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The two kept some distance for a moment.
Pin felt so many things in her at once like she was being targeted. She felt so embarrassed, so stupid, yet so loved. Every time she was near Gaty, she felt her heart beat just a bit faster than usual. So caring…so kind…she had so much to offer that made her feel so fuzzy and warm inside. For one, she wasn’t judgemental of anything she had done before; she’s never felt close enough to open up about it to anyone, not even Coiny! It felt like she could spill all her regrets and deepest secrets to Gaty, and she’d never see her differently. When she was at her lowest point for the first time in a while, she had helped her get back onto her feet.
Gaty felt surprised to see Pin in such a vulnerable state. Sure, she had seen a couple glimpses of her being quite timid just a season ago, but never to this degree. She always tried to appear strong, but there were times when that strength Pin tried to force onto herself felt strained. Clearly, Pin doesn’t know how to simply take it easy on herself and rest. All she wants is for everyone to be successful on her teams, and that's chipping away at her composure with every unplanned failure.
Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to help her let go of that stress?
“Do you…enjoy leading others?” Gaty asked, concern laced into her tone.
“Of course,” Pin replied, sounding slightly uneasy. “…Why are you asking that?”
Gaty turned to face Pin. “You don’t seem to take losses very well. Are you sure this doesn’t hurt you?”
Pin sighed, gripping the blanket tighter. “I feel like a terrible leader when I fail everyone else. I try to keep my composure, try to be the best I can be, but when I get pummeled to the ground, it’s like nobody else can help me onto my feet again.” She blushed again and averted her eyes. Her feelings were starting to get to her. “At least…not until you came by.”
Gaty pulled Pin into a grounding hug, seeing the subtle signs of her temper slipping. Pin’s breath hitched, not used to being this close to…anybody. Everything about Gaty, the kindness she always gave to everyone around her, the gentle look she had in her eyes all the time, always trying to keep her from spiraling…she just wanted to lose her inhibitions and finally free herself from the high, high expectations for herself.
Oh, and when she did, she felt so free.
On an impulse, she jolted forward and kissed Gaty silly, finally not being restrained, not being held down by her own consciousness. She always had herself chained down, making sure to not put on a bold display, nor trying to appear as she’s trying to hide herself from judgement. Gaty was the key she had thrown away years ago, giving her the will to finally, finally feel like herself again, even if for a fleeting moment.
Gaty’s eyes widened, but she didn’t complain. She could tell by her body language that Pin was so much more relaxed, her muscles no longer being as tense as they just were. Her eyes crinkled at the corners, and she let Pin push her down to deepen the kiss she had finally found as an outlet of freedom. Pin tasted like the cakes she always baked, sweet and soft. All the boldness she had melted away in seconds, and it felt so good to not have to try talking through a mask that was slowly crumbling piece by piece.
She felt proud; proud to have someone trust her like this.
Eventually, they both broke away, panting and catching their breath. All Pin could do was look at Gaty, dazed and drenched in a pool of her own sweat. Gaty looked surprised, everything flashing before her eyes, before giving Pin a flustered smile.
Pin had to take a moment to process everything. One moment, she was laying in the hotel bed, the next she…
“…Gross,” she could only sputter out, ooze forming at her brow as she wiped her mouth. Really, though, all she could do was give Gaty that same, crooked smile Gaty had just given her.
Gaty rolled her eyes.
And as the sun had disappeared into the night, so had their inhibitions and their plans for the evening; all they needed were eachother.