Haley Thistle
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Monster March: Nico the Moth
🕑 Added 2023-03-05 19:00:02 +0000 UTCFemale Reader (cancer survivor, mastectomy) x Nonbinary Monster
Looking in the mirror is hard, well, it was always hard before but now it’s even worse. I had first felt the lump in my breast when I was just graduating college. I was stressed from exams and finals and all that bullshit stuff that seems to matter at the time. I wasn’t until my breast started hurting so bad that I went to the doctor. The first exam felt normal and the doctor was very reassuring. It was the phone call that might as well have killed me. I was so young, I thought that it was impossible. Girls graduating and starting their lives didn’t get cancer! I was wrong.
Cancer is merciless, it doesn’t care who it attacks and takes. I just happened to be the next one on its dirty little list. The doctor gave me options but unfortunately, in my haste to pass and graduate I had waited far too long. I could go to chemo, but in that time that could risk it spreading to the other breast. The doctor said a mastectomy would be my best.
“Would you like to bring your parents or your boyfriend to discuss this?” The doctor asks.
I should have been insulted by that but my mind was a million miles elsewhere. I could risk everything or I could lose one thing. I decided to go for the mastectomy. I thought, for sure, it was the right decision. But the mirror makes you second guess everything.
“So, you’re saying you wish you had gone to chemo now?” My friend, Erica, asks me. She’s a bee and lovely too.
I sigh and shake my head. “No, but…what if you know?”
“You made the right call,” Erica says. “If you had gone through with the chemo it still could have spread. You could be in a lot worse shape.” Her wings twitch for a moment.
I touch my right breast, or well, where it used to be. Instead, there’s a silicone lump tucked into my bra. “I keep thinking about what if and-”
“That’s where you’re hurting yourself,” Erica interrupts me. “What if you did what if blah, blah blah. Focusing on that isn’t going to make anything better or worse. Actually, it’ll make things worse. You still have your life, your health is coming back. You’re going to be great!”
I frown.
“And yeah, I know it’s ugly. But you’re alive and there are ways to fix it. You can get an implant, cover the scar with tattoos. You have options to look at.”
I sigh and frown. “Yeah, I know.”
Erica kisses my forehead. “Don’t be pouty for the show tonight,” she says. “We’re going to have some drinks, some good food, and we’re going to watch one of the best shows in town.”
I smirk up at her. “A drag queen is the best show in town?”
“This isn’t just any drag queen, this is Rosé Erable! She’s amazing.” Erica kisses my cheek and stands up. “I’ll let you get some rest. I’ll see you at seven!” She says as she leaves.
Rosé Erable was a local celebrity in these parts. He shows sold out before you even knew about them, so getting tickets was a miracle. Luckily, my Erica was a miracle worker. She somehow got the tickets to celebrate me having a clean bill of health. She had planned a whole evening that would hopefully help me forget my past stresses and look forward to the new ones. Or, so she said in her tongue and cheek way.
I had gotten a new outfit for the evening, but even that didn’t do much to make me feel better. I had bought new makeup and everything and had done my face up as best I could. But standing there in my new dress, new shows, jewelry, fantastic makeup, I felt less than what I was. It was a breast. Just a breast! Why did it matter if it was gone? Why was I feeling like I was less than I was before? I shouldn’t but I do. I wrap a soft cardigan around me, covering up the best part of my outfit and making me look as small as I felt.
When Erica came to get me that evening, she saw the struggle on my face. “You look amazing,” she says with a bright smile and she kisses my cheek. “I mean it, I haven’t seen you look this good in so long.” She puts her arm around me as we go to the car. She has a way of lifting my spirits.
At the bar where Rosé Erable performs, Erica manages to get us a table near the front of the stage. She’s already ordered us drinks and food. I’m glad she didn’t invite anyone else, it feels nice to get to spend alone time with her.
As I’m finishing my second drink the music starts and the curtain on the stage opens. There’s a big chair in the center of the stage and Rosé is draped over it. She looks elegant and beautiful in a sheer, flowing negligee robe with fur around the collar and cuffs that looked so fluffy and soft. I’ve never seen anything so effortlessly beautiful before.
