On the rare occasions that Daikoku allowed his goddess out of the shrine, all four of them compromised on an activity for the day; the choice for this time being a well-deserved beach trip. The heat wave announced summer's arrival for Japan, and the group hadn't seen their college friend in a decent while. They had planned it for weeks, and invited Hiyori, who eagerly accepted. It was the perfect excuse to kill two birds with one stone.
However, if the aggravating sun's warmth wasn't enough to drive him to madness, his Regalia's loud mouth surely was. Yato already had his swimming shorts on, and he was fixing his hair into a ponytail when he heard someone call his name.
"Yato! Get your ass down here!"
He groaned aloud to himself at his Blessed Vessel's impatience. "Yeah, yeah! I'm coming!"
He snatched his sandals and T-shirt off his futon, quickly slipping them on as he headed down the stairs.
Messy blonde hair and orange eyes greeted him. Yukine crossed his arms. He was already in his swimsuit, a large, inflatable donut slung around his small frame.
"Finally!" He complained. "We wouldn't be running late if you hadn't decided to sleep in."
Yato rolled his eyes. "Only for a few minutes!"
He saw Yukine open his mouth to fire something back, but Yato was suddenly saved by the bell - or rather the ring of a phone. He was all too thankful for the excuse to ignore his annoying Regalia, and reached into his pocket to answer. He glanced down at the caller ID.
'Hiyori Iki'
He immediately flipped it open and held it to his ear. "Ah, Hiyori! Are ya ready to go?"
Yato patted himself down, mentally checking off if he had everything he needed.
Sunglasses, sunscreen, towel…
"Well…" her voice sounded uncertain from the other side, "we… might have a problem."
The god paused. He wondered if he'd heard her correctly. "Huh?"
"Something wrong?"
It was only then he remembered Yukine.
Yato lowered the phone and waved off his Regalia. "It's nothing, just go find Kofuku outside. I'll grab Hiyori, and we'll meet you guys there."
Before he could hear any refusal, Yato summoned himself away in a bright white light. In an instant, he was standing in the middle of the half-Phantom's apartment bedroom.
"Alright, I'm here. What's-?"
Startled, Hiyori spun around to face him. His eyes immediately fell to her body. A scattered mess of pink and purple stared back at him from the areas of skin her bikini didn't cover.
Once he collected himself from his initial surprise, Yato flipped his phone shut and slipped it back into his pocket. He took another second to drink in the sight of her. Then, a sinister smirk spread across his face.
"Hmm…" he pondered aloud, "I'm not sure I see the issue~..."
The same dark red of her bathing suit stained her face the longer he gawked at her. She quickly crossed her arms over her shoulders to shield herself, her cell phone still clutched in one hand.
"C'mon!" She hissed. "What do I do?!"
Yato's mind was elsewhere. The bruises on her neck and chest were still visible between the cracks in her fingers. Seeing his miko wear the markings of his mouth, and knowing he was the only one who was aware they were there underneath her clothes, was the best accomplishment. But these yellowing hickeys just barely passed for what he considered "marking his territory." He'd need to paint a new canvas soon.
Yato shook his head and set that matter aside. He may have to revisit that thought later.
"I don't suppose you have a wetsuit?" He asked, unhelpfully.
Hiyori was very clearly not amused. "Yato - I'm serious!"
"Okay, okay!"
Yato turned his attention to her closet and continued to shuffle around in the disorganized hangers before coming across a flowy dress shirt. He tossed it to her over his shoulder.
"Put that on."
Hiyori caught it and held out the article of clothing he gave her. It was her white button-up beach dress. The sleeves ended just past the shoulders, and her hair could easily cover the rest that the high collar couldn't. It was short and breezy to allow enough ventilation in the rising heat, and the silky material would ensure that water wouldn't cling to it if she decided to go swimming in it.
He noticed the way she stared at it for a few seconds too long. She seemed to hesitate.
She just needed a little more motivation.
Yato approached her and caught her chin with his fingertips, tilting her head up to meet his brilliant gaze. He smirked when he heard her breath hitch.
"It's either that, or you let the whole world know your lil' secret~..."
Her face was practically steaming when he pulled away. His tactics were successful, and he grinned wider as he watched her get dressed.
