Tick-tick, whispers the clock on the wall.
He can feel her breathing. She's c alling to him. Come over here, lie next to me.
He does, just to feel her warmth. That is all he wants, all he has ever wanted.
Here.
She takes his hands and shows them where to go. He stiffens.
What are you doing , his conditioned self asks in a voice saturated with fear.
It's okay.
His fingers tremble and slide. He discovers a deeper warmth, concentrated and raw. She arches her back and calls his name.
Shadow.
Her heat is building inside him now. It's g nawing, twisting, slowly creeping through his body. No, no, wait. He pulls away. What is this? I feel strange.
The warmth is gone. Everything is hot.
I don't think we should be doing this.
Why do you say that?
I... I'm not sure.
It feels nice, doesn't it?
Y-yes.
Well, here...
She guides his hesitant hands beneath her nightgown. Her breaths quicken against his shoulder and he shudders.
Does it... for you, too?
Yes...
She caresses his back. His heart pounds harder the longer his hands remain hidden. He has to move them. There, up to her chest. His hands cover the soft mounds and a flame ignites below his waist. She cries out.
I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?!
No, don't— don't apologize. It's nice.
Are you sure?
Yes, yes! Please, Shadow... do it... more...
His hands move in small circles, squeezing gently. Her breaths are coming faster and heavier now. So are his. Inexplicably, he's shaking.
Whatever this is, he wants more of it.
Maria... I'm really starting to feel strange now.
So am I...
But... you don't want me to stop?
No... come closer...
How is that possible? I'm right next to you.
Well...
She giggles. A hot twinge of something heavy and urgent flashes through him.
Right now, we're two separate people. There is a way, you know... for us to be one.
He's sweating now.
What do you mean?
It's better if I show you...
She bumps his hands lower. Over her ribs. He can feel each one. Along her flat, smooth stomach. Gradually moving down the length of her delicate frame until his quaking fingers brush the bed beneath them.
Maria...
She pulls his hand forward and hushes him with her mouth. On his. Her lips. As soft as her skin. As wet as the place where his fingers are. It feels just like the inside of her cheek, only tighter.
He wonders if it tastes the same.
You see? It's like this.
She whispers against his lips. The vibrations make him shiver.
But you need to put yours there... you know...
Mine...?
This.
She releases his wrist only to grab a different part of his body. Between his legs. Hard. Burning. Aching. The feeling of her touch there instantly sets off fireworks in every inch of him, bursts of colorful sensation exploding and crackling in places where he's never felt anything before. Unfathomably overwhelming. Obliterating.
He cries out this time.
Oh! Ma-Maria!
You're supposed to put this in me... where your fingers are.
Really?
Yes. I saw two researchers doing it in one of the labs the other day... and I wanted to try it with you, Shadow...
I-I want to try it, too.
Go on, then.
Her lips are searing the side of his face. Pushing him, pulling him.
Like this?
He positions her thighs between his bent knees. Pulls back the thin blanket. Lifts her nightgown. He can see it now. The same color as his face. Pressing between her legs. Ready to make them one.
He was ready weeks ago.
Yes, Shadow... like that...
Despite the uncertainty vibrating in his muscles, he persists. Forward. Slowly. Carefully. Not wanting to hurt her. Sinking into her. Silky slickness enveloping him. Scorching heat. Inside. Between them. In the soft cries they release.
What do I do... now?
Move your hips. Rock back and forth a lot.
O-okay.
He tries. His body falters. Trembling in extreme pleasure. So much, too much. He's never felt anything like this before. It's beyond intense, frighteningly so. Yet he can't stop moving. Neither can she. He feels her, smells her, tastes her. He's throbbing inside her. She's quivering around him. They're both making odd noises. His fingers tangle in her hair. He's not nervous anymore. Not afraid that they're doing something bad, that this is wrong.
He wants more. Closer, deeper.
Closer, Shadow.
The proof of their bond. Slipping deeper. Her sweaty skin rubbing against his fur. His hips jolting, swaying. Their bodies colliding and meshing, a continuous push and pull.
Neither of them can get enough.
How long do I do this for?
I don't know... but don't stop yet.
I don't want to stop... it feels good...
Mmm... Shadow...
Maria...
He moves faster, as if to scratch an itch. She wraps her legs around him. Leans back more. He follows. Touches his lips to hers. Her movements suddenly quicken along with her breathing. It's lighter than before. Higher-pitched. She's gasping. Overwhelmed by something.
He pulls back, alarmed.
Are you all right?!
Yes! Yes! Shadow! Shadow!
She tightens. Whimpers. Again. Tightens. Whimpers. Her small body convulses. He feels it inside and out. Pulsing. Drawing him closer. Gasping. Faster. Her nails dig into his back. Jets of heat race down his spine and pool in his groin. His head spins. He can't breathe quickly enough. Can't slow down. Can't stop.
He's going to drown in never-ending ecstasy.
Maria... something's happening!
Don't stop! Don't stop!
It... it feels like I'm about to... like I'm going to...!
Please... don't stop!
I can't! I can't! Maria...!
Shadow...!
The sound of his name in her voice quickly pushes him past his breaking point. He happily surrenders everything to her. Throws himself into her, onto her, on top of her. Sensations overflowing, rippling through him. Panting into her neck. His jaw quivering. His throat straining to hold back a thunderous cry. Twitching inside her. Pouring into her. All of him filling all of her.
They will never be closer than this.
Was that... was that good?
It was... perfect...
He jerks his hips back. Sticky fluid drips down. She sighs. Embraces him. They share a glance, then a furtive smile.
He rests his head on her chest. Basks in her warmth. No more intense heat. Hears her whisper something he's heard somewhere before but never understood until now.
I love you, Shadow.
And he knows that he feels the same.
I love you... Maria...
That truth endlessly resounds and multiplies in his head.
As it will for the rest of his immortal life.