"Party's over and you're loitering, Magpie. There's not a chance in hell I'm letting you sleep on the couch again now that I'm officially living with my girlfriend, you know that right? Your apartment's nicer than ours anyway." I must sound harsh to a stranger's ear, but this is simply the sort of relationship I have with my oldest remaining friend. I'm still not quite used to being able to sit here on this old couch with my arm around Mina like nothing ever happened, such history these cushions hold. My blue haired other half leans against me with flush cheeks, having helped herself to more beer than her poor body can handle and now reaping the consequence. 

"But it's soooo far away and all this non-alcoholic beer has made it far too dangerous to drive, dear. Do you want me to end up roadkill, a charred little birdie?" Maggie mopes as she is wont to do at the end of any social gathering that doesn't quite reach into early hours. She has far too much stamina for her own good, perhaps it'd be better used on a night clubbing rather than our cosy little housewarming party in which the rest of the guests already politely left. Not to be crass or anything, but I was hoping to bed my new flatmate tonight... though she's anything but flat. I'll admit I've been nervous about the anticipated act all night, the real housewarming just between us, but I promised to overcome these intimacy fears even if Mina promised it'd never cause another rift regardless. Her patience is endless now that we've chosen to properly communicate rather than play a confusing game of psychic telephone, but I still feel embarrassed at my own inadequacy. She deserves all of me. 

"You don't want me to answer that. And ah... non alcoholic? Seriously Minny..." I look down at my girlfriend who rides out her placebo buzz with an oblivious smile a painter couldn't hope to preserve. Such a lightweight that the mere thought of alcohol has in a stupor, like all things Mina it's immeasurably cute. "And here I was planning to chew you out over intoxicating my girl." I smirk when Mina perks up, she loves when I call her that almost as much as I love when she says it herself. 

Maggie watches the two of us like a bird of prey rather than the small and unassuming Magpie she's oft compared to, her eyes narrowing like she's about to swoop in and tear us to pieces. "If you really wanted me out of your hair I'd be receiving a lot more stick than this, Saige. You're the one dragging things out here, stalling for time like your reserves are never ending. Only so many seconds in a day, I'm afraid."

I flinch, having always hated how easily this woman sees through me but knowing I should probably appreciate it, at least she's always direct when I find myself anything but. "You think so?"

"Mina has been practically tugging on your arm for the past hour, desperate to have you to herself in the bedroom. She likely wants to kick me out more than you do, but she still thinks of this as your apartment, isn't that right?" The Magpie grins, causing both of us on the couch to flinch this time. Is there anyone she can't see right through? It's starting to scare me when I consider her profession, our friend circle still thinks she'd be better suited for a career like mine than sticking to stage shows but if I'm honest, I think she blows me out of the water when it comes therapy regardless. Fortunately I'm not so insecure, I think I always learn something valuable from the raven haired mistress even if our talks can often irritate me to the high heavens. 

With a slight pout unbecoming of a licensed therapist talking through her own feelings, I open my mouth to speak but find that Mina beats me to the punch, sitting up and playing with her hair nervously. "Well I... this is our place now, together. It's just taking me a while to process that, hehe... when we dated before it was always Saige's place. I like this more of course, feels like we're more committed this time around. Right, Say-Say?" 

I want to kiss her so badly, feel that smile of hers sublimate the tumult in my heart as it melts against my own. Mina started as my captive, stubbornly brought here from that cold overlook before she could take a dive. I'll always be proud of myself for rescuing her, it was the best thing I've ever done and I doubt anything could ever top it. Still, she's no longer my damsel, I want to share everything with her going forward as equals. 

"Yeah." My smile is involuntary but welcome, she coaxes it out of me with such genuine and soft words. "If I lose you again, hell take me. I guess I'm just... terrified of disappointing you." She placed me on a pedestal for so long and some of that is my own fault, but even with it tumbling down I feel a pressure to build it back up some. It's like we've traded places and I'm failing to live up to her, even if I know she doesn't feel that way. If I set the clear boundary that I don't want her to touch me the way I do her, I know my Minny would respect that and find a way to make things work between us anyway, but it's not like I don't want her to have her way with me. Trauma from my school days has taken over my perfect paradise of a life and here I was thinking I'd left all that behind me. The problem with being a psychologist is that you tend to form your own blind spot, else you'll be overanalysing every single thought you ever have. 

