The woman readily agreed, for no one wants a surly bride. They cast off their clothes and created intricate rope harnesses for each other. They each added more and more rope to their bindings, until they were trapped in a lover's embrace.

This is more like you imagined your vacation: Bundled up in Jasper's hoodie, which reaches halfway to your knees. A fondue plate in front of you. And your sweetheart hand-feeding you while you sit in her lap.

"Open..." Jasper deposits a strawberry covered in gooey hot fudge into your mouth. "That's my good kitten."

"You two are so sweet that I'm getting cavities watching you," Lapis admonishes over her wine. "So how'd you two meet?"

"I beat up her boyfriend and then fucked her brains out," Jasper deadpans.

You giggle as you lick a stray bit of chocolate off your thumb. You nod in agreement and proceed to tell Lapis the story of how you met.

"... And we've been together ever since," you finish as you reach up to scritch Jasper's hair. "Your turn."

"Excuse me?" Lapis almost drops the pineapple chunk in her hand.

"You and Jasper? How'd you meet?" You give Lapis an impish grin.

At Lapis' blushing, Jasper interjects. "Not much to tell. I was coming back from leave and on a layover. So while I waited, I took in an art exhibit and Lapis was there. We started talking and one thing led to another and we dated for a little over a year."

"So why'd you break up?" You're genuinely curious because you've never seen an ex-couple get along so well.

Lapis shrugs. "Jasper was always on deployment overseas. I was always traveling for my job. When we were in the same room together, it was great, but we just grew apart. Then I met Peridot while doing a spread on her architectural art and one thing led to another... We both saw the break-up coming, so we didn't have any hard feelings when we had the talk."

"I'm sorry it didn't work out," you finish lamely.

"I'm not," Jasper says. "Because if it had, I wouldn't have met this adorable girl at the gym."

Lapis scritches her nails on your cheek. "And that same adorable girl would not have saved my bacon today. Seriously, the pictures are coming out wonderfully. You're a very patient canvas for my ropework. Speaking of which..."

Lapis looks back at the kimono and obi that you left draped on the chair so you wouldn't get fondue on it. She looks back at you with a wicked smile.

"I'd love to shoot both you and Jasper in shibari. If you feel up to it again."

You shrink into the hoodie and wiggle your toes, thinking about it. The shibari was a lot of fun and it didn't really feel weird until the gag came out...

"Sure, I think I'd be up for it."

Lapis surges forward and pecks you on the cheek. "You won't regret it."