The Hunter's Serenade Ch. 02

"These are Medstims. Make sure Kira takes two puffs once she starts feeling pain in her head and two more every three hours after that. Remember the dosage, and have her take it until you use them all up. This should boost neural transmission and alleviate any burning sensation she may feel in her head from the neural transition. Oh, and could you do me a favor and send me reports on Kira's condition? It's for scientific purposes of course. What we did here is truly groundbreaking." Sev nodded, acknowledging his instructions.

Outside the institute, Sev, Serina, and now Kira conveyed their thanks and said their final goodbyes to the director. Returning to the ship, Kira gazed at the familiar vessel in her newfound human form. It looked both familiar and alien to her. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of Sev and Serina's bunk. A flutter of anticipation surged in her chest, sparking a curiosity about what it would be like to be there, especially with Sev.

Sev, on his way to the cockpit, affectionately patted Kira on the head, eliciting a happy hum from her. Meanwhile, Serina observed the newly-human Kira. Delighted to see Kira's dream fulfilled, she couldn't help but wonder how their dynamic would shift with a third person now in the mix.

Then, a spark of jealousy ignited within Serina as she realized that, now that Kira was a woman as well, she might demand additional attention from Sev. Squinting at the gray-haired girl, who was innocently exploring her surroundings, Serina shook off the momentary distraction and approached Kira.

"So, Kira, how does it feel to be human?" she curiously inquired, bracing her hand on her hip.

"It feels great!" Kira happily exclaimed. "But everything seems so overwhelming right now. I still have so much to learn, like remembering to breathe, eat, and adapt to my new functions." Blushing with embarrassment, Kira added, "Oh, since we're both... you know... girls... Could you teach me what that's like?"

"Um, well, heh," Serina uneasily chuckled, uncertain of how to respond. "What do you already know?" Kira proceeded to share everything she knew about being a woman, which made for a somewhat awkward conversation. Serina did her best to explain the intricacies of being female, navigating the conversation with a mix of embarrassment and humor.

Serina shared some of her own experiences, providing practical advice and insights while trying to make the conversation as comfortable as possible. The two women engaged in a lighthearted exchange, exploring the nuances of femininity and forming a unique bond that extended beyond their shared connection with Sev.

Swiveling his head around, Sev spotted Serina and Kira sitting next to each other on the bunk, engaged in what appeared to be a pleasant conversation. A small grin formed under his helmet as he observed them getting along. Given the occasional tension in their relationship, he'd entertained some reservations about how things might unfold with Kira now in the mix. But, at least at the outset, things appeared to be going well.

Sev reacted with concern when Kira suddenly winced in pain, grabbing her temples. Serina, noticing the distress, tilted her head in concern. The burning sensation in Kira's brain seemed to escalate, prompting Sev to take quick action. Retrieving one of the Medstims, he approached Kira and raised the medication to her lips. Understanding his intent, she wrapped her soft lips around the nozzle.

"Take a deep breath," Sev instructed. Kira followed his guidance, holding onto his wrist and inhaling deeply. "Again," he prompted. Another deep breath, and gradually, the burning sensation in her brain subsided, and she returned to a more normal state.

Pulling the inhaler away, Kira sighed in relief. Her eyelids felt heavy as she attempted to sit up straight. "I feel weird, boss..." she said in a tired voice.

"You're sleepy, Kira," Sev declared. Turning to him, she nodded slowly. "I think it would be best if you rested. You've had a long day," he insisted.

"Okay..." Kira obediently replied.

As he helped Kira up, Serina couldn't help but squint up at the two of them interacting so closely with each other. "Um, Sev?" Serina called out. He turned his head to look at her. "Where is she going to sleep? We don't have an extra bunk lying around here." Sev stopped to ponder this valid question.

"Our bunk should be big enough for the three of us," he suggested. Kira and Serina blushed heavily at his proposition.

"Eh?! You want us to sleep together??" Serina exclaimed.

"If you think it will be too cramped, I don't have to sleep there, so you two can have more room. It's not like I sleep all that much anyway," Sev replied. Serina squinted and shot a glare at him from behind her visor. She didn't like the prospect of sleeping apart from her man.

"Um, that won't be necessary! You can sleep with us. I don't mind," Kira chimed in, fiddling with her thumbs in mild chagrin. "It's your ship, your rules." Serina's attention shifted to Kira, eyeing her suspiciously. She seemed a little too eager.

