Bypassing a Firewall

Shoku's eyes remained fixed on Kendra's retreating form, her brow furrowed in concern. The sudden intensity of the kiss had left her reeling, but it was Kendra's stumbling departure that truly alarmed her. Something was wrong, and Shoku's instincts screamed at her to go after Kendra, to make sure she was okay. But her legs felt rooted to the spot, her mind struggling to process the abrupt shift in Kendra's behavior. As she sat there, frozen with worry, Shoku's thoughts whirled with questions: What was going on with Kendra? Why was she acting so strangely? And what was driving her to drink with such reckless abandon?

Kendra returned to the table, her movements a bit unsteady, and began pouring herself another drink. She was generous with the liquor, filling her cup to the brim, and took a tentative sip as she made her way back to the couch. Her feet stumbled slightly, but she quickly regained her balance, careful not to spill a drop. With a soft huff, she plopped back down beside Shoku, wrapping a possessive arm around her girlfriend's shoulders. Shoku's eyes darted between Kendra's face and the drink in her hand, her expression growing increasingly concerned. "Kendra... That drink looks really strong," she commented, her voice laced with worry, as she leaned forward to sniff the contents of the cup. Her nose wrinkled in distaste. "Definitely strong.”

Kendra's voice was laced with a hint of defiance as she said, "I'll be fine. I can handle it." She took another long sip, the liquid burning its way down her throat. Resting her head against Shoku's shoulder, she gazed blankly into her glass, the weight of her problems threatening to crush her. Despite her best efforts to push them aside, they lingered, a constant reminder of her failures and fears. With a deep sigh, she downed the rest of the drink, feeling the familiar numbness begin to creep over her. Shoku's concern was palpable, her voice tinged with worry as she said, "Kendra, please..." Her ears folded back, a subtle sign of her distress. Kendra's response was a dismissive huff, her mind racing with ways to silence Shoku or distract her from her drinking.

Kendra's gaze darted around the room, her mind racing with ways to deflect Shoku's growing concern. She needed to silence her, to keep her from prying deeper. A sly idea struck her, and a smirk spread across her face. "Hey, Shoku, can I ask you something?" she said, her voice dropping to a husky whisper. Shoku's response was cautious, her "Yeah?" laced with a hint of unease. Kendra's grip on her tightened as she leaned in, her breath hot against Shoku's ear. "You love me, right?" The words were a low, urgent whisper, more demand than question, and they sent a shiver down Shoku's spine.

Shoku's expression was etched with deepening concern as she replied, "Of course I love you, Kendra..." Her voice was laced with a soothing calm, a desperate attempt to reassure Kendra and herself that everything would be okay. But as she looked into Kendra's eyes, she saw the turmoil brewing beneath the surface, and her worry intensified. Kendra's hand ran through her hair, the gentle touch sparking a fleeting sense of comfort. For a moment, Kendra's expression softened, and Shoku glimpsed the vulnerable person beneath the façade. But it was short-lived, as the darkness closed in again, and Kendra's eyes clouded over with an overwhelming sense of dread. The feeling was palpable, a suffocating weight that seemed to press down on them both.

Shoku's eyes searched Kendra's face, her gaze tender as she cupped her cheek. Her thumb gently traced the mole under Kendra's eye, a soft, intimate touch that spoke of deep affection. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her tone laced with concern. Kendra's gaze faltered, her eyes darting away to fix on some point across the room. Shoku's heart ached as she saw the struggle playing out on Kendra's face. She was fighting to keep her emotions in check, to maintain the walls she'd built around herself. But it was clear that she was losing the battle, her defenses crumbling under the weight of her secrets.

Kendra's words remained trapped, locked behind a wall of determination. She wouldn't burden Shoku with her problems - that was her own responsibility. Her secrets would stay hidden, no matter how suffocating they felt. She wouldn't risk adding to Shoku's worries, not now, not ever. Her jaw clenched, her emotions frozen behind a mask of control. The silence was a shield, one she wielded with precision, keeping everyone - including Shoku - at arm's length.