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The very walls shook to the beat of ABBA and Madonna, intoxicated teenagers swaying to the music and hollering. Too loud conversations turned to shout over the loud music and the living room held the telltale stench of marijuana.
Jill stood somewhat on the outside, content in watching others dance and laugh. She fisted a beer, sipping leisurely. Chris was still nowhere to be seen and she wondered if he was coming back to get her or not. She had told him she would catch a ride home with Rebecca but at some point between that declaration and now, Becca had disappeared. She was last seen in the arms of Billy Coen, which shocked Jill a little bit. Who knew little Becca liked bad boys?
The music changed fluidly, switching from one genre to the next with an occasional grating addition of a Mariah Carey song that was accompanied by almost every girl on the dance floor running to scream the lyrics. Jill cringed slightly at the feminine screeching, turning away for the masses to seek somewhere a little quieter.
The beer in her hand was all but empty and she felt the beginnings of a headache coming on. She glanced around the room she had moved into, noticing Leon sitting on a couch nearby. He was trying to desperately escape whatever conversation he was having with a blonde girl. Ashley, Jill was pretty sure her name was, she was a junior in Leon’s year. Leon caught her eye and quickly made an excuse to leave the girl, hurrying over to Jill with a look of relief. He swiped his hair out of his eyes and pulled her away.
“Thank God you saved me, Valentine. I really wasn’t liking my chances there.”
Jill chuckled, swatting at his hand gripping her elbow. “Leon, you're a filthy little flirt. You can’t go hitting on anything that breathes and then not want to deal with them pining over you.”
“‘Pining?’ Did I have you pining over me, Jill?” He joked, making kissy faces at her. Jill rolled her eyes and shoved him lightly.
“Not a chance, Kennedy. Although I think you had Chris looking at you twice.” Leon shared gym class with Chris and Jill, and the sight of the younger man in tight rugby shorts had had Chris sweating. She still teased him about it occasionally.
“I do have that effect on people, it seems. I can’t figure out if it's my glorious hair or my handsome face.”
“For fucks sake, Leon. You’re insufferable, you know.”
“You love me.”
She hummed nonchalantly, turning back to the dance floor. It was even busier than before, with more and more people arriving at the party. The party was hosted by Alexia Ashford and her brother Alfred, who seemed to have invited anyone and everyone tonight, all crammed in their ornate and expensive looking living room. The two siblings had vanished, not that Jill minded. They both gave her the creeps.
Leon stood next to her, nudging her shoulder to get her attention.
“Where’s the ball and chain?” Jill sighed, glaring into the crowd.
“Chris? There was a punch-on in the backyard, someone stealing someone else’s girlfriend or something. Chris broke them up and drove the loser to the hospital. I think the guy had a pretty nasty concussion and a few broken fingers.”
Leon chuckled at that, shaking his head in mirth.
“Ah Redfield, always the hero.”
“Oh shut it.”
Leon took a sip of his drink, the concoction was likely 90% alcohol and 10% mixer. She’d got him a six-pack of beer but he’d somehow managed to get some sort of liquor as well. He must have his fingers in multiple pies. That phrasing made her cringe just thinking about just how many pies Leon had stuck his slutty little fingers in. There was a new girl every time they went out, Jill had ceased to keep track of them all. At this point, she didn’t want to know.
“You’re both graduating at the end of the year. What are your plans?”
“I’m joining the Army, I’ve already applied and everything. Chris wanted to follow me and enlist too but I told him not to. He wants to be a pilot, it would be a waste to join the Army rather than the Air Force.”
Leon whistled, looking over at her with a sly smirk.
“Damn, Racoon High’s prom king and queen are breaking up?”
“Leon.” She warned voice chiding and stern. Don’t test me, she thought.
“Yeah yeah, I know you guys are having a break or something. I know.”
Jill softened her tone, turning back to the swarming party.
“Were just pursuing different paths, it’s natural.”
“Sure, sure. And what does Redfield think about that?”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure he’ll be fine either way. He’s a big boy.”
“I’m sure he is.” Jill cringed as she realised she had set that joke up perfectly. Damn, Leon Kennedy.
