Archive of Our Own

“How ticklish are you?”

Rhea let her toes wiggle against Karolina’s ribs as she pursed her lips together to make a faint buzzing sound. The warm water softly sloshed at the sides of the tub. Karolina laughed, it never took much to bring it out of her, and Rhea smiled.

“I’m just kidding.”

With that she drew both of her legs back until her knees peeked out of the bubble-filled water on her side of the bamboo bath tray. Karolina gave one last, low chuckle as she finished pouring the tea.

The room was quiet around them, though they were far from alone. And while they weren’t exactly making it all up as they went along, there was still an element of playfulness to their carefully discussed actions.

When Karolina settled back against her end of the bath, pulling the bubbles with her as she went, she gave Rhea a mischievous smile—and then suddenly she had gathered a bunch of bubbles in her hands and let out a puff of breath strong enough to send them flying across the space between them.

Rhea startled and turned her head to the side just in time. Both women laughed.

Rhea hated baths, preferred a nice steamy shower, but she could admit, quietly and just to herself, that this one wasn’t so bad. Karolina was an absolute gift of a scene partner, and an even better friend. Rhea didn’t want to think about how much she would miss her when the season wrapped. Of course they’d see each other to do press, and on red carpets and at other events, but it wouldn’t be the same as getting to work every day with this brilliant woman…

*

Their chemistry test felt like catching lightning in a bottle. The others had been fine, some of them more than fine, but when Karolina walked into the room, Rhea felt something inside herself sit up and say, Oh. There she is.

The simple fact that she looked like a super model from her dreams (an observation Rhea would later use in interviews talking about why Zosia had been sent to Carol in episode two) was enough to set off some sparks. But as they read through the scene, discussed their characters, their motivations, the things that led them to that room and that moment, she was struck even more by the thoughtfulness with which Karolina approached not only Zosia but also Carol. At one point, with Karolina’s delivery of that line— “...in a hotel made of ice… under a pile of furs…” —accompanied by the glint in her gorgeous brown eyes, one just a little darker than the other, and the soft smile formed by her full lips, Rhea could feel her own heart breaking. She immediately put that energy into Carol’s reaction, and in that same moment had no doubts whatsoever. They’d found the one.

*

When the final “Cut!” was called on the last scene of episode seven, Rhea could barely stand. She refused to let it show though, being sure to thank those involved in the day’s shoot, commending everyone for their great work. It was no secret that everyone involved in the production adored her, and she took her role as the lead seriously, both when the cameras were rolling and when they were not. So she kept her brave face instead of immediately disappearing to her trailer before heading home for the evening like she wanted to.

Like so many of their key scenes, Rhea, Karolina, Vince, and the director had had many discussions about how to play Carol and Zosia’s long-awaited reunion. Carol had been alone for 36, 37, 40 days—whatever, more than a month of complete isolation coupled with a bizarre total freedom. What does that do to a person? Carol was broken, her spirit depleted, completely cut off from the world and, eventually, from herself—to the point that a firecracker was about to maybe blow up in her face and all she could think to do was watch, then close her eyes, then…

Rhea felt touches of isolation while filming so many solo scenes, no other actors to play off, even though she was never actually alone in those moments. But during those weeks of filming, she did start to get a real sense of what it was to be truly touch-starved.

She and Karolina texted every day, and Karolina had started sending her voice notes that Rhea wasn’t sure how to feel about at first but quickly came to love. They meant Karolina was thinking of her, even when they weren’t together, and Rhea was glad to know their connection was staying strong.

They were often affectionate with each other, both on set and off. They’d grown comfortable and close, fast friends, having so many scenes together and so spending hours rehearsing and then filming and then decompressing. Between takes they’d often sit close and go over lines, and hugs were not at all unusual. Rhea appreciated having a literal shoulder to lean on, and from the way Karolina would lean into her touch, Rhea knew the other woman welcomed her support and affection just the same. And she’d learned that Karolina loved ballroom dancing, so sometimes, for a laugh, they’d dance, taking turns on who would lead, twirling around in each other’s arms. It was comforting to have a friend like that around. So Rhea had started to feel the loss when she was filming scenes alone in New Mexico while Karolina was back home.

During the first take of their reunion—no, of Carol and Zosia’s reunion, she allowed that loss to come through, even though she’d had a few days by then to enjoy her scene partner’s presence again. She’d almost knocked Karolina to the ground when she ran and threw herself at her. Somehow Karolina, so tall, and sturdier than she might look, had kept them both steady, holding on tight, and they laughed it off as the take wouldn’t work anyway.

They tried various levels of emotional intensity. In one version Carol doesn’t stop at all, just keeps walking until cautiously wrapping her arms around Zosia—a sense of surreality, like, Is this person really here? I don’t want to scare her away again…. In another version, the one that made the final cut of the episode, Carol approaches slowly, hesitates, and then launches herself at Zosia, all grasping hands and great gasping breaths and cries. Karolina had been ready for her that time, barely rocking back on her heels as she wrapped her arms around Rhea. In the last version they tried, Carol broke down completely, over-the-top sobbing that had finally left Rhea an emotionally exhausted, red-faced mess.

So after she did her due diligence and the day had wrapped, it was a relief to collapse on the couch in her trailer. Not 30 seconds later there was a knock on the door.

Rhea sighed and scrubbed her hands over her face as she called out, “It’s open!”

