A rocky start

"Aisha, you said you would clean up after yourself," I gently remind the princess.

It's midday, and her room is already somewhat messy. She hasn't picked up after herself at all. There are plates on the food table, clothes on the floor - both dirty and clean - and her bed looks like a warzone.

My corner of the room, in contrast, is perfectly neat.

"B-but it's just too much," she moans. "I don't know where to begin - could you show me how, and then reward me for trying to learn?"

I cock an eyebrow at her. "You can't seriously think that would work, do you?"

I can see it building up in her - she's about to throw a tantrum. She stomps her foot, and glares daggers at me.

"You're my pet! Do as you're told!"

"No."

Her cheeks flush, but not in the cute way they do when I tease her.

"Just obey me!"

"No," I repeat.

"But you have to!"

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do! Because I'm the Princess!"

"Just give up," I sigh. "This ends one of two ways - you clean your room, and I reward you, or, you get nothing."

Tears begin to well up in her eyes. "That's so unfair!"

I heave a heavy sigh. This is going nowhere. "What if I gave you some motivation? Would you clean then?"

She narrows her eyes suspiciously. "What kind of motivation...?"

I firmly place my hands on her hips, pulling her close to me with a small smirk. Her breasts squish delightfully against my chest. Her blue cheeks tint red, her eyes widening a bit as her focus shifts repeatedly from my eyes to my lips, and back again.

"If you clean your room, tidy up and make your bed..." I bring my lips perilously close to hers. Despite myself, I can feel my heart hammering in my chest as my lips barely brush against hers.

The second she attempts to move forward and complete the kiss, I release her hips and take a step back. She stumbles forward, having assumed my weight would be there to support her during the kiss.

"I'll let you see how that would have ended."

She stands upright, her breasts wobbling as she does. My eyes linger for perhaps a bit longer than is appropriate.

Her entire face is flushed red, and a few of her hairs cascade over her face. "Th-that's so mean!"

I shrug, standing back with a gentle smile. She puts on a mighty pout, but after a few seconds, she crosses her arms with a huff.

"Fine! I'll clean..."

It really doesn’t take long, at all. It's all of about five minutes - she puts the dishes and the laundry in the chutes, puts away her clean clothes, and makes her bed.

"There. Done. Now, give me my reward!"

"Ah-ah-ahhh..." I stride over to her bed, attempting to appear stern, hiding my mischievous smirk with a grim frown."You left it a wrinkled mess, young lady."

"So!? I'm just going to sleep in it later!"

"It's part of cleaning up. You can't do half a job."

"But I did it! That's at least worth something..."

"Hmm... You're right. It is." I walk over, and she closes her eyes with a victorious grin, ready to receive her kiss.

So, I pat her on the head.

"Maybe if you had done more than the bare minimum, you would've earned your full reward."

"You said if I cleaned my room, you would let me have the full reward!"

"And I don't consider this clean," I inform her. "Your bed is still a mess. And your desk!"

"Don't touch my desk!" She runs to stand between me and the desk. "This is exactly how I want it! It's good luck like this!"

"Good luck?" I adopt a quizzical frown. "What do you mean, good luck?"

"I'll tell you if you kiss me." She grins victoriously again. I roll my eyes.

"Yeah, I don't actually care that much. Fix your bed and we'll see."

I turn to walk away, and she mumbles something that I can barely hear.

"Hm?" I turn back, curious as to what she said.

"I...I don't know how..." She rubs her arm in shame, her expression downcast. She can't bring herself to look me in the eye.

"What do you mean, you don't know how?"

"I...I don't know how to get it all flat and pretty..."

I sigh. Of course she wouldn't. She's never done it before.

"Alright. I'll show you."

"Really?" She perks up a bit at that.

"Yes. And..." I groan inwardly. "Since you didn't know how, I'll look past it this once, and reward you when we're done."

Her eyes light up, and she snaps to attention. "Okay! I'll do my best, I promise!"

"You better, you little shit."

"Ah-hey! Don't call me names! That's completely unnecessary!"

I'm a bit confused for a second, but then realize that I had slipped into the way I speak with people that I'm comfortable with. I suppose the same kind of joking terms aren't a thing here.

It honestly makes me a bit sad. Not because it's something that the people are missing out on, or any shit like that. No, it's because it's something that has been part of my life for so long, and I haven't shared it with anyone in my new home yet. Despite being Aisha's pet, borne from her fascination with humans, she hasn't sought to learn anything about my culture, or my past.

"Where I come from, saying things like thay to people is a joke, and is a sign of being close with someone," I explain. "Maybe after your reward, I could tell you a bit about my home? Or, uh, I guess...old home, now."

"O...okay..." I can tell she's a bit put-off by the name calling. Hopefully she'll understand when I explain it to her.

I change the subject, and show her how to neatly make her bed by making my side of it. She's quick to mirror me on her side of the bed, and before long, she has it looking quite pristine.

"Good." I circle the bed to stand before her. I don't let her say anything, immediately planting my hands on her hips, and pulling her close again.

"Now, it's time for your reward... close your eyes." She does just that, her face flush with emotions.

I gently cup her cheeks with my hands, and slowly press my lips to hers. I don’t know how it feels for her, but for me, it's electrifying.

As our lips press together, I'm highly aware of her elevated heart rate, and how hot her cheeks are. She squeaks a little, clearly pleased by the contact.

She doesn't move at all in the kiss. She simply presses her lips to mine, and she's clearly not sure of what she should be doing. After a second, I pull away, smiling gently at her, my hands returning to her hips.

Her eyes slowly open. They're glazed over, and a dumb smile is on her lips.

"So? What'd you think? Was it worth the effort?"