Roomates

Alice had expected Leo’s “place” to be some kind of sprawling suite- high ceilings, polished marble, maybe a balcony with a lightning rod just to match his whole “smug paladin storm god” aesthetic.

Instead, what greeted her was… surprisingly warm. Smaller than the apartment she’d shared with her mother above the bar, yes, but so much more lived in. The walls were simple, softened by rugs in mismatched patterns. A low table was covered with half burned candles and dice from a card game that looked like it had been abandoned mid-play. The air smelled faintly of incense and roasting meat, drifting from the enchanted stove in the corner.

Comfortable couches and chairs none of them matching, but all of them plush ringed the hearth. Blankets were thrown haphazardly across them, and a few fluffy pillows had been shoved into the corners like someone had dozed off there recently. Magical lamps hung from the ceiling, their glow tinted warm gold, casting the whole space in a soft light that made it feel more like a den than an adventurer’s crash pad.

Alice’s eyes caught little details that made her chest squeeze with something she didn’t want to name: Jolie’s mess of jewelry sprawled across the table like glittering confetti Yamaba’s stack of tomes lined up neatly, every spine black and ominous Leo’s cape draped arrogantly across the back of the comfiest chair. It wasn’t neat. It wasn’t pristine. But it felt… homey, lived in.

Alice’s breath caught in her throat.

Jolie skipped ahead, already tugging her hoodie over her head like it was the most natural thing in the world. Yamaba followed in silence, sliding out of her heavy boots with deliberate precision, molten eyes flicking toward Alice like she was daring her to hesitate. Leo lingered in the doorway, smirk tugging at his lips as though this was just another game he’d already won.

Alice swallowed hard, heat flooding her body. Her fingers tightened on the shaft of her staff.

(It’s smaller than home. Messier. But gods, it feels alive. It feels like a place people belong. And I… I want this. Not the walls, not the furniture- them. I want them.)

Her pulse spiked, cheeks burning as she realized she was standing frozen in the doorway like an idiot.

“I…” Alice began, her voice catching before she **** the words out. “I’m ready.”

Leo’s smirk widened. Jolie squealed and clapped, bouncing with joy. Yamaba’s lips quirked upward, the faintest trace of acknowledgment,

As soon as Alice declared her readiness, the others wasted no time in shedding their clothes. Jolie, already topless, shimmied out of her pants, revealing her toned, naked body. Her huge bouncy tits bounced as she kicked the last of her clothes aside, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Yamaba, with her usual stoic expression, slowly unbuttoned her shirt, revealing her round breasts. She then slid off her pants, exposing her smooth, hairless pussy. Her molten eyes never left Alice's face, as if challenging her to look away.

Leo, with a cocky grin, casually shrugged off his cape and pulled his shirt over his head in one fluid motion. His chiseled abs and chest were on full display, but Alice's eyes were drawn lower, to the large bulge straining against his pants. He made a show of slowly unbuckling his belt, then shoving his pants down, freeing his massive, already erect cock. It stood proud and thick, a bead of pre cum glistening on its tip.

Alice felt a wave of arousal wash over her, her own cock twitching in response. She took a deep breath and, with trembling hands, began to remove her own clothes. First, her shirt, then her binding, exposing her small, perky breasts. Then, she slid off her pants and underwear, revealing her unique anatomy. Her pussy, already wet with arousal, and her slender, hard cock, standing at attention.

The others stared at Alice with unconcealed lust. Jolie practically drooled, eyeing Alice's erection hungrily. Yamaba's eyes widened slightly, a rare crack in her composed facade. Leo licked his lips, his own cock twitching at the sight.

"N-no laughing," Alice managed to say, her cheeks burning both from embarrassment and desire.

"Why would we laugh?" Jolie chimed in, stepping closer. "You're absolutely gorgeous, Alice."

And with that, the last of Alice's reservations melted away. She stepped into the room, naked and ****, but surrounded by her new family. A sense of belonging washed over her, mingled with the heat of arousal.

As Alice watched her new housemates settle into their home, she couldn't help but notice the exquisite details of their bodies. Her eyes were drawn first to Yamaba, whose large, round breasts swayed gently with each movement. The way Yamaba bent over to pick up a book from the floor accentuated her bubble butt and wide hips, causing Alice's breath to hitch in her throat.

