Author: munky
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Femmegymshipping (Erika/Natsume)
Genre: Pokemon femmeslash, romance, fluff, and alternating POVs (1st, 3rd, 1st)
Archive: MCY
Author Notes: Brush your teeth after this one. The sap alone will make 'em rot in your head.
Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue. If you do? Well, f*** you too!

ON WIT DA FIC!!

It's amazing how perseverant Erika can be. I told her the truth once, that I was nothing more than ice and stone. At least back then, I thought it was the truth.

Now, for the first time, I'm not so sure. Being unsure makes me feel small and vulnerable and Erika sees that somehow. She takes advantage of that vulnerable side to assert herself in our lovemaking. She shows me how I don't need to be afraid.

She talks to me afterwards. She draws me out of that silence that always descends on me afterwards by leaning over to stroke my cheek and run her fingers through my hair. Erika is fascinated by my hair; it's her toy. Whenever I'm in control, she always makes sure to rub her body with my hair. It makes me feel...wanted. Needed. Human.

I've never felt more human than when I'm with her. Maybe that's the reason why I feel so possessive about her. No one's going to take her away from me. She constantly tells me that I'm so quiet and meek during our lovemaking, but it's because I need to feel loved. I need to feel like I'm not shoving myself on someone, like I had with other lovers in the past.

"Natsume, what are you up to?" She's whispering in my ear now, a warm rush of breath that makes me want to squirm. Instead, I bite down on my lip and pretend it didn't affect me.

"Nothing...just writing in my journal. How was the meeting at Indigo?" Natsume looked up, putting her pencil and journal down on the bedside table.

"Oh, you know. The same old bickering and complaining from the other Gym Leaders. It seems that there's a trainer out there that's flying through the Johto Gyms like they're nothing." Erika puckered her lips in a frustrated little pout and kicked her shoes off. She watched them fly into the open closet while she unbuttoned her shirt.

Natsume mildly watched her lover leave the room and made an almost inaudible grunt of agreement. "Damn twits. Did they review our proposal?"

"Uh-huh. Declined it too, with a one to three vote," Erika shouted from the bathroom, almost drowned out by the sound of the shower running.

Natsume waited patiently, going back to write in her journal as Erika finished taking a shower. A brief naughty thought of joining her soulmate in the shower flickered across her mind before disappearing with a yawn. It certainly was a nice thought, but she'd waited until now for Erika to come home.

'What time is it?' she thought, peering at the clock with tired eyes. Her eyebrows shot up in disbelief as she read the digital clock underneath her journal on the bedside table. 'Three in the morning. No wonder I'm so exhausted. I suppose if I'd gone with her to the meeting, we could have stopped at a hotel or a Pokemon Center for the night. Yet, that wouldn't have helped our cause at all. Considering my past with the Elite Four, I'd probably be making things worse.'

She almost purred with delight as a warm body slid next to her, arms snaking out to pull her close to a steady heartbeat.

"Are you being maudlin again?" I asked her, my chin resting lightly on the top of her head. She gives a little grunt and squirms to turn around in my arms.

"Just thinking."

I can tell she's not being entirely truthful. Especially since she won't look in my eyes. She must be thinking about Karen again. Just the mere thought of that bitch makes my teeth grind in anger.

"Karen won't hurt you, baby. She was the only person who voted for us, in fact." I coo in her ear, one of the few spots on her body that makes her literally melt with lust. I feel her slightly squirming, trying to hide her reaction.

"I don't want to talk about her, Erika. She's in my past and you're here now." She's looking at me now, with those big violet eyes full of trust.

That brings a smile to my face. For years, I've been in a secret competition with her old lover, but it's ended with those words.

"I love you, you know." I'm totally sincere. I think I'd go to the ends of the earth to prove it. Today's, well yesterday's, trip to the Indigo Plateau to ask permission to combine the Celadon and Saffron City Gyms is just one way I'm showing my love for Natsume.

"Aa."

I kiss her softly, seeing if she'll respond. She does respond, with a yawn in the middle of our kiss. I pull back and look at her. She flushed and her face is contrite.

"I'm sorry, it's just..."

I cut her off. She shouldn't be apologizing. She waited for me to come home after all this time and I appreciate her dedication.

"You must be sleepy, precious."

She nods and rests her head on my chest. I watch as her eyelids flutter, then close and kiss the top of her head as I reach over and turn off the light.

As the night's darkness envelopes us in our cozy little nest, I can't help but think how beautiful Natsume is and thank whoever out there put us together. With a yawn of my own, I snuggle down next to Natsume and tighten my arms around her as I shut my eyes and drift off to sleep.

Additional Author Notes: So how was it? I thought it was good, but it's your opinion that matters more. Send any and all comments and helpful criticism. Flames will be fed to the evilness of my black kitty who shall dispose of them in her own smelly way.

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