The late afternoon sun, a bruised plum against the horizon, cast long, distorted shadows across Catarina Claes’s beloved farm patch. The air, still warm from a day of relentless warmth, carried the scent of rich earth, ripening tomatoes, and the sweet, almost cloying perfume of night-blooming jasmine that twined around the old garden shed. Catarina, usually humming a cheerful, slightly off-key tune while tending to her crops, found herself unusually quiet, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. Her mind, usually a chaotic whirlwind of doom flags and snack strategies, was instead preoccupied with a different, far more captivating presence.

Maria Campbell, her golden hair shimmering like spun moonlight even in the fading light, knelt beside her, carefully staking a young bean plant. Her movements were graceful, her brow furrowed in a gentle concentration that Catarina found herself inexplicably drawn to. Every now and then, Maria’s hand would brush against Catarina’s, a fleeting contact that sent an unexpected jolt through the alleged villainess. These weren’t the casual brushes of friends working side-by-side; there was an almost magnetic pull, a lingering warmth that settled deep in Catarina’s bones.

“Are you… alright, Lady Catarina?” Maria’s voice was soft, laced with a familiar concern that always melted a little of Catarina’s infamous mental barriers. Her blue eyes, usually so bright and innocent, seemed to hold a deeper, unreadable intensity tonight. “You seem a little… distracted.”

Catarina nearly jumped, her heart giving a nervous flutter against her ribs. She was indeed distracted. Distracted by the way the light played in Maria’s hair, by the delicate curve of her neck as she bent, by the gentle rise and fall of her chest beneath her simple farming tunic. It was a distraction unlike any doom flag scenario she’d ever encountered in her past life’s memories of My Next Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom. This distraction felt… pleasant, yet terrifyingly thrilling.

“Oh! Ah, yes, Maria! Just… thinking about the optimal spacing for these potatoes!” Catarina stammered, gesturing vaguely at the earth with her dirt-caked trowel. It was a flimsy excuse, even by her standards, and Maria’s soft chuckle told her it hadn’t fooled the kind-hearted heroine for a second. Maria’s laugh was like wind chimes in a gentle breeze, a sound that always soothed Catarina, but tonight it seemed to resonate with a new, unfamiliar melody within her.

Maria straightened up, her expression softening even further as she gazed at Catarina. The last slivers of sunlight caught her profile, turning her into a silhouette of pure grace. “You work so hard, Lady Catarina. Sometimes I worry you push yourself too much.” She reached out, her fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair from Catarina’s forehead, leaving a trail of unexpected heat in its wake. “You even have a little smudge of dirt here.”

Catarina froze, her breath catching in her throat as Maria’s thumb, warm and incredibly soft, wiped away the offending smudge. The contact lingered, a feather-light caress against her skin, sending shivers down her spine that had nothing to do with the cooling evening air. Maria’s eyes, so close now, were pools of deep, unspoken emotion, reflecting the twilight sky and something else entirely – a yearning that Catarina, for all her legendary denseness, couldn’t quite ignore tonight.

“Maria…?” Catarina whispered, her voice barely audible. Her mind, usually so adept at conjuring elaborate escape plans or imagining confectionery delights, was utterly blank, save for the intense awareness of Maria’s presence, her scent – fresh earth, a hint of wildflowers, and something uniquely sweet and intoxicating.

“Catarina,” Maria murmured, her voice a little thicker, a little more fragile than usual. Her hand slid from Catarina’s forehead down to her cheek, her thumb now tracing the curve of her jawline. “Please, just… Catarina.” The intimacy of the name, spoken with such tender urgency, sent another wave of shivers through Catarina, though these felt different, warmer, deeper.

The air crackled with an unspoken tension, an electric current that seemed to thrum between them. Catarina’s heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat that echoed in her ears. This wasn't a doom flag she could avoid by planting more fields or eating more sweets. This was something entirely new, entirely overwhelming, and for the first time in a long time, Catarina felt utterly lost, yet strangely, thrillingly hopeful.

Maria’s gaze dropped to Catarina’s lips, her own parting slightly as she leaned in, slow and deliberate, giving Catarina every opportunity to pull away. But Catarina found she couldn’t. Her feet felt rooted to the ground, not in fear, but in an insistent, blossoming curiosity, a deep-seated desire she hadn’t even realized she possessed. The world outside their small, jasmine-scented bubble seemed to fade away, leaving only the sound of their ragged breaths and the frantic rhythm of Catarina’s heart.

