Clarity - Chapter 22: An Offering of Petals

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#23 of Clarity

After getting the house passed off to Bonnie and co., as well as moving into his new apartment, there's one more matter Penn is waiting to nudge at. One that relies on how exactly the mousy maiden will react to the new situation.

Just a few more loose ends to tie up for now, and this is certainly a high one on the list, isn't it? And to think, Deanna didn't even exist in an earlier draft... how things evolve and change is a wonder, I must say.

This chapter will be the last of the bunch that strays into Adult territory, and... there's not much I can specifically tag about it, so I guess y'all are flying blind this time. I do hope it'll be an enjoyable ride, nonetheless.


Ah, the Monday workday. A welcome return to the familiar after a weekend of transporting and assembling furniture. With all that taken care of, my new place should at least have the basics. A bed, a table, and a sofa. Could do with a few more chairs, maybe a spare side-table or three, but that can be taken care of later. All I need to worry about now is keeping up the grind to recover my finances after that spending spree. Once that's done, I can return to my new home, leaving the girls' future abode ready and waiting. I'll be looking forward to seeing how things progress there over the next few years, to be sure.

The present calls, however. And in the present, all that matters is that work is over for the day, with a pile of fresh forms either awaiting someone to deliver them or already in the hands of those who need them most. It's time for the first day of a new routine, one that ushers me to an apartment in the city rather than a home in the residential additions. Though, speaking of that routine...

"Another day, another dollar, Penn? ...more, in your line of work, but still."

"Too true, Deanna. Though, I should hope you're making more than that as well, with all this office relies on you for."

"Don't hold your breath, but it's a living. More than I can say for a fair few places these days. ...though, that does make your invitations for dinner quite welcome. Any idea when the next is? You've yet to disappoint." Heh, I see she's been enjoying our new method of relaxing after a long day. She's been over a fair few times in the past couple of weeks, and while she's been more forthcoming with stories of her family at least, she's tried to remain tight-lipped about her own desires since that night. We'll see if that changes in the near future, for perhaps obvious reasons.

"I might need a bit of time to decide on that. Proceedings with Bonnie have things fast-paced, at the moment. Should settle down soon."

"...I hesitate to ask how that's going, so I won't. Here's to a fine evening ahead, for both of us."

"Hah, fair enough. Here's to it!" A quiet walk is all that awaits us now. Our usual trip out of the building, with the single change of where I'm walking. Some tactical small talk helps mask what's happening, however, as we continue down the street. Note to self: fishing for current events regarding her niece distracts Deanna like nothing else.

At long last, the bus stop comes into view. It's not long until we're both seated in the sheltered booth, the wind no longer against us. And as for my mouse companion? She's still rambling on, with enough material to make it seem as though she never stopped being a surrogate mother to Louise.

"...so, I do sometimes wonder if she took after me a bit with all the studying. That said, she's not entirely sure what she'll want to stick to for her degree, but she's taken Biochemistry for now. Flexible if she sticks with it, and she gets her core classes out of the way in her first year otherwise, it's really quite- ...hm."

"Oh? Is something the matter? It takes a lot to derail your train of thought on this." Right on schedule. Her eyes have narrowed, and her posture's become even more rigid than the usual front she puts up. That's it, poke the issue...

"Penn, did you... forget which way you were headed? This isn't your route."

"Hm? Ahh, yes, I hadn't told you yet. I thought a change of scenery might do me some good, especially with how empty the house feels. I've found a vacancy in one of the apartment buildings, and just finished getting everything set up there. ...well, the basics, anyway, but it's livable. I'll be taking this bus from today onward."

"W-What? What did you do with the-"

"I'm offering the house in negotiations, with it fully paid off. Bonnie, her partner, and maybe a few others should be moving in soon, now that I've vacated the premises. Works just fine for me. I had no use for it, but she certainly will."