The woman across from us sighs and crosses her legs in the spherical armchair Mina insisted on picking up at a flea market in anticipation of living together. Its bright orange appearance clashes horrifically with the rest of my decor but the blue terror insisted it was cute because it looked like the titular orange fruit. Now whenever I look at the ugly thing I think of her bright, begging eyes and find myself liking it slightly more with each glance. Not now, though, with my former roommate and nemesis occupying it like a villain with rehearsed speech. 

"Fiiiiiine. Twist my arm, you two. I'll play counsellor and cupid in tandem, I came prepared tonight in case I'd find any willing cuties to have some fun with but my god Saige are all of your normie friends taken?" I cringe at the word 'normie' as I'm sure was her intent, the second hand embarrassment almost distracting me from her actual declaration. 

"Y-you'll do no such thing, thank you very much. Haven't you interfered with our relationship enough?" I wrap possessive arms around Mina that she's all too happy to disappear into, still finding myself a little jealous and insecure over their private hypnosis session at the con last week. They've become fast friends since, real co-conspirators. My insecurity goes no further than a feeling of missing out and a small amount of shame that Maggie fixed what I could not, I'd never suspect either of anything beyond that. I'm the only one for Mina and Maggie's a trusted friend even if she's partial to overstepping her bounds. 

Mina tilts her head up at me and gives a sheepish grin as if she knew this turn was coming, I knew I should not have left the two of them alone for the twenty or so minutes I spent mingling with the other guests out of courtesy and gratitude for their attendance. "C'mon, Saige... it'd be kind of fun to see you go under for once, didn't you used to do it all the time with Maggie? Uhm... it could be useful too, if you really were stalling like she says." Mina acts like she's more clueless than she really is out of concern for my feelings, which I appreciate. "Letting someone hypnotise me has saved our relationship twice already, you did go into a line of work believing it had such potential too. Maybe it's your turn, hmm? Only if you want to and ah, it's not that serious ehehe..."

The bundle of affection in my arms hardly needs hypnosis to persuade me of anything, so of course I shyly nod and ask myself if I'm really considering this. I haven't gone under in years and having Maggie do this here and now feels strangely intimate in a way that should not include her. Not to be rude of course, but I don't want her too intertwined with myself and Mina's business. Neither of us have time nor the money for a freeloading third wheel in our frugal dating life. 

Seeing right through me once again, well in advance even, Maggie uncrosses her legs and claps her hands together in satisfaction. "Alright then, my work here is done! It's always a pleasure, ladies, I'll be charging my usual rate." Oh great, she's taking commission on our love life now, is nothing sacred? But, wait... 

"You're leaving now? Make your mind up woman, I thought you were going to--" 

"Hypnotise you?" The words sound so dangerous on Maggie's lips, a silly thought for someone so well versed with the act herself. "I think I'll leave that to my disciple here and leave you both to it, she's been rather excited to take a stab at it and I'll have to settle with hearing how it went at brunch on Friday morning." The Magpie winks and exits the chair, reaching out to ruffle Mina's hair before taking her leave at long last. I'm too dumbfounded to see her out, which I'm sure amuses her, hearing the door click shut before staring down at Mina searching those pretty eyes for explanation. 

"Aha... well, she gave me some pointers and I mean, I'd really love to try if you... if you're open to it?" The girl uncoils from me and turns to face me properly on the couch, a beat up old thing we really should replace. How many trances has Mina experienced on this scrappy sofa? Countless. 

I try not to let my jealousy show too strongly. Try and miserably fail. "You... had Maggie teach you instead of me? You were planning this? What happened to clear communication, Minny?" I notice that Maggie left her pocket watch behind, likely on purpose. How traditional, it makes me picture Mina as stage hypnotist or perhaps plucky assistant, wanting to smirk despite my awkwardness. 