Hiyori approached her image in the nearby mirror, examining herself. Her smile almost reached both sides of her mouth, but quickly slipped when she turned to see him still behind her. He was sure she was searching for his approval.
His heart skipped a beat.
A vision of pure beauty and white elegance hit him. For a moment, he'd mistaken her for a literal goddess.
Pink eyes awaited an honest opinion, and he struggled to form a response. He only managed a few words.
"It… suits you."
She must've heard his insecurity and mistaken it for uncertainty because she visibly shrunk in on herself.
"You don't like it?"
If Yato hadn't immediately started panicking, he would've had a moment to process the endearing fact that she valued his thoughts about her appearance so much.
Yato closed his eyes, not wanting to witness the effects of his pitiful slip-up. He clumsily stumbled over his words.
"No - yes! It looks good - you look good. You look great - beautiful!"
There was silence, which prompted him to open his eyes. Hiyori had turned away from him. She was probably trying to hide her face, but in doing so, she faced the mirror that reflected her dark pink cheeks back at him. He couldn't help but chuckle at her failed attempt.
His voice caused her to lift her head just in time to witness him approaching her. He rested his chin against her right shoulder, and his arms came around her. His fingertips gently brushed up her legs.
Any embarrassment was replaced with relaxation, half-lidded eyes watching him with curious desire through the mirror. She waited patiently, quietly, like a good servant.
His fingers continued to wander between the gap of her thighs. She bit her lip in anticipation, but then Yato paused, and just when he was sure she had gotten the wrong impression, his hands found both hanging corners of her shirt instead. He brought the first button through the first bottom hole.
Yato moved up to the next button, slowly and deliberately dragging his finger across her waist to find the connecting hole on the other side. His fingernail just lightly scratched underneath her bikini strap, and he felt her body shiver against his. She released a long, drawn out sigh and finally closed her eyes.
After that, he looped the third one around her middle. When he reached her breasts, he admired the way her nipples poked through the padding of her bathing suit top. It was a powerful reminder of just how willingly her body prepared for him.
Using both his index fingers, he pressed her peaks back into their hiding place. She gasped, more surprised than anything. He chuckled into her ear.
The button went to its designated spot too, although creating a more pronounced window to her cleavage. He did the last one around her neck, concealing the last of her bruised skin from view.
"As long as you keep this on, no one will know…"
Hiyori hummed in contentment, her arms coming to greet the strong ones wrapped around her body. "Besides you."
Yato blinked and lifted his head to look at her. To say he was taken aback by her daring boldness was an understatement. He smirked at her, pride shining in his eyes.
"That's right," he lowered his voice as he nibbled the shell of her ear, "you're so smart, aren't you…~?"
Hiyori's breath audibly caught in her throat. "Y-yes, my god."
Had they not been running late, they would've definitely had enough time to squeeze in some messing around. Yato mentally kicked himself.
However-
There was enough time for kisses.
With one finger, the god turned her chin to align her face with his. As he did, her soft lips brushed against his. Her eyes fluttered shut, as if she suspected what would happen next. He closed the gap over her shoulder, his eyes closing as well.
It didn't take long before their tender kiss turned hot and heavy. She invited his tongue in, and he greedily accepted. He tasted every corner of her mouth, his saliva mixing with her own. He could feel her delicate fingers tangle in the back of his ponytail. Nails dug into his scalp, gripping and pulling him closer towards her.
Only when Yato felt excitement tingling in his groin did he stop her to center himself. If they kept up this charade, he definitely wouldn't be able to hold back.
"We should go now," he said, finally breaking from her delicious lips. "Everyone will be waiting for us."
Disappointment reached her eyes, and he felt guilty for leaving her unsatisfied, but it touched him to witness proof of how much she wanted him too.
Only because she was too sweet to deny, Yato leaned in and gave her one last peck on the lips.
A small smile reached her face again, and she pulled away to reach for her bag set on her bed. "Let's go then!"
. . . .
It was relatively empty for a Saturday, but that meant there were quicker stops to make, and they managed to arrive earlier than expected.
The train ride itself was uneventful, except when Yato took notice of a man sitting across from them and purposely catching glances at Hiyori. The god draped an arm around the backside of her seat and smoothed down the dress over her knees with his other hand.
Hiyori barely looked up from her phone. She subconsciously scooted closer to him, seeming to not think much of it. She was clearly content enough to drop her guard with him around, blissfully unaware of her surroundings while he played the vigilant bodyguard.
