Harmony University: Strawberry Moon

Following the impromptu fucking in the gazebo, Slate casually adjusted Darkstar's loose pink top so that both nipples were barely covered and he held her hand, “I'm having fun, pet.”

“So am I, Master,” replied Darkstar. After a few steps, in which she felt the zebra’s fresh load churning inside her creamed pussy, she paused and had a thought. “Master? May I make a request for when we get home?”

“I'm listening.”

“Rocky had this new video the other day while you were at work. The man tied the woman in a rope harness, spanked her then pounded her senseless up against a window,” as she spoke, she became more animated, miming a spanking, and her eyes grew wide with excitement, “It was so hot!”

Slate was a little surprised to hear that, though he supposed he shouldn’t be, not really. Darkstar was always coming up with new things for them to try. “Really? I can see doing you at a window, for sure, but bondage?”

“Please Master, I can't describe how hot it was!” Darkstar’s cheeks flushed a bright pink to match her clothing, “The way her breasts were tied so they swelled up, the way he tied her arms behind her back, she was so helpless to him when he took her against the glass…”

A resigned sigh left Slate. When his girl got like this, he knew it was pointless to resist her. He hoped that one day he’d be allowed to do the thing he really wanted to do with her. “I wonder if they have something about that in the book store?”

“I'm sure they do, Master.”

Together, they entered the college building and they walked the halls to get to the book store. On the way, Darkstar loved the way the few students there were openly gawking at what she was almost not wearing. “Do enjoy yourself as you look for your books,” Slate said in her ear, “I'll be watching over you, and I will protect you if needed.”

“I know you will,” Darkstar turned and kissed her big strong zebra. The one thing in the world she could be absolutely sure of was Slate. “That's why I love you and you're the best Master ever.” A gentle caress of his cheek later and she walked off to the language books, making sure that at least one breast was visible.

True to his word, Slate watched his fiancé and pet. He knew that just moving around would lead to some students getting a generous view down her top, as well some side boob action. Possibly even a view up her top. Slate had a hard time not laughing when one staring man walked into a bookshelf.

Darkstar smirked at the poor guy's reaction, and at a woman who stared at her so much she wasn’t paying attention and dropped her books. Just to add to the spectacle, she decided to reach up high to get a Griffon book from the top shelf.

Some distance away, Slate continued to watch. While her breasts were nice, he was focused on her ass. He was an ass man. As he stared at her butt, imagining himself plowing her tightest hole, he felt himself getting hard again in his jeans.

“Say there sexy,” a tall man in a college sweater came swaggering over full of ego, “How about I get a leash on that collar and get you over to my place for a private lap dance?”

Darkstar, who had three books in her hands, turned to face him, an in her finest Zebran said, “Master where are you?”

Appearing behind him so fast it was like he had teleported there, Slate said, “Here love. Someone giving you a hard time?”

Hearing that, the man turned and though he was tall, he still had to look up. “Um, wow, look at the time…” all the confidence and swagger leeched out of him, “I think I need to get going. I hope you both have a wonderful day!”

As he quickly retreated to the safety of an aisle, Darkstar smiled at her saviour. “My knight in stripy armour,” she kissed him, “I got the books I need.”

“I think we may need one more.”

Looking down at the books she had in her arms, college level Zebran, Griffon and Dragonese, Darkstar realised what book she was missing. “Oh! Right!” it was all she could do not to facepalm hard as Slate walked with her over to the adult section. “There,” she pointed to a large hardback book, “Shibari, Master.”

“I approve,” and so did his manhood, if the sudden tightening in his jeans was anything to go by.

Choice made, Darkstar picked up the book, which according to the cover, covered beginner, intermediate and advanced ropework. “Thank you, Master.” After Slate had paid for the books, and when they were in the back of a second taxi cab on the way home, Darkstar asked, “Do you have any rope?”

“Work rope that I don't want to use on your pretty body,” replied Slate, who parted his legs just enough to allow a white hand to slip between them and caress his junk, “I'm thinking a detour to a hardware store is in order.”

Darkstar showed her approval of that idea by affectionately stroking Slate's crotch. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”

“Maybe a tiny bit more than I love you,” Slate grinned back at her. Fortunately, the taxi driver was willing to pull over at the store so Slate could buy some varying lengths of three quarter inch and one half inch nylon rope. “I do hope you'll let me learn what I'm doing before we do something that could be dangerous,” he warned her when they were both back in the cab.

“Of course, silly. I don't expect to jump straight to the advanced section,” Darkstar then opened the Shibari book to the first few pages after the introduction, a page that showed a female model wearing a five pointed star tie over her chest, with breasts tied and her arms in a box tie behind her back. “What about that one?”

After taking a look at the page, Slate was by this time getting tired of the near constant erections he was getting. “Okay,” he admitted, “That does look hot.”

“I'm getting wet just looking at it,” commented Darkstar as the cab swerved around some traffic, “I’m imagining that's me, all helpless for you, on my knees with your hands in my hair, then pressed up against the window for all to see…”

“I'm thinking many things,” Slate said with a sly smile.

“I do hope so,” Darkstar fidgeted in the seat, and it was obvious she couldn’t wait to get back home. She dearly wished the cab driver would hurry it up.

Annoyingly, Slate kept up the sly smile all the way home, even after he had paid the taxi fare. Darkstar had asked him what he was thinking several times but she got no answer every time. Eventually she gave up and pouted until she got out of the cab. “Can I undress inside?” she asked, knowing that Rockslide and Sea Salt had seen her nude many times before.

