A sigh left her parted lips as she thought back to Van's anger.
I guess he still loves Elaine. That's too bad, she thought to herself. Wait, what kind of relationship do I want with Van? Am I okay with just being friends? Well, I guess we're friends with benefits now. Could it be that I want even more than this?
She laughed at herself. How greedy of me. I basically forced him to have sex with me. And I want even more? Van probably hates me. I wouldn't blame him if he's just indulging me to satisfy his lust. That's right. I shouldn't get ahead of myself. This much is enough for me.
"When have you ever worried about being greedy?" Van's voice cut into her stupor. She turned around in surprise.
"Was I saying all that out loud?" She laughed, a little worried.
"No, but my guess must've been right. You're worrying too much, Shizuna. Stop thinking that you're being greedy. If I didn't like you at least a little bit, I wouldn't have had sex with you."
The two of them began walking to the subway station.
"Oh, oh? I didn't expect you to confess your love that easily," she teased.
"I didn't. But you did it pretty unexpectedly, Shizuna. What did you say, with that high-pitched voice of yours?" He pretended to remember.
His attempts to turn it back on her failed. "Hm? Isn't it obvious that I totally love you? Why was that surprising?"
"Wow, uh. Right. This is you I'm dealing with," he sighed.
"What's wrong? You didn't notice?"
"Oh, I noticed alright," he blushed, then turned his head away. "Thanks, by the way," he continued, his tone semi-serious.
"What for?"
"For loving a guy like me. Though I guess I shouldn't expect your taste in men to be normal," he let out a self-deprecating laugh.
"Is that your way of rejecting me?" Her heart shook. She had a feeling this was the case.
"I'm not rejecting you, no. If I were, I wouldn't be so indirect about it. I just haven't reached an answer yet."
"It's Elaine, isn't it?"
"No. It's unrelated to any girls."
"Right. There's that," Shizuna knew what he was alluding to. She didn't want to ruin the mood by broaching that subject. "Well, as long as I'm in your thoughts, that's enough for me," she clung to his arm happily.
"Hey, people will get the wrong idea," he said, conscious that they were now walking around like a couple.
"If anyone asks, you can say that Shizuna's just being selfish and clingy. But that soft expression is not going to fly. You need to look uncomfortable."
"Easier said than done. I'm strangely happy to have you clinging to me like this."
"Now, how am I supposed to take that, I wonder?" She giggled, tightening her grip around his arm.
He walked with his hands tucked into his pockets. His arm was pressed between her breasts, so he could feel their warm softness as they walked.
They boarded the subway and rode it silently to the Seiden district. When they got out, Shizuna clung to him once again as they made their way to the hotel.
"So, about Elaine," even though they had broached the subject earlier, Shizuna wanted to hear about Van's situationship with the A-rank bracer. "Do you still love her after all?"
"She's my childhood friend and ex-girlfriend. I've hurt her a lot. But I can't say I'm still solely in love with her," he answered.
"What do you mean?"
"Like… I know there's still love there. But I don't know if it's totally romantic. It's definitely not the same emotion that it used to be."
"You care about her, but you're unsure, huh?"
"That's exactly right."
"I'm jealous of her," Shizuna admitted.
This wasn't something she would say to Elaine's face. After all that teasing she inflicted to her, it would be beyond embarrassing to say that she was, in fact, jealous of her. When she read Van's mind on Nemeth Island, she was purposely getting Elaine jealous to feel a sense of superiority. She wanted Elaine to think she and Van had something going on. It was a little childish of her, but it was something she hardly even realized at the time.
"Jealous of her? Why?"
"Because she met you before I did. She's spent more time with you. It's not fair. If I grew up with someone like you, Van… No, I shouldn't say that," she stopped herself halfway.
She sometimes caught herself dwelling on regrets. Having thoughts like "if only Van were there with me."
"Time spent doesn't correlate to closeness. Look at us. I've only known you for a year."
"Yep. I just wish it were a little longer," she nodded.
"No point in thinking that way. Look to the future," he advised.
"You're right about that. Maybe you should take your own advice," she reversed his words onto him.
"Do as I say, not as I do."
"Look to the future, huh? Okay. I'll work hard from now on, Van, so clean up after my messes, alright~?"
