Rising Shards

Once Zeta was dropped off at school, I was pretty beat. Stella had made it back to bed, also looking very sleepy.

"All good?" I asked.

Stella yawned. "Should just lazing around all day wear me out this much?"

"Well, when you're in this state it burns your energy differently," I said. "You've probably been burnt out for a while."

I got into my sleepwear and cuddled up with her.

"Mmm," Stella said. She nuzzled into me. "Thanks again for putting up with all this."

"It's not putting up with it," I said. "I'm happy to help."

I kissed the top of her head. She was quiet for a bit, and I wondered if she'd fallen asleep.

"Need me to get something?" I asked.

"Um," Stella said. "Would it be weird if I was kinda horny right now?"

"Ohhhh," I rubbed her back.

"I know I'm super gross right now," Stella said.

"You're still cute even if you're gross," I said. "I'm gross all the time. People can be gross."

Stella's fingertips traced around me, making me shiver.

"You'd really want to even when I'm like this?" Stella asked.

"It's not like you're contagious," I said. "You sure you want it?"

"I want anything that can take my mind off this for even a little bit," Stella said. "And I'm really horny. And you're hot as fuck."

We each moved to our backs, instinctively reaching for the other. We didn't have to say what we wanted to do, we could just sense it somehow. Stella moaned softly when my hands reached under her panties, and I let out a small sigh when Stella matched my action.

"Oh you really needed this huh?" I whispered, feeling Stella's desire firsthand.

"Mmhm," Stella said. "You feel like you need it too."

I could barely respond, even an exhausted Stella still knew exactly how to drive me wild. As we pleasured each other, we traded kisses and forehead touches, staring into the others eyes. We both really needed this.

In the afterglow, Stella looked a lot less tense (I guess we would have some real issues if she looked more stressed post sex).

"That was fantastic," Stella said. "For me, at least. I dunno how that was for you with me all gross and in the state I'm in."

"Let's cool it with the self-deprecation, Stel," I said. "You were also fantastic, and even when you think you're gross, you're still incredibly attractive."

"Alright, alright," Stella said, smiling softly.

When we were back to cuddling, Stella wasn't quite ready to fall asleep yet despite being tired.

"Y'know, I have a real good support system," she said. "You, obviously, but Zeta coming to check on me, Emeryn keeping an eye on us...it's nice."

"I'm glad you and Zeta had Emeryn to pull you through that time," I said.

“Did you have anyone in your life like that?” Stella asked. "Like a mentor type? Or maybe not mentor, you know what I mean."

“I do, totally,” I said. "And yes, I had a teacher that helped me through my bleak times."

"That's good," Stella said. "I wanna hear all about em when I'm not so tired."

"Can do," I said. “I still can’t believe that you have a connection with the River and Lyric trio, they might be the protective mentor types too."

"I know, right? We went to that exhibit, then wham! Turns out we're almost family," Stella said. "That's definitely surreal."

“Do you think you have connections with any other famous people I'm huge fans of?" I asked.

"Not sure," Stella said. "We'll find out the more we learn about my family, I guess."

"Yeah..." I said.

"But let's not worry about it now," Stella said. "You got another round in you?"

"I most certainly do,"

***

The next morning, Stella was up before me, making coffee and looking more like her usual self.

"How are you feeling?" I asked as I yawned, watching her get ready.

"Not fully better, but definitely on the mend," Stella said. "I'm going to work today, I've decided."

"And you're up for it?"

"Mhm!" Stella said. "It'll be good to go."

"I guess I can go too, then," I said, sounding less enthused about returning to work.

"Sounds like you maybe need another day off," Stella said. "Maybe you caught what I have...oh but dang, I'd want to take care of you if you did."

"I'll muscle through," I said. "But I want a rain check on that care day."

"You got it!" Stella grinned.

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