Terraforming: Lovers at Last
* Finally, the basic physical training was over, and team training had begun. More than half my teammates were already set. No surprises there. Just as planned, Brack and Chris ended up on my team.
"Whoa!... I... I can't believe it... Being on the same team as Chanyoung! What kind of coincidence is this!..."
"Didn't I mention? I asked the instructor. Told him to put me with you. He said it was the top trainee's privilege or something. Oh, keep it secret from the others."
"...R...really?..."
Maybe because she could clearly sense my gaze fixed on her? Chris's face lit up with a hint of joy. She was always like this. Whenever I showed her affection, she'd get scared, but at the same time, she'd feel immensely relieved. Thanks to her trauma from betrayal... she unconsciously craved constant reassurance of my feelings.
But that's exactly why I'm doing this on purpose.
If I stopped showing affection even for a few days, Chris would cling to me in tears, no doubt. Any sign of my interest fading would become an unbearable terror for her. She'd accept a confession or an invitation to bed without hesitation.
...But that would only make her trauma worse. She'd become obsessively fixated on me, turning into a passive doll completely dependent on me.
That couldn't happen. She absolutely couldn't depend on me that much.
If... two months from now, I really return to the original timeline... she wouldn't survive being left behind.
She'd never accept my disappearance—her mind would shatter. I couldn't let that happen. She was already my woman.
If I could always stay by her side, making her dependent like that wouldn't be so bad. But if I couldn't be certain...
It was a choice I could never make.
"Wanna hold hands?"
- *Nod.*
Her small hand wrapped around my palm. Worried about sweaty palms, she fidgeted, tickling my skin.
A few stares came our way, but I ignored them. We were already seen as an official couple, more or less. Of course, Chris and I always excused this kind of skinship as "something friends do." But to everyone else, we looked unmistakably like lovers.
"...Ahem! Somehow... it feels like I shouldn't be here."
"Brack, right? Looking forward to working with you. Better get used to this quick, yeah?"
*Shake, shake.* I lifted our joined hands and waved lightly as I spoke. More eyes turned our way. Proportionally, Chris's face grew redder.
"Does it have to be like this?"
"Can't hide real feelings, can you?"
"Urgh..."
Even seven years ago, teams were five people each. After Brack and Chris, I exchanged quick introductions with the other two. Probably for balance, since the overall 1st place me and 3rd place Brack were together—they weren't particularly standout or talented. Nothing noteworthy.
* Gerard hadn't shown any special abilities, yet many trainees followed him. Over the month, some's admiration for him turned blindly fanatic, with Wang Ja-gun leading the pack.
So, naturally, things soured between me and Wang Ja-gun.
He'd aimed for top spot to catch Gerard's eye but always hit my wall, never reaching it.
But there was nothing Wang Ja-gun could do. Who could he blame for his pure lack of skill landing him second?
He ignored me even when our eyes met, pretending not to see. Same for me. No reason to bother with that guy.
Occasionally, a few trainees got called for private talks with Gerard. First was me, then Wang Ja-gun. That matched training rankings so far. But third wasn't Brack. Maybe because of his military background? Gerard seemed to think he couldn't sway Brack easily, skipping him for others.
Need to warn Chris before it's too late.
Come to think of it, Chris didn't trust Gerard much. Partly her trauma making her wary of trusting anyone, and partly her trait Compassion's effect: '35% mental attack resistance.' Whether from charisma or his trait, Gerard's influence felt like a mental assault.
Time flew repeating familiar training. Trainees usually stuck with their teams. Same for me and Chris. Brack had a steady personality, so we bonded easily. Making friends like this would definitely help heal Chris's trauma.
I never skipped our nightly rendezvous. The change? A light kiss with a hug before parting.
Our first kiss was a brief second-long peck. But day by day, our lips lingered longer. Now, I could savor the feel of her lips.
"...Mmm..."
*Smack...* Closing my eyes sharpened the sensation of her soft lips. As kisses lengthened, we didn't just press still. Still "friends' skinship," no tongues... but lips could move.
I'd nibble her lower lip gently, release. Rub lightly, or press boldly to explore. Up until days ago, she'd silently take it. Now, she returned the favor occasionally, mimicking me.
