Pulchra came back from her commission, unaware of the conversation Burnice had with her friends from the Sons of Calydon. However, she perceived there was something off in her partner: when they were together, she usually showed a cheerful, happy side of herself. But now, Burnice seemed to get lost in her thoughts a lot of times, like worried about something. The bartender wasn’t still sure about sharing her desires to Pulchra and felt the need to refrain those feelings for the sake of her partner. However, the therian was suspicious, but whenever she tried to get an answer, Burnice would just smile and say nothing was wrong.

That didn’t stop them from sharing time together. They still hung out, enjoyed their dates and shared some cuddling occasionally. During those times, Burnice couldn’t stop looking at her partner’s face, enjoying every tiny aspect of her, and when that happened, that desire burned with more intensity inside her. Pulchra couldn’t stop noticing how nervous Burnice was in certain situations and, even if she was worried at first, she knew it had nothing to do with her old problem. There was something different in her behavior, she was not uncomfortable… just nervous.

One afternoon, Pulchra was hugging Burnice again as she laid on top of her on the couch. Both of them felt comfortable as they were watching TV. In that situation, Pulchra perceived that her partner felt calmer than before, making her relax as well. Everything went on like normal, but then, the therian heard a faint sound. It was more intense than breathing, more similar to… panting. She inclined her head a bit to look at Burnice, turning amazed at the image she saw.

Burnice was gasping absent-mindedly, her eyes half-closed and lost in the distance, panting gently, as she caressed Pulchra’s arm with delicacy. She could feel the bartender’s heart beating fast. The therian had never seen her partner react like that and she was going to ask… until her nose perceived a strange smell. It seemed to come from her partner, as she was sweating a bit around her neck. She approached to smell closely and she knew then.

-This aroma… it’s… hormones? That can’t be… Wait, what’s that?- wondered Pulchra.

She perceived another smell, a bit more intense this time, but coming from a bit further. Pulchra looked down at her partner’s body, with no doubt in her mind.

-No way… she’s… dripping?- thought Pulchra.

It was then that Burnice moved again, this time grabbing Pulchra’s left paw with some extra strength. Unconsciously, she seemed to drag it closer to her body, closer to her chest area. The therian was getting nervous, not just for the situation… She began feeling something inside as well, she actually wanted to let her partner move her paw onto her chest. Still, this was all so unexpected that she felt the need to stop.

-Burnice… I need to go to the bathroom- whispered Pulchra into Burnice’s ear.

Those words made Burnice’s mind come back. She then realized what she was doing to Pulchra’s paw and moved it away, thinking that her partner hadn’t actually noticed anything.

-Oh! Yeah, ehm, sure! Go… Go ahead! I’ll wait here, yeah, right here!- answered Burnice nervously.

Pulchra stood up and left the living room, noticing a brief sigh of relief from Burnice as she left. The therian closed herself in the bathroom and sat down on the toilet.

-Oh gosh! So this was it… She is… horny!- thought Pulchra to herself with surprise. -That’s why she’s been acting so weird! She… I mean, she actually wants to do it? Wait… Of course! That conversation, when she asked about the “next training”, she… she wanted to do it! I… I never thought she… I mean, she actually had so much trouble with just one finger a month ago, now… I didn’t think it would be possible… But then… Why didn’t she say anything?

Pulchra laid her head back on the wall. Images from the past came to her mind: all the efforts Burnice put into overcoming her problem and her fears. She really worked hard, but at the same time, it was hard at times for her to try new things. But sex… that was on a whole new level.

-Burnice… She’s so great… I… Of course I’d love to do it, but… deep inside, she’s more fragile than she makes it look… What if it’s too much for her? What if I trigger her problem again?- wondered Pulchra. -I… I don’t want to harm her… or lose her…

For the next couple of days, Pulchra and Burnice behaved like usual, but each one was too focused on their own thoughts. It was getting harder for Burnice to hide her reactions and Pulchra perceived that as well, but she was scared about taking the first step in case Burnice would get scared… or worse. Having to work around the settlement for a while, Pulchra spent her time going around the people and helping them, but being quite an easy job, it was easy for her to go back to her thoughts, not even realizing Caesar waving at her.

