Four drinks in, dancing at Nya Stockholm station, Keiani's clothes were damp with sweat. The bass pulsed, bringing unexpected contentment. Alcohol eased her frustration, and the music demanded only movement.

Approaching the bar, Keiani nearly collided with someone in crisp blue uniform—a military officer. The woman, about twenty-one, had a fit physique, curly brown hair, and a cautious, alert expression. She extended her hand with precision. "Hi, I'm Ensign—" Julie caught herself, blushing. "I mean, Julie."

"I'm Keiani," Keiani replied, her cheeks warming as she shook Julie's firm hand.

"Can I buy you a drink?" Keiani asked, raising her voice over the music.

Julie's eyes lit up. "I was about to ask you the same thing!" She grinned, and the military composure slipped entirely, revealing someone much younger and more playful underneath. "How about we each buy two drinks of our choice and give them both to the other person?"

Keiani laughed despite herself. "That's either very generous or a recipe for disaster."

"Why not both?" Julie said.

They made their way to the bar, and while they waited for service, Julie leaned closer to be heard over the music. "So what do you do? Besides look amazing on a dance floor."

Keiani felt that familiar flutter of attraction mixed with wariness. "I'm a ship's engineer. Civilian side." She left out the part about being currently unemployed and possibly unemployable.

"That's incredible!" Julie's eyes widened with genuine admiration. "I mean, I know the theory from the Academy, but actually working on the systems... that must be amazing."

"You're Navy?" Keiani asked, though the answer was obvious.

"Fresh onto my first ship." Julie admitted. "I'm from Trondheim—no, not New Trondheim, like actual Earth Trondheim. Never been to space before I joined up a few years ago. Three years at the Norwegian Naval Academy, then six months of cross-training to get my commission transferred to Unified Systems ships. Been on my current assignment for exactly two months."

Keiani did the math and frowned. "You can't be over twenty-one. How does that even work?"

Julie blushed again, deeper this time. "I am twenty-one, just... I might have sped through my coursework a bit. I was in a hurry to get out here." She gestured vaguely at the space around them. "Always wanted to see what was beyond Earth's atmosphere."

"And? Was it worth it?"

"Ask me again in a few years," Julie said with a grin that suggested she was already pretty sure of the answer.

he bartender finally reached them, and they placed their orders—Keiani choosing two local specialties: a glass of Skogbrand, dark and smoky, and a tall pour of Frostberry Cider, tart and effervescent with a faint lavender hue. Julie pointed to the Centauri whiskey decanter, then added a second choice: a neat pour of Trondheim Reserve, a crisp Earth-made aquavit with hints of caraway and citrus.

When the drinks arrived, they ceremoniously exchanged glasses—Keiani handing over both local selections, Julie offering her off-world pair. They ended up double-fisting like seasoned diplomats brokering a treaty, each eyeing the unfamiliar drinks with curiosity.

“Centauri whiskey?” Keiani examined the amber liquid. “Either you have expensive taste or you’re trying to impress me.”

“Can’t it be both?” Julie smirked and took a sip of the Skogbrand. Her eyes widened, and she coughed once, laughing. “Oh, that’s got a kick.”

“Local specialty,” Keiani said, gesturing to the cider. “That one’s gentler. Frostberry Cider. Good for pacing yourself.”

Julie nodded, sampling it. “Tastes like spring in a pine forest.”

Keiani tried the aquavit, savoring the clean, herbal burn. “Trondheim Reserve, huh? You really are trying to impress me.”

Julie grinned. “I’m just giving you a taste of home.”

They giggled over the exchange, the alcohol and attraction making everything feel lighter, easier. Julie's military bearing kept slipping, revealing glimpses of someone young and eager and maybe a little lonely—something Keiani recognized all too well.

"Come on," Julie said, finishing her first drink with determination. "Let's dance."

They returned to the dance floor, and Keiani found herself drawn to Julie's easy enthusiasm. The younger woman moved with surprising grace, her inhibitions dissolving as she finished her second drink. When she set the empty glass aside, she moved closer to Keiani, close enough that Keiani could smell her perfume over the club's haze of smoke and sweat.

The music shifted to something slower, more intimate, and Julie stepped into Keiani's space without hesitation. They moved together, hands finding waists and shoulders, the pretense of dancing becoming something else entirely.

During a lull between songs, Julie leaned in close, her breath warm against Keiani’s ear.