"Paid off?! Others...? I-I just- you know what, no, I'm not thinking about this right now, I just... I need to go home, unwind, and just be glad you found a place. Much as I find it... vexing... to give all that up, if it's what you needed, then so be it."

"I'm glad to hear it, Deanna. The closer proximity ought to make dinner invites more convenient, as well. ...speaking of, it seems our ride is here. Shall we?"

"Let's, yes." I make sure to walk ahead of her, taking a window seat. As expected, she settles in next to me. What she won't expect, though, is soon to come. I know full well the stop near the apartments isn't far from here. It's my first time travelling there from this stop in particular, but the area already looks familiar. Within minutes, we're disembarking, with me following close behind her. Nothing unusual yet, but give it time. After a few minutes, we're nearing her apartment building. With a twitch of her ear, she glances behind her, noticing I've yet to stop shadowing her. Such suspicions are overdue, I'd say!

"...Penn? I'm only going to ask this once. Which building did you find a vacancy at?"

"Hmm, nowhere special. A quaint place called Applehoff Heights. The apartment layout is rather cozy, I must say. Why, do you know the place?"

"Wh- I-I... you...!" Ah, the beautiful sight of reality setting in. I think I'm going to enjoy seeing her so flustered, though I wonder what it will take to match this shade of red that's settled upon her cheeks, paired with those clenched teeth. She doesn't blush easily, that much she's made obvious. A noble pursuit, then, to seek out what paints that red hue against her silver coat.

"My oh my, twice in one day? I wonder what's surprised you so?"

"Y-You, you just- gaaah, nothing. Just stay close to me. We're almost there." Oh, this is just priceless! The shift is everything I dreamed of and more, even as we head through the doors to the lobby, followed by taking the stairs. Heading up, though, it seems one more question weighs on her mind as she stops and lets out a defeated sigh.

"...which room?"

"Hmm? Say again?"

"Which ROOM did you get, Penn? And what floor, by extension?"

"Ah. Apartment number 215, near the end of the hall. Apparently it's been vacant for a while, so the owners were enthused to have a potential tenant."

"Not like I'd know. Anyways... take care of yourself, alright? Adjusting can be a bit much. How's your food situation been, speaking of?"

"Oh, mostly takeout recently. Kitchen's set up, but work alongside moving everything in has been exhausting. I'll be amending that soon, though, so dinner invites will be back to normal."

"...fair enough. Have a good night, Penn. Let me know if you need any help with all this."

"The same goes to you, Deanna. Good night." The second floor in sight, we go our separate ways at last. Far after she ever expected, and I must say, it was an entertaining journey here. Even in this final leg of that journey, alone in the halls, I'm rather pleased with the results. That's over with for today, though; all that remains is to relax and unwind in my new home.

The door closes behind me, and I'm left in a sanctuary of my very own. A loveseat with a coffee table in front, a kitchen table with a pair of chairs, and bare counters save for the new slow-cooker I purchased. Barren walls, as well. Some might look upon such a sight and call it sad. I, however, see it as a new start. Walls to be filled with framed memories in the coming future, or perhaps such a state makes it suitable as a stepping stone to somewhere grander, with little to pack. Either way, a perfect place for a lone bachelor trying to while away the evening after a dull day at work. Watching through whichever series I'm working on, reading the fiction more creative sorts see fit to post in public spaces, and a bit of idle searching are all it takes to pass two hours' time in the blink of an eye. Would that my evening could continue like that, but... it's taken a turn for the unique.

A knock on my door. Swift and sharp. My ears turn, picking up footsteps walking away... light ones. In but a moment, I'm out of my seat, heading for the door to see what the issue is.

Swinging it open, I can't say I expected to see what sits before me: a basket, carrying a bouquet of fresh flowers in a clear glass vase, alongside a selection of ripe tomatoes and various colors of peppers, all capped off with a small card wedged between the flowers. This is... extravagant, to say the least. I look down the hall to see if I might have a hint as to who left this here, only to catch a glimpse of a pink tail heading up the stairs in a rush. I can almost feel the smirk readying itself on my face of its own accord. Not even a day here, and already, things are in motion. I ought to bring it inside and take a more careful look.