Next, Alice's gaze fell upon Jolie, whose body could only be described as that of a bimbo. Her voluminous tits defied gravity, bouncing with every giggle and movement. Alice felt a pang of embarrassment as she realized Jolie's body shape greatly resembled her own mother's.

Finally, Alice's eyes drifted to Leo, who moved with a fluid grace that belied his slender yet muscular physique. As he reached for a bottle of wine, Alice couldn't help but notice the impressive sight of his cock, which had to be at least 8 inches long, if not 9. The thickness was was nice too, and Alice found herself wondering how it would feel inside her.

Alice herself was a unique sight to behold - petite and a little short, with small A cup breasts and a pretty average sized cock without any balls Its placement was where one would expect a clit to be if she had one.

As the group settled into the cozy apartment, Alice felt a warmth grow within her that had nothing to do with the ambient temperature. The comfort and ease with which her housemates moved around her, as if she had always belonged there, filled her with a sense of contentment.

Despite the initial embarrassment of openly admiring their bodies, Alice found herself growing more comfortable by the minute. This new home and these new companions offered a sense of freedom and acceptance she had never known before. With a deep breath, Alice allowed herself to embrace the moment,

The room warmed quickly with the soft glow of the enchanted lamps, the faint crackle of the hearth, and the easy movements of her new housemates as they got comfortable.

Alice perched stiffly on the edge of the couch, still clutching her staff, while Jolie sprawled beside her with an exaggerated sigh of contentment. Yamaba settled cross legged on the floor by the table, pulling one of her tomes into her lap, her molten eyes glancing up only briefly as if to say, well? are you going to sit there all night, or join us?

Leo lounged in his chair, glass of wine in hand, watching them all with the smug ease of a man who thought the whole world was his living room. The golden light caught on the faint sparks still clinging to his hair, making him look like he carried a storm with him even here, in this quiet, homely place.

“Relax,” he said casually, as if reading Alice’s nerves. “You’re home now. No need to act like a guest.”

Alice **** herself to breathe, the word hit her harder than she expected.

Jolie leaned against her, giggling softly as though there wasn’t a shred of tension in the air. “You’ll get used to it,” she said. “I promise, after the first night it’ll feel weird to ever wear clothes again.”

Yamaba didn’t look up from her tome. “It’s not about comfort,” she corrected flatly. “It’s about honesty. There’s no disguising yourself like this. No lies. No armor. Just who you are.”

Leo smirked at that, raising his glass. “Exactly. This is my rule, Alice.”

Alice swallowed hard, pulse racing. She tried to focus on the furniture, the rugs, the flickering lamplight but her gaze kept flicking back to them, to bare skin and easy confidence, her chest tightening as the heat inside her climbed higher.

(They don’t even think twice about it. Not Jolie, not Yamaba, not Leo. Just… themselves. And me? I’m sitting here like my whole body is about to catch fire.)

Leo set his glass down, rising from his chair with smooth confidence. “Come on,” he said, his voice softer now, less performative. “You don’t have to **** it. Just… be here. That’s all I’m asking.”

Alice looked at him, then at Jolie’s warm smile, then at Yamaba’s steady gaze. For the first time since stepping through the door,

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Leo stood up and stretched languidly, his impressive cock swaying as he moved. He took a step towards the three girls, his intentions clear. "I think it's time we all got to know each other a little better," he said, his voice low and seductive.

Alice, Jolie, and Yamaba all felt a thrill of excitement run through them as they watched Leo approach. Jolie giggled nervously, while Yamaba raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Leo stopped in front of Alice, his cock just inches from her face. "Why don't you start, Alice?" he murmured, running a finger along her jawline. Alice, trembling slightly, leaned forward and took him into her mouth, savoring the taste of his smooth, hard flesh.

Jolie and Yamaba watched, as Alice worked Leo's cock with her mouth, her small hands caressing his balls. Leo moaned softly, his fingers tangling in Alice's hair as he guided her movements.

After a few minutes, Leo pulled back, his cock glistening with Alice's saliva. He turned to Jolie, who was practically drooling with anticipation. "Your turn," he said, smirking.

Jolie eagerly took Leo into her mouth, her skilled tongue swirling around his shaft. Alice watched, her own arousal growing as she saw Jolie's technique. Yamaba, not wanting to be left out, began to caress Leo's balls, her molten eyes locked with his.

