*Instance recorded and archived by [[The Overseers|N.E.B.U.L.A.]]* *Entities recorded: [[Aqua]], [[Hopscotch]]* *In-World date of instance: Unknown* # Transcript of Instance Aqua hastily closes the door behind her and presses her back against it as they enter the room, her cheeks burning with a blue flush she hopes the Aladrin woman didn't notice. *Why did Hopscotch say that? Why did I do that???* The questions torment her, cycling endlessly as she tries desperately to bury the obvious answer deep within her: the thought of Hopscotch with anyone else was unbearable and that she was not going to let them slip through her fingers again, not even if Hopscotch might hate her. *UGH.* Her spiraling thoughts are abruptly cut off when Hopscotch leaps onto the bed, landing stomach-down with a thud. "That was SO awkward!!" they exclaim, their voice muffled by the pillow. "Gods, you can say that again," Aqua manages, her laugh mingling with a sigh, still pressed against the door, her hands covering her face to hide her ongoing fluster. Her sigh fills the room again, now tinged with awkwardness. "I.. ... Sorry for...that. I'll just, um..." Her voice trails off as she puts down her bag, turning her attention to unpacking her pajamas and bedroll. Her movements are measured, as if each one was to offer a temporary escape from the discomfort of the moment. Hopscotch sits up. "There's um... the bed is pretty big! It would fit the both of us comfortably, if you wanted... I just think sleeping on the floor after all the walking we did, your joints would get pretty sore!" A deeper shade of blue creeps over Aqua's face as she processes Hopscotch's words, her earlier resolve beginning to falter. "That...I..." she stammers, eyes dropping to the floor, unable to meet Hopscotch's gaze. The words feel impossibly heavy, almost too heavy to lift. "I don't understand...aren't you mad at me?" Her whisper is fragile, filled with the dread of the response she might receive. Hopscotch looks confused. "For what?" They pause for a second. "If it's because you were being a little distant.. it's okay! I'm not angry. I think it's understandable, cause I.. I know you just don't want me to get hurt... especially after the news I told you..." Aqua's eyes flicker up, searching Hopscotch's face for sincerity. She exhales shakily, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Well, sure, but.. .. in being distant I did hurt you..." She drops from her from her squatted position, opting to sit on the floor among her scattered belongings. "You didn't deserve that.. .." There's a pause. "I.. .It- . . it's. .. it's just been a lot, you know? I've been scared, more than anything. Scared of...of losing more than I can handle...... again." Each word is a struggle, barely making it past her lips as she stifles a rising sob. "Th...I.......what if...being with me causes something bad to happen to you again... What if I hurt you again......." Hopscotch slips off the bed and walks over, joining her on the floor. "You didn't hurt me! It wasn't your fault, not at all... so please don't blame yourself!" They smile. "And even if I die again, I'm Parishear's thrall now! I don't think I'm even allowed to die for real, at least not yet. But I'll try to be careful anyway, I don't want you to worry about me..." Aqua listens, the blizzard in her eyes calming as Hopscotch's words wash over her. A faint, grateful smile begins to form through her turmoil. "You say that, but let's not test that theory anytime soon please," she says with a faint chuckle. "I just...I couldn't bear it if anything more happened to you because of me." Aqua's gaze finally lifts to meet Hopscotch's. "It's my job to worry about you, Hopscotch. I love you, after all." Hopscotch's face turns a dark green, shocked momentarily, before their mouth turns up in a big, genuine smile. "Oh, haha..!!! I... I love you too, Aqua!" they yell excitedly, and then jump forward to hug her tightly. "Thank you... I'm so lucky I met you!" Aqua returns the warm embrace. "Me? I ... no, I'm the lucky one. I should be thanking you Hopscotch. For... everything." Aqua gently pulls away from the embrace, a silent question lingering in her eyes. With a tenderness, Aqua reaches up, brushing away a stray lock of hair from Hopscotch's face. Then, as naturally as the sun rises, Aqua leans in, closing the distance, hoping Hopscotch will return the gesture. Without a moment's hesitation, Hopscotch kisses her back. Hopscotch’s warmth seeps into Aqua, dissolving the lingering traces of her fears. Her hands cradle Hopscotch’s face tenderly, as if they were a precious treasure, while Hopscotch’s hand finds hers, holding it firmly in place. Their hearts pound a fierce rhythm in their ears, each beat mirroring the growing intensity of the moment's emotions. The world beyond them blurs into insignificance, overshadowed by the burgeoning warmth between them. Aqua's other hand travels up, fingers weaving through Hopscotch’s hair