Dee snuck up to the Arcade door, noticing it was locked but putting her ear up to the crack to eavesdrop. She motioned quietly as Mel crept up beside her.

“I knew they were sneaking here. Both keycards are always missing.” Dee whispered.

“I bet they’re just playing games and complaining about their significant other or something. I can’t see them hooking up.” Mel grimaced

“Shhh, I can’t hear.” Dee said as the leaned in closer.

“I just, think you need to accept that you have a type. "Vinn said. "It’s not your fault if nothing else satisfies, I’m just lucky that variety is my thing. I’m having a great time just with you and some gooey goodness in the kitchen.”

“What am I supposed to do, though? This can’t last forever here, do I just go home and fake it? Next time Jack decided to break out his famous pot roast, just be like “oh Jack, your meat is so good” and then spit it out when he’s not looking, or just learn to choke it down and smile?” she said sadly.

“Fine.” Melody said, handing Dee 5 dollars. "They're fucking."

“I dunno, Vicki.” Vinn sighed, "Maybe you gotta tell him. Maybe he’s okay with it. If he loves you, he should love you with your flaws. Gods know Nicole loves me, with mine.”

“You’re hiding this from her, though.” Vicki noted.

“Yea, that would be one of my aforementioned flaws.” He shrugged. “But this is more about my embarrassment than her not forgiving me. She'd totally think it was fine, it’s just…it’s weird for me. I am not ready to be that guy. The group Milk Guy.”

“I just can’t stop thinking about the other night at the club. That rush and addictive impulse.” Vicki said, looking lost in herself. "I was terrified but...I liked it."

“Hey, the first time you take a random guy down is always awkward. You didn’t even plan it. You can’t dwell on it. It’s messy, and you don’t know what to do afterwards, you feel guilty. I had people watching, no pressure there. At least you did it solo. I LIMPED away from my first time. How I came out on top was pure luck.” Vinn said, remembering the Fupar Pit.

“What if I need something new and fresh every time? This is…satisfying here with you, but it’s not the same. Every time we come here, it’s less fulfilling and more…stale.” she said holding up a blood bag with last month's date.

“Hey, I put work into this. That is some high quality beef, and you’re not even trying to enjoy it. I’m over here face first in the action like a shameless weirdo, and you’re just kinda pushing meat around. You’re just fixated on the damn sauce and thinking about snagging some guy at the club, aren’t you?”

“No.” she bluffed.

“Yea you are. We had fun, now you want that fix again, it’s not about the score, it’s about the hunt for you. We can’t just go clubbing every night so you can pick off some rando. We gotta make this system here work, or you’re gonna have to tell Jack.” Vinn said as she suddenly slapped the cheesy French cheese dip and cheese out of his hands.

“Don’t you dare.” She scolded. "Don't you dare tell Jack."

“I mean YOU, I didn’t mean I was going to. Man you are snippy, post-sippie aren’t you? Can’t just slap a bro’s baguette like that without warning. I’m still enjoying it. Some of us aren’t finished, I’m trying to finish while you mope and dream about stalking guys at the club. Are you even trying to have fun here?” he asked.

“I’m trying.” she huffed.

“It’s been like 3 days, can’t have gone stale that fast. I think you just miss the hunt.” Vinn scolded.

“See?” Dee shrugged, “I’m not the only one who get horny-bored.”

“Shhh.” Mel scolded. "I'm missing nasty details."

“What if he hates me? What if he’s disgusted by this?” Vicki asked.

“It’s Jack, and it’s you. He’ll either be upset you didn’t tell him, and he'll deal with it, or I dunno, maybe he’s into it. Bad bitches are sexy. I mean, Jack is out there takin down dudes on the regular, but he told you about it. You didn’t leave him. Have him bring you along and let you clean up the place. Or maybe take the lead, I dunno. Make it a couples' thing. You know he’s got a body count way up there, you think he’s gonna be mad you got one on the rise? The more you do this without him, the more upset he’s gonna be.” He suggested. Mel gave Dee a judging look as if there was a lesson there.