Setting it on the coffee table, the card is the first topic of choice for me. Simple, thick, white cardstock, folded in half. Oddly plain against the rest. Perhaps she was working with what she had on hand, trying to throw something nice together? An adorable visual. It reads "Your own little slice of nature," without a signature. As if throwing my own words back at me wouldn't make it obvious, Deanna. Up next is the produce, carrying with it that fresh, earthy smell. The tomatoes are firm, and the peppers boast all sorts of warm shades of colour. Both will make fine contributions to a homemade meal or three, and I think she knows that. ...ahhh, that's right, these weren't quite ready a few weeks ago, so they were just picked recently. Fresh as can be... what a generous offer.

I've saved my analysis of the bouquet for last. Looking more closely, it's a mix of white and orange flowers. White carnations, and orange... hm. I'm not familiar with this sort. I spend a few minutes looking up various gift flowers, and my closest guess is gardenias. Not that it helps clear things up by knowing that, considering my information on flower language is mostly for the colors, rather than the blooms themselves. Whatever meaning they hold, I'll have to infer from the rest. White and orange, hm...? Innocence, joy, spontaneity... and honesty. There's more, of course, what with how wide a variety of meanings the color alone can have, but those are the ones that come to mind for a gift like this.

Perhaps she's taken the advice to heart? One could mistake this for a simple welcoming gift, though. One to be grateful for, but a bit non-committal in its approach. She may make a more daring move soon, but for now, I ought to find a suitable spot for the vase. Picking it up, I look it over, wondering where best to place it. I make an attempt to compare it against the minimal setup I have, seeing if I can-

...hm? I feel like I noticed something peeking out from the sea of stems. I lift it higher, trying to see if the view from below will be any more enlightening. In a way, it is, because at least from here, I know my eyes aren't playing tricks on me with those slivers of red in full view. Now, to investigate.

Setting it down on the coffee table again, I try to push aside the center blossoms to look below. As it happens, the place where the card was wedged has a small gap in the center of the collection of blooms. Too small to notice without looking for it, but one that appears strange now that I know something lies beneath the surface. I push aside what blooms I can, remove a few that I can't, then reach down the center, wrapping my fingers around... another flower? Interesting. One careful pull, trying not to catch the bloom on the opening, and what I've unearthed is...

A red rose. Bold, striking, and deep in hue, with a fresh fragrance, to boot. Countless petals layered together to form a blossom that even I know the meaning of. A bit shy about the intent, are we~?

There's only one thing to do for this. Placing the other flowers back in the vase, I reach for my cell phone, calling the one mouse who can offer some answers to this. Not surprising that it barely has time to ring.

"Hello? What is it, Penn?" Oh, don't play coy with me; I can HEAR the nerves in your voice, it's grown that obvious.

"Oh, nothing much. Just got your gift basket. I thought you might like to discuss it."

"A-Ah, I... what about it?"

"Nothing specific. Just to thank you, maybe go over things a bit. The vegetables will be put to good use in tomorrow's meal, I'm sure."

"Y-Yeah... that's good. ...the tomatoes are fruits, but..."

"Details, details. Ah, right, I also wanted to thank you for the flower. It's beautiful, and the smell is just lovely."

"...you mean flowers, plural, right? There was a whole bouquet there. Hard to miss."

"Oh, I'm well aware, but I'm talking about one specific flower. I think you know exactly the one, Deanna."

"...I-I... um..." Cat got your tongue, dear? Or a dog, in this case. It's time for a thorough demonstration of what a touch of candor can do.

"Let me be clear... I'm open to discussing it. In person, preferably. I trust you. No matter how you think this will go, I will always hear you out. I assure you."

