AnimeCon Harem 5: To the Con (Patreon)
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Stephanie, Kelly, and Brian stepped out along the poolside patio, blinking in the sunlight as they left their room behind them. Unlike some of the towering complexes nearby, the hotel Brian booked was relatively small, reaching only four stories tall. The tightly-clustered rows of rooms each opened out onto railed verandas, which circled an open-air pool and jacuzzi area. Other scattered groups were leaving their lodgings on all of the levels, many already in costumes or clearly dressed for the convention, and the boisterous sounds of more parties still getting ready echoed out from open doors as they passed. Once again, an eager energy seemed to tremble in the air.
Wow... Kelly thought to herself, watching as a masked killer-corps ninja from Shinobi Souls gave them a silent nod and then snuffed out a cigarette with his split-toed shoe. I havent even had a single smoke all weekend. Shouldnt I be craving nicotine somethin serious by now?
ImIm so excited! Stephanie exclaimed. Is that weird!?
Kinda? Hey, fore we get too much further into everything... how bout we take a picture? Kelly asked innocuously. Of us three, together. A lil group shot?
Thats a good idea! Stephanie agreed, her eyes lighting up.
Sure, Brian gestured towards one of the decorative arrangements of flowered plants near the pool and withdrew both his and Kellys phones from the utility-belt pouches at his waist. How bout over here?
Um, but uhbut who can we ask to take the picture for us? Stephanie wondered, glancing around.
No need, Kelly laughed, gently pushing her into Brian. We dont need nothin fancy. I just want a lil group selfie.
Uwah! Stephanie apologized, bumping away from Brian only to be shoved right back as Kelly maneuvered in close beside her. Um, s-sorry.
No escape for you, my pet. Accepting her cell phone from Brian, Kelly held it up and thumbed into her camera menu, studying the display. You need to be pressin all up against him, all day long.
Guys, smoosh in closer, she insisted, seemingly unwilling to sacrifice even a pixel of her own beguiling smile to tilt the phone further and give the other two more space in the shot. Alright, say shoes! Ready? One, two
Wait, shoes? Brian interrupted with a jerk of his helmet. What happened to saying cheese?
No one says cheese for photos anymore, Kelly rebuked. Smiling with your teeth, like creepy hillbillies? Gross. Saying shoes gives you a way better smile.
What, one of those duck-face, pouty looks? Im not saying shoes. I dont want to look weird.
Y-you can say whatever you hey! Wait, youre still wearing your helmet! Stephanie realized with a laugh, playfully patting a gloved hand against his chest.
Thats more like it. Dont be afraid to touch him. Kelly quirked her lip, steadying her camera. Whatever! One, twothree!
Shoooes!
Cheeeese!
Cheese!
Reaching around behind them, Kelly grabbed Stephanies gloved hand and used it to cup a firm handful of Brians butt the very instant she snapped their photo. The Darkmask helmet swiveled to solemnly regard Stephanie, and she blushed furiously and hid her face. It! That was Kelly! It-it wasnt, I didnt, I w-would never mean to
Hey, dont sell me out. I meanwhoops? What an accident! Kelly teased. One more shot, for real this time? The sound effect for a camera shutter played on her phone as she captured a cute selfie of their trio.
One more, just one more, Kelly insisted. Take your stupid helmet off.
Sure, Brian said, slipping the plastic Darkmask helm off to reveal his face. Hey, take one with my phone, too.
Okay, Kelly took his device as well. One sec, lemme get this first.
Allowing herself a long moment to just look at him in the guise of setting up the shot, Kelly couldnt help but ogle those charming features of his. There was that intensity within those mottled green eyes of his, the clean line of his jaw, that slight, unsure smile of his as he glanced towards Stephanie, still squashed in between them.
Okay, so yeah, hes a little handsome. Kelly considered herself a specimen of the highest quality, and had never been daunted in the slightest by good-looking guys but this situation was different, somehow. Brian was different. She was feeling something more here than sheer physical attractionsomething substantial. There was actual weight and mass exerting a terrifying gravity over her mindscape, a draw that just continued to pull her in deeper into his sphere of influence. There was an alien feeling, deep in her gut, that she was struggling to understand. A grounded and stable feeling, that told her she could rely on Brian.
