#interactivesummer

Jessie rolled her eyes, Ortega’s deep voice coming from her right, the clicking of boots against the street louder at her closeness.

“What are you doing here all alone? Didn’t like the party?” the woman raised the bottle of beer in her hand before taking a long sip. She came to her side mirroring her pose against the railing.  

"No particularly, no." Jessie shrugged. Then raised an eyebrow at her unsolicited companion, "I take it you love to receive this kind of... celebrations," the sarcasm in her voice was thick as the metal railing itself. Ortega was used to it though, she has to be, Jessie couldn’t control her emotions around the electric woman as well as with others, much to her own annoyance.  

Ortega’s smile widened, head tilting slightly to the side as if she were surveying Jessie. Her long dark hair ran freely on her back, curls shining in the artificial street light. “Yeah, I like it. it’s fun! The music, the drinks, hot people dressed in their best outfits,” Ortega moved her hands as she talked, silver bracelets clicking at the movements. “And, of course, I’m the life of the party, the charming girl everyone wants to talk to, the one who always flirts back, and I…“ her dark eyes flickered away to the ocean, her energy changing from light and jokingly to almost uncomfortable. “Um I don’t know, I guess… quiet is nice too, sometimes.”

Jessie stared at her, without realizing her body had moved toward Ortega, there were a few feet between them still, but a part of her wanted to be closer, just a little.

“You mean, you don’t like that? Being um the center of attention?”

“I do, usually. It’s just… I’m not just that, you know?”

With a sigh Ortega turned away from the water, back pressed against the railing, elbows over it. Her gaze found the night sky, head tilting back slightly letting Jessie see the newest scar on the column of her throat, not hidden behind makeup but in plain sight for everyone to see. It wasn’t particularly large, a short vertical line that diverted to the right, but it was a conscious decision not to hide it, to be vulnerable like this.  

Jessie’s head turned to the side, to the building they both left. She could feel the frown gathering between her eyes, fingertips digging into the cool metal.

“I know. And if they can’t see that, then fuck them.”

I’d fight them for you if you asked me.

Jessie’s frown deepened at her unbidden thought, but then Ortega laughed. A bright, deep and energetic laugh, one that closed her eyes and crinkled the skin around her lips, Jessie’s stomach twisted at the sound.

“Aah you’re right, I should probably tell people to go to shit, more often. Follow your example,” Ortega pointed the almost empty bottle towards her before chuckling again. “Aside from that though, the party wasn’t that bad. It’s a celebration worthy of my hard work after all.”

And, just like that, her semblance returned to normal in the blink of an eye, the charming façade back in place like the conversation had never happened. Jessie knew what she saw though, and Ortega felt different that night. Showing a glimpse of herself she hasn’t shown Jessie before.

Was it because she thought they were friends? But they weren’t friends, as Ortega insisted, Jessie knew better, better than to get her hopes up over nothing more than a fantasy.

“Your hard work?” Jessie crossed her arms. Arguments were familiar, something simple, if they argued she wouldn't have to think about the implications of knowing her so well.

Ortega rolled her eyes, her smile not losing any of its honesty. “Our hard work. Happy now?”  

"Yes."

Jessie felt the curve forming on her lips. Something that has been happening more and more often in Ortega’s company. Maybe it was the banter itself or her foolish arguments or stupid smile. Jessie wanted to punch it out of her face before, now… now she wasn’t so sure anymore.

"Although, I must admit... a more satisfying reward would feel immensely better," at the mischief in Ortega’s gaze and the low tone of her voice, Jessie's cheeks flushed slightly.

"Like what?" she wanted to curse herself for asking but... she was a little curious, despite herself.

Julia's laugh was low and musical, and it felt entirely too genuine and intimate for Jessie to deal with it.

"Well, I have something in mind," slowly she moved a few steps closer, hand brushing over the railing like a caress. "I was thinking... a kiss?"

“What?” Jessie couldn't control the words before they left her mouth.

That...wasn't what she expected.

