Another trip: Part 2 (the plus-one)
“So…who wants to come with me?” Chen asks, as nonchalantly as though inquiring about tomorrow’s weather forecast.
A stunned silence. Then—seconds later—chaos.
Kaori gasps dramatically, hand to chest like Chen just proposed marriage (okay, that’s not accurate—we all know Kaori doesn’t actually believe in marriages).
“To join you on a business trip? With hotel rooms and tight schedules and suspiciously low-cut tops? Babe, you can’t just say that and expect me not to throw my panties in the ring.”
She slinks over to them, wrapping one arm around their waist, eyes glittering. “Pick me! I promise to behave professionally…until the elevator doors close.”
Kaori then straddles Chen’s lap right there at the dining table, practically purring into their ear:
“I’ll make sure you never even unpack your suitcase. Room service will hear things so naughty that they’ll never recover from. I’ll ride you every morning before your meetings. Every night after. Every break.”
She wiggles her hips just to prove it, giggling when Chen’s breath catches.
June explodes before anyone else can answer.
“HELL yes I’m coming! I’ve never stayed in a bougie hotel room that I didn’t want to fuck someone in. Matter of fact, I might as well just pack myself into your suitcase either way—I’m bendy, you know this. And I look real cute in business casual, just saying—”
“June, you’ve never worn business casual in your life.” Kaori’s teasing voice cuts through the chaos.
“I could! For the right reasons. Or at least a slutty blazer with no bra. I’ll drag you to the hotel bar, get you half drunk, then drag you back up and fuck your brains out till you forget what you even flew out there for.”
She grinds her hips once, then flicks Kaori’s forehead with a wicked grin:
“Cry about it, princess.”
Riley looks like a deer caught in bisexual headlights.
“Oh wow. Oh. Um. I mean, I’d love to, if no one else…? I could be useful—”
Their hands fidget with the hem of their hoodie. “I take really good notes. And I make amazing hotel coffee. I could even be, um, background support while you do your thing.”
“I-I promise I won’t be trouble. I’ll wait in the room all day if you need… Please? Please?”
Everyone can practically see the blush racing up their neck, as they bury their face in Chen’s shoulder, with a soft whimper muffled against Chen’s shirt.
Kaori and June hiss in unison: “Manipulative little cutie—stop it! You’re cheating with those puppy eyes!”
Sofia, who’s been quietly stirring her coffee this entire time, finally sets her cup down. She stands behind Chen, slides one warm palm along their shoulder, leans close to their ear and smiles, slow, deliberate, and indulgent.
Her voice is low velvet:
“Ignore the children, sweetheart. You don’t need chaos, or shy worship. You need rest. Bring me. I’ll order your meals, run your baths, keep you so calm you’ll forget you’re even on a trip. And if you want something filthier…”
She nibbles Chen’s ear so lightly it makes Kaori shriek in offended horror.
“…well, you already know I’m excellent at multitasking.”
Sofia finishes with a wink.
“I’m the only one who’ll keep them satisfied enough not to stray!” Kaori argues.
“Well, but I’m the only one with the balls to drag them out of boring meetings for a quickie in the stairwell—you’re welcome!” June says, talking over Kaori.
“I’ll be quiet! I swear! Please pick me, please—” says Riley, still clinging.
“You’re all so loud,” Sofia lightly sighs. “Chen, choose peace. Choose me. Or enjoy these brats alone—your funeral.”