#yet again the same fellow I be using for my silly roleplay

[valcaine]

“it don’t bite” YES IT DO‼️‼️‼️‼️

[mmkin]

Spoken Truth (Ming-Hua x Ghazan)

Mingzan, because Mingzan. For my fellow Ming Hua x Ghazan fans. A fun, smutty one-shot. NSFW/18+ but no triggers. For those who prefer to read it on AO3, link is here. Story is included under the cut.

Spoken Truth

StrawberryCatBeans: Not only do I and my co-author Haefaciel have our Tahnorra ship in common, but we also love Mingzan, and just as we did for Tahnorra, we put our minds together for this delightful work you see before you. We actually started this years ago and are pleased as punch to finally be able to bring it to the eyes of our fellow Avatar and Mingzan fans. Enjoy!

HaefacielSmilingTitan: It was a pleasure to roleplay Ghazan and Ming Hua because they both had awesome character designs, and watching these baddies kick ass with lavabending and water arm tendrils was entertaining to watch. They work so well as a team. Bolin’s comment about an “unspoken” attraction between the two characters planted the idea that hey, maybe Ghazan had feelings for Ming Hua a long time ago and now he can express that interest. We gladly had these characters enjoy some loving because villains need love too, lol.

Avatar the Last Airbender/Legend of Korra does not belong to us and is the property of DiMartino, Koneitzko, and all other copyright holders of the franchise. No profit is made off this, we're just Avatar fans creating fun content for other Avatar fans! Feedback and reblogs are always appreciated.

I have another Ming Hua story, called Arming Oneself, that happens during her childhood/teenagehood. It’s a short 3-chapter story that can be seen as a prequel to this though I wrote the two projects separately. Reading it is not required, but if you like Ming Hua, there it is because there’s little enough Ming Hua content in the world.

Content Warning – NSFW/18+ content (all consensual) Ming Hua/Ghazan

The story is set after Bolin made his observations about Ming Hua and Ghazan and their unspoken attraction.

o0o0o0o

Ming Hua rose from the campfire after dinner, in more than a mood for a bath after their recent tussle with Mako and Bolin and their time with the Earth Queen. She glanced over at P’Li. "Want to join?” the Waterbender asked her friend.

"Not tonight, but thanks."

Ming Hua shrugged and nodded, going over to the pond that lay just beyond the trees and used her water-arms to start stripping herself as she thought about how Ghazan looked at her over dinner, remembering what Bolin had said about them. It was surprising how much truth there was in the young man’s words, at least when she was concerned. She’d admired Ghazan for years, and it felt good being around him again, even just as a friend.

She’d been lonely in the volcano, and had felt almost overwhelmed being with her friends again, and had chalked it off to the high of freedom. But it’d been a while now, and she still felt the same thrill around Ghazan.

Now stripped and her clothes in a safe place, Ming Hua slipped into the water, eyes closing as she felt her element envelop her. With the warm dusty air, the water was a cool welcome, and she felt her muscles relax as she floated in the water for a bit of time.

As Ghazan reclined near the fire, he thought about the teenage Earthbender's words about unspoken attraction. Had the kid just been joking, and his prediction was a silly game that turned out to be an amazing coincidence? Or had he seen something between Ming Hua and himself? Either way, his thoughts about Ming Hua seemed to take a sharper focus ever since that comment and how Ming Hua responded, looking away from him. Yet she seemed to like being around him and they got along. It was confusing. Ever since Bolin made his comment, there seemed to be a bit of a shift between the camaraderie he had with his longtime friend.

He rose to his feet and made his way through the woods, hearing the quiet splashing of the pond. He paused, realizing that purposefully coming across someone taking a bath could be – was – pervy.

Before joining the Red Lotus, Ghazan had wooed a few women. His relationships with those women didn't last long, but he knew what things to say and do that were likely to make a woman melt. Ming Hua wasn’t like most women, though. Would she find a pick-up line charming?

As Ming Hua started moving water along her body, closing her eyes and enjoying herself, she heard the faint crack of a twig being stepped on and spun in Ghazan's direction, ice-blades coming from her water-arms and stopping within inches of him as she saw who it was.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

"I just wanted to take a bath too," Ghazan said, giving Ming Hua a non-threatening smile, and raising his hands. He briefly saw her breasts and toned curves, but now wasn't quite the time to admire her physique while she had ice blades drawn on him.

"But... we don't do that," she said, an edge of confusion in her tone. As most people did, she bathed either by herself or around those of the same sex. Not out of distaste for her brothers in the Red Lotus, but as with most people, it was ingrained into her by society.

"That may be true, but Zaheer is always preaching about a new era with no governments and how we are all equal. Men and women should work together and see each other as partners and all that. Who needs gender roles?" he said, parroting some of Zaheer’s words in a light tone. “… Besides, we’re friends. You know I wouldn’t hurt you and besides, you’re in a pond. I’d have to be pretty stupid to try anything there.” He gave her a warm smile.

She wanted to argue for modesty, but Ghazan did have a point. And how long had they known one another? It was a big enough pond, right? "I suppose," she said, conceding the argument to him. "Just let me know when you need the soap and I'll toss it to you."

She then moved into the deeper water and washed herself, turned away from Ghazan, yet she couldn't help but watch him out of the corner of her eye as she guided the soap and water along her body. He sat down beside the pond to take off his shoes before standing up to take off his shirt. Then he slid off the rest of his clothing, bundling them in a loose pile near her clothing, and she had to fight back the urge to stare at him full-on.

He waded into the water until he was chest-high and dunked his head. She heard a sigh of satisfaction after he broke the surface of the water, shaking his head.

“Hmmm. The water feels nice,” he commented. She was blushing from the glimpse of Ghazan's privates... he had a cock that matched his body, long and thick. It caused an ache of arousal in her, and she knew she'd be masturbating with a water whip later. She washed herself and then tossed him the soap, now simply massaging herself, guiding her water arms to work out the tension in her back.

Ghazan watched her, admiring what he was able to see. Her back was pale under the moonlight, and he wondered how it would feel if he ran his hand along it.

"You know, while I was imprisoned in a cage on that wooden boat in the middle of the ocean, I would often think about you when it rained."

She smiled a little at that. "And your face would have been a welcome sight in my cell. I was surrounded by lava, you by water. Funny how that worked out." He was gratified to see that she seemed more relaxed now.

"Being incarcerated for so long did make me think about you. I have desired to be with you before we got caught trying to abduct the Avatar. I thought I'd never get the chance but look at us now. Free from our prisons, naked in a pond together..." he stopped the sentence, smirking, trying not to be too lecherous, but he was sure he was failing. Dammit, it'd been a long time since he'd been laid.

"To be honest, I never thought that you might feel for me that way. I'm an armless woman, few men want that as a partner and the ones that seek out women like me are just… ugh." Ming Hua whispered. "I've admired you for your determination to master your element and life, and... I had the feeling that you respected me before and then Bolin said it and I caught you looking at me..." She was blushing now.

"I admire how you can use your Waterbending, arms or not. As for these idiots who only see an armless woman… well, I've seen you kick way more ass than most men who had arms. You’re pretty cool." He slowly made his way closer to Ming Hua. “I have a lot of respect for you.”

"But do you... really want me? Do you find me attractive at all?" She noticed what he was doing, and took a shy step back.

"Yes, I want you. You're a strong, beautiful woman. I enjoy your sarcastic wit. During the clear starry nights in my prison, I would picture your face in the constellations and I would miss you terribly."