Rosé sighs and stretches their long legs, crossing them and then kicking them up in the air. They stroke their hands down their legs and then stop. Music starts to play and they sit up, lip syncing to the song playing. They stand, strutting across the stage with an elegance I’ve never seen. They’re so beautiful, a moth of bright pink and yellow. They strip off their robe, showing that most of the fluff belonged to them. Under the robe, they’re wearing peach colored lingerie, a corset, panties, garter belt, the whole nine yards. They look like they belong in a vintage pinup. They hold something inside them, some sort of flame of passion and vitality that draws me towards them. Dare I say it’s like a moth to a flame?
As the song ends their heel crashes down on the stage, ringing out like a bell. They turn and I swear they look directly at me. I forget how to breathe for a moment as they cast their beautiful eyes upon me.
“Good evening,” Rosé murmurs in a voice like dark silk. “I’m so very glad you are all here on this night that we can all share the same memories at some point in our lives.” They then chuckle. “Can you believe the bullshit some people will say?”
The crowd giggles and laughs, Erica bounces in her seat beside me.
“Anyways,” they strut down the catwalk of the stage and sit on the very edge. They’re so close I could touch their long, gorgeous legs. I can even smell their perfume. “You did not come here to listen to wax on and give pretty patter. No.” They turn, and I swear they look at me again. “You all came here for a new experience.” They stand back up as someone rushes down the stage and slips their robe back over them. “Raise your hand if this is your first time at a drag show.”
I slowly start to raise my hand but hesitate, Erica then grabs me and shoves my arm up into the air. Rosé’s finger points down at me. “You there, the one who looks terrified.” They come to the edge of the stage and kneel down right before me. “What brings you to my show tonight?”
“I uhm-” I find I can’t talk in front of them. Looking at them I’m filled with disappointment in myself. They take on the visage of a woman so easily and I feel as if mine has been taken. I start to cry. I hang my head in sob into my palms.
“This won’t work,” Rosé murmurs. They slip off the stage and wrap their four arms around me. They stroke my back. “I am so sorry, whatever it is that’s made you cry, I am so sorry.” They look to Erica for a moment while I sob. “The world is mean, believe me, I know. Bartender! This girl is to have anything she wants for free. This is going to be her night!”
The crowd erupts into applause. I am horribly embarrassed, but all evening not only does Rosé check on me during their performance but members of the audience walked up to me, offering me drinks and appetizers and kind words. At one point during the show, Rosé comes off stage and sits in my lap as they lipsynch. They touch my face and cuddle close. They’re warm and smell so good, I’m afraid I may have fallen a bit in love.
The shows end and everyone stands to applaud. As the curtains close around Rosé, Erica and I turn to finish the last of our free drinks. As I’m stuffing a fried mushroom into my mouth someone comes up to me and taps me on the shoulder.
“Rosé wants to see you.” It’s a stagehand.
“What?” I say with a mouthful.
“Rosé requested we bring you backstage, they want to meet you.”
Erica grins and urges me to go. I follow after the stagehand who takes me to Rosé’s dressing room. They knock then turn and leave. The door opens, and Rosé looks down at me. They’ve taken off their lashes and have changed into a silk robe.
“You came,” they say and take my hands. “I’m so glad. Please, come in.” They lead me into their dressing room and sit beside me on the sofa there. “I wanted to talk to you,” they keep a hold of my hands. “I was so touched by you tonight.”
“I just cried,” I gasp, glancing down at our hands.
“You did more than cry. You let the weight on your shoulders get to you.” They reach out, brushing the hair away from my face. “I could feel that pain and I wanted to reach out to you.”
I feel tears sting in my eyes again. “You’re just so beautiful.”
They smile and chuckle. “Thank you but, surely that is not the reason you cried.”
“It kind of was,” I admit and sniffle. “You are so effortlessly beautiful and you carry yourself with such poise. I feel like I’ll never be like that again.”
“Again?” They tilt their head towards me.
I touch my chest. “I had breast cancer,” I mutter.
They cup my cheek and wipe the tears away that fall. “How cruel life is,” they whisper. “And, I take that it took more than you expected.” They squeeze a hand on my shoulder. “I do not understand what you’re going through but I can feel your misery and how lost you must feel.” Their smile is soft and sympathetic. “I have an ear if you need to talk.”
“You’re so kind,” I whisper.
They chuckle. “What were you expecting? I am not high volume, I am rather meek compared to some of my drag sisters. My drag mother was very concerned with me when I first started. But, my true light shines through.” They sit back and put their arms around me. “Please, talk if you need to.”
I close my eyes and sigh. “I don’t know,” I mutter.
“Yes, you do.” Rosé rubs my arm and shoulder. “What weighs so heavy on you that you would cry during a drag show?”
