It was nearly noon when I blinked awake beside Paul. The soft rustle of the hotel fan and distant cries of Wingull told me we were no longer in Sinnoh. Just Alola. Just the two of us. Or... at least we thought so.

"I don't want to move," I mumbled into the crook of Paul's shoulder.

"Then don't," he replied, lazily curling his arm around my waist.

Unfortunately, Reggie had other plans.

[1 new message from Reggie]
"Everyone's already up. Come eat something before we drag you out here."

Paul groaned. "Traitor."

Dragging ourselves out of the warm sheets and into clothes, we found our way to the beach where the others had gathered under a wide umbrella with a full spread of island fruit, pastries, and coconut drinks.

"Good morning to the newlyweds!" Reggie announced in a singsong voice, throwing up peace signs as we approached.

"Or... good afternoon," Alain muttered, examining a bowl of suspicious-looking fruit with a deep scowl.

I eased down next to Paul, trying not to sit on the sore side of my hip. "How long have you all been up?"

"About an hour," Alain answered, poking something green with his fork like it was radioactive. "...The hell is this?"

"That's kiwi," I said, eyeing his bowl. "Try it."

"What does it taste like?"

"Kiwi."

Alain gave me a flat, unimpressed look. Reggie snorted coconut water out of his nose.

"Just try it," Reggie chuckled. "It's kind of like the inside of a strawberry."

Alain took the bite like a man walking into battle. "That does not taste like strawberry." He chewed, then grimaced. "Fruit is weird here."

My grandmother, sitting primly in a sunhat, pushed a bowl of plain grapes toward him. Reggie stole Alain's abandoned fruit bowl without hesitation.

Aaron showed up with his own plate of fruit skewers and a black towel wrapped around his neck. "The tropical stuff hits better after a good soak."

"Where were you?" I asked, watching him collapse in a beach chair.

"Spa. Hot stones. Some sort of mud mask. You know... self-care." He sipped from a pineapple cup and gave me a sly look. "Which is what we're doing this afternoon, by the way. Couple's massage."

Paul glanced over, looking suspicious. "I didn't agree to that."

"You didn't disagree either," Aaron countered. Before anyone could argue, Tutu showed up in a floral-print robe and sunglasses, arms spread dramatically.

"Ladies, gentlemen, gays, and theys—today is about relaxation and rejuvenation. And you two," he pointed between Paul and me, "are the main characters."

The resort's spa was tucked into a quiet corner, surrounded by lush ferns and cascading water features. We were greeted with cool cucumber water and soothing music. After a shared mineral soak and some steamy time in the sauna, everyone split off for their treatments. Aaron and I ended up side-by-side in the massage room while Paul went to work out, also Reggie and Alain were taken to the other couples area.

Aaron peeked over at me from the other table, voice quiet.

"You looked happy earlier. Watching the kids play."

I blinked, half-asleep already. "I guess I was."

He hesitated. "You thinking about having some?"

The question stirred something in my gut. "We talked about it. I didn't expect Paul to say he wanted one."

Aaron looked at me for a long moment. "Ashura... you know you actually can, right?"

I sat up slightly. "What do you mean?"

He sat up too, towel draped around his shoulders now. "Biologically. You can carry a child. You have the ability. Delia knew. She never told you."

The air in the room went cold despite the humidity.

"I don't understand."

"Your condition was labeled intersex when you were born. You leaned male, so she raised you that way, but... when you were young, there were doctors who told her that your body could bear children. She didn't want you to know. She thought it would 'confuse' you."

My mind reeled. "Why are you only telling me this now?"

"Because you're married. Because the topic came up. Because she doesn't control this anymore—and you deserve to make decisions with all the truth."

I sank back down into the massage bed slowly. The silence hung heavy between us.

"I just... I don't know how to feel about that," I admitted.

Aaron reached over and gently squeezed my hand. "You don't have to know yet. I just didn't want you to live your whole life thinking you didn't have a choice."

Back at the Beach

I stood by the tide again, the waves lapping against my bare feet. The little foam Tirtouga toy was clean now, sitting in my hands. A child had probably cried when they lost it. Now it was mine. Two little kids ran past with matching toys of their own, their laughter echoing across the shore as their parents followed behind.

"Little kids are pure," I murmured.

Paul stepped beside me. "Do you like kids?"

"I think they're charming."

The kids broke out into a game of tag, giggling as they were scooped up by their parents in a whirlwind of love.

"I don't know the first thing about kids," Paul said. "But most people who have them seem to think it's worth it."

"I could see why. The kids at our apartment complex are sweet. I sometimes watch them from the balcony."

Paul was quiet a moment before asking, "Do you want any?"

