The elevator doors sealed shut behind them with the familiar hiss, and the pair began their climb through the Imperial station back towards the hangers. Eta finally let her shoulders relax: releasing the tension after many hours within the ISA office. She let out a long breath as she opened the folder she held, looking down at the crisp certificate emblazoned with golden letters.
Melody Fischer: Citizen of the Empire of Achenar.
Alex grinned proudly as she peered over her lover's shoulder.
"How does it feel?" she asked simply as she wrapped an arm around Eta's waist, grateful to drop the stiff formality of dealing with the Imperials and have her lover alone. Eta was silent for a long moment, before finally nodding.
"Strange? But good," she replied. "Two weeks ago I couldn't have imagined this. Funny... how things can change so fast," she said with a tired chuckle.
"As long as this is really what you want now," Alex said as she gave her lover a squeeze.
"Absolutely," Eta confirmed with zero hesitation as she held up the document.
"I always thought of regaining my citizenship as regaining freedom, which is never what I wanted. It took me too long to understand it only meant I no longer belonged to the Empire, and I could still belong to someone else," she concluded softly as she took one last look at the certificate before closing the folder and slipping it into Alex's messenger bag for safe keeping.
Alex grinned as she reached up, taking Eta's necktie in her hand. She calmly wrapped it around her finger as she pulled the woman's lips towards her own and gave her lover a gentle kiss.
"Well then I think we ought to celebrate your newfound... belonging," Alex pondered once the kiss ended, and prompting Eta to give an eager nod.
"Nice dinner... wine..." Alex listed, slowly walking a pair of fingers up her lover's side and feeling the woman tremble beneath her touch.
"But I can't take you back out dressed like this..." she continued, pinching the material of Eta's slave uniform.
"And if you're going to have to get changed anyway..." Alex flirted. "After our pirate dance-off and a day of bureaucratic bullshit I want to have some fun."
Eta's eyes widening in response as she gave another excited nod and clasped her hands behind herself.
"I am always happy to serve your fun Mistress," she replied genuinely, loving the feeling of being wanted.
"And on that topic..." she continued, blushing slightly. "Would... I be permitted to make another... sex request?"
Alex laughed, before curling a finger and beckoning Eta closer.
"Do tell," she instructed simply as she turned her ear towards her lover's waiting lips, who began to whisper nervously. Alex's eyebrows slowly rose, and she took on an intrigued expression. Eventually Eta leaned back, her face bright red.
"Interesting, and very hot," Alex chuckled as she gave a wink. Eta smiled nervously as she nodded.
"I am still yours, please... only if you feel so inclined," she said sheepishly.
"I'm inclined to have mutual fun with my lover, not just use her as an unwilling toy," Alex answered as she gripped Eta's tie.
"What about a very willing toy?" Eta asked innocently before being silenced by Alex pulling her in close for another eager kiss.
As the two finally re-entered the Peregrine, Eta could only pause and stare around. It suddenly dawned on her that this ship... was now her home. Despite Alex having been so generous with her space from the beginning, Eta had only ever felt like a guest, like a passenger. But now...
She was so taken by thought, so lost in her own world that she had already forgotten her own request. And she also didn't notice Alex stepping up from behind her. A hand came swinging through the air, slapping against Eta's ass with a soft crack. The woman let out a startled yelp as she jumped in surprise. She spun around, cheeks flushed with her hands clamped over her rear. But there was a smile on her lips as her breathing began to return to normal. Alex stepped forward, not hesitating to grab Eta's wrists as she pushed her lover back. She pinned the taller woman's hands against the wall as she leaned up and kissed her energetically across the lips.
"So much for being a free woman eh?," Alex whispered with a smirk when the kiss finally ended.
"Only free in the eyes of Imperial law," Eta replied breathlessly. "But you know I don't want to be free."
"That's a good girl," Alex purred she released Eta's trembling hands. The woman looking like she was on the brink of collapsing. Alex pointed down without saying a word, and Eta obediently dropped to her knees. Alex studied her for a long moment, a wicked smile on her face.
"Have I ever mentioned how hot it is to have you kneeling in front of me?" she asked. Eta nodded quickly, eyes wide.