Leon’s eyes scanned the room. They were quickly distracted by a younger boy running past them, shirt half soaked and rushing to puke in the kitchen sink.
Leon whistled next to her, smirking.
“At least we're having a better night than him. Kid looks about 15.”
“Yeah, I think he’s in Claire’s year, Sophomore year.”
“Who’s Claire?”
Jill pointed out Chris’s sister, who was currently in a rather skimpy outfit, dancing and singing with a brown-haired girl.
“The redhead” Jill nodded, watching her closely. Her top was very tight and the way that she jumped had her tits… STOP, Jill told herself, STOP THAT THOUGHT NOW.
Leon seemed to be watching her too, smirk still plastered on his infuriatingly pretty face.
“She’s kinda hot” He commented, eyes scanning over the girl much like Jill’s had.
Jill thought for a minute, trying to see if she was just being stupid and tipsy or if Claire really was the most beautiful girl she had ever seen. Leon had gone back to scanning the room, winking at a black haired Asian girl from across the room.
“I’ll catch you later, Leon.” Jill said, finally having worked up the courage. She patted Leon’s arm before turning away from him.
“Sure, V. Don’t drink too much.” Leon commented, eyes fixated on the dark-haired girl. Jill hoped he was smart enough to use protection, she couldn’t handle another Leon running around. “If you need a lift home, let me know.”
“Leon, I've heard all the horror stories about your driving. No way in hell am I getting in your car with you sober, let alone tipsy. I’d like to live, thanks.” She stalked off then, in the direction of the pretty redhead. She heard Leon chuckle behind her.
She pushed through the crowd of swaying bodies, somewhat repelled by the barely masked smell of sweat. Claire was easy to track in the crowd, tall in her heels with a shock of bright hair.
“Hey, Redfield.” Jill slid in beside her, getting her attention. The girl was flushed, grinning a toothy smile as she noticed Jill.
“Jill, hi! Is Chris around?”
The woman’s eyes scanned the room suddenly nervous. Jill noticed the cup in Claire’s hand which was, no doubt, alcoholic. Chris was crazily strict with Claire. He had almost had a fit when Claire had brought a boy home with her, he had called Jill ranting and raving that his baby sister wasn’t allowed to grow up or drink or have sex. Jill had laughed, explaining that Claire was 16 and was allowed to make mature decisions herself. She thought Chris was going to have a heart attack, he’d taken the death of his parents pretty hard and had essentially raised Claire since then. He’d worked so hard to try and keep things as normal for Claire as he could but he could stand to take a chill pill though. She was a teenager, of course, she was going to experiment.
“No, there was a fight outside. Chris drove the casualty to the hospital.”
“Damn. Definitely another hero moment for my brother."
Jill studied her for a moment, only barely stopping herself from staring down Claire’s cleavage or brushing against her side. The two women weren’t particularly close, whenever Jill hung out with Chris, they went to her house. Her dad was out most of the time so it was quiet and private. Jill thinks she maybe had spoken to Claire at length only twice, and she frowns at the thought that everything she knew about Claire came from Chris’s mouth.
She eyes the girl's cup, the liquid all but gone.
“Do you want something better to drink? That shit has surely been in the back of Chris’s fridge for far too long if you managed to steal it without him noticing.” Jill smirked at her, challenging the younger girl. Take the bait, she thought, let me get to know you.
“Sure.” The redhead smiled at her, eyes twinkling. And the two of them strode off to the kitchen and away from the titular chorus of Don't Speak by No Doubt. Claire was somewhat unsteady in her heels, tilting from side to side to keep her balance as they walked. She had grabbed onto Jill’s arm at one stage to steady herself and Jill almost lost her cool. Claire’s red ponytail had brushed against Jill’s bare skin and took her breath away. She kept staring at Claire, in awe of the beauty before her. Claire noticed her staring and ducked her head.
“Sorry, Jill. I didn’t realise these shoes were so hard to walk in. I suppose the alcohol doesn’t help.” Claire apologised, thinking Jill’s stare was something of annoyance or impatience.
