"Urgh…"
"Hnng~"
A man and a woman were entangled in the throes of passion… an act meant to express love and longing, even beyond procreation. Yet, while their bodies moved in euphoric bliss, the woman's cold glare pierced back at him as he took her from behind, doggy style.
Her eyes, defiant amid stifled moans, conveyed resentment rather than the melting affection such intimacy should inspire.
"Mmmhm~"
Ashen, sensing her icy stare, ramped up his thrusts, forcing her expression to twist into a reluctant haze of pleasure despite her efforts to maintain the glare.
"Cumming—" Eventually, his cock pulsed, flooding Alice's depths with his release. Overwhelmed, she buried her face in the pillow, muffling her cries.
Tap—
"Haah…" He lingered in the afterglow, delivering a light spank to her upturned ass as a casual signal that he was finished.
She crawled forward slowly, his length slipping out with a wet plop. "Ahh…"
Ashen watched the naked beauty slowly stand with shaking legs and head toward the bathroom without a single glance his way, despite having just surrendered her body to him completely. The silence gnawed at him. "Hey, baby… are you still mad…?"
A sharp "Hmph" was her only reply before the bathroom door clicked shut.
"..."
What did he expect? He'd brought home a new girl just days ago and hoped for forgiveness already? Delusional.
The three women had grown closer since their "harem talk" three days prior, but that didn't erase his betrayal. Emotions didn't bend to logic; even if they became best friends, it didn't change the fact that he'd cheated… again… solidifying his status as a certified scumbag.
"Damn…" Ashen flopped back on the bed with a wry smile, confronting the weight of his mistakes.
With Seraphine, circumstances had forced his hand, flawed as it was. But with Lucia, it was pure scumminess toward both Alice and Seraphine. He could've resisted her advances, dodged her kiss, pushed away her wandering hands. Instead, he'd reciprocated like the cheat he was.
'They say the first time is hardest; the second comes easier. Looks like I'm proving it.' He thought self-deprecatingly.
'No. I can't make this a habit. Three is enough. No more.' He shook his head resolutely.
This polygamous setup only worked due to his women's infinite tolerance. In any normal case, it would shatter. But that didn't mean he should abuse it.
Polygamy was the norm in Seravelle, so Lucia might adapt, but Alice and Seraphine were exceptional.
Alice, especially, was an angel for limiting her anger to silent treatment rather than something drastic. She even tended to his sexual needs amid her fury… A true treasure, as the Seravellians had labeled her.
Seraphine had been shooting him dirty looks too. Only Lucia remained her usual self, perhaps a touch gloating.
Ashen was grateful the apartment housed just him and Alice, who'd recently moved back in. Otherwise he wouldn't know how he'd handle the three of them in the same space.
Seraphine had her own villa, and Lucia had returned to her place in Esperra after claiming she'd handled the curse.
He'd been skeptical at first since testing showed her body still obeyed his commands, no matter how shameful he made them. But she assured him only he retained that power now, and he trusted her. He'd never expected the Equivalent Exchange to fully dispel the compulsion; this lingering effect was likely the price.
Tok—
The bathroom door opened, drawing his gaze to a freshly bathed Alice clad in only a short towel. It skimmed her ass below and strained against her perfect breasts above, threatening to unravel with the slightest tug.
Transfixed by her sinful form that was further amplified by his skill and the Lust concepts, Ashen watched as she sauntered to the clothes rack.
His manhood stirred back to life as she dropped the towel, then bent forward sensually, sliding panties up her legs… from ankles, along toned thighs, until they nestled snugly between her cheeks.
Slap—!
She snapped the waistband with a final tug, then turned to meet his eyes coldly. Her gaze flicked to his raging erection, making a faint smile curl her lips.
'This little minx.' She was teasing him deliberately… they had to leave in half an hour for a visit to his parents, with Seraphine and Lucia tagging along.
She knew it, too, which emboldened her provocation. Any other time, she'd be pinned beneath him in seconds.
But as she donned her bra… leaning toward him, cupping and adjusting her breasts in the most erotic display, all while ignoring his presence… Ashen reached his limit.
"Okay… Okay… Fair… well played, Alice…" He mumbled sulkily, heading to the bathroom for a cold shower.
⛧ ⛧ ⛧
When they finally came down, Seraphine and Lucia were already waiting for them.
"Ally~ I missed you!" Seraphine familiarly jumped into Alice's bosom, and the latter naturally hugged her back with an almost doting smile.
"It's only been three days, you klutz."
Of course, she didn't forget to throw one of her cute glares at the man who looked at their "sisterly love" helplessly. 'Hey… I want some of that too…'
Lucia came right after with a smirk when she noticed his helpless situation.
"Here." She threw her car keys and he deftly caught them.
"You drive, big boy."
"Aye, aye…" And just like that he was resigned to his fate as today's chauffeur seeing the three women didn't waste time huddling in the backseats.
Vroom—
Along the way, they seemed like three harmonious sisters as they lightly chatted with each other, creating a soothing atmosphere that unfortunately didn't extend to the front seat.