I hesitate. Do I really want to unburden myself with a stranger who I already broke down crying on? “Well,” I start with a whimper.
“Go on,” Rosé whispers.
“Ever since the surgery, I keep thinking that if I had just done the chemo, I would have been better. That I wouldn’t be-” I touch my chest, feeling a dull ache where my breast used to be.
“Did you know,” they start. “Back in the day, girls training to be Amazons would willingly cut off their right breast?”
“Huh?” I gasp, looking back up at them.
“They cut it off so that would they could draw a bow better and they could protect themselves better on the field.” They smile down at me. “It was seen as a sign of a powerful woman, someone strong and reliable.”
“I had no idea,” I sit closer to them.
“You may not feel strong right now but trust me, you are. You have more guts and more strength inside you than you know. Now, dwelling on your ifs and past decisions will do you no good. Lingering in regret will only make the weight on your worse.” They smile at me. “You’ve come out of a terrible situation healthy and whole, no matter what you may think. You are imperfect but so is everyone else, but it is the imperfections that make us beautiful.”
I sniffle, rubbing my eyes. “Thank you, Rosé.”
“Nico,” they murmur. “That’s my real name.”
I smile up at them and nod. “Nico, it’s very nice to meet you.”
Nico kisses my cheek and I lose my breath for a moment. My cheeks begin to burn and I feel silly.
“I’m so very glad I got to meet you tonight,” Nico takes hold of my hands. “Is there any way I could take you out to dinner sometime?”
“Dinner?” I gasp.
They nod. “Oh yes, I would very much like to talk to you more.”
“I mean, I guess that’s alright,” I reply, my heart hammering.
They smile at me and hand me their phone. “Go ahead and put your number in there. I’ll message you when I know my schedule.”
My hands are shaking as I type in my number into their phone. I glance up at them, wondering why such a gorgeous creature would ever want to waste their time on me. They take their phone back and start typing, a second later my phone vibrates.
“Now you have my number,” Nico beams.
“Oh uhm, thank you.” I gasp.
Nico kisses my cheek again, lingering a moment this time. “Please feel free to talk to me anytime you need to. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to take you out for dinner so until then we’ll just have this,” they wave their phone.
Nico calls me a cab to take me home and they send me with a small grab bag of goodies which includes their signed photograph, a t-shirt, and a bottle of their favorite wine. When I get home I call Erica to let her know what went on.
“So, like a date?” Erica asks.
I furrow my brow. “A date?”
“Yeah! It sounds like they asked you on a date!” Erica giggles and squeals, I can hear her wings buzzing in the background. “They asked you on a date.”
“No!” I scoff. “There’s no way.”
“Then ask them.”
“I can’t ask them that! That’s too embarrassing!” I scoff as I pass around the apartment.
“You don’t want to be embarrassed when you go to dinner with them either,” Erica huffs as the buzzing of her wings turns angry. “You don’t wanna show up all casual and half done when they’re trying to wine and dine you. No, no. I won’t allow such madness.”
“But-” I hesitate, part of me hoping beyond hopes it was really a date.
“No buts! Except for Nico’s,” Erica urges. “If you ask and they say it’s just a friend outing you can laugh it off. It’s not bad. Promise me you’ll ask.”
“Ok,” I grumble half-heartedly.
“Good, now get some sleep. You had a very exciting night.”
I sigh and hang up. I take a quick shower and put on Nico’s shirt. As I get into bed I check my phone and see there are a couple of messages.
“I hope you made it home safe.” As I read Nico’s message I can hear their sultry voice right in my ear.
“I did,” I respond to them. “I just got a shower.”
“That’s good. Once again, I am so glad to have met you tonight.”
“Me too,” I reply. “You’re so nice. I’ll never forget this evening.”
“I’m glad. Bringing a smile to your face was my goal for the evening. After you cried my heart just kept reaching out to you.”
My heart is hammering and before I can type a reply they send another message.
“I do hope my offer for dinner did not come across as strange. It is not that I wish to keep hammering the nail into your head, it is that I wish to see you more and more. My heart is reaching out to you not just to comfort but to adore you.”
“What?” I whisper as I stare at their message.
“What I mean to say is, to be crystal clear, is that this dinner will be a date. If that was not what you wanted then I am happy to be friends as well.”
My hands tremble as I respond. “Why would you want to date me?”
