Brad & Jen: Date #2 (Patreon)

((The canonicity of this might be dubious, but I like it, so let’s assume this takes place on that same Wednesday of Chapters 35 and 36. If you guys enjoy this, more Brad & Jen can happen in the future.))

Brad left the gym on Wednesday morning with a mixed bag of emotions. He ate breakfast alone in the cafeteria since the only table with familiar faces and an open seat was with Yvonne. She looked like hell, but she deserved it for spreading all those rumors about Arthur and trying to get him kicked out of the Theater Club. Life had been too dramatic lately, and Brad was the kind of theater nerd who preferred his drama on stage, not in real life. 

Selene’s invite to the Ren Faire seemed like a good idea. Even if he didn’t go with Arthur and his girlfriends, a Saturday off-campus might be fun. Going with Jen was also a good idea, but that would make it second-date territory. Would she even be into that? 

Homecoming had been nice, and their time after at the Alpha Theta Epsilon party was wild. Maria blamed Selene and Arthur for turning them all into sex-addicted freaks, but Brad wasn’t sure he fit that description. Seeing Mark and Maria go at it had been a strange experience that only got weirder when Jen showed her bi side. The partner swapping, finding out Mark was bi, and everything else was all strange new territory. 

It’d been hot as fuck at the time, sure, but afterward? Sunday had left Brad feeling like he’d jumped a canyon somewhere, and now there was no going back. He couldn’t unsee Maria’s tits or Marks’ dick. And the worst part? 

None of them were discussing it. From the impressions he got from Mark and Maria, it might as well be like it’d never happened. He’d texted Jen a few times since, but she’d been busy, or other people had been around when they saw each other in the cafeteria. They hadn’t had a chance to discuss it either. 

Now that he considered it, Jen was a bit of a freak. Not in a bad way, but she was definitely more sexually advanced than he was. Not that Brad was a slouch in the sex department. He had a decent dick, and he was in killer shape. His workouts with Arthur paid off in dividends over the years. Still, despite appearances, he was a romantic at heart, which fucked with him a bit. 

College girls weren’t really interested in a relationship with him. At least, the ones he met at parties and shit weren’t. They wanted sex, and unlike Arthur, Brad wasn’t an oblivious idiot or taken for most of his college career. He’d slept around and started a few things he’d hoped would turn into more than one-night stands. He was disappointed. 

Then Jen came along, and she seemed nice. She was friends with Maria, who vouched for her, and she was pretty and hot and into comic books, and they had a lot in common. She’d even said she was interested in more than sex and one-night stands. 

So why did he feel used? 

Brad tried to brush off the slump as he sat through his Art History class. Cubism could only hold his attention for so long, though. He preferred the paintings of the Renaissance. Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt were recognizable names for a reason. Picasso was too, but could anyone name a second cubist? Or maybe that was the point of this class. 

He imagined attending the Ren Faire as a Michael Angelo cosplay, though people would probably only recognize his work and not the man. It’d be too deep a cut. He’d have to walk around with a painting or something for people to get it, and that was too much effort. No, he should probably go as something simple or himself. He didn’t have a ton of money lying around for extra costume pieces. Though, with Halloween coming up next week, he could always spring for a pirate costume or something cheap. Otherwise, that was what credit cards were for, and what was the point of youth if he couldn’t make financially irresponsible decisions. 

After class, he pulled out his phone and hung out against the wall in the hallway, texting Jen. 

Brad: Hey, I know it’s short notice, but I was thinking of going to the Ren Faire this Saturday. Would you be interested in joining me? We could make a date out of it. 

Jen started typing, then stopped. Brad frowned and braced himself as she resumed typing. 

Jen: Sure! Is this a group date or an us date? 

Brad: It might be a group date. Arthur and his girlfriends are going, but we don’t have to go with them. We can go on our own. I’m not sure if Mark and Maria are going, but I know I want to go, and I wanted to invite you. 

Jen: Okay, cool. Can you do me a favor then? 

Brad: Sure? 

Jen: Take me out without the others. A solo date. 

Brad: Oh. Sure! When works for you?

Jen: How about tonight? 

Brad: Sure. What would you like to do? 

Jen: Whatever you want to do. 

Brad: Well, you’re good at costumes and stuff, right? Want to have dinner, then help me pick a costume for the Ren Faire?

Jen: Taking me shopping on date #2? I love it. When are you available? 

Brad: My last class should be over by about 4, so you want to say 5? 

Jen: That works! Pick me up at the ATE house? 

Brad: See you then!

Jen: Can’t wait, Superman. 