"No, no, it's fine. I'll give you two more space," Sev insisted.

"No, it's fine, boss. I certainly don't mind sleeping with you. It will be fine," Kira continued to prod. Serina's amber eyes burned with suspicion. As a woman, she understood Kira's intentions, her frustration with Sev's naivety only increasing.

"Well... okay," he agreed. Serina wanted to scream at him but held back, recognizing that he was just trying to be kind to his newly-human AI companion.

"Hey! I never agreed to any of this!" Serina exclaimed. Sev looked at her and shook his head, seemingly dismissing her opinion. "No, don't do that! Don't ignore me, Sev."

"I have some important matters to attend to, so you go ahead and sleep," Sev informed them, once again ignoring Serina's protests. Kira nodded, while Serina's eyes burned with frustration. "Serina, can you give her some sleeping clothes to wear?" Serina's eyes widened, feeling like she was being ordered around.

"What? Why would I do that?" she questioned.

"So she can sleep," he replied, chuckling. His tone turned serious as he added, "I'm not asking by the way." He shot her an intense stare through her matching gold visor. "And you should get some sleep, too. You get cranky when you're tired. That isn't a suggestion either."

Serina's mouth hung open in disbelief as she took in Sev's sudden authoritative tone. He typically allowed her to do as she pleased, but now he was being more domineering. Despite her desire to protest, she couldn't ignore the fact that, at the end of the day, she was his woman.

Suppressing a quiet snarl, Serina nodded in agreement and gently led Kira toward the sleeping area. "Come on, let's get you settled for the night," she muttered.

Rummaging through her drawer, Serina handed Kira a modest tank top and shorts, regretting the lack of more conservative options in her wardrobe. "Take your clothes off so you can put these on. I won't look," she instructed. Kira nodded and began to undress. Meanwhile, Serina efficiently removed her Hyperium armor.

As Serina placed her final piece of armor on the nearby rack, she turned to see Kira dressed in her sleepwear. Blushing slightly at the sight of the revealing attire, Serina noticed that Kira had neatly folded her discarded clothes, including her undergarments.

"Why did you take your underwear off?" Serina questioned pointedly.

"Oh, was I supposed to keep those on? You told me to undress," Kira replied innocently. "I can put them back on if you want." She started to adjust her tank top. Blushing even harder, Serina reached out and gently stopped her.

"No need for that!" she exclaimed. "Just remember to keep those on." Serina drew in a deep breath, taking a moment to collect herself.

Rubbing her chin in contemplation, Kira asked, "But it feels much more comfortable like this. Do I have to? I mean, you don't wear your underwear when you sleep." Serina sighed, grappling with the unexpected point Kira had raised. It was a difficult one to refute, but it left her feeling a bit uneasy about how observant Kira was.

"Ugh... well, you... don't have to wear all of your underwear," Serina stammered, finding it difficult to articulate. "But at least wear your panties for the sake of modesty." She shifted uncomfortably.

Kira nodded happily and began to pull her shorts down, prompting Serina to hurriedly stop her. "Wait, Kira! Not right now. Next time," Serina said, a mixture of surprise and awkwardness in her voice. The realization that Kira, as an AI in a human body, was still learning about social norms added an extra layer of complexity to their interactions.

Before peeling off her undersuit, Serina ordered Kira to look away. Despite Serina's directive, Kira couldn't help but steal a glance at Serina's appealing form as she slipped into a t-shirt and a revealing pair of shorts. "Come on, let me teach you how to freshen up," Serina commanded, taking Kira's hand and guiding her toward the washroom compartment of the ship.

As they freshened up, Sev diligently prepped the ship for launch. Frustration furrowed his brow as he manually managed all of the ship's systems, missing the efficiency Kira typically provided. A tinge of regret lingered within him but, with a resigned sigh, he continued to navigate the challenges at hand.

After directing the ship's climb into orbit, Sev set a course for Redshift-9. Now that he had become responsible for an additional person's well-being, he realized the necessity of acquiring additional gear and equipment. However, it was clear that Kira, with her innocence and lack of experience, wouldn't be ready for fieldwork, at least for the foreseeable future. It seemed best for her to stay on the ship and assist Sev in conducting operations remotely.