"Right… Just don't go too crazy," he rolled his eyes. There was no point in telling her off. It was in her nature to cause mischief.
"So you're sure you don't love Elaine?"
"I just told you I wasn't sure, didn't I?"
"How about me?" She probed, suddenly anxious about his answer.
"I don't know either."
"So there's hope for me yet!" She yelled triumphantly.
"Am I really worth so much that you'll cling to me even though I'm so indecisive?"
That made her think for a moment. Not because he had a point. But because she wanted to perfectly dispel his feelings of self-doubt.
"You talked about my taste in men earlier, right, Van?"
"Yeah. I called you abnormal for liking me," he chuckled as he remembered.
"I've never had a taste for guys until I met you. The thought of desiring someone else was foreign to me. That's why my feelings for you were so confusing at first. I had no concept of the emotion I was feeling. I only realized it was love after you saved me in the Garten," she said.
"I remember you thinking long and hard about it. Half of me thought you were joking at the time."
"I wouldn't joke about that," she shook her head. "My point is, Van, that my taste in men is you and only you. I have no other metrics. I have a feeling that this'll be the first and last time I'll ever fall in love. That's just how "abnormal" I am."
"Wow, way to make a guy feel special. Thank you, Shizuna."
"You're welcome! In exchange, you need to have lovey-dovey sex with me until the roosters sing."
"That was already the plan. Any other requests?"
"Hm… date me?" She tilted her head as she made her request.
"Ask for something else."
"That's the only other thing I want, though."
"Huh. Then I'll put a pin on it. Maybe I'll come back to it later," he responded with a laugh.
"Don't worry. That 4SPG has an availability time of long. Actually, it's more like permanent. The client said she'd wait as long as needed."
"I'll keep that in mind. Tell the client I appreciate that."
"Oh, but the client says she'd be happy if the answer is "yes", and sooner rather than later. She's not getting any younger."
"Ha. What happened to the permanent availability? My client must be an idiot, huh?" he joked.
"Hmmm… She can't deny that. The client says that even when she's old and wrinkly, she'll be waiting for your favorable response."
He laughed, then reached over and patted her head using his free hand.
"That honestly makes me happy to hear. But I won't make you wait that long, Aidios willing."
"Bingo! You're totally right. The client is none other than me!"
They both laughed, and then they reached their destination.
"Here we are," they stood at the entrance of the Maserati hotel.
This was one of the most luxurious places of lodging in all of Edith. Van shelled out quite a bit of mira for their room, but if he thought of it as Shizuna's salary, it didn't hurt much. He didn't pay her since she wasn't officially employed, but the help she provided was invaluable, so the hotel room practically paid for itself.
When she and Van checked in, the receptionist recognized the Spriggan and the Divine Blade of Silver sticking to him like a happy girlfriend. Van gave the man a knowing nod, signaling to him to keep it a secret.
They entered the elevator and began ascending to the room on the top floor. Apparently, he'd gotten a penthouse stay. He didn't mean to; it must've been the only room left.
"When I said we should get a room, I didn't mean somewhere this nice. How much did you spend, Van?"
"What, you wanted a cheap love hotel?"
"Oh, love hotels, huh? Those have interested me for a while. Yeah, I guess I wanted to go to one with you."
"Well, it's too late now. I'll take you to a love hotel next time," he compromised.
"Planning for next time already, huh?" Despite her teasing tone, she felt her heart race and tightened her hug around his arm.
"What can I say? I like your body, Shizuna."
"How scandalous of you. Using me just for my body? Haha, that feels kinda erotic, coming from you."
"Don't make me sound like a sleazy scumbag. I don't value you just for your body."
"I guess we're officially friends with benefits, then?"
"I hate that term," Van grumbled. "Let's not put a label on it. Let's just go with the flow."
The term 'friends with benefits' made Van cringe. He didn't want to put that kind of label on the relationship he had with Shizuna. He cared for her much more than just her body. Saying they were friends with benefits felt like invalidating the unique connection the two of them shared.
"I like that. You're smart, Van. I don't want to be friends with benefits. We're just Van and Shizuna!"
"You get it. We're just us. Nothing more, nothing less."