-Yo, Pulchra!- greeted Caesar.

But Pulchra didn’t seem to hear her. As she got closer, Caesar noticed the sad look on the therian’s face. Putting a smile, she approached her and put her hand on Pulchra’s shoulder.

-Heyyo! Didn’t you hear me?- asked Caesar cheerfully.

-Oh!- exclaimed Pulchra in surprise. -Hi, Caesar! Didn’t know you were there…

-Yeah, I saw that… Say, is something wrong? You look a bit down- said Caesar.

-What? No, I’m fine, really, it’s just… don’t worry about it- murmured Pulchra.

However, Caesar could tell a lie a mile away, far better than an aether monster approaching. That was not the usual Pulchra for her. Smiling again, she patted her shoulder again.

-Hey, wanna go for a ride?- asked Caesar.

-What?- asked Pulchra confused.

-Yeah. I got some free time now, and thinking about it, we never got the chance to ride our bikes together since you began working with us. I wanna check personally what you can do with that beast of a bike! Come on, it will be fun!- exclaimed Caesar.

Pulchra tried to turned down the offer, but Caesar being so insisting, it was hard to convince her. Finally agreeing, both women rode their bikes and hit the road. The desert and rocky areas surrounded them rather quickly, at one point leaving the asphalt and getting into more troublesome roads. Feeling the thrill of the ride, Pulchra displayed her riding skills when jumping over some barrels, while Caesar, true to her personality, rushed into them like they were just dust. After a while, Caesar pointed at one off-road at their side, which took them both to the upper part of a cliff. Caesar left her bike and stretched.

-Wow, that was fun! You are quite good! Remind me to do this more times!- said Caesar.

Pulchra left her bike as well. She had fun, but was still confused about the whole situation. Then, Caesar called for her.

-Hey, come over here! The views are nice!- exclaimed Caesar.

Pulcha did as told, and when she got next to Caesar, she could see it: a big panorama of the Outskirts extending as far as they eye could reach. Their settlement was quite close, and still, it looked so tiny. Much farther, other settlements and old oil refinery plants could be seen. Even though Pulchra had traveled so much, she was amazed at the sight.

-Hey… this is quite good...- murmured Pulchra.

Caesar smiled looking at her friend. She then sat down on the border of the cliff.

-I know, right? This is one of my favorite spots. I come here sometimes to relax and think about stuff- said Caesar.

Pulchra remained silent, but sat down on the border as well. She couldn’t stop looking at the views.

-Say… what is your problem?- asked Caesar abruptly, making Pulchra nervous.

-What, me? Nothing, I told you- answered Pulchra.

-Hah hah. See, if I have learned something as Overlord is that, if you pay attention to the people around you, you can see if they need something or not- explained Caesar with a smile. -And girl, let me tell you: that face of yours is like a dismantled engine, so easy to understand. So quit all that “nothing’s wrong” mask and just open up! I’m here to help, ya know?

Pulchra sighed. The once feared mercenary that could trick anybody was that easy to read now? She really relaxed a lot, or that’s what she thought, but at the same time, that didn’t make her feel bad.

-Are… are you sure?- asked Pulchra. -I don’t want to trouble you with my problems…

-Hey, come on! You’ve been helping us a lot. It’s time that someone helps you- said Caesar smiling.

-I… guess? Not used to needing help, I guess...- muttered Pulchra. She then took a deep breath and continued. -You know, it’s about… Burnice and I…

-You make it sound like that’s bad. Did something happen?- asked Caesar worried.