Jill smirked, linking her arm with Claire’s to ‘steady’ the other girl. “You’re fine, Claire. Seriously, don’t worry.” She relieved the redhead, smiling at her. The two of them walked arm in arm towards the kitchen, Jill collecting a bottle of vodka from her bag and making them each a drink with cherry soda she found in the fridge. Claire was smiling ear to ear, swaying her hips to the music in the middle of the kitchen.
“Where do you get all the booze? You got a fake ID or something?”
Jill laughed a little, shaking her head.
“Nah, Dad buys it for me. I think he thinks it makes up for him being a shitty parent. Like he thinks it okay to be an absentee father if he buys me alcohol or smokes when I ask.”
“Oh, he’s not around much? What about your mom?” Claire asked, feeling awkward at prying into Jill’s private life. It was really none of her business.
“No, not really. Mom took off when I was little, got remarried, moved across the country and didn’t bother to stay in contact.” She looked at Claire who now looked plain uncomfortable. Jill kicked herself, why would she complain about her parents to a girl who had none. “Sorry, Claire. I shouldn't be complaining about my parents to you. I mean, at least my dad is kinda still in my life. It’s better than… well… shit, sorry Claire.”
“You’re ok, Jill. You’re allowed to complain about your shitty parents. Your Mom sounds like an asshole and your Dad really should actually look after you.”
Jill nodded absently, brushing past the awkwardness that had seeped into their conversation. She decided to make them both another drink.
Claire was two cherry vodka sodas in when she dragged Jill out the backdoor, ditching her precariously high shoes at the door and running for the pool. Jill followed quickly behind her, hoping the girl wouldn’t just dive into the pool. Luckily, Claire stopped, sitting down by the poolside ledge and swung her legs into the water. Jill mirrored her after she untied her boots.
They were silent and content for a moment before Claire spoke up.
“What’s going on with you and Chris?”
“What do you mean?”
Claire wouldn’t meet her eye, focusing on the water.
“It’s just he’s been acting all dejected at home and won’t talk about it. I was wondering if you guys were okay?”
Jill kicked at the water, pausing before she answered.
“We sort of called things off… Like we're still best friends, I think we always will be, but things are changing and we're both planning on doing different things next year and… well, I suppose we just decided it would be easier if we wrapped things up.”
Claire’s head shot up and stared at her, she reached out and brushed her hand against Jill’s arm to try and comfort her a bit.
“Oh, I’m sorry Jill. I shouldn’t have asked, it's not my business.”
“It’s fine. I think we both are just kind of trying to get over it. That would be why Chris is acting weird.”
There was a pregnant pause, stretching on for a moment too long. Jill was always content in silence, Claire always had to fill the silence.
“Jill, did you and Chris have sex?”
“Yeah, why?”
“What’s it like?”
“Are you asking me what sex with your brother is like?”
Claire giggled, noticing how abhorrent it sounded. “Maybe not.” She mumbled, cheeks flaming red to match her hair.
“Why’d you ask?”
Claire struggled for a bit, shifting her arms and swinging her legs in the water.
“Well, I suppose I just wanted to know what’s it like. I mean, I’ve never… you know… had sex before.”
“That's completely fine, you know, Claire. There’s no rush or anything.” Claire still was looking down, obviously embarrassed. Jill spoke to try and spare her further embarrassment, trying to lighten the mood. “Chris thought you were bringing guys home anytime he wasn’t there. He would rant and rave at me about it, wanting to ‘protect you’, he called it.”
Claire laughed at that, a warm melodic laugh that made Jill smile.
“Really? Oh, that’s kind of hilarious. I mean I suppose he doesn’t know…”
“Know what?”
Claire stopped suddenly as if deciding to reveal her big secret. Jill watched her and looked out at the water, at the garden beyond and then Claire’s eyes met hers. Claire took a deep breath before she spoke.
“I’m a lesbian, Jill. Those guys had no chance in hell.”
Jill’s mouth went dry. Claire was gay? She was interested in women, and Jill had been all but eyeing her up all night. She liked women, what was Jill’s luck? She didn’t like Jill though, she couldn’t. She was her brother’s ex, no way would Claire like her like that.
