Arriving at the Spina di Rosula Headquarters in Poisson, Navia led Luna by the hand, greeting everyone who greeted them along the way.
Everything seemed as usual.
But Luna could faintly feel the erratic thumping of Navia's heartbeat through their clasped hands—a subtle but unmistakable sign that Navia was merely pretending to be fine.
Sure enough, the moment they entered the room, Navia instinctively locked the door.
"Lulu..."
She then pressed Luna against the wall without hesitation, their tightly clasped hands growing warmer. But the most searing heat came from Navia's breath.
Though resistance was futile, Luna still tried to move her hands.
Not completely immovable, but nearly so. This was the raw strength of the Spina di Rosula's President.
"Ah, did I hurt you?" Navia asked cautiously, sensing Luna's struggle.
"I'm not that fragile, you know," Luna replied. "I can handle a little more pain."
"W-we're not going to do that kind of thing!" Navia protested.
Luna tilted her head in confusion. "But isn't pain part of that kind of thing?"
Navia shook her head. "According to what I've read in books, it shouldn't be that way."
But Luna's practical experience told her that biting was inevitable, even with Chevreuse.
Why? She didn't know. She just felt an unconscious urge to leave her mark on the other woman. Some analysts had suggested it was a manifestation of possessiveness.
Looking back, there seemed to be some truth to that.
Because Luna had no intention of letting her "treasures" slip from her grasp. Absolutely none.
"Time to put our knowledge to the test, then."
Luna lifted Navia's chin.
"...You seem awfully practiced at this, Lulu."
Could she have done this with other women before...?
Luna smiled faintly. "My dear Miss Watson, you do let your imagination run wild. Aren't you the only one who possesses me right now? Aren't you the only one who can do anything you wish to me?"
That much was true.
But Navia still couldn't shake her unease. Could Luna's affections extend beyond her alone?
"If Nana isn't satisfied with my answer, then—"
Luna whispered in her ear, "—why not just make me yours?"
Simple, wasn't it?
And now was the perfect opportunity.
Navia's face flushed crimson. "I can't help but feel like you're setting a trap for me! You'll lure me in, then turn around and devour me whole!—Something like this."
She'd seen through her.
No matter. The willing will bite.
And Luna was perfectly content to play both the bait and the hook, first being devoured, then devouring in turn.
Whether she was the one being eaten or the one doing the eating, Luna didn't mind either way. She simply preferred to be the one doing the eating.
As long as she could be close to the person she liked, nothing else mattered.
Her flexibility in this regard was as effortless as her fingering technique on a piano.
Luna tilted her head slightly, chuckling softly. "So, what do you plan to do?"
"...You, you go ahead." Navia released her hand.
"Me? Really? Are you sure?" Luna asked, surprised. She had expected Navia to want to take the lead.
Leaning against Luna to hide her flushed face, Navia's voice trembled slightly with a mix of nervousness and anticipation:
"I'm afraid I'll mess it up. I heard that doing it wrong can hurt the other person. But... I trust you! And I'm pretty tough, so don't worry!"
"I don't think you need to worry so much," Luna said. "I'm pretty tough myself."
Furina and Chiori had accidentally hurt her a few times. Surprisingly, Chevreuse had been exceptionally gentle and considerate... In any case, she had experienced every kind of injury, big and small, by now, so there was nothing left to fear.
A mere flesh wound was nothing.
Navia's interest was piqued, and she kept glancing at Luna. If Lulu said it was okay, then perhaps she could give it a try.
But what if she didn't do it well? Even if Lulu said it was okay, that "this is amazing too," Navia knew she herself would find it hard to accept.
I'll learn first! Then I'll let Lulu enjoy it later! Navia resolved.
"You should still do it. Just take your time," Navia said, feigning composure.
"Then—"
As Navia sat on the bed, her lips slightly pursed, waiting anxiously and eagerly, Luna leaned down, pressing her face close, gradually melting away Navia's tension until their golden hair mingled across the mattress.
After that, Navia's memories blurred. Only her body's senses vividly recalled Luna's warmth and breath, rippling through her, eternally etched into every inch of her mind and body.
A long while later...
Feeling fingertips brush her temple, Navia slowly opened her eyes.
"Luna...?"
Luna lay beside her, answering softly, "Mm, how did you sleep?"
"Sleep... Ah!"
Navia's face flushed crimson as she remembered: she had fainted midway through! She covered her face, inwardly groaning at how mortifying this was.
It's all because I didn't sleep well last night, which weakened me.
If they tried again, she was certain she wouldn't faint, even if Luna's hand ached.
But alas, there were no do-overs.
The fatigue and satisfaction washing over Navia left her mind clear, her only desire to hold Luna close and lie like this all day.
"Hehe."
"Hmm-hmm?"
Navia clasped Luna's hand, her voice soft with satisfaction. "It just feels so good. Maybe I enjoy this quiet time afterward, just the two of us resting together, even more than... that part."
Luna chuckled. "Are you about to say something like, 'The pleasure of satisfying desires is fleeting'?"
"No, not at all!" Navia wrapped her arms around Luna, hooking her legs around hers as they nuzzled cheek to cheek. "I love doing anything with Lulu, but what I love most is just being close like this."
"I understand."
Though she didn't distinguish between "more" and "most" beloved—or perhaps everything was her most beloved.
The passionate acts were essential, and so was this quiet closeness! Only such balance made for a healthy heart.
Navia's gaze fell on the marks she'd left, and her cheeks flushed crimson.
"Wow... did I really bite you so much? I didn't even realize." She gently traced the marks with her fingertips. Does it hurt? her eyes asked.
No, Luna smiled softly.
"Then... that's good..."
Navia continued tracing the mark with her fingertips, a surge of contentment washing over her each time she felt the faint ridge. How strange, she thought, that biting Luna could bring me such profound satisfaction.
She hugged Luna even tighter.
"So warm," Luna murmured.
"We can stay warm like this when it's cold outside," Luna suggested.
"That's right! I don't think we'd even need a fireplace," Navia chuckled.
A brief silence followed, not born of awkwardness, but from the sheer bliss of basking in each other's warmth.
"I dreamt of Dad and Mother the other day," Navia said with a chuckle. "I told them I was in love with Lulu, who's a girl, and they looked so shocked! I can't remember the rest of the dream, though."
"But even if they disapproved, I wouldn't care. After all, I've already decided that only Lulu can be my lover!"
Luna laughed softly. "You're so serious, Nana."
Serious? Navia looked puzzled. But maybe serious isn't so bad.
After all...
"If I wasn't serious, I wouldn't be able to hold you like this."
Navia beamed as she clung to Luna, showing no intention of letting go.
Only gravity could keep the free-spirited White Cat grounded.
As recorded in Furina's Chronicles, only a heart heavy with pure devotion can forge the chains and shackles to bind the Phantom Thief White Cat.