Of all the people who could’ve walked through that door at that moment, Karolina was probably the most welcome.

“Hey,” Karolina said, carefully pulling the door closed behind her before turning to face Rhea again. “I know that today was tough so I just… wanted to check on you.”

Rhea smiled but couldn’t hide her weariness. “I’m good. It’s all part of the job, you know?”

Karolina nodded and moved to sit beside her. She’d already changed into her regular clothes, jeans and a light, loose sweater, but Rhea still wore Carol’s white t-shirt and paint-stained jeans.

“I know some days the emotional labor is harder than others,” Karolina said.

“Yeah…” Rhea let herself lean over until her head came to rest on Karolina’s shoulder. She didn’t really want to be alone once she left the set. She wasn’t sure why she was having trouble asking for what she wanted… what she needed.

Fortunately, Karolina spared her the trouble.

“Movie night?”

Rhea smiled. “Yeah, that’d be good.” She sat up and clapped her hands once against her thighs, summoning a bit more energy so she could get moving again. “I need to change though before I can leave.” She frowned, cautiously raised one arm, and sniffed. “And shower. Ugh, how can you stand me?” She’d always been prone to sweating a bit too much, but especially when filming outdoors under bright sunlight.

Karolina just laughed. “I like the way you smell,” she said, leaning over to bump her shoulder against Rhea’s. “But I’ll leave you to it,” she continued. She stood and moved to the door. “See you at your place at—” she glanced at her watch “—8 o’clock?”

“Yep.” Rhea pushed herself off the couch and toed off her shoes. “I’ll pick us up something to eat on the way.”

“Alright, then I’ll bring the wine.”

—

By the time the end credits were rolling on the second movie they watched, the wine bottle was empty and Karolina was asleep on the couch, long legs stretched out so her feet were in Rhea’s lap. It wasn’t the first time she’d crashed there, though the rental had a perfectly fine guest bedroom, so Rhea kept a blanket draped over the back of the couch just for her.

Rhea was physically and emotionally drained, but her mind was still moving too fast for her to sleep.

Careful not to wake Karolina, Rhea quietly slid off the couch. She found her sketchbook and a pencil on the kitchen table and then returned to the living room, where she settled in an armchair. For a little while she lost herself in the fluid curves and soft lines of the woman sleeping on her couch. The exercise didn’t exactly calm her mind, but it did help her relax enough that she was finally able to take herself to bed and get some rest.

*

If shooting all the solo scenes had left Rhea touch-starved and craving a scene partner, then the weeks spent shooting Carol and Zosia’s adventures all over Albuquerque left her deeply content and feeling closer to Karolina than ever. Yes, it was still work, yes, they were still professional and prepared, coming to set every day having rehearsed their lines and gone through many deep discussions about how to play key moments, but there was an element of fun again that had been missing when she was alone on camera.

Oh, of course Rhea had fun driving through the desert in a police car filled to the brim with fireworks and singing out the open window at the top of her lungs, and it was fun playing golf and swimming in the spring and visiting the Georgia O’Keefe museum in Santa Fe, it was all a blast, but with Karolina around again…

Rhea had the same feeling she’d had at the chemistry test—a sense of rightness, of magic, of Oh. There she is.

She channeled it all into Carol, and she knew she was turning out one of her best (if not her absolute best) performances ever. The realist in her tried not to give it much thought though. Yes, she might be nominated for some awards this time around, but when had awards ever been for Rhea Seehorn. Besides, it was such a group effort, and she was always grateful to find fellow cast members who put as much care and thoughtfulness into their characters and into the work as she did.

Still… there were rare moments when let herself dream about what it would be like to finally hear her name called. And she knew any acceptance speech she might be fortunate enough to give would always include her castmates names too. She could imagine herself saying “Karolina” on stage, beaming as she looked out in the audience to find those sparkling dark eyes, the smiling face of the woman whose light and laughter Rhea would always treasure.

*

The kiss scene. As always there was plenty of discussion, running lines, getting Carol and Zosia’s motivations clear in their heads. And talks with the intimacy coordinator, to make sure everyone was on the same page about what actions they’d be taking. It was all so clinical. As much as Rhea appreciated the insight the coordinator brought to the process, she still felt like she’d be more relaxed just talking it through with Karolina alone.

Which might have been why their movie night that particular week abruptly ended after a sloppy makeout session on Rhea’s couch.

They’d all talked about the scene on set earlier that day. So Rhea didn’t feel like it was too out-of-the-blue when she suggested they get their first kiss out of the way while it was just the two of them.

“Less awkward, maybe?” She shrugged as she shifted to face Karolina. “I mean… it might help make us more comfortable with each other on set tomorrow.”

“Are we not already comfortable with each other?” Karolina teased as she mirrored Rhea’s position, scooting just a bit closer.

Rhea rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“Alright.” Karolina nodded. “Kiss me.”

“I thought we decided Zosia would kiss Carol first.” Rhea frowned.

“Are you stalling?” Karolina laughed. “We aren’t Zosia and Carol right now—and this was your idea! So come on… kiss me.”

Without overthinking it any further, Rhea leaned forward and pressed her lips to Karolina’s. It was soft but not tentative, as she opened her mouth just enough to take Karolina’s bottom lip between her own. And she couldn’t help but notice how perfectly they fit together. It was even better than she’d imagined.

After a moment she pulled back to check in and found Karolina’s eyes darker than usual.