“You can undress now,” Slate ordered, wanting to give the taxi driver a ‘tip’. “Put your clothes in the book bag and I'll take that and the rope.”

“Thank you Master!” Immediately, and without any shame whatsoever, Darkstar began to strip off right there on the drive way. She pulled off the loose tank top, folded it neatly, and placed it in the bag. In no hurry, she then slipped off her shoes and peeled off the wet leggings. Once they were folded up neatly and she was totally naked but for the collar, everything went into the book bag.

“Get along inside,” Slate ordered her as he took the bag and the rope, thoroughly enjoying the look on the driver’s face, “But no running.”

“Yes Master,” Darkstar blew Slate a cheeky kiss and then she turned and sashayed her way sensuously up the drive and casually through the front door. She was fairly sure a couple some distance away had seen her, but she didn't rush.

Inside the house, Rockslide was busy watching one of her talk shows on the flat screen TV in the living room. She could hear Sea Salt bustling away in the kitchen, her little empire of food. “Did the books cost the clothes off your back?” asked Rockslide, who was very glad she looked away from the TV when she saw the naked teenager.

“No Rocky, that was just a bonus,” Darkstar walked up to the side of the couch and looked at the TV. “Whatcha watchin'?” she discovered, to her – not – great surprise it was the talk show the zebra liked. The host was addressing what could only be described as a ‘youth’ dressed in a tracksuit with a baseball cap on backwards while five girls threw insults at him and each other. “Let me guess, that guy there's had it off with all those girls and now they've all found out?”

“You could write for this show,” Rockslide replied, clapping her hands when the girls started fighting amongst themselves.

“Muckraker’s the same every time,” Darkstar commented dismissively, last week, two women openly declared love for the same dog, so this was tame, “Has one of their mothers – pregnant by him - come out yet?”

Just then, Slate walked in fresh from paying the cab driver carrying the bags under an arm. “Bedroom please,” he ordered, deftly rescuing his pet from the talk show, “Supper at the usual time?” when Rockslide nodded, he followed Darkstar up to the bedroom.

Ahead of him on the stairs, Darkstar made sure to add a wholly unnecessary sway to her hips. She knew how much her Master admired her bubble butt, and she was nothing if not a tease.

In their bedroom, Slate quickly sorted out the rope into the different sizes, he put the clothes on the dresser along with the college books then, he opened the Shibari book to the first proper page while Darkstar sat crossed legged on the bed. “How's it look, Slate?”

“Go get the EMT sheers, pet,” Slate said by way of reply after studying the detailed instructions for a few moments, “They look like sturdy scissors.”

“For emergency release, right?” Darkstar asked, catching on quickly, “I'll go get them.” Slate simply nodded and continued to read from the book. At the bottom of the stairs, the white skinned teen realised she would need to ask for the sharp stuff. “Hey, Rocky, can you get me the EMT shears please?”

That actually made Rockslide look away from the talk show with a raised an eyebrow, “That depends on who is doing the cutting?”

“They’re for Slate,” Darkstar blushed softly, and just like that she knew why she had been ordered to get the shears, “He's gonna tie me up, like this,” she demonstrated the cross chest box tie by placing her arms behind her back.

And just like that, Rockslide was up on her feet, “Okay, that should make dinner interesting,” she smirked, and hurried to unlock a kitchen drawer and pulled out the sheers and handed them to Darkstar handle first. “Have fun.” She was certainly having fun imagining what the teenager would look like dressed in ropes.

“I can't wait!” Darkstar gushed as she took the shears. “Thanks Rocky!” she made her way back upstairs straight to the bedroom. “Here Master, shears, just like you wanted.”

“Thank you,” said Slate, taking the shears from her, “Now don't make me use them,” he was unusually solemn and serious, “If you want out, just say ‘Red’ or ‘untie me’, okay?”

“I understand, Slate,” Darkstar kissed her zebra’s cheek before once more sitting cross legged on the bed. “Red or untie me. Got it.”

“I should tie you up first,” he smiled at her from the dresser as he gathered up a length of the rope. “Stand if you please. Clasp your hands behind your back.”

“Just testing our safe words, Master.” Darkstar was quick to stand and obediently, she placed her arms behind her back, one forearm on top of the other.

Slate decided to tie the box tie first, before attempting the breast binding. The first time he tried, the ropes were too tight, making Darkstar flinch and moan until he eased it and tied her a second time. “Hmmm…” she tested the bonds the second time, “That feels much better, I like that.”

“Now to give you some D cups at long last,” Slate smirked, thoroughly enjoying the pout on Darkstar’s face as he wound the ropes around her small B cups and bound them until they were tied and swelled up like two large muffins in the completed Karada box tie.

“Oh...oh that feels weird...” Darkstar looked down at her swelled up breasts once Slate was done and sure enough, to her delight, they were bigger, by at least two whole sizes!

“Now at last you’ll give my sister a run for her money.”

“Dinner!” hollered Rockslide loudly from downstairs. Her call wasn’t strictly necessary, they could smell the cooked meal all the way from the kitchen calling them like a siren.

Slate was finishing up his last tie and tucking the end of the rope away just as Rockslide called them. “Hmm, it looks like I'll have to feed you tonight,” he grinned and kissed his pet on the mouth.

Darkstar returned the kiss, “This is so hot…” she wasn't expecting that last bit, but she was clearly aroused by the idea of going downstairs in her present state.

“Oh, one moment,” Slate reached for the leash and he attached it to the D ring on Darkstar's collar. Now everything was ready. “Come along, pet.”