The room was filled with the sounds of moans and wet slurps as the three girls serviced Leo, each taking turns to please him with their mouths and hands. Leo's cock twitched and pulsed, clearly enjoying the attention of his three beautiful admirers.

As the orgy intensified, the four adventurers lost themselves in a haze of lust and desire. Leo, fully erect and throbbing, laid back on the plush rug, allowing the three girls to swarm around him.

Jolie, not content to be left out, straddled Leo's face, her dripping pussy hovering just above his mouth. With a moan of pleasure, she lowered herself onto him, his tongue delving between her cunt to lap at her sensitive clit.

Yamaba, ever the observer, watched the scene unfold before deciding to join in. She positioned herself over Leo's hips, sinking down onto his rigid cock with a wanton moan. Her breasts bounced as she began to ride him with rolling hips.

Alice, her boyish frame already vibrating with need, pressed up behind Yamaba. With a naughty grin, she spread Yamaba's plump ass cheeks, revealing the tight pink rosebud nestled between.

Yamaba moaned gutturally as she felt the slick, uniquely feminine cock nudge against her puckered entrance. Experimentally, Alice humped her hips, the head of her cock easing into Yamaba's clenching asshole.

The room was filled with the sounds of flesh slapping, moans, and cries of pleasure as the four moved together in a symphony of lust. Yamaba bounced on Leo's cock, her ample breasts jiggling with each movement, even as Alice worked her dick deeper into Yamaba's ass.

Alice leaned forward, reaching around to grope and squeeze Yamaba's swaying tits for leverage as she anal fucked her with deep, steady strokes. Yamaba's tight hole gripped and milked Alice's uniquely female shaft, clit and pussy both throbbing with echoed bliss. The smokey tang of sex hung thick in the air as the orgy reached a fever pitch.

Leo, now sweating and panting with exertion, pistoned in and out of Yamaba's pussy in time with Alice's thrusts into her backdoor. The sloppy wet sounds of their debauched double penetration echoed around the room. Jolie's pussy dripped with her juices, coating Leo's face and running down his chin.

Finally, with a guttural moan, Leo reached his climax, his cock spasming deep inside Yamaba. The feeling of him pulsing within her, coupled with the relentless pistoning of Alice's dick in her ass, was enough to send Yamaba over the edge. She screamed as her own climax crashed over her like a wave. Jolie, her clit worked expertly by Leo's tongue, followed suit, her pussy clenching and quivering as she came hard.

Alice threw her head back, the tight clasp of Yamaba's asshole wrenching her own orgasm. Her hips bucked wildly as she flooded Yamaba's ass with cum, cock stuttering as she peaked.

As the ecstasy of their shared climaxes faded, Leo lay back on the rug, his body glistening with sweat. Despite the girls' eagerness to continue, it was clear that he was too exhausted to carry on.

Alice, Jolie, and Yamaba exchanged glances, their desire still burning brightly within them. Alice spoke up, her voice husky with lust. "Leo, we... we want more. Please, don't stop now."

Leo looked at them apologetically, his chest heaving with exertion. "I'm sorry, my beauties. You've worn me out. I need some time to recover."

Undeterred, Jolie leaned down and took Leo's softening cock into her mouth, gently sucking and licking, trying to coax him back to life. The taste of his musk and the tang of his seed filled her senses, making her moan.

Yamaba, not one to be left out, began to explore Alice's body with her fingers. She circled the base of Alice's cock, marveling at the smooth, soft skin before sliding her fingers lower to caress the sensitive folds of Alice's pussy. "You're exquisite, Alice," Yamaba murmured, her molten eyes dark with desire.

Alice shuddered at Yamaba's touch, her breath catching in her throat. "Please, don't stop," she begged, bucking her hips against Yamaba's hand.

As Jolie worked her magic on Leo's cock, it began to twitch and harden once more, slowly coming back to life. Leo groaned, his body responding despite his exhaustion. "You girls are insatiable," he said, his voice strained with a mix of pleasure and fatigue.

Jolie released him from her mouth with a pop, grinning wickedly. "We just know what we want," she said, before turning to Alice and Yamaba. "And we want each other."

The three girls, their bodies still aching for release, began to touch and taste each other with renewed fervor. Jolie's tongue danced along Alice's cock, savoring the unique taste of her skin. Yamaba's fingers plunged deep into Jolie's dripping pussy, eliciting moans of delight from them both.

