The Shape of Things to Come (Hypernaturals 15)

Post Love Planning

Denise, with her hair wrapped in a towel, tapped the screen of the computer. Her fingernails are always trimmed short as a practical matter. I had a weird moment thinking about the venue, Claremont, the recent shower, and another, much pointier finger, Helen's.

That made me realize I am not utterly used to Denise in this setting. She is still 'new' here, or even as a full-time spouse. A spouse to be, but that is a formality. She said yes. She is wearing the ring and the towel and nothing else. Even weirder in this odd mental moment is that knowledge that she is not here to replace Helen. Helen is still very much in my Vampire-weird-Poly-Pod-marriage-thing. A frisson of human-think is all this is.

Claremont is where Morgan joined us. Memorably. Claremont is where 'new' happens frequently. Even the new Boot Camp is near here.

The moment passed as quickly as it arrived. A multi-century viewpoint on this reasserted itself. I am not human anymore and I cannot think of relationships in human terms any longer. Even though mental habits mean I still do now and then.

Denise is calling my attention to something, and that is not new. My lover and Crew Lead does that all the time. I know to pay attention.

On the computer screen was a satellite picture of our target. I assumed from the resolution, a recent shot from a new, high-resolution surveillance bird. The age of orbital assets varies a great deal. Some are brand new. Some have been up there twenty years.

Speaking of 'new', Fiona, her wet hair hanging loosely, come over for a look. She leaned over Denise's shoulder. Wet hair tickling bare skin. Their effortless and unbothered physical intimacy spoke volumes.

"This is our way in. We need to plan our setup around this point of entry." Denise told Fiona.

"That looks challenging." Fiona told her.

"We can do it." Denise said very confidently. I wish I was as self-assured. Helps to be pushing 600 I guess.

Fiona leaned back. "Well. I am glad I got well laid before this plan. May not be an after-this-plan bit of sex available from the bigot burglars."

"You enjoyed that?" Denise asked, in the way you ask a giggling, giddy kid after they got off the roller coaster.

"Oh, yes. So very much. A male Vampire is a lovely change from a steady diet of humans most of the time. The new Boot Camp is not an easy place to get scheduled in, even if I bring wine. Also, and better: such fine attention to detail! I forgot I had a few of those ticklish places." Fiona said.

"One does feel well-loved." Denise agreed.

"Adrian? You are not going to be all weird with me now are you?" Fiona asked me very directly.

"Only if you try to put on clothes." I said.

"I mean, all the family rules about having permission and such." Fiona expanded upon her concern.

"Oh. He's had permission to bump nasties with you since forever. Helen gives him shit about NOT taking you to his cave." Denise said. "Hey: I get to have a say now. I'm engaged. Adrian: it's OK if you screw Fiona blind, OK?"

"Thank you, dear." I replied. "That will take some work. Her Vampire nature has, shall we say, set her free. Might take hours. Days. I am not even sure that I, as a single and lowly male Vampire, can achieve blindness on my own. I may need help. I may have to call in Danny and DeWayne."

"Yes, please!" Fiona nodded with enthusiasm.

"Update: It's OK for you to screw Fiona as close to blind as you are able, as long as you do not pay less attention to me and my needs. Fiancé, you know. Means I have first dibs in this situation." Denise amended.