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"I kissed him while I was in your body," Psyche said. She pressed herself flatter to the carpet, her face hidden from sight. "I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner- no, I should have refused."
Medea felt a chill go down her spine.
" Enough ," she commanded.
Psyche lifted her head, eyes wide and uncomprehending. Medea's heart ached.
"...Pardon?"
"He's the one in the wrong," Medea asserted. Memories of the kiss he had forced on her came unbidden to her mind, but she shoved them away. "If anything, it was my mistake. I never expected him to barge in there in the middle of the night… but admitting my ignorance is just an excuse."
Psyche looked shocked, as though she was bewildered by her exemption from guilt. Medea wished she could embrace her so tightly their clothes wrinkled, an apology and a reassurance in one.
Eyes, Medea. You are not safe here.
"Why are you surprised?" She leaned over the armrest so they faced each other properly. "I rushed over in case you were blaming yourself as you are now."
Further tears sprung to Psyche's eyes. She followed their path down her pale cheek, beading up on her chin and wavering before dropping onto the floor.
"Though, it may be… a little unfair."
That wasn't on script.
She reached out a hand to cradle Psyche's face.
"Since the day we both entered the temple, you have, inadvertently, caused me to be kissed twice by the Prince- albeit, one of which I was not present for," she whispered. "Yet your own body… remains untouched."
She hooked a finger beneath Psyche's chin and lifted it. Psyche's breath hitched.
"It would only be proper-" this wasn't on script this wasn't on script "- for me to even things out," Medea said. She brought Psyche's face closer.
Eyes there are so many eyes she leaned down what are you doing and stayed there for a moment, eyes catching on the red of her lips. They made her soft green eyes that much brighter.
Restraint- Psyche wasn't moving away, she was so close, it would be easy- RESTRAINT-
She closed the gap and kissed her, softly.
Psyche melted. Having her so near- it was intoxicating. Her hair was brushing her cheek. She smelled like warm vanilla, and something she couldn't place.
It was chaste. They separated, and stared at each other. There was something like lightning in the air.
They came back together, like waves crashing onto the shore. Their teeth clicked against each other uncomfortably but it was easily remedied. She was delighted to find that they fit together.
They separated again, breathing heavier than they should have been for the time they were together. Medea smoothed her hair down. She was sure she must have been trembling. It felt like the world had tilted on its axis.
That was two. The debt had been paid.
They sat in silence. Medea hesitated. She felt like she was on the edge of a cliff, wobbling back and forth but never falling either way.
"-Helio," Psyche said, panting slightly. Her cheeks were a heavy red.
"What?" Her brow furrowed. Her mind was blank- all her machinations cleared away in an instant, thoughts centered on a single source.
Psyche frowned (cute, like a puppy), eyes filled with a fiery determination.
"On the balcony, during the party when I was supposed to be killed. Helio and I kissed to create a cover, so we didn't look suspicious having been hidden away," she explained, speaking rapid-fire.
"So you have to do it again," Psyche said.
Helplessly, Medea smiled. It was the pure ridiculousness of their flimsy excuse, and Psyche's willingness to uphold it.
She held Psyche's face with both hands
and pulled her in.
Everything became a haze of sensation- warmth, feeling, taste- the irrelevant fading out of existence as easily as snow melting in the hot sun.
She was no longer the Duke's daughter- just a person, who could live and move freely, who didn't filter out every slight sound, thought, and action that did not serve her master plan.
Just a person- with Psyche. Real and tangible and wonderful beneath her fingers.
-
Then, she woke up.
She sat bolt upright in bed with a gasp, heart pounding away.
The memory of her affection settled in her bones. She trembled with the force of it.
You can't, she thought, crushing her mouth with one hand. The other was fisted in her sheets. You can't , she thought. Her knuckles hurt.
She took a deep breath and released her hands. She flexed her fingers and laid them harmless in her lap.
Not now. There were tears in her eyes but her chest was filled with something weighty and burning. Not ever.
Psyche's face in her hands. Psyche's lips on hers. Her golden hair. Her vivid eyes.
Psyche.
You cannot hope. Even after all this is done- you will not hope, she insisted.
But something small and irrational and alive beat away in her chest, despite it.