Begin again

When they walk inside, the atmosphere shifts. The air between them crackles with something unspoken, something inevitable. They barely exchange words as they move through the house, heading up the stairs in sync, as though drawn together by an invisible force.

Leah pushes her door open, stepping aside to let Alessia in first, and follows closely behind, shutting it softly. The room is dimly lit, the soft glow of Leah’s bedside lamp casting warm shadows against the walls. Alessia turns to face her, her expression unreadable at first, but then, after a beat, her lips curl into the faintest smirk.

“Unzip me?” she asks, voice barely above a whisper.

Leah’s breath catches. She doesn’t answer right away, just nods slightly as she steps forward, hands shaking the tiniest bit as she reaches for the zipper at the side of Alessia’s dress. She tugs it down slowly, agonizingly so, the sound of the zipper loud in the quiet room.

Alessia keeps her eyes locked on Leah’s, letting the fabric slip from her shoulders, down her arms, until it pools at her hips. Leah’s eyes drop, her breath audibly hitching at the realization that Alessia had forgone a bra.

Leah swallows thickly, her eyes darkening as they flicker over her, but she doesn’t move, doesn’t reach out, doesn’t let herself touch. Alessia’s smirk deepens at the restraint she can see Leah fighting. She steps closer, closing the already minimal space between them, and cups Leah’s face in her hands, thumbs ghosting over her cheekbones. Leah leans into the touch instinctively, her hands hovering just shy of Alessia’s bare sides, like she’s not sure if she’s allowed to touch.

Alessia tilts her head, eyes flicking to Leah’s lips before dragging back up to her eyes.

“Leah…” she murmurs, her voice dripping with something sweet, something intoxicating.

It’s all Leah need. She surges forward, their lips colliding in a kiss that’s instantly deep, instantly desperate. Her hands finally land on Alessia’s waist, fingers flexing, gripping, like she needs to hold on or risk floating away.

Alessia sighs into her mouth, tilting her head to deepen the kiss further, pressing herself closer, impossibly close, until there’s no space left between them. Leah makes a small, helpless noise in the back of her throat, fingers trailing up, slow, hesitant.

Alessia pulls back just enough to meet her gaze, her breathing uneven, her lips slightly swollen. Leah’s hands still, waiting, asking without words. Alessia bites her bottom lip, her eyes fluttering shut for half a second before she nods. Leah exhales shakily, her hands resuming their path, soft, reverent, making Alessia arch into her touch as her hands finally reach her breasts, hands cupping the warm flesh and squeezing.

They come together again, lips meeting in a kiss that’s slower, deeper, filled with something almost tangible. It’s a pull, a need, an unspoken finally.

Alessia shifts, guiding Leah backwards until the backs of her knees hit the bed, making her sit. Leah blinks up at her, breathless, and Alessia takes in the sight of her, the way she’s looking at her like she’s something sacred.

She leans down, capturing Leah’s lips once more before pushing her gently onto her back, following her down, straddling her lap with practiced ease. Leah exhales a shaky breath, her hands resting on the bare skin of Alessia’s thighs, and when Alessia dips her head to press a kiss just beneath Leah’s jaw, Leah lets out a sound that nearly undoes her entirely.

*

The morning light filters softly through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. The air is still, heavy with warmth and the lingering scent of the night before.

Alessia stirs first, blinking her eyes open slowly, adjusting to the soft daylight. The first thing she registers is warmth -the solid, familiar weight of Leah pressed against her side, skin against skin, their bodies tangled beneath the duvet. Leah’s face is buried in the crook of Alessia’s neck, her breathing slow and steady, soft puffs of warm air fanning over Alessia’s collarbone.

A sleepy smile tugs at Alessia’s lips as she instinctively tightens her arm around Leah, her hand slipping beneath the blankets to settle against the small of her back. Her fingers trace absentminded circles against Leah’s bare skin, relishing in the closeness. Leah stirs then, shifting slightly, her face moving lower until it’s tucked just beneath Alessia’s chin. Alessia hums, content, tilting her head down to press a slow, lingering kiss to the top of Leah’s messy blonde hair.

There’s a subtle change in Leah’s breathing, a slow intake of air followed by a quiet, barely-there sigh. Then, her arms tighten around Alessia’s waist, her fingertips skimming lightly over the curve of her hip.

“You’re awake,” Alessia murmurs, voice still thick with sleep.

Leah groans, burying her face deeper into Alessia’s chest, refusing to acknowledge the morning.

Alessia chuckles, shifting slightly, just enough to glance down at her. “Morning.”

