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Frankly speaking, Aylin never understood why humans put their mouths on others' mouths.
"When two people are in love with each other, they kiss on the lips as a form of affection," P'Alpha had gently explained when she approached her with the question.
But Aylin still didn't quite understand; isn't it unhygienic for someone to put their mouth on another person's? Why do humans seem to like it so much, then?
She's seen her Aunt Aor and Uncle Nop peck each other on the lips when they think no one's looking, and the way their eyes light up and lips lift into a smile after. She vividly remembers her parents doing the same thing when she was still living with them.
She recalls her Human-Cousin gushing about how soft Human-Sun's lips were after she kissed her during the meteor shower, and how she wants to kiss her again, and again, and again.
Aylin was initially confused about why this topic had suddenly been plaguing her mind, considering she never really cared about human activities. But now she understands; perhaps she's so intrigued by the thought of humans putting their mouths on others' mouths because of a certain Human-Senior.
Ever since Luna kissed her on the cheek after their confession, she's been filled with thoughts about putting her mouth on her Human-Senior's. She isn't even sure why, considering the concept of kissing has always been foreign to her.
Maybe it was because it felt strangely good when her Human-Senior kissed her. If a cheek kiss could make her heart pound against her chest and her face red as a tomato, she wonders what a peck on the lips, or even a proper kiss like what Human-Cousin had with Human-Sun, would make her feel.
Aylin can't help but blush every time she imagines it.
She remembers the first time Luna slept over and how she initially objected to it because she was afraid that the older girl would find the things in her bedroom strange.
But Human-Senior didn't find her things weird at all; in fact, she was fascinated by them. Even though Aylin didn't let her look at them at first, she didn't get mad and even respected her wishes.
She recalls how Luna had taken her hand and used it to cover her eyes. "What you like and take an interest in is cool! There's no need to be embarrassed," she had gently reassured. "One day, you'll find someone who shares the same interest, just like now. I also like what you like."
It was the first time someone had said that to her, the first time she felt that someone truly cared and liked her for who she was, the first time she opened her heart towards someone, and the first time she fell in love.
She returns to the present. Human-Senior is currently studying in her room, and she's lying in bed with her eyes closed.
"I've been studying for hours. It's exhausting! I feel sore," Luna suddenly says, breaking her out of her thoughts. There's a pause before, "Wondering if anyone here wants to give me a massage~"
She keeps her eyes closed because she's curious about what her Human-Senior will do in this situation.
"Aylin, aren't you going to respond?" the older girl huffs, and the younger girl has to hold back a smile when she pictures her pouting cutely. There's another pause before she hears Luna mumble, "What? She's out."
Before she knows it, Luna's sitting on her bed. "Aylin, are you really sleeping?" the older girl asks softly, poking her cheek repeatedly. Aylin continues her pretence while keeping a stoic expression and trying to ignore her racing heart. A million thoughts begin racing through her mind as she anticipates her girlfriend's next move.
Nothing happens, and she feels her Human-Senior moving away from her. It's silent for a while, and Aylin wonders why she feels disappointed. She almost opens her eyes, until she feels Luna shift again, and—she's moving closer? Oh, is she going to-
The taller girl holds out her finger just as Luna's lips are about to meet hers. Like a deer caught in headlights, the shorter girl pulls back and averts her gaze.
Aylin opens her eyes and looks intently at her girlfriend. "Human-Senior, what are you doing?"
"So you've been awake all this time?" Luna asks as she looks back at the taller girl, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"I was really asleep. But then your loud noise and cheek poking woke me up," the younger girl lies, maintaining a straight face.
Luna huffs. "Then why did you pretend to be asleep when you're already awake?"
"I wanted to know what you were going to do," Aylin states matter-of-factly.
At this, her Human-Senior breaks into a grin as she leans closer. "Do you know now?"
It's Aylin’s turn to avert her gaze, and the older girl smirks at her teasingly.
The taller girl sits up abruptly, flustered, and reaches for her girlfriend's textbook. She puts it on the older girl's lap. "Continue studying and stop your nonsense."
