Harem House Chapter 34 Part 1

Arthur walked Katelyn to her next class after their lunch. They chatted in the gazebo by the park for about an hour. By the end of their time together, they’d gotten to know one another better. They hadn’t discussed anything serious, though. He grew up in Crofton because his parents worked in finance for a large corporate entity. Her parents worked in the music industry and lived in Los Angeles for most of her childhood. They moved to Nashville right before her Freshman year of high school. She’d been a fish out of water ever since. Then they talked about Avatar the Last Airbender, and Korra, and Danny Phantom, of all things. 

Arthur still laughed to think of it as he threw some of his winter clothes into small boxes, loaded them into his car, and drove to his parents' house. Packing and moving was happening four or five boxes at a time, and he was determined to bring a load of boxes every time he came to the house. 

He remembered to bring a toolbelt, which he had in his costume closet. He also grabbed his apron in case the flowery one his mom left in the kitchen wasn’t what Rani wanted. He knew the pictures would be nude, but he wasn’t sure if Rani would want the female model to wear an apron if he wore a tool belt. His plan tonight was to let her lead at the shoot, then maybe put her on a lead afterward. Maybe Selene would join them when they came back to the apartment. He didn’t want to spend the night again until he could change the locks.

The drive from his apartment to his parent’s house was long enough to listen to roughly half the soundtrack of the Original Broadway Cast of Wicked, the deluxe version. He sang along, laughing at himself as he sang both parts of any duet. He glanced at the passenger seat. 

He would have invited Selene to join him if she hadn't had class. She would have loved this, singing along with him. Though, if she were here, chances were she wouldn’t miss the opportunity for road head. Not that he was complaining! The road head was great. It was just that he hadn’t seen Selene in a while outside her role as his slave, and if he was being honest? 

Arthur missed his friend. He hadn’t expected her to keep the Master/Slave power exchange a 24/7 dynamic. He loved her as more than a friend now, but their relationship had been so focused on their physical intimacy that not feeling some sense of loss was a challenge. Their relationship was off-balance. Not that he’d change anything. He sighed. He supposed he could always order her to watch Lord of the Rings with him and not make it sexual. The very idea made him laugh. 

Arthur was being silly. He knew that. Selene was horny, finally allowed to pursue her sexuality with him, and did her best to be helpful. They were trying to juggle a lot of relationships right now. He didn’t need to stress himself out about balancing every relationship with everything. No one else was complaining, and if Selene couldn’t wait to drop to her knees and suck his cock every time she saw him, why should he complain? No one in their right mind would ask her to stop.

Still, he thought it might be nice to put some time aside soon so they could hang out and have a proper date. He’d have to figure something out. Lunch dates might have to become a more common thing. Something non-sexual but connective. He liked the idea. Each day, he could have lunch with a different girl, depending on availability, and group lunches when they could make it work. He’d try to remember to mention it on Wednesday, but he did his best not to think about the harem meeting. 

He pulled into the long driveway of his parent’s house and relaxed when he didn’t see Lynn’s car. He parked, quietly approached the door, unlocked it, entered, and turned off the alarm. The chair blocking Lynn’s basement entrance wasn’t where he left it. He sighed. She must have a key to the house or figured a way in. He would have to change the locks. Better to know now, he supposed. 

Arthur still eyed the house warily. His pulse quickened as he realized he was here alone, and there was some chance Lynn might be here too. He needed to replace the locks sooner rather than later. “Hello?” 

No response. 

He checked that Lynn’s basement door was locked and checked the garage. Her car wasn’t there either. She wasn’t here. All was good. 

He knew Rani wanted to start outside; hopefully, they’d be done out there by the time Lynn got back if she was spending the night here. She’d gotten in awfully late last night if she was living here. He wondered what she’d been doing out so late. Hopefully she was still living with her parents, at least most of the time. 

Then again, it was probably best if he didn’t wonder about Lynn. She didn’t deserve the attention. He told Rani he’d figure something out but froze whenever he thought about confronting Lynn. The only time he hadn’t was this morning when the threat wasn’t to him but to Beth and Kat. 

He took another deep breath. The empty house gave him an eerie sense of trespassing, as if he was in a classroom after hours or in the office on a Saturday. This place wasn’t his home yet. He needed to make it feel more like home. So he unloaded his car. 

Arthur put the boxes into the Master Bedroom and went downstairs. There wasn’t much food here. They’d probably need to order dinner. If they ordered from Garden Wok, it might be a good way to summon Mindy if she was delivering for her parents that night. However, they might be better off ordering from somewhere closer. Katelyn and Kelly lived between the house and campus, so they might know where to order food. 

He pulled up his phone but didn’t have time to check his messages before he heard the sound of tires on the driveway. He looked up, relieved to see a car he didn’t recognize pulling in with the LYFT logo behind its windshield. He was there to greet them at the bottom of the steps by the time the car parked at the top of the loop. 

