Tahoma
He walked into his mother's room, following close behind her. Now that she was human, something about her was so fragile. She did her best to put on a brave face, she was brave, but he knew she was shaken by this transformation.
This was never in the plans. At least for Rocio, she'd only been a vampire for several years, but to Nirvi, who was the oldest of the undying, this had flipped her world upside down.
More than ever, Tahoma was extremely protective of his mother.
She went to sit on her bed, realizing that he had trailed after her. It occurred to him that she may not have realized he did because of his silent, undying movement. "Tahoma, I'm fine. You should get some rest. Clean up. I must admit you're looking disheveled."
"Thanks, and I just wanted to check in with my ma, is that a crime?"
She smiled with that loving smile, seeming older than ever. "Of course not." She patted the spot beside her, which he happily occupied.
He studied the room, impressed by the space of this place. Even the bed wasn't too uncomfortable. He put an arm around her shoulders. "I assume Balam has treated you accordingly."
"Yes, my son." She leaned her head against him. "You know how guilty she feels for what her father did to our family. That hasn't changed just because I'm human."
Tahoma made a sound of agreement. "How are you feeling?"
"Human."
"Sorry to hear that." Their laughter filled the room.
Tahoma knew the conversation would turn serious. "Tahoma," she began, "she is the answer to all of this. She can fix this."
"I know."
Nirvi leaned back so she could study his face. It was still strange to see her dark eyes, as he was so used to her red gaze. "Then, you know how important is is to protect herâ"
"She's immortalâ"
"From Angel."
Tahoma realized what she meant then. "Yes, ma."
He knew this was a moment to absorb Nirvi's wisdom.
Nirvi shook her head. "You don't know him like I do. He was my first companion. He was there during my initial years of undying. Yes, he can be cold and stoic, otherworldly at times, but something about him isn't right, and it isn't because he is the angel of death...when I saw him with Renata, the way he turned frenzied like a rabid dog at the prospect of her overpowering him, it became clear to me that he has become more man than Death. Occupying human flesh has always been his greatest sin, I know that now."
Tahoma reeled at this revelation. "You're right, and it's even more reason for Renata to take him down."
Her face turned suspicious.
"What is it, ma?"
"We could just be continuing the cycle "
Tahoma shook his head. "Renata is different."
Nirvi looked ready to argue but then her expression shifted to something more endearing, which made him fidget because he knew it meant she was reading him with ease. "You have feelings for that woman."
Tahoma looked away. "It's nothing serious. Her mind is occupied with someone else anyway."
"But in your heart," Niriv corrected, always knowing her son too well, "it's deeper than that for you."
Tahoma didn't see the point in lying to his mother when she saw through him every time. "Yes."
She placed a hand at the center at his back and gave a comforting pat beneath his braid. "You've always had a thing for the dangerous ones. You just can't help yourself."
Tahoma exhaled a short breath.
Nirvi's tone became serious again. "But it can't just be because you have feelings for her." She petted his hair lovingly. There was understanding in her warm gaze and something darker. "This is much bigger now. The world has been shaken by those two. It may never be the same. We got lucky with this," she gestured around, "we're lucky that we're all even still here. Others have not been so fortunate. We can make a difference. We can possibly fix things by helping her, and that is everything. We have a responsibility to the world."
It wasn't like Tahoma didn't understand the situation at hand, but hearing her words stamped the weight of this crisis deep within him. There was no walking away and ducking for cover, especially if it meant leaving behind Renata, who he cared for more than he probably should have.
"It's a good thing I have you to guide me, ma," he smiled at her, pressing a peck to her head, "I don't know what I'd do without you."
She offered a bittersweet smile. "Well, you should remember I'm human now. I will age everyday."
"I could always turn you?" He cringed at the idea of being her maker, having the roles reversed, but if it meant continuing forever with his ma, he'd do it without question.
"I wouldn't try so soon," she responded, "the world is just too wrong. The process might not even be the same anymore."
"Well, then, for now, I trust you to take care of yourself, but I just don't want you in the thick of any of the action."
She arched a dark brow. "Are you telling me what to do?"
"Please, Ma."
She relented. "Alright, Tahoma, for now."
Diamond
After trying for over a year to get her best friend back, Diamond ruined it all because of her stupid, disobedient heart. Out of all the people she could have moved on with, out of all the people she could have had true love with, couldn't it have been with absolutely anyone beside the one person who would hurt Renata the most when she found out?
She sniffled as she wiped at her sore eyes. She finally knew it was like being the biggest moron on the face of the earth.
She spent so long convincing herself that she would do anything to protect Renata, but maybe it was all a lie considering she couldn't even keep her hands to herself.
Slut.
She flinched when she heard the soft knock at the door. In the deepest part of her, she knew who it was and why they were there. She knew they couldn't stay away. She knew they would continue to stumble down this problematic path.