As they writhed together, exploring every inch of each other's bodies, Leo watched with a satisfied smirk. Though he was too tired to join them, he took great pleasure in seeing his lovers enjoy each other so thoroughly.

Their moans and cries echoed through the apartment as they brought each other to climax again and again, their bodies intertwined in a web of passion and desire. And though Leo couldn't join them this time, he knew that there would be many more nights like this to come

Alice stirred awake to the muffled sound of clinking glass and Jolie humming cheerfully from somewhere beyond her door. For a moment, she forgot where she was the soft quilt beneath her, the faint smell of incense, the golden tint of enchanted lamps still glowing low. Then it all came rushing back: Leo’s apartment. Her new “home.”

She blinked blearily and sat up, the blanket slipping from her chest. Her body ached in a dozen ways that had nothing to do with battle. Her cheeks heated at the memory, even as she quickly shoved it away. (Not thinking about last night. Not. Thinking. About it.)

Stretching, Alice slid out of bed, bare feet hitting the cool stone floor. She padded quietly toward the main room.

The apartment was already alive with movement. Jolie was sprawled across the couch, completely naked, one leg kicked lazily over the armrest as she braided her long blonde hair. Yamaba sat cross-legged on the rug with a tome propped open on her knees, unbothered by modesty as she calmly sipped tea. Even Leo was still shirtless, padding around the kitchen nook as he pulled plates from a cupboard, his messy blond hair sticking out at odd angles.

Alice froze in the doorway. (Oh. Right. The nudity rule. They weren’t joking about that.)

Her face went hot, heat crawling down her neck as she tried not to stare. Jolie waved brightly when she noticed her, unfazed. “Morning, Alice! Sleep well?”

Alice mumbled something unintelligible, tugging nervously at the hem of the quilt she’d wrapped around herself.

Yamaba’s eyes flicked up from her book. Her lips twitched, just barely. “She’s shy. How quaint.”

Leo turned, plate in hand, smirking as if nothing about this was strange. “You’ll get used to it, rookie. Clothes are overrated. Besides, you look more flustered with that blanket than you would without it.”

Alice swallowed hard, clutching the quilt tighter around herself. (Gods, how am I supposed to survive living with three nudists? This is going to kill me faster than any dungeon.)

Alice nearly jumped out of her skin when a holographic panel flickered into existence just above her wrist. A chime rang through the room, projecting softly in her ears. The sudden glow made her clutch her blanket tighter, cheeks flushing when she realized Jolie and Leo were both staring with curiosity.

The words [Incoming Call – Mom] blinked across the panel.

“Oh, crap,” Alice muttered, fumbling to accept the call. The panel stretched outward into a floating rectangle, hazy static clearing into the familiar sight of her mother leaning lazily against the bar counter. Her hair was messy, eyes half-lidded, and the faint neon lights of the tavern glowed behind her.

“Hey, sweetie!” her mom said brightly, giving a lazy wave. “Finally got the system to behave. Anyway! How’s the move going? Did the big storm knight and his little circus set you up okay?”

Alice’s ears burned. “M-Mom! Not so loud!” She angled the panel slightly, as if that would hide how obviously flustered she was. “I, uh, I’m here. It’s… good. Smaller than our place but… cozy.”

Her mother leaned forward, chin propped on her hand, smirking. “Uh-huh. That blush says you’re settling in just fine. So, when do you want me to bring your stuff down? Or are you too busy playing house already?”

Alice groaned. “Mom. Please.”

Behind her, Jolie giggled, whispering loudly enough to carry: “She’s adorable when she’s embarrassed.” Yamaba didn’t even look up from her book, but Alice swore she saw the elf’s lips twitch at the corner. Leo just smirked, enjoying the show far too much.

Trying desperately to ignore them, Alice focused on the glowing panel. “Maybe later this week? I don’t need much. Just some clothes, a few books and my posters. Don’t worry about it, Mom.”

Her mother leaned back, clearly unconvinced, sipping from a glass. “Alright, fine. But don’t think you’re off the hook for checking in. I want updates every few days. Got it?”

“Yes, Mom,” Alice muttered.

The call winked out, the panel folding back into nothing. Alice sat there frozen, blanket clutched around her shoulders as her party lounged naked around the room, each one wearing some variation of a smug grin.

“…I hate all of you,” she mumbled.

“Love you too, rookie,” Leo said with a laugh.

