Chapter 54: Footloose

“I want to dance,” Ann declared, standing and stumbling slightly. She’d gone through her own cup and half of another, and the strong drink hit her harder than she’d expected. “Oh, yeah, I need to move.”

“Oh man, did I have good timing?” A woman's voice asked from the side of the booth. June had apparently hit her break and was standing off to the side, eyes darting back and forth between the women and Bren.

“I believe you did, June,” Bren laughed, offering his hand. “Shall we?”

June smiled, taking his hand and sidling up close to him. Bren, surprising Ann, wrapped his arm around her confidently, hand going to her hip as he guided her into the crowd.

“Dude’s got game,” Ann whistled as she watched them go.

“Told ye,” Kat laughed, grabbing her girlfriends’ hands. “C’mon you two. Let’s feckin’ move!”

They entered the dance floor in a whirl, Kat and Ann throwing their bodies to the rhythm of the music as the band picked up the tempo. Rosalyn tried to keep up with the other two, but was eventually swept along by their momentum, choosing to go with the flow. Ann had never been a formal dancer, nor really a clubbing person, but she could apparently move her new body much easier, and the undulating dancing she’d always lacked the coordination for became easy. She swayed, hips rocking as she moved up to Kat, drawing close before dancing away teasingly. Kat caught her arm, strong muscles pulling her back into her arms, before lifting her slightly, then setting her down.

Rosalyn swayed in her own awkward rhythm before Ann pulled her in. The height difference made things a little awkward, but Ann wasn’t about to let that get in the way. She took the curvy woman by the hand and shoulder, moving her along with the beat, guiding the Druid through the motions of a dance more simple and less wild than she and Kat engaged in.

Taking initiative, Kat came up behind the Druid, facing Ann as she placed her hands on the sheep woman’s shoulders, pressing close. The closeness was as intoxicating as the drinks, and Ann lost herself in the rhythm of the music and the bodies pressed into her. Rosalyn moved, slowly gaining confidence as she did, before the tempo changed, picking up again.

Ann threw herself at Rosalyn, determined to give her new lover a show as she began to sway her hips, hands running up and down both of their bodies. As the music swelled, she turned, rubbing her ass against the smaller woman, drawing delightfully embarrassed squeaks as she did. Kat wasn’t idle, either. She’d leaned down, guiding the woman’s body with strong hands through the motions, and as Ann ground into Rosalyn’s stomach, she stole the Druid’s lips in a kiss. Rosalyn melted, unable to resist the two women so thoroughly overtaking her. Her hands moved on their own, coming up to rest on Ann’s hips as she swayed in time with her partners. Her breathing was getting heavier and heavier as the songs went on. Their sweat mixed, their lips touched, bodies in motion, touching and sliding against each other.

Gods, Ann had needed a night like this. To just let go and have fun with no qualifiers. And that she got to do this with her girlfriends? Even better. A hiss in her ear alerted her to Kat trying to get her attention.

“She’s gettin’ overwhelmed,” Kat whispered, nodding down to Rosalyn, who was breathing heavily between them.

“Oh, shit, sorry lambchop,” Ann apologised, reaching down to take hold of Rosalyn’s hand. “C’mon, let’s sit at the bar for a minute.”

She led them over to the long stretch of wood. Several seats were vacant thanks to the performance going on, so they were able to sit together.

“Water, please,” Ann requested of the bartender, who’d popped up in front of them. With a curt nod, he passed them glasses. Rosalyn took hers and guzzled it down.

“Oh my Gods, that was a lot,” the curvy woman gasped, placing her glass down. It was instantly refilled, but she didn’t attack it again.

“Sorry,” Ann apologised again. “Didn’t mean to push you so hard.”

“No, it was fun, don’t get me wrong,” Rosalyn giggled. “Just hit a limit of what I could take. Possibly on multiple fronts. You two are super sexy, and just being between you two while you’re moving like that. The dancing, the muscles, the sweat and everything. It makes me weak.”

Kat chortled into her glass. “You really ‘ave it bad wit’ us then,” she teased. “Don’ tell me ye’re all hot an’ bothered just by a li’l dancin’?”

“I… maybe.” Rosalyn mumbled, her voice barely carrying over the music.

“Just Kat and I, so close,” Ann leaned closer, watching as Kat mirrored her. “Breathing all heavy while you’re stuck. In. The. Middle?” She finished the sentence with a kiss on her ebony cheek, Kat taking the other. By the look on her face, if she could blush, Rosalyn would have been the darkest red she’d ever seen. Both of the taller women broke down laughing, letting up their teasing a little bit.

“Little lamb, seriously,” Kat laughed. “Ye’re in a lot o’ trouble if we can get tae ye that much.”

“Not my fault!” Rosalyn protested. “Not my fault you two are stupidly pretty and I have a thing for women! Gods damnit, would be so much easier if I could just turn that off, but nooo. Gotta be the blushing maiden. Embarrassed by the thought of someone like you two interested in me.”

Kat laughed, putting an arm around the self conscious woman. “Ye know what? Makes ye cuter.” A glare from Rosalyn made her pull back, raising her hands defensively.