“Jill?” Claire’s voice broke her from her thoughts, tears in her eyes as her voice shook. “Oh please don’t just sit there. I’ve never even told anyone other than my best friend before. I get it if you don’t…”
“Claire, chill out. You’re fine, don’t freak out. Thank you for feeling comfortable enough to tell me.”
Claire noticeably relaxed, a weight off her shoulders. Relief washed over her face.
“Just don’t tell Chris, please. I want to tell him eventually, I just have to grow the balls.”
“Chris loves you more than anything, Claire. You know that. You also know he loves you no matter what.”
“Yeah, I know.”
There was another pause, surprisingly it was Jill to talk first.
“I think I’m a little gay too. Like I like dudes, obviously. But I like girls too sometimes, just like in a kinda different way.”
“So you're bi?”
“What?”
“Bisexual, like you like both, guys and girls.”
Jill rolled the word around in her head. She’d never heard a term like that before. She’d always just put away her attraction to women as this sort of passing fascination, something fleeting. She thought you were either gay or straight, she had no idea there was something that was a kind of in-between option.
“Yeah, I suppose that fits. Kinda like Freddy Mercury.”
“You like Queen?”
“Yeah, I do. They’re pretty cool, I used to listen with my Dad.”
“Jill, I LOVE Queen. Like they’re my favourite band ever.”
“How did I never know any of this”
“Because I don’t think we’ve ever had a conversation that lasted more than five minutes?”
Jill stayed quiet for a long moment, watching the illuminated water of the pool swish and sway. She stared, not really seeing. Her mind felt fuzzy but also so alive. Claire was warm beside her, their arms barely touching but the contact felt electric. She felt the soft brush of her breath against her shoulder and she wanted to reach out and feel if the skin of her cheek was as soft as it looked.
“Are you okay, Jill?”
Jill looked at Claire and she stopped breathing. She was beautiful, utterly stunning. Long, dark eyelashes framed crystal blue eyes. A thin button nose. Pink lips, soft and plump. Kissable.
She leant in closer, feeling Claire’s soft breath brush against her face. Her lips parted and Claire looked like she was leaning closer to. They closed their eyes, lips inches from each other. Her body felt like it was on fire, she was about to combust.
“Jill!”
She was gonna kill him, she was going to rip his balls off. Fucking Leon Kennedy had to ruin everything.
Jill pulled away, turning to glare at Leon. She felt Claire shift away, noticing out of the corner of her eye that she had turned bright red again.
“What?” Jill asked, exasperated. Leon had the Asian girl with him, her arms encircling his chest from behind as she whispered in his ear. Leon looked drunk, hair tousled and shirt askew.
“We’re heading to the fire pit, someone bought a boombox, you in? Sure beats whatever Cindy Lauper shit they have playing in the house.”
Jill looked at Claire, who nodded to her. Jill stood up and then reached down to take Claire’s hands. She pulled the younger woman to her feet who was swaying slightly, leaning into Jill’s side for stability. Claire briefly tucked her head into the crook of Jill’s neck, bending slightly due to her taller stature. The sensation of the tiny puff of air that left Claire’s mouth caused goosebumps to erupt over Jill’s body. It was over too soon though, as Claire moved away grabbing her hand and following Leon towards the back of the obscenely large yard.
A small group of teenagers had congregated around the fire, sitting on deckchairs and logs. Leon sat gingerly on a log, the girl with him immediately situating herself on his lap, turned inwards towards him and began kissing him.
There was only one seat left, which Jill indicated Claire to sit in. The younger woman did with a look of piqued interest, and for a minute Jill could almost read her mind because they were both undoubtedly thinking the same thing. Whether Jill would sit on her lap like Leon and the girl kissing him. Jill almost did it too, almost moving to sit on top of Claire, to feel the softness of her skin and smell the sweet smell of her perfume.
She stopped herself, all of a sudden realising she was just standing there looking at Claire. She bent down and sat at Claire’s feet, substituting for resting her back against the girl's legs. She just knew Claire was disappointed because she was too. She wanted to straddle her and kiss her until she couldn’t breathe. She wanted to look into her eyes and get lost in their shocking blue, so much brighter than Jill’s murky grey/blue.
