A/N: Imagine those therapeutic-like sessions, where they ask you to close your eyes and imagine a scenery while ambient sounds in the background - but don't actually close your eyes because then you won't be able to read the update!
As always, special thanks to Crosswood for beta-ing
The Carrot and the Whip
The blazing hot rays of the sun beat down upon you, as the warm sea breeze sweeps past the small of your back. It carries on all the way up to the base of your neck, which is exposed from having your prized blue hair swept to the side.
The small gust of air is welcomed, as the sun-baked sand stirs to give you a moment's reprieve.
Gingerly you creak open your eyes and allow the blinding rays into your dark pupils – you are greeted with the magnificent sight of a white sandy beach under a cloudless blue sky - crystal blue waves gently rise and recede to and from the edges of the soft sand.
You let out a content sigh. That there is not a soul in sight to disturb your well-earned rest, nor spoil your time alone with your girlfriend. You turn your head from the empty beach to your brunette, who is sitting beside you. She sat in the faux-safety of the shadow cast by the large umbrella you slaved to drag here; she observes the scenery and listens to the calmness of nature that surrounds us.
You close your eyes once more as the summer heat envelopes you again, and sleep borders the edges of your mind.
"Natsuki?" Your girlfriend calls out your name gently.
"Hm?" You vainly attempt a reply.
"You should reapply your sun block, Natsuki. We don't want you to have any sunburn do we?"
"Arrhhh." You make a discontent noise, as your mind sluggishly tried to remember how long you've been here and when it was you last applied the sticky substance.
Your laziness prevents you from checking your watch. Your tiredness from driving here, carrying the umbrella, and then lying under the unforgiving sun stops you from getting up and doing what you know you'll regret if you don't. So you do the only logical thing that comes to mind:
"Shizuru, put it on for me." Your mumble is listless – one eye opens to look at your girlfriend.
You see that fine brow rise in surprise, but it soon lowers and her smile turns to a mischievous cheeky one.
"If you insist, Natsuki."
You wonder if you have just invited the devil, but you resist the urge to warn her off, because you've learned over the years that a warning would only warrant the exact opposite of its intention - so instead you try for calm, and ready yourself for the sudden cool liquid on the small of your back (accompanied by soft delicate hands).
Still, you flinch despite your preparations. The sun block falls upon your skin, but you relax the moment familiar hands began spreading the thick cream out – covering your exposed back and shoulder blades; arms, thighs, calves and feet.
You bite the inside of your cheek to stop yourself from giggling when her gentle touch moves too close to sensitive areas, and you try to will yourself to return to the half-sleep state you want to be in.
To you, it's becoming less of a surprise when she doesn't do anything inappropriate or otherwise – it simply further convinces you that she could behave if she wanted to.
She makes an affirmative hum when she's done, and goes back to her seat to tend to herself.
You mumble a 'Thanks' as you try to close your eyes and return to your previous state of inactiveness, but the moment is gone, and you no longer feel like lying motionlessly upon the silky soft sand.
"Shizuru?" You ask without raising your head, "What drinks do we have in the cooler?"
You peer up towards and beyond your love, looking to see the blue and white chilly bin (that you also had to drag all the way here since you couldn't allow your brown haired lover to carry such heavy things).
"Lemon tea, coke and water." She answers, while she finishes up with the sun block herself.
"Can I get a lemon tea? Please." You plead gently, making eye contact to those glistening red orbs.
You witness her smile reaching her eyes just before she twists around to fetch the aforementioned beverage.
Returning to you, she has already made quick work of the small plastic wrap covering the flimsy straw, and with it she proceeds to puncture the tiny circular foil on your paper carton drink.
Pushing yourself up to rest on your elbows, you wipe the film of sweat from your brow with the back of your hand. She hands you the drink. You take with gratitude – offering a more pronounced 'Thanks' this time.
Another gust of wind blows by, this time picking up grains of the beach along with it – grazing and sticking onto your now greasy back. She watches you take the first big slurp, which draws the sides of the packaging into itself.
"Is Natsuki hungry?" Your attentive girlfriend asks.
You release your hold on the straw, letting the drink draw air back in as the carton flexes into its original form –gurgling as it does.
"Did… did you make the sandwich I asked?" You ask tentatively (with puppy eyes - you remember the trifling argument you had started over the very same subject hours before.)
"Natsuki - you know so much mayonnaise isn't good for you," she starts saying causing you to look away with a childish pout "…but yes I made the sandwich."
And they say you're the whipped one.
You spin your head back instantly with a jovial expression – happiness and joy radiating from your eyes just like the heat from the sand.
Flipping over to sit on your towel properly, you rest your drink beside you.
"Thank you, Shizuru. Love you!"
Her only reply is a defeated (but affectionate) smile, as she hands you the wrapped food she's already retrieved from the chilly bin.
Greedily, you ripped away the plastic film and take that first hungry bite – savouring the taste and voicing your immense approval with an unrestrainable, sensuous groan. A thought crosses your mind as you stare out at the bright sunny beach.
"Shizuru? Can you help me with something? My hands are full and I need to put on sun block."
A devious smile. Sometimes a carrot should be favoured over the whip.
A/N: Muahaha! Are the readers from the northern hemisphere missing summer now? Because that was my evil ingenious plan all along! And you thought I just felt like writing an update - nope, I'm just trying to make you jealous of us who is residing in the southern hemisphere relaxing during summer X)
Oh also, I don't really know where to drop this bomb so I'll just say it here: I'm intending to cease updates to The One in Power after the 20th chapter (whenever that will be) I'll probably end up with another one shot collection with another theme but yeah no more updates after the 20th chapter... In other news! Another update coming up this week!