“How do they even manage to make falling over in the sand look like porn?” LaFontaine asked later, relaxing in the hot springs next to Perry, doing their best not to look anywhere where they weren’t meant to be looking.
“I have no idea, but it was hot. How were they not kissing? I think that everybody but Danny was rooting for them kissing. I know I certainly was.” Perry says with a teasing smile. they both catch a slight growl from Danny in the pool beside of them and try to hold back snickers.
“Sometimes I just wonder if anyone will look at me like that though.” LaFontaine murmurs and Perry almost missed it.
-----//////------
“That was some killer ball out there, Cupcake.” Carmilla comments as she dangles her feet in the pool Laura was swimming in.
“Thanks. It was a hobby of mine in grade school.’ she chuckles. “You were pretty intense yourself.”
“I’m competitive.” she shrugs, enjoying her view of Laura, in that same bikini, floating on her back, the ridges of muscles in her abdomen obvious to the naked eye. Carmilla could easily recall the feeling of that soft skin and smell and the rush of her touch every second.
“You really are.” Laura chuckles.
“A hobby, huh?” Carmilla asks. “Have any other hobbies, cutie?”
“Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, Sherlock, Supernatural…” Laura says with a blush, suddenly feeling really dorky.
“So, you’re a closet nerd?” Carmilla asks with a cheeky grin that left Laura unsure as to whether she wanted to smack her or kiss her.
“Not so closeted if you had ever taken an opportunity to get to know me, cutie.” Laura takes a jab at the older girl. Carmilla was both hurt and mildly turned on.
“Okay, tell me more then.” she responds with small smile.
“I’m an only child and I still live with my dad. My mom died when I was four, so, fifteen years ago today.” Laura trails off, remembering that she hadn’t yet taken any time to mourn. Laura pulls herself out of the pool and sits a couple of feet away from Carmilla, her head hanging and wet hair dripping.
“Are you okay?” Carmilla asks, her voice gentle and warm.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m okay.” Laura said mildly, her head still hanging and her hair hiding her face. Carmilla didn’t believe her and nudged closer, wrapping her arm around Laura’s shoulders.
“Sorry Sweetpea, but I don’t believe you. Do you want to talk about it?” she asks.
“It’s been...so long, and I feel like I should be over it by now, you know? She’s been gone for fifteen years and it hurts the same way that it did the day…” Laura tucked her head in between her knees and Carmilla’s heart broke for her young partner and she gently pulled her into her. Laura folded like paper and her entire body shook. Carmilla even cried a few tears for her friend, the first friend that she had had in a very long time. When she was all cried out Carmilla pulled Laura to her feet.
“Better?” she asks, tucking a fallen strand of wet hair behind Laura’s ear.
“Much. Bed now?” Laura replies, voice husky.
“Sounds nice. Your place or mine?” Carmilla teases with a sad grin that immediately lifts Laura’s spirits.
“Yours. I liked that shirt. I might have to steal it.” Laura replies, wiping a stray tear off of her face.
“I might just be okay with that.” Carmilla says as they walk back.
------//////------
Danny wanted to go somewhere quiet to be alone and think for a while. She wandered around outside for a while until she caught sight of a practically glowing Laura in the swimming pool. She was smiling, laughing, giggling and talking with someone. Danny had to wonder why she hadn’t ever seen this particular smile before. She glanced poolside from her hiding place and saw … of fucking course … Carmilla Karnstein. Even she looked happier than Danny had ever seen before. As she watched, try talked more and more until she saw Laura pull herself out of the water (damn those arms) and curl into a crying mess in Karnstein's arms. Danny wanted to believe that the older girl had been the cause of those tears, but she knew, deep down in the pit of her stomach that it wasn't true. She knew that Carmilla instinctively cared for Laura in a way that she was only beginning to scratch the surface of. When Carmilla began to cry as well, Danny couldn't take it anymore and returned to LaFontaine's room where she promptly cried herself to sleep.
------///////-------
"Do you know tomorrow's schedule?" LaF asks Perry as they run their head with a towel, standing in the dressing room, shirt and bra-less as she came around the corner.
Perry's eyes widen and she stared blatantly, unable to tear her eyes off of LaFontaine.
"Uhm, yeah but, it's supposed to be a surprise." Perry says.
"No big." LaF chuckles, pulling on a t shirt, as Perry blushes a bright red.
"Alrighty, then." LaF says and just leans against the cubbies, their arms crossed, watching Perry be.
"What did you mean earlier?" Perry asks, the words jumping out of her mouth before she had time to think them through.
"I'm...not sure what you're talking about there, Perr." LaF says in confusion.
"When you said that you weren't sure if anyone would ever look at you the same way that Laura and Carmilla look at one another. What did you mean?" Perry asks in a softer tone, wondering what was wrong with her that she had asked that.
"I'm not your average person, Perry. I'm not an easy person to fall in love with," LaF replies, a deep sadness in their eyes.
"I wouldn't say that." Perry objects. "You're brave, strong, kind, and gentle. There's a lot to love about you, LaFontaine."
"Thanks..."
"I still don't understand the question, though, when I've always looked at you like that." Perry says, cupping one of LaFontaine's cheeks in her hand and kissing their cheek before hurrying out of the room.
"Huh?" LaFontaine asks the empty room.
-----///////------
Laura is asleep by the time Carmilla is done showering, her hair in a truly terrible bun on top of her head, as she hugs her ridiculously bright yellow pillow to her chest. After towel drying her hair, Carmilla slips in beside of her and wraps an arm around the sleeping girl's waist, sandwiching her between Carmilla and the ugly pillow. For the first time all day, Carmilla finally felt like she could breathe, slowly discovering that love could mean something besides heartbreak.
-----/////-----
"Summer Psycho? Danny?" Danny woke up to a kind voice and a gentle hand shaking her awake.
"Hrmmhhh? Who the hell are you? What do you want?" Danny husks in her morning voice.
"It's Kirsch. You're in my bed." He tells her as she rolls over, burying her face in the pillow.