What About Raspberries?

Don't be Suspicious

It was a fairly quiet day at the circus, as they were given a rare break from the ceaseless adventures and were allowed the full day to relax. Jax seemed annoyed by this, but everyone else was relieved. For once, a peaceful, calm atmosphere settled over the tent as the circus members milled about.

Jax was taking a moment to get to know their newest addition, asking about her favorite color and food. Not that he shared the same information.

"Favorite vegetable?" he asked, continuing this little game of theirs. Pomni thought for a moment before answering.

"Hm, probably... I dunno, cucumbers?" she shrugged, having never given it much thought before.

"Really? Water with skin, that's what you're goin' with?" Jax taunted.

"Hey, they're good! What's your favorite vegetable? Carrots?" she shot back playfully. She could've swore she saw the hint of a blush beneath his fur.

"And what the #%$*'s wrong with carrots?" he snapped defensively. She giggled behind her hand as she looked him up and down.

"Oh my God, it is your favorite!" she laughed, and he rolled his eyes with a huff.

"Whatever, real rabbits don't even eat carrots," he corrected. "So, favorite fruit?"

"Something juicy like watermelon or a strawberry," she replied faster than before, having a more solid answer lined up for this question. His ears perked up and he leaned closer, smile stretching across his face.

"Okay, so you like sweet and juicy. Like raspberries."

"Eh? What about raspberries?"

Jax shifted to a more relaxed, nonchalant position. "Do you like them?"

"Uh, I guess. They're pretty good," she nodded in agreement with herself. Jax sat up a little straighter.

"You think so?" If only Pomni had noticed the mischievous glint in his eye, the evil lurking behind his smile.

"Yeah, don't you?" she asked innocently, looking at him from over her shoulder. She immediately wished she hadn't. "Uh, Jax?"

"No, I agree! I think raspberries are great! They're sweet, they make good cheesecake, you can stick 'em on your fingers- they're a diverse lil berry, I'll give them that. But there's an even sweeter kind of raspberry I think you're gonna love," he voice took on a teasing tone. Pomni took a nervous step back.

"N-no thanks, I'm good," she stuttered, backing up against a large set piece.

"Come on, how do ya know you don't like it if ya don't try it?" he goaded. Against her better judgment, Pomni caved.

"Okay... what is it?"

"It's easier if I just show you." When she didn't immediately grab his hand, he made an impatient grabbing motion. "C'mon, you can trust me!"

"I don't know, can I?" she quipped, not bothering to hide a shy smirk. She felt like she was finally starting to adjust to things. Her sass seemed to throw him off guard, even if just a little. He blinked and shook his head before answering.

"Oh please, I'm like the most trustworthy guy here!" That actually made her laugh.

"Sure, okay," she said, totally believable.

"That's it, c'mere!" he growled and lunged for her, managing to scoop her up as she yelled in shock. He carried her squirming body to the nearby couch, sitting down with her stretched across his lap.

"Jax, what the $@%# are you doing?" she cried out, struggling in his arms.

"Hold still, will ya? This is the kinda raspberry I'm talkin' about!" he exclaimed before taking a deep breath. He pushed up Pomni's shirt and buried his face into her soft tummy, blowing as hard as he could. She arched her back with a scream of laughter, tugging on his ears to push him away. That didn't seem to stop him, as he merely brushed her off and took another breath, gearing up for round two.

"Jahahax, dohon't you dahahahare!" she tried to threaten through her giggles, but it only served to challenge him.

Jax stared down at her like the villain from every fairytale she's ever read. "Oh, I dare." And then he was blowing another raspberry, and she was shrieking once again.

"Wow, you sure are ticklish! I think I just found a new form of entertainment," he taunted before diving back in.

"Nohoho! I-I'll kihihill you!"

"Not if you did laughing first!" He punctuated his sentence with another raspberry. Pomni was lost to a fit of laughter as she thrashed and giggled in his lap. Every time she tried to answer, he attacked her tummy with raspberries, making coherent speech impossible.

At this rate, she just might.