“If we’d coordinated better, I could have given you a ride.” Arthur pointed out as Rani exited the car. “I completely forgot you don’t have a car.” 

Rani shrugged. “I’ll get one eventually.” She said. “In the meantime, can you help with the equipment?” 

Arthur nodded but kissed her hello first. Then he moved to the trunk as the driver popped it from his seat. Arthur unloaded camera bags, poles, tripods, and more lighting equipment than he’d seen in his brief foray into Rani’s dorm room. She must have borrowed some from the art building. 

To his surprise, someone else emerged from the backseat while he worked. Thalia was eye to eye with Arthur in her heeled boots. The dark-haired beauty smiled at him, and Arthur smiled back, waving slightly. “Hey, I’m Arthur.” 

“Yes, I know.” Thalia said, laughing. “I’m Thalia. I’ll be your scene partner tonight.” 

Arthur nodded, knowing the term from theater rather than photography, but with enough context to know she was the other model Rani brought along. 

“A pleasure to meet you.” Arthur said. 

“Thank you!” Rani said to the Lyft driver as Arthur closed the trunk. 

Their car pulled away, leaving them and their bags in front of the house. 

“This is a nice place.” Thalia said, looking around. “Like a villa, but American.” 

Rani nodded. “It has that American McMansion charm.” She glanced at the house, then at Arthur. He smiled at her. 

“Okay.” She said, surveying the front grounds of the property with her hand blocking the sunlight from her eyes. “Thalia, let’s get you changed and ready for the shoot. I think most of the outside shots are going to be you. Arthur - did your mom leave that flowery apron in the kitchen by any chance? And any gardening tools?” 

Arthur nodded. “The flowery apron is in the kitchen, and gardening tools are in the garage.” He answered. “I’ll get them for you.” 

“Thanks.” Rani said. Arthur sped into the house while Rani moved to the yard on the far side where the garden was. 

~~~

Mindy and her mother drove separately from campus to the Garden Wok, which Mindy was thankful for, but the short drive offered almost no time to think. Kelly had class, Selene had class, Kat was at work, and Rani and Arthur were doing her photoshoot. They’d drop everything and come running if Mindy asked them to, but she didn’t know what help they could be. Her parents wouldn’t respond to them well, and she didn’t want Arthur’s first time meeting her parents to be trying to persuade them to let her move in. 

This called for drastic measures. An honest Hail Mary pass. Mindy dialed before she pulled out of the parking lot space from campus, and to her surprise, Deb answered on the third ring. 

“Mindy! What a nice surprise.” Deb’s cheerful voice was a lifesaver. 

“Hi, Missus Clarke!” Mindy said just as cheerily. 

“I’ve told you before to call me Deb.” Deb responded, laughing slightly. “What can I do for you? Is this about the paperwork?”

Mindy had taken her copy of the lease home to ‘review.’ It was still in her backpack; she’d meant to go over it with her parents, but she hadn’t had time since receiving it on Sunday.  

“Kinda!” Mindy answered. “I need to ask a huge favor.” Mindy said, cutting to the chase. “Like, super huge.” 

“You need a discount?” Deb asked, laughing. 

“I need an adult.” Mindy responded.

“...I’m confused.” Deb said. “You are an adult.” 

“I need an adultier adult!” Mindy said. 

“Is something wrong? Are you safe?” The concern in Deb’s voice touched Mindy’s heart. 

“My parents are freaking out about the idea of me moving in with the girls and Arthur. My umma found out we’re dating, and she doesn’t want me to live with people I’m dating.” Mindy said. “I was hoping since you and my Appa go way back… maybe you could talk to them and help convince them?” 

“Oh.” Deb said. The hesitation in her voice wasn’t promising. “This sounds like something you and your parents should work out between you as a family. I… I’m not sure if my getting involved would help.” 

“Please?” Mindy asked. “I need help. I’m not good at explaining things, and you’re someone they’d respect. They don’t respect my opinion. To them, I’m just a kid, but you’re a respectable, successful, and eloquent woman their age. They’ll listen to you.” 

Deb didn’t answer immediately, but that wasn’t a no, either. 

“I thought maybe if you and Mister Clarke came and had dinner at the restaurant, you might be able to convince them I’m not throwing my future away by having a relationship and living with Arthur.” Mindy said. 

“Well, of course, you’re not.” Deb said. She turned away from the mic, but Mindy could still hear her. “George, what would you say to going out to dinner?” 

“Sure!” George’s voice came back. “Frenchy’s?” 

“I was thinking of that Asian Fusion restaurant in Reedville. Chang-Hoon’s place?” Deb asked. 

“Sure!” George agreed. “I haven’t seen that asshole in years, it’d be great to reconnect.” The term surprised Mindy, but George’s tone was congenial.

“Okay.” Deb said, returning to the phone. “George and I will be there in about an hour?” 

Mindy glanced at the clock. That gave her enough time to have the “I’m Bi” conversation with Appa and warn her parents that she was bringing Deb and George to say hello and hopefully convince them to let her move in with her friends. 

“Thank you so much!” Mindy gushed. “Seriously, I can’t thank you enough.” 

“It’s not a problem!” Deb said. “I wanted to reach out to your parents anyway. This is just a nice little kick in the pants to do it, especially if you and Arthur are dating.” 

Mindy agreed. “Yeah.” 

“Is there anything we should know?” Deb asked “Are there any particular Korean customs for meeting the parents of the girl your son is dating that your parents will expect?” 

“Not really.” Mindy said. “Just the usual stuff. Appa’s pretty American and you’re not Korean, so they won’t expect anything from you.” 

“Okay.” Deb said. “We’ll see you soon!” 

“See you soon!” Mindy said and ended the call. “Oh, thank God.” Mindy said, breathing deeply. On her own, she had no chance of convincing her parents to let her move in with Arthur and the girls. With Deb there, she might just have a shot. 