But, thats impossible, right?
Although reluctant to admit it, she was starting to... trust him. Brian had helped her out more than shed have hoped of even the thirstiest of guys: a three-day convention pass, a place to stay, breakfast, the very expensive outfit she wore todayyet, he genuinely appeared to have no ulterior motives. He wasnt trying to impress her, get into her pants, or take advantage of these situations. While he clearly wasnt free of his earthly desires, he did seem to be in rather firm control of them.
Hes not another asshole who thinks with his dick, Kelly summed up, frowning. Almost kinda wish he was. Least then, Id know how to deal with him.
Here, Kelly snapped the picture and then switched to his phone, pulling away to give Brian and Stephanie some space. Lets get this one with just the two of you.
Alright.
O-okay.
Closer, then. Closer, Kelly instructed, waving them towards each other. Now, put your arms the rest of the way around her. Yeah, like that. Steph, kinda lean in, rest your head on him a bit, there. Perfect.
Kellys fear of becoming the superfluous third wheel for this cute couple had been jettisoned out into deep space after the events earlier this morning. She had a vested interest now, in both of these two geeks. They were both so... different, in a way she couldnt sum up simply by thinking of them as typical convention nerds anymore. Complex?
She took the picture, and was just admiring her handiwork in the displayed photo when the device throbbed with vibration in her hands, and a message appeared.
? iXi Cerulean iXi ?: hey brian
? iXi Cerulean iXi ?: u up n runnin?
You just got a text message, Kelly frowned, handing his phone back to him. Your ex?
Uh-oh, Brian sighed heavily and leaned forward to take a look. Ah, no. Thank God. Its Emily.
That Emily? Stephanie inquired with a smile, jerking her elbow out in a dramatic thumbs-up.
Yeah, that Emily, Brian nodded, trying to tap a response into his phone before realizing the touch screen refused to recognize the material of his costume. Biting a gauntleted fingertip and yanking his hand out, he spat the glove down into the open helmet he was holding with a ptui. Excited for you guys to meet her later, though. Shes a handful.
Are you gonna show us off? Kelly asked with a slight smirk.
I he paused and looked up from his phone, embarrassed. I dont think I really can, right? Its not like either of you belong to me, or anything.
Isnt it kinda like that, though? A little bit? Kelly prodded, intent on spurring him on. She looked to Stephanie for support. Theres somethin goin on tween all of us, right? Stephanie?
Um. Im. Maybe a little, Stephanie stammered, looking from Kelly to Brian. Would, uh, would you want to show us off, Brian?
Well . thats
Yeah, we want to show off, Kelly grinned. Can we?
If thats what you really want, Brian chuckled, fidgeting with his phone. But, snot gonna work. Me and you two girls? Emily wont buy itshe knows me too well.
Well, Steph and mewe can be real convincing, Kelly said.
Besides. What does she know too well about you, huh? That youre just a geek who cant pick up chicks!? Kelly thought, eyeing him up and down as he distractedly thumbed responses into his phone.
That black bodysuit he had on was distractingly skintight, and her gaze kept wandering south of the cartoonish skeleton bone motif, where ever-so-slight delineations in that form-fitting fabric betrayed perfect musculature beneath. Below his utility belt, Kelly admired the pronounced, provocative outline of the cup he wore, and the powerful shapes of his thighs was enough to send brilliant flecks of red searing through her mind. Brians every form and outline seemed drawn in primal, rugged contours, a masculine constellation that burned itself into her brain the longer she looked. Kelly was starting to find it difficult to even glance in his direction without seeing stars, bright little red flashes of lust.
Yeah, right. No way, Kelly thought to herself, biting her lip. More like a wolf in geeks clothing. Once youre able to look past the goofy costumethe GEEK partyou realize hes basically this total diamond in the rough. Hes cute, hes cool, hes got those pensive, brooding green eyes that make it hard for me to concentrate, and yeah, a body thats like its just built to fuck. Those abdominal lines ALONE are fuckin hardwired into the primitive parts of the female braintheyre like, the primeval instruction manual for immediate and intense copulation. Fuuuck!