"Oh, Ghazan." She had a misty smile on her face, and when he stepped forward, she did not move away. her heart was pounding from nervousness and excitement as Ghazan's biceps became more visible in the moonlight. Oh, to have arms so she could run her hands along these biceps…

"Ming Hua," Ghazan murmured as he reached to cup her face, leaning down to give her a surprisingly chaste kiss. She melted into the kiss, leaning into her would-be lover, her breasts coming into contact with his chest. His other arm wrapped around her as he deepened the kiss, seeking entry by prodding her lips with his tongue.

She felt the gentle probing at her lips and relaxed them, letting him pull her close. As she felt the arm wrap around her, she complied with it, allowing him to pull her body flush to his own, so she was able to feel his manhood against the inside of her hip.

Ming-Hua tasted like water to him and he loved it. His hands roved over her curves, enjoying the feel of her. He broke the kiss, groaning softly when he felt his manhood against her flesh.

With a shift of her hips, she ground against his pelvis, getting a good estimate of its size as she regarded him with a small smirk. "Being alone in prison with no pussy must have been hard, huh?"

"Fffff, yes." he groaned as his hand grabbed a breast and kneaded it carefully.

"Then... why don't we make up for lost time? Think of the things you've wanted to do to me while you were in prison, Let's do them." she purred. He stared at her for several moments, like a man who’d just been told that he won the lottery.

“Yes. Oh gods, yes,” Ghazan groaned, his voice thick with desire as he realized that he was finally about to deepen this attraction that was now spoken. She smirked and wrapped herself around Ghazan, her legs around his middle, and her water arms wrapped around his neck and shoulders.

“Baby… you have no idea how this makes me feel,” Ghazan whispered, cradling the back of her head with his hand as he pulled them out of the water. There was some nice and thick grass along the pond, and she shivered as she felt the blades on her back as she was lowered to it. Ghazan was a glorious sight in the moonlight, naked, his cock becoming even thicker in the warm evening air, and she felt a fresh stab of arousal as she imagined how he would feel against her, and within her. Under the moonlight, her water arms looked ethereal, glinting as they reflected the moon while they writhed around his neck and shoulders.

“Can I taste it first?” he asked, gaze moving downward. She gave out a velvety laugh of delight and nodded, loosening her grip so that he could position himself. He descended upon her hungrily, spreading her open with two fingers so that he could admire and taste her folds, feeling her shiver and clench as he slid a finger and then another inside. She sighed in enjoyment as his tongue flicked across her clit, massaging it as her thighs pressed against his cheeks.

His cock ached, but for the moment, Ming Hua was the star of the show and he treated her as such, loving up on her, using his fingers and mouth to the best of his ability, hearing her muffled squeal as she reached the peak of her pleasure, grinding herself against his face. He felt her water arms writhe against him, his cock throbbing afresh as he tasted her juices, continuing to work her with his fingers in a languid manner.

“Mmm. You enjoyed that, didn’t you,” he asked with a knowing purr as he raised his head to look down at her. The moonlight washed out the color in her pale skin, but her cheeks were rosy.

"I couldn't even touch myself in prison. Without water-arms, I was very bored, indeed." she moaned, welcoming his attention.

"Well, I'm glad I could lend you a hand. Let me know and I’ll do it for you any time." he joked before his tone became more serious. She looked beautiful in her afterglow, her eyelids fluttering, her breasts moving slightly with each breath.

She smirked at that and shivered as he sat up, his erection in view. It ached for attention, thick and hard. She rose to reach with a water tendril, giving it a firm stroke. It twitched under her touch, and she wrapped the water around him, letting the smooth appendage glide along his heated flesh. It wasn’t the first organ she had seen, but the first one she would deign to allow inside of her. It was a bit silly that she should feel so nervous as she’d not been a teenager for a good while, but a first time was a first time. At least she had found a worthy partner.

"Mmm... like that?" she whispered, seeing how he arched into that, oozing a bead of precum at the tip as she gave his erection a firm squeeze.

“Oh… yes. Way better than my hand, even if the water's cool." He wiggled his hip forward, highlighting the taut planes of his lower stomach and thighs.

"Yes, that feels good. Keep doing that." he grinned. She grinned and did just as he asked, wiggling her body closer to his. "Did you fantasize about me when we were in prison?" she whispered.

"How could I not fantasize about you?" he purred, reaching up to caress her face with his fingers. She leaned her head into his hand.

"And is this... living up to your expectations?" she smiled as she sat up. She let the water slide away from his cock before lowering her head to start kissing and licking him, tasting the warm, clean flesh, pushing back the foreskin so she could suck on the head.

"Ah! Yes." he groaned. Plenty enough fantasies to be had. A few about P'Li, and even Zaheer, but most of his fantasies centered around Ming Hua. Water snaked up and around his balls, giving him a massage, and he had to resist the urge to just shove her head down on him.

“If you keep doing that, I’m going to…” His orgasm was coming up on him faster than he’d expected. Probably from being pent-up for so long.

"I do believe that is the point," she quipped before she increased her ministrations, giving him his long-awaited release, which she happily swallowed, her head bobbing up and down. His head lolled forward as he watched her, running his fingers along her dark hair. It was so erotic to watch her lick him clean, and he felt his flesh stir to life again.

"Do you want to go further?" he asked. She nodded at that as she kissed her way up his chest, taking delight in the well-sculpted flesh, feeling his heartbeat as she kissed his solar plexus. She kissed up his neck and the side of his face.

"Ghazan, I would have no one but you to take me..." she whispered into his ear, happy that he was asking her, even though she would have let him do it anyway.

She felt his hands caress her sides as he eased her onto the grass, and she felt her heart pound a bit out of nervousness. She looked up at him as he pried her knees apart, caressing the inside of the joints with his thumbs as he did so, giving her a reassuring smile.

“I've thought so often of this. Of you like this, waiting for me, wanting to receive… and share… my passion. Fuck, but you're gorgeous, and I can't believe I'm finally getting to do this. This is a dream come true." His hands slid along her body, feeling her writhe happily in response.

“You’re not quite there yet…” She lifted her pelvis, wiggling it at him. “There’s one more thing to do, big boy.”

He laughed at that before his hands slid to her hips and he positioned himself at her quivering womanhood. He half expected to wake up and find out that this was all just one intense dream. She looked at him, lifting her chin in a gesture of invitation.

He took it, plunging forward, feeling her gasp and arch against him. When he was firmly ensconced within her, he gave her hips a firm squeeze.

“You good?” he asked, feeling her squirm around a bit.

“You’re so big, so thick,” she breathed, and he felt her clench around him, her lithe form responding to its girthy intruder.

“Few compliments please a man as much as that,” he replied glibly as he rolled his hips, causing her to give out a quiet keen.

“Ghazan… Ghazan…” She arched as he picked up the pace, shoving his thick flesh within her previously untried tunnel. There was an edge of pain, but the more he moved against her, the more that faded, her body acclimating to and then welcoming the intruder. She could sometimes feel the ridge of the head as it moved against her strained vaginal muscles, wondering how something could feel so good.

No wonder Zaheer and P’Li liked to sneak off to do these sorts of things. Looks like she would be doing the same in the future…

When he orgasmed and they kissed and cuddled for a bit, she roused him again and climbed on top, using her water arms for leverage.

“I’m never going to get tired of this,” the lavabender groaned as he thrust up into her, her head and breasts shaking with each jab. He reached up to grab one of her tits, massaging it and feeling her grind against him in an appreciative response.

“Fuck, I hope not,” came her gasping response before he rewarded her with a particularly sharp thrust that had her seeing stars.

If he could choose any one day in his life to relive over and over, this would be it, Ghazan mused to himself as he lay there with his lover who was loosely spooned to his side. One of his hands slid along her body idly, taking comfort in her presence. Even though he knew she did not register touch through her water arms like one would with flesh arms, he still took comfort in the water arms that were sliding along his body. He knew she had some sense of his form and skin, and whatever else she might manipulate with her water arms, and if she enjoyed touching him, then he wasn't going to stop her.