“This is not how I thought my night would go,” she said, voice low and amused.

Keiani smiled. “Better or worse?”

Julie pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, her grin softening. “Definitely better.”

There was a flicker of something in her expression—still playful, but edged with sincerity. Keiani felt it settle somewhere deep, unexpected and welcome. They made eye contact and held it for a moment.

"Can I kiss you?" Julie asked.

Keiani's heart skipped. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

Their first kiss was tentative, then deeper as Julie's hands tangled in Keiani's hair. They lost themselves in each other for a moment before Julie pulled back, grinning.

"I'm going to get in trouble for having my uniform wrinkled," she said, though she didn't sound particularly concerned.

Keiani grinned back. "I have an iron at my place."

Julie's eyes went wide, and she paused for a second. "Keiani, are you inviting me to your place?"

The question hung between them, loaded with possibility and nervousness. Keiani hesitated, bit her lip, blushing hard, then nodded. "Um, yes."

Julie's grin could have powered the station's reactors. She held out her hand. "Then what are we waiting for?"

***

They stopped at a convenience store on the way, ostensibly for drinks—Julie selecting a bottle of Norwegian aquavit while Keiani browsed the wine selection. At the last second, Keiani slipped to the counter and quickly purchased wine and, yes, an actual iron, bagging them before Julie noticed.

"Did you just buy an iron?" Julie asked, smirking as they left the store.

"I bought wine," Keiani protested innocently.

"Uh-huh."

In the elevator to Keiani's apartment, they began to kiss and touch each other again, the tension building with each floor they climbed. By the time they reached Keiani's door, they were both breathless with anticipation.

Inside, they each produced their bottles and poured drinks for each other—a ritual that felt both sophisticated and silly. Julie peeked into Keiani's bag and pulled out the iron, raising an eyebrow.

"You were just trying to get me to come home with you?" she asked, though her mock stern expression was undermined by the smile tugging at her lips.

"Maybe," Keiani admitted shyly. "Is it still working?"

Julie set down her drink, stepped closer, and cupped Keiani's face in her hands. "That's adorable," she whispered, then kissed her deeply. Their bodies pressed together, the heat between them almost palpable. Julie's hands roamed Keiani's body, exploring every curve and line. Keiani responded by pulling Julie's uniform shirt from her trousers, her fingers deftly unbuttoning it to reveal her midriff and a simple white bra underneath.

Julie carefully stepped back, removing her shirt and laying it over the back of a chair, taking care to keep it from wrinkling. Keiani watched, appreciating the meticulousness, before pulling Julie back into a kiss. She touched Julie's waist, caressing the smooth skin and feeling the delicate muscles beneath her fingers. Julie gasped against her mouth, her own hands finding the hem of Keiani's crop-top and slowly pulling it over her head.

Keiani hadn't worn a bra that day, and Julie sucked in breath at the sight of Keiani's small, taut breasts, the small nipples dark and hard. They moved to the couch, a tangle of limbs and lips, their breaths coming faster and more ragged. Keiani reached behind Julie and undid the woman's bra with a deft flick of finger and thumb. Her hands found Julie's breasts, teasing the nipples as Julie arched into her touch. Julie's breasts were larger than Keiani's, not huge, but thicker and fuller than Keiani had expected when she saw the young officer in uniform. Keiani buried her face in the soft flesh of Julie's breasts, taking pleasure in the weight and texture of them.

Julie, not to be outdone, slid her hand into Keiani's cargo shorts, her fingers brushing against the damp cloth of Keiani's underwear. "Too many clothes," Julie whispered, her voice hoarse with desire. Keiani nodded, her fingers working on Julie's trouser buttons. They continued to undress each other, gradually revealing the skin beneath, each touch sparking a new wave of desire. Clothing was shed slowly and carefully, Julie taking extra care with her regulation garments, while Keiani simply discarded hers in a heap.

Naked, they came together again, their bodies aligning perfectly. Keiani pushed Julie back onto the couch, her mouth exploring the younger woman's neck, collarbone, and the soft flesh of her breasts. Julie's hips bucked against her as Keiani traced patterns on her thigh, her intentions clear. Julie reached for the wine, taking a long sip, then offering it to Keiani. They traded the bottle, alternating between sips and kisses, the alcohol adding to their already heightened senses.