“Aaaaaahn...” Darkstar moaned, biting her lip as her juices began to flow freely down her inner thighs the moment Slate tugged on the leash and led her carefully down the stairs.

“That takes getting dressed for dinner to a whole new level,” Sea Salt remarked the very second that Slate walked his pet into the large kitchen.

The elderly zebra wasn’t the only one to admire the view. Rockslide gawped openly at the sight of Darkstar all tied up like a Hearths Warming present. It was an even better sight than she could have hoped for. “Darkie gots tits!” Oh…how she wanted to grope them…

Darkstar’s soft blush became a beet red glow in an instant. “I'm glad you like them, sis.”

“No test drives,” Slate enjoyed the playful pout on his older sister’s face as he pulled out a chair next to him for his pet to sit on, for which she thanked him with a nod of her head and placed her butt down on the seat.

After Sea Salt had served up the meal to them all, Slate alternated feeding Darkstar and himself. He used the spoon like one would on a baby to scrape anything that ‘accidentally’ missed the mouth.

The bound teen was blushing up a storm, doubly humiliated and extremely aroused at having to be fed like that in front of Sea Salt and Rockslide, particularly with them both looking at her as they ate.

It was a whole new feeling, and she liked it, she like it a lot.

“Did you all sort out where Darkie is staying for school?” asked Sea Salt, eating while looking between her son and soon to be daughter in law.

“Yes,” Slate replied after swallowing what he was chewing, “She met all the requirements for the dorm. After we're married, there is some added restrictions, like me not staying the night there.”

“And after the baby is born?”

“U-Um...” Darkstar spoke up, at last finding her voice at the table. Amazing how being tied up made her want to be quiet, “Well, they have free day care, but I can't live in the dorm with a baby.”

“At least the baby will be close by for feeding,” commented Sea Salt, as she deftly speared some meat on her fork.

“Free day care?” asked Rockslide, who wasn’t hiding the fact that she most definitely was not looking at Darkstar’s face. Her gaze would have gone lower if she could have, but the table was in the way.

“Yeah,” Darkstar replied, “It's run by the psych department as part of the family development class, but after he or she is born, I'll have to come back here.”

Sea Salt waved her had dismissively in the air, “We'll sort that out when it comes. Plenty of time yet.”

“You're right, momma…” unfortunately, Darkstar chose that moment to make eye contact with Rockslide, who was busy making very suggestive wiggles of her eyebrows in her direction. She knew what the zebra was thinking – it didn’t take a genius – and she bit her lip. If it was possible, Rockslide was making her more and more aroused, until the scent of her arousal could be smelled.

Wearing an amused smirk on her face, Rockslide inhaled and said, “I thought the dessert was still in the fridge?

“It is, why...” Sea Salt paused and then the old zebra blushed when the distinct scent hit the back of her nose, “Oh my! Well, as soon as they finish their plates I'll go get it.”

On her chair, Darkstar squeezed her thighs together to try and hide her aroma, at the same time opening her mouth to be fed, which Slate duly obliged, “I think someone will have maid duty once the ropes come off,” he smirked.

“Y-Yes Master!” Darkstar’s voice was a barely audible squeak in between mouthfuls of food.

“You should do this more often, brother,” opined Rockslide, who was again ogling Darkstar’s body.

Maybe,” Slate teased, “If she is a good girl. Like she was today.” Darkstar wanted to squeal 'oh yes!' but right then, she was preoccupied with the business of chewing and swallowing at that very moment.

“Well,” Rockslide felt up the submissive teenager with her eyes, “She can walk in like this evening any time you like.”

“I didn't want to delay the ropes,” Slate said with a shrug, “Saves time, don't you know.”

“I’m glad you like the show, Rocky,” Darkstar’s blush was now reaching all the way up to the tips of her ears, and she had given up squeezing her legs together as she was dripping her juices onto the floor beneath the chair, “Th-Thank you for dinner, momma!”

Sea Salt inclined her head, “I'll be right back with the rhubarb pie,” she said as she carried the empty plates to the sink and went to the fridge.

“Do you think she can handle dessert, brother?” asked Rockslide, “The way she's fidgeting she'll pop before you get her upstairs.”

“I can try to calm her down,” said Slate considerately, before reaching down with his right hand between Darkstar's legs and, once he had then spread, he slid three fingers deep inside her.

“Yeah, that should do the trick,” Rockslide didn't duck down to look under the table, she was far more entertained watching the changing expressions on Darkstar’s face.

“MMsMmmm h-hooooly moooon!” Darkstar’s eyes were wide and watering, especially when Slate inserted a fourth finger inside her sopping wet tunnel and his thumb began rubbing her hard clit. She was so aroused and humiliated by the lewd wet noises coming from being fingered that she climaxed right there on the chair.

As Darkstar was leant over and panting hard through her orgasm, Sea Salt set the pie down on the table. “We usually save that for the living room, but you did say she would be cleaning up later,” she snarked as she dished out some pie to everyone.

“Hot!”

Still panting almost a full minute later, Darkstar wasn’t sure if Rockslide was talking about the pie or her. She was finally bought down from her high by a piece of the pie in front of her face. “Th-Thank you, momma.”

“No feeding yourself, pet,” Slate smirked at how close Darkstar’s face was to her pie. Brandishing his spoon, he proceeded to feed the pie to Darkstar and himself. When the dessert was gone and the plates were all empty, Slate pulled his pet up from her chair by the leash. “Come along pet, still things to do.”

Awkwardly, Darkstar was up on her feet. “Coming Master!” as she left the seat, she left behind her a large wet patch on and under the chair.