The question didn't hit as hard as it had that morning. This time, I felt more grounded in my answer.

"I think I do," I said slowly. "Not now. But someday. Maybe sooner than I thought, now that I know it's possible..."

Paul's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

I turned to him, holding his hand. "Aaron told me something today. Something Delia never told me."

I explained everything.

When I finished, Paul looked more stunned than anything. But he didn't pull away. If anything, he held me tighter.

"That doesn't change anything," he said at last. "I married you. Not your biology. But if this means we could have something that's ours? That no one else made? I think that's kind of amazing."

I smiled, heart pounding in my chest. "Yeah... it is."

He kissed my forehead and looked out over the water. "Let's not rush it. But one day?"

"One day," I echoed.

We stood there until the stars came out, and the world, for once, felt entirely ours.

Starting the day with breakfast set the tone for a better day. We gathered under the open-air canopy, the breeze off the ocean cool and refreshing. Reggie was busy pointing out the different fruits in the spread, while Alain grumbled over the lack of strong coffee. Tutu had joined us again, this time wearing a patterned wrap skirt and a hibiscus flower in her braids. Her energy was contagious.

"Good morning to the newlyweds," she called cheerfully, setting down a tray of pineapple juice. "Sleep well?"

Paul gave a quiet nod. I muttered something about time zones and stiff legs. She chuckled.

"That means the bed is good and the nights were better," she teased.

Before either of us could respond, she clapped her hands. "I have a surprise for you! My twin sister is visiting the island this week. You must meet her. Her name is Makaio."

We were surprised. Tutu had mentioned family before, but never a twin. Reggie leaned forward in interest.

"She lives here, too?"

"No, she travels a lot. She's a healer like me, but also a dancer. A free spirit, that one." Tutu beamed.

After breakfast, we spent the morning wandering through the local shops. Reggie scoped out the potted plants and ceramic cookware with Alain at his side.

While Reggie bartered with the artist, Alain walked off and poked around the clothes.

"Hey, Ash," he whistled from a nearby vendor.

He held up a short, frilly yellow apron. It was the sunniest yellow I'd ever seen. And he found women's underwear in a similar color.

"I still owe you and Paul a wedding gift," he teased.

"I swear to God. If anyone gifts me a frilly apron ever again..."

"Every good housewife needs at least two. Paul, what do you think?"

Paul pulled me close by the waist. Very close.

Ha, my husband to the rescue.

"He won't need the underwear."

That didn't go how I expected.

"Please," I begged. "Enough with the housewife jokes..."

"Be extra nice to Paul and maybe he'll consider it," Alain suggested.

"He's not the one who started it! You are!"

Paul smirked.

"But I'll have the last say."

"No, you won't!"

He bent down to my eye level, emphasizing our size difference.

"I always will." He kissed my head.

"You won't always have the upper hand," I warned.

"We'll see about that."

A nearby vendor saw the whole thing and giggled to themself. I blushed. It was bad enough I got picked on at home.

Later that evening, the group returned to the resort spa for a wind-down session. Paul and I sat together in the lounge, wrapped in towels. Aaron, to my surprise, joined us, freshly shaven and more relaxed than I'd seen him in years. He'd been surprisingly chill since arriving.

Tutu brought in Makaio, her twin, and introduced us all. Makaio was livelier than Tutu, full of warm laughter and stories about traveling to Kalos. She took an instant shine to Paul.

"You have warrior spirit," she told him, placing a crystal against his wrist. "But a gentle heart. I see why he chose you."

Paul blinked, unsure how to respond.

That night, I finally brought it up.

"...Paul?"

"Mhm?"

"About earlier... could everyone please ease up on the teasing?"

"We're all just joking, baby."

Deep down, I knew that. But in public, it sometimes cut deeper.

"It doesn't always feel that way... especially when everyone's watching."

"Don't take it so seriously." He patted me on the ass as he passed.

"Paul..." I complained.

He came back, scooped me off my feet, and held me close. Those dark, serious eyes bore into me.

"I love you," he said gruffly. "So much."

"Be nice then."

He saw it. He got it. And promised to stop. I wasn't sure if he meant it, but then he added:

"Whatever makes you happy."

"Thanks, Paul." I smiled.

"Now... how about what makes me happy?"

Paul pulled a pair of silver handcuffs from his carry-on, dangling them on one finger. Crawling on top of me, he leaned close.

"Still love Master?"

"I'll always love Master," I whispered. "But Master should play fair."

"Master decides what's fair."

His mouth wandered up my neck. He took one wrist and prepared to latch it.

"Glad I got real metal handcuffs," I mused, inspecting them. "The cheap ones would break with the way we go at it."

"Psh. I could break those."