"That's- I just-" ...hm? The call cut out. Or did she hang up? ...no, wait, I'm pretty sure I know what happened, if that slamming door from above is any indicator. Heavy footsteps in the hall, heavier than I'd ever have expected for one of her short stature and average frame, are growing closer. Closer still... until they stop, right outside my door. A knock, mirroring the one from minutes ago, announces her arrival. I find myself getting up from the couch to let her in, but... hm...

How am I to assure myself this won't go the way of my last relationship? I'm making efforts to improve, yes, but Deanna's personal problems and mental roadblocks are daunting; I've only seen the surface of them, yet I'm already far too aware of that. She even shares my own issue of being unclear and indirect. One could say I learned some of that from her, if I'm being honest. Even still, with all that considered, we're working on it already, are we not? This gift, this message... receiving it from her mere weeks ago would have been unthinkable. That's progress. If I can acknowledge that, what need have I to worry myself over the prospect before it's begun?

So before I can find the few words that could dissuade me from this, the door opens to welcome my guest.

Moving past me in a hurry, her posture's being kept overly upright and tense. However this is going to go, I get the door closed again; we'll both need privacy for this sort of matter. Turning to her as she stands in the middle of my living room, taking deep breaths, it seems I'll need to be the one to break the ice.

"So... what now?"

"...I, um... didn't think that far. I kind of just... went out the door before I could think. And now I'm thinking again. And I don't know what to do."

"Then how about this..." Walking forward, I place a hand on her shoulder. I can feel her jump a bit at the touch, and she looks at that hand, holding its ground in what I hope is a comforting grip. The shade doesn't come close to our walk here, but she's sporting a blush all the same. Whatever you're imagining, dear, it's not yet time for that, so don't worry.

"The loveseat makes for a good place to unwind, I'd say, so how about we take this talk there? We can enjoy the soothing view of your bouquet there, as well." I gesture towards the couch with my free hand, dispelling any notions of what she was imagining, or so I'd like to think. No matter the result, she assents, nodding while avoiding eye contact. The two of us work our way around the coffee table and take our seats, one on each cushion. Time to dig deep into what's been on her mind.

"Alright then... let's start with an easy one. Why send a hidden flower instead of telling me outright? I'm right here, after all, just a floor down."

"I... I don't know. All I can say is that I feel unprepared for this. Like I shouldn't have tried, but some part of me went through with it anyway."

"And why not try? I'm available for obvious reasons, you know. Have been for a fair while. It's not like I haven't entertained the prospect myself, Deanna." She's wound up like a spring, every part of her held as close together as it can be while still maintaining a respectable seated position, and her gaze is falling further down, settling on her bouquet. Those green eyes dart my way every so often, but keeping contact seems to be beyond them at the moment.

"Because I... haaah, since when was our arrangement about what I wanted? I point the way, dig through a few places I shouldn't be, then you track the scent, pounce, and reap the rewards. Maybe even get advice for more personal matters. That's how it's... SUPPOSED to work, Penn. It's how work... well, works. I was fine with that. Getting to see the results of our efforts, watching the office kept afloat by the few people who know what they're doing, maybe pocketing a bit of the proceeds myself where it's reasonable... you know, typical business."

"Your life isn't about business, though. It's about you. What you want. The work is just a means to an end. Even I knew that, I was keeping myself going at top speed by imagining the light at the end of the tunnel... seeing Bonnie get what she wanted so badly. That's changed nowadays, of course, but the idea's the same."

"You think I don't know that...? I try, it's just- ...it's not that simple. I made some attempts, early in my time there. Young, go-getting, maybe the slightest bit of naïveté that hadn't shriveled up and died yet. Nothing worked out. All I could do was spin my wheels, work at the grind, and hope the place wouldn't collapse the next day. You showing up was a blessing and a half. Someone who would listen. Who would do whatever it took to make the place its greatest, if it meant seeing a return on that investment. Finally, I had something I could do. Someone I could watch grow, see them achieve what I'd had no luck in finding, even at home."