Their lips met, a tentative, feather-light brush that sent a gasp escaping Catarina’s throat. Maria’s lips were impossibly soft, tasting faintly of the fruit she’d likely been eating earlier, and something else, something intensely sweet and purely Maria. It was a kiss that started with hesitant curiosity and quickly deepened into something far more fervent. Maria’s hand, still cupping Catarina’s cheek, tilted her head slightly, allowing their mouths to fit together with a natural ease that startled Catarina.

A soft moan escaped Catarina’s throat as Maria deepened the kiss, her tongue tracing the seam of Catarina’s lips, a silent plea. Without conscious thought, Catarina’s lips parted, inviting Maria in. The world tilted on its axis as Maria’s tongue, warm and insistent, met hers, exploring, caressing, igniting a fire within Catarina that quickly spread through her veins. Her hands, still clutching the trowel moments ago, found purchase on Maria’s shoulders, gripping tightly as if to anchor herself in this dizzying new sensation.

Maria’s kiss was everything Catarina hadn't known she was missing – gentle yet demanding, sweet yet fiercely passionate. It was a promise, a confession, a silent symphony of longing. Catarina, usually so oblivious, felt every nuance, every tremor in Maria’s body pressed against hers. She felt Maria’s hands slide from her face, down her neck, over her shoulders, then wrap around her waist, pulling her flush against her. The sudden proximity, the warmth of Maria’s body against hers, sent a wave of exhilarating pleasure through Catarina, making her knees feel weak.

Breaking the kiss with a soft sigh, Maria rested her forehead against Catarina’s, her breath warm against Catarina’s lips. Her eyes, now sparkling with unshed tears and a potent mix of relief and desire, gazed up at Catarina. “I… I love you, Catarina. I have for so long. Every moment we spend together, every kindness you show, every silly thing you say… it just makes me fall deeper.” Her voice was a raw, trembling confession, tearing at Catarina’s heart in the most beautiful way.

Catarina’s mind reeled, a kaleidoscope of past interactions flashing before her eyes. The times Maria had brought her baked goods, the way she always laughed at Catarina’s farming antics, the quiet support she offered when Catarina fretted about doom flags. It all clicked into place, a sudden, blinding revelation. This wasn't just friendship. This was deeper, more profound, and Catarina, for the first time, felt a matching ache of longing in her own chest. Her infamous denseness, it seemed, had finally met its match.

“Maria…” Catarina whispered, her own voice thick with emotion. She reached up, her dirt-stained fingers gently touching Maria’s cheek, mirroring Maria’s earlier gesture. “I… I think I love you too.” The words, spoken aloud, felt incredibly right, a truth she hadn’t dared to acknowledge until this very moment. A hesitant, almost shy smile touched her lips. “I just… I didn’t realize it was… this.”

Maria’s face broke into a radiant smile, tears finally spilling down her cheeks, but they were tears of pure joy. She leaned in again, this time a more urgent, desperate kiss, full of the relief and happiness of a long-held dream finally coming true. Catarina responded with an unexpected ferocity, her arms tightening around Maria’s waist, pulling her even closer, desperate to feel every inch of her. The initial hesitancy had vanished, replaced by a blossoming, eager desire.

The jasmine-scented air grew heavy around them as Maria’s hands began to explore, tracing the gentle curve of Catarina’s back, her fingers slipping beneath the hem of Catarina’s worn farming tunic. A shiver, distinctly pleasurable, coursed through Catarina. Maria pulled back slightly, her gaze raking over Catarina’s flushed face, her eyes alight with a hungry passion. “Can we… go inside, Catarina? To the shed?” Her voice was a husky murmur, barely a whisper.

Catarina nodded, breathless, her eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The shed, usually a place for tools and bags of seeds, suddenly felt like a secret sanctuary, a hidden haven for their burgeoning desire. Maria took her hand, her fingers interlacing with Catarina’s, and led her towards the small wooden structure, the setting sun casting their intertwined shadows before them.