"No, you couldn't."

Confident, Paul insisted otherwise.

"To prove it," I said, "let me handcuff you."

He humored me, sitting upright with his wrists together behind his back. I clicked them shut.

"Okay. Break free."

He flexed. Again. Nothing.

"Jesus, maybe these are real." He strained again, visibly exerting effort. "Fucking hell... c'mon."

I was stunned. I never saw Paul struggle with anything.

"You were right. I can't break out of them." He nodded toward his bag. "Get the key."

I kissed my way up his chest.

"Cuffs are back here," he rattled them. "Focus, baby."

"No."

"I'm not messing around."

Meeting his eyes, I tossed the keys aside.

"I am."

"Ash—"

"Yes, Master?"

"Get the key."

"I don't know... you've been picking on me a lot lately."

"This isn't funny," he warned. "You're supposed to be the one wearing these."

"I don't feel like it today... So, you'll have to do it."

Going for his pants button, I found his knee block the way.

"I'll give you one last chance to get that key. Waste it, and you'll be sorry when I get out of here."

I laughed. He was really stuck.

"If you make it out," I teased.

"Not funny." He tried again. "Master is not happy."

"No? What would make Master happy?"

"Take a wild guess, you little brat."

"...I have a better idea."

Paul blinked as I walked off.

"Ash?"

"Hold on."

I spotted a radio and brought it back. Paul watched suspiciously.

"This better be good," he warned.

I flipped through the stations, finally settling on a woman's voice and slow music.

"I just want to show you how much I appreciate you. (Yes).
Wanna show you how much I'm dedicated to you. (Yes).
Wanna show you how much I will forever be true. (Yes).
Wanna show you how much you got your girl feeling good. (Oh yes)."

Walking back towards the bed, and gently moving with the music, I got a little thrill at the intrigued yet puzzled look on Paul's face.

"Wanna show you how much, how much you understood. (Oh yes.)
Wanna show you how much I value you what you say.
Not only are you loyal, you're patient with me Babe. (Oh yes)."

I made sure to make eye contact with Paul as I slowly peeled my shirt off.

"I wanna show you how much, I really care about your heart.
I wanna show you how much I hate being apart.
Show ya, show ya, show ya 'till you're through with me.
I wanna keep it how it is. So you can never say how it used to be."

I left my shirt draped over the foot of the bed. Paul watched me unbutton my shorts, leaving them on the floor. I walked over them, making sure to roll my hips with each step. The anger in Paul's eyes came back down to warm simmer while he watched me make my way closer with a trail of clothes in my tracks. A look of realization was beginning to blossom as he watched me move sensually. Purposefully. And, with deliberate concentration.

"Loving you, is really all that's on my mind.
And, I can't help but to think about it day and night.
I wanna make that body rock
Sit back and watch."

In nothing but briefs, I slithered my way up Paul's body raking my nails over his jeans as I went. I undid his button, peeling open the denim with both hands. Tugging them down over his boxers a few inches, I left his bulge straining against the soft cotton.

"Tonight, I'm going to dance for you. Ohhh.
Tonight, I'm going to dance for you. Ohhh.
Tonight, I'm going to put my body on your body.
Boy I like it when you watch me."

I groped him through the fabric, feeling his warm flesh in my palm. Paul groaned and I eased back. He watched on in frustration as I proceeded to step away and move my body to the lyrics, just out of his grasp. Reflexively, Paul reached for me but the cuffs kept him at bay.

"Ah, tonight it's going down."

I turned my back to him before glancing over one tan shoulder, and winked.
I rolled my waist from left to right, swiveling my hips for his enjoyment.

"I'll be rocking on my babe.
Rockin', rockin' on my babe.
Swirlin' on my babe.
Swirlin', swirlin' on my babe...

Baby, let me put my body on your body.
Promise not to tell nobody,
'Cause its about to go down..."

Aching member pulled through the slit in his boxers, Paul watched with clenched teeth as I sucked him off wet and slow. I'd been teasing him for what felt like forever. My jaw ached, and tears pooled at the inner corners of my eyes each time I took him all the way down my throat. Above me, I could hear Paul panting. He was tethering at the edge and knew I'd only pull off again before he could finish. As expected, I pulled off his cock with lips slightly red from sucking him so long. I wiped the drool off my mouth with the back of my hand, unbothered by the sound of Paul fighting his cuffs again. He couldn't break out of them. I was safe for however long I decided to be.

And, he hated it.

"This is the LAST time I EVER let you mess around with the cuffs." Paul seethed. "You're never allowed to do this again."

I shrugged. It didn't matter what he had to say about next time. We were still here.

"How's that going to help you right now?"