~~~

Rani and Thalia stood between the house and the garden in the sideyard, waiting for Arthur. The greenery was fading below the auburn autumn leaves, and the late-blooming flowers were mostly gone, but the lighting was perfect. 

“You want to take pictures of me gardening?” Thalia asked. 

“Hmm?” Rani asked, distracted as she looked around. “Oh, no.” Rani shook her head. “Arthur will be in the garden. You’ll be… raking leaves, I think. Or mowing the lawn? I wonder if they have a leaf blower.” 

The garage door opened, and Arthur appeared on the other side with the apron over his arm and a bucket full of gardening tools. He trekked across the front of the house to meet Rani and Thalia. 

“Is there a place Thalia can get changed?” Rani asked. “And do you have a leaf blower?” 

“Sure. There are any of the rooms in the house, really. Or the poolhouse if you want to take any shots back there.” Arthur gestured to each as he spoke. 

“You have a pool?” Thalia asked, craning her neck to see around the corner. “Ooo, and a hot tub. Nice.” 

“And there’s a leaf blower in the garage. It’s gasoline, though. I don’t know if we have a gas can to run it. I’ll grab it.” Arthur gestured behind him toward the garage. “If you follow me, I can show you to one of the bathrooms so you can change.” 

“Oh, okay.” Thalia said. “Do you have a towel?” 

“In the poolhouse.” Arthur answered. “Let’s get changed there.” He looked at Rani. “I brought my toolbelt, too, and the toolbox is in the garage.” 

“Perfect.” Rani said, smiling. She put her hand on Arthur’s arm and kissed him. “Thank you, My King.” 

Thalia tilted her head, looking at them in confusion. “But he is tall.” 

“Hm?” Rani asked, turning to look at Thalia. 

“He is no short king. He is tall.” Thalia said. She held her hand to Arthur’s height, showing what she meant. 

“Oh.” Rani laughed. “No, you’re right. It’s just what I call him.” 

Arthur blushed. 

“Why?” Thalia asked. 

“Because he’s my fucking king.” Rani said, making Arthur blush more. She patted his chest, then groped his junk, making him jump slightly because he wasn’t expecting it. 

“A king who blushes. I see why Kelly likes you.” Thalia said. “Come, show me the poolhouse. We will change.” 

Arthur nodded and led the way around the side yard and the pool. They entered the poolhouse after Arthur opened the door and held it for them. 

The main open room didn’t have much to it aside from the French glass doors leading to the pool, the doors across from them leading to the back yard, and the ‘living room’ area shared a floor with the kitchenette in its open concept space. An open door led to the bathroom, which was also connected to the room behind the closed door in the living room. The closed door led to the bedroom with a simple double bed, a space with a standing divider for changing, and a walk-in closet. 

The closet held rods from which hung spare swimsuits, and shelves held towels for guests. Arthur thought Thalia would want privacy to change, but she was more worried about having somewhere clean to lay her clothes. She pulled her shirt off from the hem as she stepped through the door, then took off her bra before she placed both on the breakfast counter dividing the main room from the kitchenette.

Arthur turned so that he didn’t watch but stripped off his shirt. He pushed off his shoes, then his slacks, socks, and finally, his underwear. He folded each piece of clothing and felt slightly self-conscious as he laid them on the kitchenette counter. The girls threw theirs in heaps, not bothering to fold them. 

To his surprise, Rani also stripped, leaving her jewelry on but taking her hoodie and jeans off. She had minimal jewelry on her face, but her pierced nipples had a thin chain dangling between them, which she tied to a chain that connected to her navel piercing. All three were studded with emeralds. 