Alice sat cross legged on the couch, She could feel the flush on her cheeks and hated how obvious it was. Leo, of course, noticed. He leaned against the arm of the couch with that maddening smirk, cigarette dangling loosely from his lips like he’d just won some silent argument she didn’t even know they were having.

“You looked pretty cute on that call,” he teased, smoke curling lazily from his lips. “Blushing like you were hiding something. What’d you tell her, hmm? That you’ve moved in with your handsome new boyfriend?”

Alice groaned and yanked the nearest pillow into her arms. (Oh my gods, why does he always have to phrase everything like that?)

“I told her nothing,” Alice snapped, her blush deepening. Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she swung the pillow with both hands and smacked him square in the chest.

Leo stumbled back half a step, more out of surprise than impact, the cigarette almost tumbling from his lips. Jolie let out a loud squeal of laughter, clapping her hands like she’d just seen the funniest show in town. Even Yamaba, sprawled lazily in one of the chairs with her tome open, raised an eyebrow and allowed the faintest smirk.

“Did you just-” Leo started, voice tinged with disbelief.

“Yeah,” Alice shot back, clutching the pillow defensively like it was her new weapon of choice. “And I’ll do it again if you don’t quit being such a smug jerk!”

He stared at her for a heartbeat, then burst into laughter loud, genuine, and just a little bit dangerous.

“Oh, this is going to be fun,” Leo said, shaking his head.

Leo’s smirk widened as he grabbed for the nearest pillow, rolling his shoulders like a predator about to pounce.

“Oh, you’re gonna regret that, rookie,” he drawled, muscles tensing as he hefted the cushion.

Alice yelped, clutching her own pillow tighter, half laughing, half panicking. “Don’t you dare !”

Before he could launch his counterattack, Jolie popped up between them, arms spread wide like a referee stepping into a prize fight. “Stop right there!” she squealed, snatching a pillow from the couch. With a dramatic flourish, she held it aloft then promptly froze it solid with a sparkle of mana, ice crystals racing across the fabric.

“Try me bitchs~!” she declared, holding the frozen pillow high above her head like a trophy.

The room went dead silent for a beat… then cracked open with laughter.

Leo dropped his own pillow, shaking his head in disbelief, his smug act broken by the grin tugging at his lips. “That’s cheating.”

Jolie stuck out her tongue. “Nope. That’s winning.”

Even Yamaba, who had been watching from her chair with the usual cool detachment, actually chuckled just once, quiet and low, before returning to her book like nothing had happened.

Alice collapsed against the couch cushions, laughing so hard her sides hurt, tears prickling the corners of her eyes.

The days blurred together faster than Alice expected. She’d thought moving in would feel strange awkward, even but the apartment had a way of swallowing her whole, making it feel like she’d been part of the chaos forever.

Mornings started with Jolie clattering around the kitchen, humming tunelessly while she burned toast or over-salted eggs. Alice learned quickly that Jolie was an enthusiastic cook, but not a skilled one. Leo usually came to the rescue, stepping in with surprising competence, flipping omelets while barking out mock orders like a drill sergeant. (“Jolie, step away from the stove before you kill us all.”) Yamaba, of course, sat in the corner sipping tea, pretending she wasn’t amused as Alice giggled into her cup.

The nudist rule was harder to get used to. Alice spent the first two days blushing herself half to **** every time Jolie bent over for a pan or Leo walked through the living room half hard from the morning. But by the third day, the novelty dulled. She still flushed when Yamaba stretched languidly on the couch with a book, but she managed to at least pretend she was used to it.

They weren’t idle, though. Every afternoon, Leo pushed them into training drills sparring in the apartments courtyard, practicing formation fighting, and hammering Alice’s role as a healer.

“Don’t think. React,” Leo barked as he lunged at Jolie with a training blade. Jolie squealed, tumbling dramatically to the ground as though mortally wounded.

Alice panicked, fumbling her staff before remembering the healing synergy they’d bought. Mana flared, warm and sticky in her veins, rushing out into Jolie with a flash of light.

Jolie sprang up like she’d been revived by true love’s kiss. “Perfect! My sister in class saves the day again!” she cheered, immediately hugging Alice against her slick skin.

(Yep. Totally normal. Healing practice. Definitely not just an excuse for her to grope me.)

Yamaba’s drills were different quieter, more deliberate. She pulled Alice aside in the evenings, running her through “focus” exercises to sharpen control of her mana. It felt less like lessons and more like someone handing her a blade and saying, don’t cut yourself too deep.