The more she speaks of herself like this, the more I feel my brow furrow, hands clasping together in my lap. Why cast all that effort to the side, pretending only the workings of another could have any effect? I'd hazard a guess she held the place up all on her own before I arrived. That kind of pressure, alongside what I know of what she actually wanted from these years of her life... no one should be beaten down and deprived like that. I doubt she's seen proper compensation for her gruelling work, either, so in the end... she had nothing to show for all this.

"Then tell me, Deanna, what is it you wanted in the home? It sounds like that was your actual goal, what you truly desired from all this, before the entire world was placed on your shoulders against your will. So go ahead. Tell me everything."

"Penn, no, that's... you shouldn't ask questions you can't handle the answers to. I mean it." She's fully turned away from me, her ears drooping in contrast to what seems like her fur raising, along with her tail coiling around her leg.

"Try me. I asked for it. What do you really want, hmmm?"

"What I really want...?!" For a moment, she's the picture of retreating into oneself, tightening her stance to the point of nearly curling up with her arms covering her face. The next, though, she freezes... and releases the springloaded tension, whipping back around to me, grabbing me by the collar with both hands, and staring directly into my eyes with an intensity I've not seen since I told her of my falling out with Bonnie.

"O-Oh...?"

"What I WANT is to find someone during my heat, get plowed into the goddamn sheets until I pass out, and wake up on the other side of it knocked up and ready to start a family, but I think we can both agree that's a little fuckin' fast to be starting any relationship off with, so the world can count itself lucky there's a single... fraying... precarious, THREAD of sanity holding me together on that front, because you know what? It's the only reason I haven't flushed my damn birth control and found some random nitwit off the street who doesn't know any better, and I can do SO much better than what amounts to a lottery for finding my pups a father! Hell, maybe I'd have flushed the heat suppressants too, seen what happens around the office! Hah, like THAT would've gotten them any better of a dad than the rat bastard Phyllis is stuck with!!"

The verbal deluge abates. Her grip remains tight, and her breathing's grown heavy. After a minute, though, the ravenous mouse I'd borne witness to slinks back to whatever part of Deanna's mind it came from, and all that's left is a look of bafflement, the grip being released, and her position pivoting again... but this time, to the rear of the couch, burying her face in a cushion to muffle a guttural scream. ...whether the cushion actually succeeded in that is another issue, one I'm sure I'll be hearing complaints of from my new neighbors.

"...well then. Would I be correct in assuming you've begun to see me as a proper candidate for such a thing?" A flick of her ears, a jingle of the earrings attached, and she unburies herself to respond.

"You weren't SUPPOSED to be!! The best coworker I had, a new pillar keeping that place aloft, all with a ring on his finger! An office that turned out to be filled with lazy schmucks for men, not a single one with the ability to convince me they'd wind up any better than the shitstorms I watched growing up, and there you are! Unattainable, at best, even if you're... y-you're..." Another round of bravado fades away, this time leaving me with the sight of her losing the ability to maintain eye contact yet again and gaining a deep shade of red along her cheeks. There you go, dear, you're so close!

"I'm what, darling?" Hoho, now THERE'S a reaction! Eyes finally locking on, her hands nestling together against her chest, and best of all? A shrill squeak I can't say I've had the pleasure of hearing before! Is this what the mouse looks like at her most vulnerable? Or is there more to go? That's all I have on my mind as I reach a hand to her cheek, lightly pressing into it as the warmth of her blush radiates through my palm. Those eyes, hiding some mixture of excitement and fright, squeeze shut as she gasps at the touch. A pleasant shock, preceding her new prerogative of nudging further into my hand as I brush through her light coat of fur with my thumb's claw, those verdant eyes fluttering open again to meet mine.

"N-Not fair..."

"That's not an answer, you know... what am I to you~?"

"You're... I-I was saying, you're...!" What little bluster she was able to build up fades as she relaxes with her whole body, then allows her hands to rise and meet my arm. I'd have thought she would try to remove my hand, but... she's just feeling it. Every inch of my arm, through the fabric of the white button-down I'd yet to change out of. Paying careful attention to the muscles too, this one. I'll need to keep that in mind.