It didn't matter that the stranger couldn't see him sitting with her right now. It only mattered during a confrontation - if he decided it was worth one.
The man didn't know this college girl served a god of calamity. And Yato was silently begging him to try it.
But he never did. He got off at the next stop before theirs.
Maybe he felt the intensity of a ghost's glare on him, or maybe he simply decided it wasn't worth it, but Yato was glad to not see him anymore.
The god sighed in relief, his head tipping backwards.
"You alright?"
He looked at Hiyori without turning his head. Her face expressed concern.
"I'm fine. I just…-" he paused to stare at her chest out the corner of his eye.
Hiding the hickeys on her body was vital in protecting their secret, but it currently wasn't doing him any favors. Men wouldn't be assessing their options if they knew she was already being satisfied by someone else.
He sighed again, this time out of defeat. "It's nothing - are you okay?"
When Hiyori gave him an inquisitive look, Yato realized how odd his question seemed, given she hadn't observed the same unpleasant event he had.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
Yato liked to think she had noticed, but was secure enough in his presence to not react. Still, he wondered.
"How do you handle men harassing you in public?"
She passed for a minute, probably taken aback by his sudden, unusual question. Then, she simply giggled.
"I handle you pretty well, don't I?"
Yato rolled his eyes.
"Ha-ha, very funny!" He replied, unamused, and continued to tease. "This whole train thinks you're talking to yourself right now, so maybe you shouldn't laugh too loudly."
She immediately stiffened, and her laughter ceased. There were a handful of people passing uncomfortable glances towards her.
Hiyori buried her face in her hands, ashamed of herself.
"You're insufferable," she muttered just loud enough for him to hear.
Yato crossed his arms, pleased with himself. "You sing a very different tune when I have you in bed."
Hiyori squeaked, and her blush reached further than her short fingers could hide.
Knowing he'd won, he sent her his infamous shit-eating grin.
Eventually, the doors slid open at their stop, and they both exited the train. Yato allowed Hiyori in front of him, to keep his watchful eye on her. He helped guide her out with a hand on the small of her back.
"Have you ever taken the train before?" She asked once they were free of the crowded station.
"Hardly," he scoffed as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I don't need to when I have my own special ways of getting around."
"Ahh… too bad it doesn't work for me. Even if I leapt through the rooftops, it would still be too exhausting and time-consuming - and my body would be too far away," the half-Phantom explained.
Yato raised an eyebrow in her direction. "I thought you said you could control it now?"
"Mostly," she corrected. "I can ground myself if I want to, but sometimes I start slipping. Other than having a bit of fun once in a while, there hasn't been much reason to leave my body now."
"Hmm, I see…"
They slipped into a comfortable silence for a few minutes until the god turned his head as the sound of her phone constantly buzzing. Being nosy, Yato strained his neck to see the name of the contact opened on the screen.
"Who're you texting?"
She finally lifted her head when she realized he was snooping. "Oh - just my brother."
"Does he know you're in town today?"
"Nope."
"You didn't tell him?"
"My family doesn't have to know every time I'm here," she pointed out. "Besides, today is about my friends."
Somehow, that title didn't appeal to him so much anymore. Sure; he enjoyed being friends, but aside from the fact that it was wildly unfitting, he knew there was a whole other world to be discovered. The emptiness in their relationship was the same gaping hole in his chest.
Yato could still feel the distance between them. The only thing keeping them apart was their own resistance, he knew, but he wasn't gutsy enough to take that leap.
What were they, if not just friends with benefits?
He desperately had to remind her that he was more than that.
"Your friends - and your god."
As they continued walking, the sound of cheerful people and the sight of the sea surrounded them. The smell of salt and sunscreen filled the air. It was only a matter of time now before they caught up with the rest of the group.
That was the moment Hiyori stopped and turned to him. And, clear as day-
"Red."
Any flirty lines left in his script were quickly discarded. Yato groaned and trailed behind her like a sad, deflated balloon.
. . . .
The god tried not to let his spoiled plans affect his outlook on the rest of the day. After all, she was still here, with him.
Though, it did prove to be difficult to focus his gaze elsewhere when her curves were made more prominent in her beachwear.
How foolish of me to give a safeword to such a fine piece of ass…!