before sliding down to rest on their back. With gentle care, Aqua guides Hopscotch down onto the floor, positioning herself above them. The intimacy of the moment fills the air, their breaths mingling, soft and warm. But the tenderness is briefly interrupted as Hopscotch’s expression shifts. Only a few seconds after their head rests on the floor, they wince and pull back slightly from the kiss. “Erm... Aqua…” Their voice is tinged with discomfort, their face a deep shade of green as they glance to the side. Aqua’s eyes follow theirs, landing on the uneven wooden board beneath Hopscotch’s head. "O- oh!! I- oh, sorry. . .!" Her face darkens in hue. "I- I just we I it was just-" "No it's fine! Just. .. well um....." Hopscotch's voice trails off, softer now. "The bed is pretty big, yknow..?" They repeat, hoping Aqua will take the offer this time. Aqua looks up from their position on the floor over to the bed, then back down at the Frogfolk under her, her mind in a different plane entirely. "Th- oh, right! Yeah. . . yeah............." Her words taper off into awkward silence as her mind yells at her. *GODS THIS IS EMBARRASSING!!* Hopscotch's gaze flickers back to Aqua, watching her state of extreme fluster. *Gods she's adorable.* Pushing down her screaming thoughts, Aqua gently helps them to their feet, their hands lingering together as they cross the room. Hopscotch takes a seat on the side of the bed, but Aqua pauses, hesitant. "I.... so, Hopscotch-" She begins, only to be interrupted as they pull her forward, drawing her down into another kiss. Aqua's heart flutters with the sudden, unexpected pull as she collapses atop Hopscotch onto the bed. A warmth that could melt glaciers floods her veins and fills her chest, consuming any apprehension she may have had moments prior. The kiss deepens, each movement synchronized as if they had been awaiting this intimate waltz for ages, their souls finally aligning in the quiet sanctuary of the moonlit room. Hopscotch's fingers trace the curve of Aqua's cheek, a gentle caress that sends shivers down her spine as leans into it, every touch burning with an intensity that threatens to consume them both. Yet, as their kiss deepens, the familiar whisper of doubt creeps into Aqua's mind. *Can this be real? Is this too good to be true?* The fear of the unknown threatens to pull her back from the brink of bliss, but she pushes it aside, focusing solely on the warmth radiating from the Frogfolk before her. Aqua's hands tremble as they thread through Hopscotch's hair, pulling them closer as if to ensure they won't disappear into the night. The rhythm of Hopscotch's heart accelerates, matching Aqua's in a symphony of syncopated beats, their thoughts captivated by the sensations of her fingers exploring their body and her kisses along their neck. As her hand becomes entangled in their hair, a surge of euphoria courses through them, urging them to diminish the space between them even further. However, just as Aqua's hand ventures toward Hopscotch's upper thigh, she halts her search abruptly. Their lips part, and both are left gasping for air. Aqua collapses onto Hopscotch, her face buried in their shoulder as Hopscotch's gaze fixates on the ceiling above. "H- Hopscotch....." Aqua's voice is a shaky whisper as one hand clenches Hopscotch's shirt. "I'm- Um...... .. . d- did you want to. .. .. are you okay with... .." She tries to conceal her face even deeper into Hopscotch's shoulder. The intensity of the moment paints Hopscotch's face with a flush so deep it might have set the room ablaze, their tail twitching uncontrollably beneath them. They had already fully given themself to the moment before Aqua so rudely interrupted. They continue staring at the ceiling, their eyes wide. "O- oh! I...." Hopscotch's voice falters, struggling to remain steady, betraying their nervousness with each hitching breath—a reaction Aqua misinterprets as reluctance. "I-... I mean, we don't have t-" "I didn't say that!" Hopscotch quickly retorts. "I!. . Yes, ....yeah......" they add, softer this time. "A- are you sure? If yo-" "UGH just kiss me already!!" Hopscotch exclaims with a mix of impatience and amusement. Aqua lifts her head from Hopscotch's shoulder, meeting their gaze. Despite Hopscotch's deep green flush, they're smiling. Aqua lets out a light laugh, relief and happiness mingling in her expression. Thank gods, she couldn't hold back any longer either. She leans forward, Hopscotch immediately meeting her halfway and pulling her down, their legs wrapping around her. Their lips connect with renewed fervor, Aqua's hands moving to frame Hopscotch's face, her touch gentle yet insistent, pulling them closer. Hopscotch responds in kind, their hands exploring Aqua's back, drawing her even nearer as their heavy breaths fill the quiet room. As they savor the moment together, they remain blissfully unaware of the distant rumble of thunder and the troubling news that would find them later that night.