Brad wasn’t the type to puff out his chest, but ending the texts made him walk taller than he had been. He smiled as he tucked his phone away, hoping that Jen did the same wherever she was. 

~~~

Jen put her phone in her purse, unable to hide the smile on her face. She’d been sitting in the House’s lounge doing her homework in one of the oversized chairs. Across from her, Kendall and Rebecca, two of her many housemates, did the same. Textbooks were out, anyway, but Jen was obviously texting for the last few minutes, Rebecca was taking selfies, and Kendall was scrolling TikTok. 

“Ooo.” Kendall said. “Was that the new boy?” 

“Yeah.” Jen said. “We’ve got a second date tonight and a third potentially on Saturday.” 

“Planning a third date already? You must really like this guy.” Kendall said. 

“Yeah.” Jen said, nodding. “He’s cute and hot, and we have a lot of the same interests… I dunno. He’s sweet and a little dopey, but he’s not afraid to have fun and push his boundaries.” 

“Let’s see a pic.” Rebecca said, gesturing to Jen’s phone. 

Jen rolled her eyes but produced a picture of them at Homecoming, showing the girls a group selfie Maria had taken. “That’s him there, the tall one between me and Maria.” 

Rebecca and Kendall scrutinized the photo with all the evaluations of sommeliers sampling wines. They glanced at each other, and whatever their silent conversation contained, they seemed to agree. 

“Girl, he’s basic as fuck.” Kendall chuckled. 

“You might as well just Google ‘generic college hot guy,’ and I bet he’s in the top ten results.” Rebecca added. 

“He looks like a Fuckboi. He’s fit and fine, but… that’s not boyfriend material. He just wants to fuck you, sweetie.” Kendall shook her head and returned her attention to TikTok. 

Neither girl noticed Jen’s anger as she put her phone away. A few minutes later, unable to hold her tongue a moment longer but not wanting to fight over nothing, she left. She went to her room and picked out her outfit for the night. 

They were going costume shopping, so she picked something easily removable. A navy blue cotton T-shirt dress. Its wide collar showed a bit of skin without revealing any cleavage. The hem hung loose about her upper thighs. It was shorter than many of her dresses, but she didn’t mind that. It clung loosely to her torso, fitting well enough to show off her figure without being overly tight or restrictive. She could pull the whole thing off or on in one quick movement, making it perfect for trying on costumes. 

She decided not to wear jewelry that evening since it would only get in the way. That meant she’d have to do her hair or decide on some other way of looking nice. Matching underwear was a must, especially if she decided to tease Brad or if things went well enough for them to come back here. She had options but chose black lace. It matched the shade of her hair and looked good on her while barely obscuring her large nipples and wisp of pubic hair. 

With that pulled and laid out on her bed, Jen went about her day. It wasn’t until after her class, when she returned to the Alpha Theta Epsilon house, that she had time to consider her date again. 

“Hey Jen!” Maria said, waving to her as she entered the foyer. 

“Hey, Maria.” Jen said, smiling. “What’s up?” 

“I was wondering if you’d be interested in coming to the Renaissance Faire this weekend? Brad’s going to be there…” Maria said, letting her suggestion dangle. 

Jen laughed. “I know. He invited me already.” 

“Oh!” Maria said. “Good! Selene invited me while we were working today. I wasn’t sure if she’d already talked to Brad.” 

Jen shrugged. “I guess she did. Can we walk and talk? I have to get ready.” 

“Sure.” Maria obliged and followed Jen upstairs. “What are you getting ready for?” 

“Brad and I have another date tonight. He’s taking me shopping to help him pick a costume for the fair.” Jen explained. “And we’ll get dinner out, I imagine.” 

“Oh, nice.” Maria said. “Mind if Mark and I tag along?” 

“Actually… I think I’d prefer it if tonight is just us.” Jen said. She had no reason to be bashful but felt bad about not inviting Maria and Mark. “I want to get to know Brad one-on-one before we throw ourselves into another big group date, you know?” 

“Of course.” Maria said without skipping a beat. “I totally get it.” She nodded. “Mark and I already have Ren Faire costumes anyway. We’ve gone before.” 

“Oh?” Jen asked as they reached her room. She opened the door and held it so Maria could scoot in before her. She closed the door behind them and threw her bag and purse down by her desk as Maria stood to the side, then sat. “What are you two going as? What’s pretty normal for this kind of thing?” 

“You haven’t gone before?” Maria asked. 

“I’m more of a comic-con kinda gal.” Jen said, pointing to her closet. Half was normal clothing, but the other half? The other half was a series of Star Wars or comic book-themed costumes. Some were sexy by design, while others covered everything. They ranged in modesty from generic loose floor-length hooded Jedi robes to minuscule Supergirl miniskirts, leotards, and skin-tight spandex. None of them were lingerie, but they didn’t have to be lingerie to be sexy. 

“Well, these would work.” Maria pointed to the Jedi robes. “If you wanted to go as a monk or something.” She shrugged. “Or could you repurpose them and go as a wizard? Or a sorceress?” 

“Is Brad into that?” Jen asked, surprised. Like herself, he seemed more into sci-fi than fantasy. 

“Eh.” Maria shrugged. “I love Brad, truly I do, but he’s a guy. He’ll enjoy any costume that’s even a little sexy on you. So don’t worry too much.” 

“What about a Slave Leia bikini? Do you think he’d like that?” Jen asked. 

“Is he a guy who’s seen Star Wars? Of course, he’d like that.” Maria said, laughing as she moved her way through the costumes in Jen’s closet. She didn’t see that one, but it wouldn’t be hard to find in a shop with Halloween drawing near. 

Jen laughed. Maria had a fair point at that. Anyone even remotely attracted to women who’d seen that movie knew and loved that costume. It wasn’t very feminist, but it was pretty damn sexy. Objectification aside, Leia was a badass who killed the guy who made her wear it. So, there was a certain aspect of empowerment in it, not unlike some of the superhero costumes Jen had in her closet. 

“These are great.” Maria said, astonished at the craftsmanship. “Did you make all these yourself?” 

“Most.” Jen admitted. “I’ve tailored them. Some pieces are purchased, some I made myself.” 

“Nice.” Maria said. “But… I don’t see anything here that jumps out at me as a good Ren Faire costume. Do you have anything medieval or history-ish?” 

“I’ve got a Wonder Woman costume I could modify.” Jen suggested as she stripped out of her jeans. Her sweater joined her jeans on the floor, and she traded her panties for the black lace thong on the bed. 

Maria averted her eyes out of a sense of locker room etiquette, but she and Jen had crossed those boundaries before. Though, Jen’s undressing now wasn’t an invitation. It was what she’d come here to do to change for her date. 

“Do you have any lingerie outfits?” Maria asked. 

“I can’t wear those to the fair.” Jen said, eyeing Maria suspiciously. 

Maria laughed. “Of course not.” She shook her head. “No, I was thinking the night before the fair. Selene had an idea… well, she invited us, I mean…” Maria closed her eyes, returned her attention to the costumes and the closet, and turned her back on Jen as Jen removed her bra. “Mark, Brad, and Arthur are having a guys’ night on Friday. Selene, Arthur’s girlfriend, or one of them, you met her at Homecoming, invited you and I to join her. She wants us to give the guys a sexy surprise, dressing up a little and playing hostesses to their guys’ night.” 

Jen adjusted the straps of her new bra and froze mid-adjustment. She considered Maria’s words, picturing herself, Maria and Selene showing up to a guys’ night and surprising the guys. Maria and Selene were both in committed relationships with their guys. Jen and Brad hadn’t had that conversation. Maybe tonight they would? But what if the date went badly? She didn’t want to commit to two full dates after this one. Bailing on the Ren Faire would be easy enough, but she’d feel bad canceling plans on the girls. Plus, if tonight went poorly and she and Brad didn’t work out as a couple on their own, he probably wouldn’t be happy to see Maria and Selene invading the guys’ night they had their eyes set on. 

“What did you say when she invited you?” Jen asked. 

“I said I’d be willing.” Maria said. “But I wanted to see what you thought about it, and Selene told me to text you so she could sell you on the idea like she did me.” 

“How did she sell you on it?” Jen asked as she pulled her dress on and put her arms through the short sleeves. 

“Basically telling me it was for the guys, and the look on their faces, that kind of thing. I’d be doing it for Mark. It’d be the best night of his year. For Selene, it’s the same with Arthur.” 

Jen adjusted her dress, swishing the skirt and smoothing it on her lap as she checked herself in the mirror. “That’s nice for you guys, but… I’m not sure Brad and I are there yet. However, I am open to new experiences…” She hesitated, thinking about it. “But… I think I might be willing.” 

Maria seemed surprised but didn’t ask whatever question popped into her head. 

“I’d have to talk to Selene first.” Jen said. “Did she tell you to give me her number?” 

Maria shrugged. “Well, she told me to tell you to text her, but you can’t exactly do that without her number, so… just tell her why you’re texting and who you are.” Maria said, pulling out her phone to text Jen Selene’s information. Jen’s phone dinged in her purse, but she barely noticed as she checked her face in the mirror. 

“How close is your date tonight?” Maria asked. 

Jen shimmied out of her panties and put on her new ones. The black lace was thin and transparent as it swept up her legs, with narrow straps that lifted over her hips and a thong backside that dipped low before disappearing between her round cheeks. 

“In like… ten minutes?” Jen said, glancing at the wall as if there were a clock there. 

“Anything I can do to help?” Maria asked, glancing around.

“Not really?” Jen asked. “How are you on moral support? Do you think Brad will like the dress?” 

Maria smiled, a bit condescending but supportive. “He’ll love it if he knows what’s good for him.” 

Jen laughed. “I don’t know his tastes.” 

“Honey, you don’t even have to worry. He’s into you. I could see it all over his face on Saturday.” Maria said. 

“Then why wait until today to ask me out and on another group date?” Jen asked. “Why not ask me for coffee or dinner, just the two of us? Even a Netflix and chill?” 

“He’s nervous and an idiot. All men are.” Maria said, shrugging. “I had to take over for Mark, or he’d never have asked me out. Selene even had to make the first move on Arthur. So you’re in good company.” 

“Yeah…” Jen hesitated. “Are you sure you’re comfortable with the Friday night idea? Are we planning a repeat of last Saturday, but with Arthur and Selene? I barely know them.” 

Maria shrugged. “I’m nervous about it myself. No offense, but I don’t know you as well as I know Selene. So it wouldn't be a big deal if things got weird after last Saturday and you stopped talking to me or something. But Selene? We’ve been friends for years. If we did something like that, and it went wrong or weird… I don’t know. It’s complicated.” 

“What about Brad?” Jen asked. “You’re friends with him too, right? And Arthur? Were you worried about things being weird between you and Brad after Saturday?” 

“A little.” Maria admitted. “But I’m not as close with him as Mark is. He’s a great guy and a good friend, but if he stopped talking to me… I’d be okay.” 

“But that’s not true of Selene?” Jen asked, still curious as she adjusted her makeup in the mirror. 

“No. I work with Selene on top of the Theater Club and friendship. If things crossed a line with her, it’d be weird and… I don’t know. I’m worried that’s something we couldn’t come back from.” Maria said. “I don’t want to lose her as a friend.” 

“I get that.” Jen said. “But you said yes anyway?” 

“Yeah.” Maria said. “I’m… curious.” 

Jen smiled softly, pulling a brush out of her drawer and teasing her curls. “I’ll text her. See what she has in mind… if tonight goes well, I’m sure it’ll be fun.” 

Maria smiled. “Have fun tonight. Go help your man broaden his horizons, and get him a decent costume for the fair and maybe one for Halloween. Lord knows he could use the help.” 

Jen chuckled. “Does he have bad taste in costumes?” 

Maria shrugged. “Last year he went as, get this, Foggy Nelson, for Halloween.” 

“From Daredevil?” Jen asked, immediately. 

Maria sighed. “Yeah. Except he’s buff and doesn’t look like the actor, and unless he was standing next to Seb - his friend who went as Daredevil - no one had any idea who he was supposed to be.” 

Jen smiled. For some reason, she found the idea of Brad in that kind of costume rather adorable. In her opinion, he’d be a better fit for a Superman costume than a Jimmy Olsen. He wasn’t as buff or broad as Henry Cavill but had a good jawline and sturdy muscles. Any superhero cosplay would probably look decent on him, even in spandex. 

Maria eyed Jen’s bookshelf, which was full of graphic novels. “You probably think that’s a great deep cut, but it was a bad costume.” 

“I’ll get him something good.” Jen said, nodding. “I know a little shop in the city, depending on how far he’s willing to drive.” 

“Well, good luck.” Maria said, starting toward Jen’s door. “Have fun on your date!” 

“Tell Mark I said hi.” Jen said, brushing herself off and getting ready to leave. 

Maria nodded and departed, leaving Jen alone for a few minutes before Brad arrived downstairs. 