Mina shakes her head indignantly, not looking too upset or defensive, nor does she appear guilty. "Silly." She says softly, shuffling closer and placating me with a hand in my hair. "I learnt from you, I've been on the other side so many times that I'm gonna pick it up eventually. Maggie just gave me some pointers on you specifically and wanted to encourage me. And uh... I like being open about everything, but are you saying sweet surprises are off the table now too? That's gonna suck cause you know how I get on Christmas, hehe..."

When I peer into those lovestruck eyes, I feel such an idiot. Once again I had been worried over nothing, working myself up over a surprise that has Mina so excited is certainly not the reaction I should give. It really is sweet, now that I think about it. "You ah... you really want to try and hypnotise me? That's... actually a little exciting, I never thought you'd have an interest."

"I'm not the most assertive, sure, but from what I hear you always liked playing subject and I never got to see what it looked like. I want to know every part of you, Saige... that includes seeing your pleasure without restraint one day, if possible. Anyway I never said try, if you don't go under that's on you okay? Not me, I can definitely do it, promise." My girlfriend puffs her chest out boastfully, picking up the chain of Maggie's vintage watch and twirling it around her fingers with heapings  of faux confidence. 

"I believe you, Mina, you hypnotise me every day." My lips curl into a relaxed smile at long last as I thank Maggie for knowing when to step away and Mina for always being herself. Apparently I've grown too, in the past my insecurity reached a boiling point in which I ran away from the thing I cared about most, but now I'm able to steady myself and see that she's always trying her best. I should really do the same, even if Mina's pace is sometimes difficult to match. 

My sappy, romantic statement hits her as well as I'd hoped it would, Mina gripping my shoulders as she pulls me down into a drawn out kiss. When it eventually ends, I catch her playing with the pocket watch and cock my head with a slight grin. "Now you're the one who's stalling, Minny. I'm sure it's a little intimidating but you're not wrong, a lot of it's on the subject so don't worry and start swinging! Oh gosh, I can't believe she roped you into doing a pendulum induction. How nostalgic, your arm's going to ache you know?" 

The fledgling hypnotist pouts at my teasing, mustering resolve from her endless depths and pushing me down onto my back in a surprising turn. My heart pounds against her hand as the girl pins me down with a satisfied look that has me questioning the claims she just made about her assertiveness. It's easier to feel in control when you act like you're hot shit, it's the tried and true method of fake it 'til you make it. Trying to not let her nerves show even if I'm well aware of all her tells, Mina straddles my belly and looms over me with a playfulness I've missed since my issues in the bedroom started flaring up again. "I'm gonna sit right here while I hypnotise you, okay? I uh... I want you to feel my weight pushing you down, letting you sink deep like an anchor with sexier curves." 

I rest my head against the pillow beneath it and blush, despite her usual silliness I'm surprisingly nervous myself. More than that, I'm excited. I've not been able to trust anybody to bring me under in a long time, but Mina doesn't even have to try and earn approval in that regard. I thought I'd just be appeasing her at first but no, I really want to go into trance for her. The realisation makes me meek, finally finding myself desperate for my girlfriend to take control after weeks of denying her the opportunity. 

"Hm? No retort, Say-Say? That's a good girl, just focusing on getting nice and relaxed for me. You can save your words, that breath is better used on a slow and steady rhythm. Just like you always tell me, focus on your breathing. Deep breaths, chest rising and falling like a wave." I'm shocked at how well she's taking to this, letting my eyes settle on the pocket watch as she drops it from her and and suspends it by pristine chain. It spins lightly above me before slowing to a halt, my eyes almost having to cross from the proximity to my face. 

Naturally, I do as any good subject would and follow instruction as flawlessly as I'm able to. It's hard to give perfectly uniform breaths while I'm still so giddy, but that just means I need to focus even harder. Mina notices my effort and I catch her radiant smile in peripheral, wanting to earn more of her approval so badly. 