"Perfect... every inch of you, every word that leaves those lips. Maybe using you as a measuring stick against the others was a mistake, but I guess this is happening now because of it. Even if it took that... that goddamn- she just- hnnnnngh..."

"Alright, that'll do. It's a lovely answer. No need to dwell on how we got here. I think you'd prefer to savor it... am I right?" One nod as she continues to gaze deep into my vision is all I need. All she needs as well, given that her exploration has left my arm to continue along my chest as she leans in closer. My hand, in the meantime, works its way further behind her head, applying gentle scratching motions under the hair behind her ears. My work is met with a most welcome sound, one she claps a hand to her lips to stifle when she hears what she's done. There's little point in preserving that modesty, dear... knowing you, I'll be well-acquainted with every last moan you can make by the end of the night.

With a deep breath, she releases the hand from her lips. Good... that would only get in the way, silly mouse. A gentle pull against the back of her head is met with shuffling closer on her knees, still not having returned to a seated stance. Too much else on her mind, hmm? I can already tell she'll be an endless spring of those tiny details... she always was one to pay careful mind to them, after all, in everything she does. Such as, let's say... that tail of hers, sneaking forward to try and wrap around my hip like that illuminating night a few weeks ago. This time, though, there's nothing to blame on this motion; everything she's doing, she's fully aware of. I would have it no other way as she continues to lean forward, letting her lips part, her eyes trying to delay fully closing for as long as she can to maintain eye contact, and her tail completing its assigned task as it pulls me further into her... until she claims what she's wanted for so long, at last.

I can feel time passing, yet our moment is here, frozen. Her hands, her lips, her tongue, everything is as still as it can be, from the moment our lips met. A snapshot in an album, I'd say. Given a bit of patience, I can feel movement begin to ease its way in, a hand gripping tighter to the front of my shirt as she pulls away. Now, Deanna... was that everything you had dreamed of?

"Hah... heh... heheeee, oh my~" Perhaps I underestimated her imagination, because the quivering and meek look of hope across her face in the approach is being gradually replaced with a sultry smile, confidence in her hands' exploration, and ever-narrowing eyes that could club me across the head with their intended meaning. Like the outbursts from earlier, it feels as if some switch has been flipped... and I'm about to see what this side of her can do when it's promised exactly what it wants, when it wants.

I've not a moment more to think about it before she springs forward, locking her lips to mine in the sort of ravenous hunger I should have seen coming. This is no frozen display like earlier... her hands are going everywhere, gripping their favorite spots they settle on, including one of them seeming to grow frustrated at the fact that my shirt is tucked in before moving on. Her lips aren't content to sit still and bask, no, they're taking every last kiss they can claim from me, almost faster than I can return them. And what each kiss entails? I'm losing track. My mouth has been privy to a new invader, one that comes and goes, feeling a new corner of the inside of my muzzle each time. Once, I could swear the intensity got away from her, resulting in sucking down on as much of my tongue as was physically possible and creating a seal between us, one that held us as close as we'd ever been until she finally let go to resume her carnal explorations.

My internal clock has failed me in trying to come up with how long we've continued this. I'll admit, her passion in this state is infectious! My hands have been making their own attempts at exploration to mirror hers, and though they find her shirt is also tucked in, there's one key difference here: I have the patience to amend that issue. With that in mind, both hands work at pulling her shirt out from beneath her waistband, inch by inch, occasionally tugging Deanna forward along with them. Then, all of a sudden, it gives way, leaving those confines behind and allowing me access to unexplored territory. A trace of the fingers, a graze of the claws, barely having begun the journey up her back and torso yet, and still I'm met with a gasping moan into my lips for those efforts.