“Are you modeling, too?” Thalia asked, her eyes lingering on Rani and taking her in as she stepped out of her jeans. 

Rani’s athletic breasts drew the eyes with her jewelry. The lines of her stomach drew the eye to her navel piercing, and the dark patch of hair above her pussy caught attention as if she were wearing it intentionally. 

“No.” Rani shook her head. “But I thought it might help make both of you more comfortable. I can cover up if that’s more professional.” 

“No!” Thalia said, shaking her head quickly. Her eyes lingered over Rani’s curvy hips. “I like your body. It is good.” 

“Right back at you.” Rani said, her eyes lifting to Thalia’s lips. “And your accent is very exotic. Very hot.” 

“So are you.” Thalia said. “I always liked Indian chicks. Very exotic.” 

Rani stopped for a second. “Are you fetishizing my ethnicity?” She asked. 

“Yes.” Thalia said, unashamed. “I thought you wanted to. Is that not what you were doing with me, too?” 

Rani hesitated at that, considering her point. “That’s… yeah. Actually. I was doing that. Hm. Eh, it’s fine. I think hot stuff from India is hot, but I was raised in it. I’m supposed to find it beautiful and attractive. When outsiders do it… sometimes it gets weird.” 

“But you are hot stuff from India. So I think hot stuff from India is hot, too.” Thalia shrugged. “Is that okay?” 

“Fine by me.” Rani said, smiling. “Kelly didn’t tell me you were such a notorious flirt. How have we never fucked?” 

“Campus is a big place.” Thalia said. “And you are not an art major, no? But the day is young.” 

Rani laughed. “Well, let’s do the shoot first. Okay?” 

Thalia smiled. “Is fine with me, but your boyfriend looks like he might become a tripod.” She pointed, and Rani followed her finger’s path to Arthur, who had his hands in front of him, failing to hide his erection. 

Rani winked at him. 

“Not helping.” Arthur said as he turned away from her. “Unless you want to photograph me like this.” 

“Maybe later.” Rani said. “Right now, you need to think about something unsexy.” 

“I’ll do my best.” Arthur said, trying to think of the least sexiest thing imaginable. One of his professors did the trick, but he worried if he did that too often, he’d develop some kind of Pavlovian complex. 

Rani slapped Arthur’s ass as she walked past but did it as hard as she possibly could, which didn’t hurt, but did make him laugh. “Watch it, Queenie. I’ll pay you back for that later.” 

“Duh.” Rani said. “That’s why I did it. Oh, and before I forget. You’ll need to sign these releases.” She pulled some papers out of her bookbag and handed them over. Arthur signed his. He glanced over it briefly, but he trusted Rani. Thalia took longer reading hers, but she nodded the whole way through and signed at the bottom. 

Rani collected both. 

“You are very generous for school project.” Thalia said. “Usually, these pay shit.” 

Rani laughed. “I do what I can.” She shrugged and took Thalia’s signed release. 

Arthur glanced in Thalia’s direction. It was silly being nervous to see her naked. His entire life was filled with naked women now. One more shouldn’t be an issue, but she was hot, with something of a forbidden fruit aspect, and she was staring right at him, daring him to look. 

Her long, toned legs showed incredible muscle definition. Each line etched into her thick thighs drew his eye along her legs toward her sex. Her crossed legs blocked her hairless pussy from view, but every curve and indentation of her hips and pelvis was on full display. Her narrow waist cinched her torso and broadened, displaying delicious abs framed by slabs of sharp muscle on either side that gave way to two large breasts. Thalia’s natural breasts were tear-drop shaped, with a gentle slope below her pert brown nipples, each about as full and heavy as Kelly’s. Kelly had a softer, more feminine build to her with the muscles and tone of a boxer. Thalia had the stature and bulk of a professional wrestler, with the feminine build beneath it to make anyone drool. 

If Thalia noticed Arthur’s appraisal, she didn’t mention it. She stared at him and returned the favor. He might have felt self-conscious if it wasn’t for Rani’s hungry gaze. 

“You two want to fuck first to get it out of the way, or should we do the shoot?” Rani asked, her pierced eyebrow raised in challenge.

Arthur could tell she was joking or at least half-joking. Thalia couldn’t. She sputtered and shook her head. 

“I am sorry! I didn’t mean to be unprofessional. I was just curious about his dick.” Thalia said. “It is impressive, and to have convinced so many women to share you… you must be god in bed.” She looked Arthur in the eye. She wasn’t mispeaking. She knew the difference between god and good. “I am a lesbian who has never been with a man before. I am sure you can show me what I am missing, yes?” 

“Oh, uh… I don’t know about that–” Arthur said, shaking his head. 

Thalia laughed. “I am only kidding. Teasing you. Every man thinks their dick will convince me that men are attractive.” 