“I suppose we have to return to camp sometime,” Ming Hua said with a small sigh. “Only I don’t want to sleep alone…” Zaheer and P'Li shared their tent. Now that she was lovers with Ghazan, why sleep by herself, especially when his body was so warm...

"You're welcome to share my bed." he smiled. "We should get back to camp before Zaheer or P'Li come looking for us."

She nodded and slowly rose to her feet, looking glorious in the starlight with her naked body. She smiled and looked down at him, sprawled out on the grass. "I'm tempted to climb on top of you." she teased.

"And ride my ‘drill’ again? I think we would both enjoy that," he quipped.

She let out a soft, velvety chuckle at that. "Well, there's always tomorrow night," she said sweetly.

He grinned as he stood up and started to dress himself, Ming Hua doing the same. She filled her water gourds and the two of them ambled back to the campsite. Zaheer was meditating, P'Li was not seen as she was in Zaheer's tent. “Night!” Ming Hua called out. Zaheer gave a brief nod of acknowledgment, and she let Ghazan take her blankets and put them in his tent, mixing them with his own for added warmth.

The two of them cuddled, and she felt warm and happy in his arms. However later on it started to become warm in the tent, and her shirt started to feel too warm for her, especially with Ghazan shirtless. In the tent she did not have her water arms, so she tried to wiggle out of it without waking him up but was not successful as he rolled over, staring at her blearily.

"I'm hot," she whispered. "I was trying to take off my shirt and didn't mean to wake you up. Would you mind taking it off me?" Under the shirt, she had her tank top.

"Sure." He sat up and helped remove her shirt, placing a few kisses along her neck as he did so. "Is that better?"

"Mmm, yes." She smiled and laid back down, resting her head against his arm. She felt his hand gently slide along her side, relaxing under it.

“I’m glad I came to see you tonight,” Ghazan said. “After what that kid said, it was stuck in my head, and I came to realize that there was a reason why it was stuck there in the first place, right?”

“Out of the mouths of babes…” she said, shaking her head. She and Ghazan were no longer young. But they could still make up for lost time, come what may.

[redthreadoffate]

mashed potatoes [matt simmons]

ship: matt simmons x reid!reader

warnings: daddy!kink, no smut; edited twice so mistakes here and there

notes: just a heads up, this is an au wherein matt is not married and the reid family is one big happy family.

summary: ”daddy, can you pass the mashed potatoes please?” i saw a prompt like this somewhere a long long time ago

Matt Simmons was a nervous wreck.

It would be his first time meeting your parents and he wanted to make a good first impression. Although, it wasn’t that he was planning on leaving any bad impressions. He needed to win their heart just as much as he won yours.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” he said.

You giggled as you fixed the dress you were wearing. “Don’t be silly. You’re great. You’ll be a hot shot to my parents.”

Matt sighed. He turned to you and cradled your face. “I just don’t want to mess things up.”

“You won’t,” you assured him. “Dad and Mom will love you.”

“I’m more worried about Spencer, honestly.”

You laughed and placed your hands above his. “He loves you.”

“As a friend and fellow agent!” Matt let go of you and began pacing. “I know he doesn’t like it that I’m dating you. What brother wants their friend to be their little sister’s significant other.”

“There are some. And at least we’re not living together.” You shrugged.

Matt looked at you, a wary smile on his face. “Yet?”

You blinked a few times, taking in that one word that had come out of his mouth. “You want…you want us to…” you trailed off.

“Only if you want to, Y/N. I’m not forcing you. If you don’t want to leave this apartment then that’s fine. I mean, you did buy it. But I can always leave my apartment to be here with you in yours if you’ll allow that.” He stopped talking and raised his hands to calm himself down. “But tonight is not the night to think about that. Tonight, I’m going to impress your parents.”

You smiled and walked towards him, your arms encircling his neck. “You’ll do fine. I’m right behind you, okay?”

“Can’t you be right beside me?” he chuckled.

You smirked. “I can do that.”

Matt pulled you closer to him and kissed you. “God, I love you,” he murmured against your lips. “I hope I don’t lose you today.”

You kissed him. “You won’t.” When you let go, you strutted towards the mirror once more. “Come on, we can’t be late.”

He groaned. “What? No ‘I love you’ back?”

You stuck out your tongue and ran into your room to find your shoes. “I love you, too!” you yelled. “Don’t forget to roll up your sleeves! Mom loves some muscle!”

And now, here you were, standing in front of the Reid residence.

Matt was still fidgeting, squeezing your hand tighter and tighter that you had to let go of his in fear of your own getting numb. He mumbled an apology as he fixed the pink paper and tugged on the silver ribbon that were holding the bouquet of flowers he had bought for Mrs. Reid.

As you would reach for the doorbell, your boyfriend would stop you, stating that he wasn’t ready. You would call him out, saying that you were standing outside the house for five minutes and would be late if you stayed a few minutes more.

Finally, Matt gave a firm nod before ringing the doorbell, surprising both himself and you. “I hope Spencer doesn’t open the door.”

Unfortunately, it was your older brother who answered the door in less than a minute. “Y/N. Simmons. Good to see you. Come in.”

You entered the home, but not before Matt could mouth ‘Simmons’ to you. You rolled your eyes and dismissed him, but knowing all too well that Spencer only called Matt using his last name when you were with him.

“It’s Matt tonight, Spencer,” you asserted. “It’s a family dinner, not a crime scene.”

Matt couldn’t help but smile as you instructed your brother what to call him.

Spencer turned back to eye the boyfriend before nodding. “Yes, of course. Please forgive me, Matt.”

“It’s not a problem,” Matt replied, his smile never leaving his face. ‘So she got him to call me Matt even while with her, not that big of a deal but it’s definitely something…for now,’ he thought to himself. You reached the dining room and saw Spencer and your parents, William and Diana. He could feel his heart race but he made sure to keep the cool and confident facade up. ‘You got this, Matt. You got this.’

“Hey, Mom, Dad,” you greeted. You skipped over to your mother and gave a cheek a kiss, then pivoted to give your father a hug. “Daddy.”

“Hiya, darling,” he said as you hugged him tighter, “how are you?”

“I’m good,” you chirped. “I’d like you to meet Matt.” You walked back to Matt and held onto his hand. “Mom, Dad, this is Matt Simmons.”

Matt bowed a little. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” You tugged on his hand a little. He took this as a cue to give your mother the flowers he got her. “For you, Mrs. Reid.”

Diana smiled. “Oh thank you, Matt. But please, call me Diana.”

“Diana,” Matt repeated. He then walked over to William, who was now standing and holding out his hand. “Mr. Reid.”

“It’s William, Matthew. And my,” he took Matt in, “you are not what I expected.”

“I’m sorry, sir?” Matt was confused.

“Spencer talked about you earlier, and he said you were–”

Spencer suddenly coughed loudly and everyone turned to him. “Shall we eat? I’m starving.”

William laughed and shook his head. “It’s William, my boy,” he repeated for him, “just call me William. None of that, ‘sir sir’. Psh, I’m not that old.” He chuckled. Matt did the same before William instructed Matt to sit beside him.

The rectangular table was set like this: William at the head of the table, Diana on his left and Spencer beside her, while Matt on his right and you beside him. It seemed like a safe and harmless order until…

“Daddy, can you pass the mashed potatoes please?” you requested.

Both William and Matt reached for the bowl in front of them. William looked at the younger man while Matt began to blush profusely. Diana shifted her eyes from her husband to your boyfriend. Your eyes widened while Spencer watched his sister and Matt intently.