“Nae, honest, it does. Yer fluster is one o’ the cutest feckin’ things I’ve seen. Makes me wanna get more o’ it. Only if that’s all right wit’ ye though. I’m not tryin’ tae be mean ‘ere.”

“Neither am I,” Ann confirmed, resting a gentle hand on Rosalyn’s shoulder.

“I knooow,” Rosalyn whined. “I just can’t help it. Damn it all, I guess I’ve just gotta deal with it. That look says you’re not sorry at all,” Rosalyn said, poking a finger at Kat’s nose.

“Guilty,” the Alfhindur grinned back.

“And here I thought you were going to keep her safe from me,” Ann scoffed. “Some Protector you are.”

Kat huffed, rolling her eyes and diverting her attention to the floor. “Oooh, lookie there. Bren’s still goin’ at it!”

The three of them turned to watch. Bren was deep in the crowd, a smooth song playing to give the dancers a break from the higher tempo dancing. He and June were both coated in a sheen of sweat, but were sticking close, breasts to chest, as she stared into his eyes. As they turned, Ann got a look at the soft smile and complete confidence in Bren’s expression. He knew what he was doing, and so did June. They were completely into each other, a blind man could tell you as much.

“Gods damn,” Ann whistled. “He’s got her. Look at those sparks.”

“Quiet scholar, my arse,” Kat laughed. “Guy has a body count. He will just absolutely refuse to talk about it. ‘Ad the girls in court fallin all o’er ‘im. Some o’ the guys, too, but he never pursued them. Friends was about as good as that got after I think the first. I’ll give ‘im credit, he tried.”

“I never would have known,” Rosalyn said, sipping her water as she tried to watch over the heads of the crowd. “He’s so reserved when he’s out in the wilds. Like he has a lot to say but only says what he needs to, ya know?”

“Aye, always ‘as been. Feck, I think that’s half o’ what makes ‘im so popular wit’ women. That mystery that just drives ‘em up the wall.”

“I can see it,” Ann nodded, waving the bartender over and ordering them another round of drinks. She slid the coin across before handing Rosalyn her wine. “Wanna talk about things that haven’t changed? Girls and a mysterious guy are like peanut butter and jelly. Just meant to be together.”

“No clue what peanut butter is, but I’ll take your word for it,” Rosalyn laughed.

Ann raised her hand, thought of the joke, almost said it, but decided not to. Diverting her brain from stupid sex jokes, she refocused on Bren. “Oh damn,” she whispered, watching him move closer to June.

Their faces touched as they danced to the slow music, a moment where they both pulled back from each other, eyes locked. Ann could feel the desire from all the way at the bar before they kissed.

Kat let out a hoot, drawing random stares. Rosalyn was craning her neck, trying to see what was going on.

“What? What happened? I can’t see. Stupid tall people, get out of the way!” she grumbled.

“He just kissed her,” Ann explained to her short lover. “I’ve got a feeling we’re not going to be seeing him home tonight. Call it divine intuition.”

“Orenous ain’t talkin there, mutt,” Kat laughed. “But, aye. He’s gonna be busy. Anyway, I gotta get movin’ again. Care fer a dance, Ann?”

“You ok here for a moment, lambchop?” Ann asked Rosalyn, hesitating before joining Kat.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Go dance. I’ll head back to the booth,” Rosalyn smiled as she waved them off.

Ann took Kat’s offered hand, letting herself be led back into the crowd. Kat stopped, suddenly pulling her close. Ann’s heart jumped as she felt a strong hand on her hip and another sliding up her arm, interlocking fingers as it reached her hand. Kat looked up at her, eyes burning an icy blue fire of desire. This close, she could smell the musky scent of Kat’s sweat, mixed with that heady scent that was uniquely Katlyn. She didn’t have to have a Lupine’s sense of smell to know what her lover smelled like, and she loved every time she got a whiff.

“Gods, ye know ye smell intoxicatin’?” Kat whispered as they began to move in a simple, swaying dance.

“Oh?”

“Not, like, a bad way o’ the meanin’. Just, it’s yer smell, an’ I guess I associate it wit’, erm, other activities at this point.” Kat admitted, blushing furiously.

Gods Ann loved how she blushed with her long ears first, then her cheeks. So damn cute. “Was just thinking the same thing,” she replied. Feeling less strange about it, she leaned down, burying her nose in her lover’s hair. “It’s you. It’s love. Gods above, it’s a scent I can’t forget.”

“Mmm,” Kat hummed her agreement, taking the opportunity to bury her face in Ann’s neck. “It’s safe. That’s what I feel about it, at least. Gods, this drink must be gettin’ tae me. Feelin’ all mushy an’ shite.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” Ann mumbled into the woman’s hair. “I want to be that safe place you don’t have to protect all the time. It’s why I’m working so damn hard to get stronger.” She pulled back, looking Kat in the eyes. “So I can stand with you. You know?”

