With things being somewhat calm right now, Eden and I have agreed that it's probably the best time we're going to get for a second date, and this time I decided that I got to pick where we go, so I wanted something a little more casual. And what's more casual than a picnic? It's late spring and the weather's good enough for it, and I made sure to pick a park with some secluded spots so we can be alone without any stray fans of hers spotting us, since we're not even ready to tell the Knights, and certainly not to be in the public eye. I think it's going to be a good time!
"What's with the outfit and the basket?" Mom peeks into the picnic basket on the table next to me as I prepare a few sandwiches and a salad for us to eat. I also splurged a little and got what I think is a pretty good bottle of rosé for us to share, and a few different sodas of various flavors. The outfit in question, my mom's talking about, is, of course, the one I'm wearing. A plaid mini dress on top of a white knitted sweater, and plain black leggings underneath.
The weather might be nice outside, but it's still not quite what I would've considered shorts weather four years ago. When I leave, I'll be putting on a pair of white ballet shoes that have cute little bows on the front. Despite being a casual outfit, it sits tight around my waist and bust, showing off what I've got a little more than most other things I wear, which I've gotten much more confident about since my first transformation, and especially since meeting Eden.
"I'm going on a date, Sunday picnic in the Observatory Park," I respond with an obvious excited lilt to my voice. I can't really hide how much I've been looking forward to this, and to be honest, I don't quite care to.
"That sounds fun. You know, your dad took me on a picnic date early in our relationship too. But the weather turned sour halfway through and we wound up eating in the back of his car, soaked and... Well," she sighs wistfully, and I'm pretty sure I can guess what sort of details she's leaving out about what happened in the back of that old car. I'm happy that she's choosing not to tell me exactly what. "Same young woman as last time? Who is she, anyway?"
Until a few weeks ago, I had been preparing to tell her a lie about meeting Eden at a fashion networking event I never went to. I even asked Eden for some dates and locations to which she had been invited so I could tell mom and dad that I had gone there too. But now they know the truth about me being a Knight, or, well, as close to being one as you can get without taking the oath, I suppose.
They probably also figured Asha out, too, and put two and two together on Jeanette's situation, even though I haven't told them any specifics. But I also can't tell them her name just like that without permission from Eden. So, a half-truth it is, then.
"She's one of the Knights. We didn't get along all that well to begin with, but after meeting them all in their civilian identities, it didn't take long before she and I started texting and got to know each other pretty well, and you know how one thing leads to another."
"Well, if that's not downright adorable! You know, I read somewhere once that relationships between Knights aren't uncommon. Arthur's squad was pretty open about Galahad and Merlin dating, too." She's right, of course. There's been reports of at least one set of Knights dating in almost every generation the last thirty years. If I had to guess, it was probably commonplace before queerness got more socially acceptable, too.
"We've already had this chat before, so I won't harp on it, but please remember to be safe if you do anything. And I'm not talking about fighting monsters here."
"No, I guess we're not exactly pioneers." I nervously tuck some hair behind one ear and turn around to lean on the counter. "I know, mom. We've only been kissing and holding hands so far, so don't worry."
"Good. I'm actually going to see some friends on that side of town in an hour. Want a lift?"
"Yeah. That would be nice."
An hour later, when mom drops me off at the park, there's a little over ten minutes until I told Eden to meet me here, so I have some time to find a pleasant spot and start setting up. There's a nice little area not too far from the gate, at the foot of a hill, where a copse of trees and some bushes will mostly shield us from prying eyes, and since it's still before noon, I'm lucky enough that no one's in there yet.
I lay the white-and-blue checkered blanket down first, securing the corners of it with sizable rocks to keep it in place just in case there's a strong wind, and then place the wicker basket in one corner, adjusting it a little before finally stepping back and looking at the whole thing. It looks pretty good, I think! And just in time, too, with Eden texting me she's at the gate, so I hurry to the opening of the little clearing I found and whistle, then wave. She sees me and waves back, coming right over.