“But it’s not the same. Those are professional. I don’t know how to set that up." Vicki confessed.

“Tell him, he’ll teach you.” Vinn insisted.

“I think Vinn is a sweetheart. She should feel lucky to have two great guys interested in her, and both willing to share.” Mel said. “She’s just being greedy.”

“She’s got cancer, maybe it’s a last chance thing.” Dee whispered back.

“But the meds worked, she’s fine.” Mel argued.

“Yea, now that she got her Fucket List filled. You can’t undo that. Once you get that ball rolling, it’s just a lifestyle.” she huffed.

“I think you’re just justifying your own cheating.” Mel said, looking sassy.

“I made one mistake… I made it a lot of times, but it was the same mistake. Just like them. She’s hooked now. You wouldn’t understand.” She defended.

“Because I swing when I’m single, not behind my man’s back.” Mel said giving her attitude.

“Quiet, we’re gonna get caught, and we’re missing porny details.”

“Okay, hear me out, Vicki. Have you tried fantasy roleplay? NOT, not like an online RPG, but for this. Just… Do you trust me, Vicki?” he asked.

“I guess?” she nervously winced, suggesting that was a lie.

“That’s comforting after what we’ve been through, but okay, I’ll accept that. He grabbed one of the blood packets and put it up to his neck, tucking it mostly under his shirt. “Jump me.” He said.

“What?” she scoffed.

“Look, I’m some new guy you lured in here with those pretty eyes and promises, and I’m so vulnerable.” Vinn said dramatically.

“Vinn this is stupid. I know it’s you. I’m just gonna hop on some 700 pound wall of fur and act like it’s not you?”

“Man, your imagination is weak as shit. No wonder you and Jack suck at the D and D nights."

“Okay fine. What do I do?” Vicki said getting into the zone.

“What do you mean pretty stranger, I just got here. You’re the one looking at me all thirsty and aggressive…come on.” He said in a weird voice. She lunged at him, and he playfully struggled as she went for the neck.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“Crap, you really are strong, I’m not even playing.”

“Shut up.” She muttered, fighting him back. He struggled to hold her back while trying to open the plastic tube line for the blood bag.

“Open your damn mouth!” he muttered.

“I’m not just gonna pose with my mouth open, I need the attack!” she insisted.

“Well, you can’t just dive on it with me pinned back like this.” He said trying to compromise. Her eyes went red, and she lunged, scratching him as she went for the neck and hit the blood packet. She bit into it, spraying blood in the process.

“WOAH, not cool, you can’t just go full force like that, watch the teeth, bro! Oh, come on you’re making a mess, this is a good shirt, well it’s ruined now. Okay, I guess just do your thing. Whatever.” He said, accepting it as she sunk her nails into his arm and drained the blood bag dry in under ten seconds. She pulled back, gasping and panting, covered in blood, and he sat there looking annoyed and disappointed, also covered in human blood.

“Gross.” He said. "All over my shirt."

“Sorry." She said, almost crying. “You said to get into the role, I had to get lost in the role, or it doesn’t work. I don't know how to just turn myself on and off, it just kinda happens and i lose control."

“We need a safeword or something. That was aggressive. Dude, you left nail marks on me, I’m gonna need a shower now.”

“Sorry, sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

“Well, you believed in the fantasy…and then you got weird and scary. See, this seems more like a you and Jack thing. Why Am I even here?” he asked.

“That poor boy.” Mel pouted. “He’s trying so hard to be nice and just help her.”

“She doesn’t seem the rough type, no wonder Jack is always so quiet, she’s doing shit that scares a Delmarian.” Dee whispered.

“It’s Vinn though. He’s basically a plush version. Remember how nervous he was around Nicole? Poor kiddo is probably just trying to be a friend, and she’s not even seeing it. She’s got it bad.”