He was just settling onto his towel. He slipped his sunglasses on and folded his arms behind his head as he basked in the sun.
And suddenly, a slimy liquid hit his face.
"Gahk!"
Yato sprang up, his hand instinctively reaching for the substance on his face. When he pulled his hand away, he noticed the white color and light scent of coconut.
"What the hell?!"
He turned to find the culprit standing beside him with a small bottle in his hand.
"You forgot your sunscreen," Yukine told him.
"That's not funny! I thought a bird shit on my face!" The god retorted.
His Regalia stifled a laugh.
Just a foot away, a bubbly, female voice joined. "Sunscreen time~!"
The pink goddess pulled the spray bottle away when Hiyori tried to reach for it from her hand.
"Silly, Hiyorin!" Kofuku grinned. "You have to let me do it for you!"
Hiyori's face reddened. "N-no, thank you! I think I can manage myself."
Kofuku appeared disappointed by her response. "Aww, c'mon! It's just us girls~!" She pouted.
Hiyori clutched the collar of her dress. Yato caught her gaze when she looked to him for help, but he was as equally mortified as she'd been.
Suddenly, Daikoku interrupted.
"Leave her be!" He snapped, tugging the goddess in his direction. "Hiyori-chan can handle it herself; it's you I have to worry about."
Kofuku puffed out her cheeks in defiance as her Regalia lathered her in sunscreen. Hiyori's fingers were still trembling as she smeared SPF-50 across her face.
"Hey," Yukine called to Yato, who was still recovering from the shock of almost having his biggest secret exposed.
The god blinked and focused back to his Blessed Vessel again.
"Are ya gonna get my shoulders or not?" He asked as he passed the bottle to him.
Yato reached for it and sighed. "Alright, alright," he stood up from his towel, "arms out."
The boy listened to his master and straightened his arms outward. Yato squeezed some sunscreen out into his hand.
"And my back!"
"I'm working on it!"
After they all applied their sunblock, the god went back to his post. Yato threw his shirt off over his head and slipped his sunglasses on. The warm sun on his skin coupled with the soothing sound of the waves washing on shore was enough to lure him in for a nap. He could finally get the sleep he was so harshly stolen of this morning.
Daikoku and Kofuku made a beeline for the ocean, while Yukine set his mind on creating a sand castle, and Hiyori stuck back with him under the shade of the umbrella with a book in hand.
He observed his Regalia playing with his sandy bucket and shovel a moment longer, before he finally lost to his own exhaustion. When his blue eyes opened again, the sand castle was almost finished. And someone was leaning over him.
Pale breasts framed by the straps of a red bathing suit hung in front of his face. Brown locks brushed against his naked chest.
"What are you doing?"
Hiyori jumped and sat upright at the sound of his voice.
"Sorry, I-I was just trying to get some water," she sputtered.
Yato turned his head to see the cooler she was reaching for across from him. He huffed and sat up to open the cooler. He grabbed a cold water bottle and handed it to Hiyori himself. She managed a small "thank you" before twisting off the cap and taking a sip.
"Hiyori?"
She looked at him again.
"Your top button is undone."
He was thankful for the tinted sunglasses hiding the direction of his gaze. Just because he wasn't allowed to touch, didn't mean he couldn't still stare. Though, the thoughts that followed were anything but pure.
Hiyori looked down at herself. When she noticed it too, she adjusted the button through its hole again.
He was no longer able to bask in her glory.
He turned to lay on his stomach instead, his chest stinging from the sun. Only once the fog from his nap finally started to clear did he rethink the whole interaction.
There was something odd about it. She could have simply walked around him to get to the cooler herself, but she instead made it a point to wake him up. And how convenient that while doing so, the button exposing her chest came loose.
He peeked over his sunglasses to see her sitting upright on her towel next to him, entranced by the book she was reading.
Or maybe he was overthinking it. It was just one incident, after all.
"Yato!"
Aw great! What now?
"Yato, come see my sand castle! Look!"
Yato groaned and lifted his head just enough to peek at the sandy sculpture a few feet away.
"Uh-huh, I can see it from here," he answered lazily.
"No!" Yukine whined, and Yato could feel his arm about to separate from its socket as he was tugged upward. "You have to get up - come on!"
Yato scrambled to his feet, avoiding any further injury to his limbs. "Alright, alright! I'm coming!"
