Chapter 72 - Bilena Falls
The arched hole in the rock was plenty wide and cozy for the two of us to sit on—like a bench nature had carved out on purpose, maybe to accommodate a heated couple taking in the sea breeze. Morgan was nowhere to be seen, which nagged at me a bit, but worrying about a pirate's daughter in shark-free waters felt like overstepping.
The rough rock surface was uncomfortable without a blanket to lay down, so I volunteered as cushion and sat first. Then I took Bilena's hand and pulled her onto the rock beside me. She'd clearly expected me just to steady her, because she looked surprised when I lifted her effortlessly.
"...You're strong."
"Porter aptitude."
Bilena let out a small snort. But her mouth wasn't smiling at all. Maybe she hadn't borrowed enough courage from the booze and the mood; her tension was plain as day. When I brushed back her now-quite-long hair, she flinched every time my fingers grazed her skin—like a herbivore desperate for help but freezing up at the first human touch.
As I leaned in close, even her breathing grew shallow.
"You okay?"
"...Just get it over with quick. I don't want anyone catching us."
Bilena swallowed dryly after her curt reply. Get it over with quick—after she'd grabbed my hand and dragged me here herself. If she really didn't want to get caught, she shouldn't have started in the first place. Who knew when one of those sharp-eared dragons might pass by? Still, I wasn't rushing. Forcing a tense body like hers seemed like a recipe for injury.
Even setting aside that my lifting strength was ten times anyone else's, the weight in my hands had felt feather-light. So fragile compared to the other party members, who were used to walking and fighting. Her slender limbs were like reed leaves that might snap at a poke. Unlike Esen or Nidroga, who could take anything, I was scared to grip anywhere too hard in case I bruised her.
So I started slow and gentle. I cradled the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss. Her face flushed beet red, she averted her eyes and clamped her lips shut in protest. Even repeated presses didn't pry them open. Only when I gently nipped and tugged her upper lip did the scholar finally react, ever so slightly.
The first breath escaping her parted lips was hot, feverish. Steaming up from that breath was the suppressed excitement and tremor she'd tried to hide. Affection bloomed naturally, drawing me into longer kisses. Minutes passed with just our lips pressed together, and soon Bilena—her body warming—tentatively slipped her tongue out first.
I welcomed it without resistance. Tongues entwining, her breathing grew ragged, like she'd fallen into water. The flush spread from her face to her ears and neck, overtaking her whole body. Her pale skin made it impossible to miss. Somehow, it satisfied me deeply—like leaving my mark on a pristine white canvas.
Our saliva mixed like wet brushes rubbing together. I could feel it painting me inside her. But kisses alone were starting to leave me hungry. I wrapped my arms around her waist—small enough to hold in both hands—and pressed our bodies close...
The moment our navels touched, Bilena shuddered. Her back arched, a stifled moan leaking as a nasal whine. Her thighs clamped my leg, trembling; her rising hips I barely held down. Her unexpected sensitivity surprised me, but she was trying not to show it.
I masked my own fluster and asked softly, "You okay?"
"...It's gross and sticky."
Her voice sounded forced, like she was squeezing it out. Then, feeling the need for a more plausible excuse, she tacked on something I couldn't quite buy.
"And cold. All this seawater on me is sucking the heat right out."
"...I see. That's why you were shaking."
She knew full well her lie hadn't landed. I kissed her clenched cheek and settled her properly on my lap, hugging her tight.
"How's this?"
"Don't cling so disgustingly. I said get it over with."
"Why? It's warm. Comforting, even."
Bilena squirmed a few times before finally giving in and accepting the embrace.
"You're annoying."
"When's the last time you hugged someone like this?"
"You."
"...Right."
Her barbed words made me flinch preemptively, but she leaned her weight against me obediently. Through her slight frame, I could hear her heartbeat close by. No rejection in that pounding pulse.
"We gonna stay like this forever? Till someone shows up?"
"I'll finish before anyone comes. But I'm not rushing."
I slid my hands around her back and undid the ties of her cute swimsuit. She startled and tried to cover her chest; I stopped her. Brushing away her trembling hands revealed modest curves topped with nipples perked up insistently, demanding attention. I rolled one between my fingers.
Unfamiliar teasing made Bilena squeeze her eyes shut and endure.
"...My breasts are small, so don't touch them."
"Why?"
"It just confirms how pathetic they are. Like pressing down on a short person's head to rub it in—ngh."
I hated her harsh judgment of such an appealing body. Hated her self-proclaimed "defeated heroine" defeatism. When it was so damn tempting. I latched on like a baby, suckling openly.
"Like I said last time, volume aside, breasts are breasts. Big or small doesn't matter."
"...If you compared mine to Monica's, which would you pick? If you had to choose, you'd go for Monica-unnie, right?"
Her sharp point made my head spin a little. Sure, some guys preferred small over big—but I wasn't one of them. Fact was fact...
"If you ask which breasts I like, it's the ones right in front of me."
"What're you saying?"
"I don't pass on either."
What were the perks of small breasts? I was learning one from Bilena, at least. The face of the girl who'd grumbled there was nothing to see there melted under persistent affection. The very part that had been her complex now heated her body, making her shyly cover her mouth like she'd received unexpected praise.
Bilena's fingers dug harder into my back. The scholar fully accepted that those were proper breasts.
"N...ngh...stop...!"
