Kate whimpered as she stumbled through the front door of her apartment. The downside to being in such different classes from her girlfriends meant that she basically only ever saw them when she was actually home. On Fridays her classes ran rather late, and it was almost six by the time she got back. It was oddly quiet. Usually Chloe and Max were watching some garbage on Netflix and Victoria was waiting to tackle her when she got back. But nothing tonight.

There was a faint light from the kitchen and she wandered in to check on it. And standing there was her three roommates/girlfriends around an impressive homemade cake with a burning "19" candle planted firmly in the center.

She gave a gasp and set her bag on one of the chairs before rushing over to hug them all as tight as possible. "You guys! Oh my goodness, this is so sweet..." She could feel herself immediately starting to tear up, and Max dutifully wiped her cheek with a thumb while Victoria and Chloe just cooed in adoration.

"C'mon, loser, blow out the candle so we can get some cake!" Everyone glared at Chloe, even if she was speaking from a place of the utmost love. Only Kate giggled in understanding. She closed her eyes, paused for a moment. I don't have a single wish. I just hope we never lose touch with one another... Kate blew out the candle and stood back up straight, blinking as Max flicked the lights back on.

With a large knife, Chloe eagerly sliced into the cake and served everyone a piece, after which a pile of presents were dumped onto the table next to Kate. As she ate, she dug into them one by one. "Okay, um, first from... Max" she said as she grabbed up an inexpertly wrapped pile of things, lumpy but lovingly delivered. She tore away the paper revealing a handful of ancient books worn with care. "Oh my gosh, Max~ The Quran, the Mahabharata, a collection of buddhavacana... And a tea to go with each one... Ohhhhh" She set them aside carefully, noting that Max had clearly found older editions, and was sure they deserved gentle handling.

"Mine next, mine next!" Chloe cried excitedly, practically shoving her gift in Kate's face. It was, of course, unwrapped, and Kate expected nothing less. In her hands she held a framed piece of artwork that Kate instantly recognized as Chloe's own personal handiwork.

"Y-You made this for me?" Kate flipped it around so Max and Victoria could see it. On the page inside the frame was a colorful stylized lamp.

The other two looked confused. "Katie darling, do you have a thing with genies that I don't know about?" Kate giggled brightly and allowed herself a secret little smile with Chloe.

Who would have thought that, out of everyone, she would be the one who went to church with her the most? Before she even had the chance to explain, Chloe cut in. "It's the symbol for the Unitarian Universalist church, that place I dragged Kate to back in Arcadia Bay. The lamp is the color of the asexual pride flag, and the little flame is a gay as fuck rainbow. I wanted her to have a positive reminder of the first time we really got along by ourselves." She grinned and nudged Kate. "Added bonus, you say the word and I will tattoo that on you, totally free..."

For the first time in her life, Kate was actually contemplating getting a tattoo. Leave it to Chloe to show her the way.

Last, and most certainly not least was Victoria. She seemed almost embarrassed, and Kate wondered if she would have to run interference and help her remember that just an hour ago she wasn't even expecting presents in the first place. "Well, the cake was mine, and then..." Victoria coughed, and now Kate was feeling even more confused, watching the blonde start to blush furiously. "...then the other part of it is in my bedroom..." Victoria almost immediately dragged Kate off to her room to the sound of Chloe and Max hooting and hollering.

…...

Victoria slammed her bedroom door shut and leaned against the worn wood, huffing indignantly in Max and Chloe's general direction. Her face was so red, and for Kate it was always kind of a treat to see. Victoria was normally so calm, cool, collected. She was brave and fearless. But this private special gift must have been pretty good for her to look this bashful. "I could kill them, if I didn't love them so much..."

The blonde went to her closet and pulled out a perfectly wrapped box, with white paper and golden ribbons. She passed it to Kate, who noted that her hands were trembling ever so slightly. She took the package from her, trying to lift the weight from her soul. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be beyond perfect. Any present that could get Ms. Chase so flustered is bound to be good!"

