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The apartment was dimly lit, a warm amber hue flickering from the candle Miki had lazily lit an hour ago. The three women — Miki, Celeste, and Ren — were halfway through their second bottle of red wine, sitting on cushions around Miki's low coffee table.
Ren, loose-limbed and relaxed, lounged against the wall while Celeste sat upright with that timeless grace she always carried, one long leg crossed over the other. Miki had sunk deep into the couch, arms crossed, eyes narrowing just a bit more each time Ren leaned closer to Celeste with a smirk and said something that made Celeste softly laugh.
It wasn't loud. It wasn't flirtatious.
But it was intimate in a way Miki hadn't expected.
She didn't like it.
Celeste looked so comfortable with Ren — the kind of comfort that came from centuries of shared stories, wars, blood, and pain. And Miki... Miki was just a twenty-something girl who studied finance and owned three sad succulents.
Her fingers tightened around her wine glass.
Celeste noticed. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Miki replied a bit too quickly, looking away.
Ren watched her for a second with a knowing grin but said nothing.
By midnight, the bottle was empty and Ren stood with a stretch. "Well, I should let you two sleep off the buzz before someone ends up kissing a mirror."
Celeste chuckled, slowly rising as well. "I'll walk you to the door."
"I'm literally next door," Ren muttered with a wink, already walking.
But Miki moved first.
She stepped in front of Celeste.
"Wait," she said, voice slightly slurred but focused. "Don't go yet."
Celeste tilted her head. "Miki…"
"You always leave," Miki said, arms still folded, eyes searching Celeste's face. "You always say something perfect then disappear like it didn't mean anything."
Celeste opened her mouth, but Miki closed the distance.
And then — without warning — she grabbed Celeste's collar and kissed her.
It wasn't gentle.
It was wine-flavored and clumsy and desperate and real.
Celeste froze. The air around them tensed.
Miki pulled back a little, lips parted, breath uneven.
"I'm drunk," she mumbled, looking away.
Celeste stared.
And then, slowly, she leaned in — and kissed her back.
Her kiss was deeper, hungrier.
It wasn't elegant or restrained like Celeste usually was. It was a low-burning hunger, like a fire she had kept locked away too long.
Miki gasped softly into her mouth, fingers twisting in Celeste's coat.
Celeste's hands found Miki's waist, guiding her backward gently until her back hit the wall with a soft thud. Miki's legs buckled, and Celeste's knee slid between them to catch her, lips never parting.
They stumbled to the table — knocking a half-empty glass over. Miki laughed breathlessly against her lips. Celeste's hand tangled in her hair.
They made it to the couch — Miki half-sitting, Celeste leaning over her. Their breaths were fast and their eyes darker now, their faces flushed from wine and something far more dangerous.
And then—
They stopped.
Silence.
Both of them frozen, breathing hard, inches apart.
Celeste slowly pulled back, her hand still resting gently on Miki's thigh.
Miki stared at her, dazed, lips kiss-swollen and eyes wide.
"What... the hell did we just do?" she whispered.
Celeste licked her lips, then looked away, almost embarrassed.
"I—" she began, then closed her eyes. "I lost control."
"You don't lose control," Miki said quietly.
Celeste gave her a look that was both sad and amused. "I do now."
They sat there in silence, the air heavy with what had just happened.
Ren's soft whistle broke the tension from the balcony door.
"You two need help, or should I just lock the door and pretend I heard nothing?"
"Leave," Celeste growled without looking at her.
Ren chuckled and disappeared through the sliding door into her own apartment.
Miki slowly stood, swaying a little. "You should go."
Celeste stood too. Her expression had returned to its usual composed elegance, though her cheeks were still tinged with red.
"Do you regret it?" she asked softly.
Miki hesitated.
"…I don't know."
Celeste nodded once, solemn. "Then I'll stay here tonight. But I'll sleep on the floor."
"Don't be stupid. The couch."
They didn't say goodnight. They just stood there, staring.
One kiss had changed everything.
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