...But she wasn't as skilled. When she nibbled my lip, her saliva wet mine. It only aroused me more. Amid soft, dry presses, sticky fluid mixed, making lewd sounds.
- *Chuup... Chu...*
"...Haa..."
No tongues exchanged, but saliva traded via lips. The mood heated up. She might accept if I slipped mine in now.
Just as my tongue neared her lips—
"Pfha... Haa... Haa... Wait... Sorry... Can't breathe..."
"You can breathe during a kiss."
"B-but... I don't get the timing..."
We didn't advance further. Kisses stayed once a day. Lips parting always ended our meetups.
*Smooch!*
"Hey..."
But tonight wasn't over. As I prepared to leave, Chris hugged me.
"One more...?"
"Kiss?"
"...Yeah."
"I'm all for it."
"...Kissing feels really good."
"Glad you like it."
"Then... what if... lovers' kisses feel even better?"
"..."
Face flushed, Chris couldn't meet my eyes. Phrased as a question, but clear meaning. She wanted a lovers' kiss.
Ha... She's so damn cute.
I wanted to ravage her mouth right then... but one thing to clarify.
"Lovers' kisses... aren't 'friends' stuff, right?"
"...Th-then..."
"Then?"
"If we... become lovers... it'd be okay... right...?"
Finally, the answer I wanted from her lips. Smiling satisfied, I tilted her chin up with a finger. No resistance. But her wide pupils avoided mine, staring at the ground. Lips parted and closed nervously, craving something.
Guess I'm smitten too. Everything about her looks attractive.
"Chris."
- *Flinch!*
"...Y-yeah...?"
"Congrats on your first lover."
"...Hyaah..."
I leaned down, capturing her melting breath. No instant tongue. Like before, I teased her lips softly... then, like a gentle wave expanding, my tongue licked her lips teasingly.
"...Huum...!"
- *Tremble!*
Unlike her lips, the hot flesh startled her, body quivering. Not even inside—just a lick and back.
"Mm... Chuu... Haa..."
Not wanting to break rhythm, I parted our lips slightly for her breath. Then continued. With that consideration, she wouldn't panic at a tongue now.
This time, my tongue invaded her mouth.
"!..."
Her untouched inner mouth was incredibly warm. Funny thing—if one side felt warm, the other should feel cool... but entwined, both tongues felt equally hot to each.
Her tongue froze, unsure. I wrapped and tickled it.
- *Twitch! Twitch!*
"Hng...! Churp...!"
Must've been intense for her. Amid swirling tongues, her muffled moans echoed clearly.
*Stroke...* Her hands wrapped my neck. She turned fully to me, mouth wide open, accepting eagerly. Thrilled by her response, I kissed more passionately, tongues dancing wildly.
Wet, sloppy sounds filled the training camp shadows. I'd lure her tongue, tease with lips, or flick mine to stimulate hers.
Minutes passed. When lips parted, our mouths were saliva-soaked—her newbie sloppiness.
I gently fixed her disheveled hair.
"How was it?"
"Uh... Uwa... Kinda floaty... warm... soft... your tongue stirring my brain..."
"Harder to breathe than regular kisses, right?"
"Yeah... that's why my cheeks are drool-covered... hehe."
I wiped her mouth with my sleeve. Not much left, no handkerchief, but better than nothing.
"Th-thanks."
"Just for my girlfriend."
"Eek...! R-right. Yeah. We're lovers now... hehe!"
"You look surprisingly good with it."
"B-better than I thought. Should've done it sooner..."
"Maybe you're okay now because you prepared your heart. No rush. You're my priority."
"...Yeah. Thanks."
- *Squeeze!*
Chris wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging tight—strong enough to feel the pressure. My words must've touched her deeply.
Sometimes, sappy lines are needed. Not many guys can pull them off, but timed right, the payoff's huge.
"What do I do... I'm liking you more and more, Chanyoung..."
"Isn't that good?"
"...It is."
Face buried in my chest, her words muffled. But the sincerity hit home.
*Stroke... Stroke...* I gently petted her hair. We shared warmth a few more minutes, then headed back to camp.