Vinn sat in the weight room looking a bit lost and borderline grossed out.

“So, we’re talking about that thing we’re not supposed to talk about, hu?” Vinn asked Jack.

“We’re talking about the thing you just don’t wanna talk about. What happened in the elevator was nobody’s fault. You’re just feeling guilty because you’re a married man who put your hands on my wife in a fairly personal way. You’re a good guy, who would never stab me in the back and cheat on your wife with mine. It was a medical situation. In fact if you build a tolerance to her venom you won’t even black out next time.” Jack said.

“Bro, you want me to…let your wife go succubus on me.” He cringed.

“Vinn I can’t do it myself, I’m human. The last time we had sex, and she play bit me, I had to get an emergency shot. That was a fang scratch. She gets aggressive when she needs to feed and nobody else can tolerate a bite without risking their lives…and you just get drunk and sleepy and…grab-assy.”

“Okay youdj- I’ve only ever dated one human before, Nicole is 5 foot and skinny, Vicki is 5 foot 6 and kinda slim, you can see why under a dream fog I might get confused and think she was Nicole. I’m sorry I grabbed your wife’s ass while I was tripping balls and saving her life.

“Which is exactly why we micro-dose you. You won’t even feel the effects of the venom in that small daily dose, but you’ll build immunity and then next time she needs to feed you won’t be on the floor with your eyes rolled back, in la-la land sleep fondling. It’s a controllable situation.”

“Yea except the part where I’m just a dairy cow for a succubus. Dude what if she goes for my neck or something?”

“Vinn you’re 700 pounds of military grade beef, she can't even bite deep enough to hit an artery even if you couldn’t hold her back like a puppy.”

“Bro she is STRONG when she gets blood-lusty.”

“Really? You think I don’t know? You put my shoulder back in place. She’s gonna end up killing me. Yes, I’ll get cloned back, but you think she’s not going to be traumatized snapping out of it and finding her dead husband like ‘hey Gizzy, I did it again, print off a fresh Jack again.”

“AAAAugh, you’re right, I just frigging hate it. It’s weird.”

“Yea it’s weird but welcome to Delmar. Everything is weird. Dee is dating a nuclear reactor whose mom has my soul on a jump drive, you’re married to a human seamonster and my wife needs something to feed on that she can’t kill by accident. Trust me I wish I had your fortitude, I’d let her do it myself. I think I know why you feel so guilty.”

"Oh shit, here we go. It gets worse.”

“It feels good doesn’t it?”

“Bro, can we not go there?”

“The venom has a kick to it. Euphoric rush, heart racing, adrenaline up, it’s like sex and combat bottled up in a little syringe.”

“Okay yea, I liked it. I feel gross about it.”

“Look, you’re not betraying me or her, Nicole understands,”

“Oh you mentioned it to Nicole?”

“I had to make sure she was okay before I talked to you. Vicki’s…basically attacking her husband. I don’t know how jealous she is or how your love life works, but it’s a little strange, and she was very open-minded, as long as you were comfortable.”

“I am so far from comfortable, man.”

“I know, but you’re a good friend, and you always do what needs done. We both do.” Jack said, pacing nervously. “But I can’t keep letting her hunger build up, it increases her sex drive and that increases her tendency to bite me.”

“Feels violating. I don’t even know who’s getting violated here, is it her or me? Like is she the victim here or me?"

“Let’s look at this differently. You’re Delmarian.”

“Wow, didn’t notice. That changes everything.”

“You guys do recreational drugs all the time, Vicki is just an addict who needs her medication, and you both get something out of it. Just like the weird milk thing you were doing. Just two friends, getting a fix, medicinally beneficial, except now Nicole and I know it, and we’re not mad or shaming anyone. Same thing, guilt free."

“Except instead of me pounding grilled cheese sandos and her drinking someone else’s fluids, she’s drinking mine, and I’m basically lying on the floor for a bug-venom heroin injection while your wife is on top of me. Otherwise, exact same, totally normal thing. Where friends share some food and that escalates to me covered in blood in an elevator, spooning your wife. Normal shit.” He huffed.