Today, Eden's hair's been put up into a tight ponytail, though still with her bangs out in front. She's wearing shades and has a cup of cheap coffee with her. This place is close enough to her place that she probably didn't feel like taking the car. Good, that means she can have some wine too if she wants. Her outfit is fairly similar to what she wore that first movie night when Asha had me practically ambush the Knights.
Her top has been replaced by a black vest, sewn to resemble part of a suit jacket with a little red tie on the front, and below is a pair of simple grey jeans and black sneakers. It's something I wouldn't be surprised to see Jeanette wear, honestly, but Eden also manages to pull it off. Though, of course, I doubt there's anything she couldn't pull off.
"Destinyyyy~" She grins and hugs me tight before we share a brief kiss, and I take her by the hand, starting to lead her toward the little clearing I've claimed for us. "I'm usually not up this early on a Sunday, so I had to get a coffee on the way, but I've been so excited to see you! You look amazing, by the way, very cute!"
I can't help the goofy smile on my lips when I'm around her, and especially not when we get to be alone like today. "Thank you! It felt appropriate for a picnic, right? I love your vest, too, very butch."
"Give me a spin," she says, and takes a step back, letting go of my hand as we step into the clearing. I only hesitate for a moment before I do so, arms wide as I twirl around myself a couple of times slowly enough for her to get a good look at me. She grins and steps in, taking me by the waist and bending me backward as if we've just been dancing. One of her knees is between my legs, making me blush hard. "I wanted to say something really suave here, but having you in my arms like this, I'm forgetting what it was."
"Shut up," Eden whispers back with an annoyed smile, but lets herself get pulled in and embraces the kiss. Her arm around my waist tightens its hold and forces our bodies closer to each other, making me sigh softly. Fuck, I want her so badly, and judging by the way she meets my eyes when our lips part, she feels the same way.
"Sooo..." I'm mumbling and a little breathless, my chest rising and falling heavily. "Maybe we should take this to a more comfortable place?" She nods in agreement and helps be stand back up normally before joining me on the blanket. I start pulling out the food and drink I brought, arranging it all next to the basket. I'm sort of sitting sideways, supporting myself with one arm, while Eden sits down close to me with her legs crossed. "Nothing all that special, I know, but I figured it'd be a good fit for today."
"Please," Eden says with a chuckle and a mild blush remaining on her face. "I don't need things to be fancy all the time." The slightly shy expression isn't something I've seen often on her. "Though... I guess I can see how you might have gotten that impression, with where I took you for our first date..."
I grab a wine glass and hand it to her, waiting for her to gesture in the affirmative before I pour her some. "Yeah, that was, uh... I've just never been to a place like that before. It was a little overwhelming. My dad was surprised my date could even get a reservation."
"I was worried you'd think that, yeah. Truth be told, the reservation wasn't for us to begin with, actually. My mom had booked it for her and a potential contract, but they called and cancelled, like, three days before our date, so I asked if I could just have it instead, and she said yes and changed the reservation to my name."
"Huh. Yeah, that makes sense," I mumble and unpack one end of a sandwich, handing a different one to her. "And it's far less intimidating to think about."
"I bet." While talking, we've slowly been cuddling up closer. It's a fairly warm day, and the sun is out, but it's still nice to share some body heat with each other. Especially when you're as into someone as I am Eden. "Fuck, I missed bread," she mumbles through a mouthful of sandwich. "Mom obviously doesn't know about my Knightly activities or how it affects my metabolism, so she keeps things on a fairly strict diet at home. Which includes no bread." I nod and chew on my own sandwich.
"Stars, I can't even imagine living without bread at all. I heard about model diets, and they always sounded miserable to me."
"It gets a little 'drab' sometimes," she says, making air quotes as best she can with a sandwich in one hand and a wine glass in the other. "But I sneak a few snacks and other treats while I'm not home and it all works out." After a minute of comfortable silence, she chases her sandwich with some rosé and turns to me. "So. College is pretty soon, right?"
"I wouldn't say soon. Still about six months 'til the semester starts."
"Got your acceptance letter yet?"