The young Regalia practically dragged his master along to where his sand castle stood.
It was a three-story tower with a hollow pathway through it. A stack of sticks gave the illusion of a drawbridge, which lay perfectly over the man made river surrounding the kingdom. A small piece of driftwood circled the shallow water around it.
"Woah, you did all this?" The god exclaimed in surprise.
The boy nodded. "Yeah! I found some rocks to decorate it too!"
He showed him the pile of rocks varying in all shapes and sizes sitting in his bucket. Yato had to set his sunglasses aside to believe what he was seeing.
"Can you make a life-size one we can live in next?" The god remarked.
Hiyori joined them, crouching down to witness it with matched amazement.
"Good job, Yukine-kun!" She gaped.
Yukine's face brightened tremendously when he earned the recognition he was seeking.
The three of them all helped to put the finishing touches on, lining the rocks around the perimeter of the castle's river.
That was when Kofuku and Daikoku stopped after passing by on their way back from swimming to admire and gawk at the work of art too.
"Wow! It's so cute~!" The pink goddess sang gleefully.
"Looks great, you guys," the older Regalia complimented.
Hiyori grinned and shook her head. "This was actually all Yukine-kun's hard work!"
At that statement, Yukine, once proud of his efforts, now appeared flustered by all the attention he was receiving.
"O-oh, thanks. It's nothing, really…" he replied, cheeks turning pink.
Yato couldn't help but laugh at his Regalia's modesty. "Are you kidding?! You could fit at least twelve hot tubs in there!"
He saw the orange eyes roll in response. "Okay, you're overdoing it now."
The god smirked and ruffled his shaggy blonde hair. His hand was swatted away, as usual, and when he lifted his head, Hiyori was sharing his same warm smile.
At Kofuku's suggestion, Daikoku produced a camera for pictures. Yato was about to move out of frame, but Yukine insisted he stay.
The three of them gathered around and posed, arms around each other. They gave their biggest smiles as the camera clicked.
"Awwww~! That's a good one!" Kofuku chirped.
For a moment, Yato allowed himself to wonder how he got so lucky. With Hiyori and Yukine at his side, he had the whole world in his hands.
His thoughts were interrupted when Daikoku's booming voice called from across the beach.
"We've got sandwiches if you guys are hungry!"
Yato climbed to his feet and brushed the sand off his hands. "Ah, perfect! I'm starving!"
He was already heading in the other direction when Hiyori stopped him.
"Wait, you look a bit red," she told him, seeming concerned.
"I do?" Yato raised an eyebrow and looked down to assess himself.
Before he could confirm or deny her observation, Hiyori was already reaching for the sunscreen by her towel.
He realized it too late once her hands were on him, and the lotion was being massaged into his shoulders.
There was something a little too purposeful about her strokes. Maybe she was just trying to be thorough, but then her delicate fingers lingered against his biceps a bit longer than necessary.
Yato glanced at everyone else setting up lunch about a foot away, completely oblivious to
He quickly shrugged her hands off of him. "Alright, I'm good now."
He brushed past her and tried to act normal. However, he couldn't ignore the feeling that watching him closely.
. . . .
After eating, Yato collapsed back onto his towel. He buried his feet in the warm sand and sighed in contentment, his stomach now full from lunch. He was busy enjoying his comfort.
Until that pesky noise in his ear came back.
"Are you just gonna lay there all day?" Yukine complained.
That didn't sound like such a terrible idea.
"Maybe I will."
"You can sleep at home," the Regalia replied.
Yato scoffed and slipped his shades on again. "Not really. Daikoku just makes me do chores or watch the shop."
Another voice joined the conversation. "If you live there, it's polite of you to contribute."
"See? Hiyori agrees with me."
Yato felt his eyebrow twitch. "Maybe you should go guard your castle before someone steps on it!"
Yukine pulled down his eyelid and stuck out his tongue. He hurried off to protect his precious creation.
Hiyori barely noticed when he passed her a glare. She was about as useful as a floating anchor. Wasn't she supposed to be on his side?
Yato couldn't help but notice the peculiar way she ate her popsicle. Her tongue swirled around the top, coating it with a layer of blue raspberry coloring. She puckered her lips and slurped any remaining juice that might've escaped her taste buds.