“Thank you, boy,” was all William said as he let go of the bowl. “Y/N, it was much closer to Matthew.”

“Yes, yes of course,” you agreed quickly. “Yes, sorry, Dad–Dad. Sorry.”

Diana chuckled. “You have some sort of reflex, don’t you, Matt?”

Matt laughed nervously, his hand still on the bowl of mashed potatoes. “Yeah, anything for Y/N.” He came to his senses and handed you the bowl. “Here you go, prin–Y/N. Here you go.” He sighed.

You slowly reached for the bowl and placed two scoops before handing it back to him. As he positioned the bowl on the table, you murmured a thank you.

Spencer went back to eating but he hadn’t said a word.

After hours of getting to know each other in the living room with some wine in hand, you decided it was time to go. Matt whined and declared that he was having a good time with your parents. Spencer suggested that he speak to you for awhile as Matt and your parents spend a few more minutes together.

You went with your brother to the foyer. “What’s up?” you asked, standing on your toes and then placing your feet back firmly on the ground.

“Do you and Matt have some sort of roleplaying thing going on?”

You blushed. “I…I well….um…what’s it’s to you?”

Spencer shrugged. “I’m just curious.”

You began to stammer. “It’s–it’s none of your…bus-business b-but y-ye-yeah, we roleplay from time to…time.”

“Time to time?”

“It’s sort of like our term of endearment,” you finally said in a straight tone. “Why are you so curious?”

“I’ve studied that Daddy/sub phenomenon. I haven’t got much on it yet but maybe I can ask you some questions one day.”

Your face became ever more red. “Spencer!”

“What?” He looked at her innocently.

You rolled your eyes. “Matt and I should get going.”

He nodded in understanding.

You two entered the living room once again with you interrupting their heart-to-heart by calling Matt. Matt reluctantly said goodbye to your parents and thanked them for having him over. William told him that he was welcome anytime. You also noticed that as Diana bid Matt goodbye, she not-so-subtly touched his arms.

When you were done bidding farewell to your parents, you and Matt got in their car and drove off to your apartment.

“What did you and Spencer talk about?” he asked.

“Nothing much,” you answered.

“Your face was flushed when you came back.”

You hummed. “Sorry about earlier.”

“Huh?” Matt paused. “Oh. Who were you pertaining to anyway?”

You smirked. “You will never know.”

Matt laughed. “You slipped, didn’t you?”

“I did not!”

He laughed harder. “And Spencer knew that we have this kink going on. That’s what he talked to you about earlier, right?”

You pouted and crossed your arms in front of you. “Looks like you’re not getting your prize tonight for being such a good boy.”

He scoffed. “You can’t resist me.”

“Can you prove that?” you challenged.

“Oh hell yes, I can.”

You reached the parking lot of the condominium and Matt switched off the engine. He turned to face you and you did the same for him. He cupped your face with his hands and placed a soft, gentle kiss on your lips.

“I can resist that.”

Matt smirked. “That’s not all I have, princess.”

[voidcrow]

This Is a Lot to Take In

(( Note: Recent stories posted here been the byproduct of me and my Baldur's Gate co-op buddy planning to continue our in-character Baldur's Gate roleplay across every campaign in the Neverwinter and Icewind Dale games as well... and as the same characters. This is just here to warn readers in advance that these Forgotten Realms fics are going to play hard and fast with the setting's canon from here on out, in service to our narrative. Calm down; it's only an AU. ))

De'Arnise Keep. 1369 DR.

"Laciel! Where have the months gone?"

Nalia had just emerged into the great hall, greeted by the sight of drunken revelry and a banner reading "WELCOME HOME" across one of the walls. Even amid the celebrating guards and nobles, though, she was quick to spot the auburn-haired elf and go to sit across from her, barely noticing either the infant in her arms or the large, green-skinned man sitting next to her.

"Lady De'Arnise," said Laciel in greeting, "You're late to the party. How unbecoming of a host~." She had an impish grin on her face.

"My apologies." Nalia was deadpan, knowing full well the Bhaalspawn was just trying to get under her skin and seeing fit not to, as they say, feed the troll. "I trust the Majordomo has already shown you and Eifelia to the room I provided?"

"He has." Laciel nodded. "It'll do just nicely for us."

"Later, he'll also show you where to find the stockpile room we cleared out to store all your and Eifelia's adventuring spoils. Although..."

Laciel tilted her head.

"Occasionally we've been hearing a voice coming from in there," Nalia stated, "Yet anyone that has gone to check can't find the person."

"Ah." Laciel smiled. "That's Lilarcor. You remember that talking sword Minsc was using? He's moved on to a better weapon since, and he opted to leave Larry with me. If the sword gets too noisy, just wrap him in some more cloth and stuff him in a chest."

"Won't he suffoc--?" Nalia stopped herself as she caught on to what she was saying. "Forget I asked that."

"Yeah, It would probably take the heat of a forge to actually kill Larry, so..."

Nalia's eyes wandered at last to the child Laciel held, who had turned their head to look across the table at her. "You have a baby." Nalia blinked. "A green baby. With purple hair...?"

"Half-orc," explained Laciel, who now looked down to smile at the child. "She's about, say, eighteen months old? And her name's Kagra. Isn't she a doll~? Eifelia and I adopted her after we got hitched."

"Y-you two are married now?" Caught wrong-footed, Nalia cleared her throat. "Congra--!"

"Speaking of half-orcs, meet Shaaghun," said Laciel, gesturing to the grown half-orc man seated beside her... much to Nalia's further bafflement.

"No relation to Kagra," Shaaghun half-mumbled.

Laciel continued: "Eifelia and I ran into this fellow one day and I thought to myself, wouldn't he make a nice bodyguard?"

"And that's all you've been up to?" Nalia asked, still looking confused. "Partaking of domestic bliss and meeting a new hireling?" She let a pause go by, her face softening. "...Honestly, that's a relief."

"Why? What'd I miss?" asked Laciel.

Nalia leaned forward and took a hushed tone. "News of the war that wiped out the children of Bhaal, and your part in it, have already reached the ends of Faerun. I've heard frightening rumors."

At last, the smile left Laciel's lips. "Such as?"

"The general public doesn't know your name and face, but they have a title for you-- the Killer Queen. They talk of you as being the Bhaalspawn who saw all of her brothers and sisters slain so that her father's essence would collect at the Throne of Bhaal. They say that you went to claim it. That you've become a god yourself. That you might come to walk the mortal world again, as Bhaal once did."

Laciel avoided eye contact with Nalia. "Okay, most of that is untrue. From a certain point of view. The really bad parts are definitely untrue."

"Whatever actually happened, Laciel, you'll need to be careful what you say about yourself out there. If anyone puts two and two together and realizes you're this 'Killer Queen'..." Nalia shook her head. "You'll have a target on your back everywhere you go."

"Hm... Duly noted." Laciel then put on a smile once more. "Enough of that grim subject; I've a favor to ask. Would you humor me?"

"Hmph. You're lucky I owe you so much. Let's hear it."

"Eifelia and I are departing for Neverwinter on some business in a few tendays' time. We'd love it if your family looked after Kagra while we're gone."

"Ah. Is that all?"

"It's..." Laciel started to look glumly down at her half-orc adoptee. "I'd hate to feel like I'm abandoning her; I've told myself I've got to be a good parent. But given what we've heard about what's happening in Neverwinter--"

"I've heard talk of the plague... and all the chaos it's bringing." The redhead nodded. "I can see why you don't want your daughter anywhere near the place." She smiled. "Of course we'll take her in when you go."

"Truly?"

"Of course."

Smiling again, Laciel looked over at her bodyguard. "Looks like you're holding down the fort here after all, Shaggy."