Arthur shrugged. “It’s honestly okay if I’m not your type. I make no claims of being any kind of sex god or possessing a magic dick.” 

Rani patted Arthur’s butt. “Don’t sell yourself short, my King. You are absolutely a god in bed.” Rani squeezed his arm in her hand. “But we’re losing daylight. Shoot first. Fuck later.” 

Arthur rolled his eyes. “Okay.” He knew better than to argue. 

“You want makeup?” Thalia asked. 

“What you have on is perfect.” Rani said. “Arthur could use some foundation, though.” 

“Hit me.” Arthur said, leaning forward. 

Thalia raised her eyebrow. “You are willing to wear makeup?” 

“I’m a theater guy. I wear makeup multiple times a year.” Arthur laughed but went still to let Rani touch him up however she needed for her photos. It was a lot of trust to put in someone he knew was mischievous sometimes, but this was for her project, after all. He trusted her enough to care about her art if not her grades. 

Arthur stood when she finished and clapped his hands. “Where do you want me?” 

Rani led them to the garden. To Arthur’s surprise, he received the flowery apron and the garden tools. Thalia received the leaf blower and even got it started. Rani set up some umbrella-like fixturing and lighting and then got to work. She had two cameras on tripods and one in her hands. She snapped shot after shot of Thalia as she had fun with the leaf blower. 

Then she took pictures of Arthur kneeling, digging with a hand spade in the garden, and pretending to be planting things. Many shots were from behind, but Arthur didn’t mind. 

Thalia posed with the shears, trimming a hedge. Each chop jiggled her breasts as she worked, which made her laugh. Rani laughed with her, and Arthur smiled, unsure if he should laugh. Thalia didn’t seem self-conscious about her body. She couldn’t be with this kind of job. Arthur envied that. He worked hard for his body, and he knew he was hot, but he still needed the validation of others to keep the voices quiet about the physical imperfections only he seemed to notice. 

“Okay, I want to do some combo shots of you together.” Rani announced. “Arthur, can you bring a glass of water and a serving tray from the kitchen?” 

“Sure.” Arthur nodded and fetched them. He posed, bringing Thalia a glass of water, which she held in her hand. She slowly drew away from him as Rani snapped photographs. 

“Now… look into each other’s eyes, and just… look like you’re about to kiss. Like you’re a married couple in love. That’s it.” Rani snapped her photos, checking the screen on her camera after a few shots. 

Arthur realized why Rani’s first thought for the other model in this shoot was Kelly. A pose like this would have been right up her alley, even if posing for naked photographs wasn’t her cup of tea. A pity, really. Arthur loved the idea of a pinup calendar full of Kelly. He preferred her body to Thalia’s. It was softer and more feminine than Thalia’s. Kelly had the perfect body for Kelly. 

Each of his girls personified their own kind of beauty, as corny as that might sound if he were brave enough to say it aloud. No doubt harem pinup calendars would sell like hotcakes. Too bad not all of the girls would be on board. 

As for having his photo taken, Arthur wished he hadn’t eaten so poorly over the weekend. He’d dehydrated because everything he’d read told him to, and it made his muscles pop, though not as much as if he’d done a few days' worth of prep instead of one day’s lack of water. After this, he would double down on his hydration and nutrition to ensure he didn’t slip up again. 

Still, a few days' lapse in diet hadn’t hurt him as bad as it might’ve. He’d been going through some intense cardio in addition to his regular workouts, so he hoped it all balanced out. Still, it was tough to tell by looking in the mirror whether the lines of his muscles were as sharp as he wanted them to be. 

“Do you want we should kiss?” Thalia asked Rani, though she was looking at Arthur when she asked it, still holding the same ‘almost kiss’ pose as he was. 

Arthur looked surprised, having been a mile away in his thoughts, when Thalia asked. 

“Are you comfortable with that?” Rani asked. 

Thalia shrugged. “I get nothing out of it, but if you want it for your shoot, it is okay with me. It is like acting.” 

Rani considered the option for a second. 

“Are you okay if I kiss your boyfriend?” Thalia asked in response. “Are you jealous type like Kelly?” 

Rani laughed. “I’m probably the least jealous of the group.” She gestured to Arthur. “But I was asking both of you and only got one answer. Arthur? Are you comfortable kissing Thalia?” 

Arthur looked at Rani and beamed at her. 

“Oh, I’m getting fucked hard tonight, I can tell.” Rani laughed. “Is that a yes?” 

“It’s okay if you need it for your shoot. I’m here to help you get an A. But that wasn’t why I was smiling.” Arthur said. He was happy she hadn’t assumed he’d been fine with it. It meant a lot to him that she gauged his comfort first. 

“A photo of you two kissing might not help me get an A, but it might help me get an O.” Rani snarked. “Go for it. If you’re both comfortable.” 

