Chapter 9 - Design decline like pearls before swine


Sleep doesn't come easy tonight on the grounds that I have a sleeping Gigi on top of my chest slowly crushing my ribs, but I soldier on nonetheless. My head races and my mouth feels dry. At least she smells nice, even if it's my shampoo. I look out the window and watch the starry sky for a while. It's hard to believe that I've already gotten used to this sky, considering how long I've lived here in comparison to my time on Earth.

I try to point out some constellations in the night sky, at least some I recognize. The stars are virtually on the same place as in the northern hemisphere back on Earth, though under a different name - Ursa Minor and Ursa Major are called Teddiursa and Ursaring respectively. I wonder where the big dipper… Oh, there it is.

…It's funny, at nights like these I recall complaining about lack of excitement in my life at my job. Even if it was a back-breaking job it was stable and relatively safe, I didn't have to literally fight for my life in order to survive. I owe a lot to Wigglytuff and everyone at the guild for taking care of me. …Her as well, even if I hate to admit it.

My body feels heavy now, my limbs sluggish and my eyelids heavier with each passing moment. My bedroom's musky air makes a soft blush creep on my cheeks, Gigi's scent seems to have clung on to my body. Maybe I should have aired out my room after we did it, instead of leaving the windows closed because of the cold spell Emberspark is going through. No use crying over spilled milk, or rather spilled seed.

By the time I wake up the sun is already high in the sky and I can hear the familiar sounds of the guild and the town below. Gigi is nowhere to be seen but I can hear the sound of my shower running so at least I know she didn't leave in the middle of the night. My chest has new hickeys though, as well as some that go further below, Curie must have riled her up again.

I stand up, yawning while stretching. A cursory sniff at my body induces a gag reflex so I walk into the bathroom to freshen up. I hop into the shower with Gigi and we help each other lather the hard to reach places. Lately I've been engaging in a lot more skinship with Gigi, more often than not at her request. After another round of 'deep cleaning' Gigi washes my hair, long and thorough movements in which her fingers bury themselves in my scalp. A tired groan escapes my lips and I lean into her embrace.

"Plans for today?" The question lingers in the air for a couple of seconds as I await the response with my eyes closed to not get shampoo in them.

"Oh you know, this and that." She replies with a giggle, rinsing my hair for what feels like the 100th time. "Train my sect, go on a quick request or two and then come back. Maybe I'll pick up the pen, sunny afternoons make me lazy."

"Gonna start writing again? What will it be this time?"

"Maybe another novel, I think this time I'm making it spicy."

"Planning on publishing it through our guild again?"

"Maybe, if the editor this time isn't such an old-fashioned prude."

"Gigi, I'm pretty sure he only told you to rewrite it because you kept writing about smut and the main character being a broody regressor that does whatever she does."

Gigi tightens her grip on my head but still coos, albeit a bit harder now that she's pouting. "But that's what's cool about her! She doesn't take shit from anyone and she's overpowered and everyone loves her! Well, anyone that's not evil."

"It's a bit hard to root for an edgy character that doesn't have any flaws and is overpowered."

"Hard for you, I think she's awesome."

"You're her creator, of course you think she's awesome."

"I CAN and WILL use Crush Grip on you."

"Fine, I admit, she has some good points."

"Such as?"

"I don't know, I haven't read it."

Gigi giggles coldly and playfully punches me in the gut, which means that for me feels like a train ran me over. I lurch forward and gag, reeling from the blow. Gigi looks at me slyly before realizing the blow was too strong and holds onto me.

.

When I come to my senses again Gigi's drying my body with a fluffy towel, humming softly. My eyes trail towards the window, foggy from the bath, and I sigh.

"Something on your mind?" She asks while combing my hair.

"Just thinking about things."

"Poké for your thoughts?"

"Sure. I'm just thinking that nowadays I'm a bit more… lax when it comes to things like bumping uglies with you and the like."

"Am I not good in bed?"

"No, that's not it. I just-" I trail off, sighing. "Gigi, have I become a manwhore?"

The question seems to have shocked Gigi, but she quickly regains her bearings and continues combing my hair.

"Of course not. Have you been shacking up with every female that bats her eyelashes at you?"

"No?"

"Then why do you think that?"

"I don't know, I just feel like I have been accepting your advances more."

"Doesn't that just mean that you've started seeing me more like a woman instead of a girl or a friend?"

"I mean, yeah?"

"Then what's wrong with that?"

"I don't know, it feels wrong. Like…"

"Like you're becoming something you're not?"

"Exactly."

Gigi sets the comb down and hugs me tightly. "Don't worry Rags, you're still the same man I've always known. Loved too."

My voice cracks slightly. "Don't you feel like that is a waste of your time?"

"Love is limitless, it's the only form of power that is truly infinite. You were the one that told me that when I was at my lowest moment and felt I had nothing going on for me. I can guarantee that loving you is one of the decisions that I have never regretted in my life."

"Then you must be screwed up in the head."

Gigi laughs brightly, nuzzling her head on my chest.

"Maybe I am, but you are the one that made me this way."

"...Thank you."

"You're welcome, but keep in mind that I'm waiting for your answer, okay~?"

"I'm still thinking about it."

"That's all I ask."

.

I get dressed in a pair of slacks and an oversized cardigan embroidered with my emblem, as well as a pair of white sneakers. Gigi gives me a wolf whistle and I do a twirl in response.

A beanie is carefully placed on my head, secured in place by Gigi's hands. "Don't you look comfy. Planning on staying in the guild today?"

"Yeah, just gonna hop by Curie's department and talk to her about Sam's insane road plans."

"Curie's my friend and all, but I don't really trust her around you alone."

"Why? Curie's a nice girl."

"Yeah, and you're too trusting. She's a femme fatale, like the plum blossom phoenix."

"Like the what?"

"A character from a manwha I used to read - very pretty, alluring and cunning. Strong too."

"Curie's not a character."

My response elicits a groan from Gigi as she helps me put on my looplet. "You know what I mean. Point is, she might try to seduce you with her frenchness."

"Frenchness? What, she'll try to woo me with butter basting and escargot?"

"Maybe, keep your wits about you, she's crafty like that."

"Gigi, Curie's a little peculiar but I'm certain that-"

"Please."

"...I'll keep it in mind."

Amidst the silence in my room we cuddle in my chair, my eyes closing for a while. Gigi holds onto me protectively, her arms shaking. I wrap my arms around her and allow myself to relax for a bit before we have to brave out onto the open world again.

My voice is as quiet as a whisper, holding onto her for dear life. "Will you come back before nightfall?"

"No doubt about it, I'll even throw my sect members to the wolves if I have to."

"Bit harsh of you, no?"

"I AM the head of the Demonic Sect after all."

"Where's that spunk when I tell you to go out and complete missions?"

"Normally not inside me."

"Ew, gross."

"Not really, it's a part of you after all."

Gigi's nonchalant remark catches me off guard, an explosive laugh escaping my lips.

"With a pearl of wisdom like that, who am I to disagree?" I ask, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye.

"Damn right, now let's get out of here and go get breakfast before I decide I prefer your head inbetween my thighs."

With a final kiss we leave my bedroom and head towards the guild's dining area.


Chapter 9 is here, thanks for the wait. Have a good one.