“Can you try to mentally frame it as a necessary medical procedure? You’re just donating to those in need, and in return you get high, and I don’t get murdered by my wife.”

“Actually that was a good pitch. You should have really led with that one. But no way is Nicole cool with this. It’s too creepy…oh shit that almost checks out.”

“Actually.” Nicole smirked. “It’s kinda hot.”

“WHAT!?” Vinn said in a far higher pitch than normal. “Why Am I even shocked?”

“Hey, you knew I was like this when you married me. I love horror movies and vampire romance shit, Vicki was pretty hot even before she got badass, and honestly I wouldn’t even mind supervising.”

“You kinky little shit. What about my feelings, I’m a victim here too.”

“No, you’re not, you’re just shy. You’re like that when we try new stuff, and you love that. Look me in the eye knowing I can read you like a book and tell me as Vinn the white knight with a cute little Goth human wife that you don’t love the idea of being the hero for another hot Goth chick and saving someone’s life while getting balls-out high off your ass with a guilt free pass from everyone.” She said, crossing her arms.

“Okay fine, but don’t tell them, it’s already weird, and I feel like I’m cock-blocking Jack in some weird technicality way. Don’t you dare tell him I kinda maybe am a little bit looking forward to it. In my defense, you’ve never been Vicki-venomed. It’s kinda intoxicating.”

“Well so are you honey.”

“Not even remotely the same thing, but I guess thanks for the…team spirit?”

“But I’m supervising it, because Jack can't, he will get weirded out and emasculated, and you won’t do it in front of him, and if you black out and start grabbing ass again, you need a spotter. And if she goes too hardcore on you, someone needs to tranquilize her.”

“And the fact that you find this kinda sexual and fascinating is just a coincidental bonus.”

“Hey, I have terrible luck most of the time, I rarely ever get anything accidentally fun. Be the hero Vinn. Donors save lives, you’re basically a doctor.”

“Stop adding more kinks to the awkward thing and don’t you dare show up dressed as a sexy nurse.” Vinn scolded.

“What about afterward, when we’re alone, and you’re recovering?”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Absolutely wear the outfit after that. That is when you do the thing you do. Do that then, yes please.” He nodded.

“See…everyone wins.”

“Except Jack.” Vinn sighed.

“Well…he will have fewer trips to the med kit. That’s a kind of win for him too.”

“Everything is rigged. Married life is weird as shit.”

Clutch opened the door to the confessional room, double-checking so see that nobody was around. The snail cleanup crew was done for the night and the house still slimy enough that everyone was staying in the Vinn house. A snoring soundtrack played lightly in the guest room, so nobody bothered her empty room. She closed the confessional door and locked it. Wearing night vision goggles, she silently moved the chair to get her spy camera fitted to the regular security camera. On her way down the hall, she stopped short, gasping as a small human stood smiling with her arms crossed.

“I can explain.” She defended.

“Look, I get it.” Dee shrugged. “You got no money, and we’re trapped in here. What you gonna do? I’m guessing Vinn doesn’t have the kind you like?”

“N-no. He doesn’t. That’s why I’m here.

“Come on, we’re going on an adventure.” She insisted.

“Why? Where? And are we allowed to leave?”

“Nobody said we couldn’t leave, they said we couldn’t go into the commons, because the whole underground is closed. We got special passes, We got an arcade and a sex room, both fully stocked up with booze. None of that Delmarian beer. You want a drink, let's get you a good drink.” She said, waving her along.

“And you won’t tell anyone I snuck out to swipe alcohol?”

“Well I noticed mine was going pretty quick, and I suspected someone was stealing it, otherwise…” she chuckled, “If it was just me, I’d clearly have a little drinking problem. Right? So yea, it was just you. I’m fine. Anyway it’s down the tunnels, I assume there will be fucking snails everywhere because of course. So the sex room is first offshoot on the right, I wouldn’t normally let you in there, but we’re raiding the fridge for vodka so it’s different.”