“An O?” Thalia asked, confused. 

“Orgasm.” Rani explained without hesitation. “It’s hot to watch two hot people make out.” 

Thalia laughed. “Then perhaps we should make out, and I show you what an orgasm from a woman is like.” 

Rani laughed, snapping another photo. “It wouldn’t be my first, that’s for sure.” 

“Oh?” Thalia asked. 

“I’m pansexual.” Rani said. “And for a while there, I fucked anyone interested and halfway decent.” 

“I wish we met sooner, then.” Thalia said. She looked at Arthur. “I promise I will not steal your girlfriend, but I may try to fuck her, later.” 

Arthur laughed, unsure whether Thalia was joking or not. Then she kissed him, which startled him, but he did his best to relax and make the kiss look natural for Rani’s photos. He was a decent actor, and this was like many of the stage kisses he’d done before. Open-mouthed, but no tongue, at least until Thalia stuck hers into his mouth. So much for professionalism. 

The cameras clicked, and Arthur closed his eyes, meeting Thalia’s enthusiasm. 

“We might have to get more of those later.” Rani said, smiling as she checked the photos. “Come on.” 

Thalia and Arthur pulled apart, smiling at each other. Thalia winked. “You kiss like a woman.” 

Arthur hesitated. “Coming from a lesbian, that’s a compliment, right?” 

Thalia laughed and smacked him on the back, which he decided to take for a yes. Just in case, he’d be a little more assertive if they kissed again. 

With the ‘yard work’ shots done, Rani took more pictures of them by the pool. Thalia lounged nude on one of the chairs while Arthur used the long pole skimmer and its net to clean leaves out of the pool. They swapped, with Arthur lounging in a reclined pose and Thalia cleaning the pool. Then Rani took a few photos of Arthur lounging beside Thalia, the two holding hands between their chairs. 

Rani seemed satisfied, but since they still had some light left, she got pictures of Thalia with the lawnmower, mostly staying in profile but getting a few shots from different angles. The small riding mower had a satisfying rumble, and Thalia bit her lip after Arthur turned the motor on. 

“Oh…” Thalia said. “Is… uh… is good.” 

Rani snapped photo, after photo. “Have you ever done an erotic shoot before, Thalia?” She asked, raising her voice so Thalia could hear her over the sound of the motor. 

“Yes.” Thalia answered. “Very hot. I saw that clause in the contract. I am okay if things get spicy for the shoot.” 

“You seem to be enjoying the mower.” Rani pointed out, smiling as Thalia bit the corner of her bottom lip and enthusiastically nodded. 

“Why would–” Arthur figured it out as soon as he started to ask. The vibrations. Thalia was turned on already and naked, spreading her legs for a fifteen-horsepower clit vibrator. He doubted she’d cum from it, but it would undoubtedly arouse her more than she was. 

Rani seemed to lean into teasing her. “Go ahead and cover your pussy with your hand, yeah, just like that.” 

Thalia slid her hand from the steering wheel to her pussy, covering it with her fingers but leaving the rest of herself exposed to the camera in a delightful pinup vibe. 

“Hm… Your nipples should really pop in this one. Do you mind tweaking them a little? Make them stand out?” Rani asked. 

Thalia squeezed her breasts, pinching her nipples, as she stared at Rani until they became two sharp points on her chest. 

“Okay.” Rani said. “Now, put your hand over your pussy again. There you go.”

The effect was ridiculously sexual, while the pictures continued to appear tame in comparison to their reality. In the still photography, you couldn’t see the subtle flex of Thalia’s fingers pressuring her clit from the outside or the vibrations shaking through her body. Her nipples stood erect, with faint white handprints quickly fading where Thalia groped herself. 

Thalia closed her eyes in momentary bliss, then snapped them open as she remembered what she was doing. Posing. Masturbating. But still posing.  

Rani looked out from behind her camera and made eye contact with her, lowering the camera to her stomach and framing her breasts between her arms. Rani licked her lips, and Thalia mirrored the movement, whimpering slightly. 

“Are you close?” Rani asked. 

Thalia nodded. “Getting closer.” 

“How turned on are you right now, on a scale of one to ten?” Rani asked. 

“Ten.” Thalia answered. 

“Okay.” Rani said, looking at her camera screen and winking at Arthur. “I think we’re done with the outside shots.” She sounded like a professional photographer again, stiff but courteous. “Do you want a moment to take care of yourself?” 

Thalia glanced at Arthur and blushed crimson. She shook her head. 

“Okay, then we’re done out here.” Rani said. “Let’s clean up.” 