"Ah, shit," sighed Shaaghun.

Nalia's brow lowered. "Hold on. What?"

"He's under my orders to keep Kagra safe," Laciel explained, "So he'll be staying in the keep too."

Nalia started to scowl outright. "I will not feed two of your mouths. Certainly not if one of them's a mercenary thug--"

"Then don't feed them out of your pocket, silly!" Laciel chuckled. "By all means, fund Kagra's needs and forward Shaggy his weekly pay from mine and Eifelia's coffer; the two of us made a killing this past year. All he needs from you is the use of a bed in Captain Cernick's barracks."

Silence hung over the table. The frustration gradually faded from Nalia's face until, at last, the Lady sighed. "We are in agreement. But I want you to know that you're the most irritating negotiator I've ever met."

Laci snickered.

[darkfromday]

roleplay (3)

Prompt: Day 1 - Applause

Pairing: Sideshowshipping (Dennis/Gongenzaka)

This one’s longer. It just... took a really long time. But it's the last of the day one prompts!

Assumptions: Gongenzaka moved to Synchro after the war to train under Chojiro, but he still completes meet-and-greet official missions for his home dimension. Dennis’s guilt moved him to move to Xyz.

There’s a certain street corner in Xyz Dimension that Gongenzaka has learned to avoid.

Ever since he started coming here for diplomatic missions to get communication going between Xyz and Synchro, children in every district could be seen making a beeline for the area, shrieking and pulling each other along, waving Duel Monster cards. Adults smiled knowingly at him and shrugged their shoulders, knowing no toy or trinket could pull anyone away from That Street. The voice that boomed enticingly on loudspeakers in every neighborhood and refugee camp was a siren call to the kind of entertainment most Xyz denizens considered long-gone.

Problem was, every time Gongenzaka heard that voice or glimpsed That Street he felt an overwhelming urge to bolt in the opposite direction. And as a mature man, he did not ignore his urges.

He had gone out of his way to ignore Dennis Mackfield since the night the Entermage duelist revealed himself as their Academian mole. Letting Shun handle dueling him and the Tops handle quarantining him was much easier than confronting Dennis himself, roaring about betrayal, crying about broken bonds that the spy probably hadn’t cared about anyway.

It was simpler to pretend they hadn’t supported one another on the streets for days, shunned by Tops and Commons of all stripes. Easier to act like their little hero/heel duels to gather money and information had just been a joke, a necessity at most.

Dennis was the actor, but it suited Gongenzaka better to pretend that he cared as little about the spy as Dennis did about the rest of the Lancers.

His fellow Lancers followed his lead at first when they visited, keeping their distance from the one who'd risen twice from the ashes of defeat and slapped his mask back on as though nothing had happened. Serena called Gongenzaka but didn't bother traveling to the dimension Dennis twice sullied with his entertainment. Shun rebuilt his home on the opposite side of town, and only mentioned Dennis in reluctant grunts. Tsukikage alone seemed to bear him little ill will, but he still tiptoed around the topic with Gongenzaka as well.

With this much time and attention devoted to squeezing past the elephant in the room, Gongenzaka is relieved that he never has any reason to go see Dennis' new shows, that he hasn't run into him by chance on any welfare visit.

He is.

Really.

Gongenzaka managed another two months of taking the long way around Xyz before he bumped into Dennis at the farmer's market and dropped every legume, kale and tomato he'd taken pains to collect that afternoon.

"Go-Gon-chan... it's you."

The Steadfast Duelist grunted. Reluctantly he brought his eyes up to look over at his old comrade--

"You look awful," he blurted at once.

Dennis just laughed. "Aa, well food's not as plentiful here and I'd rather the kids eat than me."

But he really looked terrible. The burning orange of his hair was dimmed, a candle on its lowest wick. His multicolored suit was torn at the arms and legs and faded, like he’d been forced to wash and wear it over and over again (which of course he had, moron). And though Dennis was wearing his trademark performer’s mask (lopsided now after their collision), the one blue eye Gongenzaka could see was rimmed with red.

He searched for something to say--anything--but he was still weighed down by shock and residual bitterness, and the insistent feeling of not wanting to be here, not wanting to do this right now, do this ever. So it was Dennis who ended up taking the initiative.

“Long time no see!”

“...”

“...you’re right, there’s too much in the past for a greeting like that to be okay,” the former spy amended hastily. “But you’re not making this easy for me either, buddy.”

“Don’t call me that,” Gongenzaka said, when he finally found his voice.

“Gon-chan. You’re saying we’re no longer friends?”

His fists clenched; his voice came out louder than he expected it to. “You expect me to believe we were ever friends in the first place?!”

Dennis flinched, the only sign of words well-aimed; yet his rejoinder felt just as accusing. “I’ll take that as a ‘no’. Is that... why you haven’t come to any of my shows?”

The world halted. If this had been a year ago, their Synchro audience would have gasped at the appearance of conflict like this in one of their shows. But now it was all real, and Gongenzaka was all done being anything that wasn’t furious.

Your ‘shows’.

“...Gon-chan? You’re normally a little more talkati--”

“You think I don’t like you just because I didn’t come to any of your damn shows?”

“Gongenzaka--”

“You think I didn’t want to be around you because you use your mask and monsters to entertain the same kids whose homes and families and decks you destroyed? That’s why you think I’ve been avoiding you, why we’re not friends?”

“Gongen--”

“THEY TOLD ME YOU WERE DEAD!” Gongenzaka roared, startling every living thing around him. Someone had put his face in a furnace, made him claw his way out. He felt overheated with rage, and yet not angry enough either.

“...They said you were dead,” he repeated, more softly but with no less heat. “I had to hear it from Kaito, the man who defeated you--a stranger. You couldn't handle failing Academia by losing to Xyz users, but you weren't man enough to ask Yuuya or Shun or me for forgiveness either. So you carded yourself."

Silence all around. The fruit and vegetable sellers, spooked by his initial outburst, were several yards away and still running for the hills. And though he'd just called the person he cared for most a craven backstabber, the stern young man couldn't help but notice that he was still standing there taking the verbal beating.

Still Gongenzaka pushed the words out, like boiling lava out of a volcanic throat. "You thought I was angry about you being a spy, Dennis Mackfield?"

"Well, that's what everyone else has been avoiding me for," Dennis said dryly, though he quailed again when Gongenzaka growled.

"I'm not everyone else. I'm the one who was stranded with you in Synchro Dimension when we ended up separated from everyone else. I'm the one you chose to stay with and feed, despite the fact that I'm a man and I eat twice your weight regularly. It was us who performed for the Tops and Commons for days, us who went underground together with that shady manager to find answers and reunite with Kurosaki.

"All that time--all that time--you could have abandoned me for your real mission. You could have slipped away when we got arrested, or during our prison breakout. You could've grabbed Serena and we never would've suspected until too late. But you didn't--because you'd rather have put on a show, I guess."

Dennis lifted and held out one hand between them, a lifeline he doubted would be grabbed.

"The show must go on," he intoned. "It's not just a silly catchphrase. It's how I live my life. Entertaining people--or terrorizing them--that's just my role. I thought you knew that, Gongenzaka-san."

"And I thought," Gongenzaka admitted, "before and even after the truth came out, that you'd stayed with me because you cared. About me. Not cared about me as a Lancer--just about me."

The boy from Academia blushed, and went eerily quiet.

"Dennis--I never had any friends. Yuuya and Yuzu were the only ones outside my father's dojo. But I was older than them, stronger, so I didn't think I needed anyone else. I was the man Gongenzaka and I was going to inherit my father's dojo someday. Before the Lancers, I never let myself think about making friends, or--"

"Stop! You don't have to say--"

"I do," Gongenzaka insisted. He'd spent too long being stubborn and shy and silent--now, he had to say. "You were annoying and too cheerful and secretive, but never helpless--never needy. I never had to protect you or guide you. We were partners.... I liked that."

