Cora's alarm went off. She quickly got up and got dressed, thinking she would be late for work .She rushed downstairs and was almost out the door when Ali stopped her.
"Where are you going?" Ali looked like she actually cared.
"Um, to work...?"
" Let me know next time, okay? "
"I thought I told you, but um, okay..." Cora sighed and walked out , getting to the bus stop right at the last minute.
"And she's super flirty, but also bossy," Cora finished putting on her gear. " I don't know what's up with her! "
" She definitely likes you, " Rika, Cora's turf wars partner, said. "Definitely. Oh, is she hot?"
" Rika! "
"Sorry, it's just..." Rika stared dreamily at the sky. " I like to fantasize about things I don't have. The chance you have with her, it's -"
"Listen, I'm not buying into it." Cora stood up. "I'm fed up with Inklings telling us how to live our lives."
"Come on, it's just your sex life!" Rika frowned. " How can you not turn down an opportunity like that? "
"You're just desperate," Cora said, walking out to the arena. "I'd rather do anything than have sex right now. For instance, get more money."
" You can get money by having sex... " Rika mumbled.
Cora glared at her. "You think I would try prostitution?! The only kissing I've done is a peck on the lips, and you expect me to willingly do that kind of stuff?"
Rika shrugged. "I mean, with your body-"
"No." Cora took our her splat dualies and pointed them menacingly at Rika, only half-joking. "I don't need you, I can cut you out of my life."
Rika sighed. "Okay, okay," she said, taking out her roller. " But don't come crying to me when you're afraid you're no good at-"
Cora walked away, to her spawn, and Rika walked to hers. "What the hell is wrong with her..."
Cora stood there, waiting for the others.
Ari shuddered. "Why are these memories coming back now?" She thought, sipping her coffee. "That sleaze... Octolings in general... Jesus. I can't believe I'm boarding one now." She looked at the ceiling. "Well, if I can't make him pay, I'll just have to get my revenge some other way..."
Cora walked in the door. Ari was in the shower again. Cora sighed. "Two showers in one day? What is up with her?" She mumbled, walking up the stairs. "I'm all sweaty, too. I think I need a shower more than her."
She grabbed a towel from the closet in the hall and walked into her room, closing the door behind her. She heard crying coming from the bathroom across the hall and got worried. "Is something going on?" She thought, getting undressed. "Is Ari hurt?"
She ignored it and sat on her bed, waiting for Ari to get out of the shower. She wrapped her towel around herself and looked around at the room. There was a closet in the corner she'd never noticed before. She walked over to it and opened it. There was a hatbox inside. She took off the lid. There were pictures of Ari with an Octoling boy - all selfies. There were pictures of them at conventions, at parties, and a torn up picture, that looked like they were kissing. The bedroom door started to open, and Cora hurried to put the pictures away.
"It's fine, you can look at them," Ari said, sitting on the bed. "I was coming in here to look at them, anyway. You're fine."
"Who was he?" Cora asked , feeling nosy, but still curious. "If you're comfortable with telling me..."
"My ex. His name's Jak. We were dating for a few weeks before he... Started doing stuff to me. I told the police and he was arrested, and I don't know when he'll get back out. Hopefully he'll die in there."
Cora looked at the ground, holding her towel to her chest. "I- I'm sorry..."
"Don't be. I'll get my revenge."
Cora sighed and sat next to Ari. "Well, I'm going to go take a shower, I've got ink everywhere." She stood up to leave, but Ari stood in front of the door. She pushed Cora into the bed and threw her towel aside, revealing her body.
"You're not going anywhere, not until I'm done with you."
"I don't understand, what're run-up
"Quiet." Ari started kissing Cora, moving her tongue around her mouth. She pulled back, still pushing Cora into the bed. "You're mine now. I'm going to do with you what I want."
"Ari, stop!" Cora tried pushing Ari off of her, but Ari grabbed her hands and pinned them to the bed, kissing Cora again.
Cora relaxed, not wanting to, but enjoying the feeling of Ari's skin on hers. Ari grabbed Cora's hand and placed it against her clit, forcing her to grope Ari. Ari did the same to Cora, letting Cora continue on her own. She ran her other hand up and down Cora's body, kissing her harder. Cora moaned softly and shuddered, her legs shaking, wet in more ways than one, unable to lie to herself about her feelings for Ari. Ari smirked and pulled away f from the kiss, still groping Cora.
"I knew you'd like it," she said, pressing Cora harder into the mattress. "Now, we'll be doing this every night after work, whether you like it or not." She started kissing Cora again, kissing her mouth first then slowly working downwards, until she got to her waist. Cora shuddered again and moaned, not wanting Ari to think she owned her, but wanting this to happen more nonetheless.
"A-ari!" She moaned again, hands limp against the mattress, unable to move. Her breathing got heavier, Ari was kissing her neck, groping her clit, pulling on her hair, doing whatever she wanted. Cora wasn't doing anything to stop her, after all. She pressed herself against Cora, listening to her moan and wanting more. She didn't just want to do whatever she wanted, she wanted Cora to hate it. ShE wanted Cora to be scared of her, to do whatever she said, because she knew that there was a punishment. On the other hand, this could be her reward. She could bribe her, rather than threaten her. She continued for hours, until she didn't have the energy to go any further. She rolled off of Cora, who was soaked an exhausted. She gently kissed her one more time before getting up and leaving the room, not saying a word.