Chapter 33 - Dry Me
"And that’s all that happened while I was away."
Inside the living room, the newly formed couple of Vincent and Natasha were curled up together on the wide couch. Natasha sat nestled between his legs, resting her back against his chest while his arms wrapped securely around her waist.
Vincent had just finished walking her through everything that had transpired during his sudden summons to Pristina – from the mountain prison to the battle against the drake and its master.
"So... this Familial Bond. You could just... vanish again? At literally any second? Just like before?"
"Yeah... That’s the unknown factor on my side. As long as I’m Maelle’s Familiar, if she calls for my presence, I get whisked away."
Natasha tightened her grip on his hands as the thought of it filled her with dread.
"That’s terrifying, V."
"V?"
"Y-Yeah. Both Mari and Dee call you by a proper nickname. So I thought... I’d call you one too. Why? Is it weird?"
"N-No! No. It’s just, no one’s ever called me that before." ’Except myself.’ "And you’ve always called me Little Demi, so I was a bit surprised."
"So... I’m the first to call you V?"
"Yeah."
"...Heh..Hehe... Hehehe~ V?"
"Yes, Nat?"
"Nothing. Hehehe~"
’Huh?! Natasha?! So cute~!’
"B-Back to what I was saying, V. Isn’t it terrifying that she can summon you at any time? What if you’re in the middle of training with me? What if you’re asleep? What if we’re..." She flushed slightly, shaking her head.
*Ahem* "You should have made a strict arrangement with her before leaving. She should only be allowed to call for you at specific, designated times."
"Huh... you know, you’re totally right. Guess I was so excited to get back here and see you that I didn’t really think it through."
A crimson blush bloomed across her cheeks.
Without warning, she shifted her body and turned around on his lap to face him.
She wrapped her arms snugly around his neck and rested her forehead against his. Her close intimacy was so sudden and unapologetic that Vincent couldn’t help but be taken aback.
"Someone’s getting super clingy all of a sudden. Not that I’m complaining."
"What’s wrong with that? I’m your girlfriend now. I’m allowed to cling to you as much as I want."
"Yes you are."
"... Hey, V. When do you think she’ll summon you again?" Her expression changed from pouty to worried as she brought up her concerns.
"Honestly? I don’t really know. Hopefully not anytime soon. Maelle’s in the safe hands of Roxa until they reach the Imperial Capital."
"Hmph. That damn elf... I wish I could have come with you to Pristina to beat her up for giving you such a hard time."
"Hahaha, leave poor Roxa alone. We’re cool now. Y’know, she actually defended me in front of her whole village."
Natasha grumbled under her breath, sinking further into his lap and resting her cheek against his collarbone. "I just... I hate not knowing when you’re going to disappear from me again. It hurts..."
Vincent’s expression melted at the tone of her voice.
Reaching up, he gently cupped her warm cheek, tilting her face up so her crimson eyes met his blue ones. "I know, Nat. I hate it too. That’s why I’m going to solve this problem ASAP."
"Solve it? How?"
"Sitting around and waiting for the old Way-Guide to bring news or figure out a workaround isn’t going to cut it. I’m going to head to the Divine City and meet with him directly to see if I can help speed up the process somehow."
Natasha’s gaze turned resolute. "I’m coming with you. I hold high military authority in the Divine Realm. Though... I’m not sure if my rank will help us gain an audience with Her Majesty any faster, but I’m not letting you go alone."
A surge of deep gratitude washed over Vincent. Smiling, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Thank you, Nat."
The tender gesture dissolved the last of her composure. She pulled him in deeper, turning the sweet kiss into a wave of passion.
When she finally pulled back, both of their breaths were coming in short breaths.
Suddenly, Natasha froze. Her eyes widened in horror, and she scrambled backward off his lap, standing up so fast she almost tripped over herself.
"Holy shit! Nat! W-What’s wrong?!"
"I... I just realised...! I-I must stink! I was so worried that I haven’t bathed since the day you left!"
"Wha... Huh?! Is that it? You don’t stink at all. Honestly, I kind of like your natural smell. It’s sweet."
"DON’T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT!" Natasha shrieked as she backed away toward the hallway. "I-I’m going to go clean up right now! V... W-Wait for me in the bedroom!"
"Wait – in the bedroom?!"
FWOOSH!
Before he could ask what she meant, Natasha became a micro-burst of speed and vanished up the stairs, leaving behind only the distant sound of a bathroom door slamming shut.
Vincent sat frozen on the couch, staring at the empty spot she had been.
’Wait for her in the bedroom?! What does that mean?! What are we doing?! Are we doing what I think we’re doing?! Is this happening really right now?! I’m not misunderstanding anything, right?!’