Slate pulled Darkstar up the stairs and into the bedroom, where he closed the door and pointed to the middle of the room. “Stay,” he ordered, and then he looked at the book for some more instructions. He then came back to her and without warning, he flicked her nipples.

Obediently, Darkstar was stood perfectly still, watching what Slate was doing, then the moment he flicked her nipples, she let out a loud, “HmmmaaAAAAH!” while at the same time squeezing her legs together once more.

“Was that pain or pleasure?” asked Slate, unsure from the sound she made and the expression on her face.

“B-Both, Master…” gasped Darkstar, her inner thighs glistening with the fluids she had released from her pussy, “Mmmmm d-definitely both!”

“Okay, I think you're good for a bit longer in the ropes then,” judged Slate, who saw that his pet’s bound breasts were not discoloured – would have been easy, given she was pure white – and he led her to the bed and then on it so that she was standing in the middle facing the head of the bed. “Wait there.”

“What are you doing?” questioned Darkstar, who while she couldn’t see her Master, she could hear movement behind her. As curious as she was, she didn’t dare move her head to see, in case he was watching her.

Behind his pet, Slate got undressed and he was quite hard just from looking at Darkstar stood on the bed with her arms tied behind her back just above that ass that he adored so much. Starting at the foot of the bed, the zebra laid on his back and he slid forward between Darkstar's open legs. Once he was in position, he took hold of the leash. “Ride me, and make sure I cum first.”

“Yes Master,” Darkstar lowered herself down to her knees and, after a moment of fumbling, she managed to get the head of his cock inside her dripping wet hole. Then, she lowered herself down all the way.

With Darkstar straddling him on her knees, Slate used the leash and kept it taut so that she couldn’t fall backwards. When she leant forwards, he was ready with groping hands to her bound breasts to straighten her back up.

Darkstar rode her Master enthusiastically, only too happy to bounce up and down as she impaled herself repeatedly on his impressive dick. But, as she had already climaxed down in the kitchen, and therefore was already highly aroused, soon she reached her peak ahead of him. “M-Ma-Master I-I'm gonna cum...”

Hearing that, Slate quickly reached up with both hands and he flicked her nipples, really quite hard, “Not yet, pet.”

“A-AaaaAAH Hnnnng...” she winced, the pain in her breasts stopping her growing climax stone dead for the moment, which allowed her to carry on bouncing up and down his shaft, “Fuuuuck!”

While he was being fucked, Slate was, at the same time his pleasure was building and building, was keeping a close eye on her so he could flick her again when needed. Watching her ride him though was incredibly hot, and he judged it wouldn’t take long to reach his release.

The second time Slate flicked her bouncing juggling nipples, the pain succeeding in bringing her down, but the third time he flicked her, just at the point that he came deep inside her, it tipped her over her edge with him.

They both screamed out their respective climaxes at the same time and, while Darkstar squirted out a waterfall of girl cum over his crotch, Slate was humping up into her, his seed coating her insides. It was one orgasm he needed many moments to recover from.

Likewise, Darkstar also needed some time to come down from her climax, especially with him still inside her. Leaning forwards, she panted heavily as sweat matted her long grey hair. “Oh...oh wow...” she breathed, “Wow...th-that was...wow!”

“Yes,” Slate agreed after ten minutes had passed, “That was wow. Now to untie you. Um, up and stand on the floor, please.”

Still breathing heavily, Darkstar moved up and she swung a long slender leg over Slate’s body and she got to her feet on the floor. With her off of him, Slate got up and he reversed the breast bondage, followed quickly by removing the ropes tying her arms.

“Hmmmmm,” Darkstar flexed her arms, then she looked down and pouted because her inflated D cups had been reduced to B's once again. “Damn. I liked them, too.”

Purely to restore her circulation, and totally not to grope her at all, Slate vigorously rubbed Darkstar's arms and breasts. The mewling noises she made was purely a bonus. “You handled that very well, pet. What about going out to do something with that under your clothes?”

“I'd love to...eeeek!” Darkstar’s reply devolved into a squeak when she felt the need to scratch herself now that the circulation was coming back, “Itchy!”

“No, no scratchy for you!” Slate interrupted Darkstar’s scratching and her imminent protest with a long, hard, deep kiss. “We both love doing it in public, but now you've added bondage to the mix. Anything else you want, my kinky pet?”

“I was going to ask you if there was anything you'd like to add,” Darkstar countered before kissing his nose, “My kinky Master?”

“I had fun at dinner,” Slate grinned broadly, “Teasing my sister is a joy. I need to learn more in that book, and maybe we can get a more advanced one next month.”

“Mmmm,” Darkstar agreed, “The way you made me cum sat in that chair was so, so SO hot! I don't think I've ever cum so hard!”

“Challenge accepted.”

“Actually,” Darkstar sat back on the bed with Slate by her side, “There is one thing I've just thought of, along the lines of wearing ropes under my clothes,” when Slate motioned for her to go on, she said, “Well, I’m thinking a bullet vibrator, in me, then the ropes, and you have the remote to the vibrator, and we go out!”

“Well, we'll have to go dancing then,” Slate commented with a wide smile, “That way you'll still be dancing between sets.”

“You don't think that's too much?”

“You are too much,” he replied, “But I'll survive. Circulation back?” when she nodded her head, Slate asked, “Are you sure you're okay with my sis and not me tomorrow?” he knew her appointment with Requiem was tomorrow, but Saturdays were hard for him to get off.

