WOULD YOU RESCUE ME?

12. Between the Light and the Fall

Astra woke up slowly, feeling the warmth of Vanessa's embrace and her head resting against the steady rhythm of Vanessa's chest. The sensation was something she couldn't quite put into words. It was comforting, yet stirred something deeper within her. Vanessa's arm was draped over her, and their legs tangled beneath the covers, as if neither wanted to break the contact even while asleep. Astra took a slow breath, listening to the soft sound of Vanessa's breathing, taking in the serene rise and fall of her chest.

Vanessa, in her slumber, looked so different from the confident, self-assured person she usually portrayed. Her face was relaxed, her expression almost childlike. The first light of dawn began to filter through the window, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. Astra could see every gentle curve of Vanessa's features, the way her lips parted slightly in sleep, the way a few strands of her light brown hair fell over her eyes. For a moment, Astra just stared, feeling a quiet admiration and a flutter of something tender in her chest. She smiled to herself, savoring the closeness, the intimacy of this quiet morning moment.

Vanessa stirred as the sunlight touched her face, her eyelids fluttering open. The first thing she saw was Astra's gaze, still fixed on her. It took her a moment to fully awaken, and when she did, she met Astra's light green eyes with a soft, sleepy smile.

"Good morning," she murmured, her voice husky with sleep. She lifted a hand to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Astra's ear, letting her fingers linger on the girl's cheek.

Astra leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to Vanessa's lips, savoring the warmth of the contact. "Good morning," she whispered back, her voice barely more than a breath. The kiss was brief but tender, a wordless exchange that carried with it the weight of everything they'd come to feel for one another.

Vanessa couldn't resist the sight of Astra before her, her blond hair tousled, cheeks flushed, wearing only the oversized shirt that fell off one shoulder, revealing the curve of her neck and collarbone. The sight stirred something more intense inside Vanessa, and she found herself pulling Astra closer, kissing her again. This time, her lips were firmer, more insistent, and Astra melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around Vanessa's shoulders.

The room seemed to shrink around them, the rest of the world fading away as they lost themselves in each other. Vanessa kissed Astra deeply, letting her hands roam, tracing the outline of Astra's form beneath the fabric of the shirt. She could feel the heat between them building, the electric charge in the air as their bodies pressed closer together. The kiss grew more urgent, each touch carrying with it a sense of longing that had only grown stronger in the time they'd spent together.

Vanessa's lips left Astra's and began to trail down her neck, leaving a line of soft kisses that made Astra shiver beneath her touch. She could feel Astra's breath hitch, a small sound of pleasure escaping her lips. Vanessa smiled against Astra's skin, feeling the way Astra's hands gripped her back in response. Encouraged, she let her kisses become more deliberate, savoring the taste of Astra's skin, the way she reacted to each brush of her lips.

With a gentle yet eager movement, Vanessa began to pull the oversized shirt off Astra's shoulders, exposing more of her skin to the cool morning air. Her mouth followed the path her hands traced, pressing kisses to each newly revealed inch of Astra's body. Astra found herself lying back against the pillows, her heart racing in anticipation, her skin tingling with each new touch. She watched Vanessa through half-lidded eyes, feeling a sense of vulnerability but also a deep trust in the girl above her.

When Vanessa reached Astra's waist, she paused, lifting her head to meet Astra's gaze. "Is this okay?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a note of both restraint and hope. Her fingers hovered just above Astra's hip, waiting for permission, needing to be sure.