Diamond rose off the floor, semi numb at this point. She padded toward the door and paused before opening it. She sighed and wished she had the strength to turn the lock and ignore them. She wished she didn't find it so impossible to say 'no', to turn away and be alone.
"Open the door, Blue," Rocio whispered, so near, on the other side of the metal, far away, out of reach, "please."
Diamond shook her head, holding a hand over her mouth. She stifled a sob and wanted to be stronger. She needed to be a better person for Renata. She deserved better.
"The damage is done," her voice cracked, breaking Diamond's heart. "It's too late. We've hurt her."
Diamond pulled the knob and revealed an equally rough-looking Rocio. Diamond felt like she was being torn apart and put together all at once as Rocio yanked her into the tightest embrace. They walked backward, shutting themselves inside their self-made tomb. They cried into each other's chests. They were in consollable for a while.
"When I heard that phone call," Rocio gasped, "when I thought you were going to die, I couldn't take it." Diamond cried harder when they pulled back to face each other. "When I first laid eyes on you, everything changed. That hasn't happened since..."
Diamond finally calmed more. "Since Awe?"
Rocio's eyes twisted with pain. "Yes. Not that it's the same, because it's not." She placed her hands against either side of Diamond's face. "We will fix things with Renata, we will. We will do whatever it takes. But we can't let this go. This is something worth fighting for."
Diamond wasn't sold, not with Renata's devastated face at the forefront of her mind. "Aren't we just being selfish?"
Rocio looked down, unable to argue. She looked back up and wiped at Diamond tears with sweet tenderness. "Even if we did end it, it's obvious we're shit at hiding how we feel. Renata is a smart girl, she'll knowâshe'll always know."
Diamond sighed as they leaned their foreheads together. She closed her eyes and imagined they were somewhere else instead of some terrifying underground bunker, somewhere light, somewhere with Renata's blessing. An imaginary place.
They connected lips. Diamond's entire body lit up like a live wire. When Rocio kissed her, it was like the first and last time. The desperation ate them both alive, soaking into their bones, ready to stay for an aternity. The unabashed part of her hoped it would.
When she tried to remove her shirt, she flinched at her fresh wounds being tugged at. They both apologized to each other, only to share a quiet laugh. Their expressions turned grave when their eyes met once more. "You're human," Diamond whispered, revelling at that fact all over again. She brought up her fingers to trace her eyebrows.
Rocio nodded. "I am."
Diamond reached out, cradling her face. "Are you okay?"
She smiled, but it tinted with sadness. "I am with you...it just all falls away."
Diamond nodded along, connecting their lips just as she finished her response. This time around, there was no stopping. They carefully removed each other's clothes until there was nothing between them besides a million reasons not to be together, a million reasons they irresponsibly disregarded.
They fell into the bed, hard breaths filling the room to the brim. She looked up at Diamond, tugging her along. She enjoyed the view of Rocio's locs fanning around her head against the blue pillow. She was absolutely breathtaking.
They adjusted their legs so they comfortably had access to one another. The heat between them could have burned this entire bunker down. Their tongues brushed together slowly, relishing in the taste.
Diamond moaned at the feeling of their nipples making contact, hardening at the attention. Their hands reached down simultaneously, causing their knuckles to bump. They shared another quiet laugh, but when Rocio continued to reach lower and delved between Diamond's folds, the amusement scattered to the wind.
"Rocio," Diamond moaned, returning the favor.
She enjoyed the way Rocio shut her eyes and lifted her hips, pushing into her hands. "Don't stop, Blue, please."
"I won't," Diamond promised, pressing against Rocio's clitoris at a languid pace. "I won't." It was hard to focus as she did the exact same thing, making her grind and sway and tremble all over, like she didn't have control over her body at all.
They gasped into each other's mouths, breathing stalling over and over as their muscles seized and curved toward each other. The slickness made it easier with each passing moment. The crescendo built, until they both were shaking at each other's expert touch.
First, Diamond could see that Rocio was closer as her hand became more frenzied, so she made sure to keep the pace that was making her squirm.
Soon, after several intense minutes passed, Rocio's face contorted and she covered her own mouth to quiet her shout. When Rocio let up to breathe through her own climax, it broke Diamond's own grooze, which she didn't mind at all. She used the opportunity to grind against Rocio and pleasure herself. A few more adamant seconds later, and with the view of a satisfied woman before her, she finally exploded too and collapsed.
They both breathed hard, clutching each other. They kissed, going slow and simply relishing in this magical, almost perfect moment.
"I'm glad I'm experiencing the end of the world with you," Rocio whispered, "even if it's possibly all over tomorrow."
"Well," Diamond responded, "I guess we'll go to hell together then."