Did she have to eat it like that?
The god's mind couldn't help but make the connection between that popsicle and… something else.
Yato groaned and shook his head; both from disbelief, and in an attempt to free his mind from the lewd thought. Yet, no matter how tight he closed his eyes, the image burned in his mind. He decided enough was enough and quickly stood from his spot.
"Y'know what?" He began aloud, finally fed up. "I will go for a swim!"
He aggressively brushed the sand off his body and stomped away towards the ocean without looking back at the now-stunned Hiyori.
Yato felt absolutely pathetic, getting worked up over a loose shirt, a popsicle and some sunscreen. He considered it all to be a strange coincidence, because these could easily be minor, unavoidable scenarios one experiences at the beach.
But then he realized that might be exactly what she wanted him to believe, and none of these incidents were truly unintentional. This could be the work of a sneaky brat seeking attention.
Once was understandable, and twice he showed her mercy, but by strike three, her point was clear as day. He had to put her in her place before she tried anything else.
However, his first order of business was calming down the possible boner. Hopefully the cold ocean water would shock him out of his impure thoughts.
Yato dove under an incoming wave, clearing his mind. It was brisk at first, but as his body temperature dropped, it became more tolerable. He needed something to keep his mind busy while he composed himself and devised a plan.
He started scooping up shells at the bottom of the water. He discarded the ones that were cracked and brittle, keeping the ones that were fresh and sturdy. By the time he had enough of a collection, Yato finally headed back to shore.
He dropped his gatherings by Yukine's side, who turned to witness with surprise.
"Woah! Where'd you find all these?!" He gaped.
"Out there," the god answered, nodding in the direction of the ocean behind him. "Add 'em to your castle."
Yukine eagerly shuffled through the pile of shells laid out in front of him.
Perfect! That should buy me some time.
On his way back to their designated site, Yato passed by Kofuku sleeping with her head resting up against Daikoku's chest, who had warned her beforehand that he would tan unevenly if she did so. She never listened.
Speaking of women who didn't listen-
Hiyori lay on her towel on her stomach, crossed ankles swaying mindlessly in the air behind her. Her nose was buried in the same book as earlier.
If he waited too long to do this, she'd think he allowed her to get away with it. And if he didn't provide the attention she was searching for - even if it was in the form of a punishment - she'd feel neglected. It was time to acknowledge her.
Yato huffed in frustration, his nostrils flaring. Once his mind was made up, he proceeded towards his unsuspecting miko.
Hiyori barely noticed his hostile stride when he came around to stand in front of her. She only lifted her head after he reached down to snatch the book out of her hands. He carelessly tossed it on top of her bag in the sand beside her.
"W-wha-?!"
The god removed his sunglasses so she could make out the stern expression on his face.
"Come with me."
Hiyori glanced back at Yukine doing maintenance on his castle. She seemed uncertain at first, but when she reached up, Yato took her hand. He pulled her up off her knees and guided her away, all while steam was rolling off his skin.
By the time they reached the shady underside of the pier, the unspoken tension was at its peak. A mess of tall, jagged rocks and thick seaweed hanging from the piles obscured the view from residents on the beach. They couldn't have had a better hiding spot to take their private matters.
Yato released Hiyori's hand and turned to look at her. He leaned smugly against one of the pillars, crossing his arms.
He witnessed a hint of glorious victory in her eyes once the reality finally set in when she observed their new secluded location. He had to fix that before she got too proud of herself.
"I wouldn't be smiling if I were you."
Her face fell.
"Is… something wrong?"
She had to be joking.
Yato tapped his finger against his bicep. He wasn't prepared to explain himself more than once.
"You thought I wouldn't notice you flaunting yourself and teasing me all day?"
Suddenly, her face reddened, and her eyes couldn't meet his. "I-I don't know what you mean, my god…"
But she did. Her lack of eye contact and sheepish grin said it all.
He felt his jaw tighten on one side. "You used your safeword earlier, and now you're throwing yourself at me?"
She nervously ringed her fingers together. "I changed my mind…"
"Clearly."
After recently working around the technicalities of her safeword, they decided on a rule that would combat any confusion or blurred lines for moments like these. They created an expiration on it; if they were in a new time or place, her safeword was automatically withdrawn. Although, while in effect, flirting, teasing and physical contact were allowed, as long as it remained completely nonsexual; only honest mistakes were forgiven. That way, Yato remained in control, and Hiyori stayed genuine to him.