Rhea’s voice was low, like anything above a whisper might break the spell, when she asked, “Yes?”

Karolina’s voice was rough, as if she’d just woken up, when she replied, “Yes.”

They kissed again, almost chaste, at first, but then they both loosened up and found more confidence. Rhea smiled into the next kiss, and Karolina into the one after that. They lingered with each one, varying in pressure and intensity, teasing and tasting and exploring mouth to mouth. Their hands roamed across cheeks, necks, shoulders. At one point, when Karolina sucked hard at her bottom lip, pulling away for a split second before leaning in for more, Rhea let out a moan she might’ve been embarrassed by—except that Karolina repeated the move again, slower, as if she were trying to draw more out of her.

“That…” Rhea spoke between kisses. “You—Zosia should… definitely… do that…”

“This?” Karolina sucked at her lip again. This time she grazed her teeth over the soft flesh until Rhea let out a needy whine that she absolutely would’ve been embarrassed by if she’d been thinking straight.

“Yeah,” she huffed, “just like that.”

They were so lost in each other that neither could’ve explained how Karolina ended up on her back, Rhea half on top of her. It was only when Rhea left her mouth to leave a trail of kisses down her neck that she realized her hand was halfway up Karolina’s shirt.

Rhea froze. Karolina had a firm grip on her tricep, as if to urge her hand higher, but Rhea shifted and pulled away. She sat up and wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. It had been a long time since she had a friend like that…

For a moment Karolina didn’t move. Her gaze was unfocused and her skin slightly flushed in the dim lamplight and the glow of the TV they’d left on. When she finally sat up, she looked almost shy.

“Sorry,” Rhea said. “I didn’t mean for this to—”

“It’s okay.” Karolina smiled but there was an uncertain quality to it that Rhea didn’t like.

Rhea moved off the couch as she said, “No, really, I’m sorry.” She paced away, pushing her hands through her mussed hair. They might want to avoid that tomorrow. She shook her head to clear the thought and faced Karolina again. “I know you don’t… I mean, it’s—”

“It’s late. I should probably get going.” Karolina stood. Rhea worried she was a little unsteady at first, but then she took a breath, slipped on her shoes, and smiled again before turning toward the front door.

“Are you okay to drive?” Rhea asked, trailing behind her.

Karolina picked up her keys from the entryway table. “I’m okay.”

“And… are we okay?” Rhea felt small and unsure. She assumed Karolina was suddenly distant because Rhea had pushed her too far, even without meaning to, and she was fairly certain Karolina wasn’t into women like that.

“We’re okay.” Karolina’s smile was easier now. She paused at the door and then turned, hugging Rhea tightly. Rhea was so surprised, she almost forgot to hug her back. Before pulling away, Karolina kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she added, as she opened the door.

Rhea stood in the doorway and watched her go. “Text and let me know when you get to your place safely?”

Karolina smiled back over her shoulder and said, “I will.” And then, with a quick wave, she was gone.

—

The day they shot the kiss was almost as emotionally draining as the reunion scene had been. Rhea was on edge, anxious, still worried she’d messed everything up with Karolina. But she hadn’t been able to get a moment alone with the woman, as they were both in and out of wardrobe and hair and makeup, doing their individual routines to prep for a scene.

By mid-morning, Rhea was in the empty kitchen set, leaning against the island, reviewing her lines. The crew was putting the finishing touches on the setup just down the hall. She wasn’t hopeful she’d have a chance to speak with just Karolina before the cameras started rolling.

“All right, honesty,” she muttered to herself. “Let’s go for it. Cards on the table.” She’d absorbed the script, the stage directions, her own handwritten notes on the page, made during those long talks about how the scene should play out. She could visualize herself as Carol moving through the space. “I like you.” Rhea sighed, then shook her head. “You people. You… whatever. You’re… there’s a lot of things that I like about you. But this—”

“There you are!” Karolina strode in to stand beside her at the island. “I brought our donut.” She placed a napkin bearing a plain glazed donut, cut neatly in half, on the counter between them.

“Oh. Thanks.” Rhea, heartened to know that at least their tradition was still welcome, picked up her half and had it almost to her mouth when Karolina spoke again.

“Cheers.”

Rhea chuckled and lowered her half, bumping it against the one Karolina now held. “Cheers,” she said, before taking a bite.

They ate in silence, staring out the window over the kitchen sink at the soundstage walls.

Finally Rhea said, “Listen, about last night…”

“It’s fine, Rhea. I’m fine. I promise.” Karolina smiled at her and Rhea could tell she’d just been doing the meditation practice she used to get into Zosia’s preternaturally calm headspace. Maybe that made it easier to talk, because she continued. “I’m sorry I rushed off. It was all just… a little surprising.”

Rhea sighed. “I know, and you don’t need to apologize, I’m the one who’s sorry for surprising you like that. I really didn’t—”

“You didn’t surprise me.” Karolina put her hand on Rhea’s and only then did she realize she’d been fidgeting. “I surprised me.” Rhea tilted her head and furrowed her brow. Karolina smiled again, and this time she wore the same expression she’d had the night before, as if she were still trying to make heads or tails of what she was feeling. “I was surprised because I realized that… if you hadn’t stopped… I wouldn’t have stopped you.”