“Because you are beautiful.” Their message makes the tears flow again. “And I am drawn to the flame that’s inside you. Ha ha. Yeah. You can laugh at the moth now.”
I smile and sniffle, rubbing my eyes as I read their message over and over and over again. “I just in shock.”
“Don’t be. I am rather ordinary outside my act.” They then send a picture of them out of drag. I still don’t know what Nico is talking about, they’re so gorgeous even out of drag. He’s posing in a way I can see their bare chest as well as their naked face.
“See?” They respond. “Ordinary.”
“How dare you?” I text back. “You’re still beautiful!”
“Thank you, but I wasn’t hinting at a compliment ha ha.”
“How am I supposed to cope being around someone so lovely?”
“Well, when you kiss me you don’t have to look at me.”
Their response is more than my poor heart can take. I might as well be dead because they’ve pierced my heart with an arrow.
“You can kiss me as much as you want too.”
“You can’t just send that and expect me to survive.”
“Ha ha. I know you’re strong enough to survive that.”
I bite my lip, remembering their soft lips on my cheek. I wonder to myself how kissing them would feel and how good they were at it. I touch my lips and I can’t remember my last kiss at all.
“I should probably let you go and say goodnight.”
“I’m not tired,” I replied hastily.
“I’m usually up until dawn,” they respond. “Moth and all.”
“We can keep talking if you like,” I text back. “This is nice.”
“I would like that very much.”
We end up texting all evening. I fall asleep just when the sun comes up and a few hours later your alarm blares in your ear. I turn it off and roll onto my back, staring up at the ceiling in such disbelief. We talked to them all night, telling them everything about myself. They told me stories of their life and about becoming a drag queen. I shared favorite movies and television shows, favorite foods, and candy. We both have a deep fondness for pearl jewelry and lofty ambitions to hike somewhere, but we’re both unsure where.
I feel so excited, I haven’t had this feeling for so long. I’m so eager to see them again or even just text them again. But it could be awhile before I can see them, they are in such demand for their act that their schedule is packed tight.
I continue to text each other constantly though. Throughout the day we trade messages back and forth. They always tell me goodnight before a show and good morning when they’re about to go to bed. Nothing brings a smile to my face quite like their messages do.
One day at work as I’m trying to get some filing done my work phone rings. Answering it, the receptionist tells me that you have a very good looking visitor. My heart starts to hammer. I don’t dare let myself daydream it’s Nico come to see me. I don’t want to be disappointed when I go out to see it’s just the receptionist’s grandson who has a crush on me.
I walk out to the front and my heart stops. I see pink and yellow wings neatly folded. As they turn around I see their big, lovely eyes. They smile and wave. I rush towards him and stop just before I tackle them.
“You’re here!” I gasp.
“Surprise,” they chuckle. “I hope you don’t mind I stopped by.”
I shake my head as my heart starts the countdown to exploding. “No, I don’t mind at all. It’s so great to see you.”
Nico takes my hand and turns it, kissing your wrist and the inside of my palm. My heart explodes then, erupting like an active volcano. “Are you free for lunch?”
“Uhm-” I hesitate and check the clock. It’s a bit early but I’ve wanted to see them so bad. “I can manage it.”
They beam. “Good. Well, technically this will be my breakfast,” they laugh.
I make a quick run back to your office and collect my things then return to Nico’s side. They take my hand and we walk out of the building together. I gaze up at them, marveled at how gorgeous they are. They’re wearing a lace crop top with a matching flowing cardigan. They have on dark jeans and booties with a chunky heel. They look so elegant even in something so simple.
“Where would you like to eat?” They ask as they squeeze your hand.
“Oh,” I gasp. “It doesn’t matter really. You said it was your breakfast, so what do you feel like?”
They chuckle and stall, they check their phone for a moment then turn to me. They dip down and press a soft, warm kiss on my lips. I’m certain I’m dead now because that is the only way this could happen.
They chuckle when they see the look on my face. “I contacted a friend of mine,” they reply. “They’re going to make us lunch.”
“Are you sure?”
“She’s more than happy to do it,” he takes your hand again. “Besides, it’ll be private for us.”
I squeeze their hand, still tasting them on my lips as they lead me down the busy street. We go to a row of old buildings. He takes me to one and uses a key to let us inside. We then climb up a set of stairs and go all the way to the roof. There’s a table set up there and a garden of potted plants.
“How is this?” Nico asks me as they pull out my chair.
“Wow,” I gasp as I look at the view. “This is wonderful.”