It wasn’t always about training or sex. Sometimes it was small moments that made Alice’s chest ache in strange, new ways.

Leo, asleep on the couch, cigarette smoldering in the ashtray, cape half draped over him like a blanket.

Jolie, sprawled on the rug with her jewelry spread around her like treasure, humming while she polished a necklace.

Yamaba, fixing one of Alice’s straps with quiet precision, molten eyes soft for just a heartbeat before hardening again.

Alice would catch herself staring at them, pulse quickening. (Gods. I really did move in with a bunch of lunatics. And I love it.)

Still, Fangspire wasn’t forgotten. Between the domestic comedy, the party stocked capsules, bartered for supplies, and scouted the guild’s records. Leo talked strategy between bites of breakfast, Yamaba muttered about orc formations in her sleep, and Jolie squealed at every shiny trinket they bought “for luck.”

The comfort of the home only made the looming dungeon feel sharper like a storm waiting on the horizon. Alice could feel it in the pit of her stomach, excitement and dread twisting together.

One lazy afternoon, the rhythm broke.

“I’ll handle the shopping,” Leo announced, tugging his boots on with that mix of swagger and purpose that he seemed to think was irresistible. “We need more Consumables, rations, and… well, better gear if we’re not dying in Fangspire.”

“I’ll go too,” Yamaba said simply, sliding one of her tomes into a satchel. Her molten eyes cut briefly toward Alice, unreadable, before she followed Leo to the door.

Alice opened her mouth half to offer, half to ask but Jolie beat her to it.

“Nu-uh,” the blonde chirped, flopping lazily onto the couch with a mischievous grin. “We’re staying. Shopping trips are boring, and we’d just slow them down.”

Leo gave her a look but said nothing, smirking faintly before pulling the door shut behind him. The apartment quieted, the faint smell of incense lingering in the air.

For the first time since moving in, Alice realized it was just the two of them. No Leo’s smug posturing. No Yamaba’s brooding silences. Just her… and Jolie.

The blonde stretched like a cat on the couch, arms over her head, breasts bouncing freely with the motion. “Finally,” she sighed dramatically, rolling onto her side to face Alice. “Girl time.”

Alice blinked, shifting awkwardly near the door. (Girl time? That sounds… dangerous.)

Jolie patted the cushion beside her, smile bright and disarming. “C’mon. Sit. We never get to talk without the peanut gallery around just us heal sluts.”

Alice hesitated, then crossed the room and sat down pulse quickening despite herself.

Alice shifted on the couch, tucking one knee up under her chin. The question had been buzzing at the back of her mind since she’d first seen the way Jolie looked at Leo not just lust, but something deeper. Finally, she blurted it out.

“…Hey. How did you and Leo even meet?”

Jolie’s smile faltered for the first time. She glanced away, fidgeting with the strand of hair she’d been twirling, then gave a soft, awkward laugh.

“Oh… uh. That.” Her cheeks pinkened, and she sank a little into the couch cushions. “We… kinda grew up together. Same orphanage.”

Alice blinked, surprised. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” Jolie pressed her lips into a thin line, then sighed, eyes drifting toward the ceiling. “Neither of us ever knew our real parents. We’ve been stuck with each other pretty much since before I can even remember. He’s always been there. Always looking out for me, even when I didn’t want him to.”

Alice tilted her head, trying to picture it smug, lightning haired Leo as a kid, probably just as loud and bossy, clinging to Jolie’s side like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Jolie gave another soft laugh, this time more genuine, though her eyes still looked far away. “He’s… complicated. Weird way of showing it, but he’s always been trying to protect me. Like… it’s just who he is.”

She finally looked back at Alice, her playful grin returning but softer this time, almost shy. “Guess I never really left him. And now here we are. Still stuck together.”

Alice swallowed, her chest tightening unexpectedly. (So that’s why… it’s not just a harem girl thing. She’s been with him forever. No wonder she’s so loyal.)

Jolie pulled her knees up onto the couch, resting her chin on them with a small, embarrassed smile. “We’ve kinda… always been glued together. Like, literally. You wouldn’t see one of us without the other. The other kids used to tease us about it said we were ‘the twins.’”

Alice tilted her head. “And he was still that arrogant back then?”