"Not yet! But they should be coming pretty soon, if I get any. I'm starting to get pretty nervous about not getting in anywhere, but my brother helped me look for apartments, just in case I have to move to another city."
"Oh, yeah, of course. I'm almost hoping you have to move. It'd give me an excuse to get out of town, too." Eden winks and gives me a crooked smile.
"H-Hold on," I start with a nervous chuckle. "I thought we agreed to take it slow. Moving in together doesn't feel very slow!"
"Calm down, babe, it's six months out. Separate apartments is also an option... But that said, if we both have to move and go to the same city... Well, maybe I wouldn't be opposed to sharing a bed with you."
I think about that for a moment. "It would probably be easier to get a nice apartment for the two of us, too. And since you don't want to start college right away, you could get some second-hand experience through me. Chibi would love to live in a place where she can move more freely about than in just my room too. Wait, how do things work with Willow and No-" Before I can finish my thought, Eden gently takes the glass of rosé in my hand that I've been slowly sipping at, emptying it on the grass before she puts the glass down and then starts to climb on top of me. In the heat of the moment, I don't know what else to do but lean back and twist until I can lay down on the blanket, letting her fully get on top of me. She practically traps me beneath her, with her ankles hooking over mine and her hands on the grass on either side of my head.
"Enough about the future. Enough about the past. I'm here with you right now, and this is going to sound corny, but there's only one subject I'd like to study." She winks and leans down, but rather than kissing me on the lips, I feel hers touch my jawline first and then move down to my neck. My breath shudders as I let myself enjoy the unexpected moment. Her movements are insistent yet tender, her weight shifting onto her right hand while the left moves in to cradle around the back of my neck and her thumb caressing my cheek softly.
My whole body stirs and shivers, and I want to encourage Eden to continue what she's doing, so my own hands start roaming over her body, beginning at her legs, where her knees press into my sides. My fingers press into the meat of her thighs, squeezing enthusiastically, almost like I'm giving her massage, rotating in little patterns as they move up, up, and finally stop a couple of inches beneath her ass, remembering last time I got close when we danced at her birthday and she stopped me. No such thing happens this time, though, and in fact she instead moves her lips up to start kissing me properly, our tongues meeting each other and exploring a little. So I decide to go for it and give Eden's rear a squeeze, causing her to sigh deeply into my mouth just as I start feeling myself try to move my lower body against hers, almost on instinct.
That's what makes her stop me, by sitting back on her knees and pushing a hand against my sternum, gently but with enough force to make me stop and take notice. The way she's sitting in my lap, there's no way she can't tell where my mind's been the last couple minutes. "Woah there~" She's practically purring at me. Just like at her party, I barely even notice the world around us, focusing solely on her. "We're in public, Destiny. Can't get too into this or people might hear us~"
"Mmph- Y- Yeah," I croak and take a deep breath, trying to get both my mind and body to settle a little. "A-And we agreed to save that sort of stuff a little." That reminder is mostly for myself. I made a promise and I'm gonna keep it.
"Uhm..." Eden blushes hard enough that it makes her shoulders redden. "Actually... I was thinking... Since I live pretty close by, and my mom's out of town until tomorrow..." I quirk an eyebrow at her, already pretty sure I know where she's going with this.
"It might not be the best idea. But I want to. I want you. Do you...?"
Rather than answer her directly, I sit back up, my arms wrapped around her waist as I shift our positioning a little. I peck her on the lips, and we untangle from each other. She gets the idea, and we quickly pack up our little picnic. She takes my hand and leads the way as we hurry to her place, which, in stark contrast to what one might expect from a semi-famous fashion model and her successful agent mother, turns out to be a fairly modestly sized apartment on the third floor of a mid-range apartment building.
The hallway is fairly long, with rooms sticking out on each side and a bathroom at the far end. There are only three rooms aside from the kitchen: a living room and two bedrooms, one for each of the two women living here. Only now do I wonder where Eden's dad is, but asking about that would almost certainly ruin the mood. Instead of giving me the tour, we quickly dump our jackets and the picnic basket in the hallway, followed by our shoes, and soon enough our hands are back on each other.