Nico comes up beside me and touches my cheek. I gaze up in awe at them as their hands slip around my waist and pull me close. I close my eyes, expecting the kiss this time. I press close to Nico and wrap my arms around them.
The door opens and I hear someone singing. Their singing stops abruptly as Nico and I part. “Oh! I’m sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.” The moth woman carries a tray of food to the table, sitting it down and setting out plates. “Don’t mind me. Keep at it, you crazy kids.”
“Thank you, Marla,” Nico replies. “This means a lot to me.”
She smirks at them. “Anything for my little sibling.” She says. She then looks at me, her eyes darting up at down me. “Cute,” she murmurs to Nico. “Well, you two have fun. If you need anything, Nico, call me.” She leaves us and Nico turns to me with a smile.
“We got caught,” they chuckle.
“We did,” I fidget before we sit down at the table. “So that was your sister?”
They nod. “It was. She’s the best chef I’ve ever met,” he replies as he starts serving. “So this should be a treat.”
Marla has made a pasta and some sort of mushroom dish. There are honeyed scones and a smattering of various fresh fruits. Nico and I eat, sometimes Nico offers me bites from his fork. It’s a great first date. Oh wait, this is the first date! It finally strikes me.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Nico replies.
“Well,” I swallow a bite. “I just realized that this is kind of our first date.”
Nico smirks. “Did that just hit you?”
I pout and glance away. “You took me by surprise. How was I suppose to prepare?”
Nico chuckles. “You are enjoying yourself though, correct?”
I nod.
“Then that’s all that matters.” Nico feeds me a strawberry and we continue out date.
As we’re talking I receive a message from work. I scoff and frown. “Oh well, I should have known.”
“Do you have to leave?” Nico sounds so sad.
“I do,” I huff.
Nico stands up with me, they put their arms around me and we kiss again. I want it to last forever. I want to forget about work and responsibilities, but I can’t. I part from Nico and they lead me back outside, calling for a cab for me as we descend all the stairs.
Nico kisses me again before I get into the cab. “I’ll message you later,” they say.
“I had fun, thank you.”
Nico smiles and closes the door.
That evening after I get home from work, I still feel light as a feather. I waltz into the apartment so close to flying. As I’m getting ready to make yourself something to eat my phones rings.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Are you busy?” Nico’s voice was silky and dark.
My heart skips a beat. “No. I was just getting ready to-” I glance at the frozen pizza on the counter. “To make dinner.”
“Then can I tempt you with a meal?”
If they talk anymore like that I’m not going to survive. “Like what?” I ask
There’s a knock on the door. “Nico, hold on just a moment, I’m sorry.” I go to the door and answer it, seeing Nico standing there. My eyes widen and I lift up the phone again. “I’ll call you back.”
Nico chuckles as they come inside, setting down a bag of takeout on the table. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m here.”
“Not at all,” I gasp.
They start taking out the food and opening it. I go to my cupboard and take out plates and some utensils.
“What about your show?” I ask.
“There’s a band playing tonight,” Nico replies and offers me a dumpling. “So I thought I would come spend the evening with you.” They offer the dumpling then take it away, kissing me at the last moment.
I kiss them, touching the sides of their soft face. I moan softly and then duck my head.
Nico grabs me, pulling me close and kissing me again. They nuzzle to my neck, placing kisses there. Their wings shiver and they pull back suddenly. “We should eat first!” Nico catches their breath and starts plating food.
I want to be with Nico, that much is certain. But I am afraid. I am terrified that if we go that far and Nico sees me they will no longer want to be with me anymore. I take the plate of food and they give me another kiss.
We sit down to eat, and while I’m a bit ashamed that I haven’t had a chance to clean, I’m excited to have them here. After Nico finishes he gathers the plates and takes them to the sink.
“You don’t have to do that,” I gasp, chasing them into the kitchen.
“It’s ok,” he smirks. “You still haven’t changed. Why don’t you get comfy and I’ll wash these? We can watch a movie if you’d like.”
My heart is hammering. I nod and go to my room, changing my clothes. I look at myself in the mirror, catching glimpse of my scar. I nearly put my bra back on but I stop. I decide to leave it off. I slip on my pajamas and step out of the bedroom. I see Nico in the kitchen and they look up at me. I wave him in and step back inside.
Nico follows me into the bedroom. “In here?” They smirk.
“We can watch a movie in here,” I say, my voice shaking with nerves.
Nico looks around. “I don’t see a TV.”
