This shit is bananas

Victory looked so simple to achieve, in your mind. Just take the usual racing line, hit the boost plate right after the corner, take the jump and breeze to victory! Except, it doesn't quite go to plan. You're on course to hit the boost plate as you swing around the corner, but the camera doesn't quite swing fast enough for you to spot the banana in your way, and you collide with it. The AI Fisto in second closes the distance between you quickly, barging you before you can get moving again, and Mankey Kang does the same. Natalie shoots past you on the newly freed-up boost plate, and you come in to a disappointing fourth. You consider complaining, but with how the first match went, it's not like you have grounds to.

You turn to Natalie, intending to concede gracefully, but she's not paying attention, instead just wriggling against her bonds. "Do you want a hand?" You enquire, but are surprised by her answer.

"No, I'm good, thanks." She continues to wriggle, eyes fixed on the corner of the cabinet. A few seconds later, she's smiling at you, holding the rope up between her index finger and thumb, wrists now free. "Your turn." You go to pick up the controller, but she repeats herself, and you look at her, confused.

"What do you mean 'Your Turn,' you undid yourself?"

"Yes, I got it off, but now it's your turn to be tied up." She states this matter-of-factly, as though it was obvious. Your lack of comprehension indicates otherwise.

"I still don't follow."

"I said, 'If you win, you can tie a knot, or ask for one to be removed.' You're allowed to get your own one off, obviously; You not being able to tie a competent knot is your own problem."

You roll your eyes. It's a stupid technicality, but again, you're trying not to piss her off, so just playing her game may be the best option. "OK, fine, what do you want me to do?"

Natalie grins, evidently happy that she's getting her own way. "Same again? You can stay sitting, just turn away from me, so the sofa's not in the way."

"Hold on." You try to comply, but it's hard to balance in this position - putting your hands behind you while sitting means you have to sit uncomfortably far forward, so you slide up onto your knees instead. Natalie doesn't ignore that, letting out a quick, harsh laugh before commenting.

"Y'know, for someone claiming to not be kinky, you were pretty quick to get on your knees for me." You stay quiet, not really being able to think of a retort that doesn't leave you open to further ribbing.

Mirroring Natalie's position from earlier, you put your hands behind you, crossed at the wrists and against the small of your back. You feel quite a bit different this time, though. Unease at intruding in her personal space is replaced with unease over her invading yours. But also, excitement. What's she going to do? Is it going to be tight? Will I be able to get it off? Will I still be able to hold the controller?

She gently pulls your hands away from you, repeating your move from earlier. Her hands are soft and warm, and she pulls back slowly, but you don't sense any hesitation from her. Then you feel the ropes wrap around your wrists a few times, in that same slow-but-firm pace. Embarrassment sets in at the idea that you're just letting her do this, but also at the idea that you might just want it.

The tension is further heightened by your position. You're not as tall as her anyway, but being down on your knees, hunching forwards to balance yourself out as she towers over you, makes you feel even smaller than usual. The way this position makes you present your admittedly-modest breasts is just the icing on the cake. You start to wonder if this is how Natalie felt too, when she interrupts you again:

"All done, Karen. Not too tight, is it?" She doesn't sound too concerned, but she's not completely careless either.

"Define 'too tight'?" you ask, hoping that your voice sounds more annoyed than aroused, as you give a couple of quick tugs at your restraints. They don't budge at all; It's uncomfortable, sure, but it's kinda supposed to be, right?

"Like, you can still rotate your arms a bit, blood isn't cut off?" You swivel your hands a few times before giving her a nod. Noticing this, she picks up your controller and places it in your hands, before moving back to her seat. You experimentally grab at it, finding that you can just about hold it normally, although it is awkward. You roll off your knees into a sitting position against the sofa again, although a bit less gracefully than you intended and nearly losing the controller. Natalie pauses for a moment before continuing though, pensive.

"How about we make the next round interesting?" She asks this while staring down at you inquisitively, almost studying you.

"It's already pretty interesting." You just about manage to deadpan your response. She carries on, unphased:

"Double up? I win, I get to do two knots at once. You win, you get a choice of two as well." You think it over for a second.

"I'm starting from a disadvantage, though." You try to emphasize this point by showing off your bounds, but end up just wiggling from side to side, kinda proving your point in a roundabout way.

"Fair point. You get three if you win. And," she says quite forcefully, then pausing for effect, pre-empting your objections again, "I'll call it a draw if I only beat you by one place. See, you don't even have to beat me, just beat the AI!"

You ponder this for a moment. It's not too hard to hold the controller, but you have no illusions that you're going to struggle to beat Natalie without luck being on your side now. But AI... well, this match didn't go too well, but you are capable of beating the AI usually, and Nat can't do too much if she has to beat you by at least one AI player, right?