The elevator reached the top floor, and the two stood in front of the door to their penthouse suite. Van felt his manhood rising, feeling the softness of the woman clinging to his arm.
He scanned the keycard and let her inside. Then, the door shut behind them. A loud thump could be heard on the wooden door from the outside almost immediately after.
What was the point of this penthouse suite if they weren't going to enjoy it? Van didn't even give the place a second glance. He was immediately pressed against the door by Shizuna, who began feeling under his shirt and kissing him passionately.
"*lick* I love you so, *kiss* so much, Van. "
Van couldn't let himself be outdone. Feeling her tits mold against his chest, he groped her ass through her white jeans. He rubbed himself dryly against her bottom half, causing her to moan softly between kisses.
"You're so eager. You don't want to see the Edith night view from the top floor?"
" Ahh! I don't care about that. I'm much more interested in you. Ah! You're squeezing my butt so thoroughly!" she instinctively put her hands on his, but she didn't try to pry them off. She simply and lovingly kissed him again as she held the hand that held her ass.
"Let's at least move to the bed. I get that you're horny, Shizuna, but we shouldn't waste this top-notch room."
"Hah… Okay, fine. But you have to carry me," she practically hung on his neck like a monkey.
Van sighed and swooped her off her feet. He removed her shoes forcefully, then he kicked his own off. He dropped her on the bouncy bed and immediately climbed over her. She looked up at him and extended her arms towards his face, closing her eyes and making a kissing gesture with her mouth. Van was honestly amazed by how addicted she was to kissing him.
"It's because it makes me feel safe. Kissing you just feels so right, you know?" She answered his inner thoughts as she peeked through one of her eyes.
"Did I say that out loud, or did you read my mind?"
"I read your mind. But not with the unclouded eye."
"Heh, I guess we're one for one," he brought his lips down on hers, while his hands explored every inch of her upper body.
"Raise your arms for me," Van pulled back. Her face, melted in pure pleasure, was in full view.
"Hm? Like this?"
She lifted her arms and reached for the bed frame above her. Her entire body jolted in surprise when Van leaned in and licked her armpits.
"What are you doing, Van? Ahh… It's dirty there, you know? "
"Not after that bath."
"Uwaahhh, " her face was bright red, but she still wore a sly smile. "I'm still all sweaty and stuff from our sex. "
"That makes it all the better," he went back in and began licking vigorously.
"Ahhh! My armpits! You like them that much, Van?"
"You smell nice. It's only natural to be aroused by these," he said while licking, using his free hands to cradle her and play with her other body parts. He slowly began removing her jeans while doing his business under her arm.
"Hehe… I think Van's just a pervert. But I like it. "
"If enjoying the essence of a beautiful woman makes me a pervert, then so be it," he didn't bother denying it.
"Beautiful? Me?"
"Who else?"
"You think I'm beautiful… Ah! Isn't that enough? Hehe. I'm practically clean now."
Somehow, that felt incredibly intimate to her. The fact that Van had enjoyed her primal essence so thoroughly made her heart throb to the extreme. The fact that he was comfortable doing that to her was enthralling. She was so glad he liked her scent.
"Guess that's enough for now. Y'know, Shizuna, I've always liked your subtle sweet smell."
"Stoooop! You could smell me when I worked up a sweat? Aidios, that's so embarrassing," she covered her face with her hands as it reddened.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about. My bad, I guess that came off as creepy. It was really a compliment. Honest," Van scratched the back of his head guilty.
"No… Actually, I love that. I feel like I'm going to faint from happiness," she breathed heavily as her red face came into view. It seemed her shyness had subsided, replaced with pure bliss at being complimented by the man she loved.
"For real? Well, if you're happy, I'm happy. Your smile is strangely contagious," he said with the same happiness as the woman under him.
Shizuna's legs wrapped around his waist, lifting herself to grind against his bulge.
"Van! I can't wait any longer! C'mooooon, put in me! "
"Damn, girl, give me a second. These jeans of yours are tight around your hips. Blame that erotic body of yours."
"Ehehe, you're such a pervert. I'm used to lewd eyes looking at me, but Van never made me feel like that. I was thinking maybe you weren't interested in my body."
