not wanting to break the delicate balance they had built, but the way Becky leaned into her, the way her eyes softened, told her it was okay.

The atmosphere shifted subtly, no longer playful but tender, as Freen’s hand continued its slow, thoughtful journey down Becky’s arm. Becky’s skin felt warm under her touch, sending little sparks of awareness through both of them. Freen’s fingers found Becky’s hand, and without saying a word, she entwined their fingers together, holding on to her with a kind of gentleness that spoke louder than any words could.

Becky leaned closer, her head resting lightly on Freen’s shoulder. She closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the comfort of their connection. The sounds of the world outside—traffic, distant chatter—faded away, leaving only the soft rustle of fabric and the quiet rhythm of their breaths in sync.

“Freen,” Becky murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly would break the spell between them. She lifted her head just slightly, her lips brushing the edge of Freen’s jaw in the subtlest of gestures, sending a shiver through Freen’s entire body.

Freen’s heart skipped a beat, and before she could stop herself, she turned her face toward Becky, their noses almost touching now. There was a moment of stillness as they looked at each other, neither needing to ask what came next. Freen’s free hand moved up to gently cup Becky’s face, her thumb brushing across Becky’s cheek with a tenderness that made Becky’s breath catch again.

“I can’t help it,” Freen whispered softly, the playful edge in her voice now replaced by something much deeper, much more real. “I’m completely yours.”

Becky’s eyes softened, her hand coming up to rest on Freen’s chest, her fingers splayed out as if she were trying to feel the steady beat of Freen’s heart beneath her palm. “I know,” Becky whispered back, her lips curving into the faintest smile, filled with affection and something much more powerful.

Freen leaned in slowly, her lips brushing against Becky’s with a softness that took both of them by surprise. It wasn’t hurried or forceful; instead, it was the kind of kiss that spoke of trust, care, and the connection they had built over time. Becky responded just as gently, their lips moving together in a slow, deliberate rhythm that matched the quiet intimacy of the moment.

The kiss deepened, but it stayed gentle, with neither of them rushing to push the boundaries. It was a slow, burning warmth that spread through them, filling the room with a quiet intensity that felt both calming and exhilarating. Freen’s hands stayed soft on Becky’s face, while Becky’s fingers curled lightly into Freen’s shirt, holding on to her as if she never wanted to let go.

When they finally pulled back, both were slightly breathless, but the warmth between them hadn’t lessened. Becky rested her forehead against Freen’s, her eyes fluttering closed as she let out a contented sigh. “You’re impossible,” she whispered, her lips brushing against Freen’s as she spoke.

Freen smiled, leaning in to steal another soft kiss, this one shorter but just as sweet. “You love it,” she teased lightly, her voice still soft.

Becky laughed softly, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on Freen’s chest. “Maybe I do.”

Freen grinned at the response, a spark of playfulness returning to her eyes. “Only maybe?” she teased, leaning in to kiss the tip of Becky’s nose.

Becky scrunched her nose slightly at the gesture, her laughter filling the room once more. “Okay, fine,” she said, rolling her eyes playfully. “I definitely do.”

They settled back into a comfortable quiet, the earlier intensity now replaced by a deep sense of contentment. Becky shifted, resting her head against Freen’s shoulder, while Freen wrapped an arm around her, holding her close.

The soft sound of the clock ticking in the background was the only thing marking the passage of time, but neither of them cared. The warmth of each other’s bodies, the soft rhythm of their breathing, and the quiet intimacy of the moment were all that mattered.

Becky’s hand drifted up, her fingers brushing lightly against Freen’s neck before she settled her palm over Freen’s heart. “You know,” she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper, “for all the times we’ve been together… I don’t think I’ve ever felt more at peace than I do right now.”

Freen’s expression softened, and she leaned down to press a gentle kiss to the top of Becky’s head. “I feel the same,” she whispered in return. “It’s like... everything else just fades away when we’re like this.”

Becky smiled, her eyes closing as she let the warmth of Freen’s words wash over her. For the first time in a long while, her mind wasn’t racing with doubts or fears. She was just... present, fully here in this moment with Freen.

After a long pause, Becky opened her eyes and looked up at Freen, her gaze full of affection. “You’re my calm,” she whispered softly. “Even when everything else is chaos, you’re the one thing that makes sense.”

Freen’s heart swelled at the words, and she couldn’t help but lean in again, capturing Becky’s lips in a tender kiss. This time, it wasn’t just about affection—it was about gratitude, about everything they had been through and how they had come out of it stronger, together.

When they finally pulled back, Freen rested her forehead against Becky’s, her voice soft as she spoke. “I’m not going anywhere, Becky. You know that, right?”

Becky nodded, her hand still resting over Freen’s heart, feeling the steady rhythm beneath her palm. “I know,” she whispered. “And I’m not letting go either.”

They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped up in each other, the world outside feeling distant and unimportant. This was their moment, their little bubble of peace in a world that had been anything but peaceful.

And as they lay there, their fingers still entwined, Becky couldn’t help but feel that maybe—just maybe—everything was going to be okay.

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