Arthur raised both eyebrows in surprise. Thalia looked disappointed but lifted herself off the mower, turning it off as she did so. She was unsteady on her feet momentarily but found the Earth beneath her and stood tall. Arthur wiped the seat and put the mower away without a word. 

~~~

Mindy sat at the head of the ‘dining room’ table in her parents’ apartment, waiting. She kicked her feet, holding onto her chair. 

“What is it?” Appa asked as he came up the stairs. “Why can’t it wait? You know I hate leaving Yu-Jun in charge of the kitchen. He leaves everything a mess.” 

Mindy raised her eyes to see her father enter, followed by her mother, who gestured to her. 

“Ji-Min?” Appa asked. “What’s wrong?” 

“Your daughter has something to tell you.” Umma said as she stood behind the chair opposite Mindy, leaving the chair between them for Appa, who took it and sat down. 

He reached for Mindy’s hands, and she clasped them. “Appa…” She started, not sure how to say it. 

“Is this about that boy from school?” Appa asked, looking between them. “I already know all about that.” 

Mindy and Umma both looked shocked. “You do?” Mindy asked, unable to hide her surprise. 

Appa laughed. “Yes. Yu-Jun showed the video to me. Your friend kneeing that man right in the balls. Kapow!” 

Sanjay. Appa was talking about Rani kneeing Sanjay. Depending on which version of the video he’d seen… why hadn’t he said anything? 

“What video?” Mindy asked. 

Appa pulled out his phone and found it. He presented a short, quick video of the cafeteria incident without audio. Instead, a hissing, wheezing laughter looped over it as Rani’s knee collided with Sanjay’s groin, a popping sound effect followed by a man’s grunt of “Ohhh!” played over the visual. Mindy was there, plain as day beside Rani. 

“See?” Appa said. “You’re on Tik-Tok. You look great!” 

Mindy smiled weakly. “Thanks, Appa.” 

“Are you in trouble at school because of it?” Appa asked. 

“No, nothing like that.” Mindy said. 

“Is the boy still bothering you or your friend? You want me to kick him in the ass?” Appa asked, laughing as he said it. 

Somehow, though, the laugh suggested he was only half-kidding. Appa had always been protective of Mindy. If he thought there was any chance of someone physically assaulting her, he’d be there for her. Before Sunday, she thought some of his teasing about beating up potential boyfriends was nothing but fatherly bluster. Now, she knew he once had the skills necessary to back those threats. 

“No, Appa. He…” What had happened to Sanjay? The last she’d heard, he and Arthur had some kind of fight in the parking lot, but they’d handled it, and no one had seen or heard from Sanjay since. Maybe he was licking his wounds? Or he’d given up? He certainly seemed aggressively interested in Mindy. There were too many creeps on campus. Maybe she could use that? 

“He’s avoided me since my friend, Arthur, scared him off.” Mindy explained. 

“Weird name for a woman.” Her Appa checked the video. 

“No, that’s Rani.” Mindy said as Appa showed Umma the clip. 

Her mother took the phone and examined it, frowning. 

Mindy took a deep breath, steadying herself as she glanced between her parents. “No, Appa. What I have to tell you isn’t about that at all.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me about this before?” Her Umma interrupted. “You could have been hurt, Ji-Min!” 

“I wasn’t!” Mindy protested. “Rani was there. She saved me.” 

“What do you mean saved you?” Her Appa turned to face her. 

The conversation was spiraling with every word out of her mouth. She sighed. “The guy in the video is Sanjay. He went on a date with Rani, but it didn’t end well. He tried to hit on me, but I turned him down. He got mad and said some… bad things. I flung a meatball at him. He ran around the table to try and… I don’t even know. Rani stopped him. He went down for the count. She protected me.” 

Her parents looked at each other. 

“So he tried to fight Arthur, that’s… well, you know who Arthur is, Umma.” She glanced at her mother. “And he sent Sanjay and the friend he brought along packing. He protected me, too. They both look out for me a lot at school.” 

“You’ve mentioned this boy before.” Appa said as he put his phone away.

“She has?” Umma asked, surprised. 

Appa nodded. “This is the Arthur from your office?” He asked. “Mister boss?” 

Mindy smiled slightly. She’d mentioned Arthur helping her around the office and mentoring her to her Appa. 

“Why did you never tell me about this boy before?” Her mother demanded. “I never heard his name until last night!” 

“It’s not a big deal.” Appa said. “There are boys at school. This one is an upperclassman. He helped her learn the office, right?” 

Mindy nodded. “Yes. He’s a good teacher and a business major, like me. He’s in year four of a five-year program, earns straight As, was recently promoted to supervisor, is very good at his job, and will graduate with his Master’s degree when he’s finished. He’s brilliant and from a good family.” 

Appa’s eyes narrowed. Suddenly, the ‘not a big deal’ seemed bigger. 