However, since they were currently not under different circumstances when she had used it three hours ago, it should've still been valid, but his sneaky little miko was now going against herself. If she didn't carry the same value of her safeword as he did, then how was he supposed to confirm her credibility?
Yato wondered if this was her plan all along; use her safeword, take control while his hands were tied, and get him so hot and bothered that he finally cracked. It was a scheme in which he could not reciprocate her clearly-sexual advances.
Although as clever as it was, misuse of her safeword's terms and conditions - intentional or not - was inexcusable. And asserting herself over her god was equally despicable. Using both hand-in-hand was grounds for punishment.
One could argue actions speak louder than words, but Yato knew he had to proceed with caution in this situation. He needed to get her verbal permission now to bypass her safeword, without the coercion or control he flexed in their power-exchanged relationship.
Hiyori fluttered her eyelashes and twirled her hair between her fingers. He knew she was playing her innocence on him, trying to escape the inevitable.
But he wasn't going to cave so easily.
"On your knees. Now."
His servant almost looked as if she wanted to protest, but she knew better. She cautiously bent down to sit on her legs, her hands resting against her knees.
He stared down at her with a pointed sharpness. "Who's in charge here?"
He saw her swallow hard.
"You are."
"That's right. And I won't allow you to turn the tables so easily."
"I-I didn't mean to-!"
He didn't want to hear any excuses.
"You do understand why I'm upset, don't you?" He interrupted immediately.
Hiyori must've taken the hint because she paused to choose her next words carefully.
"Because I… did something wrong?"
"Because you misled me," Yato corrected, "and now I'm in a tight spot; I don't know whether to stick to your safeword, or feed into your advances. If there's something you really want, you have to tell me."
She insecurely held a fist against her chest.
"I'm sorry…" she began, and then her apologetic eyes boldened, "I want to - really!"
Finally - there was her consent.
"I-it's just that the others are here, so…"
Yato raised an eyebrow skeptically. "You never mentioned that when you consented to me."
"I-I know…"
Being in public was never necessarily a problem either of them laid out beforehand. As long as backs were turned, and areas were secluded, did they continue their games and practices. Even though they actively worked to prevent anyone from spotting or overhearing them, the slim chances of it happening were still undeniably thrilling. Although, given Hiyori wasn't entirely human, that rule didn't apply when she was her half-Phantom self, since the Near Shore wouldn't notice her anyway.
Whether outside her body or not, they also had to keep in mind that Yukine, Kofuku or Daikoku could still stumble upon them either way. That was precisely what Yato knew Hiyori was concerned about right now.
Considering they'd already covered all their bases with deciding the restrictions from engagement, Hiyori shouldn't have had much left to safeword on. She should have left it to her god to decide if this environment and circumstances were acceptable to initiate anything.
Luckily, he had all that he needed from her to continue with her punishment.
"So what's the real reason?"
She shriveled back into herself, her fingers curling around her kneecaps. She didn't speak.
Yato scoffed bitterly. "You were bored, that's it?"
His tolerance was quickly dwindling. Her silence was very telling.
"Your safeword isn't to play with, and neither am I."
Hiyori blinked at him. "What do you-?"
Yato extended his arms out, signaling his defenselessness
"Go on - continue where you left off."
Immediately, Hiyori panicked. He witnessed the horror sink in as her whole plan fell apart. All that was over; she had to deal with the consequences of challenging his authority now.
There was a silent pause, and he knew Hiyori was racking her brain for a plausible excuse that didn't exist.
"W-what? Me?" She pointed at herself and looked around as if to confirm he wasn't talking to someone else.
"No - I want you to take me, my god!" She pleaded, raising her hands up to him.
The god shook his head. "You already missed that chance earlier."
Hiyori's bottom lip shook, and he noticed the corners of her eyes reddening with what he was sure were tears of disappointment. But she seemed to decide that this alternative was better than nothing at all.
She sucked it up and reached up to place her hands against his bare chest. She stood on her knees, stroking wherever she could reach him.
Good girl.
She trailed down his subtle abs, slick from a mix of sunscreen and water. Her fingertips were mere inches from his shorts when she came to a screeching halt. He knew she was trying to prepare herself for what she was undoubtedly about to do.