Jolie laughed softly, nodding. “Oh, gods, yes. He was bratty even as a little kid. Always picking fights in the yard. Half the time, I had to patch him up after he came back bloody nosed and grinning like he’d just won some great victory. Even when he lost.” She rolled her eyes fondly. “He thought he was protecting me. Really, he was just trying to prove he was the toughest brat in the building.”

Her smile softened, eyes unfocusing as she looked back into the memory. “We started dirt poor. Nothing but scraps, hand-me-downs, and the promise that maybe one day we’d get picked up by someone nice. But Leo… he never sat still. He was always dragging me into little adventures sneaking out after curfew, exploring the woods behind the orphanage, daring the older kids to chase us. We got into so much trouble, but… it was fun. It was ours.”

Alice couldn’t help but picture it a smaller version of Leo, already smug and loud, dragging Jolie by the hand on some half baked escapade, both of them covered in dirt and laughing.

Jolie gave a little shrug, her cheeks tinged pink. “I guess that’s why I never left him. He’s always been there. No matter how arrogant, no matter how reckless… he’s mine, in a way. And I’m his.”

She glanced at Alice then, her smile turning teasing again, though her voice stayed soft. “And now… you’re part of it too.”

Alice fidgeted with her newly long hair, eyes drifting anywhere but Jolie’s face. “My life’s not really like yours and Leo’s. I didn’t grow up scraping by. My family’s… well off. Too well off.”

Jolie tilted her head, curious. “Too wealthy?”

Alice winced, waving her hand as though to swat the word away. “Something like that. I don’t like talking about it. Makes people… look at me different. My parents were never married. My father already had a wife and children before I was born. I was the unplanned addition.”

Her lips pressed thin before she added, quietly, “My oldest sister, Seraphina… she’s vicious. Malicious. Always smiling that predator’s smile. She gave me the nickname ‘Little Sparrow,’ just to remind me how fragile I was. Like I was something to be caged.” Alice’s hands curled into fists against her knees. “She still uses it, every chance she gets.”

She sighed, then softened. “But I’m not completely alone. I have… the twins. Reed and Rose.” A faint smile tugged at her lips despite herself. “They’re a couple years older than me, but they act like we’re the same age. Or like I’m their pet project. They’re inseparable, always finishing each other’s sentences, teasing me, draping themselves over me whenever I see them. They call me all the time, send me messages, sneak gossip out just to keep me in the loop.”

Her expression warmed further. “They don’t care about the politics. They don’t treat me like an outsider. To them, I’m just their sister. No qualifiers.”

Alice’s smile faltered slightly, her voice dipping into something more ****. “But I can’t visit them, not really. Too many… complications. So holocalls are all I get. I miss them more than I can admit. They’re the only bright spot in all that mess of a family.”

Alice rubbed her arm, ears burning. (Gods, I’m oversharing. Now she’s going to think I’m just some spoiled brat drowning in family drama.)

Alice shifted uncomfortably, tugging on a lock of her long red hair. The silence stretched just long enough for her stomach to twist into knots.

(She’s going to say something, isn’t she? Something sharp. “Wow, must be nice, rich girl.” Or “Wish I had a daddy paying for my toys.” Gods, I knew I shouldn’t have said all that-)

But instead of a jab, Jolie tilted her head, blue eyes soft and curious. “What about your mom?” she asked gently. “You haven’t mentioned her yet.”

Alice blinked, caught off guard. “My… mom?”

Jolie nodded, leaning her chin into her hand, watching her intently. “Yeah. You talk about your father’s family, your scary sister, the twins… but what about the woman who raised you? What’s she like?”

Alice’s breath eased out in a shaky laugh, part relief and part embarrassment. “She’s… nothing like the rest of them.” Her lips curved into a smile despite herself. “Maria. She’s… loud. Carefree. She works as a bartender, even though she doesn’t need to. Parties too much, laughs at everything, and has this way of walking into a room and making everyone love her instantly.”

Her smile softened, eyes warming. “She’s kind of a disaster, honestly. Half the time I felt like I was the parent. Picking her up after late nights, making sure she didn’t forget rent or appointments. But… she loves me. Fiercely. More than anyone else in that family ever has. She never made me feel like I was a mistake.”

Alice swallowed, her voice thickening just a little. “I think… she’s the reason I turned out okay.”

Alice’s voice trailed off, cheeks warming as she tried to find the right words. “My mom’s… different. Way different than the rest of my family.”