“Are you guys rich or something? How do you have 2 huge mansions and a bunch of private places like this?”

“Well, technically we’re not rich, we just get favoritism perks because Gizzy thinks Jack and Nicole are her favorite pets, and she’s stupid rich. I’m also technically dating her son, so I guess I’ll be getting perks too at some point.”

“Zeph?” she asked. “You’re dating Zeph?” she asked.

“Well, it’s an open relations-we don’t have a tittle for it yet.”

"So you’re having sex.”

“Actually no, not that it’s your business but no.”

“So you’re just friends.”

“No we’re an open…like in progress sort of relationship.”

“So you hang out, eat food, watch TV, do friends stuff. Like friends with benefits.”

“Yea basically.”

“Isn’t the benefits part just sex? Isn’t friends plus sex just dating? If you’re not having sex, and you can have sex with other people, but you hang out, isn’t that just called being friends? Doesn’t everyone in the group do that with everyone? Just hang out and not have sex, and have sex with someone else…” she pointed out.

“And here’s the sex room.” She said, turning the knob and bouncing head first into it, staggering back and swiping the keycard again. Green light, knob turning, door still locked.

“What the hell?” Dee said, rubbing her face. “Why is it locked?”

“Maybe someone’s using it for…like it’s intended purpose?” Clutch said dryly.

“No, I just left and Jack was watching the game and Nicole was in her Nicole room. So there are no couples left to use the sex room.” She said listening for voices and remembering it was damn near soundproof. “Oh crap, someone’s coming, quick, around the corner, hide.” Dee said, as they quietly scurried like 2 very different size mice around the bend, peaking out. The sound of Vicki and Nicole echoed down the halls as they approached.

“He’s getting himself all psyched up.” Nicole said giggling.

“For what, all he has to do is lay there?” Vicki asked.

“Well…he’s nervous and embarrassed.” Nicole smirked.

“And I’m not? I’m the one climbing on a frigging werewolf. I don’t know how you do it every night.” She huffed.

“It’s Vinn, he’s gentle as a kitten.”

“Gentle hell, he’s a 700 pound kitten, he left a mark on my ass in the elevator. Either you have tough skin or you are just…” she squinted as Nicole made a guilty look. “No, you’re just into it. Okay. But some of us aren’t used to that shit. It was kinda terrifying.”

“But you know now he’s just a cuddler. Plus, you got me on stand-by supervising. It’s gonna be fine.” Nicole finished, giving the secret knock and dialing Vinn on her phone. “Special delivery for Vinn.” She said

“Very funny.” Said Vinn over the phone as the door opened and they went inside. Dee frantically tiptoed to the closing door and whipped out her pocket knife, gently preventing it from shutting completely.

“What are we doing?” whispered Clutch.

“Eavesdropping.”

“Why? It’s a sex room, they’re probably here for sex.”

“Exactly.”

“So should we…like not intrude on them?” cringed Clutch.

“Oh fuck that, this is juicy and interesting. I’m bored and Vinn’s running a 3 way? There’s no way Jack knows."

“What if they’re just hanging out or smoking dope or something?”

“Ugh, I just know they’re screwing but every time I think that it’s something else, what could they be doing in there?” she asked listening in.

Vinn unrolled the med kit and the snacks. Sports drinks and juice, protein shake and some cookies to replenish. He read online that most blood banks give out cookies and juice for donors. Vicki got her bag of safety supplies.

“Okay Vinn…you need a pillow or anything?” Vicki asked.

“It’s just gonna get ruined in 2 seconds, you make a mess.” He insisted.

“Yea I know, I’m trying to minimize that, So I got some padded cuffs in Delmarian sizes. We can just chain your wrists here.” She said as if already planned out.”

“Hey, wait, why am I getting restrained?” he asked.

“Because you could break me in half if you sneezed at the wrong time.” Vicki insisted.

“Hey, I’m the one that’s the piece of meat here. Why aren’t you the one getting restrained?”