Gently, she took Kat’s chin, pulling her closer. She watched with excitement as the Alfhindur’s eyes fluttered shut, closing her own before they kissed. It was chaste, considering their normal habits, but there was something wonderful to the simple action. She felt Kat’s lips relax against hers, softening to allow her to take control. Ann didn’t push, allowing herself to soften as well. She felt Kat’s lips part, a gentle invitation she took with equal care. With a sudden jolt through her chest, Ann felt their tongues touch as they sought each other. When they pulled back, she let out a shuddering sigh.

“Takes so much effort not to do more,” Ann whispered.

“I feckin’ know, but it’s still fun tae be out an’ doin’ normal stuff,” Kat sighed as she leaned her weight against Ann.

They remained like that for a while, simply dancing with each other, enjoying the contact and the quiet company. It was mundane, domestic, but it filled Ann’s chest with a swelling joy she didn’t know she’d ever have.

The song wound down, and they parted, making their way back to the booth. Another slow song was just starting as they got to Rosalyn, who’d emptied her second cup.

“Care tae dance, Rosalyn?” Kat asked, performing a very out of character curtsey to the woman.

Rosalyn sat there, stunned for a moment, before nodding meekly and getting to her feet. “Never been asked like that before,” she giggled, Kat and Ann taking each of her hands. “Can’t say I know any slower dances. Not like I really knew much faster ones. I guess I don’t know how to dance? That definitely works better.”

They all shared a laugh, getting to a spot near the edge of the floor where the crowd was thinner, allowing their anxious partner some room to breathe. Taking the lead, Ann was thankful for her somewhat lanky limbs, allowing her to comfortably reach down to Rosalyn and take her hand while placing her other hand on her shoulder. Kat, while having similar height difference issues, was able to grasp Rosalyn just under her arms. Together, they guided the Druid through the simple dance steps.

With the three of them being involved, it really became more of a simple swaying. They moved as one to the left, then the right, turning slightly with each step. As they moved, Ann felt Rosalyn relaxing a little, though she was also becoming increasingly unsteady.

“You’re doing fine,” she cooed down to her short girlfriend.

“I hic, know,” Roslayn said, hiccuping slightly.

Ann watched as Kat just about fell over, eyes wide as she stared at Ann.

Ann was equally incredulous. She wasn’t ready for how cute that was. All she could do was laugh and pull Rosalyn closer.

“You’re laughing at me,” she heard from where the Druid’s face was buried in her stomach.

“Aye, a little,” Kat said, trying to restrain her giggles. “Just love ye, an’ all yer little quirks.”

“Too fucking cute,” Ann laughed, breaking Rosalyn away from Kat’s grasp and swinging her around, rewarding her with a surprised squeak. “Yeah, way too fucking cute,” she said, pulling Rosalyn in for a kiss. The druid melted instantly, arms wrapping around Ann’s neck as much for stability as comfort. Rosalyn smelled so different from Kat. She smelled like the wine she was drinking, and something cleaner. Maybe it was some kind of soap? Ann would have to ask later. She felt strong hands seeking purchase on the Druid, and let her go to allow Kat to steal her own kiss.

It was funny. She thought this would be kind of awkward, watching her girlfriends make out in front of her while she just stood there, but she didn’t feel any of it. Just a strange sense of pride, knowing that they liked each other, and that they both liked her. It was a warm, exciting feeling. Nowhere near a pang of jealousy.

Once she was set down, Rosalyn took a moment, catching her breath. “You two can really take it out of a woman,” she sighed happily. “Passing me around like that. Gods, I… more?”

All of them shared a laugh. As they did, the slower song ended, and the band picked the tempo back up. Kat and Ann shared a glance before picking the smaller woman up again, holding her between them as they began to dance with greater gusto. It was a bit awkward sometimes, but none of them cared, they were having too much fun. Eventually, they had Rosalyn laughing freely as they whirled her around, trading her seamlessly between the two of them. Time faded from their minds as they lost themselves to their bodies, moving with the beat of the drum as they danced.

Eventually, as the third song began to fade, Ann felt Kat tap her shoulder.

“We might wanna get goin,” she whispered, nodding down to Rosalyn. “Little sheep’s gettin’ a bit needy.”

As they watched, Rosalyn continued dancing, pressed between them. She swayed, lowering herself, and all but pressing her face square into Ann’s crotch, a silly grin crossing her face.

“She looks drunk, I don’t want to take advantage,” Ann hedged, pulling the smaller woman back up.

“I am not that drunk,” Rosalyn piped up. “A bit, yeah, tipsy, ooooh absolutely, but not drunk drunk. I’m just… oh man, I’m so warm, and tingly and feel so goood. I wanna feel better, too.” Her hazel eyes looked up, almost pleading in the dim light, as she stared at Ann.

Ann’s heart skipped a beat as she saw the hidden question.

“Not here, lambchop,” she growled, pulling Rosalyn’s head back, taking a leap and doing so by her horn. The moaned reaction was well worth the risk. “Our room, keep it together, and you’ll get your reward.”

Rosalyn whined adorably, and nodded. Kat and Ann wasted no time making their way out of the club, all but carrying Rosalyn in their arms.