[SNEAK PEEK}Homecoming and Comeuppance
Cula entertains an unwelcome guest, and gives him his just desserts.
Cover art by Pyrite/Fauxpawe
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Homecoming and Comeuppance by Limewah Subscriber Reward for Flarfenarfle Featuring FolferCiara's character 18+ SNEAK PEEK
The soot-grey fox stared out at the thicket from the stone window-sill, her sapphire eyes scanning for any sign of approaching life.
Cula's annoyance was on the cusp of turning to worry.
At least the cottage pie she'd made two days ago as a welcome-home meal was easy to preserve in the ice-box. Besides, it'd be better re-heated.
It wasn't the first time Cula's wife had stood her up; Utahime was always off on some adventure or another, and generally she allowed enough travel time to get home and give Cula the loving she deserved. When she was tardy, it was rarely longer than a day, and some apology or another would come her way either from a courier or a sending-spell. But this time around… nothing. No sign of her beloved kitsune…
Oh. There she was!
Cula could recognize that familiar shade of summer wheat anywhere… even from the occlusion of the trees and brush, she could make out enough of her wife's body to tell the poor thing was exhausted; slumped shoulders, a slightly incliend head. Some comfort food and tea would make her as right as rain, and the two of them could spend a few days of paradise together, just the two of them..
…oh.
There was someone else with her too.
A brighter shade of orange like a roaring flame, large tufted ears… and an expression on his hangdog face that made him look like he'd just been slapped.
What was Clayton doing here?
Cula frowned. She wasn't super fond of entertaining guests, especially not this particular one. Even if he was his wife's sibling.
Hopefully he was just stopping by briefly…
Cula stepped away from the window and slipped outside, the tiny starry highlights in her fur glittering in the afternoon sunlight.
Utahime's smile looked weak, and her eyes looked exhausted. Cula bounded over to meet her, lips first…
But the scent that met her halfway nearly stopped her in her tracks. She had too much momentum to stop, and all the fox could do was hold her breath and try not to inhale through her nose as Utahime's muzzle moved to meet hers.
Utahime stank. Sex, sweat, dirt, so many other scents… when was the last time she washed herself?
Cula could taste the tang of Utahime's unclean breath on her tongue, too… but she put on a brave face and embraced the kitsune, sweeping her into a loving hug.
"Hi, honey…" Utahime sighed, wafting more of that reek into Cula's nostrils. "Gods, I'm sorry it took me so long to get back, it's been a trip thanks to this fucker right here."
Clay waved, sheepishly. "Hi, Cula."
"Hello." Cula said with tight politeness. "Come in, I just need to heat up dinner for you."
Cula attempted to send little mental signals to Utahime. Please bathe. Please go straight to the springs and bathe yourself, I'll purify them later, just please, please, please…
"That sounds wonderful," Utahime said, her smile wafting more of that rankness over Cula's wrinkling nose. "Oh, is it okay if Clay joins us for dinner?"
"…Sure." Cula nodded. "Th-that sounds fine."
"…That so?" Cula nodded, her claws digging into the wooden mug. She was trying not to stare at Clay, keeping her eyes fully trained on her darling wife.
"Yeah," Utahime said. "I legitimately thought I was going to die. And I was so pissed with Clay when I found out he was behind the whole thing."
"Yeah," Clay said with a conciliatory shrug. "Classic me, taking things a bit too far…"
"Mhm." Cula nodded, feeling her jaw clench tighter.
It wasn't like her to get this angry, she tried to see the best in everyone, but… putting an entire city under a spell and masturbate themselves into unconsciousness, or worse…
"It's okay, though," Utahime said. "All's well that ends well. I put him in his place, didn't I, brother?"
Utahime put one of her legs up on his knee, her de-sandaled toes unfurling. Cula covered her mouth to faux-cough so she could cover her nose. She was still too awkward to say anything.
"Y-yes," Clay said, his eyes going wider than the dish heating up on the stove. "That's right."
"You must be exhausted," Cula said. "And you've had such a long journey… did you have a chance to rest while you were at Clay's establishment?"
"Oh! You know what? No!" Utahime hopped up. "Do I have time to go for a bath before dinner's ready?"
Thank the Gods, finally!
"Of course, darling!" Cula said. "Take as long as you need!"
"Plenty of time for a rinse. Love you!"
Oh no, she was coming in for another kiss…!
Cula closed her eyes and cleared her mind, trying to dissociate herself from her own senses. She pictured the constellations of the night sky above, going through her memories, naming each one and trying not to smell or taste that death-stink.
And then, Utahime was off - first to grab a towel from the bedroom, then out the front door of the cottage to circle around towards the nearby spring.
The scent still lingered.
Cula couldn't avoid eye contact with Clay anymore, boring into his sad looking eyes.
"So…" Cula said. "How did Utahime end up wrapped up in your mess, again?"
"It was completely by accident," Clay protested. "How was I supposed to know she was doing a gig in OldQuarry?"
"Would that have stopped you from casting that spell on the town?" Cula asked, folding her arms and crossing one foot over the other.
Clayton's eyes slid away from her face and down towards her toes.
It wasn't the first time he'd done this since he'd gotten settled in. He was a predictable pervert.
"Hey," she said. "Did you hear my question?"
"Hm? Yes, I'm listening, I'm listening…" Clayton said, clearly lying.
She had an easy way to get the truth out of him.