Shizuna was a naturally voluptuous woman, and the attire she wore for battle wrapped around her womanly figure quite tightly. She was aware of how the gazes of men fell on her as she fought or as she roamed the streets. It never bothered her much, but the gazes made her ever so slightly uncomfortable.
But when Van looked at her, there was none of that. She thought that Van might've been disinterested in her. But she soon realized that Van was simply not the type of person to ogle someone. Of course, there were times he played it up, like when she and Elaine raced in their swimsuits. But otherwise, Van was always stoic with her. This was another contributing factor to why she wanted him so passionately.
In reality, however, Van had always admired her beauty. Her form in battle was mesmerizing, and he thought she was a naturally gorgeous woman. Van never looked at her with lustful eyes because she amazed him way beyond that. There was also the fact that she was an absolute demon in battle, so he found it inappropriate to view her in such a lewd way. There was definitely a little bit of fear mixed in. Or at least there used to be.
"Just because I don't drool all over you doesn't mean I can't recognize your attractiveness," he said, finagling her pants off her soft hips. "I try to keep my dick in my pants most of the time. Sorry if I made you feel undesired."
"Perv~. Hehehe," she wiggled her hips to help him with the undressing. "I'm glad you think my body is erotic. I'll be sure to keep that in mind from now on. "
"The hell are you planning? Please don't do anything dumb during the day," he stopped when her pants were halfway down her thighs and looked at her unamusedly.
"I wasn't planning on doing anything, but I can change that if you want," she smirked.
"No thanks. The usual you is more than enough."
When her pants were fully off, the sight of her saudened panties was in full view. Van leaned in and kissed her belly button, making her squirm in elation. He slipped his hand into her panties and swirled his fingers into her pussy.
"You're kissing and licking me everywhere! "
"I need to taste every part of you. Can you blame a guy when their partner looks like you?" He said as he continued moving his face along her toned abdomen.
"P-partner?! Ah!! I'm gonna cum already! "
Van licked around her stomach, increasing the speed of his fingers. Right when he felt her about to release, he stopped his movements.
"Ah… Huh? Why'd you stop, Van?" she pouted, an expression of conflicted bliss on her face.
"Just realized something. Take off your shirt," he commanded.
She was confused by his sudden demands, but she complied. She sat up and unzipped her black vest, letting her stuffed-up breasts free.
"Your underwear is lingerie."
"What of it? It's a little embarrassing, staring at me like that," she looked away. "This is my first time wearing something like this."
"You really pulled out all the stops for me."
"Kaede told me to do this much. Does it look weird?"
"No way. Looks amazing. I was just a little surprised by how girly you are," he admitted.
"Ehehe… love can do strange things to a woman's heart, you know?"
The sudden urge to stir her guts infiltrated Van's body. The thought that he was the one who compelled her to wear this erotic underwear turned him on way too much. He unbuckled his pants and swiftly removed them. Shizuna watched eagerly as his cock was unveiled from behind the fabric.
"There it is. My pussy feels like it's on fire, Van. Hurry uuuup~!" she removed her panties and spread her legs, giving him free rein to do whatever he pleased.
While she still sat, he pressed her back along the frame of the bed, teasing her entrance with his cock as his tongue entwined with hers.
He stuck it inside, eliciting a loud, sweet moan from the Divine Blade. She wrapped her arms around his back and clung tightly. Their kisses and pounding didn't stop. She felt Van's rod spreading her pussy from the inside, stretching her, bringing her to a climax almost immediately. The foreplay from his fingers earlier had already readied her.
He moved his pelvis back and forth with nonsensical speed, playing with her plump ass all the while. When she climaxed for the second time, he pulled her back so they slept on the bed, then he lifted her legs and straddled them over his shoulders.
"Is… Haah … Is this a mating press…? " She said with hearts in her wet eyes, deliriously.
"That's right. You've studied up."
"Kaede warned me. Does this mean Van wants to impregnate me? "
Van didn't comment on that.
"I'm about to unload it, Shizuna. Get ready."
He started moving again. She felt him reaching the deepest parts of her as he slammed in and out of her pussy. Their mouths were too far away to kiss, so Shizuna couldn't stop moaning from the movements. She stuck her tongue out lewdly, unable to contain her pleasured expression.