Leah makes a noise in response, something between a hum and a whine, before pressing a slow, lazy kiss to Alessia’s chest.

Alessia grins, tightening her hold around Leah, hands smoothing up and down her bare back. “Sleep well?”

Leah exhales heavily, finally tilting her head back to blink up at Alessia. “M’so sore.”

Alessia smirks, her fingers drifting to Leah’s neck, tracing over the faint hickey just below her jaw. Leah’s eyes flutter shut for a second, a soft flush creeping over her cheeks before she huffs, rolling her eyes.

“Don’t look so smug.”

“I make no promises,” Alessia replies, grinning. “But I did make you cum four times. In a row.”

Leah groans again, dramatically this time, covering her face with her hands. “Lessi-“

“What?” Alessia teases, nudging Leah’s hands away to press a quick kiss to the tip of her nose. “Just stating facts.”

Leah pouts, narrowing her eyes playfully. “Not my fault you’re really good with your mouth.”

Alessia nearly preens at that, but she tamps it down, opting instead to press a lingering kiss to Leah’s forehead. “Mm, noted. And also—thank you.”

Leah huffs out a laugh, shaking her head, but the fondness in her expression is unmistakable. A comfortable silence settles between them for a moment before Alessia trails her fingers up and down Leah’s back again, slow and soothing.

“Come on,” she murmurs, pressing her lips to Leah’s hair once more. “Let’s take a bath.”

Leah pulls back just slightly, eyes lighting up, lips curving into a slow smile. “Together?”

Alessia rolls her eyes playfully. “Obviously.”

Leah grins, her arms tightening around Alessia for a brief moment before she shifts to sit up, already tugging the duvet away from them.

Alessia watches her with a fond smile, then follows, already anticipating just how long it’ll take them to actually bathe. The bathroom was warm, steam curling in soft tendrils as the water filled the tub. Alessia stood at the edge, twisting the tap slightly to adjust the temperature, Leah wrapped around her from behind, bare skin pressed flush against hers.

Leah sighed, completely relaxed, her arms loosely draped around Alessia’s waist as her lips ghosted over the back of her shoulder. “You’re warm.”

Alessia huffed out a quiet laugh, adjusting the water once more before placing both hands over Leah’s forearms, squeezing gently as she turned to face her. “So are you.”

Leah hummed, nuzzling against the curve of Alessia’s neck. “Mmm, I like this.”

Alessia turned her head slightly, a small, knowing smile on her lips. “The bath?”

“No,” Leah murmured, voice husky, her hands drifting lower. “This.”

Alessia barely had time to react before Leah’s hands settled on her ass, squeezing playfully.

She yelped, her body jolting slightly, though the amused grin tugging at her lips betrayed her. “Leah-“

Leah simply smirked against her skin, completely unapologetic. “What?”

Alessia rolled her eyes. “You’re insatiable.”

Leah raised an eyebrow, hands still very much settled on Alessia’s backside. “And?”

“And,” Alessia began, pressing her hands to Leah’s shoulders and pushing her back slightly, “we are supposed to be taking a bath.”

Leah pouted, as if being separated for even a few seconds is such a hardship, but let’s Alessia guide her gently towards the tub.

Alessia stepped in first, sinking slowly into the warm water before reaching out for Leah’s hands. “Come on.”

Leah hesitated only for a second before grasping Alessia’s hands and stepping in carefully, mindful of her still-healing ankle. She settled in behind Alessia, pulling her back against her chest with a sigh. The water was blissfully warm, and Alessia let herself melt into Leah’s embrace, her body completely relaxed.

Leah’s arms curled around her waist, her chin resting atop Alessia’s shoulder. “Perfect,” she murmured.

Alessia smiled, nudging her nose against Leah’s jaw before tilting her head up to press a slow kiss to her skin. “Yeah, it is.”

Leah exhaled softly, her hands idly skimming over Alessia’s stomach, fingertips trailing patterns over damp skin. Her hands continue wandering up Alessia’s stomach until-

Alessia bats them away with an amused huff. “Behave.”

Leah groans dramatically, dropping her forehead against the back of Alessia’s shoulder. “You’re no fun.”

Alessia laughs, reaching down to clasp Leah’s hands in her own before resting them back against her stomach. “Plenty of fun. Just not right now.”

Leah pouts but settles, her fingers absently tracing over Alessia’s skin. Alessia sighed contentedly, tilting her head back against Leah’s shoulder. “This might be my new favourite way to start the day.”

Leah chuckled, lips brushing against Alessia’s temple. “Better than morning sex?”

Alessia bit her lip, considering. “Mm. Different.”