“Because we can’t both be restrained, or we’re just two people tied up, how does that work? I gotta be able to reach you.”

“What if you get full queen of the damned, and Nicole can’t pry you off of me? You get locked in and motivated, and I can’t pull you off, I’m screwed.

“I’m not getting locked in. That’s why your arms are gonna be chained down.” Vicki insisted.

“Okay, both of you stop. What if one of you get chained up and one of you wears the shock collar.”

“Why did you bring a damn shock collar?” Vicki asked, as Vinn looked equally concerned. “Why do you own a shock collar?”

“Don’t worry about that. I can hold the remote. Vinn, you get handcuffed, Vicki you wear the collar. He can’t break those restraints, and Vinn, if you black out or yell the safe word, I can stop her.”

“Firstly, how do you know he can't break those cuffs, Vinn is strong.” Vicki reminded her.

“They’re Delmarian sex cuffs, I uh, got them from Evee’s leftover stuff. Trust me, if they didn’t break them, you can’t break them. Let’s just leave it at that.

“You washed these, right?” Vinn scowled.

“Okay, time out.” Vicki said. "So I’ve never worn a shock collar before for several reasons, one being I don’t wanna wear a shock collar. And the fact that you’re grinning right now makes me not trust you.”

“Sorry, I won’t use it unless it’s absolutely necessary…or you tell me too.” Nicole added…No? No.

“She’s good at following rules.” Vinn insisted. “Can we just not do this, actually?”

“You wanna let Vicki build up until she breaks Jack’s spine or something? She can't do much damage to you, Vinn.”

“Fine. Vicki. Here. I’m cuffed and vulnerable, drain me. Not like entirely but you know…enough.” He sighed. Nicole took her seat as Vicki locked the collar on and looked unhappy, both humiliated and grossed out. She randomly chose the right wrist, and got up on the stone table, bending down and facing her target.

“God, there’s so much hair, she said, stroking to part it and find a patch of bare flesh or bear flesh. “Shit. You're too close to the walls, I can’t get into position. I’m gonna have to get on your leg or something.”

“You can’t go in straight on?” he asked.

If I go in straight on, I’m hanging off the table and my tits are gonna be right in your hand. If I flip around and straddle your arm, my ass is gonna be right in your face. There’s a wall on this side, the only side open is this side, and then I’m basically sitting laying across your lap. So what do I do, just hang upside down from the ceiling?” she asked. “I don’t literally turn into a bat.”

“What did you do last time?” Nicole asked.

“No.”

“No.” Vinn said, echoing Vicki. “We’re not doing that way again.”

“Just uncuff my hand.” Vinn insisted.

“Then we’re back to square one. What if I blindfold you and then go ass to face, we could muzzle you.”

“I’m not getting turned into a gimp-mummy for this shit. I don’t even do that for my wife!” he blurted. “Pick a position, get in there, do your thing.”

“Nicole, why are you smiling?” Vicki yelled. She blushed with a big cheesy grin.

“This is very fun for me, I’m having a great time.” She admitted, sipping her shake and staring at the disaster.

“Okay, yea, they’re having weird sex.” Clutch nodded. “You’re right.”

“Oh it’s so awkward to listen to, and the uncomfortable shuffling. They have n idea what they’re doing. It’s gonna be a disaster. We should have brought snacks.”

“I would really like to go to the arcade, get some alcohol and pretend like this isn’t even happening.” She said tip-hoofing down the hallway without Dee.

“Be with you in a second.”

“Dee, they’re having sex, we came here for vodka, and I am not listening to Vinn get tied up and double-teamed buy humans. It’s just weird.” She insisted.

“Damnit. Okay fine. They’ll probably be back at some point. I can bring a microphone and go by myself.

“EEw. What is wrong with you people?”

“All kinds of shit, apparently.” Dee sighed, getting up and reluctantly leaving the scene and heading with Clutch to the arcade for a drink, which Clutch now very much needed as a coping mechanism.

“This is hilarious.” Nicole giggled. “I’m so glad I’m supervising.”