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Bette dragged her feet into the dark woods without a clear destination in mind. With each step she took, all she could see was the hurt expression on Tina’s face. How did this trip turn into such a disaster?
Bette fell to her knees and winced as she came into contact with the rough ground beneath her. She lifted her head up and looked at the stars twinkling back at her in the night sky. She couldn't help but find a moment of peace in the stillness of the night. Everything disappeared around her for those few moments and it all came crashing down when she heard footsteps approaching behind her.
“Baby girl, what the hell are you doing out here all alone? You had me worried sick when I couldn’t find you,” Kit said, worriedly, kneeling down gently beside Bette. Kit wrapped a blanket around Bette’s shoulders and pulled her into a much needed hug.
Bette sobbed out as she wrapped her arms tightly around her sister's waist. Kit pulled her into a tight and firm embrace knowing that she needed that comfort right now.
“I fucked everything up. Jodi wants absolutely nothing to do with me and I don't blame her but…Tina, won’t even talk to me. Shane and Alice wouldn’t even let me see her. I love her, Kit. I love her so much,” Bette breathed out, shaking her head into Kit’s neck as she continued to cry softly.
“I spoke with Tina,” Kit replied softly and Bette immediately pulled her head back.
“What did she say?” Bette asked hopefully, wiping away a stray tear. Kit tucked a stray curl behind Bette’s ear and sighed out.
“She’s packing her stuff as we speak so if there's ever a chance to try and talk with her again, now's the time,” Kit said, rubbing Bette's shoulders back and forth reassuringly.
~~~
“Tina?” Bette said cautiously as she approached Tina’s tent. She could hear movement inside and she hesitantly reached out to unzip the tent. As Tina came into view, Bette sighed out as she looked at Tina’s belongings packed up and ready to leave.
“I’m leaving,” she responded quietly, not bothering to look up as she zipped her jacket.
“Tina,” Bette pleaded, making her way into the tent and zipping it up after herself.
“Am I the second stop for the night?” Tina asked bitterly, grabbing her scarf and wrapping it around her neck. Tina sighed out and shook her head, silently cursing herself for letting her jealousy bubble to the surface.
“What?” Bette asked, confused..
“You ran after her,” Tina said shakily, finally looking up into Bette’s eyes. The crimson tinge to Tina’s eyes gave away that she had been crying and Bette felt like she had been stabbed in the chest.
“She’s my…Tina, she’s my girlfriend,” Bette replied, reaching out towards Tina only to be pushed away.
“And what the fuck am I ? You keep going on and on how you don’t want to hurt Jodi but do you give a fuck about how I feel? Do you care that you’re hurting me?” Tina said through her tears.
Bette immediately stepped forward and cupped Tina’s cheeks, not giving her the chance to pull away.
“I love you. I love you,” Bette whispered desperately, leaning forward intending on connecting their lips but Tina pulled back quickly.
“This feels…this feels all too familiar,” Tina declared shaking her head, “You’re saying the exact words you said that night I found out you che-,” Tina sobbed out, not able to complete her sentence.
“Do you think it's easy for me to see you with her? Do you know how hard it is to see you holding her hand, hugging her, kissing her? I mean we’ve been…we’ve been doing this for over a month and it's starting to feel like....” she paused searching for the right words, “You can’t have us both,” Tina stated, her bottom lip quivering with every word.
“You don’t love me the way that I love you,” Tina mumbled out, shaking her head as she reached down for her bag. She swung the strap over her shoulder having every intention of walking out only to be pulled back by a strong grip on her wrist.
“Look at me,” Bette said firmly, reaching for the strap of Tina’s bag and pushing it off her shoulder. Bette wasted no time wrapping her arms around Tina’s waist and bringing her flush against her body.
“Stop,” Tina breathed out, shaking her head as her eyes fluttered closed.
“Tina, where is this coming from? I thought we agreed we would wait until after the ride,” Bette said tilting Tina’s chin up.
“I never agreed to it. You just assumed I would be okay with it,” Tina replied, avoiding Bette’s stare.
“Tina, look at me,” Bette said firmly. Tina sighed out, finally lifting her gaze towards Bette. Her bottom lip trembled as a mixture of emotions ran through her head.
“You are the love of my life,” Bette breathed against Tina’s lips. “I’ve been in love with you for over a decade and I can honestly tell you at this moment, I’ve never loved you more. ”
Hearing those words made Tina crumble as she fell into Bette’s embrace. She threw her arms around Bette’s neck and clung to her like her life depended on it. Bette reached down and gently lifted Tina off the ground wanting to hold her as close as possible.
“I'm sorry. I’m sorry,” Tina mumbled into Bette’s neck, clinging to her as if she let go, she would disappear into thin air. “I didn't mean to lash out on you like that, it's just…it’s really hard seeing you with her and I can't help it.”
Bette lowered Tina back to the ground and she immediately reached up and connected their lips in a desperate kiss. Bette’s lips were ever so soft and tender against hers. Tina let her hands disappear into Bette’s curls and moaned out as Bette deepened their kiss. Tina gently parted her lips, eagerly sliding her tongue forward to meet Bette’s.
“I love you,” Tina breathed out softly, breaking the kiss and resting her forehead against Bette’s. Rapid breaths hit Bette’s mouth as Tina attempted to catch her breath. Kissing Bette always made her breathless.
Bette reached down and tucked a stray hair behind Tina’s ear. Bette intertwined their fingers and reveled at the softness of Tina’s hands against her own. Bette pressed a soft, delicate kiss to the back of her hand.
“I'm going to make this right. I promise,” Bette vowed, nodding her head before pressing another lingering kiss to the palm of Tina’s hand. All Tina could do was nod her head and lean forward into Bette’s warm embrace.