Private Veneer Of Business

[Arris Windrun]

Lily Rhodes
​

They were so.

So.

So messed up.

Arris couldn't feel Lily's touch the way she wanted to, but she could feel what Lily felt, through the link. It was much more alive, every nerve in her hand a firecracker against the synthetic flesh. 'Did I always feel this real?' Arris thought to herself.

If she just focused on what Lily felt...

...Then she might feel something, too.

For a moment, when Lily's thoughts went back to Vess, Arris was reminded of how Lily felt when hers went to Rox. She was ready to recoil. To retreat. But when Lily fought those thoughts - when she forced herself to see and opened her eyes again.

“But you’re the monster I need.”

Oh. What a terrible mistake.

Arris leaned forward, resting her forehead against Lily's.

She wanted more. So much more. She couldn't bring herself to take it. Couldn't bring herself to accept it.

There was a threshold to cross in her mind. Of trauma and pain. She remembered the woman from Abregado-rae.

“This isn’t who you have to be.” Her words were a calm reminder to Arris that she had a choice.

When she pulled her head back half an inch, eyes settling on Lily's, she thought about it again. How freeing it was to be the worst version of herself, and still have this kind of...

Terrible, terrible choice.

She closed her eyes, this time doing everything in her power to try and feel it from Lily's end as she leaned in, lips parted slightly.

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Tags: Arris Windrun​

How strange it was, to be in the head of someone who felt nothing and yet felt something. It was an endless loop of sensation as Arris pressed her forehead against her own; she was more aware of it, of how unnaturally cool she was, of how she felt beneath her fingers.

Lily knew it was wrong.

And yet she couldn’t stop it, didn’t want to stop it.

In the wake of everything Lily wanted to feel something else, needed to feel something else.

As Arris reached almost desperately to try and feel everything from Lily’s point of view, she leaned into it, giving her everything, every sensation from the rapid drum of her heart beneath her ribcage, her pulse skittering as she leaned in, to the soft brush of her nose against Arris’ as her head tipped up, drawing in a small shuddering breath.

Arris leaned in and Lily moved to meet her, eyes sliding shut as she let sensation carry her, this kiss slow and soft as her hand slid along her jaw, finger sliding into her hair is she pulled herself closer, pressing against her. A shiver ran down her back as she felt the cyborg’s hard body against her own.

Every connection sparked, awakening something hungry in Lily as guilt ran across the back of her mind scrambling to find purchase and drowning in a haze of spice driven sensation.

A small whimper escaped her, not mournful or sad, but desperate and full of need.