Kate sat down on the edge of the bed, and almost felt bad about ruining such a perfectly crafted package. But she finally did it and pulled away the lid. She seemed confused until she pulled out the largest piece of the set within. It was circular, leather, brilliantly white, with bits of lace all over. And in golden letters, it simply said the word "ANGEL". It was a collar. Kate swallowed and looked at Victoria, now blushing more than her girlfriend.

"I-It's beautiful..." She set it aside and looked back through the rest. A matching set of cuffs for her ankles and wrists, all the same beautiful shade of white, with even more lace.

They really didn't need to say much more. Kate was pulled to her feet, and with practiced, gentle hands she was stripped of her clothing. Victoria placed the collar around her neck first, securing it at a comfortable notch, then repeating the process with each cuff. She seemed to be primping her just a little as well, messing with her hair slightly, ensuring that the lace on the accessories was looking good, and Kate idly wondered why so much work was going into her appearance. Would there be pictures, or...?

There was a sound of the door opening behind them and Kate gasped, quickly covering herself with her hands. She heard Chloe curse and the door began to close again. "Sorry! Sorry, I thought... Are we early...?"

Victoria groaned, apparently upset that her grand plan was being ruined. "We had a signal Chloe! Just... one second, okay? I will open the door when we're good to go..." Kate was rapidly pulled into a tight hug as Victoria pet her hair. "I am so sorry, baby, I-I wanted to make sure you would be okay with Max and Chloe jumping in. But someone ruined the last surprise..."

Kate just shrugged, giggled, and pecked her on the cheek. "I can see how it might have been a little better if Chloe hadn't barged in like that, but... Yeah, I-I think it could be fun." Victoria breathed a sigh of relief and kissed her forehead.

"I think you're going to enjoy it. Max's outfit is to die for..." Kate didn't have long to wonder as Victoria traipsed over to the door and threw it open, revealing Chloe in some rather casual underwear. No doubt, unlike themselves, the bluenette didn't have much interest in all the pomp and circumstance. But Max... Oh, wow, Max...

She wore a collar and cuff set somewhat like her own, but the leather was a more natural color and was lined with brown fur rather than lace. The most notable thing, however, was the name "FAWN" in black lettering on her collar. There was a pair of ears nestled in her hair, and she seemed to have a small fluffy tail, though Kate couldn't quite tell how it... oh...

For all that Kate was normally the most bashful of the group, at the moment Max was doing it far better. Her head was down, her hands clasped together in front of her. There was something a little animal about her, but not so much primal as domesticated and innocent. It was oddly appropriate. Kate would not have pegged her other girlfriends for being into the whole pet thing, but in the moment she saw the appeal.

Victoria led Kate, and Chloe led Max, the four of them climbing onto the bed. Chloe gave her deer a gentle slap on the ass with a smirk. "Go on, Fawn... Play with Angel for a bit" Play? Well, Kate didn't have too long to ponder exactly what that meant as Max was on top of her, kissing and fondling her with energy and excitement. She was vaguely aware of the fact that meanwhile Chloe was sitting there against the headboard watching them. It was so beyond strange, and yet also incredibly enticing. But where had Victoria gone?

She had her answer a moment later, as she was pulled from "playtime" and soft white rope was run through the rings on her cuffs and collar and around her body. Things were on hold for a moment, paused as Victoria practiced her art. She treated ropework the same way she did photography, with the same eye for lighting and color, and the same terrifying patience and sense of detail. By the time she was finished, Kate was effectively immobilized, able only to wriggle and await whatever came next.

A blindfold was secured over her eyes, and as the last bits of light faded from her view, she felt a loving kiss pressed to her cheek, and Victoria's voice was in her ear, breath hot on her neck. "You know the rules, Angel. It's Queen, Miss Chloe, and Fawn, and 'strawberry' if you get overwhelmed. Otherwise, get ready for your final present. This one's... from all of us."