She's there, her fingers gently sliding up the sides of my arms as she steps close behind me. I lean back, against her chest, her warmth consuming me as her hands continue slow trails of anticipated pleasure up to my shoulders. Her fingers press into my flesh, kneading away the tension and practically erasing it completely while my eyes slip closed and my head tilts to the side.
"Don't be nervous. You look amazing, Vibe Girl," she whispers in my ear, her lips softly reminding me of what she's already said tonight. But she knows I need the reassurances, in countless different ways. It’s her words, the simple things she says that truly connect me.
I'm wearing a dark burgundy velvet body con tonight. One I surprised Ruby with when I stepped out of our room tonight after she had already finished getting ready. Her eyes dropped across my body when she saw me, her gaze narrowing just slightly before stalking towards me. I couldn't help it, the smile grew across my face the second I saw the way I affected her. Sometimes, I don't think this is real. How easily we speak each other’s language, how my stomach still twists and my skin still aches for her touch. My soul continues begging for her nearness.
But it is. My Ruby, my Nova. Despite the indoctrination I fought through growing up, this relationship is mine.
Ruby's as dressed up as she'll allow tonight, and I know it isn't what Stella wanted, but her fishnet tights are new, and she's layered them under her distressed black skinny jeans. Instead of a ripped up graphic tee, she's wearing a lace black crop top that she's layered underneath a burgundy, short sleeved button up tee in order to match my dress. Except it isn't buttoned up, and I have to intentionally force my eyes to stay locked on her face whenever she's close.
Her usual black chucks are paired with her ensemble, and her once long black hair, now dusts the edges of her shoulders and fuck, it fits her so well. She's absolutely perfect, in anything she wears, in everything she says. In every mistake and flawed moment, she's exactly who she needs to be, and it’s who I've fallen in love with.
The door suddenly swings open and instinctually, I flinch in order to move away from Ruby. She’s used to this by now, the immediate reaction I have in response to the ingrained fear I held onto growing up. But her hands grip tighter and she holds me in place, sliding one hand to my waist in that unsteady split second.
But I resonate with her hands, the feeling of her body against my own and I melt against her. The familiar, warm smile spreads across my face as Stella’s bright frame comes into view. She’s radiating, her wild red hair dancing around her shoulders just as Nathanial steps up behind her. He’s a bit intimidating, if I’m being honest. Tall, incredibly broad shoulders and bigger than any man I’ve ever seen. He stands quietly, with a gentle smile on his lips while Stella rushes forward and pulls both Ruby and I into her arms.
“I’m so excited you both came.” Her eyes fall to Ruby and her smile slips in the slightest way. “Ruby, I can’t say I’m shocked you aren’t wearing a dress.” She pauses. “But I forgive you because you look hot as hell in that.”
“Easy, easy…” Nathanial’s deep voice booms out ahead of us. I glance his way and notice the easy smile on his face, he’s joking. But I step forward and offer a fist bump in agreement with his interference between Stella and my girlfriend.
“Come on, I’ll introduce you to everyone.” He steps aside and heads farther into the house while Ruby and Stella follow up behind me.
The home they’ve settled in here is gorgeous. A large, grand staircase sits off to the immediate left, while their living space is on the right. It’s more modern in here than I originally thought, sharp angles and suede couches. Random bouquets of white and red decorate every corner—something I’m sure Stella did because of her love for florals. Long strands of greenery are wrapped around the bannisters, draping across the shelves and fireplace. The entire home is decorated completely, with small hints towards the holidays, but nothing overtly “Christmas”.
I’m not entirely sure why they are so adamant on not celebrating the actual holiday, but I’m thankful for it as well. This is the kind of holiday I love being a part of. I still enjoy and want to participate in the traditions of this season. There’s something incredibly uplifting and inspiring I find in winter.
The transition before spring, death before birth.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sound beside us and I whip my head to the left to find a petite dark haired girl running down the stairs. She's out of breath, and she's tying her long hair into a knot on top of her head. Her tank is slightly askew and as soon as her hair is secured, she's frantically adjusting her top.
"Hi! I'm so sorry." Her eyes dart to Stella's, who's crossing her arms around her chest while a tiny smirk pulls at her lips. "Everything looks beautiful Stells."
"Yes, thank you so much for the help" she responds, her tone dripping in sarcasm as the girl finally steps towards us. She puts her hand out to Ruby first, and I immediately step back and next to my girlfriend, slipping my hand through her the fingers of her free hand. "I'm Luna, Stella's sister."
"Ruby. And this is my girlfriend, Aura." She nods her head to the side, motioning towards me as she tugs me closer to her side. I smile, politely shaking Luna's hand as well when it's my turn.
She's stunning. Dark, wavy hair and even darker eyes. She's strong, absolutely. She clearly works out regularly and I absently wonder if she simply enjoys exercising or if she's been through something that would cause her to want to be strong, or perhaps powerful.
I don't know why I automatically think that, but maybe it has something to do with my own past, with my own desire to have the strength to defend myself when I need to. It's like I feel connected to her in a different way, almost as if she's familiar to me, someone comfortable and safe. I resonate with that vibe, like an instant connection in other people and I don't notice it in everyone. It’s different than what I felt with Ruby, but significant and heavy all the same.
More steps sound on the staircase and my eyes naturally drift up and lock completely onto the new man entering our space.
Holy. Shit. He's gorgeous. Every inch of his skin is covered in tattoos. His dark hair is shaved close on the sides, slicked back on top. Scattered rings decorate a couple of his fingers, but his energy is something incredibly powerful.
I glance towards Ruby briefly, and notice her eyes narrowed in the same direction, she's just as intrigued as I am. Looking back towards the stranger, I assume this must be Elijah, Luna's other half. It's in the way his eyes are glued to the girl in front of me. His entire atmosphere is centered around her, and as soon as he's close, his hands are already on her while he tucks her into his side.
"This is Elijah," Luna announces and then introduces both Ruby and I to him as well.
"I'd say thanks for coming, but I actually hate this shit." Damn, and his eyes. Bright, forest green against his tanned skin. I genuinely try not to stare, and Ruby's quick nudge into my ribs pulls me back to the present.
"Not as much as I do." Another voice, another set of heavy feet casually walking down the stairs. I vaguely hear Stella groan out in frustration at my side, and when another man steps down the staircase, I immediately know who we're meeting.