The Void in Her Heart

New Season

     Season seven began in full swing. I saw Renee much less. When she wasn't competing she was exercising or training. I tried not to feel abandoned, but it was hard not to resent her absence nearly all of the time. I watched each and every match intently, rooting for her. She couldn't win every one, and I tried to comfort her after a loss.

     Each time after a lost match she would double down on her training, and I would see her even less. I tried helping her relax in the times she was with me, but she had a constant tension that I couldn't banish. In the second week, she came back in the afternoon from a victory.

     I was waiting for her in the Waystop, excited to congratulate her. She teleported in with her squad for the day, Octane and Bloodhound. Octane immediately dashed from the chamber, yelling incoherently. Bloodhound was more dignified, but they still displayed pride in the victory.

     I rushed forward and grabbed Renee in a tight embrace, and I felt some of her tension melt away. Not completely, but it was something. "You were incredible out there," I said. She opened her mouth to say something, but I interrupted her with a kiss. I held her in it as long as she would allow, then stepped back again, holding her hands.

     She smiled, embarrassed about some of the other legends still being nearby. Only some of them pretended not to notice. We took a tram back to the complex, conversing with the others. I began heading toward the food lounge, following a few of the others, but Renee's grip on my hand tightened as she pulled me another direction.

     I followed as she led me back to her rooms, curious why she was so intent. She closed the door behind her, then looked up at me. She wore an expression I was unfamiliar with, biting her lip. She suddenly strode forward, grabbing my hands and leading me into her bedroom.

     She pulled me into a deep, sensual kiss, and when she broke off her face was flush with excitement and anticipation. She stared into my eyes, seeming to look into my very soul. "I love you," Renee said softly. I was taken by surprise, but my heart leapt in my chest at the confession. "I love you," I said back, and she bit her lip again. Not turning from me she closed the door to her bedroom, and I heard the lock click.

     She walked forward again, more slowly this time, almost predatory. She pushed me backward, gently yet forcefully, and I was astonished again at her strength. I shouldn't have been, remembering how easily she had carried me back when she first rescued me. Renee made me lay back on her bed, then climbed atop me, looking down at me hungrily.

     I reached up and put my hands around her neck, and she let me pull her into another long kiss. I tried to undo her hair, but fumbled as we kissed. She broke off, reaching up and doing it herself, letting it fall around her shoulders. I was struck again by how beautiful she was, and my already racing heart quickened.

     She leaned down over me, hair cascading down around her face as she grinned at me. Renee kissed me again, reaching her hands around me and sliding them up my shirt, caressing my bare back. She lifted my shirt off completely, tossing it aside. Though she had removed her gloves after the match, she still wore her combat gear.

     Renee sat up atop me, reaching up next to he left breast and pulled on the zipper there. It ran down the left side of her outfit, then wrapped around her front as it reached her waist. It fell backwards off her shoulders, revealing her blank undershirt. She layed on me again, kissing me as she removed her boots with her feet. I ran my hands down her back, then pulled her combat outfit down as far as I could over her legs as she worked it the rest of the way off herself.

     It fell discarded to the floor as well, leaving her in her undershirt, yoga pants and a thin pair of socks. She pulled those off with her feet as she continued to kiss me, then used her toes to remove my own shoes and socks. I caressed her back, exploring downward to her rear briefly before running my own hands up her shirt, feeling her bare skin. She sighed at my touch and I lifted her top the rest of the way off.