Inside, the shed was surprisingly cozy, dimly lit by the last vestiges of twilight filtering through the dusty window. The air was thick with the scent of dried herbs and rich earth. Maria gently pushed the door closed, plunging them into a deeper intimacy, the faint creak echoing in the sudden silence. She turned, her eyes finding Catarina’s in the gloom, and a slow, sensuous smile spread across her face, radiating warmth and pure desire.

“Catarina,” Maria breathed, stepping closer, her hands going to the buttons of Catarina’s tunic. Her touch was light, deliberate, sending sparks dancing across Catarina’s skin. “Let me… take care of you.”

Catarina watched, mesmerized, as Maria’s nimble fingers worked the buttons, one by one. Her heart thumped a frantic rhythm against her ribs, a mixture of nerves and overwhelming anticipation. She felt her tunic loosen, the cool air touching her skin as Maria gently pushed the fabric from her shoulders. It fell to the floor in a soft heap, leaving Catarina clad only in her thin chemise and breeches. A blush, fierce and immediate, flooded Catarina’s cheeks, but Maria’s gaze was one of pure admiration, devoid of judgment, only intense adoration.

Maria’s hands smoothed over Catarina’s bare shoulders, sending another wave of goosebumps through her. “You’re beautiful, Catarina,” she whispered, her voice husky with desire. Her fingers traced the delicate curve of Catarina’s collarbone, then slowly, tantalizingly, moved down to the ribbon closure of her chemise. Catarina’s breath hitched in her throat as Maria’s fingers untied the bow, the soft fabric parting to reveal the swell of her breasts. Maria’s eyes darkened, her gaze lingering on the creamy skin revealed beneath the lace.

With a slow, deliberate movement, Maria pushed the chemise down, baring Catarina’s breasts to the dim light. Catarina gasped, her hands instinctively coming up to cover herself, but Maria gently took her wrists, pulling them away, her gaze unwavering. “Don’t hide,” Maria murmured, her thumb brushing against the sensitive peak of one breast, making Catarina arch her back with a soft moan. The sensation was exquisite, a tingling heat that spread outwards from the point of contact.

Maria lowered her head, her warm breath caressing Catarina’s nipple before her lips closed around it, a soft, suckling pull that sent a shockwave of pleasure straight to Catarina’s core. Catarina cried out, a raw, uncontrolled sound that surprised even herself. Her fingers tangled in Maria’s golden hair, holding her close as Maria continued to lavish attention on her, alternating between gentle suckling and teasing nips that sent shivers of delight through Catarina’s entire body. Each sensation was heightened, amplified, as if all her senses had suddenly awoken to this new, thrilling world.

Maria’s free hand explored, tracing the line of Catarina’s ribs, then moving down to the waistband of her breeches. With surprising dexterity, she unfastened them, pushing the fabric down over Catarina’s hips, revealing the soft curve of her stomach, then her inner thighs. Catarina’s legs trembled, her modesty warring with the overwhelming tide of pleasure that was consuming her. But Maria’s touch was so tender, so reverent, that any lingering shyness quickly dissolved into pure, unadulterated desire.

Kneeling before Catarina, Maria slowly slid the breeches down, pausing to press a kiss to Catarina’s bare knee, then her inner thigh. Catarina gasped, her eyes fluttering closed as a rush of heat pooled between her legs. Maria’s lips continued their journey, feather-light kisses trailing upwards, closer and closer to the throbbing center of Catarina’s desire. Catarina's hips instinctively tilted forward, a silent, desperate plea for more. The anticipation was almost unbearable, a delicious torment.

And then, Maria was there. Her warm breath ghosted over Catarina’s sensitive flesh before her tongue, soft and insistent, made contact. Catarina cried out, a broken sob of pure ecstasy as Maria began to tease and taste her. It was an assault of pure sensation, utterly overwhelming yet impossibly sweet. Maria’s tongue flicked, swirled, then settled on her clitoris, sending jolts of unimaginable pleasure through Catarina. Her legs felt like jelly, and she would have surely collapsed if Maria hadn't steadied her with a hand on her hip.

“Oh, Maria… Maria…!” Catarina gasped, her fingers tangling in Maria’s hair again, pulling gently as the sensations intensified. Each lick, each suck, each delicate nibble sent her closer and closer to an unknown precipice. Her body was wracked with shivers, a delicious tension building to an unbearable peak. She could feel herself clenching, tightening, every muscle in her body preparing for release. Her hips bucked involuntarily, arching into Maria’s ministrations, desperate for the exquisite torment to continue.