“I'll be fine, Slate, you don't need to worry,” then, Darkstar grinned a most sly and teasing grin, “That is unless she finds a gazebo and wants to do what you did.”

Though he didn’t bite to her tease, Slate did laugh, “She might suggest that, but she would never do that. I think everyone loves to tease you.”

“To be fair, I do my share of teasing. Wearing that top wasn't an accident, love.”

“Why do you think I love you wearing them?” asked Slate, though his question didn’t need an answer. “I would have died of embarrassment six months ago in the Burger Joint. Now, you excite me and I love you. All of you.”

“Colour me shameless!” Darkstar declared with pride, “What do you want me to wear tomorrow?”

“One of your sundresses,” Slate made his choice after a quick thought, “No underwear. No side boob, but does do some good down blouse action when you pose. Almost to your knee, so no major upskirt unless you are on some stairs. Let my sis fantasize.”

“I'll wear my pink one and the matching sandals, Master. I know you like that one.”

“I like you,” Slate countered and he stole a quick kiss, “So I do like what you wear, but pink is nice when you wear it.”

Darkstar went in for a deep kiss of her own, but halfway through, the kiss became a huge yawn, that came literally out of nowhere. “Oh...” she giggled, “I'm sorry! I didn’t mean to yawn in your face.”

“One thing before bed, my love.”

“Yes?”

“I believe you have a chair to clean up and around,” Slate booped Darkstar’s nose, which earned him a generous eye roll and a sigh as she got up and marched out of the bedroom. “You can be my little spoon when you get back!”

Darkstar’s raspberry almost drowned out Slate’s laughter.

~ ~ ~

The following morning, which happened to be a bright sunny summer Saturday, went by without incident. As was the norm, Slate was out of bed early for his work, leaving Darkstar to get up whenever she woke up.

Unusually, the white skinned teen was up at eleven and she didn’t need to force herself out of bed like she sometimes had to. She ran through her routine – a routine she kept to when she felt able – of toilet, shower, teeth and brushing her hair with a sense of detachment.

She wasn’t down, but she wasn’t up either. She was treading water, which was a default ‘fine’ setting. There was no particular feeling either way as she slipped on the pink sundress that Slate had allowed her to wear. On went her sandals and, for good measure, she put on her wide brimmed pink sun hat.

When you had the complexion of Casper the Friendly Ghost, you didn’t take chances with the sun.

“Yesterday was fun,” started Rockslide as she sat in her sensible little electric city car, “But how are you doing this morning?”

In the passenger seat, about to be on her way to her weekly appointment with Doctor Requiem, Darkstar shrugged her shoulders. “I’m fine, I guess,” she didn’t know how else to reply and be truthful.

“Fine, is it?” Rockslide didn’t sound completely convinced, mostly because she knew the teenager sat next to her, “I do care about you, Darkie. I'll listen, and I’ll even keep quiet while I do.”

“I dunno,” Darkstar shrugged again and rested her head against the glass of the door window as Rockslide put her car in gear and pulled out of the drive, “Nothing's wrong. Nothing's set me off like it normally does, I just...I dunno...it feels hard to exist today.”

“You looked cute in the ropes at dinner last night,” commented Rockslide, deftly steering around the parked cars on their street, “Was that a bit more filing for your soul?”

“Last night...I can't describe last night,” Darkstar smiled, though the smile barely reached her yellow eyes, “I felt so free when I was bound and being fed.”

“Was it that you were the centre of attention, or that you're Slate's world?”

“I like being Slate's world,” replied Darkstar, not moving her head even though the small city car was bouncing over the speed humps, “I mean, the attention thing's nice, but that's more important to me.”

“Well,” the pale blue zebra commented, “I like what you've done with my little brother. When pops went, he really closed up. Then he met you.”

“Sometimes I envy you,” Darkstar muttered sadly, a great note of reticence in her voice, “Not that your father died, that sucks loads,” she put in quickly before her ‘sister’ could snap at her, “But at least he's gone, it's done. Mom...I dunno...”

Rockslide found it significant that Darkstar should mention her mother and not her absentee father, whoever or wherever he might be. “Mom is mom, no matter where she may really be. You're positive that will be you one day?”

For a third time, Darkstar shrugged. “Doc said there was a good chance of it. Something to do with inherited mental instability and the females of my family. Least my brother will be spared it.”

“Know what if it does happen?”

Of course she knew. It haunted her dreams most nights. “I will lose my mind, like my mom,” Darkstar commented while the zebra drove through the suburbs, “And Slate, you and momma will stand by me, and not allow me to forget you or the baby.”

“That is true, and Slate will be doing cosplay to keep up with you,” Rockslide smiled affectionately at her and then, fifteen minutes later, she pulled up next to a large four storey red brick building. “We're here, want me to wait outside?”

“Sure, if you don’t mind.” Darkstar pointed ahead of them to the intersection. “There's a little mom and pop coffee shop round the corner, and I don't think I'll be long. I haven't added any more scars to my collection since the last time.”

“Okay, stop by when you're done and I'll treat you to a coffee, and a donut.”

“Salted caramel donut?”

“That or the maple bacon, oh, that would be me!” Rockslide giggled, already tasting the sweet, sweet maple bacon.

“You have a deal, Rockslide,” Darkstar even shook on it once they were stood on the sidewalk and she had her hat back on. After Rockslide had locked up the car and walked off to find the coffee shop, Darkstar straightened her dress and walked into the psychiatrist’s office building, where she greeted the secretary with a practised smile. “Hey, Noteworthy.”