As the ship plunged into jump space, Sev stood and went over to his weapons locker. As he did, however, he caught a glimpse of Serina and Kira about to retire to bed. His eyes widened under his helmet at the sight of them in such revealing attire.

The two women stood closely together. Kira's gray hair was pulled back by a cute headband and his lover's moist short black hair was wrapped in a towel. Both women were tall: Serina, standing at 5'7", was just slightly taller than Kira's 5'6". Sev couldn't help but feel a bit stirred by the presence of two such attractive women. However, he quickly shook his head, feeling a tad embarrassed to be thinking about the physical appeal of his long-time AI companion. It felt foreign and peculiar.

But like any warm-blooded man, Sev couldn't resist letting his eyes linger over their feminine features—their perfect curves and long legs. "Stop with the eyeing, perv," Serina teased, flashing a mischievous smirk at her armored warrior standing there awkwardly. She could practically sense where his gaze was, despite the reflective visor of his helmet.

"I don't mind him looking," Kira chimed in innocently. Serina's grin vanished as she shot Kira a stern look. A twinge of jealousy flashed in her amber eyes as she realized that Sev might be checking out Kira as well. Unwilling to entertain the notion of her lover's attention straying, even if it was to a close companion, she promptly tugged Kira into the bunk and slid the curtain shut.

Sev stood there, his mind swirling as he contemplated Kira's presence. He had always considered her a very close companion. However, now that she had been embodied in an alluring human form, a mixture of emotions washed over him. Their chemistry had always been great, but he felt a strange attraction surging within him at being confronted with her real and tangible form. It felt both wrong and, at the same time, strangely natural. The longstanding line that had prevailed between their AI and human natures was blurring, their existing dynamic was shifting, and a complex interplay of emotions was emerging. Sev was left to grapple with this unexpected shift in their relationship.

A while later, having checked the final item off of his to-do list, Sev decided it was time to retire. Shedding his armor, he donned his sleep attire—a simple t-shirt and shorts. After freshening up, he made his way to the bunk and carefully slid the curtain aside. His eyes widened with amusement to see Kira passed out with her body draped over a peacefully sleeping Serina. It struck him as cute, the way Kira hugged Serina closely in her sleep like they were siblings.

Carefully sliding into bed, Sev closed the curtain behind him, his right arm brushing against Kira, who now found herself sandwiched between him and Serina. Admittedly, it was a bit cramped, but the coziness of the arrangement felt strangely comforting.

As he settled in, Kira suddenly rolled off of Serina and, seemingly subconsciously, hugged Sev. His heart raced as she draped her leg over his lap and pressed her supple chest against his muscular arm. That warm feeling of attraction again swelled within his chest as he watched the pretty gray-haired girl sleeping peacefully. The close quarters seemed to amplify the complex emotions stirring within him, filling the night both with comfort and a tinge of unexpected intimacy.

As Sev attempted to divert his thoughts from Kira, she began to purr and hum with contentment into his chest, making it increasingly challenging for him to concentrate on getting to sleep. Her physical closeness and the soothing sounds she was making stirred a mix of emotions within him, creating a subtle distraction from the intended tranquility of the moment. Eventually, Sev drifted asleep in the close company of his two attractive companions.

-

Slowly waking up from her slumber, Kira yawned, feeling a sense of unfamiliar sluggishness. Sleeping was a new experience for her; the closest comparison was when she entered hibernation in her AI form.

As she tried to move, Kira realized she was being held down by something strong. Attempting to free herself proved futile. Rubbing her turquoise eyes, she groaned, feeling a warm presence behind her and a big hand curled around her breast. Swiveling her gaze to look behind her, her eyes widened as she realized that it was Sev who hugged her from behind. His usually serious face seemed calm and peaceful in sleep.

Kira wanted to say something, but the warmth of Sev's presence urged her to remain silent. This was a moment she had secretly yearned for since she had begun fantasizing about being with him. She grinned and hummed happily, relishing the intimacy of the moment. However, the hand on her breast sparked unfamiliar sensations that were strangely stirring. Kira could sense herself heating up, and an itch formed deep inside her body, awakening sensations she had never before experienced.

As if on instinct, Kira found herself pushing her hips back against Sev's crotch. Involuntarily biting her lip, she mewled against his warmth. Uncertain about her actions, she didn't fully comprehend what she was doing, but one thing was undeniable: it felt good.