~~~

Brad took a deep breath to steady himself with both hands on the wheel. He parked his Nissan sedan on the curb and tilted his head to see the front door of Alpha Theta Epsilon’s sorority house. His rearview mirror pep talk had gone well. Now, he just had to leave the car and go up to the door. 

He closed the door behind him and texted Jen as he approached. 

Brad: I’m here! About to knock.

He knocked twice before the door opened to reveal a smiling Maria on the other side. 

“Hey, Brad!” She said cheerily. “What can I do for you?” 

“Oh, uh… Hi, Maria. I was… um…” 

“Holy shit, man. You’re a stuttering mess. Relax. It’s a date, not skydiving.” Maria laughed. “Jen’s upstairs. Come in.” 

Brad accepted Maria’s invitation and her knowledge of their plans at face value. He stepped inside, waiting in the foyer for Jen. She appeared on the stairs a few moments later, obviously rushing until she spotted him when her steps slowed. Her black curly hair was down around her shoulders, framing her cute face and button nose. She smiled at him, and Brad felt his heartbeat race. 

“You look nice.” Maria said, assuring him. The polo and slacks were a touch formal without being suit-clothes territory. He’d combed his hair and cleaned himself up after class. He smelled faintly of aftershave, but its fading aroma was a pleasant, manly scent in the air. Maria smiled, seeing how nervous he was and knowing Jen’s nerves matched his. They were adorable, and she couldn’t wait to tell people she introduced them at their wedding. “Have fun tonight. And word of advice?” 

Brad looked at Maria expectantly. 

“Do whatever the lady wants.” She winked and walked away, letting Brad return his gaze to Jen as she reached the bottom of the stairs. 

“Ready?” Jen asked as she approached. 

“Ready.” Brad agreed. He opened the door for her, and Jen slid past him. He caught up to her on the walkway and gestured toward his car. He opened the passenger door for her, and she gave him a look. “What?” 

“I appreciate your being a gentleman.” Jen said. “But you don’t have to.” 

“Maybe I’m just meticulous about who I let touch my car.” Brad said, as if that were the more likely possibility. 

Jen raised an eyebrow. It was a nice car, but it wasn’t a sports car or anything posh. Still, it looked freshly washed and waxed. Brad could tell she wasn’t sure if he was serious, so he smiled impishly to show that he wasn’t, just in case she thought he was some kind of car nut or something. He wasn’t. He just believed in caring for things he spent thousands of dollars on. Besides, he and Bessy, his car, had been through a lot together. She deserved a driver who took excellent care of her. 

Brad jogged around the front, started her up, and pulled away from the curb. “Do you want dinner or shopping first?” Brad asked. 

“Shopping first.” Jen said, nodding. “We’ll feel better trying on costumes with empty stomachs.” 

“Ha.” Brad said, nodding. “You want to go to the mall? They have one of those pop-up costume shops where the Macy’s used to be.” 

“We can start there.” Jen said. “But, if you want, I know a pretty decent costume shop in Crofton. I’ve gotten some cosplay pieces there.” 

“Do they have pirate costumes?” Brad asked. 

“Is that what you’re thinking for Saturday?” Jen asked. 

“Well, kinda.” Brad said. “I figured if we don’t find anything better, I could repurpose an old Zorro costume into a Dread Pirates Roberts? Or just go as Zorro.” 

“Are you Latino?” Jen asked. 

Brad shook his head. “No, but… it’s Zorro. It’s not cultural appropriation, is it?” Now that he mentioned it, he wasn’t sure. He hadn’t really thought about it. “He’s a fictional character, not a cultural icon or anything.”  

Jen wasn’t sure any more than Brad was. She shrugged. “No idea. But… let’s see if we can’t find you something better.” 

Brad nodded his agreement and drove in silence for a few minutes as they traveled along the road. He headed toward Crofton since he knew the general direction, but he had no idea where specifically this shop was. The neighborhoods by campus thinned out eventually, and the suburban streets gave way to a brief rural slice before the suburbs picked up again. 

“So, you like Zorro, huh?” Jen asked. 

Brad nodded. “Yeah. My mom and I used to watch the old show from the fifties.” 

“That’s cool.” Jen said. “My mom was never really into heroes. She’s a bit of a literature snob. But she likes a few of the graphic novels I’ve forced her to read over the years. My dad’s pretty big into them, though. He likes a lot of those old pulp heroes and radio shows.” 

“Like the Shadow?” Brad asked, surprised. 

“What evil lurks in the hearts of men!” Jen recited. 

“The Shadow knows…” Brad finished the statement with a slight chuckle. “I listened to a few of those when I was a kid, I think. I saw the movie too.” 

“Oh god, the movie.” Jen laughed. “That was terrible.” 

“I loved it as a kid.” Brad said, chuckling. 

“It was such a pitiful waste of talent. The cast list in that movie was top tier, and that’s what they did with it?” Jen said. “It was almost as bad as the phantom.” 

“Okay, you leave Billy Zane out of this. That movie is dear to me and if you hate on it you can walk home.” Brad said in mock challenge. 

“Really?” Jen asked, surprised. “You’d end the date over my taste in old 90s movies?” 

“I mean, not just any 90s movies. The Phantom, The Shadow, and The Rocketeer are all near and dear to my heart.” Brad said. “And if you can’t appreciate them, then I don’t see how this is ever going to work. It’d be like me saying the prequels are better than the original Star Wars movies.” 

“Okay, well, that’s just insane.” Jen said, narrowing her eyes at Brad. “You don’t really think that, do you?” 

Brad laughed. “Of course not. I just figured I’d have a go at your movies if you’re having a go at mine.” 

Jen laughed. The atmosphere in the car was light and playful. Brad enjoyed this kind of banter with Jen. Giving her grief felt natural, even though he’d only known her for a few days. Flirting with her, bonding over superheroes and their media, came naturally despite his earlier nerves. The stakes were low, and they were both looking to have some fun. He appreciated that about her. 

Even the silence was comfortable as it fell between them again. He glanced at her but kept his eyes on the road. 

“You look really pretty tonight, by the way.” Brad said, changing the subject. 