“Vinn, maybe I should just do this alone.” She said, wiping her face off and throwing the red towel in the sink.

“Or…hear me out…like with JACK.” He hinted.

“You’re right, Vinn, I know you’re right. I drug you into this, you’re trying to help. But I’m afraid of what I am. You had training, Jack is a pro, I’m not used to this. I'M NEW!”

“Training hell, I was a kid in a cult getting my ass kicked by the other boys in the school. I was everyone’s bitch. I was NOT ready for my first real rodeo. They gave me the meanest bull in the core and was like 'survive motherfluffer' and I just ran on instinct. Hyde was NOT gentle. And I gotta live with the guy now.” Vinn complained.

“Wh-” Dee exhaled, pondering and looking at Mel. “With Hyde?!” they both cringed.

“I mean…” Melody shrugged “Different world, different culture?”

“He’s right though… Hyde is not gentle at all. I totally get what he’s saying, shit is terrifying the first time.” She said looking traumatized. “Second time, third... But you do get used to it.” she sighed.

"Never would have guessed the core boys swing that way, though." Mel pondered.

“Vicki, just tell Jack. Love is a couples game not a solo act. I can do my own thing here and then tell Nicole when I’m less embarrassed about the whole…milk thing. You still got that itch in your brain, and you’re gonna do something stupid and get someone hurt. So either work with me, let me help, and we can do this setup, and if that’s not enough go to Jack. Don’t go solo hunting at the clubs, please. Just promise me you’ll either stick with this or tell him.”

“Okay. I won’t go alone and go rando hunting. And I'll tell Jack instead of attacking you again.” she appologised.

“Cuz that shit was scary. You were NOT in character, or messing around. Gotta get that under control. You wanna shower first or mop first?”

“No the mess is my fault. You just…got in the crossfire.”

“Fair enough. You did pretty much just…drench me. No AH, don’t lick the floor. That’s just nasty. You know what, I’ll mop you shower, I don’t trust you with it.” he insisted.

“Poor Vinn.” Dee sighed as they snuck down the stairs and into the main hall.

“I bet it’s the side effects.” Mel said, “I know they’ve been making Silverback hornier, and he’s going through a midlife crisis at like 200 something. Sorry, too soon? But also, you have noticed Nicole looking more…furry?”

“How could I not notice? I was afraid to mention it. Vinn should be all over that, she looks half Delmarian at this point.” Dee shrugged.

“Yea, but he doesn’t like Delmarian girls, Dee. He married a human with a hint of seamonster. I know his type, trust me, ever since my boobs have been getting bigger he can’t stop staring at them. He likes his ladies smooth and aquatic, and poor Nicole is looking like the girls he avoided. He’s probably very conflicted. I think it’s obvious Vicki’s being very predatory and aggressive. It’s almost not even his fault. She’s on 20 times the medication we took for the cancer, she’s probably like turbo-horny and turned into a damn sexmonster. Makes sense why she went after Vinn. He’s sturdy and no offense, but Hyde is not… helpful?" she squinted.

“I know. You’re not pressuring him into anything. He’s stubborn and bullheaded, kind of literally. God, Vinn really is just the victim here. These vaccines are doing some weird shit to people. I’m starting to think we were better off with just the bugs.”

“People died.” Mel said dryly.

“Okay yea maybe this is better, but it still sucks. I totally knew about Jack though. He dresses way too nice to be totally straight. He’s just one of those quiet super-tops.”

“We can’t tell anyone about this, right?”

“Oh absolutely not. This is a powder-keg. We can't tell ANYONE else about this.” Dee insisted.

Dee stood, arms crossed in front of Hyde, as he drank beer and watched the homicideball game.

“So yea, Vinn and Vicky are fuckin.” She shrugged.

“Yea, I don’t care. At least wait till the commercials for this shit. I got 50 bucks on the Hatemongers, and they’re down 4 points.” He growled.

“And I just want you to know… If you hairy boys play for both teams…that’s cool.”

