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It should have ended at ten o' clock.
Somehow, though, it's two in the goddamn morning and Chipp Zanuff still sits among his mixed company: a tall, broad man with pince-nez glasses perched on the edge of his nose, and a shorter woman, more muscular than the man, with beautiful scars and a curvy body.
He's in-between the two of them, head resting against the woman's chest, listening to her methodical heartbeat. She breaths quickly, never truly at ease, but he supposes that comes with the territory of the past she won't tell him about.
To his right, the man gives him an adorable, polite smile. He's well-built and nearly terrifying, but within his pond-colored eyes and pearly grin, it's easy to note that there's no malice in his disposition. Chipp's legs are sprawled out across his; the man runs a hand across his thigh chastely.
"Enjoying yourself?" He asks, coy and prompting.
Chipp grins; his voice is like audible liquor, smooth and impossibly drunkening. "What do you think?"
The woman barks a gentle laugh, her whole body heaving slightly as she does so. Her hands find their way to Chipp's hair, ruffling it playfully. He can feel her wedding ring against his nape. "Don't tease him, Anji."
"I wasn't *teasing* him!" Anji protests playfully. "I wanted to be sure this was okay."
"Ah," Baiken's arm falls slack. Chipp wills it to return, but his voice betrays itself. Not for any particular reason, mind you.
The situation is complicated and simple all at once: since Anji began working for Chipp, the latter's felt all sorts of oddly sick. When the dancer smiles, his heart all but caves in. When he laughs, Chipp does too. Not to mention, he's conventionally attractive; he's got pretty, wide eyes and fluffy hair set all about his head. His body is toned well too, the perfect model of everything a man should strive to be.
But, like, it's not like he's into him! To clear the air, it's a sort of attraction that comes from Anji's charming personality and endless beauty and--
And what about Baiken? Yes, she's involved too! Well, once Chipp met Anji, he soon found that the two of them can't exist in a sphere without each other. Baiken's been married to Anji for a little over a year and the latter is absolutely starstruck for her. If she asked him to move the stars in the sky, he'd find a way. If she wanted him to lay down his coat so she wouldn't have to walk across the ground, he would do it unthinkingly.
Honestly, Chipp sees why-- platonically, of course. She's absolutely, objectively, damn handsome; chiseled muscles with pink scars and jagged edges, soft pink hair in sharp spikes around her equally sharp eye and plump lips. Her personality is gruff, like her appearance would lead one to assume, but from how Anji's descriped her, Chipp believes that just depends on whether or not she trusts you.
Christ, he wishes she trusted him. But, uh, just because he wishes to be her friend! He's really not into her like that because that's not right. Not right to love a husband or his wife or both, which he also doesn't do because he's not like that, seriously.
A-and anyway, to the point. . .
A while back, Anji wanted to introduce Baiken to Chipp, so he'd arranged this dinner a few weeks back. It had gone well, or, at least Chipp thought so, so it became a weekly ordeal; each of the three of them brought a dish and shared a late-night meal together.
Somehow though, this week, after food was shared and plates were clean, Chipp didn't leave Baiken's home. She didn't ask him to, neither did Anji. Rather, they'd invited him to continue the night with a game or two of cards.
Chipp loves Texas Hold 'Em, so he happily agreed. There wasn't another reason, really. The poker, the poker-- that was why he stayed.
They'd burnt through money quickly. Chipp rarely used his genuine cash in a friendly game, but with the inconsistent wins he had, he was certain that whatever he lost to Baiken, she'd lose to Anji, who would then give it back to him. Money was just passed around, not subtracted or added for longer than two rounds.
This took two hours, but once finished, Anji simply swept up the cards and asked Chipp if he'd stay for dessert-- and Chipp Zanuff rarely refused a sweet treat. Hell, even Baiken seemed to relax as cupcakes decorated with little stars and sprinkles were shared amongst the trio.
They'd talked quietly and enjoyed the cupcakes for what must have been an hour or so, before Baiken let out an uncharacteristic chuckle; there was a lot of grey icing around Chipp's lips. She wetted a paper towel and helped him get it off, minimal touches to just under his nose.