Dennis' expression shuttered closed. "The things you felt--feel--were based on lies. Random chance. They--" his throat seemed to catch. "They never would have worked out for you."

Because you never gave it a chance!

"How do you know for sure, when you ran away before I could ask you...?" The anger in his voice was nearly gone now, replaced by hurt.

It was stupid to think that he could have acted like his time with Dennis hadn't mattered--that he hadn't looked forward to dueling him for real one day, or going out to lunch together, or introducing the strange but enticing transfer student to his family.

"You acted so brave when we first met that I thought you were a different kind of man. A fighter--when really you were a coward."

"I wasn't--" But Dennis couldn't even finish.

"Kurosaki beat you and you ran away--no explanation, besides that stupid performance where you almost killed innocent people." Nearly killed me. But I chased after you with the others, straight to Fusion. "Kaito beat you and you--you killed yourself rather than talk to anyone. You must've thought Academia would win and do who knew what with all those damned cards, but you still would rather have been sealed away than--than talk."

The vegetables were dropped back onto the street. Gongenzaka's shoulders shook, but for once he didn't care how he looked. The only person around to see him was a boy who had seen too much pain and suffering already.

He eventually felt a hand rest on his shoulder and rub in slow circles until he slowly un-tensed. Dennis.

"Carding myself was my own decision," Dennis reminded the both of them. "It wasn't your fault. And it wasn't because of you, either."

"Then--why?"

He laughed mournfully. "I couldn't live with myself, Gongenzaka--with all the fires I'd started. So much sin. So little reason. I betrayed Kurosaki Ruri, and Yuuya, and the other Lancers, three whole dimensions, and you. Everything I swung by with Trapeze Magician turned to ash. Even if everyone forgave me, even if you went against your own friends to defend me--I couldn't forgive myself.

"I'm not proud of my apology or of what I did--but I'm not ashamed either."

Gongenzaka asked hollowly, "What are you then?"

Dennis hesitated for a split second. Then his weak smile came back.

"I'm just the Entertainment Mage who performs on Cross-over Avenue," he said. "I wear the masks of hero and heel, and duel children to bring smiles to the people I hurt."

"Smiles, not fear?"

"Not fear. Not anymore."

Gongenzaka nodded. His insides shifted nervously. He'd wanted to yell at this man he liked and his wish was granted; he hadn't wanted to show so much of his heart but it happened anyway. Who knew what would come up next?

"So you didn't tell me," Dennis said. "Why were you so angry at me?"

"...Because. You didn't give me a chance to forgive you. You betrayed us and just left. You thought so little of me--"

"It wasn't your fault," Dennis repeated more firmly. "It was mine. And you were right. I did stay with you because I cared. In Academia... no one has friends. Just notoriety. You were the first for a lot of things... didn't take long before I knew I'd rather see you hate me than be hurt by me."

Hate him?

"And what about now?"

"Now... that's up to you, isn't it? It kind of sounds like you do--uh--hate me."

"...But I don't hate you." I couldn't. I can't.

Dennis appeared to brighten at the admission. Even his voice lifted, in the way it used to for their audiences. As he bent down to retrieve Gongenzaka's long-suffering purchases, a sliver of mischief entered his words. "Gongenzaka...~"

"What?"

"If you don't hate me, there is something you could do to prove it--to show that maybe someday you could forgive me."

You trickster. Barely a minute after being yelled at and your hand's already back in the cookie jar. "What."

"You could stop by Cross-over Avenue on one of your relief runs," Dennis suggested. Hesitantly, softly, carefully. "And maybe, uh, put on the costume I might've made for you when I heard you were around. Be my heel again."

The idea pranced between them for a while, as both weighed the consequences and conclusions that would follow such an open and obvious peace treaty. But the ball was in Gongenzaka's court, and he already knew what he was going to say.

So he took Dennis' hand and shook it.

"I will come."

(This performance had been a lot more raw and maudlin than their previous ones in Gongenzaka's mind, perhaps because no audience mediated their feelings and actions; but if it had been pretend, he was sure they'd have earned their round of applause.)

[jolienjoyswriting]

The Paradalis Paradigm, Ch. II

Chapter II of "The Paradalis Paradigm," an "Essence of Ragnarok" story.

Did I mention that this story is (loosely) based on a roleplay Kaiya and I did, once?  'cause, it totally is, ha hah~

Word count: 3,494 – Character count: 20,047 Originally written: October 3rd, 2018

One successful date later, Kaiya invites her new boyfriend to her nana's apartment for mysterious reasons…

Kaiya Paradalis originally created by Kaiya Canver

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    “So… the other Joseph tells me you come here, often?”     “Oh, yeah!” Kaiya said, handing her ticket to an usher who was standing guard outside theaters 1-through-12.     “He says you usually just dance,” the fox standing beside her commented, doing much the same with his ticket.  “I didn’t know you were into dancing…”     “How could you not?” she laughed as they walked through the gate, together.  “You know what kind of music I like best!”     “That’s… a good point.”     “Besides… dancing’s good for you!  It keeps you in shape!”     When she poked him in the belly, he gave a startled squeak and winced.     “I… guess so,” he commented.  “Yeah… maybe, I’ll give it a whirl, on the way out.”     “That’s the spirit, Joe!”     When he saw her happy smile, he couldn’t help but smile, as well.  Kaiya had such a lovely smile… not to mention, a pretty face.  He was so glad she’d invited him out…

    “Let’s sit up near the front!”     The bunny-girl took a sip of her soda as she dragged her friend down the aisle of the large, darkened movie theater.  The previews for coming attractions had already started, but not many people had found their seats… which meant that her plan of sitting in the middle of the third row went off without a hitch.     “I… think someone spilled a drink in my seat…” Joseph idly commented, noticing a wet feeling against his rear.     “Aren’t you glad you have that sweater around your waist, then?”     “If I can feel it through that… chances are, the seat is really wet.”     “Well, if you’re gonna whine about it…”     The girl giggled before standing and pulling him up.  The two moved one seat over, then.

    “I… I wasn’t whining!” the fox protested as she helped him into what had been her seat.     “You’re so much fun to mess with, Joe…” she quietly cooed, playing with his long, pointy bangs and kissing his cheek.     “I wasn’t whining…!” he continued, ignoring the warm feeling in his face… only to blink as Kaiya plunked the bucket of popcorn in between his legs and retrieved a handful.  He thought about offering one of the drink cups he’d gotten for sharing… but, when she reached for another bunch, he decided to stay quiet.  In his juvenile mind, having a pretty girl reach for popcorn, like that, was something that some people did on dates… and, he’d wanted to start dating Kaiya… officially… so…     “H-hey, Kaiya…”     “Shh!” she hushed.  “The movie’s about to start.”     “But–”     When her hand took hold of his muzzle, he blinked for a second time.     “Later!” she said with a wink and a grin.     As she drew her hand back, she got another handful of popcorn.  He decided, then, that… yeah, he could bring it up, later.  Until they, he’d just enjoy the movie… and, enjoy her company.

    Before they’d headed to the theater together, Joseph hadn’t been sure about the movie Kaiya had recommended.  “It Came For Dessert” sounded a little flaky, to him, and the promotional poster that he’d seen – which had the title cutting through the middle, diagonally, while a large, stocky fellow loomed ominously over a terrified-looking, cake-holding lady – only made the movie feel cheaper… but, after about twenty minutes of comedic exposition… Joseph really found himself getting into it!