"Yes, a kiss. Yours would be preferable," Ortega chuckled, returning to her usual friendly expression, though her smile was softer than usual. “Anywhere you wish to give it to me, it’ll be fine. If you agree, of course," a shrug, long fingers playing with the bottle, expression as calm as Jessie had never seen before, waiting for her prize that Jessie was free to accept or refuse.

Did she want to kiss her? Mmm… yes? Has she imagined what it’d be like to kiss her? Definitely. Jessie wasn’t blind and there was an obvious attraction between them.

But this, to come face to face with the possibility of actually kissing her? She felt a little short of breath, all of a sudden.

Leaving her spot behind, Jessie’s body moved almost on its own. Ortega blinked a few times as if she didn't think her suggestion would work.

Did it work? What the hell was she doing? Why did she think it would be a good idea to kiss her? Just… once.

Standing in front of her, Julia smiled nervously at Jessie and didn't seem to know what to do with her always restless hands. She looked cute like that. Nervous.

Jessie bit her lower lip, brown eyes following the movement like a moth to the light, and when she found her voice again, she heard herself in a softer tone than intended.

"Just one kiss, okay?" Ortega nodded quickly, almost eagerly, her gaze meeting Jessie’s.

"Of course, whatev-"

She felt a little bad for interrupting her before completely forgetting about anything other than the warmth of her lips against hers. They were surprisingly soft, soft as Julia’s breath over her skin; neither of them made any movement aside from their lips, afraid of disturbing the other with any gesture. Jessie felt herself floating for a moment, like a conscious dream where it was hard to tell reality from fantasy.

It lasted only a few seconds and Jessie moved away, dizzy and with enough distance to see Julia's face entirely: blinding smile, eyes half-lidded inspecting Jessie’s face in detail, as if she wanted to take advantage of the closeness that Jessie so rarely allowed her.

“Eres hermosa.,” she whispered, Jessie’s body shuddering at her words.  

Jessie swallowed hard, hands closing and opening at her sides, body unmoving. She didn't want to pull away, but she couldn't kiss her again, could she? No, just one kiss – that’s what they had agreed – one kiss to clear her curiosity, nothing more. Although the warmth of Julia’s body as well as the intensity in her brown eyes made her doubt her own logic.

The sound of laughter snapped her out of her reverie and she withdrew from Julia completely, eyes drifting to the ocean knowing her burning cheeks were crimson red by now.

She heard Julia clear her throat, watching her fidgeting with the bottle between her hands, "So, do you want to go for a drink or...?"

"I better go," Jessie met her eyes for a moment, but quickly turned away, not wanting to see the disappointment there. “I have things to do in the morning so… good night.”

It was awkward and rushed and wrong. It felt wrong, leaving so suddenly after… that. But she couldn't handle this now; not her gentle voice, not her soft smile, not her intense eyes.

He’d rarely been as content as he was sitting on the old blue blanket they’d laid out by the ocean. Ness was curled up at their side, her head resting on his lap. They followed her gaze to the endless stretch of clear blue water in front of them. He wished he could see it through her awe filled eyes. Beautiful as the ocean may have been, it looked the same as always to him. They were much more captivated by the sparkle in Ness’ eyes as she tracked each wave with clear fascination.

He was startled when they turned those eyes on him. Her lips twitched, but she mercifully decided to spare them any teasing. “Do you want to go in the water?”

With anyone else the question would’ve given them pause. For Ness it was an instant yes. Her smile widened at his agreement. She stood and waited for him to do the same before wordlessly holding out a hand out for him.

The moment his fingers were entwined with his she pulled them both forward. Their height difference usually meant that he had to slow his pace down to match theirs. Instead he found himself quickening his steps slightly to keep up.

They paused at the edge of the water. Ness glanced at him in silent question. He nodded and they took a step forward together. The resounding splashes of a wave came forward to meet them, water splashing around their ankles. Ness threw her head back in laughter, a bright joyful sound that had them laughing along with her.

“We’re in the ocean!”

“We are,” he agreed, his voice softer but no less awed.