As she absorbed the words, Rhea felt her brain stutter around the meaning, her staticky thoughts beginning to clear. Slowly, she said, “So… does that mean—”

“We’re rolling in five.” The production assistant barely stepped into the room and then was gone again.

Karolina smiled, gave Rhea’s hand a reassuring squeeze, and then left the kitchen set to head to the living room. Rhea blinked, then gathered up her pages and followed.

—

The dialogue didn’t take long to film. Through each take, Rhea had no trouble transforming the unresolved tension that thrummed beneath her own surface into Carol’s defensive sarcasm and nervy agitation. As for Karolina, Zosia’s calm had just the right undercurrent of uncertainty, at times tinged with the slightest hint of hope, needed to deliver pitch-perfect lines almost every take.

“Carol, we’re not sure we understand what’s troubling you. Can you be more specific?”

“You are trying to distract me.” Rhea paused and shifted in her chair. “Knock me off course.” She took a slightly longer pause, fidgeting with her hands. Then she stood, her hands tense and her gestures harsh. “You rebuild my favorite diner, you jump for joy when I tell you I’m writing again. But it’s all an act. It’s manipulative bullshit because you know I haven’t given up. Admit it.” She lowered her hands, let them hang helplessly at her sides. “Tell me you know I won’t give up.”

The manipulation of it all was still a major topic of discussion. There was no doubt the Others had an agenda, but Carol had one too. And while it seemed unquestionable that Carol was in the right, that humanity needed to be saved, there was also no way to deny the allure of Zosia’s company and attention after 40 days of isolation. Unconditional love might be a breathalyzer in your car and a (soon to be discovered) motion sensor in your liquor cabinet, but new love had to start somewhere—in small moments of unexpected connection and discovery, in grand gestures of deep comfort and understanding… even if they sometimes missed the mark.

“We know.” Karolina slipped into a pure but serious calm. “We wish you would.” Her voice took on a hopeful lilt as she set down her glass and moved closer, hitting her mark just right. “But it’s also true we love Wycaro.”

“All right, honesty. Let’s go for it. Cards on the table.” Rhea moved to stand in front of Karolina. “I like you. You people. You—you… whatever.” She sighed. She understood exactly what Carol was trying to say, and she knew all too well why it was so difficult to find the words. “You’re… there—there’s a lot of things that I like about you. But this?”

She put her arms up and gestured broadly. They’d talked about the physicality here. Carol was stronger than she might seem (and Rhea didn’t keep herself in shape for nothing). Rhea sighed, regaining a calmer tone, holding Carol’s temper in check.

“This is a train wreck. This is unsustainable. It’s mental illness—it’s psychosis. You are starving and you can’t even pick a goddamn apple off a tree? I—how…”

Rhea looked away, her limbs loosening with defeat. With the next line she again allowed more emotion, her voice starting to break.

“Someone has to put the world right, even if it means you all leave me again. Even if it means that I’m…”

Her voice finally broke. She let out a breath and put her hands on her hips. She looked down, another heavy breath, trying to get her emotions back under control. Carol wouldn’t let Zosia see her cry.

When Karolina stepped into her eyeline during their first take of the kiss, Rhea felt the ripples her presence created across her own tension—no, Carol’s tension. Unlike the night before, they were Zosia and Carol now.

As discussed, Zosia started it. After approaching slowly, Karolina leaned close, brushed her lips against Rhea’s—and continuing that one fluid motion, Carol immediately pulled back. She looked up at Zosia, microexpressions shifting through surprise, hurt, uncertainty, arousal…

They’d decided Zosia’s reaction to possible rejection would of course be more calm. And for this first take, Karolina played it a little too tight, standing tall as she settled into that signature smile, her eyes relaxed as she gazed back at Rhea. A trap just waiting for the mouse.

Rhea played into it. She took a tentative step forward, closing the gap while slowly bringing her hand to rest on Karolina’s cheek. A beat, and then—she went up on her tip-toes and pressed their lips together. It was soft at first, grew more insistent as Karolina pulled her closer, almost lifting her to make up for their height difference. The room was quiet save for the soft sounds of their lips meeting and parting, and a low-pitched hum that Rhea was fairly certain was her own nervous system kicking into high gear and only she could hear it—

“Cut!”

They parted, both a little breathless. Rhea pressed her fingers to her lips. There was more conversation. Both took mental notes about how they’d play it in the next take. Rhea took the opportunity to sip some water, made a joke about them both probably having “donut breath” that had Karolina fighting off a laugh as someone produced a tin of mints. The tension wasn’t exactly eased by their playfulness, but as they reset for the second take, Rhea could feel the edge of her worry had softened.

This time Zosia moved fast. And after Carol pulled away, eyes wide with surprise, Zosia went soft, almost… shy. It was, again, the same look Karolina had given her the night before. There was curiosity behind her eyes. So Rhea moved fast too, giving neither of them a chance to overthink it.

She closed the distance between them and used one hand to pull Karolina down to meet her. Their lips met roughly as she gave Carol’s desire free rein. Karolina matched her energy, opening her mouth as Rhea licked into it. They both allowed their hands to roam, gripping shoulders, softly cupping cheeks, grazing fingers along the sides of each other's necks—

“Cut!”

More discussion. What if Carol initiated things? Would she though, if she thinks the individual Zosia can’t consent? How would Zosia respond if Carol made the first move?

They decided to play it out, see what might happen. Rhea worked into it from her last line.