Uh-huh, Brian sighed, and Kelly thought she saw a bitter look crossing his face before his expression was hidden beneath his Darkmask helmet again. He tucked both phones back into his utility belt pouch, checked to make sure it was secure, and then pulled his glove back on with a tug and a splay of his fingers. Cmon lets head over.
The hell? Kelly frowned, feeling uncomfortable. That glimpse shed caught from Brian bothered her, a lot. Whats he thinking?
Whaddya mean, anyways, she knows you too well? Kelly finally griped. They passed through a small gate that divided the hotel courtyard area from the outside, and stepped out onto the city sidewalk. The Brian I know was eatin pussy last night. He
Kelly, Stephanie admonished, jumping over to quickly cover Kellys mouth with both gloved hands. There were scattered groups of other pedestrians along the sidewalk, and Stephanie bashfully glanced around them to see if anyone had overheard.
Good, shes getting more comfortable bein physical with me, too.
Kelly Stephanie exhaled slowly, lowering her hands in exasperated embarrassment. Y-you cant just say things like that out lou
What, that Brian went pink clam pearl-diving? Kelly teased. That he was lappin at your sap trap?
II dont know what that means, Stephanie insisted, face going red.
Yeah, Im pretty sure that you do, Kelly smiled wickedly, arching an eyebrow. And if not, Brian and I, well be happy to run you through another lesson.
Kelly!
There was a lingering morning chill as they walked over to wait for the crosswalk opposite the convention center. Brian didnt seem bothered by the temperature, and Kelly was wearing several layers of gothic lolita outfit, but Stephanies short and sleeveless Flamituff cosplay exposed a fair amount of skin to the cool morning air. Opportunity for Steph?
BrrRRrr, Kelly trilled in exaggerated discomfort, pretending to suddenly notice Stephanies gijinka sundress. Steph, arent you freezing?
No, Im, um. W-were almost inside again, its fine, the pink-haired girl said with a weak smile, tugging her long red costume gloves up a little higher on her arms. Finally noticing, Brian shifted, settling into place behind her. He let his prop shopping bag dangle from one wrist, bringing his Darkmask gauntlets up to cover Stephanies bare shoulders.
O-oh, ah, thank you, Stephanie said with a small jolt of surprise. Slowly, she relaxed and pressed her slim frame back into him, positively glowing with happiness. As the young couple stood watching the heavy morning traffic rushing by, Kelly took a moment to just watch the pair: a Darkmask minion, protectively shielding the cute Flamituff gijinka from the cold.
Then, the crossing signal flashed, spurring the gathered crowd together across the lanes of pavement to the convention center. Enormous masses of people were arriving at AnimeCon in droves from all directions, filling the sidewalks and joining into the enormous horde of enthusiasts and cosplayers converging at the convention centers entrance plaza. It was clear that for Saturday, many of the cosplayers were pulling out all the stops, as more and more elaborate cosplays seemed to have all crawled out of the woodwork.
A seductive pair of teenage girls wearing matching demon horns, full red body paint, white bikinis, and little else were walked along the sidewalk arm-in-arm. Across the plaza, a dozen young men in historical kimonos and woven straw samurai hats were posing with drawn katanas in a face-off photoshoot. An entire walking steampunk castle was even shuffling and shuddering along the opposite crosswalk through all of the people, prompting Kelly to wonder how many were inside operating the enormous thingand how the hell they would get the hulking thing in through any of the sets of double-doors.
Wow. Slike AnimeCons bleeding out of the convention center, and into real life, Kelly commented. The sight of all the bizarre costumes everywhere she looked lent a dreamlike quality to the scene.
Shouldve seen the diner where I picked us up breakfast, Brian chuckled. All the restaurants and bars on this side of the city are gonna have some very strange customers turning heads today.
What will everyone think when they see me? Kelly was already no stranger to attentioninterest from guys and jealous glares from womenbut, the Calamity Queen set she now wore made her into something else entirely. She was haunting, so stark and out of place that some would be sure to stare, while at the same time, such an ethereal beauty that they might doubt their eyes. After several long years, she remembered the thrill of cosplaying once again. She was eagerly anticipating being seen by even more people, excited to make a huge impression on everyone, so she could bask in their appreciation for her perfect gothic beauty. As luck would have it, however, Stephanie was the one who was noticed first.