Kisses, moans and groans echo through the apartment as we make our way toward Eden's room. I manage to get her vest off before we even make it there, and my dress lands on the floor only a few steps later. Silly, horny young women that we are, we clearly can't even wait to get each other naked. Despite no one being home, Eden still closes the door behind us.
Twenty minutes later, we're cuddled up beneath her covers, still naked. We're facing each other, foreheads touching and our legs entwined as we both bask in the afterglow of what just happened between us. It was a little awkward at first, neither of us quite sure how to do anything right. So there was a bunch of nervous giggling and false starts before we eventually figured out how to do something that felt good for us both. I'm sure it'll only get better the more we do it. My hands are still on her hips, caressing the curve, while hers are in my hair and on one of my boobs respectively. "So... That wasn't as weird as I feared it could've been," Eden mumbles, looking right into my eyes. In the dim light coming through her blinders and up this close, the steel grey color of hers is much less severe, and I can't help myself from looking into them in return.
"Mmmhm. I liked that quite a bit. I'd like to do it again sometime soon."
"Mmph. Yeah. I'm... I'm sure we can figure out how best to handle each other if we keep going. Sort of a first time for both of us."
"Very much a first time for me as a whole. Is now when I say thank you? I feel like now's when I say thank you." Eden laughs and punches me gently in the shoulder, obviously getting the joke before she kisses me again. Another minute of comfortable silence passes as we just enjoy each other, listening to our combined breathing and feeling the texture of each other's skin. I open my mouth, fail to say what I was going to, try again and still fail. She takes my hand and gives it a squeeze.
"Hey. What's up?"
"I- Well, I guess now's as good a time as any to say this. I decided. About the oath."
"And?" There's a light of curiosity and hope in Eden's eyes as she anticipates my answer.
"I wanna take it. Swear it, I mean. However you say that."
"Really? Are you sure?" Her eyes light up and she hugs me as best she can in our sideways positions, though it's slightly awkward.
"I mean, yeah! I want to keep working alongside the rest of you. And I mean, the oath is pretty much what I was always going to do with my powers, right?"
"Hmmm. Yeah, probably? Or at least close enough. You're probably the best judge of that."
"I have one condition, though. I need your help to figure out how to help Jeanette, please. It's really important to me. I'm the reason she's not waking up." She looks me deeply in the eye for a few moments, caressing my cheek. There's a small, soft smile on her lips.
"Destiny, please. We were going to offer our help whether you accepted the oath or not. Hell, if you hadn't asked, Asha was probably going to make us help anyway. We all care about you and had a hand in this, too."
"Oh." I feel a little stupid for assuming this one was going to be entirely on me. Of course, the Knights would want to help. "Yeah, duh. Of course. But still, thank you."
"Of course. I'll start making arrangements tomorrow, so we can probably do it next weekend?" Eden strokes my hair and kisses me again, then turns to lie on her other side and cuddling up back against me, reaching up to her windowsill and fishing my phone out of my purse, handing it to me. I instinctively put my arm around her waist as we spoon. "Now, show me some more of your designs. I wanna see more of the things you'd put me in."
I pull up the folder of shitty images of some designs I've been working on and start showing them off. Most of my older designs have been decidedly feminine. Stuff I'd like to wear, as well as things I'd have loved to see Eden wear in a magazine. But since we started dating, I've been designing more and more outfits that play with gender expression in funny ways. The way she prefers to dress herself. Some masculine, some only hinting at femininity, and a lot that mix the two. I'm not particularly proud of most of them yet, but there are a few that Eden quite likes.
I wind up spending the night, texting my mother that I'm staying over, to which she responds, "Make sure you use protection" and wishes me luck. Protection? Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Luckily, we didn't do anything that required it earlier, but who knows what might happen tonight? We make sure to go pick some up at the corner store after we eat the rest of the sandwiches for dinner.
Next day at school, I get reprimanded for not wearing my uniform, but I hardly care. And Asha can't stop grinning at me like a fool all day.