“Someone has to put the world right, even if it means you all leave me again. Even if it means that I’m…”

Her voice broke again. She put her hands on her hips, looked down, let out a huff of a breath. When she looked up, Karolina—Zosia was gazing at her with just a hint of pity. Carol wouldn’t want her pity.

Rhea threw herself at Karolina, and after a beat of frozen surprise, Karolina moaned and kissed her back. They were sloppy now, hands grabbing and pressing and pulling. Somehow they made it to the couch. Karolina sat heavily and Rhea's mouth never left hers as she followed her down, straddling her lap. Their tongues fought for dominance, and it was wet and messy, and Rhea didn’t want it to—

“Cut!”

She sighed. Managed to stand up and move away. Wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. Karolina did the same. When she caught Rhea’s eye, she grinned. Rhea let out a soft snort of laughter, which meant Karolina lost it too. They both giggled, at themselves, at the absurdity of it all, and fell into each other’s arms, hugging it out.

Once they got themselves together again, there were more notes. It was true that Carol wouldn’t be the one to start. And her response would be desperate, almost needy, like if she were still touch-starved beyond anything she’d ever known before and terrified of letting Zosia get too far away. In other words: Rhea needed to let herself be louder and more… grabby.

Zosia’s response would be enthusiastic but more controlled. She’d be quiet but sure, trying to hold Carol steady and guide her through it. She’d be perfectly willing without seeming passive or easy. In other words: Karolina needed to react without… reacting. It was a subtle thing, she’d done it in countless scenes playing against a variety of feelings before. Rhea had no doubt she could do it again.

“I think maybe they’re both feeling different kinds of hunger too…” Rhea mused. “You should do that, uh… that thing we talked about.” She looked up at Karolina and tapped one finger against her own bottom lip.

They were both looser now, having fun with it—but it was still work. Each took a few minutes then to reset themselves, slipping back into the tension of the moment, the high-strung emotions of this tragically broken but remarkably strong woman and her chaperone who was sunshine personified.

They stuck with Zosia going in first, Carol quickly pulling away, staring up at her…

Rhea had considered this particular moment, the intensity vibrating through it, many times over. She thought Carol would feel what she imagined she should’ve felt when she realized a firecracker was pointed at her head and about to explode.

And now Carol was once again so tired, so worn down and bereft (and maybe a bit buzzy with a touch too much of the Tito’s), that she quickly felt again what she had before: so what if this all blew up in her face. Fuck it.

It was the sweetest lie. And what a way to go…

Rhea moaned and gripped Karolina’s shoulder with one hand while the other slid up to the back of her neck, desperate to keep her close. Karolina came down to meet her, and whenever she’d pull away too much, Rhea would go up on her toes again, chasing her full, now kiss-swollen lips. That was Carol’s desperation, clutching and whining as she searched for ways to somehow keep Zosia closer even than she already was.

When Karolina firmly cupped her face and sucked at her bottom lip, Rhea let out a moan loud enough that it would probably give the sound mixers hell later. Karolina nipped at the soft skin, soothed it with a lick and another gentle suck, and Rhea moaned again, fighting to stay grounded in Carol and keep her own body’s reactions under control. Karolina kissed along her sharp jawline and Rhea let her head fall back. As Karolina licked up the side of her neck before pressing her open mouth to her pulse point, Rhea’s moan slipped into a whine. And when Karolina grazed her teeth over the spot before sucking hard, Rhea’s knees went weak.

Eventually, they returned to each other’s lips. They slowed, meeting softly, parting without putting any distance between them, gentle kisses, over and over, until Karolina stopped, her forehead pressed to Rhea’s, and they both opened their eyes.

“... cut.”

—

They tried many more takes. More tongue—then less. More teeth, lean into that hunger—would she bite her? Hmm, maybe not so much, try less teeth (“I know you’ve played a vampire before, but jesus, don’t leave a mark!” Rhea chastised with a laugh), try it all softer once more. Clothes were tugged at, then straightened. Hair mussed, then smoothed again.

Apparently that lightning in a bottle Rhea felt like they’d caught with the chemistry test was sparking a little too hot. They managed to tone it down, enough that something would come together in editing. And by the time Rhea was ready to leave set for the day, she was once again ready to collapse—but not ready to be alone.

She checked Karolina’s trailer, and those for hair and makeup, wardrobe too, but it appeared her costar had left without a word. Rhea considered texting her, just to check in, but…

There must’ve been a reason she left without finding Rhea first. And after what happened the previous night and the intensity of the day’s shoot, Rhea assumed Karolina just… needed a little space.

So Rhea went back to her rental alone. Once there, she slipped off her shoes and changed into comfy sweatpants. She hadn’t had time to make the bed that morning, and she considered just crawling right back in, but she was a little hungry. It wasn’t terribly late, just getting dark, so she stood at the kitchen table, idly placing pieces of the jigsaw puzzle she’d started over the weekend, as she considered her options. She didn’t feel like cooking, so she thought about ordering in, maybe having a glass of wine. There was some lingering… physical tension… she hadn’t yet let herself think about too much, so she considered taking another shower.

Too many decisions. She felt adrift, like what she’d thought was just a kiddie pool of uncertainty was suddenly a much larger body of water—

A knock at the front door startled her. But when she went and checked through the peephole, she smiled.

“Hey,” Rhea said, opening the door wide and gesturing Karolina in.