Maria, ever attuned to Catarina’s reactions, intensified her rhythm, her tongue working with practiced expertise, driving Catarina higher and higher. Catarina’s knees finally gave out, and Maria expertly guided her down onto a pile of soft sacks, cushioned with a discarded, clean canvas, that usually held dried lavender and chamomile. The faint scent of the herbs mingled with the heady aroma of their arousal, creating an intoxicating atmosphere. Now lying back, Catarina could fully surrender to the pleasure, her legs splayed open, offering herself completely to Maria’s passionate assault.

Wave after wave of pure, unadulterated pleasure washed over Catarina. Her mind, usually so cluttered, was now a blank canvas, painted only with the vibrant colours of Maria’s touch, the sound of her own gasps and moans. “I’m… I’m going to…!” she whimpered, her voice strangled with building ecstasy. Maria worked her magic, relentlessly, perfectly, until Catarina’s entire body tensed, an electrical current shooting through her before she exploded in a glorious, shattering climax. Her back arched, her legs trembled uncontrollably, and a long, drawn-out cry of pure bliss escaped her lips as her world dissolved into a kaleidoscope of glittering stars.

Maria continued to kiss and lick, tasting Catarina’s sweet release, until Catarina’s shudders slowly subsided, leaving her breathless and wonderfully sated, yet already yearning for more of Maria’s touch. Maria finally pulled away, her face flushed, her eyes shining with triumph and deep love. She leaned over Catarina, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “You taste so sweet, my Catarina.”

Catarina, still panting, gazed up at Maria with newfound awe and adoration. “Maria… that was… incredible.” She reached out, her hands tracing the lines of Maria’s face, then her shoulders, pulling her down for a proper kiss. This kiss was deep, tender, and full of the profound gratitude and love that had bloomed so unexpectedly within her. “Now… it’s your turn.”

Maria smiled, a shy, beautiful smile that melted Catarina’s heart. She began to shed her own clothes, her movements more self-conscious than Catarina’s had been, yet still imbued with a captivating grace. Her tunic, then her breeches, joined Catarina’s on the dusty floor, revealing a body that was slender, toned from her own work in the garden, and utterly captivating. Catarina’s eyes devoured her, tracing the delicate curve of her hips, the soft swell of her breasts. Maria’s nipples, now taut and inviting, beckoned to Catarina. The sight stirred a fresh wave of desire in Catarina, astonishing her with its intensity.

“Come here, Maria,” Catarina commanded, a new confidence in her voice, a boldness she never knew she possessed. She pulled Maria down onto the makeshift bed, wrapping her arms around her, pressing soft, lingering kisses along Maria’s neck, her shoulders, then finally, her lips. This was a different kind of passion now, fueled by a shared understanding, a mutual longing. Catarina, the supposed villainess, found herself utterly lost in the exquisite reality of loving Maria.

Catarina’s hands, now free to explore, roamed over Maria’s body, marveling at the softness of her skin, the subtle curves and valleys. She felt Maria shiver beneath her touch, her breath catching in her throat as Catarina’s fingers brushed against her breasts. Catarina took a cue from Maria’s earlier ministrations, gently suckling one of Maria’s nipples, then the other, delighting in the soft moans that escaped Maria’s lips. She felt a fierce protectiveness, a profound tenderness, for this beautiful woman who had shattered her defenses and shown her a world beyond doom flags and gardening.

Maria arched into Catarina’s touch, her hands finding purchase in Catarina’s thick, brown hair, pulling gently. “Catarina… oh, Catarina…” she gasped, her voice thick with building pleasure. Catarina’s lips left Maria’s breasts, trailing kisses down her stomach, her hands exploring lower, finding the warm, wet folds of Maria’s womanhood. Maria was slick and ready, her body trembling with anticipation. Catarina reveled in the power of her touch, the knowledge that she could bring Maria such intense pleasure.

Catarina’s fingers explored Maria’s core, delighting in the soft groans that Maria let out with each touch. She found Maria’s clitoris, swollen and throbbing, and began to gently caress it, mimicking the actions Maria had performed on her. Maria cried out, a desperate, yearning sound, her hips rising off the sacks, pressing into Catarina’s hand. Catarina increased the pressure, teasing and pleasuring Maria until she too was writhing beneath her, her body building towards another glorious peak.