She wanted to give Claire everything. But she couldn’t, she just couldn’t. This was Chris’s little sister, in what world could she fall in love with her best friend and now ex’s sister? That caught her off guard, fall in love? Where the fuck had that idea come from. She’d never really had a proper conversation with Claire before tonight and they were both as drunk as a skunk and-
“Earth to Jill? You there, Val?” Leon called to her, looking over the girl's shoulder to talk to her.
“Are you gonna introduce me?” Jill asked, not answering his pestering question.
“Sure, Jill this is Ada. Ada, this is Jill and Jill’s… friend…sorry, I forgot your name, I know your Chris Redfield’s sister. ‘C’ something.”
Jill cringed inwardly, could she stop being reminded that this gorgeous girl was her ex’s sister, aka off-limits, aka Chris would skin her if he found out Jill even thought about kissing Claire. It wasn’t even that he would be jealous, he wasn’t like that at all. But his best friend shacking up with his “baby sister”, that was surely a step to far in Chris’s mind.
“It’s Claire.”
Jill felt Claire’s fingers brush the hair away from her neck, it was a warm night and a slight sheen of sweat covered her skin there. Was it really just the heat making her sweat though?
“Sorry, Claire.” Leon apologised, looking at Jill for a long minute before being dragged back to Ada’s lips. “Nice to meet you.”
The aforementioned boombox was playing a mixtape consisting entirely of 70’s and 80’s hits, the music actually enjoyable compared to the pop bullshit Ashford had put on inside. The music washed over her as she stared into the fire. She felt Claire’s fingertips brush her neck again and then felt her play with the ends of her short hair. It felt good, more so because it was Claire’s fingers. For a moment she thought about Claire’s fingers in a completely different situation and she immediately blushed. Get a grip, Valentine! She berated herself for a moment, embarrassed. She drowned out her thoughts, focusing on the soft toying of Claire’s deft fingers and the upbeat lyrics of David Bowie’s ‘Let’s Dance’.
Joseph Frost sat next to them and passed over a blunt with a questioning incline of his brows. Jill shook her head but Claire reached forward to take a drag. Jill smelt the earthy scent as Claire exhaled the smoke. Claire’s hands returned to her shoulders, more sure this time as she spoke absently with Joseph. Jill leaned back and closed her eyes, calming herself. When she opened her eyes, Leon and Ada had gone, along with most of the ragtag group that had surrounded the fire. Claire was saying goodbye to Joseph and another boy Jill didn’t recognise.
“You okay?” Claire asked her, fingers stopping their movement. Jill glanced up at her, giving her a soft smile. This girl was so fucking beautiful.
“Yeah, just kinda tired. Wanna head in?”
Claire’s face fell, but she quickly composed herself. Jill wanted to kick herself.
“I… okay yeah, sure.”
The house was quieter than before, most people either passed out or had left. Jill grabbed her bag from inside the kitchen, finding a quick note from Rebecca. Her friend had apologised for leaving early and told her that she was going home with Billy. Jill smiled, not particularly surprised her friend had left already. Claire stood beside her, waiting. Jill smiled, lightly bumping her hip against Claire’s.
“Let’s get you home, Chris will kill me if I don’t get you home safe.”
Jill knew she was actively separating herself from Claire. She felt so hot and cold, part of her told her to just grab Claire and kiss her, but the other part stubbornly reminded her that this was Chris’s sister.
Richard Aiken spotted them packing up and made his way over, he was a close friend of her’s. He and his girlfriend, Bridgette shared a handful of classes with her and Richard was on the school football team with Chris.
“You girls okay getting home? Since Redfield didn’t come back.”
“He must have stayed at the hospital. I was gonna walk Claire home since Becca ditched me.”
“She went off with Coen, right? Didn’t see that coming. Proud of the little shit. You sure you don’t want a lift. I’m the DD tonight for a couple of mates, I can drop you guys off.”
“Nah that’s okay, my place isn’t too far from here but thanks,” Claire responded, smiling.
“Alright, be safe then.” Richard said and Bridgette hugged Jill quickly before the pair left.