'Well… as long as they're not fighting… I wouldn't ask for more.' Ashen knew that they wouldn't stay mad at him for long. Alice loved him too obsessively for that, and Seraphine was just too saintly for her own good.
The problem that Ashen dreaded the most was how he was going to make them not hate each other… or at least not kill each other.
But it seemed that he had underestimated his women's emotional intelligence. 'A good miscalculation…' He allowed a faint smile as he cast a subtle glance at them through the rearview mirror.
Crkk—
"Alright ladies… we're here."
The group of four made their way to their destination, and when they reached the door, Ashen rang the bell once.
Akidia, Ashen's mom, was the one who opened the door.
"Ash—"
At first, she smiled lovingly when she saw her son at the door. Ashen also returned the smile and opened his arms for a hug, but then her eyes darted to the side and she noticed Alice.
"Oh my god! My dear daughter is finally back!"
Ashen watched as his mom suddenly forgot about his existence and pulled Alice into a smothering embrace instead. "Alice! Are you following in Ashen's footsteps? How can you spend weeks without visiting… this is not how I raised you, missy!"
"...Sorry, Mom… I also missed you." Alice mumbled from Akidia's bosom in an uncharacteristically shy demeanor, making for a completely heartwarming scene.
Seraphine held her hands together in a surprised but equally happy expression, as if she was the one being hugged instead. Even Ashen, who thought he was the adopted one for a second there, found himself smiling warmly.
Lucia was the only one who stayed seemingly composed in front of Akidia's antics, but inwardly, she had come to admire the woman greatly from their previous interactions.
"Lucia! Sera! You're also here…? That's great! Please come in, you came at the perfect time—lunch is about to be ready!" Finally she seemed to notice the rest of the company and eagerly invited them in.
Hans and Lapis, who watched the show from the back, also greeted them with smiles while casting suspicious looks at Ashen.
'When did this guy become so popular…?' Hans thought in confusion.
Unlike his wife, who didn't think her son would do something as scummy as three-timing them… and might even grow prideful for all he knew if she found out… he looked at things more skeptically.
Ashen noticed their looks and started sweating bullets. If his father knew his current relationships, what little respect he started regaining might vanish on the spot.
Thankfully, the ladies seemed to get the hint, dodging questions easily and veering the topic away from romance, easing his nervousness. 'Safe… for now.'
⛧
⛧
⛧
The lunch table was a battlefield disguised as a family meal.
Akidia had outdone herself with the spread… roasted chicken, glazed vegetables, fresh bread, and an apple pie cooling on the counter. The food was perfect. The company, however, was a minefield.
Ashen sat between Alice and Seraphine, with Lucia directly across from him. His father, Hans, occupied the head of the table with Akidia to his right, while Lapis had positioned herself next to Lucia, eyes gleaming with barely concealed curiosity.
"So," Hans began, cutting into his chicken with precision, "three lovely young women visiting together. That's quite the… group outing."
"We're all friends," Alice said smoothly, "Thought it would be nice to visit together."
"Friends," Lapis repeated, drawing out the word while shooting Ashen a look that clearly said I don't believe that for a second.
"Yes, friends," Seraphine confirmed cheerfully, apparently oblivious to the interrogation. "We've gotten really close lately! It's been wonderful."
"How close?" Lapis leaned forward slightly.
"Very close," Lucia interjected with a small smile. "We've even had sleepovers."
Ashen nearly choked on his water. Lucia, what the fuck—
"Oh, how lovely!" Akidia beamed, completely missing the implications. "I'm so glad Ashen has such good friends. He was always so isolated before, never bringing anyone home. Now look at him! Three beautiful, accomplished women keeping him company."
"Yes," Hans said slowly, his gaze never leaving his son. "Look at him."
His father's stare made Ashen want to crawl under the table.
"Mom, the chicken is amazing," Alice said, smoothly redirecting attention. "Did you use a new spice blend?"
"Oh yes! I'm so glad you noticed, dear." Akidia launched into an enthusiastic explanation of her cooking process, giving everyone a moment to breathe.
Ashen shot Alice a grateful look. She responded with the tiniest smirk before returning her attention to Akidia, asking questions that kept his mother happily occupied.
Lapis, however, was not so easily deterred. She turned to Seraphine with a sweet smile that Ashen recognized as dangerous. "So, Seraphine, how did you and my brother meet?"
"About a year and a half now," Seraphine answered truthfully. "We went through a really difficult experience together. He saved me more than once."
"How romantic," Lapis said, eyes narrowing.
"It was terrifying, actually," Seraphine corrected, apparently still missing the interrogation happening. "But we got through it together, and now we're very close."
"I see." Lapis sat back, processing. Her gaze swept over all three women, then landed on her brother. "Bro, you must have quite the… active social life these days."
"It's been eventful," he managed weakly.
"I bet."
Hans cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Son, a word in the kitchen?"
Fuck.
"Of course, Dad." Ashen stood, trying not to look like a man walking to his execution.
The moment they were alone in the kitchen, Hans turned to face him, arms crossed. For a long moment, he simply studied his son with an unreadable expression.
"So," Hans finally said. "How many?"
Ashen blinked. "I'm sorry?"