Hey! By any chance, is that a Flamituff dress? From Monster Battlers? As their little trio entered the plaza, a pale, dark-haired girl with a nose ring and eyebrows drawn up in bold arches approached Stephanie. Could I please get a few pictures?
Y-yes! Of course, Stephanie breathed, hopping out of the flow of traffic and tensing up in nervous excitement for the photo. Unsure of what to do with her hands, she awkwardly held them at her sides, as if never having posed for a cosplay picture by herself before.
Shes so cute.
Hey, Brian, Kelly said, leaning in close to him as they stepped off to the side to wait. I was bein serious, about what I said earlier.
What? Brians muffled voice called, and he pulled his helmet off again. Sorry, what?
I was being serious earlier, Kelly repeated. I want you to finish that massage you started last night.
What, right now? Brian paused, looking around the area teeming with people.
Not like, right this second, no. Kelly grinned. Just, soon, okay? And, I want a massage like you gave Stephanieyou know, the kind with a happy ending.
I... didnt give Stephanie a massage, Brian said carefully.
Uh, yeah, Im pretty sure that ya did, Kelly said. Look how... relaxed she is. Look at her smile! She can barely keep her feet on the ground, after that tongue-lashing she got. I want that.
Shes just... excited for the convention, Brian laughed, looking out across the overflowing crowds of anime fans trooping in towards the convention centers entrances.
I just told him straight-up that I want him eating me out. Nothin? No reaction at all?
Yeah, okay, Kelly sighed in exasperation. Well, shes certainly excited to have more fun. How bout you?
Arent we all having fun right now? Brian countered with the hint of a smile, before abruptly changing the subject. How do you like wearing the outfit?
Yeah... spretty neat, Kelly mused after a long moment, nodding and presenting him a patient smile. So, hes not actually that dumb for real. Just... I dunno, being purposefully dense? Deflecting things? But, why? He cant seriously have no fucking interest in me at all, right? Was a real bitch to get into, though. Think youll be able to help me take it all off, later?
That... doesnt sound appropriate, he said, looking over towards Stephanie. She was excitedly chatting with the girl whod taken her picture.
No, guess it doesnt, does it? Kelly smirked, edging a little closer to him. You know, theres a meaning to when a guy gives a girl a dress to wear.
Hah, Brian shook his head. Bet the meaning gets a little convoluted when its a dress he bought for someone else, though.
That can be fun too, though, Kelly smiled, her voice dropping to a velvety, rolling purr. Im wearing your girls clothes, huh? Does that mean I should act like Im your girlfriend for today?
To her surprise, he didnt look flattered, or even amused by her words. He lookeduncomfortable, uneasy, and not in the good way. He didnt meet her gaze, and his eyes seemed to tighten into a distant, cagey look, instantly bringing to mind that bitter look from before.
Hes... thinking about his ex!
...Christ, I hope not, Brian muttered under his breath, and he put his helmet back on, cutting off further conversation.
His sudden flash of antipathy seemed directed at that ex-girlfriend, so Kelly didnt feel quite as slighted as she should have. Flirting had never misfired in such a spectacular way, though, and the dark-haired beauty found herself once again in an awkward position.
Is he a wolf in geeks clothing, or isnt he? Im USED to hunting wolves. Alphas of the pack, even, Kelly groused. Put out a bit of meat, and theyll move right in for a good kill. Not used to poaching this skittish game that you cant even lure out. So, is he like another one of those geeky herbivores after all?
They watched as Stephanie finally thanked the photographer and pranced back over towards them, her rabbit ears bobbing and skirt bouncing. Of course, Kelly couldnt help but remember this same shy little weeb with her legs spread, involuntarily shuddering back against her with pleasure as she was tongued out of her goddamn mind. The sight of Brian poised over the girl like a predator, feasting on his prey
Okay... no, so maybe hes not a COMPLETE herbivore. And, there is his rockin body, too. Guess it was just the way I said things? Pushed the wrong button? He really wasnt kidding about still having weird baggage and open wounds from his ex, sheesh.
Skullfie!