Claire and Jill walked out to the front road and towards the direction of the Redfield’s house. It truly wasn’t too far away, only a handful of blocks or more. No more than a 30-minute walk. Claire walked barefoot, heels held in her hand. The alcohol had worn of considerably, Jill noticed as her vision seemed to clear and her head didn’t have a telltale foggy feeling indicative of being drunk. Claire seemed to be sobering up to, she didn’t sway anymore. She looked at Jill, brushing a strand of red hair out of her eyes before talking. Claire kept her gaze straight ahead as she spoke…
“I’m gonna ask you again, are you okay? You sort of froze up on me back there.”
Jill looked away from her, still embarrassed by her behaviour. She was being awful to Claire, pushing her away time and time again only to cozy up with her. She was absolutely sending mixed signals, and Claire didn’t deserve that. Still somehow couldn’t bring herself to voice that to Claire and so she deflected.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry. I’m just tired.”
Claire looked at her then, grabbing her arm lightly and stopping their walking. Her eyes were steely and determined, her arched brows furrowed.
“That’s not all though, is it?”
Jill felt so guilty looking at her, she couldn’t bring herself to lie when she looked at Claire. She paused, muttering a barely coherent “No.”
“Talk to me, Jill”
“I can’t.” She turned away, it was easier if she didn’t have to look at the other girl. Claire was watching her though, and the weight of her gaze was immense.
“Why?”
Jill sighed, clenching her hands and looking at Claire. Her hair was wispy around her face and her cheeks were a rosy pink.
“I’m not allowed to want to kiss you.” Jill’s voice was quiet, almost lost in the cool night breeze. She didn’t have it in her to say it any louder, as if it would mean more if she spoke the words louder.
“You want to kiss me?” Claire’s voice was neutral, obviously trying to keep her cool. She was likely second guessing she had heard Jill correctly. Jill kept her eyes downcast.
“Of course I do, it's all I can think about.”
“Then what’s stopping you?”
“Claire, I can’t. You're Chris’s sister and-”
Claire laughed, and god, Jill could never get enough of the sound of Claire’s laughter even if it were directed at her. Jill let out a quick breath of air in leu of her own laughter, looking up at Claire as she shook her head in mirth.
“Oh my god, shut up. That's the reason you keep shying away? Because you dated my brother?”
“Yes.”
“Why is that an issue? You’re not with Chris anymore. You’re allowed to kiss whoever you want, Jill. Even your ex-boyfriend’s sister.”
Jill smirked a bit, before responding. “You're biased.”
Claire’s voice was high and loud, she sounded exasperated but so… passionate.
“Of course I am! Do you have any idea how much I want to kiss you? But you keep walking away! We almost kissed by the pool, what happened between then and now that’s got you second guessing?”
Jill stayed quiet, not trusting her voice to not crack with emotion if she spoke now. So Claire continued.
“Is it really just because Chris is my brother?”
Jill nodded, still mute.
“Well, I don’t care. Chris doesn’t own you, Jill. And you don’t owe him anything. I get it, he’s your best friend AND your ex, so of course, there are messy feelings there. But, Jill, you want to kiss me, I want to kiss you, so what’s the issue? Nothing.”
Jill’s head seemed to spin, except she wasn’t drunk. She was just suddenly so overwhelmed by Claire. Everything that the girl had said rang true. Jill had been hot and cold and for what? Claire wanted to kiss her. Claire didn’t care about her and Chris. Jill had been pushing her away all fucking night and-
And with that, Claire Redfield dropped her heels, moved towards Jill in a flourish and wrapped her arms around Jill’s neck. She stopped short of kissing the shorter woman, looking at her in the eye. Their lips were a fraction apart, close enough to feel the ghostly brush of their warm skin. Suddenly, Jill couldn’t think.
“Tell me to stop. Tell me you don’t want to kiss me, Jill. Tell me and I’ll stop.”
“No.”