“Hi.” Karolina smiled and dipped her head as she entered. It seemed her peculiar shyness had returned.

“I wanted to check on you earlier, but you left set before I could find you,” Rhea said, closing the door behind her. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, great, I just… wasn’t sure how to ask—I mean, this is…” Karolina huffed and Rhea felt an amused smirk tug at one corner of her lips.

“Do you wanna talk?” Rhea tilted her head toward the living room. When Karolina only looked at her, she tilted her head the other way and asked, “Or did you want… something else?”

There was no hesitation, carefully rehearsed or otherwise. Karolina took one step forward, closing the distance between them, hands cupping Rhea’s face and pulling her even closer as their lips pressed together hard. Rhea leaned into it immediately, licking her way into Karolina’s mouth and eliciting a moan she felt sure the other woman had been holding back ever since they decided on set that Zosia would be quieter.

They made their way down the hall to the bedroom, stumbling a little as they seemed unable to stop kissing. Shirts came off as they finally made it through the doorway. Karolina wasn’t wearing a bra—Rhea had noticed she rarely did when she wasn’t on set—and Rhea ran one hand up the ladder of her ribs to cup one breast while she dipped her head to kiss the other. Karolina groaned and Rhea guided her toward the foot of the unmade bed. She kissed her again and then nudged her to sit.

“Are you sure?” Rhea asked. She threaded her fingers into Karolina’s hair, gently tugging until she looked up and met her gaze.

Karolina’s hands circled her waist before pulling at the tie on her sweats.

“Rhea, yes, I want you, of course I’m sure.”

She pushed the pants down Rhea’s hips, leaving her in only her bra and panties. Rhea leaned down to kiss her again, urging her to scoot back onto the bed, and chasing her lips as she did.

Once Karolina was settled against the pillows, Rhea kissed along her jawline and down her neck, pausing to suck at her pulse point before moving further down to nip at her collarbones. Karolina whimpered and let her hands explore Rhea’s back and along her strong arms. One hand undid the clasp on her bra, and Rhea sat up long enough to toss the garment away before turning her attention to Karolina’s jeans.

After she pulled the zipper down, she paused and let out a snort of a laugh.

“Did you wear these for me?” she asked.

“What?” Karolina, a little breathless, pushed up on her elbows to look. There was a small patch sewn into the fly of the jeans that read “LUCKY YOU.” Karolina giggled. “You know that’s just the brand—”

“I know,” Rhea cut her off and leaned down to kiss the corner of her lips. “I’m just teasing you…” She sat up again and started tugging the jeans down Karolina’s long legs. Her breath caught as she took in the lacy black cheekies underneath.

“Now those… I might’ve worn for you.” Karolina smirked.

Rhea tore her gaze away long enough to meet Karolina’s. Those dark eyes that had captivated her from the moment they met were soft now, but she could sense something sharper simmering behind the look of affection and warmth.

“Might’ve? Did you have a back up plan in case I wasn’t home?” She tilted her head and pursed her lips. When Karolina rolled her eyes, Rhea huffed and leaned over, taking her chin in one hand. “Are you always such a brat in bed?”

Karolina smiled sweetly. And then giggled as she said, “Keep playing and you’ll find out.”

Rhea laughed and shook her head. “God, you really are gorgeous,” she said, moving to kiss her once more. “Have I ever told you that?” she murmured against her lips.

Karolina shook her head and her gaze darted away, shy again. Rhea chuckled.

“I’ll have to be sure to tell you more often from now on.”

Karolina started to laugh but Rhea cut her off with another kiss. They opened their mouths to each other and Karolina moaned as Rhea nudged her legs apart, pressing her thigh between them. When Karolina canted her hips up, seeking pressure, friction, Rhea nipped at her lower lip.

“Have patience,” she whispered.

“Are you kidding me?” Karolina groaned. “We spent most of the day making out, you can’t seriously tease me now.”

Karolina pouted and Rhea rolled her eyes. She couldn’t deny it though. Apparently they both had some lingering physical tension built up from the day—and there would be time to go slow later…

“Fine.” Rhea quickly trailed her right hand down to slip beneath the waistband of her underwear. “Is this what you want?”

She slid two fingers between her folds, and raised an eyebrow as she realized just how wet the other woman already was.

“Wow, how long have you been like this?” Rhea nuzzled against Karolina’s cheek as her fingers came back up to lightly circle her clit.

Karolina huffed. “Rhea, would you please just… fuck me—” She gasped as Rhea filled her with two fingers, curling them just so and starting up a slow rhythm.

Rhea shifted lower and swirled her tongue around one nipple while her hand kept a steady pace. Karolina arched into her mouth and grasped at her arm, as if to ensure she wouldn’t stop again. Rhea hummed as she sucked at her breast and turned her hand just so, letting her thumb brush against that swollen bundle of nerves. Karolina moaned and bucked her hips. As her breaths turned to panting, Rhea kissed her way back up, pausing to lick at her neck and along her jaw, before bringing their lips together again. Karolina moaned into her mouth and clutched at her back and Rhea was sure she’d never felt anything so good as having this woman beneath her.

“It’s okay,” she breathed, her voice low and rough. “I’ve got you, baby, you can let go…”

“Oh, fuck—Rhea!”

Her body tensed as she went over the edge, breath stuttering as she moaned and cursed and said some things Rhea assumed were in Polish, because she had no idea what the words meant, but god was it hot to watch and to hear as she guided her through her release.