Jolie perked up, smiling. “Different how?”

Alice hesitated, biting her lip. (Do I say it? Gods, she’s going to laugh at me if I say it.) But once the thought was in her head, she couldn’t keep it down. She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

“She’s… actually a lot like you.”

Jolie blinked. “Me?”

“Yeah.” Alice groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Oh gods, this is so embarrassing.”

But Jolie leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “Nooo, now you have to tell me.”

Alice peeked out between her fingers, sighing. “She’s… carefree. Loud. Always laughing, always moving. She works at a bar, dresses like she’s ready to party every night, and she makes people love her without even trying. She forgets things, she makes mistakes, but she never ever lets me feel unloved.”

Jolie’s grin widened. “Sounds like a fun lady.”

“That’s not the worst of it,” Alice mumbled, mortified. “She even… kind of looks like you. Same body type. Big, uh… bust.” Alice gestured vaguely, refusing to make eye contact. “Same way of leaning in too close when she talks. She’s always touching, hugging, laughing-”

By now, Alice’s face was crimson. “Basically, every time you bounce around the apartment, all giggly and… you know… you, it just reminds me of her. Which is really confusing, because-” She cut herself off, groaning into her hands again.

Jolie giggled, clapping her hands. “That’s adorable! No wonder you like me so much I’m basically Mommy 2.0!” She winked. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you too,.”

Alice groaned louder, sliding down in her seat until she was nearly under the table. (Why did I say anything? Why am I like this?)

Jolie leaned in across the couch, her eyes glinting with mischief. Her voice dropped into a sing song purr, low enough that it sent shivers down Alice’s spine.

“You know…” Jolie brushed a strand of Alice’s new long hair off her cheek, fingertips lingering far too long. Her lips curled into a grin. “…I could be your mommy, if you want.”

Alice froze, heat shooting up her neck to the tips of her ears. Her mouth opened, then closed, then opened again nothing came out but a helpless stammer.

“M-Mommy?! N-no! You we ” she squeaked, covering her face with both hands. “Y-you can’t just say stuff like that!”

Jolie giggled, leaning even closer, close enough that Alice could feel the warmth of her breath. “Oh, but you’re so cute when you’re flustered. You’d look adorable calling me Mommy ”

Alice’s brain short-circuited. She flailed, words tumbling out in a panic. “Leo! L-Leo said no sex without him here!”

That stopped Jolie in her tracks. She blinked once, then burst out laughing, throwing herself back against the couch cushions and clutching her stomach.

Alice groaned into her hands, wishing she could sink into the floor. (Why did I have to bring him up right now? Gods, I sound like a child tattling on the rules…)

Alice was still hiding her face in her hands when Jolie’s laughter tapered into a sly grin. She leaned closer, voice dipping into a conspiratorial whisper.

“Mm… Alice, sweetie, I think you remembered the rules wrong.”

Alice peeked out between her fingers, nervous. “…What do you mean?”

Jolie’s eyes gleamed, her tone sing-song. “Rule one wasn’t permission…” She tapped her chin dramatically, as though quoting from scripture. “It was ‘send him a message.’ That’s all. No waiting for him to say yes or no. Just tell him.”

Alice’s ears burned. “T-that’s… splitting hairs…”

“Loopholes,” Jolie corrected, delighted. “Beautiful, juicy loopholes. He worded it that way because he’s cocky. He assumes I’d never risk it. But…” She leaned even closer until her lips brushed Alice’s ear. “It means I can, whenever I want. As long as I text him after.”

Alice’s pulse spiked, her breath catching. (Gods, she’s serious…)

“And rule two?” Jolie continued, grinning like a cat with cream. “That’s just no pussy penetration. He never said anything about hands, mouths, breasts…” She let the implication hang in the air, savoring Alice’s wide eyed panic.

Alice tried to form words but all that came out was a squeak. “T that still sounds like breaking the rules ”

“Not breaking.” Jolie’s giggle was wicked as she reclined back, stretching her bare arms over the couch. “Bending. Perfectly allowed. Perfectly fun. And rule three? Well…” She tilted her head. “Leo’s the boss. But he’s not here right now.”

Alice’s stomach twisted in knots of heat and nerves. She swallowed hard, fidgeting with her long hair.

(…Why does she have to make it sound so easy? So dangerous? So tempting?)