"Van! Pour it all in me! I want your strong semen to swim into my womb and impregnate me! "
"Haaah… Haaah… If you say that, how's a guy supposed to refuse?" His thrusts became more pronounced, but no less fast.
Her mind went blank each time his cock pierced her cervix. Van was also drowning in waves of pleasure, feeling his dick clamped down by Shizuna's tight pussy. He couldn't hold back anymore. With one last thrust, he pushed his weight onto her and ejaculated directly into her uterus.
Ahh… he's inseminating me again… this feels so good. I might actually get pregnant, she thought in bliss.
Shizuna basked in the afterglow as Van pressed down on her stomach, filling her up. She breathed heavily, but seeing his handsome face looking down at her, she wanted him to lean down and kiss her. Van noticed this and immediately obliged. Their sweaty bodies pressed together as they kissed. Van's cock was still inside her, plugging her up.
Van's presence was deeply ingrained into Shizuna's womanly body. She felt like she belonged to him now, an entirely new feeling. She loved it.
"I'm yours now, Van… you've marked me, " she spoke with her sweet voice.
"You're a bit of a masochist, aren't you?"
"I guess I am. I want to be utterly dominated by Van, after all. Even when you insult me, I get excited."
"Idiot," he smiled warmly.
"Ah! Like that! You're cool when you do that. It gets me so horny," she stroked his chest as she gushed and swooned.
Van scoffed, then lifted her up and expertly turned her around. He was still fully erect, so he wasn't about to stop there. They were now in the doggy position.
"From behind? But we can't kissy kissy like this," she whined.
"Says who?" He grabbed her breasts and lifted her so her back was stuck to his chest. She turned her face and stuck out her tongue while Van began slamming his crotch on her jiggling ass.
"Ahh! S-smart! *kiss* *lick* I shouldn't have doubted you."
The bed shook uncontrollably under the force of their lovey-dovey sex. Each clap of her cheeks signified a thrust from Van, which played rhythmically with the squeaking frame of the bed.
Jittering uncontrollably, Shizuna came several times, feeling his warm embrace from behind as he caressed her breasts and nipples. She felt safe in his arms.
Van ejaculated inside her again. Without resting, they switched to the cowgirl position. Shizuna's legs were almost like jelly from pure pleasure, but she endured it and moved her body up and down his shaft. Her battle endurance was coming in handy here.
"Ahhh! Hyaaah! It feels good, right, Van? Should I move faster? Ah! "
"Ohh… this is perfect. Damn, these tits of yours are going wild," he reached up and grabbed a handful of each, molding them to his touch.
"Ah, my breasts! They're all yours, Van! That feels so good! I love you! "
Van started moving himself, thrusting up into her at the same rate she moved. Their symphonic motions caused his cock to reach even deeper, making her squirt all over him, staining the sheets. Van pumped another load of semen inside her, then pushed her down and lay her on her side.
Her ass faced him as she slept on her side. He was still releasing, so he moved at incredible speed. Her butt jiggled at every little motion.
"You're so hot," Van spoke softly.
He used his right hand to part her hair off her face as he leaned in, and used the other hand to massage her chest. All the while, he was still thrusting after finishing his second ejaculation.
"*lick* *kiss* Gah… And you're irresistible. Hold me tight, Van, " she interlaced her fingers with his hand caressing her hair.
"Hold you? But we just got in this position," he was hoping to enjoy slamming her ass like this. But if she wanted to be held, it couldn't be helped.
He turned her on her back and brought her up to sit. For the first time since he inserted, his penis left her pussy. Droves of cum flooded out, dirtying the sheets even further.
"Sit here," he slapped both his thighs as he sat cross legged.
"Mhm. Let's do it slowly for a bit. I want to enjoy the atmosphere like we're lovers," she crawled on top of him and took her seat on his lap.
She wrapped her legs around him, their faces only centimetres apart.
"Like lovers, huh?" He wrapped his manly arms around her, squeezing her tightly.
Their body heats transferred onto each other. Van's penis slowly inserted itself once again into her vagina.