His heart began hammering against his ribs. Trying to force his racing mind to cool down, Vincent stood up on trembling legs and paced toward the master bedroom on the top floor.
When he stepped inside, he was reminded of the chaotic state the room was in – closed curtains, shattered wardrobe pieces, messy bed, and empty snack wrappers everywhere.
"Okay... okay, focus. Let’s uhh... distract the brain. Clean the room. Keep calm. Yeah. Yeah..."
What followed was a ridiculously speedy cleaning montage.
Vincent moved like a hurricane – sweeping up wood splinters, making up the king-sized bed, fluffing down pillows, and throwing away every single empty sweet packet into the bin.
Within ten minutes, the room was spotless, immaculate, and glowing under the warm sunlight filtering through the windows.
With nothing left to clean, he sat down on the edge of the bed, clutched his knees nervously, and waited.
"..... !?"
Knock. Knock.
"N-Nat?! W-Why are you knocking?! It’s your room!"
From the other side of the door, Natasha’s voice came through soft, timid, and distinctly cute.
"I... I can see the sunlight shining from under the door... Can you please close the curtains?"
"Close the curtains? Why do I need to close them? It’s the middle of the afternoon, haha..."
"Just... please?"
"Uh... okay! C-Close the curtains!? Sure! I can do that!"
Vincent quickly stood up and walked over to pull the drapes shut, setting the room into a dim twilight.
He turned back toward the door, clearing his throat. "Okay! They’re closed!"
The door slowly opened.
When Natasha stepped into the dim room, Vincent felt his racing heart stop for a moment.
She had just finished her bath. Her short, red hair was still glistening and damp, clinging in soft strands to her forehead. A small white towel was wrapped snugly around her chest down her body, stopping dangerously high on her upper thighs.
*Gulp* "N-Nat... you’re... you’re still wet."
"I know..." she whispered nervously.
Natasha took a step forward. Then another. She crossed the quiet room until she was standing directly in front of him, so close he could feel the heat radiating off her freshly bathed body.
Reaching up with trembling fingers, she loosened the edge of the towel – and let it drop to the floor. Right alongside Vincent’s jaw.
In the soft, dim twilight of the room, Natasha stood before him entirely exposed.
To him, she was breathtaking – a divine masterpiece of power and elegance.
Toned, subtle muscles lining her abs and defined waist, perfectly accentuating the generous curve of her full hips, plush thighs, and round bottom. Her perky, delicate breasts rose and fell with her heavy, nervous breaths.
Seeing how utterly flustered and mesmerized he was, a cheeky glimmer sparked through Natasha’s nervous demeanour. She couldn’t resist taking advantage of his shock.
Stepping in closer, she wrapped her bare arms around his neck and pressed her naked, damp body directly against his chest and stomach.
Her glossy lips brushed against his jaw as she whispered mischievously into his ear: "V... dry me."
"N-Nat... the towel... the towel is on the ground..."
She let out a soft, breathy chuckle against his neck, pressing her breasts closer into his "You know I don’t mean with the towel..."
Vincent’s restraint snapped.
Leaning down, he captured her lips in a hungry kiss.
The sensation was vastly different than any time he had felt her. Without any layers of cloth obstructing him, he could feel every inch of her soft skin, the heat she gave off, and the pounding rhythm of her heart against his chest.
He reached down behind her back, and sunk his hands into her bare ass cheeks, squeezing the supple flesh and pulling her tightly against himself.
"Mmmph...!"
Natasha let out a trembling moan against his mouth. Her fingers clutched tightly at his shoulders as the intense sensation sent a jolt of electricity straight down her spine.
Vincent parted her lips and slipped his tongue inside for a deep taste. At the same time, he channeled a gentle pulse of warm divine power through his mouth into her body.
A soft glow emanated across her skin. In seconds, every lingering droplet of water on her body, her damp hair, and her wings completely vaporized, leaving her skin warm, and dry.
Yet, even when the power faded, neither of them pulled away. The kiss only grew wilder and more desperate.
Natasha’s hands moved uncontrollably, reaching down to grab the waist of his trousers. She unbuckled his belt with eager fingers and tugged the fabric down his legs.
Vincent broke the kiss for a brief second to yank his shirt over his head, throwing it blindly across the room.
Once he was completely naked, Natasha placed her hands flat against his bare chest and gave him a firm push backward onto the mattress.
Before he could even settle, she straddled his hips and sat proudly atop him as if to claim him.
Alone together in that dim room, their bare chests heaved in lustful synchronised breaths.
Natasha looked down at him with glazed over eyes, filled with an overwhelming, burning mixture of desire, affection, and surrender.
Vincent as well, stared up into her eyes with his hands resting possessively on her hips.
Reason left the conversation the moment they kissed. Now at their breaking point, there was only way this new battle for the master and her pupil would end.