"I'm going to start swinging the watch soon, Saige. You know what you have to do, just follow it with your eyes and let them get heavier as your focus narrows. My voice is what's most important so your eyes can close at any time but uhm... do try to keep them open for a while, as long as you think you're meant to anyway." Ah, what a curveball. I feel the need to praise her but then, I'm already shockingly relaxed. Even after years of use this couch is so nice to sink into, I bought it with that in mind. With Mina's weight and warmth atop me too, I'm in heaven. Just the act of laying down like this after such a rowdy evening has me yearning for sleep, a state that Mina is all too eager to lull me into. 

The watch swings pendulously and I follow it as instructed, loving this angle she's chosen even if it's something that we never tried before. Such an innovator to say it's her first try, but that's what I love about her. "You look like you're falling for me, Saige." She says cleverly, my eyes following from left to right even as my blush darkens. 

"Always." I mutter between deep breaths, wanting to do everything I can to help her hypnotise me in a collaborative effort between girlfriends. This really is the best housewarming gift for both of us, I'll even concede and give that annoying corvid some credit. Mina shifts her weight atop me adorably and peers down at my heavy eyes, barely having done anything to get me here and thinking that Maggie was right all along. 

"You're really suggestible, huh? All these years and I never knew what a pushover you'd be as a sub, hehe. You'd often talk about my suggestibility but you're like, hyper-suggestible. It's cheating but Maggie gave me a few old triggers but said they probably wouldn't work anymore." Oh no, she's seeing just how much of a house of cards I truly am, a hypnotist who would fall into trance at the drop of a hat. Back when Maggie was my roommate and maybe a little more, she'd host private magic shows in our tiny dorm and I'd always be the volunteer for the hypnosis portion. In my friend group I had the pleasure of introducing Mina to last week at the convention, I would attract quite a reputation for being the subbiest switch they knew of. A far cry from the professional I am today, my clients hardly need to know just how much better I'd fare in their place. So strange to think that such a large part of me had been kept at an arm's length from the girl I love. 

"Minny..." I mumble quietly, fingers hooking into her fishnets and hanging there idly, blinks coming in heavier and heavier each time. 

"I'd say you're hypnotising yourself now that I've given you permission, Saige. I really needn't say much while your hypno-fanatic brain conditions you into the state you know I want to see. It's so cooperative, submissive. Very obedient even, all words I know you love to use. How do they feel on my tongue, love?" Amazing... I'd tell her if I could raise my voice in this lovely state of relaxation, but I know I don't need words to convey my answer. The girl changes the direction of her swing to a vertical arc above my eyes now, coaxing them into closing with impressive technique I'll admit I wasn't expecting from the bright beginner. 

"Mmh..." Is all I can muster, it's enough and we both know it. That I've gone quiet is only a sign of victory for Mina, who likely expected me to be coaching her through my own induction, back-seating her as the girl's weight pushes my back deeper into the seat. There's no need to interfere, she has everything under control shockingly well by herself. Just as I'm giving my girlfriend mental commendation for her finesse in bringing me this far, she finally pulls out one of Maggie's tricks. Not because she needs it, I understand, but because she's excited to try it out and see if these old triggers really work. Until it hits me, I had assumed they wouldn't, but the human mind is a fickle thing and memory can be kickstarted rather immediately. 

"Shutterbug." Mina says in an innocent, lilting tone. Even as my eyes flutter I can hear the sweet smile in her voice, feeling the pull of a long dormant trigger me and Maggie had a lot of fun with way back when. Like the shutter of a camera, I experience a snapshot of deep trance before resurfacing shortly after feeling just a little heavier than before. Is Mina going to fractionate me? I know waking trance is her favourite, so it should come at no surprise. 