"Don't play stupid. You're many things, but stupid isn't one of them." Hans leaned against the counter. "How many of those women are you involved with?"
There was no point lying. His father would see right through it. "Ehm… All three."
Hans's eyebrows rose slightly, the only indication of surprise. "I see."
"Look, I know how it sounds—"
"Do you?" Hans interrupted.
Ashen waited for the lecture, the disappointment and the inevitable I raised you better than this.
Instead, Hans let out a long sigh. "Are they happy?"
"What?"
"The women. Are they happy with this arrangement?"
"I... yes? They talked about it... and agreed to it. They even—" He stopped, not sure how much detail was appropriate.
"And you? Are you capable of actually maintaining this?" Hans's gaze was penetrating. "Son… even if they agree to it, It's about responsibility. Three partners means three times the emotional labor, three times the communication, three times the commitment. Can you handle that?"
"Yes." Ashen's answer was instant. He could doubt many things about himself but his commitment toward these women was ironclad.
Hans studied him for another long moment before nodding slowly. "Your mother would kill me if she knew I was having this conversation with you instead of lecturing about morality."
"You're not going to lecture me?"
"Oh, I could. But those three are adults and they made their own decision. It's not my turn to question it. You all make your own choices, and you live with the consequences." Hans's expression softened slightly. "Just... don't fuck it up. Those are good women out there. If you hurt them carelessly, you'll have more than your mother to worry about."
"Understood."
"Good." Hans pushed off the counter. "Now, let's get back before your mother starts planning a wedding. She's already considering Alice her daughter-in-law, you know."
They returned to find the table in animated conversation. Akidia was showing Seraphine photos on her phone while Alice watched with a fond expression. Lucia and Lapis were engaged in what looked like a civil discussion about business.
The moment Hans sat down, Akidia looked up. "Oh good, you're back! I was just showing Sera pictures of Ashen's childhood. Look at this one—"
"Mom, no—"
"He's wearing a little bunny costume! Isn't it precious?"
Seraphine's delighted squeal cut through his protest. "Oh my god, he's so cute! Ally, look!"
Alice leaned over, and her expression shifted into something amused. "Adorable. I'm going to need copies of all of these."
"Already sending them to you, dear," Akidia said cheerfully.
"Mother please…"
"What? You were a beautiful baby. No shame in that."
Lucia caught his eye from across the table, her smirk turning wicked. Enjoying yourself? her expression seemed to say.
Just leave it, his glare shot back.
The rest of the meal passed in relative peace, though Lapis continued shooting him knowing looks that promised a private interrogation later. His mother remained blissfully oblivious, or perhaps willfully so, chattering happily with all three women about various topics.
As they were clearing the table, Akidia pulled Alice aside into the kitchen. Ashen could hear their conversation from the dining room.
"Ally, dear, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Mom."
"Are you happy?"
A pause. "Yes. Very much so."
"That's all I need to know." The sound of a hug. "Just... take care of my son, alright? He's trying his best, even if he doesn't always know what that looks like."
"I will. I promise."
Ashen felt a bitter feeling. 'Do I deserve them…?' The thought seemed to constantly bother him these days but he stomped with another. 'Even if I don't, all I have to do is be worthy going forward…'
When they finally prepared to leave, Akidia hugged each woman individually, lingering longest with Alice. "You're always welcome here, all of you. Consider this your home too."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hart," Seraphine said warmly.
"Call me Mom, dear. All of you." Akidia beamed. "Any friend of Ashen's is family."
Hans caught Ashen's eye one more time, giving a small nod.
As they walked back to the car, Lapis jogged up beside Ashen, grabbing his arm. "You and me, we're having a conversation soon."
"About?"
"About how my scumbag brother somehow ended up with three gorgeous, intelligent women who inexplicably tolerate him." She smiled sweetly. "I need to know your secrets. For research purposes."
"There are no secrets, sis."
"Hmm." She didn't look convinced, but she let him go. "We'll see."
In the car, the atmosphere was noticeably lighter. The women chatted among themselves, occasionally including him in the conversation. Alice even smiled at him once… a real smile, not the icy ones she'd been giving him.
'That's progress…. I guess…'
As Lucia's apartment came into view, she leaned forward between the front seats. "Your family is lovely."
"They have their moments," Ashen replied.
"Your mother reminds me of what I wish mine had been like." There was no sadness in Lucia's voice. "Warm… accepting... and most of all… present."
Alice reached back and squeezed Lucia's hand briefly. "You're part of it now. She literally said so."
"She says that to everyone," Lucia countered, but she was smiling.
"Maybe. But she means it." Alice's expression was serious. "Trust me. Once Akidia Hart decides you're family, you're stuck."
"Sounds terrible," Lucia deadpanned.
"The worst," Alice agreed, matching her tone.
Seraphine giggled from the backseat. "I can't wait to come back. Did you see how excited she got about the photos?"
"I saw," Ashen muttered. "I'm never living down that bunny costume."
"Good," all three women said in unison.
Ashen couldn't help but smile. This chaotic, complicated, ridiculous situation was his life now… and he wouldn't trade it for anything else.
⛧ ⛧ ⛧