I Love You Like I Always Did

Lions and Questions

A/N: cliffhanger! The wait was worth it, considering I took my time. Warning: adult content. Comment and vote for more! Enjoy :3 -KC

Pidge POV

     The first shuffling leapt into the air, almost in sync with the second, revealing a blur of red and black fur.

     Lions.

     The pair ran about the field as if it were a playground, tussling and growling playfully. As the sky darkened, the two blurs of fur began stirring the light bugs that had been sleeping in the brush.

     "They're the closest thing I could find to any Earth animal besides the Altean mice," he said, whispering so as not to disturb the creatures, "I know it may seem silly: missing Earth when we've been to countless planets and star systems whole. But, I'd give anything to see a sunset on Earth one more time."

     I stared at him. He missed Earth? I would have given everything just to leave it. Just to be with Matt and my father; but they're here now. I guess it would be nice to go back. Now that I have what I came for, at least.

     "Me too."

     Once the lions had ran away from sight, we got back on the bike, and headed back to the ship.

     "Well, I had fun today," he said as he parked the bike, jumping off to help me down, "We should do it again sometime."

     I smiled at the thought, taking off his jacket and handing it back, "We don't want them getting suspicious, right?"

     He accepted it back, putting it on. I turned to leave, but was stopped when I felt his hand on my shoulder, pulling me back towards him. Suddenly the tingling returned, but I wasn't distracted by it. My back hit his stomach, and I felt him wrap his arms around me, encasing me in a hug. Then, he slowly spun me, until I faced him, before planting a kiss on my head.

     "Keith?"

     "I'm sorry if that was a bit forward," he said, backing away, "I don't want to give you the wrong idea."

     I smiled softly, hugging him back, breathing in the faded scent of the grass from today. He wrapped his arms back around me, slowly rubbing my upper back. I was close enough to hear his heartbeat, fluttering softly but faster than before. For the minute or two we stayed there, I felt safe. As if nothing in the universe was wrong, and that everything would be okay. Then, as soon as it came, it left. He pulled away, leaving the side of my body that was pressed against him cold.

     "Honestly, I don't want this to end... I don't quite know how to explain it but with you, I feel... Perfect. Everything is okay right here with you," I said, fixing my glasses, and rubbing my arm, "I only have one question."

     "What's that?"

     "Why now? Out of all the days and times we've been on this ship together, why now?"

     "I figured if I didn't do it now, while I'm not worried about much, I'd end up never doing it. I doubt I would've been able to live with myself if I had never told you," he said as he started walking me back to the main part of the ship, "The fact is, I wanted it to be perfect. I've felt this way a long time, but you were focused on other things. Like your brother and father."

     "Keith, I didn't know... I'm sorry."

     He smiled, "Don't be sorry, Pidge. It worked out. We both got what we wanted to happen."

     We arrived at the door to my room, quiet. Neither of us speaking.

     "You could come in if you'd like," I said, opening the door with a clean swoosh. The tingling returned, causing my heart to jump.
   
     He stepped in after me, letting the door close behind him. The wait seemed like hours until the 'click' that locked the door sounded. There was no reason to be scared now.

     He quickly broke the distance between us, pressing me against the wall, softly rubbing his hand down my cheek, with his other sliding down my back, stopping at my lower waist. The tingling grew stronger, but I ignored it, and looked up at him.

     "Is this okay?" he asked quietly, rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip. I nodded, too anxious to answer, "Tell me if you want me to stop, okay?" I nodded again, growing impatient as the tingling sensation grew, causing me to slightly tremble.

     He pressed his lips against mine, his hand moving from my cheek to the back of my head, his thumb placed in front of my ear. I wrapped my arms around his neck, slowly running my fingers though his hair. His free hand gripped the back of my thigh, pulling my leg around his hips, letting mine press against him, causing a low growl to escape his throat. He pulled away, breathing heavy, grabbing my other leg around his waist, lifting me up higher. He began trailing my jaw and neck with kisses, slowly turning them into biting and sucking as he reached my neck. I arched my chest, pressing closer against him.

     I began clenching my hands on him, pulling his hair and clawing his back, earning a wince from him. Tugging again earned his hips pressed against me harder, pinning me to the wall, letting one of his hands free to grip my throat. I whimpered, placing my hand on his wrist, but letting go as I felt a buzz, causing me to moan in pleasure. He dragged my head towards him, pressing my lips back against his, this time slowly turning the long pressure into small bursts, pulling my lip with his teeth. I returned the nips, tugging his jacket, causing him to stop.

     "Want this off?" he asked, pointing to the jacket.

     I nodded, before he picked me up, and carried me to the bed, setting me down.

     I kick my shoes off, while he tosses his jacket onto my desk. I pulled off my shirt, revealing the Ace wrap I've had since I snuck back into the Garrison.

     I fidget, placing my arms beside me, "I never got a chance to switch it out before we left Earth. I've been stuck with it so it kinda... Stopped any chance of growth."

     He stared at me, "Your body is only half of you. It's only half of everyone. The rest is up to you."

     He turned away from me, then pulled his shirt up, revealing his toned body, bruised along his sides and upper back.

     "Pidge?"

     I got up and wrapped my arms around him, planting a kiss over the center most bruise on his back.

     "Call me Katie."