Yato scoffed at her troubled reaction. "What's wrong? Can't finish what you started~?"
Her pink eyes glanced up to meet his staring down at her. Her cheeks turned an adorable shade of red.
"I-I'm just not sure how to do this…"
"Well, you didn't seem to have any trouble earlier," he pointed out.
Hiyori bit her lip, immediately shutting up. He was calling her bluff, and she knew it.
Even though he didn't want to admit it, half of Yato (the half that thought with his heart and not his dick) was secretly grateful to see her so desperate for his attention. It provided a sense of relief given his concern about any disinterest or dissatisfaction she may not have been able to show under his dominance. If anything, it confirmed his lust was mutual.
He allowed her a moment to gather her courage. By then, her blouse was coming undone and being tossed aside.
When Hiyori approached him a second time, she bared all her offerings. Her bathing suit top carried her breasts so well, her ass curved out from behind, and her pussy was only one thin piece of fabric away.
Yato was ashamed at how visible his excitement was through his swimsuit. In this case, it wasn't doing him any favors. He might as well have given her a trophy to showcase the success of her bad behavior.
He sat down to be at the same level as her and beckoned her forward.
"C'mon, I'm waiting."
Hiyori took a deep breath.
Her fingers curled around the hem of his shorts to free his arousal. She then took a deep and pushed aside her bathing suit for easy access.
Yato watched as his miko carefully lowered herself onto him, clutching his shoulders for support. Hiyori gasped as he sunk into her.
Her movements were slow and stiff as she tried to familiarize herself with his body. Even her rhythm was a bit lacking.
"This is what you wanted, isn't it?" Yato teased. "You have to be able to handle it."
"I c-can handle it…!" She whimpered.
"You can still admit defeat now."
Through squinted eyes and pink cheeks, Hiyori managed to shake her head. She was determined to prove him wrong.
She raised her hips up enough to pull out to the tip before coming back down onto him again. As Yato groaned, his head lulled back against the pillar. He was finally able to openly relish the feel of her.
After a few more thrusts, Hiyori was soon bouncing on him in a frenzy. She was gnawing on the bottom of her lip in a failed attempt to keep her aggravated panting under control.
From the bottom, Yato dared to see the appeal. All he had to do was sit there and enjoy the view. Not to mention her warm body wetting his dick was incredibly dizzying.
Out of sheer instinct, Yato grabbed onto the back of her thighs to steady her. He could feel himself already sweating.
Her hips would gain momentum and drop harder, only for her to lose stamina a few seconds later and start at the same pace as before. He even slipped out of her a couple times already. She apologized and clumsily adjusted herself in his lap each time, but by the third time, his sympathy turned to frustration.
It took everything in him not to bend her over and correctly do it himself.
He briefly wondered if this was still part of her act, but he had to remember that she was still an amateur. She still had never been on top, much less had the control.
(Whether he personally enjoyed her taking control or not was besides the point.)
(He enjoyed it.)
It became quite clear to him that neither of them would finish at this rate.
He immediately grabbed her hips to still her.
"That's enough."
Hiyori climbed off his lap and retreated from him. "I'm sorry, my god. It won't happen again!"
The god sighed heavily as he fixed his bottoms. While he might've appeared frustrated, he was rather pleased that his punishment succeeded. Though - admittedly, he needed a few seconds to recover from the aching of his full balls.
"Now you see why I'm the one in charge."
He knew she hadn't finished by the way she was still humming and moaning against him. He used his fingers to comb some hair out of her face.
"Yes, my god…"
He had to be careful with how he proceeded now. Even if her punishment was technically over, giving her too much warmth or attention immediately afterwards would cancel out any discipline he already instilled. He needed to put his foot down while also being pleasant and patient; being hostile and hurtful was strictly against her consent, even in punishments.
"Be specific, what did you learn~...?"
Once she finally caught her breath, she lifted her head to meet his gaze. "I learned… not to misuse my safeword."
"And…?"
"And…" she thought for a moment before she realized what he was waiting for, "I'll ask if I want something from you."
"Good," Yato smirked, feeling productive. "Now head back out there, pretend like nothing happened, and I'll be there in a minute."
Hiyori grabbed her shirt and adjusted her clothes. She stood up and gave him a full, formal bow before hurrying off.