The girl catches on to just how weighted my eyelids have become, dropping her pocket watch onto the couch cushion beside my head and lunging down with hands on my shoulders like a feral beast... no not quite... a puppy hypnotist, excitedly wagging her tail as she watches me sink for her. It seems she's found her new toy. "Shutterbug!" My heavy eyes flutter once again as my thoughts stop for just a second or two before returning, eyes losing focus as I stare up at my overexcited girlfriend. Her face is so close I could kiss her, but I'm far too heavy to lift my head the short distance required. Her short, enthusiastic breaths collapse into my well regulated ones as Mina eclipses everything else. "Shutterbug!" I feel that fuzz of fractionation cover me like a soft blanket as my head starts to float and my eyes fall shut for a good few seconds like the lids are licked with honey. "Shutterbug!" She's relentless, kissing across my face between repetitions of the trigger as she paints my skin with pale pink smears. 

This continues for a good few minutes, or perhaps longer, I start to lose all sense of time in this state between trance and waking thought. Once Mina is satisfied with the reverie she has wrought upon me, she finally pries herself off of me and I find myself missing the weight distantly. I forgot how much I love this feeling, a high with no substance, a buzz with no hangover. Mina sits me upright and strokes fingers over my arm so affectionately that I let out a small whine, wanting her to keep me safe and warm and loved. 

"You're really cute like this, Say-Say. I know you're always telling me how adorable I am to you, but right now I think you're just as bad. Maybe it's because I've never seen you like this, but it's really getting me going... uhm... ahahaha, sorry I know you--"

"Touch me Minny... please?" My entire body tingles in delight as I sit up on the couch with Mina's legs swinging up over mine. I want her hands on me so badly, I felt shame before when she would give me pleasure because of teasing in my past but now all of that feels so distant. My arousal is all hers, just like my mind in this given moment. A snapshot in time brought by mental camera flash. 

Mina brings herself closer and grins coyly, an impish look that has me falling in love a thousand times over. "Okay, Saige... but I won't let you finish until you're ready to wake up. Is... is that alright?"

I nod into her hands, the girl holding my burning cheeks and admiring the mess she made of my face in her frenzy. This time her lips find mine and in waking trance I feel as though I've just been kissed by an angel. I'm not sure if I believe in angels but I know heaven is real, it's right here on this couch of ours. "O-okay..."

Without a moment's hesitation I feel Mina's hand roam up the inside of my shirt, greedy fingers sinking into my chest as her lips grace my neck. At first I think she's going to kiss me as sweetly as she had before, but when I feel a sharpness I can't help but giggle alongside my wince. "Shutterbug." My mind stutters as Mina suckles on the skin eagerly, wantonly, I didn't quite realise how desperate I'd been making her. A craven hand slides up my thigh and seizes it in a spirited grope, Mina's entire body leaning into mine while she has her way with it unfettered. My girlfriend plays with my body in an act of intense zealotry, her blush even darker than mine and the trigger hastily slipping from her lips between ragged breaths whenever she senses my mind coming up for air. 

Two hickeys deep and with an impressive unhooking of my bra from within my shirt, Mina pulls the clothing up impatiently and wraps around my nipple. Her teeth aren't shy, she's as vicious as she is cute sometimes, but feeling her sharpness while riding this fractionated high is all a girl like me could hope for and more. Eventually her fingers find my waiting wetness and press against it with a breathy giggle against my breast, Mina rubbing me in ways that have me pushing my hips up against those well manicured fingers of hers. I finally had the chance to pamper her and now those painted nails edge me closer to annihilation. 

As Mina's fingers deftly work me up towards a long awaited orgasm, my mind begins to wander back to my first. I've never spoken to Mina about it directly, but I know she heard the story from that meddling Magpie. In this instance I can only blame myself for having kept it from her when it was so relevant to our problems. 

In this state between reality and dream, I find myself transported back to that night...

"Hey can we like, stop for a sec?" Emily gives me an awkward smile as she pulls her hand back from between my legs and looks down between hers.