“Hello Darkstar,” Noteworthy glanced up from his computer screen behind his desk, not at all surprised to see she was five minutes early. “Requiem is ready to see you now.”

“Straight in, huh? Cool.” Darkstar gave the hard working secretary a more genuine smile and she knocked on Requiem's office door.

“Enter.”

“Happy Saturday Doc,” Darkstar walked into the finely appointed office and she took her usual spot on the leather couch. She liked Requiem’s office. It was big, wide open, with lacquered wood on the walls and nice smelling plants and huge windows that let in tons of light.

Most of all, Darkstar liked Requiem. The tall woman was a deep red colour with bright blue splotches all over her skin, her hair the reverse. It made her look unusual, and Darkstar liked unusual.

“A happy Saturday to you too,” Requiem smiled genially, “Any triggers since your last visit?” she asked, getting straight to the point.

Darkstar knew what she meant by triggers. Triggers included, but weren’t limited to, cutting, spacing out, breaking down, or any of the above. “I guess I spaced out a couple of times yesterday, apart from that, no.” she showed her forearms as proof.

“It's all about trust,” Requiem smiled warmly, before getting up from her comfy chair. “Coffee?” she asked as she smoothed out her black knee length skirt.

“A milky one,” Darkstar requested as she laid back on the couch and looked up at the ceiling, “Please Doc.”

“Ah, good,” Requiem grinned over at her kettle, “Now I know you aren't Darkie's secret evil twin.” She then made a coffee for each of them, “Do you know what made you space out?”

“Yeah, actually I do. I got some news yesterday morning.”

“Do tell.”

“I'm pregnant.”

Requiem looked surprised to hear that. Of all the things she was expecting, that had been pretty low down on her list. “Slate’s?” she asked as she set the tray down on the coffee table next to the couch.

“Of course, Slate!” Darkstar spluttered, suddenly shocked from her little fugue, “Yes, Slate’s the father, who else could it have been?”

“Certainly not me!” Requiem smiled at her little victory over her patient. “Planned pregnancy?”

As soon as her spark had come, it vanished again, leaving Darkstar calmed and slumped back, “No, it wasn’t planned.”

“Well, this is a really big life change,” Requiem took up her clipboard and pen, ready to take notes, “Now, do you think it’s good news?” may as well start with the big question first. Although, she had an idea how the teenager was going to answer.

“Sometimes.”

Requiem grinned a broad wide grin. She always admired the fact that no matter what Darkstar may or may not be feeling, no matter her state of mind, she was always told the truth. “And Slate?”

“He's made up,” Darkstar replied quickly, “They all are. When I told Sea Salt yesterday she was dancing around the living room singing a happy song.”

“Could be because she wasn't expecting a grandchild from Rockslide,” commented Requiem with a wry smile as she made notes on her clipboard, “You said sometimes?” and she knew why. “Are you worried you'll have a daughter?”

“Yeah,” Darkstar admitted heavily, “But...sometimes, I mean, there were times yesterday I was really happy, then there were times I just wanted to lay down and not wake up.”

“It isn't easy to go through such a major change, Darkie,” Requiem took a moment to gather up her thoughts, which she disguised by sipping her fresh coffee, “When you could be where your mom is now, and your child where you are now. Does that possibility turn you off?”

“I’m not gonna lie,” Darkstar scoffed at her own words. Not going to lie. She couldn’t. Born under the Sign of Honesty. “I was thinking that when I was laying in Slate's arms on the bed. But...in the Burger Joint's bathroom, I had my top up and I couldn't stop imagining what it would be like.”

“You are an exhibitionist,” Requiem stated the very obvious, “Did Slate choose your outfit for the day?”

“I chose yesterday's outfit,” Darkstar answered her, “Slate chose what I did with it.”

“And today? The pink dress? When you jumped up, I noted you weren't wearing anything but the dress.”

“Slate chose a dress for today. I chose this pink one.”

“And who chose no underwear?”

“Slate. Master, Slate.”

Now. That was certainly new. New, and it got Requiem’s attention. She scribbled her notes on her clipboard. “Stand up, Darkie.” When the teenager stood up, Requiem tossed her a throw pillow. “Slide this up under your dress to rest against your belly.”

“Okay...” Darkstar stood and lifted up her dress, giving Requiem a bit of a show as she did so, and she slipped the throw pillow up under her dress. “Oh wow!” she breathed, looking down at the now large, rounded bump under her dress.

Once the pillow was under her dress, Requiem motioned to the large full length mirror on the wall, “Is this what you were thinking of yesterday at the Burger Joint?”

As she looked at herself in the mirror, Darkstar got that spaced look again. “Yeah,” she breathed softly, so softly that she hardly spoke at all, “Yeah, yeah...” she caressed the bump like it was her nine month bump. She liked it.

“What is it in the look that causes you to lose yourself?” queried Requiem curiously, “Hope, fear, indifference, or all of them?”

“Longing, I guess?” Darkstar tried her best to articulate what she was feeling. It wasn’t easy. “Hope? Fear? Definitely.” She blushed and stamped her foot, “All of the above? I'm excited, so excited, and scared, I’ve never been more scared.”

That wasn’t strictly true, but this wasn’t the time or the place.

“Well, I have two, so I can understand what you're thinking with the first one.” Requiem smiled warmly, “Your hope is that you will not go it alone. The fear is can I even be a mom? I did it. Seems Sea Salt did it too.”

Darkstar was always impressed that the psychiatrist could cut straight to the heart of what was bothering her. She supposed that was why she was the shrink. “That, and like you said, if I have a girl, will I be like mom and she be where I am?”