-No, but… yes. I mean, we are so close now, we are so happy. The relationship we have… I have dreamed about it for so long, and she did a lot to make it possible, and we are enjoying it so much…- explained Pulchra. -Just… it seems… no, I know for sure… she wants to… I mean, it’s embarrassing, you’re her friend…

-Wait, she wants to fuck you?- asked Caesar abruptly.

Pulchra was shocked, unable to say anything else, showing her blush below her white and brown fur. The therian simply nodded, causing the Overlord to laugh.

-Hah hah hah! Wow, look at Burnice! If I had bet about it, I would be losing so much money right now!- joked Caesar. When she noticed Pulchra’s worrying, she stopped laughing. -Oh, I mean, sorry, just… I have known Burnice for quite a while, “sex” is not something she has ever thought about before. So… have you done it?

-No! No, I mean, it’s… she hasn’t said anything, but… her behavior when we are together, it’s just plain obvious, she… really wants to do it- said Pulchra. -She believes I didn’t notice, but she’s not the best at hiding it.

-Yeah, if there is one word to define Burnice is… “expressive”. Well, maybe “crazy”, “funny” or “impulsive” are good words as well but… let’s leave it at “expressive”- said Caesar. -And what’s the problem? You don’t want to?

-Ah!- stuttered Pulchra, blushing even more. -No, I… I actually… want to as well…

-So… let me check the list again… Burnice wants sex with you… and you want sex with her… I may not be the brightest mind around here, but I think this calls for a good sexy night, am I right?- joked Caesar.

-I… I don’t know… You see, there’s the thing about… well, her problem- said Pulchra.

-Not being touched? You helped her get rid of that, what’s the problem?- asked Caesar.

-This is different! It’s a whole new level of physical contact and intimacy. Maybe she wants to do it but… what if we start and then… something happens and she… goes back to that? She got used to living without being touched, but after that, she’s so much happier and bright than ever! If her problem comes back, it… it may affect her a lot- explained Pulchra. -And it would all be my fault… The last thing I want is to harm her… If we stopped being together because of me, that would be horrible…

Caesar took a look at her friend. It was evident for her how important Burnice was for Pulchra. The Overlord sighed and smiled.

-You really care for Burnice. That’s great. That makes you the best couple she could ever have- said Caesar. -But listen, Burnice’s lights may not work well sometimes, but you can bet she knows herself and the limits she can cross or not very well. If she really wants to do it with you it’s because she’s 100 % sure that nothing wrong will happen. And if you really want to share that moment with her… then go ahead! It’s fine that you worry about your partner, but you also have to trust her and let her take the reins sometimes.

Pulchra smiled with relief. Caesar was right: she knew Burnice for a while, and sure, she had that crazy side, but she was smart and confident. No matter the situation, she always trusted her, and that was no different. She looked at Caesar again.

-And you… are you good with that?- asked Pulchra.

-Me? What do I have to do with all this?- asked Caesar confused.

-I mean, she’s your friend! And Lucy, Piper, Lighter… all of you are so close to her, you’re a family!- exclaimed Pulchra. -And me… I was your enemy not too long ago… You don’t seem to have a problem with our relationship, but maybe you don’t like us being that… “closer”…

-Whaaaaaat?- asked Caesar. -Who do you think we are? We ain’t controlling anybody. We ain’t hogging Burnice for ourselves. She’s a grown-up lady and can bang whoever she wants to! Yup, we’re a family, but that means we are there for each other when there’s trouble! And we know for sure that you ain’t trouble at all. The Sons of Calydon will welcome you whenever you want, so stop worrying about us! It’s Burnice you should be thinking about, got it?

“Burnice”… That’s all Pulchra murmured when she heard Caesar’s speech. Her partner came back to her mind: her face, her blonde hair, her smile… She really loved her and wanted to share that special moment with her. That was all that mattered.

As the sun set, the two women rode their bikes again back to the settlement. Pulchra felt the fresh air of the night hitting her face, and with that, she felt a new resolution in her heart. She still didn’t know how, but she was determined to show Burnice there was another step in their relationship.