My persistent exploration paid off. Time to move on. I slipped a hand slowly into the bottom of her swimsuit. Sticky fluid clung like honey. A few white pubic hairs, indistinguishable from her skin, barely veiled her.
"...Perverted bastard..."
"Too late to complain now. Look at how wet you are."
Nipping her collarbone, I gently stroked her mound. Bilena couldn't hold back anymore; her tension melted away. Her hips pressed my hand, her body shuddering fully onto me. When I paused, she even wriggled her waist, rubbing herself against my palm.
"...Don't tease...anymore..."
"If you've learned your lesson, I'll stop."
"What...lesson?"
"That all your 'defeated heroine' talk is bullshit."
Bilena blinked blankly. I gently wiped her reddened eyes with my thumb.
"Why would I ever turn you down?"
"...You actually took that whining seriously?"
"You said it seriously. I don't know if you hate me pulling away or if it's just wounded pride, but one thing's clear."
I slipped one knuckle of my finger into her softened folds. Her eyes flew wide; she tried to pull back in panic, but I gripped her ass to hold her.
"Like Esen, the Monica sisters, or Nidroga—you're too beautiful for someone like lowly Tan Bantai."
"W-wait...ah. If you touch me like—"
"Teasing and dirtying you up like this even gives me guilt."
Unlike her chest, I left her panties on. Instead, I tugged them aside, exposing her. The erotic sameness of fabric and skin amplified the view. Rubbing my glans slowly along her slit to wet it, her shaky voice posed a question.
"M-my body's scrawny too. Hair's thin and limp."
"Self-deprecating again. No need."
"A failed aptitude holder with a twisted personality like mine...ngh."
I was done with foreplay too. I lowered my hips slowly, pushing in. Her soaked insides were still tight, but unlike the first time, she'd learned to accept the intrusion. She trembled nonstop but endured the penetration stubbornly instead of pushing back.
"Ah. Aaaah..."
"Am I so great? Not tall. Aptitude's nothing special."
Bilena pushed against my chest with her forehead, then slowly started moving on her own. No instructions needed; commendably seeking pleasure herself. I patted her ass lightly in encouragement.
Her irregular cowgirl rhythm. The clumsy clench, newly familiar with the pleasure, was impressive in its own way. I leisurely sucked her neck while enjoying the up-and-down sensation.
But the fierce squeeze didn't last. Legs giving out, Bilena collapsed under her own weight—still impaled. Driving me in deeper than comfortable. She writhed in agony.
"...Ugh. Damn it, so deep..."
Even swimming had pushed her stamina limits, it seemed. Breathing hard under the pressure, she looked relieved when I gripped her waist supportively.
She'd misunderstood. It wasn't mercy; I just couldn't stand the teasing pleasure anymore.
"Hang on a sec."
"...Huh?"
I thrust up from below. Her body lifted; she jolted hard, face going dazed.
"Ah."
"Say if it hurts."
My restraint shattered; my cock hammered desire into her fragile flesh. Unlike her tentative movements, wet slaps rang out as skin smacked skin.
"It'll be over soon."
Bilena gritted her teeth, head thrown back, emitting pained noises. Stifled to avoid detection, they leaked from her nose and clenched teeth—pain or pleasure, who knew. But she didn't say stop.
Praising her, I stroked her hair and lower back, gradually picking up speed. Sweat beaded on her pale forehead and long white hair, replacing dried seawater. Booze scent, skin scent. Synesthesia amplified the ecstasy.
Before long, Bilena went limp, unfocused, melting away.
"Oo...ngh..."
Fully conquered, her tight squeeze urged my unrestrained cock mercilessly. Orgasm crashed. Through the condom, my unchecked release battered her insides; she shuddered several more times.
I hugged her tight—too tight to twitch—as I poured out, savoring complete reconciliation with the partner I'd consciously avoided. Skin to skin, mucosa to mucosa, heart to heart. All that remained between us, once walled by rejection, was thin skin and a condom.
Emotional static sparked at the contact. Tingling pleasure swam in my gut. Bilena, gasping like she'd fainted, finally nipped my collarbone and whined.
"Hug...tighter."
"Didn't you say not to cling?"
"...More. We still have...rental time left."
"Rental time? We've got an hour till departure, gloomy auntie?"
I startled and looked aside. Morgan floated there, mermaid-style with just her face above water, glaring at us.
"I step away for a fish peek, and you two consummate. Stuck together like two sea slugs, all slimy."
"Feels better now. No more thinking I was embarrassingly moaning under some guy I barely knew. No more feeling like a heartless dude took my virginity out of pity. But..."
"...But?"
"My body's definitely sore."
The canvas was thoroughly dyed. Guilt nagged because I'd painted without regard for the paper. Her delicate skin was scraped red by the rock, her skinny ankles and knees scraped up. Visible bruises marked every kiss; handprints stamped her ass and thighs.
To the limp, soaked Bilena slung over my back, I apologized profusely, sweating bullets.
"I...should've been more careful..."
"It was good."
"...Good, huh."
"It was good."
Bilena rubbed her cheek against my back and nodded. I decided against adding any lame follow-up apology.
As the sun dipped, Dragon's Nest lit up with night lights. The sea began donning its colorful evening garb. Not just the island and ocean had changed hue.
I carried Bilena—dyed in my colors—on my back and walked.
"It was perfect."