Jen blushed slightly and lowered her eyes to her knees. She kept them closed and together in her seat, with her hands holding the hem of her soft cotton skirt in place. She relaxed slightly at the compliment. 

“Thanks.” She said. “You’re pretty cute yourself.” 

Brad matched her gentle blush across cheeks as they warmed, and he cleared his throat by swallowing. “Thanks.” 

“So, Friday night, you’re having a guys’ night?” Jen asked. 

If he was, it was news to Brad. “What?” He asked.

“Maria said you, Arthur, and Mark were having a guys’ night on Friday.” Jen said, explaining herself. 

“If we are, it’s news to me.” Brad said. “I’d be down, but Arthur’s way too busy for that. Did you know he has six girlfriends now?” 

“Six?” Jen asked, tallying the women she’d met on Saturday. She still produced only five faces unless it was one of the girls sitting next to their group. What was that girl’s name? L-something? 

“Yeah, apparently, between last Saturday and this morning, Kelly’s roommate joined the ranks.” Sean said. 

“Do you remember her name?” Jen asked, curious as she pulled out her phone and started browsing social media. 

“Kat, something.” Brad frowned, trying to remember. 

“Kat’s already his girlfriend, right? The blonde with the curls and not the braid? The… shorter one?” Jen asked, trying not to say the first descriptor that came to mind when comparing the two blondes. 

“No, not that, Kat. A different Kat.” Brad said. 

“What?” Jenn asked. 

“He has two girlfriends named Kat. One is Selene’s sister, Kat, and the other is Kelly’s roommate, Kat.” 

“Two girlfriends with the same name?” Jen asked. “That’s so confusing and dumb. Why would anyone do that?” 

“Sadism, masochism, take your pick.” Brad shrugged. 

“Is he really a sadist?” Jen asked, curious but doing her best not to show it. She’d admitted her experience with kink was minimal, and Brad’s experience with it was non-existent. Last weekend had been the wildest weekend of his life, and none of it involved the kind of kink he thought of when he heard the word. That stuff was for porn, erotic novels, and sometimes movies, not real life. 

“Eh.” Brad shrugged. “I don’t know if he’s into the whole pain aspect, but he’s definitely a Type-A control freak. You should see his apartment.” 

Jen raised her eyebrow. “Lots of kinky stuff?” 

“What?” Brad asked, confused, then laughed. “No. I mean, he keeps it clean as a whistle—like, military-level clean. Everything is folded and put away. Everything has its place, is wiped down, dusted once a week, vacuumed, all that jazz.” 

“What’s so weird about that?” Jen asked, not getting it. 

“He’s a dude who lives in a two-bedroom apartment by himself. And no matter what he says, he was depressed as shit after he and Lori broke up. There was no reason for his apartment to be clean, but every time I stopped by? It would have passed a white-glove inspection.” Brad explained. “That’s just how he is.” 

“Hm.” Jenn hummed thoughtfully. “And what about you? Do you enjoy being in control? Are you a control freak?” 

Brad pondered the idea, looking at his life from the outside for a moment and discerning his patterns. He was not a clean freak—anyone who saw his bedroom without warning would know that—nor was he overly concerned about being in control. He held his temper in check, not because he was afraid to lose it, but more because he kept a perspective that reinforced that losing his temper was unnecessary. 

“I don’t think I’m a control freak.” Brad said after a moment passed. “I don’t mind taking charge and directing if necessary, but I’m more of a stage manager than a director. Y’know?” 

“I’m not sure I do.” Jen said, shaking her head. “I’m not up on your theater lingo. What do you mean?” 

“I’m a helper.” Brad said. “I enjoy helping people and being useful. I take action, get things done, and if necessary, I’ll make the calls and put myself and others to work, but it’s not my first instinct to take charge. Nor am I some spineless jackwad who can’t think for himself. There’s just usually someone better at taking the lead or better qualified to manage the group’s resources.” 

“You’re a columnist, not an editor.” Jen said, nodding as if she’d successfully translated his thoughts into a way that made sense to her. 

He chuckled. “I guess so.” 

“I can respect that.” Jen said. 

“What about you?” Brad asked. “Are you a columnist or an editor?” 

“Definitely a journalist.” Jen said. “I need clearly defined objectives, and I can set out and do my job. But without them? I’m afraid I’m not very good at being the boss. Plus, I hate bossing other people around. It always makes me feel like a jerk.” 

“Yeah, I understand that.” Brad said. “But you know what the world would be without bosses?” 

Jen raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to complete his thought with his answer. 

“A lot more fun.” Brad chuckled, and Jen shook her head as she scoffed at him. 

Silence fell again and persisted for a while, but it was a comfortable silence as Jen scrolled on her phone. After a few minutes, Brad turned on the radio. They listened to the local rock music station on low in case they wanted to talk again, and eventually, he had to. 

“So… where is this shop, anyway? We’re getting kinda close to the city. I should know where I’m going by now.” Brad said as he checked his mirrors. 

“Oh, sure.” Jen said, pulling up the maps on her phone. “Here…” She connected her phone to the car’s Bluetooth and let the GPS take over the directions. 

Finding the boutique was easy enough, but finding parking was more difficult. There was a lot a block over, and then they walked to the store. Miss Anne’s Costume Shop had a window display themed for Halloween, with extended hours for the season posted on the old wooden door. The costumes for Frankenstein, Dracula, a Werewolf, and Sabrina Spellman were on mannequins that looked disturbingly real. The clothes were all professional-grade quality, standing amidst a rolling sea of fluffed cotton to simulate fog. 

Brad prepared himself for a wallet gouging accordingly. His dad sent him money, which was the nature of their relationship. He also had part-time jobs at the gym and cafeteria, and he and Mark split their rent evenly. His savings were pretty good, and he had decent spending cash as a result, even if it meant he’d graduate with more loans than he expected to be able to pay right away. 

Brad pressed forward, opening the door and holding it open behind him for Jen, who strode into the store like she owned the place. The chime above the door went off, and a high feminine voice from the back called out, “Be with you in a moment!” 

Jen smiled, and her eyes wandered the racks. The shop was not exactly what Brad had been expecting. He was used to pop-up Halloween stores and Walmart or Target Halloween sections. There were no bright plastic packages with pictures on the front here. Instead, the store looked like a cross between a thrift store, an overflowing closet, and a sewing shop. One wall held yards of fabric on shelves, with various bobs and tools on sale. Other than that and the front register by the window, the rest of the store consisted of clothing racks. 

The silence in the store suggested no one else was there, but the voice had let them know they weren’t alone. Cameras watched the front of the shop, and Brad could smell food through the thick scent of wool, cotton, and polyester. 

“So, do you want something based on a fictional character or something historical?” Jen asked, looking over her shoulder at Brad. “And what kind of costume do you think I should wear?” 

“Hm.” Brad considered his options. No one really considered historical accuracy at Renaissance Faires. The whole point was to have fun with it, and no one would bat an eye if he showed up in a completely accurate set of armor or a Peter Pan costume. “Let’s see what they have for historical costumes.” 

As for what Jen should wear, that was a dangerous thing to contemplate. As a man sexually interested in Jen, Brad’s first thoughts immediately flew to the sexiest costumes his memory could conjure. But objectifying her like that wasn’t the right thing to suggest. What did people wear at the Ren Faire? Lots of women wore corsets, or bodices, and white dresses under them. That was a simple enough costume, but it lacked Jen’s usual flair in her costumes. 

“Do you want to go as a fictional character or aim for historical accuracy?” Brad asked Jen as he followed her further into the shop. She seemed to know where everything was, and Brad only now realized the costumes were organized by genre. Historical costumes were toward the back. 

“My preference is definitely fictional characters.” Jen said, nodding. “But I wouldn’t mind putting a historical twist on the costume. I’ve seen a Victorian Power Girl costume I wouldn’t mind wearing if I had the breasts for it.” 