This continued for a bit until she let out a quiet squeal, feeling something hard against her rear cheeks. Her heart pounded as she realized what it had to be and a rush of exhilaration coursed through her body. Indulging in her little naughty moment, she rested her hand on Sev's and silently beckoned him to squeeze her breast, eliciting a small moan from her soft lips.

Kira continued to moan and grind against Sev, completely lost in the moment, oblivious to the potential of waking him up. However, her enjoyment was abruptly interrupted when she noticed Serina shifting her body to face her. Kira froze in fear as Serina's amber eyes half-opened upon the intimate scene of her lover closely hugging another woman.

Hoping against hope that Serina hadn't fully comprehended the situation, Kira attempted to articulate an explanation before breaking free of Sev's grasp. But it was too late. As Serina's amber eyes burned with rage and jealousy, Kira instinctively reached out and covered the raven-haired girl's mouth, preventing her from saying anything. The air filled with tension as the two women found themselves entangled in an unexpected and complicated situation.

"MPPHHMMPPHH!" Serina tried to say, but Kira kept her hand firmly over her mouth. Panic and terror gripped Kira as she feared what Serina might do in response to these unexpected events.

Serina reached for Kira's hand and jerked it away from her mouth. "HE-," she tried to say again, but Kira silenced her with her other hand. Swiftly, Kira rolled away from Sev and got on top of Serina.

The female bounty hunter groaned and thrashed, expressing her frustration as Kira nervously kept her mouth shut. "Shhh, let me explain!" the newly-human girl quietly exclaimed, attempting to reason with Serina. But Serina wasn't having it. "Please! Just stop being so, augh, difficult! You're going to wake Sev!" Kira continued to try to hold Serina still, the atmosphere fraught with tension and the fear of waking their shared companion.

Serina was furious, yet taken aback by Kira's surprising strength. She continued to try to break free from her grasp but, sensing Sev's potential irritation if he were to be awakened, she reluctantly eased her resistance. "Augh, there... Are you done?" Kira sighed. Serina just glared at her and shook her head.

Kira, in return, flashed her a leer. Despite her frustration, she knew she owed Serina an explanation for her actions, in light of the tight companionship among the three shipmates. "Just listen," Kira began. "I'm telling the truth when I say this. Sev was already hugging me in his sleep when I woke up." Serina's eyes burned with denial and frustration. "But I have to admit... I took some liberties..." Kira shamefully conceded. "But it's not my fault! I felt all weird and hot. And I don't know what to do! Is this how you feel when he touches you? Because it feels... good..." The admission hung in the air, an uneasy revelation that added another layer of complexity to the tangled emotions in the small space of the bunk.

Feeling something wet pressing against her palm, Kira squealed and pulled her hand away from Serina's mouth. "Ew!, Gross, Serina!" she quietly exclaimed.

"Gah, that's what you get!" Serina hissed, retracting her tongue. "You better not be lying, Kira!"

"I'm not, everything I said was the truth! Sev was hugging me from behind, grabbing my, um, boob. And I got all weird and hot and began doing things on my own!" Kira repeated herself in desperation. Serina froze in bewilderment, but she could sense that Kira was telling the truth, even though she didn't want to admit it.

"Wait... he was already holding your boob??" Serina questioned. Kira slowly nodded her head out of embarrassment. "Ugh, Sev, you perv," she quietly muttered, a mix of annoyance and bemusement in her voice.

Serina lay there silently, lost in deep thought. "Ar- are you still mad at me?" Kira nervously asked.

"What? Yes! Ugh, no! I mean, maybe? Gah, I don't know. I want to be mad, but at the same time, it's not entirely your fault... You are still new to having your body, and those feelings are, well, completely normal," Serina sighed. "And, as for Sev hugging you like that... he usually does that for me... So it's likely he didn't mean anything by it. He probably thought that you were me." The atmosphere in the small space began to shift from tension to a hesitant understanding, as the complex dynamics of their relationships began to reveal themselves.

Kira nodded with relief, sensing that Serina wasn't too mad at her. Still exercising caution, they continued to awkwardly stare at each other as Kira remained seated on Serina.

"Um, can you get off of me now?" Serina inquired.

"Are you going to do something to me?" Kira cautiously replied. Serina rolled her eyes.