Fed by hand

It was a simple platter of appetizers that Della brought in, mostly fruit, but it was presented in a very appealing fashion, making Kate's stomach growl again.

"So you're the bondage expert," Kate inquired, as the delicious spread was set down beside her. "How am I supposed to eat in these." She twisted to display the zip tie encircling her wrists.

"Like this," Della quipped, tossing a grape at her friend's mouth.

Kate caught it, just barely, but was able to nip it back and chew the sweet morsel. "Give me warning next time," she protested while smiling.

"I knew you'd get it. Oh alright," she scooped up a piece of pineapple, "here comes another."

"Hey," protested Kate, but Della tossed the cursed fruit into her mouth before she could close it. She hurriedly chewed and swallowed. "You know I hate those," she said, laughing, "you bitch."

"C'mon, these are fresh. I opened the can not four hours ago."

Kate made a face, which seemed to garner her no sympathy from her giggling friend.

"Okay, okay," Della grabbed a piece of watermelon. "I'll be nice. This ones going in a bit of an arc. Get ready."

Kate nodded and steeled herself. She was ready, but her friend's aim was terrible. The projectile bounced off her lips; Kate just barely caught it at the last second. Melon-water squirted over her face. After slurping back and swallowing her snack, she stuck out her tongue, first at Della, then to lick her lips. With some impressive tongue acrobatics she caught most of the sticky residue off her face, but droplets still clung to her nose and chin. She tried to wipe them off with her hands, but squirm as she might, she couldn't get even remotely close. Next, Kate tried rubbing her face on her shoulder, but that didn't help much either.

"Give up?" Della smugly inquired. "I've got some napkins here if you'll just sit still."

With only minor twitching from Kate, Della was able to tenderly dab away the remaining drops. After which, she began directly feeding Kate, popping each morsel into her mouth instead of tossing them.

Kate mumble appreciatively between crunches. She tried not to nibble on Della's fingers as she scarfed down the hand delivered treats, but occasionally her lips grazed her friend's digits. She blushed a bit each time it happened, but they both ignored these accidental touches.

"More grapes, my liege?" Della joked in a sultry voice, some minutes into their silliness.

"I could get used to this," laughed Kate, wiggling humorously against her zip tie. A bittersweet comfort filled her upon experiencing these familiar antics. How could she have taken this long to visit?

"Oh, I know." Della smiled warmly. "The very best for my best friend."

That comment, this whole scenario really, it made Kate's heart ache. "Am I?" she asked, the question **** her. "You're best friend, I mean. I feel like I haven't really made time for you since I moved."

Della flicked Kate's nose in the way she usually did when her friend was being silly, only this time Kate couldn't block the brazen ****. "You've been busy; that's okay. And I know you'll tell me about Jordan when you're ready." She playfully jostled her friend's shoulder. "I'm excited to hear about that magic cock of his or whatever made you re-evaluate your life, but I can wait until you're ready."

Kate turned away nervously. Yeah, now really wasn't the time for that talk. "Thanks, but I just wish I was here more."

"I know," Della admitted. "It feels like we're drifting apart. But hey, you're here now, let's just make the most of it."

Kate nodded, and leaned in for another hug, forgetting again that her hands were bound. Fortunately her longtime friend didn't seem to mind and wrapped her arms around her bare body all the same. It was nice to have this moment together. It was only natural for them to take different paths in life as they grew up, but in this moment Kate got to share some nostalgia with her friend. "Thanks," she said as the hug, like all good things, ended.

This somber realization hung over her as bleak as the weather outside. The pair resumed their conversation, making small talk to distract themselves. It didn't work so well. "I think I'll turn in, in a few," Kate said finally, not really tired, but unable to endure the hallow that was the last wisps of their friendship. She stood up, stretching to tiptoe, to loosen her numb legs.

And something icy tapped her back.

Kate's shoulders curled back as she yelped. Freezing cold droplets were trickling directly onto her spine. She managed to overcome the shocking cold and twist out of the way, but another drop nipped her right between the shoulder blades. "Yeep," she squealed again, flailing her bound hands in an attempt to protect her naked back from future ice-kisses.

She must have been quite the sight because Della burst into laughter. The other nudist tried to stifle it as she reached for a towel to wrap over Kate's shoulders. "Sorry, sorry," she said, her words coming out in broken chunks as she suppressed her giggles. "The roof must be leaking." She finished draping Kate's towel over her shoulders. "I guess that's what happens when you install add-ons yourself. That's actually a serious problem," she added, a contradictory smile tugging at her lips. "Could you help me patch it?"

Kate nodded. Of course, she'd help her friend. How could she refuse?

Still a bit chilly, she walked carefully to keep the towel over her shoulders. Della didn't seem to mind and confidently stepped out of the sauna boldly nude. The steam beckoned them back as Kate followed Della to her garage.