Brad looked confused. “Your breasts are perfect.” 

Jen chuckled and patted his arm. “Thank you? But it’s okay. I know my limits. As much as I love certain characters, cosplaying them requires more padding in certain areas or other body shapes. If she had more muscle, Maria would make a good Power Girl.” 

Brad decided not to comment on other women’s bodies in front of his date. Maria had the breasts for the character, but Jen was correct in saying she lacked the muscle tone. He’d thought of suggesting Kelly, but she’d look terrible as a blonde. 

“You’d make a great Huntress.” Brad said, off-handedly thinking of the raven-haired superheroine who often fought beside Power Girl. “You’ve got the body for that ab-window in her costume, too.” Brad said. 

Jen blushed and shook her head. “My abs are too soft, but thank you.” 

“They’re not too soft.” Brad protested. “Besides, the lines most people want from their comic book characters don’t exist. You’d have to dehydrate to unhealthy levels, which might be fine for an hour-long photo shoot or something but not for walking around the Ren Faire all day.” 

If Jen wanted to protest further, she restrained the impulse, exchanging her response for something else that was a decided change of subject. 

“How do you feel about kilts?” Jen asked. “Maybe an Outlander costume?” 

“I’m not opposed to them, I guess. But would I have to go naked under it?” Brad asked. He hadn’t heard of the show or read the books, so he assumed she meant Highlander but didn’t correct her. 

Jen laughed. “No. Wear shorts or boxers.” 

Brad shrugged. He didn’t know the rules. The historical section was divided by century, with many of the costumes from different cultures mingled together in something akin to alphabetical order. Roman centurion costumes came before Scottish kilts, for instance. Some pieces included in the historical section, like the ‘King Arthur’ costume, remained fictional. 

“Think Arthur will go as King Arthur?” Brad asked. “It’s a little on the nose, but…” 

Jen laughed. “And his girlfriends could go as his knights of the round table.” 

“Right?” Brad asked, laughing at the mental image of most of them in unwieldy suits of armor. Kelly could probably pull it off, but the others? They didn’t strike Brad as the kind to swing swords and shields around. 

“So sorry to keep you waiting.” The high feminine voice from earlier spoke its bearer into existence behind them. 

Brad turned to see a tiny blonde woman, perhaps ninety pounds soaking wet, who came up to the bottom of his pec in height, making her a few inches under five feet tall. Shorter than Jen, even. He would have thought her a teenager if not for the laugh lines on her face. Taking those into account, he placed her somewhere in her mid to late thirties, though she might very well be older than that. 

“Jen?” The woman asked. 

“Robbie!” Jen said, giving the tiny woman a hug. “Brad, this is my friend Robbie. Robbie, this is my date, Brad.” 

“Hi.” Brad said, curious but not questioning. 

“Well, hello.” The woman said, giving Brad a more thorough once-over. “Brad, huh? That suits you. I thought for sure you’d be named Chad, or Thad, or something along those lines.” 

Brad smiled softly, not entirely pleased at the comment but wanting to be friendly to someone who was clearly a friend of Jen’s. “Robbie’s a unique name for a girl, isn’t it?” He asked. 

“Yeah.” Robbie agreed. “My parents named me Roberta because they think suffering builds character or something.” She shrugged. “At least it’s better than my sister’s.” 

Brad looked curious. 

“Eustacia.” Robbie said as if the name tasted as terrible as it sounded. “She goes by Stacy, though, so no one blinks twice.” She shrugged. “Anyway… Looking for a Halloween costume?” 

“Yes and no. We’re actually looking for Ren Faire costumes for this weekend.” Jen explained. 

Robbie nodded. “I can help you there. Are you looking for something typical or something more your style?” She asked Jen. 

Jen laughed. 

“Her style?” Brad asked, confused. 

“Is this a first date?” Robbie asked. 

“No.” Jen said, shaking her head. “He knows I cosplay.” 

“Oh, okay.” Robbie nodded. “But is he familiar with your work?” 

“I’ve seen some of her costumes.” Brad explained. “But I guess I haven’t seen many pics of you in them.” He admitted. 

“Still new then. That’s why he’s your date and not your boyfriend.” Robbie nodded as if piecing the puzzle together. “Okay.” She put her finger to her chin and examined Brad once more. “Spin for me?” She twisted her other finger in the air as if stirring a teacup. 

Brad didn’t know how to respond to that, but Jen didn’t seem to object, so he spun. 

“Hm. Do you want to show off that body of yours, or are you the more modest type?” Robbie asked. 

“Oh, uh…” Brad hesitated. He wasn’t morally opposed to showing his body off to others. He worked hard for it and was happy to dress for the occasion. That said, he didn’t go out of his way to take off his shirt whenever possible or to dress in a way that put him in danger of flashing strangers. His swim trunks were modest, not swim-team speedos. “I don’t know. Whatever fits best?” 

“Were you thinking of any characters, specifically?” Robbie asked Jen. 

“We mentioned superheroes, like Huntress.” Jen answered. “For me, obviously.” 

Robbie laughed. “Well, there’s a lot we could do with that. Who’s her main ship?” 

“The Question.” Jen answered without missing a beat. “Though he might be difficult to adjust for a Ren Faire setting.” 

“Hm.” Robbie nodded, still eyeing Brad to the point he was starting to feel more objectified than perceived. “Who else?” 

“She had a fling with Nightwing.” Jen said, shrugging. 

Robbie scoffed. “Honestly, who hasn’t?” She lowered her eyes toward Brad’s ass, peering over his hip. “He’s got the butt for it. You could do, like… an armored Nightwing-style thing. That could be sexy.” 

“Mmm.” Jen agreed. “But he’s really more of a Superman-type, right? What do you think, Brad?” 

“Oh, uh… I don’t know. I like Nightwing, too.” Brad said. “And Nightwing and Huntress have a nice theme going for them. Blue and purple go well together, right?” 

“How much time do we have for tailoring?” Robbie asked Jen. 

“Oh, uh… it’s this weekend.” Jen said, blushing a bit. 

“Nothing like short notice.” Robbie cracked her knuckles. “Alright. Let’s see…” She started shifting costumes aside as she went through the list in her head, pulling pieces from different costumes and handing them to Jen to make a new one. “You take those into the changing room on the right.” She said to Jen. Then she started handing things to Brad. “Your changing room is on the left. Let me know if you need any help with anything.” She winked at Brad, who was not at all sure how to take the wink, so he ignored it. 

The changing room wasn’t too bad. The short hallway around the corner from the main shop floor only had four changing rooms. He took the first one on the left since Jen was in the first one on the right. He took longer to get into his costume than Jen did. When he emerged, she was already standing on the dais surrounded by mirrors at the end of the short hallway. 

He licked his lips slightly, surprised to see the outfit on her but immediately enjoying it. “You look fantastic!” 

Jen blushed and looked down at her boots. She wore long, black leather thigh-high boots that buckled up the side with straps and black buckles. The tops of purple socks worn beneath the boots peeked out from the top of them, showing a strip of color above the boot on her lower thighs. The boots were also combat-style for the footing rather than high-heels, so they fit the character concept well. 

After the boots, however, Jen’s bare skin was on display up to her groin. There was no skirt or shorts with the outfit. Instead, the bottom of a black leotard covered her between the legs but rode high enough to show her hips and the lines where her legs met her torso. A purple belt rode low over her hips and buckled in front, obscuring some of her skin but leaving a gap. Above it, a matching purple and black corset covered part of her torso from the top of the leg openings to the cups of her breasts. 

The leotard then continued to a halter collar that wrapped around her throat, with a white cross emblazoned from her throat, disappearing into the corset and crossing her upper chest from her left shoulder to her right shoulder. Over it all, she wore a dark purple cloak, its hood up, forcing her hair to appear like shadows from its depths, and smiling below her purple domino mask. 