Julie rolled on top of Keiani, her hips moving in rhythm as their bodies pressed together. Keiani felt Julie's hand between her legs, her fingers skillfully seeking out the most sensitive places. Julie's palm pressed against her mound and clit, while fingers darted inside. Julie ground her own pelvis against her wrist, rubbing her own mound against it, and creating more pressure and movement that transferred to Keiani. Julie continued for a bit, both of them breathing more heavily.

It was more than Keiani could bear, and she came with a cry, her body convulsing under Julie's touch. Julie grinned against her neck, her hand slowing but not stopping. "Again," Keiani demanded, her voice breathless and urgent. Julie laughed, but complied, pulling her hips back and just using her fingers. Her fingers picked up speed again as they moved in circles that sent waves of pleasure through Keiani's entire body.

Keiani tensed, her body poised, and then she shattered again, Julie holding her through each wave. It was intense, and Keiani panted, trying to catch her breath as Julie began to move down her body.

When Keiani caught her breath, she rolled Julie over, then took a sip of wine. Keiani began to lick Julie slowly, tracing the alphabet over and around Julie's clitoris. When she reached the letter J, Keiani took the bottle of wine and poured a little down Julie's pubic mound and over her clit, slurping it up and sucking Julie's clit into her own mouth. Julie came hard, her hips thrusting up to meet Keiani's mouth.

As Julie began to come down from the orgasm, Keiani spelled her own name, tracing each letter over the other woman's clit, then continued down the alphabet until Julie came again. The room filled with the wet sounds of their pleasure and the occasional moan or cry of ecstasy.

Keiani took a sip of the red wine and held it in her mouth, then kissed Julie, her tongue putting the mixed flavor of Julie's juices and the wine into Julie's mouth. "Fuck" Julie said, "that was good, I need to taste you now!"

Keiani giggled as Julie lifted her and set her on the bed. Keiani wasn't large, but she was surprised with how easily the young officer moved her. It was positively arousing. Julie kissed Keiani on the lips again and began to kiss her down her body, pausing to suck on each nipple. Finally, she began to slowly lick Keiani's slit. Keiani bucked and moaned, and Julie inserted one finger and crooked it in a come hither motion. Keiani came again, writhing against the other woman's mouth. As the waves receded, she pulled Julie up toward her and had her lay on the bed.

Then, Keiani quickly turned and put her knees on either side of Julie's head, lowering herself to the woman's tongue. She let the woman lick her a few times, then lay forward and began to lick Julie. They worked at each other like that, struggling to pay attention when the other was doing particularly good work. They made it into a competition until they worked themselves up and both came together, their bodies tensing and releasing in unison.

They lay together for a moment, their bodies slick with sweat and desire. Keiani reached for the aquavit, taking a sip before offering it to Julie. They each took a gulp, the burn of the alcohol contrasting with the softness of the moment. Julie set the bottle down and turned to Keiani, her eyes full of wonder and admiration.

"So, you're an engineer, huh?" Julie asked, her fingers tracing patterns on Keiani's skin. "What are your other specialties?"

Keiani laughed, a sound full of satisfaction and promise. "Why don't you explore and find out?"

Julie did, her hands and mouth roaming Keiani's body, teasing and exploring every inch. Keiani's hands weren't idle either, her touch pushing Julie toward the edge again. Julie's body tightened, her hips arching off the couch, and then she cried out, her orgasm overtaking her completely. Keiani watched, transfixed, as Julie came undone beneath her hands.

Later, much later, they lay tangled together on Keiani's couch, sharing the last of the wine and talking in quiet voices about everything and nothing. Julie's uniform hung carefully on a chair—she'd been meticulous about it even in the heat of the moment, which Keiani found endearing. "I have to report back to the ship in the morning," Julie said eventually, though she showed no signs of wanting to leave. Keiani felt a twinge of regret but also a warmth of contentment.

"I have to report back to the ship in the morning," Julie said eventually, though she showed no signs of wanting to leave.

"What time?" Keiani asked, already calculating how much time they had left.

"Zero-nine-hundred. But I should probably shower and..." She gestured at her carefully hung uniform. "Make myself presentable."

"I have a shower," Keiani offered. "And soap. And that iron I definitely bought just to impress you."

Julie laughed, a sound that made something warm unfurl in Keiani's chest. "You're trouble, aren't you?"

"The absolute worst kind," Keiani agreed, then kissed her again.