Umma’s frown softened slightly, and she sat at the table. 

“Why do I get the feeling you like him more than as a mentor?” Appa asked. 

“He’s very handsome, Appa.” Mindy said. 

Appa grunted. “You shouldn’t be worried about dating Ji-Min. Focus on your studies.” 

“I thought you liked this boy!” Umma said, smiling at Appa. “What happened to not a big deal?” 

“It’s not a big deal.” Appa reiterated. “Because Mindy isn’t dating. She’s studying.” 

“But…” Mindy started, then stopped. She softened her voice and expression as she looked up at her father with pleading eyes. “Appa…” 

“No, don’t do that.” Appa said, shaking his head. “You always start with the soft voice and the eyes when you want something. If this Arthur wants to date you, he can come and ask my permission, like a man.” 

“Did you ask Grandpa’s permission to date Umma?” Mindy asked. “Or what about the girls you dated in college? Did you ask their parent’s permission?” 

“That’s not… What are you talking about Ji-Min?” Appa demanded. “Are you dating this boy? Yes or no?” 

“Yes.” Mindy said, deciding to be honest. “And he’s amazing, Appa. You’ll like him.” 

Appa frowned. “I want to meet him! Where is he?” 

“He’s not here tonight.” Mindy said. “He’s working.” Technically true. “But I invited his parents to join us for dinner.” 

“You did what?” Her Umma asked. 

“You know them.” Mindy said, putting her hand on her Appa’s again. “Deb and George Clarke?” 

Her father’s expression scrunched in concentration momentarily, then opened in recognition. “George? I know George. And Deb? I haven’t seen them in years! That’s the Arthur you’re dating? Little Arty?” 

“He’s not so little anymore.” Mindy said under her breath, though judging by her parent’s reaction, they’d heard her. Time for something that would make dating Arthur not seem like a big deal. “But that’s not what Umma and I wanted to tell you, Appa.” 

“It isn’t?” Appa asked, thrown off as intended. 

“I wanted to tell you…” Mindy held his gaze for a moment. “I’m bisexual.” She said. “I like girls and boys.” 

Appa looked at Umma, then back at Mindy. 

“I told her about Sandy.” Umma confirmed the unspoken question. “And we talked.”

“So you were the last to know about the boy, and I’m the last to know about the girls.” Appa said, grunting. “What do you mean you’re bisexual? Have you dated a girl, Ji-Min?” 

Mindy shook her head. 

“And she didn’t ask our permission either?” Appa demanded. 

“Appa.” Mindy said. “I… was afraid to tell you. I thought you and Umma would… hate me.” 

Whatever rage Appa had been building toward over being left out of the loop, he froze at those words. He stopped, looked at her from beside her at the table, and shook his head. “I would never hate you, Ji-Min. Umma would never hate you. Even if you lie and hurt us by going behind our backs to date these people.” As if that were the part of this she’d been hiding. 

Mindy sniffled, the tears coming again. “Appa…” She said but didn’t get a chance to say anything else. Her father’s arms embraced her, and she hugged him back, his soft, warm embrace washing over her in its familiarity. Appa was her safe space, and she’d never been so happy to receive a hug from him. 

Her fears from just hours ago seemed silly now, in retrospect. Perhaps she owed Rani an apology. Maybe she didn’t know her parents as well as she thought. To her, they’d always been Appa and Umma. The authorities in her life. They made the rules, they didn’t accept arguments, and they deserved respect and obedience without question. Now, somehow, there’d been a shift. They weren’t just parents but people. Her mom was a repressed bisexual with relationship trauma and guilt. Her father was far more relaxed than his ‘joking’ had led her to believe. 

So, where did they go from here? 

“When are the Clarkes going to be here?” Her Umma asked. 

Mindy checked the clock. “About fifteen minutes?” 

“Okay, okay.” Umma said, her voice in a panic. “Ji-Min. Help me clean.” 

Appa laughed, releasing her from his hug. Mindy wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes.

“I’ll clean.” Appa said. “You go fix your makeup. Both of you. Freshen up. I’ll cook something.” 

Mindy smiled. “You’re not mad at me?” 

“Livid.” Her father said, smiling to show he wasn’t serious. “You’re grounded forever and forbidden from dating girls or boys until you’re thirty.” 

Mindy hugged him again. 

Appa. “You think I’m kidding?” He scoffed. “I’m making Facebook, Instagram, and Tik-Tok accounts right now, young lady. And we’re going to keep tabs on all of them. When I see Arthur, I will kick him so hard you won’t see him for a week.” 

“You mean kick him into next week?” Mindy asked, trying not to laugh. 

“Okay, okay.” Her father laughed. “That is what I meant. Now go freshen up!” He swatted her back as she stepped away, and her parents shared a look. Appa sighed. “I will, you know.” 

Umma smiled. “Thank you for being lovely.” 

“Oh, don’t start that now. We have guests coming!” Appa said before kissing his wife.