My retort almost sounded innocent. Had I not been leaning in to drag my tongue over his wet flesh, maybe Paul would have answered me. I worked my briefs down my hips and kicked them aside.

"Maybe I've teased you enough."

I got in Paul's lap and swung a leg over his waist to straddle him. He was desperately aching for release. But, his pride wouldn't let him surrender.

"You are NOT in charge here." He warned. "Get off me."
"....you sure?"

I raised my hips over his cock, perching my ass just atop of his erection. I rocked back and forth, letting his slick and drooling cock slide between my cheeks. Pushing down a smidge, I pressed my tight entrance against the swollen tip.

Paul snarled in to my neck as I began to breech myself and play with just his weeping cockhead. I shut my eyes and carefully sank my entrance down on him, whimpering to myself as his girth stretched me open.

"It almost hurts. It's so big." I sank my nails in to his shoulders. "Oh, Paul..."
"It's Master!" He reminded me, fighting to stay in control while his body reacted to mine.
"I know." I bit the outer shell of his ear.

Breathing heavy underneath me, Paul began urgently trying to break free. I felt his muscles straining under my fingertips as I lightly rode him. The metal cuffs rattled, unyielding to Paul's brute strength. Aroused at his struggle, I rode him harder, moaning his name.

I tangled my fingers in his hair, clutching his head in close to me as I moved against him. Paul sounded like a caged animal, growling and fighting his restraints. I soaked in the sound of him losing control.

Until I heard something snap.

Two large hands settled on my hips. My power high came to a screeching halt and the energy in the room shifted. I was too scared to look at him. I stopped moving. Outside my ear, Paul only had one thing to say.

"Master says 'off'.

I was so sore when Paul was done with me, I almost regretted it. I wasn't going on any kind of hike tomorrow. I could guarantee that. I was so worn, Paul had to help me wash off the evidence of our session. Facing the shower wall, I leaned all my weight in to it. Crouched by my feet, Paul soaped me up with his large palms, I winced as he washed the reddened flesh of my bum. He was so gentle now, rinsing me off and helping me step over the tub. He put on a clean underwear before climbing back in to bed. I didn't. The air conditioner blew cool air through our dark room and the cold sheets felt nice on my warm, sore skin. We I heard a knock at the door. Paul put pants on to go answer it.

Wearily, he approached not sure who would be here at this hour. Until he realized it was most likely my grandmother or his brother. Still careful, he cracked the door open. Nobody was there. He poked my head out.

"Hello?" He looked from left to right, seeing nobody on the stone path leading up to our door.

I sat up with the covers pooled around my lap, trying to get a look for myself. The sand outside looked undisturbed. An earie chill went through my body. What the hell?

"Is anyone out here?"

A Murkrow cawed up in a nearby tree, coming out of the dark and flying over to the doorstep. What was he doing out there? It had to be my grandmother's. Maggie probably just let him out to do his thing while we were on vacation. The island was beautiful.

"Enjoying the night?" Paul asked him dryly.

He nodded, staring up at him. Paul sighed and crouched down to his level.

"Do you want to come in?"

He shook his head. Yeah, that makes sense. He probably enjoyed being outside. Why would he want to cooped up in here?

"Do you want some water before you go?" Paul offered, not sure why else the Murkrow would bother us at this hour.

The Pokémon gave it some thought, then nodded like it sounded like a good idea. Leaving the door open, Paul left the Murkrow standing there and went to get a glass of water. He turned on the light over the kitchenette to find a glass.

As he rummaged, the Murkrow stared at me. Like it was studying me. It sort of made me uncomfortable. The longer it watched me, I realized this wasn't my grandmother's Pokémon.

"...uh, Paul?" I glanced over at him. "How are you coming along with that water?"
"I found the glasses."

I l looked back over and jumped, doing a double take.

"What the fuck!-"

My abrupt outburst startled him. Paul dropped the glass. It shattered and he jumped back, having been barefoot.

"What!" He looked to see what was wrong.

There was nothing there. Just the Murkrow standing at the door. It jumped just as he had, fluttering back as broken glass scattered across the floor. A long trail of sharp shards now separated Paul and this Pokémon.

"... Why did you gasp like that?"
"I thought I saw a man standing at the door."

Putting on a pair of sandals, Paul stepped through the minefield of glass. It crunched loudly under his feet.
Leaning over the Murkrow, Paul inspected outside the door for danger. There was nobody.

"Baby, you scared the hell out of me." He admonished. "You must be tired if you're seeing shit."

Getting a new glass of water, Paul set it down on the floor for the Murkrow, it took a quick drink and hurried out like it had wrongly intruded on us. Paul shut and locked the door behind it.

"I gotta clean up this mess."