I shudder at the feeling of her inexperienced fingers suddenly sliding out and try not to look too disappointed, it felt so good... "Uhm... o-okay! What's... what's up?" Ah, I'm so nervous. I've always known I like girls but Emily has been the first to ever reciprocate my feelings, now I'm here losing my virginity far later than all my friends who seem to find it funny that I've struggled so much. They have no idea what it's like, so I ignore them as best I can. Emily said she felt too embarrassed to kiss me, but apparently going straight to sex was A-OK. I find it strange, but I'll take what I can get and... I do like her a lot. 

"You're being kinda loud, Saige..." Says the blonde, confusing me a little. Her eyes are still down on the bed between her legs, my instinct is to reach out but I feel invisible ramparts being erected in real time. 

"It's... it's okay, my parents are out and the neighbours can't hear shit. I promise haha, you don't need to worry about that." I scratch my head with a sheepish grin, wondering if I really was making that much noise. 

"No like... ugh, it's just... you don't have to fake it for me okay? I know I'm shit at this, just act normal." Emily's eyes flick up and pierce me, her lips unfairly pursed. Why am I being lectured right now? We seemed fine earlier. "It just sounds sorta tacky and gross when you put it on like that, like you're making fun of me or something. This is my first time with a girl, you know that, and I don't need the porno acting... okay?" Her last word is made to sound sweet, like she's doing me a favour by allowing me to drop it... but instead I feel horrified, forgetting what I even like about Emily besides the fact she's the only girl who would pay me any attention in this way. She's said repeatedly she might not be a lesbian, that she's experimenting, but it was her who came onto me tonight. 

"I-I'm not acting.... I'm sorry uh, I don't even know what to say to all that... aha... ha... I sound gross?" I'm trembling, all of my excitement and arousal from the past half hour draining away completely. What a waste.

Emily looks uncomfortable for a moment, before callously dropping a "Whatever." before deciding that was a little too bitchy even for her. "Uhm, look... It's just a turn off for me then I guess? I can't help what I'm into, Saige, so don't look at me like I'm trying to make things awkward on purpose. Guys go nuts for that sorta thing though, maybe you could--"

"You know I don't like guys, Em... I thought you did, anyway. Fuck... this is my first time..."

"Yeah, well. We're not even in college yet, I dunno how you can be so sure what you're into. I just know... ah, sorry Saigey, I know this ain't it for me. I really liked hanging out though, you're lucky your parents are always out and... Jesus, are you crying?"

Hot tears roll down my cheeks as an oblivious Mina pleasures me with far more experience than Emily could have dreamt of, pushing me to the brink hurriedly like she's Cinderella needing to flee the ball before midnight. Only as Mina snaps her fingers with a hearty "Rise and shine, Say~" Does she catch my tear-stained face and her fingers come to a grinding halt. "Oh, ah! Are... is everything o--"

"I love you so much, Minny. Don't stop." I push my hips up and lean forwards for a plunging kiss, my wet cheeks pressing against hers as these strong emotions are shared. Mina lightens my load as always and I thank her between every kiss, panting heavily into her mouth while her touch rocks my body. I cum harder than I did the night we got back together and collapse back onto the couch in a daze, no trigger required. Mina lays over me and strokes my bare torso, the shirt still ridden up and bra long discarded. "I... I did it." I sigh out, feeling that I only have one in me tonight and so glad it was good one. "I... I didn't make any gross noises, I was quiet and--"

"Are you kidding me, Say-Say? You probably woke up the neighbours!" Colour drains from my face and when she notices my discomfort, Mina pouts and straddles my waist with purpose. She looks down at me almost strictly, arms wrapping around my neck. "And I loved it, dummy. How could I not... hearing the person I care for most experience such intense joy, I don't care if that's pretty enough to go in the fucking Louvre or not, it's my favourite sound in the world." My girlfriend pulls me into a kiss and conveys sincerity with such softness that I finally melt, believing her every word and wondering if I could go again tonight after all. 

"God, you're so cute... uhm, Mina?"

"Yeah?"

"Go fetch the strap."

"Yes ma'am!" 

I think I finally understand, sitting back into the couch and letting out a long sigh while I wipe these joyful tears. 

Heaven is a girl in love.