Friends and Benefits

I left Karlach’s cauldron with my finger and cock still throbbing, and my heart fuller than it had any right to be. There was something about her tonight. Something open beneath all that heat. Her words lingered.

But now I moved through the cooling air of camp, shadows stretching under the moonlight. The fire had burned to embers, and the tents stood like silent sentinels. At the far edge, lit faintly from within, Shadowheart’s tent glowed soft and violet.

She stood at the entrance, silhouetted by candlelight, arms folded, her long dark hair falling behind her. She was smiling. The real kind. Not coy, not defensive.

"Come in," she said softly. "Let me take care of you."

Her eyes flicked from my scorched fingertip to the bulge in my pants. I stepped inside. The interior smelled of incense and herbs—ritualistic, Shar’s presence hanging like a veil. She knelt gracefully and reached for my hand, murmuring a spell beneath her breath. Pale blue light shimmered around her fingers.

"You're early tonight," she said as she worked. "I guess Karlach’s show wasn’t too long."

"You planned it?"

"You're doing so much for us," she said without looking up. "We’re starting to like you, you know. Well—I am, at least. Karlach’s throwing glances. Lae’zel... well, I don’t know if githyanki are capable of feelings at all."

"I'm glad you're making friends."

"I don’t care much for friends. Or family for that matter... I don’t even remember if I have any."

I said it gently. "You’ve got us. Not quite a textbook adventuring party, but we’re here. I’m here."

She paused. Then smiled faintly, still focused on my fingers.

"You’re sweet. But in the end, my heart and body belongs to Shar only."

"I know," I said. "But let me borrow some of it tonight."

She looked up, a glint in her eye. "Which of them?"

"Both."

[Shadowheart: Approval +2] [Shadowheart: Corruption +2]

She leaned forward, her lips close to my knuckles. "Then be gentle. I bruise beautifully."

She rose slowly and began to unclip her armor, piece by piece, the ritualistic pace almost reverent. When she loosened the last buckle, the chestplate dropped away with a soft clunk. Her breasts came into view—pale and high, with dusky pink nipples already slightly stiff. Her skin was flawless, kissed only by the candlelight that flickered across her curves.

She guided me to sit back on a cushion, then knelt between my legs. Her hands moved with grace, fingertips lingering as she undid my belt and eased my cock free. It sprang into the cool air, hard and already wet at the tip. She didn’t immediately put her mouth on it. Instead, she leaned in and pressed her bare breasts together with both arms, creating a valley of soft, perfect skin. Her cleavage framed me, warm and inviting.

She exhaled quietly, the corners of her lips curling. Her fingers wrapped around the base of my cock, stroking slowly. She squeezed her arms tighter, pressing her breasts together, trapping me between them. My cock slid through the pillowy press of her flesh, the friction unbearable in the best way. Her breath tickled the head each time it emerged.

Then, slowly, she parted her lips and gave a single kiss to the tip. Her tongue flicked out, wetting it. She dipped her head and took just the head into her mouth, swirling her tongue around it as she began to move. One hand supported her breasts, keeping them tight against my shaft as she began a steady rhythm.

Her other hand returned to her breast and this time, she wasn’t gentle. She pinched her nipple harder, eyes fluttering closed as she exhaled through her nose. Her fingers worked in practiced motion—twisting, tugging, pulling. Her brow furrowed as pleasure began to mount inside her, lips parting slightly as a low whimper escaped. Her thighs shifted, rubbing together unconsciously. She pulled at both nipples now, alternating the pressure until her breath became ragged.

The sight was obscene. Sacred. Addictive.

I groaned. The mix of pressure from her chest, her tongue teasing the tip, and the sight of her punishing her own nipples while bobbing softly was hypnotic.

I placed a hand on the back of her head, firm. She gasped softly around my cock when I pushed her down a little deeper. Not rough. But enough to make her eyes water. She didn’t resist.

Her lips stretched around me as I guided her down, and she shivered when I reached her throat. I held her there for a beat. Then she moaned. A moan that vibrated through my cock and into my spine.

Her fingers, still twisting and pinching her nipples, grew more frantic. I could see the blush on her cheeks. Her thighs squeezed together involuntarily. With my help she pushed further down, tears welling in her eyes now as her gag reflex caught—and she came on her own. Right there, from the pain and the fullness and the helplessness.

[Corruption +2: Shadowheart]

I unleashed an Alluring Blast with my hand holding her steady, directly into the back of her head, then traveling down her spine, timing it to the pulse of her climax. She moaned around my cock again, orgasm rolling through her in waves. She shook. Trembled. And then she choked again, but this time her moan turned into a sob of pleasure.

When I finally pulled out, she gasped, panting, eyes wide and shining.

"I… I liked that," she admitted between breaths.

[Corruption +2: Shadowheart]

"Would you… like to go somewhere more private next time? Just us?"

I nodded. "Name the place."

She stood slowly and leaned over to kiss me on the cheek. Soft. Almost innocent. Then she smiled. A smile that was both wicked and sweet.

"Goodnight, Tav."

I left her tent and padded quietly back to my mat by the fire, now dead. The embers were out, but my body still hummed with heat. I lay down, breathing slow.

Somewhere behind my eyes, in the blur between exhaustion and dreams, I saw it:

+1 Corruption.

+1 Corruption.