Leah smirked, pressing a teasing kiss just below Alessia’s ear. “You’re saying you wouldn’t pick me over a bath?”

Alessia laughed, reaching back to playfully pinch Leah’s thigh. “You’re impossible.”

Leah grinned, arms tightening around her. “And yet, you love it.”

Alessia exhaled, rolling her eyes, though the fond smile on her lips betrayed her. “I really do.”

Leah softened at that, pressing another lingering kiss to Alessia’s damp skin before settling back into comfortable silence. They stayed there for a while, soaking in the warmth, in the closeness, in each other.

Soon, the water had begun to cool, the warmth ebbing away, but neither of them made a move to get out just yet. Alessia felt Leah shift behind her, and then warm, slick hands were roaming over her body, starting at her shoulders before slowly moving lower.

She sighed, leaning into the touch, though she wasn’t blind to Leah’s true intentions. Alessia hummed, arching an eyebrow as Leah’s hands lingered, kneading at her hips, skimming along her sides before trailing up to cup her breasts with an exaggerated sigh of contentment.

“Leah,” Alessia said, voice carrying a clear warning.

Leah, completely unbothered, hummed innocently. “Yes, love?”

Alessia rolled her eyes, though she didn’t stop her, because, well -she liked it. “You’re not very subtle.”

Leah grinned against the back of her shoulder, pressing a kiss to the damp skin. “Never said I was trying to be.”

Alessia huffed, letting her have her fun for a little while longer before finally taking the soap from her hands. “My turn.”

Leah leaned back against the tub, smirking. “Oh? Gonna pamper me, are you?”

Alessia grinned, shifting to face her properly. “Something like that.”

Leah, too late, caught the glint in Alessia’s eyes. She gasped softly as Alessia’s hands trailed over her collarbone, down the valley of her chest, before stopping at the swell of her breasts. “Less,” she warned, though the breathiness in her voice betrayed her.

Alessia smirked. “What? You didn’t have any complaints when it was you doing the touching.”

Leah opened her mouth to argue but let out a sharp inhale as Alessia leaned in, lips latching onto the space just above her breast. “Alessia-“

Alessia didn’t stop, sucking just hard enough to leave a mark before pulling back, admiring her work.

Leah scowled. “You’re a menace.”

Alessia grinned. “You love it.”

Leah glared at her for a moment before sighing, giving in. “Unfortunately.”

Alessia laughed, running a hand through Leah’s damp hair before pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Come on, let’s get out.”

Leah huffed, still glaring, but let Alessia help her up. Once they were dry, they made their way into Alessia’s bedroom, but before Alessia could even think about getting dressed, Leah was on her, pushing her down onto the mattress with surprising swiftness.

Alessia gasped, caught off guard. “Leah-“

Leah smirked, settling on top of her, her weight deliciously warm. “What? Just repaying the favour.”

Alessia arched a brow, hands settling on Leah’s bare thighs. “You’re impossible.”

Leah’s answer was a slow roll of her hips, and Alessia groaned, hands gripping tighter as her own hips arched up in response. Leah dipped down, kissing a trail from Alessia’s jaw down to her collarbone. “And yet, I don’t hear any complaints.” She whispered.

Alessia sighed breathlessly, rolling her eyes. “You’re annoying.”

Leah grinned. “Am not.”

Alessia was about to reply, but before she could, Leah’s stomach let out an embarrassingly loud grumble.

Leah groaned, dropping her forehead to Alessia’s shoulder. “No.”

Alessia laughed, running her hands up and down Leah’s bare back. “Yes.”

Leah huffed, lifting her head. “I hate my body.”

Alessia smirked. “I love your body.”

Leah flushed, scowling. “Not what I meant.”

Alessia grinned, reaching up to tuck a damp strand of hair behind Leah’s ear. “Come on, let’s eat. We’ve got all day, week, month. All the time in the world for you to get back in my pants.”

Leah stared at her, cheeks pink, lips parting slightly as she processed the words.

Then, with an exaggerated groan, she rolled off of Alessia, flopping onto the bed beside her. “Fine. But only because I’m starving.”

Alessia grinned, standing and making her way to the dresser. She pulled out a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, slipping them on before turning to see Leah reaching for a pair of Alessia’s joggers and a hoodie.

Alessia raised a brow. “Really?”

Leah shrugged, already slipping them on. “What? Your clothes are comfier.”

Alessia rolled her eyes, but the fond smile on her lips gave her away.

She shook her head. “Come on, thief. Let’s go make breakfast.”

Leah smirked, standing with ease. “Lead the way, baby.”