“The shit are you talking about, it’s a professional game.”

“I meant, if you and Vinn ever 'Played homicideball together' I’m not freaked out.” She winked.

“Honey everyone does in the core, it’s the only thing you got to do for fun” he scoffed.

“And it doesn’t make you less of a man, even if you let him win sometimes.” She smirked.

“I don’t let anyone win. Delmarians don’t submit. The fittest male reaps the spoils of victory, that’s how the culture works, Dee.” He said.

“Sure it does. I’m sure it does, honey.” She nodded looking less than convinced.

“Stop acting weird.” He muttered.

Vicki staggered into her room and plopped down on the bed, looking drained and mentally fried.

“You’re back?” said Jacks voice from the bathroom.

“Sorry I was just…needed some alone time.”

“With Vinn?” he asked. She sighed and pondered her options.

“Jack it’s not…what you think it is.” She said looking defeated.

“Relax, Vicki. I know you’re not screwing Vinn. You’re sneaking off to the Arcade together. What are you guys doing?”

“Mostly just talking and cooking, I’ve been drinking a lot, complaining a lot.”

“About me? I get it. You’re allowed to have friends, and you can’t complain to me about me. You’re bored, you’re scared, you’ve been through a lot lately. Vinn’s easy to talk to, you both like the gaming stuff. I know I’m not the easiest guy to be with. I can be a bit intense or a bit boring, and no in between. I don’t talk about my work. I’m basically your husband, and he’s safely approachable to complain to. You probably dominate the conversation and he just nods, right?”

“Yea, you could say that. Jack, I’ve just, I feel different after the medication. I’m not myself anymore. What if I’m…not like the person you fell in love with?” she asked.

“Honey, I sleepwalk tactically and have to be locked in my room at night, because I’m a professional killer and I run off at night for sleep missions, and you worry about me. I’m not easy to live with either, or the man you thought I was when you fell in love with a construction worker. You accepted me as a damn killer, I think I can let you have some space and let you do your own thing if you need to. If you need me, I’m always here, and if you need to just go out with other friends and talk, and eat junk food, then you do that until you feel better.”

“Vinn’s just been going through some similar side effects, and we kinda bonded over it. And then I just bulldozed over his problems and made it about me. Granted, his side effects are WAY less severe, but still. I can’t talk to the girls about it, we all got different issues going on. Dee’s shitting herself into a coma, Nicole’s werewolfing out and loving it, and Mel just got bigger tits. Me and Vinn just both got some weird food addictions, and we’ve been…handling it.”

“Well, I trust you. If it gets out of control, you come to me and I’ll handle things. If you need space you have it. But you know it’s impossible to keep secrets in this complex and Dee probably already thinks you two are screwing.”

“Oh surely she knows better.” Vicki said, looking grossed out.

“It’s Dee, she definitely thinks you’re screwing him…she projects her issues like everyone else thinks the way she does. Don’t be shocked if you hear a rumor about it floating around. God knows with her around anything is fair game.”

Dee sat in the kitchen eating some cereal and scrolling social media as Jack strolled by to get a night cap with a few reloads. He sipped his beverage and stood facing the window, side to Dee so she was facing right at him.

“You think you know everything, but you don’t.” he muttered.

“Hmmmwhat?” she said with a mouthful of loops and milk.

“You think I don’t know everything, about everyone in this house…about Vicki? I know what I need to know, Dee. Just let her be, give her some space and understanding. She just had cancer a second time, give her a break. Whatever rumor you’re thinking about sprinkling on the furniture like crumbs, leave her out of it. You of all people need to mind your business about what you do in the dark. You’re far from perfect. You never know the whole story, and you always jump to conclusions. Just let it go. I’ve handled it, as usual. Don’t make waves, please.”

“You know?” she said, mouth still full.

“I know all that I need to know. I know just enough details about everything to know when to step back or step in. Give her space. If I can give her space, you can give her space.” He said, walking to the window to look out into the screen of a peaceful night.