Before I can continue the climb, however, she pulls away, raising an eyebrow to pair with her satisfied smirk as she wipes away the leftover string of fluids from what we'd been exchanging so fervently. In a deft motion, she stands, then reasserts her grip on my collar, intent on pulling me up with her. I oblige, and she turns me to face her with my back to the kitchen... then begins to push us forward, her breaths steady yet desperate.

"There's better places to continue this, Penn. Get moving. Now."

"And who would I be to refuse? I think I've made my enthusiasm clear enough."

"Exactly, so get... moving. You pause for ONE moment and I'll drag you there myself!" ...oh. Oh my. Just how much have I unleashed here?

"...you're sure there's no heat involved with this, right? Much as I'd be glad to give you what you want, you're right that it would be... fast, to say the least, if we started off with that."

"Oh, for- you're like a whole week off for that to be the case, Penn, and even if I were, I'd go get the damn pill case myself to prove I hadn't skipped a day. I may be hanging by a thread, but that thread still holds, capiche?"

"Fair enough, but I'll admit I'm nervous to see what this kind of mood looks like on your heat, without suppressants, if this is what it's like with none of that interference."

"Then let me put it this way... if we get around to that, and I get anything less than triplets? You're going to find out on the next go-around. That is both a threat... and a promise. Keep moving."

"Alright, alright, I'm going! No need to fret, dear, you'll get what you're after. I swear to you." It's a rushed journey to the bedroom after that, aided by the layout being the same as her own apartment; through the kitchen, down the hallway, and the door on the right, all to lead into our shared abode for the evening. Not a moment too soon, either, as I feel myself turned around to face her again, just before the insatiable little mouse shoves me back onto the bed. Plenty of space for what's to come as she climbs atop her prize, reaching for the buttons of my shirt... though she only gets halfway through undoing them before I see that energy leave her again, eyes scanning the room until she settles on meeting me with an annoyed look.

"Penn."

"Yes? Is something wrong?"

"Why exactly do you have a QUEEN-sized bed in your one-person apartment?!"

"Ahhh, you noticed! What can I say? I like to be prepared, and... I had more than a few suspicions."

"Wha- haaaah, the damn chardonnay..."

"How much you guzzled down was your own doing, last I checked. I'm innocent in all this~!" Oh-hoh, one last blush to cap off our evening before things proceed in earnest. She seems almost used to it at this point, though, keeping her composure well enough to reach for her blouse's buttons while she finds herself having difficulty looking me in the eyes again, all with a serene smile on her face. A far cry from her attitude 'til now, to be certain. It seems this side of her is no less eager, though, just... in its own way. I doubt that top would've been tossed to the side so quickly, revealing a lacy black bra beneath, were that not the case. That same eagerness has led to her leaning down, pressing her modest bosom into me as she explores what area of my chest she'd already uncovered before she interrupted herself. ...had I ever taken note of her chest before? It's amazing what a new perspective can reveal.

"Oh my... I could feel this for hours. So much lost time to make up for..."

"I daresay you'll have ample time for that, dear. We've got the whole night to ourselves. ...though, dinner should probably happen at some point. Wouldn't do to be famished during this."

"Then one more order of takeout isn't going to bankrupt you, I hope. I don't think either of us are in any mood to cook tonight, yes~?" As if to drive her point home, she's begun nuzzling into my chest, working her way up to meet me face-to-face. With two pairs of green eyes gazing into each other, knowing what's going to continue well into the late hours of the night, I'd agree with her assessment. I bring a hand to her cheek, drawing her towards me until I can whisper into those big, adorable ears directly.

"All too true... we've so much better things to focus on, darling, now and in the days to come. And besides..." I let my other hand drift downward, fiddling with the button and zipper of her pants until it has unfettered access to that most sacred of grounds, drawing another excited gasp from her. ...heh. A glance downward, and I can see the coat matches the cuffs. Black lace, almost see-through in the upper portions. Were you prepared, dear, or is this just what makes you feel good to wear? Perhaps both. They won't stay there long, though...

"...I think there's another sort of meal that can tide me over 'til then, yes~?"