I close the gap between us. I wrap my arms around their neck and kiss them. Nico moans softly his four hands gripping my hips and urging me closer. I hesitate, not wanting to press my chest against theirs. I part from Nico and move to the bed. They follow after me, climbing on top and kissing me.
“Is this ok?” Nico asks.
I’m trembling and terrified. “Yes,” I whisper with a very weak voice.
Nico touches my face and studies my expression. “Don’t be afraid,” they whisper. “I won’t do anything if you don’t want it.”
I shake my head. “I want to I’m just…”
Nico kisses me and for a moment I stop shaking. Nico eases me down onto the bed, kissing my neck. Their hands pet down my sides. They push down my shorts and Nico moves his kisses to my thighs and hips. They kiss over the front of my panties and they glance up at me.
“Still ok?” They ask.
I’m grateful they’re avoiding my chest, but at the same time, I’m ready to share all of me with them. I sit up and strip away my shirt. Nico stares at me, eyes wide and mouth open. I cross my arms over my chest and start to shiver again.
“Let me see,” Nico whispers. They move my arms and their kisses trail down my neck and chest. Their hands touch me, tracing my scar and kissing above it. The tears are flowing freely and I feel a painful surge of relief. Nico kisses me, easing me back down onto the bed.
“You look like a warrior,” Nico whispers into my ear. “Far too powerful for me.”
I chuckle through my tears, kissing Nico as his hand strokes down my front. Their fingers rub against the fabric of my panties and I moan.
“I’m so happy you can be open with me,” Nico whispers. “I was worried you’d never trust me.”
I whimper. “I wanted to,” I gasp as their fingers push aside my panties and touch me directly. “I just was afraid.”
Nico moans, their fingers rubbing against my slit and finding my clit. “So warm,” they whisper.
I roll my hips to meet their touch. It’s been so long, I’ve not felt this way for so long. I’ve not even touched myself since the start of it all. But Nico has brought the arousal back in full force.
Nico kisses me, pulling back and guiding my hand. My fingers brush against their shaft, I feel their pulsing heat and I stroke them. Nico whimpers, sighing loudly as I touch them.
“You’re so hard,” I whisper.
“For rightful reason,” Nico kisses me. “I can’t wait any longer.”
I bite my lip and nod. “Me neither.”
Nico sighs, placing himself between my legs. They watch me as they move into place. I feel them at my folds, opening me and gliding inside. I bite my lip, feeling as if this is the first time. It’s been so long. Nico’s cock is long, plunging deep inside me. Nico shivers, their thighs trembling as they start to move. They gasp and their wings flutter. Their soft and fluffy body rubs against mine, feeling like a mink coat.
I cling to Nico, holding tight to them. I squeeze around them, feeling them move so deeply inside me. I whimper and mewl, gasping for breath. Nico kisses me, gazing at me in such an admiring way. They touch me, their hands trailing over all of me.
I whimper their name over and over as I feel my core tighten and throb. My back arches and I squeeze my thighs around their waist. Nico shiver, trembling. Their wings flutter and their antennae start to wiggle and twitch. Inside, I feel them throb.
I cry out, feeling such a wave of pleasure and relief coursed through me. Nico grunts, gritting their teeth as they release, their cum surging inside me and filling me. Nico pants and heaves, laying their head on my chest and snuggling to me.
I sigh, my lashes fluttering as I nearly fall asleep. “Nico,” I mewl.
Their head pops up. “Yes?” They gasp.
I shake my head. “Nothing I was just-” they kiss me softly.
They move so that my back is to their chest. They kiss my neck and shoulder and nuzzle into my hair. “How do you feel?”
“Amazing,” I sigh and look at them. “You did an exemplary job.”
Nico chuckles. “I always put my best effort forth.”
“I’m a little hungry,” I say. “Leftovers?”
Nico kisses my cheek. “In a second,” they murmur. “I just want to tell you something.”
My heart starts to pound.
“I admire you so much,” they whisper. “You have a strength I could never possess. I told you I was attracted to the flame inside you. In fact, I’ve fallen in love with you.”
I can’t breathe and all I can do is kiss them. I part to catch my breath and I sniffle. “I love you too.”
Nico beams and nuzzles to my cheek. “My Amazon,” he murmurs.
I hold fast to him as he holds me. We stay like that for a while before he fetches the takeout and we eat in bed. I’m still amazed and as long as we’re together I don’t think I’ll ever get over this.