    The title, as one might’ve guessed, was a parody of old-time horror films,  as was the plot.  Apparently, the main character – a girl by the name of “Rolanda,” – ran a bakery in the middle of a small, nameless town somewhere in the west.  One day, something odd happened and a well-known couple disappeared from sight… only to come back three days later.  When they came back, however, they were acting unusual…  The two, who had previously avoided all things like unhealthy snacks… had developed an insatiable sweet tooth.  Stranger still… as they started frequenting the bakery, so did many others.  Before long, Rolanda couldn’t keep up… but, as she ran out of stock, the customers started getting restless… then, they became hostile!

    By the middle of the movie, it was discovered that the people who were regulars at the bakery were actually creepy aliens whose home planet was devoid of sweets.  They’d planned to take over the town as the start of a worldwide invasion which would have left the planet without any kinds of cakes, candies, or otherwise!  But, the secondary-protagonist-and-love-interest of the movie – a man who only went by the name, “Berkowitz” – discovered that, despite Rolanda’s bakery being ransacked, the aliens had left something behind… and, with the help of a somewhat-eccentric scientist by the name of “Doctor Sierra,” they found that the aliens were weak against healthy foods!

    The climax of the movie was one that really had to be seen to be believed.  Bagels and baked donuts of all kinds flew across the screen, wheat germ was flung, some kinds of vegetables were used as melee and projectile weaponry, and Rolanda even managed to put together an oversized breakfast muffin that stopped the invasion in its track!  And, as the town was celebrating and it looked like she and Berkowitz were about to kiss… dark clouds filled the sky and a projection of what looked like a man wearing a skull loomed overhead!     The person, who was the leader of the aliens, claimed that the invasion had only begun…  The clouds parted to reveal an overwhelming amount of stereotypical flying saucers hovering overhead, followed by the holographic head disappearing and a several questions appearing in a variety of goofy-looking “horror” fonts, all of which led up to a title card for a potential sequel: “It Came for Dessert II: Farmageddon.”  All-and-all… it was a grand experience that no one who’d seen it would ever forget… in-world, or in the theater.

    “That may have been the silliest movie I have ever seen!”

    Joseph and Kaiya walked out of the movie theater together, both laughing and smiling from the movie they’d just seen.  They weren’t the only ones, either… and, in fact, some of the people around them were laughing even harder than either of them!

    “When that one guy used the shrink ray to go inside an alien?” Kaiya said with a big grin.  “I nearly lost it!”     “Traffic lights?  Police officers?  A whole network of vehicles?!”  Joseph gave a mighty laugh, grinning just as widely as his friend.  “And, that dance number…!”     The bunny couldn’t take it.  She’d started laughing and snorting like crazy!     “I can’t wait for the movie to come out on disc!  I’m gonna watch it over-and-over!”     “Ah, Kaiya… this was such a good idea!  I can’t think of a better date than this!”     Without missing a beat, she told him, “Date’s not over, yet, Joe!”     It was only then that he realized what he’d said… and, what she’d said.     “I… wh-what?”     She didn’t answer with words.  Rather, she hooked her arm around his and continued to grin as she calmed down from laughing.  At least…     “Snrrrk–!”     Until something tickled her funny-bone, again.     “You’re still thinking about that dance number, aren’t you?” Joseph asked.     “I can’t help it!” the girl said as she leaned over and slapped her leg.  “It was so… so…!”     “Random?”     “Oh, absolutely!”

    The two had to take another moment to calm down.  When Kaiya put her arm back through Joseph’s, however… he twitched, his face turning a little red.     “‘Date,’ huh?” the bunny asked, finally acknowledging what they’d said.     “I-I-I mean… we don’t have–”     “I was wondering when you’d ask…”     “Wh-wha’…?”     Kaiya grinned at him, bumping her hip against his.     “Silly Joe…  If you wanted to make us a thing, all you needed to do was ask!”     “Y-you mean…?” he squeaked.  When she nodded, he took a sharp breath and stared… before brightly smiling and giving her a hug!     “Easy, there, hun!” she laughed, smiling as he picked her up and spun her around.  “Save it for the honeymoon!”     “H… honeymoon…?!”     “Yeah.”     She gave a shy sort of smile when she was set down.     “I figure, why not skip all the junk and just get to the good part?  Let’s get married!”     “Ah–”     He seemed like he wanted to say something… but, as he stood there, letting the girl fondly look into his eyes and hold his hands… nothing came out.

    “Hey, Joe…”     Again, nothing came out.  At least… not until she poked his nose like a doorbell.     “You know I’m kidding, right?”     “I…  I-I…” the flustered fox half-sputtered.     “But…”  Kaiya brightly smiled as she paused.  “I… I’d be happy to be your girlfriend.”     Joseph blinked… then, he blushed.  She was being sincere…

    “R… really…?” he found himself asking.  When she squeezed his hands and gave a nod, all he could to do was say… “W-wow…”     “Honestly… we, already were, practically… right?”  She grinned, her long tail swaying as she said, “We go places, together…  I love hugging you and making you blush…  And, I know you really like it when I kiss your cheek or nose.  So… yeah!  Let’s make it official, why not?”     He blushed a little harder as she leaned down and kissed his cheek.     “I’ll be your girlfriend… if you be my boyfriend!”     And, again… she found herself being hugged tight.     “S-silly…” she chuckled.  “People are staring.”     Joseph blinked… then, he squirmed.  People weren’t just staring… they were applauding!  How much of that private conversation had they heard?!     “Wanna get outta here?” Kaiya asked amidst the claps and cheers.     “Y-yes, please…” Joseph stiffly said, setting her down and drawing a slight chuckle.     Once that was agreed on, she quickly padded toward the front door of the theater, tugging Joseph along.  She seemed like she was in a hurry to leave, too… but, she had her own reasons for wanting to go – ones that he would find out about not long after, in fact…

    “What do you mean, you ‘have the place to yourself,’ this weekend…?”

    After a short walk to clear their heads and a moderately-short bus ride further into the city, Kaiya had led her new boyfriend somewhere.  It was somewhere he’d been before… but, usually, under much different circumstances.

    “You mean, your nana isn’t here…?  Like, at all?” he asked.     “Nope!”  She giggled, giving a little wiggle.  “From today until next week, Nana’s apartment is aaall mine!  Or, if you want…”     She leaned in, purring into his ear…     “All ours…”     Joseph heavily blushed, tensely watching as his friend-turned-girlfriend leaned back.  She was fondly smiling at him, her eyelids lowered and her cerulean eyes focused on his face.  He’d noticed her fidget, glance down, kick her foot against the carpet, play with her hands, or do some other things… which, strangely, made him feel a little less tense.     “G… gosh…  Kaiya, are you…”     “Excited?”  She bit her lower lip gave a sharp nod before giggling.     “I… I was gonna say, ‘nervous…’  But…”     He blinked, then.  She’d taken him by the hand… offered a shy sort of smile… and, pulled him inside, closing the door behind.

    Kaiya’s nana’s apartment was a pretty nice one.  It was situated on the tenth floor of a fairly tall apartment complex in the heart of Masamune City, a fair distance away from the namesake tower that everyone knew.  It had two bedrooms – both situated toward the back – a kitchen area with all the usual equipment and gadgets, and a bathroom that was accessible from the living room.     Speaking of which, he had been escorted to the center of the living room and planted on a comfy, maroon-colored couch… only to have the attractive bunny-girl straddle his lap and look into his eyes, again.  He’d started blushing… and, so had she.

    “S-say, Joe,” she said, her voice sounding nervous.     Joseph swallowed before asking… “Y… yes…?”     Without a word more… she brought her hands up… cupped his face… leaned in… and let her actions speak for her.