Where?
Holy shit, hey, Skullfie! Darkmask!
The moment between them had become awkward, but relief came in the form of three of college-aged guys, each wearing headbands with crude Japanese slogans drawn on them. The hooligans all clambered around Brian, apparently drawn over by his cosplay.
Thats so badass! Can we get your picture? One of the guys asked.
Skullfie? What? Another of the friends joked. Where, behind this perfectly normal shopper? Hes even carrying a Komari-mart bag! Pffft!
Steph! Kelly whispered loudly, sidling over beside the girl as Brian started chatting with the guys. Once those guysre done with Brian, go lean in, and like, fix the collar of his costume.
Okay, Stephanie agreed, before taking a second baffled glance. But, uh, whats wrong withdoes, does his collar even need to be fixed?
Thats the gimmick, Kelly replied, rolling her eyes. He cant tell whether theres anything wrong or not. Not without a mirror. It gets you close, its an intimate gestureshows both that youre paying attention to his appearance, and that youre looking out for him. Im not gonna have time to explain every little thing each time a chance pops up, though, ya know? When I tell ya to do something, just do it.
Okay, Stephanie nodded, biting her lip. I-I can do that.
Today, I want you to be all over Brian. You stick close. Whenever youre not holding his hand, have your arm around him or somethin. Itll be crowded, so when you cant walk by his side... at least have a hand on him, somewhere. Always.
B-but, then, what about you?
Dont worry about me, Im working some... other angles. You focus on constant body contact. Keep touchin him, all day. Flirt with him, smile, play with that pretty pink hair of yours. Keep making eye contact and smiling. Make yourself seem as open, inviting, and available to him as you can. Cant be afraid to be a little forward to get what you want.
Is-is this wrong? I mean, us doing this, when he doesnt uh, doesnt want to
He does want to, hes just holding himself back, Kelly countered. His ex has his head in a weird place, thats all. Didnt you two kiss, yesterday? How hesitant was he last night when he was burying his face in your muff? He was at it for like, a while, you know? Longer than most guys. Seemed pretty eager, once he got his first taste.
I...I get it! I get it. Okay, Stephanie said, embarrassed. Ill try.
And, theres not only that, Kelly tugged a lock of Stephanies vivid pink hair. What about all of this? This whatever it is hes done to you. Hes gotta take responsibility. Cmon, Steph isnt this what you want?
I want Stephanie frowned, seemingly wrestling with how to put her desires into words. Well, I, um, I know I want to do something. For him, after everything hes done for me.
Sounds like you feel guilty, then, Kelly teased. Like, you just wanna pay him back for him goin down on you. So, you wanna blow him todaygive him your messy lil first blowjob?
N-no, no, thats not what I mean. I dont think I even could Stephanie blushed, cutely furrowing her brow. N-no, I just dont think that I could pay him back, wi-with me trying to do that. He was, um, amazing, and I dontI dont know the first thing about
Snot exactly rocket surgery, Steph, Kelly explained with a laugh. I can show you a thing or two, sure, but if youre worried bout technique, then how bout we skip all these... formalities, and just have him fuck you? Its not complicated, and you dont need to know anything, or even really do much of anything, to send him off to heaven.
...Rocket surgery? Steph regarded Kelly with a dubious expression. Y-you dont think that thats... a little extreme? I mean, uh, since I am still a, um. Since Ive never had, uh... had real sex.
I dunno guys One of the slogan headband-wearing college guys over with Brian joked, narrowing his eyes in feigned suspicion. I think he might actually be one of those evil minion guys But, in disguise. You know, one of those Darkmask guys?
Darkmask? Me? Brian intoned in a raspy voice from within his Darkmask helm, hefting his stenciled shopping bag. Kid, you sure know how to joke around.
Guess thats what a Darkmask, or a Skullfie or whatever is supposed to say? Kelly wondered, a little charmed by the situation. Cute.
Youre freakin awesome, man. Hey, can I try on your helmet for a picture real quick?
Whered you get the bag, do they sell them somewhere?
Did you make the helmet yourself?
Makin a big deal outta being a virgin is like being that one friend who always brings up that they dont know how to swim, Kelly muttered in a low voice, turning back to Stephanie. I say, throw em in the fucking water, then. Get it over with.