“I told you that you do have a chance to be like your mother because of genetics,” Requiem chose her words carefully, “Treatments are advancing, but I won't lie to you about what may be in your future. If you have a son, then at least he won't have the same future fear you daughter may have.”

“That's something, though, right?” Darkstar flopped back onto the couch and she sighed, staring despondently up at the ceiling, “Why can't I just be happy? Why do I do this…” she gestured at her forearms, to the scars there, “To myself? Bad enough I have this time bomb in my head!”

“We've talked about the why,” Requiem said, “It is control over that time bomb. Giving up control is not easy. Even with Slate, you really haven't given up control.” Although, that said, it certainly sounded like she was making steps in that direction.

“You said I need to let it go, just accept it,” Darkstar retorted, but how could she? How could she just accept what was going to happen to her? “What will happen will happen. Isn't that what you said last time?”

Thoughtfully, Requiem nodded, “I did say you need to accept the possibility, and give control over to Slate. Calling it a time bomb in your head is not acceptance. It is an accusation against yourself.”

“How do I do it then, Doc?”

Requiem laughed, but not to mock her patient. “The easy answer is, you live. But the real answer is acceptance and then delegation. From what you've told me about Slate, he is someone that you can rely on. Do you really trust him with your fears? Can he handle those fears?”

“Yes. And yes.” It was something Darkstar didn’t have to even think about. The answer was there straight away. “I might not be sure of much, Doc, but Slate, I'm definitely sure of. I can trust him with anything. He's amazing with me. He’s patient, kind and caring, I know he'll take care of me, like last night.”

“After your episode?”

“He was there after my episode,” a fond warm smile crept over Darkstar’s face at the mention of Slate, “Just like I knew he would be, but later, after we went to the college to get my books, we ah...decided to add bondage, to what we do together.”

“Bondage?” Requiem’s pen scribbled note after note on her clipboard, “Well that is a step in the right direction to give up control. Did you feel free tied up?”

The eager tone in Requiem’s voice did not go unnoticed. Darkstar blushed bright red, not from embarrassment, far from it. “So free!” she stretched out her arms and she sighed happily, “I felt so liberated and free! Having Slate in total control of me...it was an amazing experience!”

“Now to interject some reality,” Requiem spoke seriously, “You need to stop taking the Paxil and Xanax now. Take them to the pharmacy to be disposed of, and then you can get this filled,” the doctor passed her a prescription, “It’s for Haldol. Has this pregnancy changed your college plans?”

Just like that, Darkstar felt like she’d had ice cold water dumped on her. “Stop taking them?” she asked, sitting straight upright, “What's Haldol, what's it do?”

“It’s a benzodiazepine that has been proven to have no effect on pregnancy,” Requiem explained, “But it also isn't as potent as what you've been taking. Why I need to know if you are still going to college.”

“Yes, yes I am,” slowly, Darkstar dropped back to the couch, “A degree in foreign languages and cultures will go a long way to getting me a job at the embassy.”

“That is good, as it will occupy your day. Do you have your schedule?”

“I have the latest version on my phone. It won't be finalised till a week before.”

Reaching out her hand expectantly, Requiem looked at the schedule. “Like I remember, lots of free time during the day. I'd like our visits to be weekly till you start, and them move to Tuesday and Friday while you're in school. The meds I'm putting you on will not feel the same as what you've been taking. Bondage with Slate will help you even out, but I would like to chat more while you are on the lower dose. Pregnancy itself can cause depression, as I think you are guessing. Only you will need a non-medical treatment for that.”

“Seeing you twice a week would be nice, thanks Doc.” Darkstar had no qualms about that. Indeed it made her feel better about dropping to the new medication. “I'll tell Rocky and momma the old meds need to be destroyed, y'know, they have the keys to all the dangerous stuff in the house.”

“I do as you told me, and it was your suggestion to do so. All part of giving up control to those that love you.”

“I know Doc, and I'm so grateful to you and to my family.”

Requiem knew instinctively that ‘my family’ didn’t mean Brightstar, but for the moment she chose not to pursue it. “We are just sounding boards and advice. You are the one that instigates change. Letting others in your life is a big step to taking your life back and living.”

“Not easy, this ‘life’ stuff,” Darkstar smiled softly, “I suppose we should go to the other type of Docs next, get the pregnancy confirmed by more than five home tests, huh?”

“Since you're enrolled you can do that at the campus clinic,” Requiem pointed out, “Save you a lot of money.”

“I hadn't even thought of that, thanks Doc. That can be Monday's job, I think.”

“Don't let Slate back off on the Bondage,” Requiem brandished her pen like it was a sword, “I would consider reading up on the subject so there are no surprises.”

“We bought a beginners book, which he used last night. I can't wait till he ties me up again!”

Darkstar’s enthusiasm made Requiem grin broadly. She did the same, for the grin was infectious. “There is a book on how to keep doing it through your pregnancy.”

“Do you have the title?”

“It’s a corny one,” warned Requiem, “Bondage in Birth.”

“I don't mind corny,” Darkstar giggled brightly, “You have met Slate, right?”

Requiem laughed out loud, “You allowed for me to see him twice, and limited my questions.”

“He was so nervous back then,” there was a fondness and an affection in Darkstar’s voice, “He's a different man now. Rocky and Salt blame me for that, not that they mind.”

“That that is what you need to know. If you can be a good influence on one person, then you can be a good influence on a second,” Requiem pointed a finger at the pillow under Darkstar's pink dress.