Brad swallowed and suddenly felt very self-conscious about the erection that wanted to surge to life. “You look uh…” Brad stammered. “Wow.” 

Jen blushed and looked away. Robbie patted her across the shoulders and nodded. “That’s the reaction we were hoping for!” She laughed. “The leotard could use some trimming, maybe a size smaller, and you’d have to get some more props if you wanted crossbows, maybe a quiver. But the cape works and the outfit is identifiable by anyone who knows the character.” 

“You had all this on hand already?” Brad asked, surprised. 

“Well, you saw me pull it together.” Robbie laughed. “It’s a kit bash. The cloak is from our collection of cloaks. The leotard is from a naughty Nun costume. Those are weirdly popular. The boots are pretty standard. And the corset is from one of our Victorian costumes.” 

“Are you comfortable in that?” Brad asked. 

Jen’s eyes rose to meet him with an expression he couldn’t place. Something between lust and gratitude? 

“Yeah. Does it look good?” Jen asked. 

Brad nodded. 

“You could always add nude hose or a bodysuit underneath if you aren’t comfortable showing skin.” Robbie said. “I’d offer you a frilly asymmetrical skirt, but our steampunk stuff is really popular this year, so most of those are spoken for, and I don’t have one in this color. If we had more time, I could order you one, but I can’t guarantee it would arrive by Saturday.” 

“No, I like this as is.” Jen said. “It’s sexy but still modest. My arms show the most skin without the cloak.” She shifted it aside to show how the halter top of the leotard left her shoulders and arms and some of her side boob exposed, though very little, and probably only noticeable because of the way the corset lifted her breasts. 

“Do you want to show him the backside?” Robbie asked. 

Jen chuckled and turned to face the mirrors. She swept the cloak aside, and Brad lost the battle with his erection. The leotard was backless, leaving her covered from behind by the corset and what precious little leotard fabric remained between her two round cheeks. It wasn’t a thong, but walking through the fair, it could quickly become one. In its natural state, it exposed eighty percent of each cheek, curving over and widening as the material left the valley between her legs. 

“Oh.” Robbie said, blushing and turning to meet Jen’s eyes in the mirror. “He likes it.” 

Jen’s eyes lowered in the mirror, spotting Brad’s reaction in his reflection. 

“We’ll take it.” Jen said. “How much is it?” 

Robbie laughed. “Well, you know the deal. Are you looking to rent or buy?” 

“Hm… Give me both prices. If I can afford it, though…” She adjusted her stance in the mirror. “This would make a great addition to my collection. Though… I think I have boots that would work for this already.” 

“Okay.” Robbie said. “Minus the boots…” She tallied some numbers in her head and whispered in Jen’s ear. 

“Done.” Jen said, nodding. “Thanks.” 

“That just leaves you.” Robbie gestured for Brad to approach the dais as Jen lowered her cloak and stepped toward him. 

Brad had himself under control again, embarrassed but trying not to show it. 

“You’re fine, honey. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” Robbie said, gesturing for him to step forward. “It’s a little more than I usually see, mind you.” She murmured to Jen, who giggled and waited for Brad to take his place. 

Brad checked his look in the mirror, nervously adjusting his gauntlets as Robbie adjusted the cloak behind him. He then raised his hood to check the look. 

While Jen’s cloak was a dark purple, his was a deep blue. It wasn’t quite the bright electric blue of Nightwing’s costume, but it was close enough to suggest it while remaining dark enough to still seem roguish, which matched the rest of the costume. 

His sturdy-soled boots had the cuff of pirate boots at the top, just below his knee. The hose he wore as pants was tight but elastic spandex. It was definitely superhero material but hardly medieval rogue material. The black leather belt was more like a sash, tying off at his hip rather than buckling, and an attached rapier had a silvered basket handle around it. 

A black and blue-trimmed leather jerkin covered a flowy black shirt that hung low but not low enough to cover his crotch. Its billowing sleeves definitely had the appearance of the Renaissance. They ended at the black gauntlets with sharp fins on the forearms, marking them as something from a Batman costume. The blue domino mask was a clear homage to Nightwing, though its brighter shade clashed slightly with the darker blue of the cloak. 

“Hm…” Brad said, examining his appearance in the mirror. He looked good, but nothing about the costume suggested Nightwing. 

“You don’t like it?” Robbie asked, detecting the suggestion of rejection in the tone of his hum. 

“It’s great, but it’s not really… Nightwing. You know?” Brad said, turning to check himself in the mirror. “And the pants are… well, they don’t match the rest of the costume.” 

Robbie nodded, accepting his notes without complaint. He was the one paying for it, after all. 

“What do you think?” He asked Jen, catching her eyes in one of the three floor-to-ceiling standing mirrors. 

“I agree. The tights are good for selfish reasons.” Jen coughed slightly. “But… they don’t fit the rest of the costume. And the sword should be a staff.” 

“Yes.” Brad agreed immediately. The rapier was a graceful weapon, but Nightwing’s escrima sticks were iconic. They’d be closer to monk weapons than rogue weapons. “Or we can go without the weapons.” He didn’t expect the costume shop to have a whole armory of costume weapons hiding somewhere. 

Robbie nodded, waiting for them to continue their critiques. When they didn’t, she stood up. “Okay. You go ahead and get out of those.” She gestured to both of their costumes. “I’ll find you something better.” She pointed to Brad. “Keep the pieces in the dressing room. I’ll put them away when we’re done here.” She turned to Jen. “If you’re good with yours, I can get you a garment bag. Did you want to go smaller with the leotard?” 

“Yeah.” Jen said, nodding. “The corset does a good job, but if things loosen while we’re walking around, the bottoms will get baggy, and I’ll end up flashing the whole fair.” 

Brad’s eyes dipped, and he blushed when he lifted them to see Jen meeting his gaze in the reflection. She didn’t seem upset, though. She winked at him and disappeared into the dressing room with a swish of her cloak that revealed a generous glimpse of her butt cheek. 

“Oh, she’s got it bad for you.” Robbie said, quietly talking to Brad as she helped him step down from the dais. “You’re not as douchey as you look, right? You’re not planning on making a notch on your bedpost and dumping her?” 

Brad genuinely wasn’t sure how to take that. “Uh… no.” He said, shaking his head. “I really like her.” 

“Good.” Robbie said. “Because if you hurt her, your balls are my new pincushion.” Robbie said, leveling the threat as sweet as honey as she poked him in the rib with her finger. 

It would have been more threatening if it hadn’t been at eye level for her. Still, Brad appreciated her looking out for her friend, raising his hands to surrender. “Don’t worry. I’d never hurt Jen. I’m not that kinda guy.” 

“Glad to hear it. Now strip.” Robbie pushed him toward the changing room with no effect outside of his own locomotion. 

He chuckled slightly and closed the dressing room door behind him. Getting out of the costume was easier than getting into it, at least for him. The cloak was easy to remove, the jerkin unbuttoned quickly, and he was about to pull it off when there was a soft knock at the dressing room door. 

“Brad?” Jen’s voice on the other side of the door froze him mid-button. 

“Yeah?” Brad asked, opening the door a crack to see a partially undressed Jen looking up at him. 

She’d removed her cloak, boots, socks, and belt, leaving her in the backless halter-top leotard and the purple and black corset. She scooted inside his dressing room, closing the door behind her with Brad’s hand still on it so it almost looked like he was blocking her from leaving. 

He lowered his hand as she spun, turning her back to him. “Can you help me?” 

Brad didn’t know what he was supposed to help with at first. The freckled skin of her back above the corset distracted him, but not as much as the generous round cheeks spilling from either side of the leotard below the corset. Of course, the corset itself was why she needed his assistance. The lace on the back was a mess of string and fabric, and at the bottom, the strings had twisted together to become a knot of thin, tight cords dangling just above the base of her spine. 