    The teenage fox felt his fur stand on end as he felt the girl’s bunny lips touch his.  It hadn’t been the first time she’d ever kissed him, though.  Even before they were “official,” they’d ended up on that exact couch… in that exact position… doing exactly that – usually, just for laughs, or because she loved making him blush.  However, knowing that he was kissing his girlfriend… and, that she was kissing him… her boyfriend… seemed to change everything.

    For the first time ever, Joseph let his hands stray from the safe position of the couch cushions… let his arms curl around her thin frame… and, let himself pull her close.  When he felt her arms slide over his shoulders and curl around his head, he closed his eyes and drew inward, doing something he’d only dared to do once, before, with mixed results.  He was returning the kiss…  But, unlike the only other time he’d tried it…     “M… mm…”     She seemed like she was loving it…

    After what felt like a lifetime, Kaiya finally had to pull back and catch her breath.  She placed her hands on his shoulders…  There was a soft smile and a bright blush on her light-gray face… her tail was twitching, her heart was beating like a drum, and she felt nervous excitement race through her.  She’d kissed him… really kissed him… and, he’d done the same, right back.     “I…  Wow…!”     She panted before cuddling into his front and moving her arms around his middle.     “Let’s do that, again, sometime…!”     “Y… yeah…” he shakily said, gently draping one arm around her back while the other lazily rested to one side.

    For a while longer, the two remained resting together, casually cuddling and softly breathing with their eyes closed…  It wasn’t until Joseph felt something pinch his shoulder that he looked… to find that Kaiya was nibbling on him.     “That… I…”  He murmured, squirming in his seat.  “You’ve… never done that, before…”     “I… I know we have all weekend, Joe…” she said between nips, “b-but… now that we’re official… I kinda wanna… do something.  Something fun… something we’ve never done!”     She kissed his throat before purring…     “Something… that I’ve always wanted to do…”     “Y… you do…?” he squeaked… then, he blinked.  She’d slipped out of his lap and stood.  And, without any explanation, she’d trotted away, heading in the direction of her room and leaving the fox to wonder what she had in mind…

The way she kissed me…  G-gods…  She’s never kissed me like that, before…!  A-and… the nibbling…!  I… kinda like that…  O-oh, and… the way she looked at me…     Joseph tugged on his collar, his face brightening and body temperature rising.     I… I wonder if she wants to… g-go ‘all the way…?’     Strangely… that hadn’t been the first time he’d thought about such things…

    When he’d found Kaiya online, at the beginning of the school year, the two had really hit-it-off, becoming the best of friends practically overnight!  It didn’t take long, after, before they were roleplaying… as themselves… and, doing a number of things that Joseph had, admittedly, done with other girls – or, people claiming to be girls, anyway.  It wasn’t until a month later, though, that Joseph found out that she lived not even forty minutes away… which, to him, meant that they could take things from virtuality… to reality.  But, when he finally met Kaiya… when he saw the girl from the photos in-action and heard her voice in-person, instead of through headphones… he found that he couldn’t go through with it.  He liked Kaiya too much, for that.     Kaiya was just as perky, friendly, semi-flirty, and playful offline as she was online…  She would often tease him and bring up their online activities, just out-of-earshot of other people… as well as give him plenty of hugs and a few kisses on the cheek.  Even when she’d finally invited him to the apartment, things stayed fairly platonic… though, as mentioned, Kaiya was a little more affectionate, when her nana wasn’t around…  Still, neither one of them had ever seriously considered bringing their online actions to the real world – despite continuing to roleplay even after meeting up.  Joseph, honestly, assumed she wasn’t interested…  In fact, he pretty much assumed she had a boyfriend… until he worked up the nerve an asked.     “Nope!  I’m single!” was the answer he’d gotten.  And, since that day… he’d been planning to ask her out… the first step toward a serious relationship.

    As he sat there, feeling nervous and excited… he smiled.  His patience had finally paid off.  They were a couple!  But, how long would it be before they started doing “couple things?”  And… what sort of things did couples do… that they hadn’t, already?  He wondered…

    “Hey, Joooe…”     The fox perked in his seat.  Kaiya had called to him… and, she was using a much sweeter tone than usual.     “Y–” was all he could get out, then.  The girl had, apparently, changed her clothes… and, to his surprise… she was wearing little more than a long, white T-shirt that barely covered her lap.  Again, it wasn’t like he’d never seen her bare legs, before… or, the boy-shorts she wore underneath when she was “dressed for bedtime.”  But, with his mind stuck in “relationship mode…” those long, slender, spotted legs of her looked oh-so-much-nicer, to him…

    “I’ve gotta surprise, for you…” the girl sensually cooed as she stepped his way, bring one foot directly in front of the other and swaying her hips.     He hadn’t been trying to… but, he had noticed, when the fabric brushed just the right way… that she wasn’t wearing her usual boy-shorts.  He was starting to wonder if she’d been wearing anything underneath… before he remembered spotting some pink straps hugging her hips, peeking out from over her baggy jeans, earlier that day.     “What’s…” he started before clearing his throat.  “What’s the surprise…?”     “You’ll see…”

    The fox stood to meet the bunny as she scooted in front of the couch… only to be nudged back into place and sat upon, again.  He noticed, then… she was giving him an odd sort of look.  Her lips were curled into a nervous sort of smile and she couldn’t stop biting her lower lip.  Plus… her eyes kept darting back-and-forth between him… and, something to her side.     “What’s… what’s up…?” he skittishly asked.  A second later, he felt his face warm even more than it had been.  She’d brought a hand down and raised the side of her shirt, revealing that… yes, she was still wearing her soft, pink undergarments.  But… there was something else…     “What’s… that?”     Kaiya pulled something from her waistband… specifically, a little, glass tube with a cap.  It appeared to be filled with some sort of see-through liquid, too.     “Kaiya…?”     The girl had no use for words.  She hesitated, still nibbling on her lip… before popping the cap and drinking the contents of the vial.  Not even a second later, though…     “Mmph…?”     She pressed up against his body… hard… and forced his lips against hers.     “Mmph…!!”     But, she wasn’t done.

    Joseph’s eyes went wide as he felt her rock and nudge her head, her kiss becoming deeper-and-deeper.  His face brightened to a whole new shade of red when he felt something other than her lips touch his…  Her tongue was “knocking” on the front door that was his teeth… and, it wanted in.     The golden-furred fox remained tense…  He hadn’t expected Kaiya to be quite that bold.  She’d seemed unusually shy… but, at the same time… it seemed like she was willing… almost eager… to try new things… with her new boyfriend.  Somehow, that made him relax enough to let her go through with it…     “Kkch–!!”     It was only then… that he realized the mistake he’d made.

    The instant he’d let his guard down, Kaiya took hold of his head, maintaining a tight seal against his lips!  As she did that, a small flood of warm liquid came pouring into his mouth, surprising the fox and cutting off his air supply!  His body, acting on its own, forced him to swallow the majority of it before he was able to pull away, coughing and choking.  And, as he stared at his girlfriend with watery, somewhat-angry eyes, he realized… she hadn’t consumed whatever was in that vial, at all…!  She’d force-fed it to him, in the guise of another kiss!

    “What did you… why, Kaiya…?” he whimpered.  His eyes blinked and he gave another, lighter blush as he felt her reach up and rub one of his ears.     “You’ll see, hun…”     That… did very little to comfort him.  But, even as he sat there, confused, coughing, and short of breath… he didn’t feel too upset.  Kaiya would never do anything to hurt him… and, even though that liquid tasted a little odd… kind of like alcohol of some kind, in fact… he had to trust her.  She was his girlfriend… the one person in the world who would never betray him…

    Right…?