"Haaaah, feels good! " she softly said. Surprisingly, she wasn't begging for a kiss, despite their faces being this close. "I wanna try fantasizing a little bit. Ahh… is that okay?"
"You think I'll deny you the right to fantasize?"
"In that case, can you tell me you love me? Just once."
"You're fine with only once?"
"Yep. I'll ingrain it into my mind and play it on loop. Just one time is fine."
"Alright then," he continued moving slowly, holding her body tightly to his. He looked her in the eyes and spoke in a deep, low voice. "I love you, Shizuna."
Even though she knew his words were rehearsed, her heart rate spiked uncontrollably.
"Wahhh… I love you too, Van. Oh no… I'm gonna cum from just that…"
"Who's the perv now?" He teased, stealing a kiss from her lips, his slow but meaningful thrusts persisting. "I love you, Shizuna."
"H-huh? But I said just once, didn't I?"
"Is there a rule that says I can't say it any more?"
"Well, no… but if you say it again, I might just cum on the spot."
"Alright then, I won't say it again."
"Hey! That was your cue to say it a third time, you meanie."
"I can't spoil you too much."
"Hehe, well, it's fine. Two was more than enough already."
His slow yet powerful thrusts felt unbelievably pleasing to her. Not only did she bask in the glow of her fantasy, but his thrusts were scratching parts of her pussy she didn't even know were sensitive. With more time to aim his cock, he could consistently hit her G-spot with every thrust.
When they started kissing again, Shizuna came from pure ecstasy. Van, feeling her fluids flowing out, began thrusting faster, wanting to climax at the same time. When he did, he filled her pussy up for the fourth time today.
"*smooch* Incredible… I'm gonna be pregnant with your child."
"Don't speak it into existence. Promise me you'll take a contraceptive pill later," he said, pushing her down on the soft mattress again.
"Hmm…~ who knows? I kinda like the idea of bearing Van's children."
"I should've used a condom," he rolled his eyes.
"But Kaede told me it feels a lot better without," she giggled. "Don't worry, I was just teasing. I'll take the pill. So keep creaming me to your hearts content."
But if the pill doesn't work and I get pregnant anyway… I'd be happy, the thought crossed her mind, but she quickly shooed it away.
Like they promised, the two of them didn't stop making love until the sun came up. By then, they'd fallen asleep while in a deep embrace, completely passed out on the soft penthouse bed.
They slept all the way till noon. A little after the the clock hit twelve, Shizuna's eyes slowly opened. The view that greeted her brought a bright red flush to her cheeks. She was being cradled in Van's arms, both of them naked while he softly snored in his sleep. She enjoyed her position and lovingly watched him sleep for around ten minutes.
When he finally opened his eyes, he noticed Shizuna earnestly staring at him. Her soft body was between his arms, some of it pressed against him.
"G'morning, Van. Your sleeping face was really cute."
"Morning. What time is it?"
"12:25. But it's your day off, right? Don't worry so much."
"Shizuna."
"What? You want a morning kiss? I'm ready."
"That's not it."
"Hm?"
"Our check out time is at 12:30," he said.
The two frantically shot out of bed and got dressed. If they weren't out of their room on time, they'd be charged extra. That was the last thing Van wanted.
"Aww, no shower even? I'm still all sticky from the sweat and stuff," she complained.
"Deal with that later. Crap, where the hell's my jacket?"
With little time to spare, the two of them rushed out of their room, not forgetting anything behind. They called the elevator and descended to the main foyer.
Van returned his keycard just in the nick of time. Then, they walked out the hotel. Shizuna stretched her limbs, revitalizing them. When she contracted her muscles, the same sensation as yesterday filled her abdomen. It felt slightly heavier than yesterday. Van's energetic sperm was nestled safely inside her. The thought made her giggle and gaze at the man next to her.
"Since we couldn't shower, wanna go back to the bathhouse?" She suggested with a sly smile.
"I'm down. But seriously this time. No mixed bathing. No sex. No nothing. Understand?"
"I get it. I don't want you to get bored of my body, Van."
"Like that could ever happen," Van said with a quiet smile. "To Old Town. Laguna awaits."
When they walked, Shizuna slowly wrapped herself around his arm and clung to him. He didn't shake her off.