"I'm not being nonsensical!" Luna protests.
"You're a bad girl, Human-Senior. You took advantage of me."
"It's not taking advantage if you're conscious," the older girl challenges, a hint of cockiness in her tone. She's definitely enjoying this.
"Yeah?"
"Yes," she nods as she leans in again, smiling smugly.
Aylin doesn't know where she got the sudden confidence, but she leans forward and kisses her girlfriend on the lips. It's just a quick peck, and before she knows it, she's pulling away, a hint of a smirk on her lips as she watches the shorter girl move back in surprise. She lays back down on the bed nonchalantly, though she's exploding with emotions on the inside.
She just kissed her Human-Senior. Although it was just a peck, it was still a kiss on the lips nonetheless. It's the first time she's ever put her mouth on somebody else's, and she feels euphoric.
"You took advantage of me!" Luna exclaims with a huge grin on her face.
"It's not taking advantage if you're conscious," Aylin repeats, fighting back the urge to smile.
"Oh, so this is how you wanna play it?" the older girl challenges once again, a teasing smirk returning to her face.
"I'm sleepy. I'm going to sleep," the younger girl says, closing her eyes.
"I don't believe you! Get up!" Luna's playful nature bubbles to the surface as she lunges towards her girlfriend and launches a surprise tickle attack.
"Human-Senior! Stop annoying me!" Aylin squeals, twisting and turning to escape the smaller girl's grasp, but Luna is relentless. Their laughter fills the room, echoing off the walls in a joyful symphony.
"You sneaky little girl!"
As the younger girl attempts to dodge the tickles, the older girl loses her balance. She topples over with a surprised yelp and lands directly on top of Aylin; their faces are just inches apart, and the air between them is charged with an electric tension. Time seems to have come to a halt, and both girls freeze, their breaths mingling in the close space.
The taller girl's face heats up as her heart begins pounding against her chest rapidly. She gazes up at her Human-Senior, who is equally flustered, and her line of vision shifts towards her lips. The playful atmosphere disappears, taking on a more serious, intimate tone.
She thinks back to the cheek kiss Luna gave her while they were watching the meteor shower and the quick peck that they just shared. Then she thinks back to what P'Alpha had said: "Maybe you'll understand why humans put their mouths on others' mouths if you try it yourself, Aylin."
Gathering her courage, Aylin reaches up, her fingers lightly brushing Luna's cheek. She gazes at her girlfriend, who evidently hasn't recovered from the shock of just how close they are.
"You look pretty, Human-Senior," the taller girl says, brushing a strand of the older girl's hair away from her face. Luna holds her breath in anticipation.
Aylin closes her eyes, reducing the distance between them and connecting their lips. This time, it's not just a quick peck; it's a proper kiss, slow and tender, filled with all the emotions she had been holding back.
Luna's eyes widen in surprise before they flutter shut, her body relaxing into the kiss. She deepens it, her hand finding its way to the back of Aylin's neck, pulling her even closer. The world around them fades away, leaving just the two of them in this perfect moment.
When they finally pull apart, both girls are breathless, their faces flushed with emotion. Human-Senior's eyes are soft, filled with an affection that makes Aylin's heart skip a beat.
Now she finally understands why humans put their mouths on others' mouths and why Human-Cousin is so obsessed with kissing Human-Sun.
Luna grins, her playful demeanour returning. "You know, you're pretty bold tonight. For an alien who didn't dare look me in the eye after our first cheek kiss."
The taller girl sulks, lightly pushing her girlfriend off her and turning her back against her. The smaller girl giggles and rolls closer to her, wrapping her in a back hug.
"I love you," Human-Senior suddenly says, her voice soft but filled with conviction.
Aylin's heart swells with affection, and she recalls how she had confessed with those very words in Morse code. She turns to look at the older girl, her eyes shining with emotion.
Luna smiles, pointing her index finger towards the younger girl. She happily reaches out her own and lets their fingertips touch.
"I love you too," she whispers, her voice filled with all the love she feels for the girl beside her.