The proximity of her body to his, the smell of her faint perfume, and the way her soft and smooth skin lingered below from her round butt to her toes did things to him he couldn’t anticipate. He trembled slightly as he grasped the knot, fumbling it in his fingers. 

“You okay?” Jen asked, glancing in the smaller mirror on the wall to meet his eyes as he looked down to keep his mind on what he was doing. 

“Yeah.” Brad said. “You just uh… you look really good. And I… um… You make it hard for me to think sometimes.”

Jen’s blush deepened to a shade of crimson. “Is it the costume?” 

“No.” Brad said, shaking his head. “It’s you. I’ve barely thought about anything else all week, and then when I’m standing close to you, like this, or riding with you in the car, my brain just goes fuzzy and soft.” 

Jen looked behind her, turning her head to meet his eyes without the mirror. Brad lifted his eyes to hers, distracted by the movement. 

“That’s sweet.” Jen said. “But I hope I don’t make you soft.” She giggled slightly as Brad’s mouth opened. She closed it, lifting his chin with her fingertips and gently brushing his jaw with her thumb. “If you want… we can go back to my room after this and get a late dinner after.” 

Brad nodded, not sure what else to say to that. He redoubled his efforts on the knot and dug his nail in hard enough to pry the laces loose. He untied the knot and dropped the strings once they were free. They fell to either side, slapping her butt. 

Jen reached behind her and pulled the corset, tugging at the crossing laces to loosen them. Brad helped her and pulled the corset loose enough to slip out of it. She pushed it to the floor and stepped away. “You’re going to have to help me put that thing on and remove it.” 

“Happy to help.” Brad said, nodding. 

“I bet you are.” Jen gave him a cheeky grin as she bent over at the waist to pick her corset off the floor. Doing so gave Brad a good view of her backside in the mirror and put Jen’s face a few inches from his crotch, which was enough for his growing erection to stretch the material of his pants. 

“You should uh…” Brad nodded toward the door. 

Jen ignored him. She stood and hooked her fingers behind her head, unfastening the halter collar of her leotard. The clip snapped open, and the front of her top fell away immediately to reveal her two pert breasts. Her large, pink areolas acted as the base for firm, erect nipples standing at attention. She pushed the leotard down, stripping out of it and stepping away as she picked it up, leaving her in a pair of black lace thong panties. 

Brad gulped and closed his eyes. 

“Want me to help you with that?” Jen asked as she placed her clothes on the small bench behind him. 

Brad opened his eyes to see her pointing at his erection, straining against the spandex. He should have worn a dancer’s belt or something underneath.

Jen helped him unbutton the last fastener on his jerkin and pushed it over his shoulders, letting it fall behind him. He caught it and set it down on the bench. She lifted his shirt, and he stripped out of it, regretting the moment it passed his eyes since it blocked his view of her nearly nude body. 

Brad’s breathing was heavy and slow now while his heart raced. Still, he felt paralyzed by the fear that Robbie could return at any moment and catch them naked in the changing room together. Would they get thrown out? Would they get arrested? Brad glanced toward the door. 

“Don’t worry.” Jen said, smiling at Brad. “Robbie’s an old… friend.” 

Brad didn’t know why the pause between old and friend bothered him. 

“Do you want me to ask her to join us?” Jen asked. “She might be down.” 

Brad’s eyes widened, but he shook his head. No. He didn’t want whatever that was. How old was Robbie anyway? Had Jen and Robbie done stuff like that together before? She had to be at least ten years older, right? Even if she didn’t look old at all. Robbie had the body of a skinny, athletic young woman and the face of a youthful one. Her diminutive stature and lack of curves probably led many people to believe she was younger than she was. 

“That’s fine!” Jen said, her voice a hurried whisper. “She doesn’t have to. I just thought… well, if you were so jealous of Arthur all the time–” 

“I’m not jealous of Arthur.” Brad said, answering her whisper with one of his own. “I’m not interested in… whatever that is. I want one woman. You.” 

“You want me?” Jen asked, smiling as if he’d fallen into her trap. 

Brad hesitated, not because he didn’t want her, but because he sensed some trap and wondered if he’d made a mistake. If he had, he couldn’t see where. 

“Yes.” Brad answered, stepping closer to her and closing the distance so that her stiff nipples pressed against his rigid muscles. “I want you.” 

“Then take me.” Jen said, smiling. “I’m yours.” 

Brad kissed her hard and passionately as his mouth crashed against hers. She threw her arms around his and hopped up. He threw his arms around her waist, catching her and hauling her to him until they were level. She wrapped her legs over his waist and sank slightly as she straightened her spine, pushing herself against his lower torso as her position opened herself to him behind the veil of her semi-transparent panties. 

Brad staggered slightly, wanting to kick off his boots, but he couldn’t with Jen in his arms, so he kissed her instead. The kiss was hot and pleasurable, but how badly he wanted more surprised him. His body had instincts, and they wanted satisfaction over everything else. She’d initiated and provided ample consent, so everything was clear. 

Only the threat of being caught gave him pause, even if Jen wasn’t worried. 

They kissed, but Brad froze when the knock came, rapping against the door as Robbie cleared her throat on the other side. 

“Everything okay in there? Do you need any help?” Robbie asked. “I know sometimes an extra set of hands can make everything much easier.” 

Brad looked at Jen, who bit the middle of her bottom lip to keep from laughing. As innocent as the words might seem out of context, it was clear Robbie knew what she was offering. Brad, on the other hand, took her words at face value. 

“Uh…” Brad stammered. “No thanks!” 

Robbie sounded slightly disappointed. “Are you sure?” She asked. “I really don’t mind. Jen can tell you. I’ve seen it all before.” 

Jen chuckled as silently as she could. 

“Also, Jen? Please don’t get anything on the costumes.” Robbie added. 

For whatever reason, that sent Jen over the edge into outright laughter, and Brad set her down on her feet as his erection quickly faded. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t the source of it. There was nothing, in his experience, that could kill an erection faster than a woman’s laughter. 

“We’ll uh…” Brad’s face reached temperatures that could melt steel. Even shirtless, he felt overheated and ignored Jen, who stood nearly naked before him, to unzip his boots and step out of them. “We’ll be right out!” 

“Don’t hurry on my account, sweetie.” Robbie said from the other side of the door. “I’ll be here either way.” 

Brad wasn’t sure what that was supposed to mean. He looked at Jen, but she shrugged, not knowing or caring what Robbie meant either. She lowered herself to her knees in front of Brad and pulled her hair back in an iconic movement that reforged Brad’s erection to solid steel. 

Jen smiled and hooked her fingers into the waistband of his tights and pulled them to his thighs, exposing his cock as it tore free. 

She stroked it, aiming it at her chest and pumping it with her hand. Brad could hardly believe it, but he didn’t say or do anything to stop her. On the contrary, he was almost tempted to pull her to her feet and do more, but he let her set the pace. 

Jen lifted his cock slightly, moving the tip from aiming at her chest to her chin. She opened her lips and made a wet sucking sound as she took him into her mouth. 

Brad clenched, flexing his cock in her hand and mouth as she sucked on him with so much noise Brad knew they were caught. Robbie couldn’t help but overhear them through the door. The dressing room was a small closet with thin walls not quite reaching the ceiling. The doors looked solid enough, even if an inch was between them and the floor. 

Brad’s eyes flicked to that gap and noticed the shadow of two feet as if someone were standing directly on the other side. 

Jen’s sloppy blowjob continued with absolutely no regard for eavesdroppers or anyone else. On the contrary, she moaned as if Brad were somehow pleasuring her, which he wasn’t. He glanced down and noticed her hand working between her legs, fingering herself as she sucked him off. The sight was lewd and pornographic and nearly made him cum. 

He held himself back out of instinct and ego. He didn’t want to be the guy who blew his load two minutes into a blowjob. He should have jacked off before this date, but there wasn’t time. Instead, he was horny and ready to blow all day, and then seeing Jen in that costume had driven him nuts. 

