i've been here all along

It was two spirits combining, in a blinding moment of shock and joy, and it was beautiful, the most wonderful mistake she could imagine.

Normally she would worry, over the consequences, the inconvenience, the frustration of all those around her. Normally she would regret her carelessness, her reckless choices that led to this collision.

Tonight she would not.

Tonight she would regret nothing.

Not when her hands were on her back, on her waist, pulling her closer; not when her eyes spared no glances for the others; not when her attention was all on Evie, responsibilities be damned.

“Gosh, you really are beautiful,” she whispered, all else forgotten. “Like the sea—like a storm. Like everything a poet dreams about.”

The girl in front of her responded with a coy laugh, flipping her hair over her shoulder—god, how long was that hair? How soft and silky it looked—before turning back to look down into her eyes. “You’re not bad either, Miss Ever Given.”

She shivered as she heard her full name, purred like a magic incantation, transforming this night from exciting to unforgettable.

“Why so formal, Su?” she managed to tease, still breathless.

“Ah, my mistake,” Suez, Suez Canal, who was so much more than Evie, so well known, so stunning, and holding her, chuckled, “Would you prefer to skip the formalities?” Her gaze dropped down, glancing over Evie, and when she met her eyes again with a smirk Evie was sure she was as red as the hem of her skirt.

She knew she had other things she really ought to be doing. She knew Suez did too; knew she had responsibilities to so many others, far more important than Evie’s needs. But she brushed those thoughts away, letting desire take over. As she did far too often—but this time even the memories of being called impulsive, of being told off for wasting time, of failure and disappointment could not sway her from her decision. Suez was worth it.

Plus, she was stuck here, for now. Might as well enjoy it.

“If you insist,” she breathed, and suddenly Suez was pulling her closer, lifting her up just enough for their lips to meet, with Evie on her toes, leaning into Suez to stay standing.

It was magical. Experienced hands drew her in, the smell of ocean air and everything mysterious flooding her senses with Suez’s face so close. She held on to her shoulders and lost herself in the bliss, all awareness of their surroundings slipping away. Suez was magical. Enchanting.

It was a mistake—a collision that was never supposed to happen, a meeting that no one would approve of. And Evie swore it was the best mistake she’d ever made, no matter the consequences.

Maybe she’d regret it someday, when she woke up and Suez wasn’t there, off to fulfill her myriad responsibilities, her touch unforgettable. Maybe she’d regret when she’d have to make up for the time spent trapped in Suez’s arms, when she’d be paying the price alone as Suez moved on, her memory filling Evie’s soul, but never really there. Maybe she’d regret it someday.