Jill leaned forward, finally feeling the warmth of Claire’s lips. Everything stopped around them, and suddenly everything Jill knew was Claire like nothing existed in Jill’s world anymore except for Claire. It was like a man dehydrated in the desert, only to find that one oasis to quench his thirst. Claire’s lips were just as soft as she imagined. They stood together, Claire’s arms around Jill’s neck and Jill’s resting at Claire’s waist, illuminated by a lone street light in the middle of the suburban road. Jill must have stopped breathing, she couldn’t fathom what was happening anymore. It was all just Claire. Claire’s hands toying with Jill’s hair, Claire’s skin smelling of honey body wash and cheap perfume, Claire’s flushed skin a rosy pink. Claire’s soft lips and the little groan she let out as Jill’s hands travelled up and down her curves. Jill knew nothing else, cared for nothing else, only the woman she held in her arms. Mine, she thought, she’s all mine now. And, God, I’m all her’s
They broke apart, clutching each other like nothing else mattered. Because, right at that moment, nothing did. She felt laughter rumble in Claire’s chest and they laughed together, overjoyed and absolutely euphoric. Claire’s head came to rest on Jill’s shoulder, breath tickling the skin of her neck. Oh God, she wanted to feel Claire’s lips there too.
“Still strung up about Chris?”
“No.”
They each seemed to take a deep breath, still entwined in each other as if holding on for dear life. They linked hands again, Jill’s thumb rubbing at the back of Claire’s hand absentmindedly. Claire swung their arms playfully, a large grin spread across her face. She was radiant, absolutely glowing under the dimness of the night.
Jill silently thanked the asshole who started that fight, she thanked Chris for being so thoughtlessly heroic, she thanked Rebecca for ditching her, for Leon and Ada sneaking off. She might never have even talked to Claire, let alone ended up in her arms if any of this goddamn evening hadn’t happened. It was almost fate if Jill could bring herself to believe that. She wanted to thank God for the angel in front of her. But even to feel Claire in her arms, to have her soft skin against Jill’s, it seemed otherworldly. So maybe it wasn’t too far fetched to thank a god she didn’t believe in. Not if it meant being able to have Claire close.
Claire and Jill walked back to the Redfield house, giggling and toying with each other, stopping just to kiss, touching each other and relishing the moment. Claire would run ahead, dragging Jill along by her hand. Jill would pull her back and catch her momentum against her body, trailing kisses along her neck as Claire squirmed and giggled.
The walk seemed like nothing and they all but stumbled towards the front door of the Redfield house, holding onto each other for dear life.
“Please tell me you have a key.” Jill asked, realising they may be stranded if they didn’t. Jill didn’t like the idea of sitting on Claire’s front porch waiting for Chris to rescue them.
“Backdoors unlocked, it always is.”
“You don’t lock your doors?” Genuine confusion was laced in Jill’s voice.
“Not really no. No one locks their doors, Jill.”
“My Dad does, I suppose he’s got shit to hide though. He’s not exactly a model citizen.”
“Your dads a criminal?”
“Yeah” Jill sighed. “He taught me shit to follow in his footsteps for a while. Picking locks and hot-wiring cars.”
“That’s badass, Jill. Kinda sexy too.”
“Not really, Claire.”
Claire simply snorted in response.
They made it into the house only to collapse, not even making it to a bedroom before they passed out on the couch, cuddling each other close. All of a sudden they were wrapped in each other, limbs tangled on the tiny space of the couch. Jill held on to Claire, almost as if she didn’t Claire would just disappear. It all felt like a dream. Sleep fell on them suddenly, the last thing Jill saw was Claire’s tired smile and the last thing she felt was the soft press of Claire’s lips against her own.
Chris arrived home in the early hours of that morning. He was exhausted himself, so in a rush to get to bed that he almost missed the two women on the couch curled up together like cats. Even with his exhaustion-raddled mind he couldn’t help but smile. He would never have picked it, but somehow it wasn’t too much of a shock to see Claire cuddling with Jill. They were both fast asleep, so much so that neither reacted when Chris reached for a blanket to cover them before heading off to bed himself. He was, however, going to give them both a world of shit and teasing tomorrow.
Jill woke up to the faint light of early morning streaming through the windows of the Redfield’s living room. Her fear of Chris’s animosity vanished upon finding that blanket covering them, and she pulled Claire’s sleeping body closer to hers. She breathed in the scent of the other woman’s hair before falling back to sleep in Claire Redfield’s warm embrace.