Chapter 50

    I go about turning on the water to the tub so that I can wash Bea as needed. From the last time Flannery and I went about this we both needed a proper shower after, due to the purge our systems went through. I go through the motions of temping the water to feel hot to my skin as I watch over Bea.

    The refining of her body is completely different from either of ours. For Flannery, it was like watching the flames burn away everything that was improper. For me, all I can remember is the intense pain. For Bea, her body seems to pulse and waver like a puddle  as her aura works through her body. I watch as her muscles seem to inflate before compressing down into themselves, each cycle chiseling away at excess fat on her body.

    The already small pores on her skin shrink down to mere pinpricks, leaving behind skin so smooth that water just slides right off. So far, Bea looks to be enduring the pain with little more than a slightly pained grunt through gritted teeth, but the process is just beginning. After a few cycles with her muscles, her veins become prominent and I can see every beat of her heart by the rhythm of her pulse under the tight skin.

    “Everything looks to be going fine...” Flannery says as she finally makes her way into the bathroom. I look over to see my lover leaning against the door frame while she feigns being alright. I give her a knowing smirk that she returns before responding.

    “So far so good. It seems like the worst is yet to come though.” I frown slightly at Bea’s quiet grunts. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do except wait.

    Over the next hour, Flannery and I take turns washing Bea off when we notice a build up of oily black substance. At one point, all the hair on her body completely shed in a bloody mess, scaring the both of us as it was a lot of blood, but a few moments later and the hair on her head regrows into a shiny silver-gray color that gives off a blue sheen. Throughout the entire process though, Bea never let out a sound above a grunt or showed any reaction beyond a clenching of her fists.

    “T-that was intense.” Calls out a husky voice that sounds vaguely like Bea.

    ““Bea!””

    “How do you feel?” I ask as I snap my head in her direction. I had been looking at Flannery as the symptoms started to die down. I was taking the chance to enjoy looking at her nude body which she gladly started to model for me.

    “Like the track at a Rhyhorn race”

    “Tell me about it, I told her the same thing last time.” Flannery remarks with a smug smile.

    “You should feel right as rain after a few hours of sleep.” “That we should be getting to soon.” “Yes, that we should get to soon. Luckily it is still before midnight so we can catch a few hours before we hit the road again.”

    Bea gives the two of us a look that we just return with a smile. She rolls her eyes and grabs the edge of the tub in order to stand up. An offkey groan, like the sound of some material being overstressed, echoes through the room and we all freeze. My sharp hearing tells me that the sound came from around the tub and when I look over I can see the sides flexing under Bea’s thumbs.

    “Bea stop!” I call out quickly. I see her flinch slightly, which causes a crumbling sound that you ignore for the moment. “Try to relax your grip...” I say softly, “It looks like you have gotten stronger.” She looks at me with an inquisitive stare before looking down at the tub.

    “Oh.”

    “Yeah...” I sigh then smile at her warmly. “I was not nearly as strong as you were when I went through my unlocking, and you were as strong as I currently am. I think it is safe to say fighting is in your blood?” That gets a giggle out of my two friends as I glance over to Flannery. “Love, can you grab a rope for me? Maybe we can get her out of the tub without breaking anything.”

    Bea gives me a flat look and sits down in the tub gingerly, making sure that she doesn’t attempt to break anything else. A few seconds later and Flannery returns with a neon green rope that I can tell came from my bag. I raise an eyebrow at her but she just winks at me as she unwinds the rope before tossing an end to Bea.

    Movement at my side stirs my sleep-addled brain from its slumber. I snuggle into the cinnamon scented warmness beside me not wanting to get up quite yet. Unfortunately, the movement on the bed behind me decides that now is a good time. I crack an eye open and peer over my shoulder to see what is going on, only to see a silver-haired mocha colored muscular goddess getting off the bed. I stare at that sexy muscular back and toned ass for a while as my brain finishes booting to life.

    “Morning Bea.” I whisper, hoping not to disturb my cuddly mate.

    “Mornin’.” Bea responds quietly as she starts going through her forms again. There is something about how she moves from one move to the next in a fluid grace that keeps drawing your eye. The way her muscles flexed under her skin, the unashamed showing of all her assets, the look of concentration on her face. Any one of those is enough to turn heads, but the combination is something delectable to watch. I feel Flannery snuggle into me more and move her head to rest on my shoulder to watch as well.

    “I don’t think she had that much grace before,” she whispers into my ear, her lips brushing against it softly.

    “I think she has a bit of water in her. I’m not sure how else the hints of blue would show otherwise.” I reply and softly grab her ear with my lips. I feel a gentle rumble come from her, not unsimilar to a purr.

    “Makes sense, it would also describe the grace. Careful~ you are playing with fire~. Each of her moves just flows into the next.” She purrs back to me and nips at my ear as well.

    “Alright lovebirds, time to get up! It is already much later than normal for us.” Bea calls out to us.

    “Fine~”

    “Spoilsport.”

    The two of us slip out of bed and give Bea a smile before walking up to her and giving her a big hug. The three of us enjoy the hug for a long moment before pulling away. I make sure to trap my lover''s hand with mine as we pull back and I flash her a small smile that she returns. The three of us just stand there for a moment until the sound of an empty stomach makes itself known. We bust out into a fit of giggles for a moment before calming down.

    “I guess that means breakfast?” I ask with a playful smile.

    “Oh yeah. After last night I am feeling ravenous.” Bea responds, a big goofy grin on her face.

    “I think we all need something after our workout last night.” Flannery chimes in.

    “Then let’s go!” I call as I walk towards the door. Just as I am about to open it, my hand it caught by Flannery.

    “How about we get ready and take a shower first, hmm?”

    “Shower together?”

    “Is there another way?”

    “Nope.”