Maiden Voyage

Chapter 4: Rest

{Hey! This chapter is a lot of intimate (but not sexual) fluff; Moana comforts Merida after a long day. They are sleeping in the same bed after the dinner before the coronation tomorrow. Things are about to heat up in the next few chapters, so get ready! Thanks for reading, if you are. I really appreciate it. Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions or ideas for sex scenes or plot development!!}

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After the dinner, guests returned to their rooms to sleep before the coronation tomorrow. Merida was one of the first to leave the dining hall. Moana quickly followed her. Merida was obviously still agitated by the unsolicited comments of her family members at the dinner table earlier. Well, more than just agitated, she was fuming, really. Practically stomping up the stairs to her room, she started unlacing her corset before they even closed the door. As she removed each piece of her formal wear, she let them hit the floor. Merida went to her wardrobe, naked, grabbed a nightgown and threw it on haphazardly. She then paused and turned to Moana.

"Take that off, lemme get ya a night dress." She commanded.

(Even though it shouldn't have, something about the way Merida commanded her in this state of anger made her stomach flutter.)

Moana quickly complied, removing the yellow dress and setting it on a nearby chair. Merida handed her one of her nightgowns, and Moana hurriedly put it on, self conscious without any clothing on.

By the time the dress was on, Merida was already flopping into her large bed. Moana hesitated. Sleeping in her bed just wouldn't feel right. Were there really no other rooms in the castle? Moana awkwardly stood by the dresser, still and unmoving.

"Merida, could I borrow a few blankets to sleep on? I know there aren't any other beds, but I'm sure I could make something up on the floor, or-"

"Oh, don't be ridiculous!" Merida interrupted. Just get into the bed with meh, you'll be freezing otherwise," she stated matter-of-factly.

Moana mumbled a nervous thank you and climbed on top of the mattress next to the other girl.

Merida let out an audible groan, furiously rubbing her eyes. Moana watched as she nestled herself in the heavy covers, and she followed suit, turning to rest her head on her designated pillow. Merida rolled onto her side, now facing Moana. Their noses were inches from touching, and Moana could feel the heat radiating from Merida's body. They were so close they could hear each other's breathing. Moana didn't mean to, but started staring at the other girl's lips. Blushed pink and plump, she was mesmerized by the way they quivered with each inhale.

Realizing she was forgetting herself, Moana snapped out of her trance, looked up, and accidentally locked eyes with Merida. Somehow this seemed even more intimate than staring at her lips, even more intimate than staring at her naked body when they were changing. Even though the eye contact only lasted a moment, that moment felt like the longest Moana had ever experienced in her life.

"Could yeh blow the candle out?" Merida suddenly spoke. Moana responded by reluctantly sitting up to blow out the large candle by the bedside.

The room now completely dark, both women closed their eyes and tried to fall asleep.

~

Being an incredibly light sleeper, Moana awoke to a rustling under the covers and soft whimpers. It felt like Merida's legs were squirming, twisting their shared sheet. Moana's eyes flicked open as Merida jolted upright with a loud gasp. Her deep heaving breaths turned into shaky ones, and she started shivering.

Moana slowly sat up next to her. She noticed her cheeks were wet, stained with fresh tears. "Merida, are you alright?"

That's when she broke. Merida slumped over, balling herself up, her head shoved into her arms that leaned on her bent knees. She was really crying now, shaking and sniffling.

"Hey! Hey." Moana touched her shoulder with care. Merida stiffened for a moment before relaxing into Moana's hand.

"I'm here." Moana whispered as she enveloped the vulnerable girl into her arms. Merida allowed herself to sink into the comforting embrace and let herself go. She started sobbing loudly, without shame. She took big gulps of air when she could, crying so much it was hard to breathe.

Moana sat firm on the bed, tightly holding her. It was strange to comfort someone who was so intimidating at first, so sure of herself and confident in what seemed like every situation. Moana was concerned, but didn't ask any of the questions that were whizzing through her mind, and decided just to hold space for her new friend.

They stayed just like that for a few minutes before Merida started to shift positions, but not pulling away from Moana. Moana tucked some loose curls behind Merida's ear and wiped away some of her tears while she sniffled. Moana leaned over and gently kissed the top of Merida's head. She rested her head on Merida's shoulder and breathed in the smell of her hair. Her crying had slowed to a stop, but they still sat there holding each other. Even though it probably wasn't more than a few more minutes, it felt like time had stopped for Moana. It was so serene. She felt safe, even though she was holding this unstable girl she had only met that same day in this unfamiliar country.

After a while, the pair turned their sitting hug into laying down. They stayed with their arms wrapped around each other all night, their bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces as they slept soundly.