Haha, ha, Stephanie chuckled weakly, shoulders sagging. She dropped her forehead into her gloved hands. Of course you would say that. The thing is, well, I dont think that, um, I could ever be that forward with anyone. Even, uh, even him. Maybe especially him? And, thats not, well, exactly what I want
Well, Stephanie, what do you really want, then? Kelly asked, rolling her eyes.
More of of all of this. I want this weekend to never end, Stephanie replied wistfully. To learn ev-everything about Brian, just... everything there is. To get to know you better, too, Kelly. For you to open up to us, for the three of us to all be best friends, and more of this.
Lets not ruin the moment by gettin to know each other too much, okay? Kelly sighed. Thatll only ever get uglyyou dont wanna get to know me.
I do, though, Stephanie insisted, a persistent, serious look in her eyes. I... I do want to know you.
No, Steph, you dont.
Yes, I do!
Arent you supposed to be all shy and shit? Kelly narrowed her eyes in suspicion at the shy-looking girl. When did you grow a backbone?
I didnt! Stephanie said, a little too proudly. I-I dont need one. I have you. And Brian. And, were friends, wh-whether or not youll admit it. Last night, you both pushed me to be brave, to be honest, to open upto trust in you guys. And, it was worth it! It was it was more than anything I ever hoped for.
Well, glad that it worked out for you, then, Kelly snorted, shaking her head. Bravo.
So will you try? Stephanie asked again, giving her a pleading look. To open up, a little? To us? Y-your feelings, I mean, not just your, um. Your...
Legs? Kelly smirked. Did she almost go for a dirty joke? We really DO have a whole new Stephanie, today.
Yes... those.
Well, we can get into all that stuff later on, or... tonight, alright? Kelly proposed. Well all have drinks and talk. Talkin about my issues right now would ruin the mood, spoil our good fun.
Okay, Stephanie agreed nervously. You promise?
What, Kelly joked, dont you trust me? Share my whole stupid sob story with these guys? The more Im around them, the less I want them to know. Maybe it really will be time to split before too long. Right after I take care of...
I Steph began, looking at her with that serious expression again, I really want to. You might be the best friend Ive ever had.
Geez, I hope youre kidding, Kellys laugh trailed off as she remembered discovering the address book in Stephanies phonethere hadnt even been enough listings to generate a scrollbar.
Does she really have no fucking friends? Seeing Stephanie in that perspective made her feel strangely uneasy. Shed taken it for granted that Stephanie was just another hopelessly naivé geek, lacking real experience with the bitter truths of the worldbut, maybe that was doing this girl a disservice.
For whatever reasonprobably that social anxiety thingStephs practically been all alone, Kelly thought, frowning slightly. Of course shed hide away, get more and more introverted. Vulnerable, and all that. Hows she sposed to know any better? Snot really her fault, then, that shes the way she is. A shy, dorky loser. But, if shes making this big effort now to try and reach out, nowand I DONT help herisnt some of that actually on me, then?
Thing is, Im NOT her friend, though. Not for real.
Hey, sorry bout that, Brian interrupted Kellys pensive look as he hurried back over towards them. They all wanted pictures. You guys okay? Everything cool?
Weuh, were Steph hesitated, looking nervously to Kelly.
Were cool, Kelly decided, wetting her luscious lips with her tongue and mustering a smile for them.
Hundreds of anime fans were surging into the convention beneath the enormous AnimeCon banner hung proudly above the plaza. Finally passing through one of the dozen pairs of double-doors and inside the wide convention centers lobby, Stephanie and Kelly squeezed in even closer to Brian for safety. The dissonant jumble of dozens of different nearby conversations filled the air, and the three companions were momentarily at a loss as to which overcrowded direction to try to push through.
Despite the lavish size of the enclosed areaand it was enormousit was already filled to the brim with people. Everyone was packed in like pocki, and there was simply nowhere for the trio to go, no gaps opening up throughout the diverse swath of cosplay enthusiasts and anime fanatics.
This place... is fucking crazy, Kelly almost had to shout to be heard, and Brians skull helmet bobbed in a nod of agreement.
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