“Fine,” Darkstar gave the older woman a rueful smile, “You win this week, Doc,” the teenager patted her 'bump', “You're gonna want the pillow back, aren't you?”

“I can find another if you're attached to it,” Requiem smiled back, “I was going to remind you before you walked out.”

“You can have this one,” Darkstar stood up and she dropped the pillow to the floor, “But I'm keeping the one inside me.”

“See you next Saturday, Darkie,” Requiem took back her pillow, “Stay on track, and let Slate carry you when you're tired.”

“Thanks Doc,” up on her feet, Darkstar stretched out her arms and legs until her muscles popped, “Hugs?” immediately, Requiem hugged her patient, and was hugged in return. “Take care, Doc,” Darkstar walked out with a smile on her face, and a spring in her step, her destination the coffee shop and her ‘sister’.

Around the corner, in the little mom and pop store, Rockslide had procured a window seat and she was nursing her first coffee. She saw Darkstar and quickly ordered two fresh coffees and two donuts.

Even though she knew Rockslide had seen her, Darkstar walked up behind her and put her hands over her eyes. “Guess who?”

‘My next girlfriend!’ Rockslide thought, was what she wanted to say, but of course she didn’t say that. As much as she wanted to. “Requiem,” she offered a punt, “Did you hide the body?”

“Awww!” Darkstar giggled and sat down, “I thought the white hands would give it away. So, you see any sexy ladies you like?”

‘You!’ was again her first thought and what she wanted to say. She didn’t say that. Rockslide instead pointed with her lips at the woman at the serving counter. “Only the one behind the counter. Takes flattery well, but her boyfriend isn't sharing.”

Casually, Darkstar looked over to the counter at the woman stood there making a set of teas and coffees. “Mmm, she is pretty. Thanks for the donut and coffee, sis.”

“Never a problem,” smiled Rockslide as she blew the steam from her coffee, “How did your talk go?”

“It went well,” Darkstar answered honestly, “Requiem said my current meds need to be destroyed, she prescribed me this new stuff.” She showed the zebra the prescription.

“Best to be safe for that one. Did she put her hand on your belly?”

“Yeah,” agreed Darkstar, “It's safe for pregnancies. She didn't touch my belly, but she did give me a pillow to put up there,” she leant over the table, “Now I can't wait to be huge for real.”

“I'll let you experience that for the two of us.” Rockslide had no intentions of getting pregnant. Not since her friend told her it rearranged her downstairs. She liked her downstairs just the way it was. She certainly didn’t want to push a couch through it. “You must have told her about the bathroom break at the Burger Joint.”

“Oh, I told her. That's what led to the pillow up my dress. I also told her about the bondage with Slate.”

“Did she approve?”

“She did,” Darkstar replied as she took a long sip of her coffee, “Very much so. I didn't tell her exactly what we did, but she said to keep doing it.”

“If that wasn't reason enough to like this doctor.”

“I know, right?” Darkstar set aside her coffee and turned her attention to the real prize. She lowered her head and took a long slow lick of her salted caramel donut, “She said the giving up control like that was good for me.”

When she heard that, Rockslide glanced down at Darkstar's scarred wrists, “Slate is a good one to give it to.”

Straightaway, Darkstar saw where Rockslide was looking and she blushed, but didn’t try to hide her arms, “Yeah, I know.”

Gently but firmly, Rockslide took a hold of the teenager's wrists and she nodded solemnly, “Knowledge is power. I'd love to leave the knife drawer unlocked one day.”

“I'd love to be left in the house unsupervised. I'm sure you and momma have better things to do.”

“Don't you dare say that,” Rockslide’s smile vanished quicker than she could sneeze, “You are a better thing.”

“I didn't mean it like that, Rocky,” Darkstar defended herself before taking another slow long lick of the donut icing, “Perhaps we could, leave the draw unlocked, I mean. Just for a trial period?”

“I'd love to. Bring a note from Requiem and we'll do just that. Safety first.” Rockslide then caught what Darkstar was doing and she openly stared at her, “Practicing on that donut before you get back with Slate?”

“Next time I see her, I'll bring it up,” Darkstar smiled, “I was hoping to tease you with the donut, but now you mention my hunky zebra, I've had a thought. Tongue piercing!”

“Your tongue.” Rockslide stared at her and blinked slowly several times, “Going to just do it, or talk with my brother first?”

“I read it can enhance the oral experience,” Darkstar said as she took a proper bite and swallowed, “I should talk to him first though.”

“He is wrapped around your finger,” Rockslide waved her hand in the air, “Once he is sure you really want it, he will help you achieve it.”

“And you know what I'm wrapped around…” Darkstar gave the zebra her dirtiest wink, “You want to watch that bondage video you bought last week when we get home? It'll be just us till Slate gets home, momma's at her friends doing bridge today.”

“I'm not sure what I like more, you teasing me or you watching me masturbate.”

“Pfft,” Darkstar snorted and made short work of her donut and coffee, “Like you don't watch me either, miss roaming eyes…” she then leant forward over the table to give her a clear view down the top of her dress.

“You are pretty on the eye, and you were delightful at dinner last night,” Rockslide leant over the table and whispered, “But I still squirt farther.”

“We'll see about that when I'm tied up for dinner next,” Darkstar drank drink the rest of her coffee, “Are you ready?”

Just as quickly, Rockslide finished her second coffee and muffin, all too eager to fantasize about Darkstar wearing nothing but ropes again. “Ready!” Together, they left the coffee shop hand in hand back to the zebra’s car, a wide smile on both their faces.