When Rhea finally pulled away, Karolina had caught her breath just enough to whine.

“Hush,” Rhea said, sitting up and nearly ripping the thoroughly ruined scrap of black lace off her body in the sudden rush to get her fully naked. “I’m not done yet.”

Slowly this time, Rhea moved over her, kissing her once as she settled between her legs before shifting downward. She pressed open-mouthed kisses down her sternum before diverting her attention to her breasts. Karolina sighed and threaded her fingers into Rhea’s hair, not trying to direct her anywhere, just settling into the moment, and Rhea smiled against her skin. As she sucked and licked and nipped at one breast, she ran the palm of her hand over the other, then traced slow circles with her fingertips, before switching sides and doing it all over again. She noticed every sigh, delighted in every gasp, felt every moan reverberate straight to her own core… but still, she was in no hurry.

When she finally worked her way lower, Karolina’s hands left her hair and Rhea looked up to watch her stretch, arch her back, letting one hand come to rest on the pillow above her head while the other lingered on her chest.

Rhea smiled to herself, dipped her head, kept going.

The first taste was better even than she’d imagined. Karolina responded with a gasp, which quickly turned into a low moan as Rhea lapped at her again before flicking the tip of her tongue across her clit. Still, she took her time. She licked and sucked, let her right hand trail up and down Karolina’s inner thigh while her left slipped under and around to rest low on her belly.

Rhea had almost forgotten how much she enjoyed doing this. She felt powerful and in control—not of Karolina, but of herself. She varied the pressure and intensity, the motions of her mouth, noticing all the ways Karolina reacted and repeating certain things she seemed to particularly enjoy.

And Karolina was so responsive. Her body tensed and relaxed, her hips shifting, pressing down, one hand coming to tangle her fingers with Rhea’s against her stomach…

Eventually Rhea settled into a rhythm, swirling and flicking her tongue against her clit. When she heard Karolona’s breathing change, felt her just on the verge of falling apart, she brought her right hand up and slid two fingers deep into that wet heat. Karolina cried out, clenching around her, as Rhea softened her mouth and sucked at her clit, taking her even higher. She felt when Karolina couldn’t take it anymore and slowly let up on the pressure, gentling her down until she let out a spent sigh.

As Rhea kissed back up her body, Karolina shuddered a little and let out a short, surprised laugh. When Rhea kissed her neck, she twitched again, as if she were being tickled, and another laugh escaped her. Rhea moved to her side and just watched her for a moment, body spasming and thighs pressing together as she giggled her way through it.

“Oh my god, did I break you?” Rhea asked. “What’s happening right now?”

Karolina finally caught her breath and said, “Sorry, I don’t—” she giggled again “—this doesn’t usually happen, that was just…” She smiled and turned to face Rhea, cupping her cheek to pull her close. “That was really good,” she whispered.

Rhea hummed and kissed her. “I’m glad.” She looked at her and then added, “And I guess I’m not surprised, you’re always so full of laughter, even now.”

“Does it bother you?” Karolina furrowed her brow.

“Not even a little bit.” Rhea smiled and kissed the worried look away. “I like making you laugh. Especially now that I know I can do it like that…”

Karolina grinned and let her hands roam down Rhea’s back. “It’s fun to know that we can still just talk and laugh together, even when we’re like this.”

“It is,” Rhea agreed. “And I…” She bit her lip, belatedly realizing that maybe they should’ve actually talked a little more before getting this far. “I really hope that never changes.”

“It won’t.” Karolina ran her thumb along Rhea’s lower lip. Rhea kissed her and pressed even closer as Karolina’s other hand trailed down past the small of her back… “Why are you still wearing so much clothes?”

Rhea smirked. “I guess I got distracted by the gorgeous super model from my dreams demanding that I fuck her.”

“I was not demanding,” Karolina said with a huff. Then she tilted her head. “Wait—you dream about me?”

Rhea rolled her eyes and moved to lay on her back, hooking her thumbs into the waistband of her panties. “I’ll just take them off now.”

“No.” Karolina put her hand out to stop her.

“No?” Rhea frowned. Of course she wouldn’t try to make Karolina do anything she didn’t want to do, but she couldn’t hide her disappointment.

But then Karolina sat up and straddled her. She laced her fingers through Rhea’s, pinning her hands at either side of Rhea’s head, as she leaned down and said, “I want to take them off.” She grinned at the relief that passed over Rhea’s expression and asked, “Did you think I was gonna leave you high and dry?”

Rhea scoffed. “Believe me, dry is not the issue right now.”

Karolina chuckled and released Rhea’s hands, trailing slowly along Rhea’s toned arms. When she reached her shoulders, she let her hands drift down between Rhea’s breasts, scooting back a little as she did, teasingly pulling at her waistband. Rhea squirmed beneath her and Karolina ran one hand back up her body, grazing the side of her neck before cupping her cheek and leaning down. She whispered against Rhea’s lips, “You’re beautiful.”

They kissed, slow and lazy. Rhea had the feeling of a long-held craving reaching toward satisfaction, as their bodies found the same breath, the same beat—that is until she shifted impatiently and Karolina broke away with a smile.

“Are you about to be demanding?” Karolina teased.

Rhea sighed, rolled her eyes yet again, and the younger woman sat up before taking hold of her chin.

“How come when I roll my eyes I’m a brat, but when you do it, it’s… okay?”