“Shh.” Brad tried to whisper to Jen. He nodded toward the door, but Jen ignored him. She got louder. “Jen!” Brad whispered harshly. “Come on. She’ll hear us.” 

A moan from the other side of the door let Brad know he was being an idiot. He might have pinched himself to check if he was dreaming if she wasn’t making it clear with how good he felt that he was definitely awake. Why weren’t they in trouble? Was Robbie a pervert? Was Jen? What kind of woman was he dating that felt this was okay? Or perhaps even normal? 

Still, he couldn’t deny how hot this situation was and how much it felt like giving in to a fantasy. Changing room sex had never been high on his list of porn searches, but compared to some of the freaky shit out there, it was pretty standard. Jen seemed to like the costume stuff, so maybe that was part of it. He didn’t want to think about it too hard, but wondering helped him last. 

Jen, however, seemed determined to thwart any attempt at denying himself. Her sloppy blowjob was wet and noisy, and while the sounds had never turned him on in porn, it was different when it was a girl you liked choking on your cock. 

Brad shifted and offered her his hand to help her stand. He wanted to pull her to her feet again, and she obliged, popping off his cock and standing. She jumped into his arms again, and he held her, lowering her gently as she pressed against him. His other hand reached over her naked thigh and adjusted his cock, pushing her panties aside and angling himself so he lowered her onto his shaft. He had to stand bent slightly at the knees, but otherwise, he was able to hold her in a standing position with her legs wrapped around his hips.  

She was hot, wet, and ready for him as she sank onto him. Her saliva provided a copious amount of lube, but so did her arousal, and she moaned as his girth spread her open. 

“Fuck, Brad…” She shuddered. “Nightwing wishes he had your cock.” 

Brad chuckled. “Come on, Huntress.” He whispered. “We have to go on patrol after this.” 

Jen’s typically dark eyes awoke with brilliant fire as she opened them wide to meet his gaze. He still had his domino mask on, though she’d removed hers. His tights were still around his knees, so he couldn’t move much, but he didn’t have to. He had his stance, and he could move her enough to fuck her in short, steady strokes, grinding her clit against his pelvic muscles with every thrust. 

She clung to him, holding onto him for dear life as she moaned into his ear. “Fuck me, Grayson. Fuck me hard and make me cum with that baton of yours.” 

Brad almost laughed at the word ‘baton,’ but he knew what she meant and did his best not to lose it. Laughing meant he’d drop her, and he was more concerned for her safety than amused by her odd dirty talk. Either way, he supposed it was in character. Besides, her nerdiness was sexy, even if he wasn’t good at it.

He should really consider taking another improv workshop if this was what sex with Jen was going to be like. 

Brad’s heavy breathing matched Jen’s as he pumped her on his cock, using her body and pleasuring her at the same time. She squeezed him inside her, though between his strength and her lubrication, the friction she provided was hardly enough to impede their movements. He kept it going as long as he could. Second by second, his approach grew closer until suddenly, she clamped down on him like a vice. 

“Oh, fuck!” Jen said, shaking as she squeezed him as hard as she could with every part of her body. Her arms tightened into an impenetrable hold. Her thighs closed around his waist as if she were a jockey holding on to a runaway horse for her life. And inside? Every inch of her squeezed him for all he was worth until the overwhelming flood of heat and pressure became too much. He spasmed in response, his cock flexing and bucking as he emptied his load into her and returned her embrace, holding her soft body against him until both of them stopped flexing and spasming. 

Withering inside her, he lifted her slightly and plopped free. Jen immediately closed her legs and put her feet on the floor, adjusting her underwear to cover herself once more. The blush on her face was a constant heat, red in its center and pink on its edges, coloring her otherwise pale skin on her cheeks, forehead, and chest. 

Brad caught his breath, leaning against the wall and wiping his cock with his boxers as he tucked himself away. 

Jen let out a deep breath and hid her face in her hands. “Oh, we shouldn’t have done that.” She sighed. “God, that was hot, though.” 

“We didn’t get anything on the costumes, did we?” Brad asked, looking around to make sure. They hadn’t, though the state of her underwear and his boxers meant they probably shouldn’t try anything else on. Brad’s costume still wasn’t complete, but that was the price of their impatience. 

“We’re good.” Jen agreed, noting that most of the costume pieces were behind them, and only Brad’s tights were in danger.

He stepped out of them, double-checking, but nodded as he hung them up with the rest of the costume. 

Jen hesitated, then knocked on the door. 

“Yes?” Robbie’s voice came from the other side. 

“Can you, um… bring me my clothes?” Jen asked. 

Robbie laughed. “You really should have thought of that before deciding to desecrate my changing room? I should charge you a cleaning fee and have you both banned from the store.” 

Despite the content of the threat, Robbie didn’t sound angry. She sounded exhausted. 

“I’ll clean it.” Jen assured her. “But I’d rather not skip across the hallway naked.” 

“Fine.” Robbie sighed and, a moment later, knocked on the door. Jen cracked open the door, hiding behind it, and took her clothes. 

Maybe they hadn’t done anything together, after all, Brad thought. Otherwise, Jen wouldn’t have been as shy about her body, right? He didn’t know why he felt relieved at that thought, but he did. 

Jen closed the door and started dressing, as did Brad. He pulled on his slacks and polo again, separating out the costume pieces he liked and the ones he knew wouldn’t work. Jen’s dress fell over her in one smooth motion, and she adjusted the hem so she was once again presentable. It took her longer to put her bra on than her dress. 

When he opened the door, Robbie was several paces away, her cheeks' pink and red flush still fading. She offered him a small collection of new costume pieces, and Brad accepted them as he exchanged the ones he was getting rid of with her. He liked the new pants she offered but was hesitant to try them on. They looked like they’d fit, though. She’d also provided a blue pirate coat instead of the cloak, which better fit the rapier, and a hat. 

Brad considered the changes and nodded. Nightwing reimagined was a pirate captain was a pretty kitbash, and it complimented Jen’s Huntress/assassin without being a direct copy in blue. 

“I know Jen’s buying.” Robbie said. “What about you, Brad? Buying or renting?” 

“Uh…” He glanced at the costume pieces. “How much is it to buy?” 

The price was more than he expected. 

“And renting?” He asked. 

That was also high but definitely more affordable. Even if he left the shop with the pieces today, renting until Sunday was cheaper than buying the outfit outright, but not by much. Besides that, he could find future uses for these costume pieces. They were good quality, and after cleaning fees and everything else, it was worth it to buy them. 

Brad seemed hesitant, but he had the money.

“I can cover it for you if you want.” Jen said, surprising him. 

“What?” Brad asked, surprised. “No, I can’t ask you to do that.” 

“Well, if the cost is the only thing stopping you…” Jen said. “Let me help. Unless you plan on breaking up with me between now and Saturday.” 

He was definitely not thinking that. “No, of course not.” Not that they were boyfriend/girlfriend anyway, but Brad had every intention of seeing if they could be. He hated the idea of Jen with anyone else and the idea of being without her. He wanted her as his girlfriend and hoped she felt the same way about him. 

“I’ll take it.” Brad decided. “To buy, I mean.” 

Robbie smiled. “Good! I’ll bag it up for you.” 

“Thanks.” Brad said, returning her smile as he turned to Jen. “Do you want to get dinner now?” 

“Dinner sounds nice.” Jen said. “But… let’s pick something up on the way to my place. I want to see you in the full Pirate Nightwing costume.” 

“Oh, okay.” Brad said, nodding as he hugged Jen. 

“And.” Jen added as she moved to her tiptoes to whisper in his head. “I think we should break these costumes in.” 

Brad nodded, unable to speak for the excitement that gripped his chest. Tonight was going to be a great night. He could hardly wait for the weekend.