“Please, Catarina, more… I need more…” Maria begged, her voice raw with desire. Her eyes, wide and luminous, pleaded with Catarina. Catarina leaned down, pressing a fervent kiss to Maria’s lips, tasting her own burgeoning excitement mingled with Maria’s sweet arousal. With a shared glance, a silent agreement, Catarina shifted, positioning herself above Maria, her own throbbing heat pressed against Maria’s entrance.

Slowly, hesitantly, Catarina guided herself into Maria. A soft gasp escaped both their lips as their bodies finally connected, a deep, exquisite joining that sent a fresh wave of desire through them. Catarina’s mind, usually so concerned with avoiding doom flags, was now focused solely on this profound, sensual connection. The warmth, the tightness, the sheer, overwhelming sensation of being one with Maria was unlike anything she had ever experienced.

Catarina began to move, slowly at first, tentatively exploring the depths of Maria’s body. Maria met her thrusts, arching her hips, her legs wrapping around Catarina’s waist, pulling her deeper. The friction, the heat, the rhythmic pounding of their bodies against each other built to a fever pitch. Each movement was a shared breath, a whispered confession, a deepening of their bond. Catarina felt Maria clench around her, a delicious tightening that drove her to move faster, harder, wanting to give Maria every ounce of pleasure she deserved.

Their moans mingled in the small, intimate space of the shed, a symphony of shared passion. Catarina leaned down, pressing soft kisses along Maria’s collarbone, her jaw, her lips, murmuring incoherent words of love and adoration. “Maria… my Maria… you’re so beautiful… so tight… I love you so much.” Each word was punctuated by a deep thrust, driving Maria closer to the edge. Maria, her eyes hazy with pleasure, looked up at Catarina, her love shining brightly. “Catarina… oh, my love… don’t stop… please…”

The pace quickened, their bodies slick with sweat, their breaths ragged. The sheer intensity of the sensations was almost unbearable, pushing them both closer and closer to oblivion. Catarina felt the familiar tension building within her again, mirroring Maria’s own rising passion. She met Maria’s frantic thrusts, matching her rhythm, pouring every ounce of her love and desire into each movement. The world outside, the looming doom flags, the worries of her past life – all faded into blissful insignificance. There was only Maria, only this moment, only the raw, visceral connection between them.

With a shared cry, a simultaneous gasp, they both shattered, their bodies convulsing in a powerful, earth-shattering orgasm. Catarina collapsed against Maria, her head buried in the crook of Maria’s neck, both of them trembling uncontrollably. The aftershocks rippled through them, leaving them breathless and utterly spent, yet filled with a profound sense of peace and belonging. The scent of jasmine, earth, and their combined arousal filled the shed, a potent reminder of the incredible journey they had just taken together.

They lay intertwined for a long time, their bodies still pressed together, their skin slowly cooling. Catarina gently stroked Maria’s hair, pressing soft kisses to her temple. Maria nestled closer, her head resting on Catarina’s chest, listening to the steady beat of her heart. “I never… I never imagined anything like this,” Maria whispered, her voice still a little hoarse, a content sigh escaping her lips. “It was… everything.”

Catarina smiled, a genuine, radiant smile that reached her eyes. “Me neither, Maria. I thought… I thought I was only good for causing trouble, or avoiding doom flags, or growing vegetables.” She chuckled softly. “But this… this is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever experienced. My Next Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom always had an ending, but this… this feels like a brand new beginning.” She tightened her arms around Maria, pulling her even closer. “Thank you, Maria. For showing me this.”

Maria looked up, her blue eyes shining with love and tenderness. “Thank you, Catarina. For letting me. For finally seeing me… and feeling this with me.” She reached up, gently cupping Catarina’s face, and pressed a tender, loving kiss to her lips. It was a kiss of promise, of forever, a silent vow exchanged in the intimate twilight of their secret garden shed. The night was still young, and in each other’s arms, under the watchful gaze of the moon and the sweet scent of jasmine, Catarina Claes and Maria Campbell had found a love more precious than any treasure, a happiness more profound than any victory against fate.