“You tell me,” Rhea said, a hint of a challenge in her tone. “Is it okay?”

Karolina considered her for a moment. Then she said, “I’ll allow it. This time.”

Rhea raised an eyebrow and her heart skipped a beat at the implication. “And… next time?”

“You’ll just have to wait and find out.”

With that, Karolina leaned over to kiss her again, before finally making her way downward. As she sucked at Rhea’s breasts, the blonde moaned and arched her back, shivers of pleasure going straight to her core. Karolina seemed ready to take mercy on her. She sat up and pulled Rhea’s panties off, tossing them aside before spreading her legs again and moving lower. She grazed her teeth across Rhea’s hipbone before licking a line over the top of her thigh toward her center. But then…

Carefully avoiding where Rhea most wanted her, Karolina pressed open-mouthed kisses all along her thighs, making Rhea absolutely crazy—until suddenly Rhea realized Karolina had stopped.

She lifted her head to find the woman staring up at her with a wicked smile—until she finally opened her mouth and licked up through Rhea’s folds, pressing the flat of her tongue against her clit before dipping back down to her center.

Rhea moaned as sparks started flickering through her body. Karolina brought her hands under Rhea’s thighs and around to rest on her hips, holding her steady as she worked her mouth over Rhea’s center like she couldn’t get enough. Rhea was overwhelmed with sensation, and she felt all the tension begin to leave her limbs and spiral toward her middle. It built and built until Rhea was certain she would burst—except Karolina kept her just on the edge, drawing out her pleasure with each deliberate movement of her mouth.

“Fuck, I—please,” Rhea gasped, her shallow breaths making it difficult to get words out. “Please, -lina, I need—”

Suddenly Karolina softened her mouth and sucked gently at her clit. Rhea bucked her hips up and her thighs began to tremble as Karolina started flicking the tip of her tongue over the little bundle of nerves until Rhea saw the first fireworks go off behind her eyes.

She cried out as release rushed through her body, and Karolina tightened her hold on Rhea’s hips, keeping her steady until she sighed as Karolina gentled her down.

Just as Rhea thought she was going to pull away, Karolina licked at her again before once more focusing on her clit.

Rhea’s second climax came fast and hard. Her thighs clamped around Karolina’s head as she panted and thrashed against the bed. Her body didn’t want to let Karolina go, but her brain knew she needed at least a little break.

Her hands pushed weakly at Karolina’s head and she managed to gasp out, “That’s enough.” Which immediately made Rhea laugh. How ridiculous was she to really think she could ever get enough of Karolina.

The brunette smiled as she lifted her head, disentangling herself from Rhea’s legs. She dropped warm kisses on overheated skin as she made her way back up Rhea’s body and finished with a gentle peck at the corner of her lips.

“Hi,” Karolina whispered, shifting to Rhea’s side.

“Hey.” Rhea smiled.

*

The final weeks of shooting passed like so many others. Except now Rhea and Karolina spent most of their nights together, not just their days. Some nights they simply talked for hours, about everything and nothing, until they fell asleep in each other’s arms. And some nights they fucked for hours, working out whatever tensions the day had brought them, until they were both absolutely spent.

When they wrapped their last scene together, they stood for a long time on set, hugging each other tightly as the crew applauded and cheered around them.

That night at Rhea’s, they avoided the subject for as long as possible. Karolina finally cracked.

“So… what happens next?”

They were stretched out on the couch, Karolina tracing mindless patterns up and down Rhea’s arm as Rhea lay half on top of her. It was meant to be one last movie night, but now the movie had played to the end, neither of them really watching it, and they both knew they needed to talk.

But of course Rhea made a joke. “Well, we could start another movie…” She lifted her head from Karolina’s shoulder and gave her a wink. “Or we could go to bed—”

Karolina laughed. “Come on, you know what I mean!”

Rhea smiled. “Yeah, I do…” She was quiet for a moment, then said, “Now we… go back home. Work on other things. Wait for season two to start.”

Karolina furrowed her brow. “Well, yes, but… when will we see each other again?”

She was flying out the next day, and Rhea the day after that. It was true they both had to get back to their regular lives, other projects, both personal and professional, but it seemed unfathomable to not see each other every day anymore.

“There will be lots of press,” Rhea said. “Red carpets, awards shows, other events… we’ll see each other.”

When Karolina frowned, Rhea scooted up to kiss her. There was such familiarity now, such closeness and trust, that the new distance would definitely take some getting used to. Rhea eventually pulled away, searched Karolina’s eyes, tried to convey reassurance without making promises she knew neither of them could keep.

“What are we?” Karolina asked.

Rhea blinked, surprised by her directness. She stalled for time by making another joke. “Can I still just call you my chaperone?” she teased. Karolina rolled her eyes but the look was softened by her warm smile. Rhea chuckled. She let her fingers trace over Karolina’s collarbones as she gave the question more serious thought. Finally she said, “You’re my… scene partner. Mine.” Her hand slid up to Karolina’s jaw, holding her with a kind of firm possessiveness she didn’t think she should feel but could no longer deny. “And I’m yours,” she added.

Karolina smiled and lifted her head for a kiss. Rhea went willingly, humming as Karolina threaded a hand up into the hair at the nape of her neck. When they finally parted, Karolina gave her a gentle tug, and her dark eyes were sparkling as she agreed. “Mine.”