It didn't make Chipp blush or anything. Not when she narrowed her eye in concentration or when Anji snorted at how focused she seemed to be.
The cupcakes were put up and Chipp half expected to be dismissed then and there, but afterwards, Anji asked if he'd like a tour of their little house. In having weekly dinners, all the grey-haired man had seen was their kitchen and bathroom, not much of the other rooms. So, of course, he agreed, despite how the clock indicated that it was damn well into the next day.
Turns out, the only other room in their house is their bedroom: a smaller room with a king bed and some posters here and there that are undoubtedly Anji's doing. Chipp can tell, but not like because he thinks about it often. He just tries to know his employees.
So, Anji and Baiken both took a seat on the bed and invited Chipp to join them. He'd accepted because he was exhausted, nothing more. They took a position on either side of him and, after seconds, drifted into a quiet silence. Baiken would faintly touch his neck here and there, but that was purely friendly of her. Anji too-- he'd rub his hand along Chipp's arm like all friends do. Like Answer does-- and there's nothing amiss there either!
So yeah, complicated and simple and all that. But, overall, as far as dinners go, he has to say this one has been his favorite.
"Chipp?" Anji asks suddenly, pulling the other man from his thoughts. "Chipp, you're too quiet. Is everything okay?"
"N-no, you're fine! Uh, no, no sorry, wait-" Chipp buries his head in his hands; it's a slip of the tongue, nothing more. "
"Thank you for the compliment?" Anji laughs.
"I meant to say that I'm fine! Just. . . a bit lost in thought, that's all." Chipp huffs, heat rising to his cheeks from his neck.
"Somethin' the matter?" Baiken hums, voice course, but somehow still understanding and empathetic.
Chipp frowns. There's not really a platonic way to say "oh, I'm thinking about you both even though you're married", so he's not quite sure what to offer up. Of course, he could lie and make up some shabby excuse about being president, but he's got a terrible tell-- at least, Baiken can read him like a book.
But then again, he doesn't love either of them so there isn't a huge problem with coming clean about what's in his head, though they could always get the wrong idea and be offended. He does not want to be on Baiken's bad side specifically, but Anji's also his. . . close personal friend, so it would be better to just avoid any miscommunication in general for the relationship to prosper.
So, rather than voice his thoughts, Chipp lets out an embarrassing "Hnnrmggh," and then a surprised gasp following it. That's not how you impress a beautiful woman and her beautiful husband, not that that's his end goal, mind you.
"Ah, understood." Anji begins to chuckle once again and this time, it's much more hearty. Pretty, even, though that's NOT how Chipp would describe it at all.
God, why is he thinking like that all of a sudden?
"It's, uh, okay, not like that." Chipp clears his throat. "So I've got this friend and he's in a pressing situation, y'know? That- that's what's on my mind."
"A friend, huh?" Baiken raises a brow.
"You wanna talk about it?" Anji asks, leaning forward with a grin.
"Talk about what?"
"What's up with your friend?" Anji restates. "It may feel better on your shoulders if you talk to us about it."
"Oh, I doubt it, it's not--"
"Try us." Baiken dares.
Chipp goes to open his mouth before nearly choking on the air before him. What issue, exactly? He doesn't really feel anything for them, so there's nothing to be pressed about! There isn't, absolutely not, because only people who feel something towards a married couple would have the issue and it's not his to feel because he just doesn't. He can see that Anji is objectively attractive because, y'know, of course he is with those rippling abs and soft, fluffy-looking hair-- but that's uh. . . It's conventional. Chipp's a dude himself, he knows what a real man looks like!
As for Baiken, she's like. . . dangerously hot! Honestly, how Anji Mito managed to win her over still confounds Chipp; she's got this swagger of being unimpressed and jaded that makes him want to do better and better to warrant even just a slip of approval. She's got a nice laugh and a low, gravelly voice too. They do well to accent her rough and tough demeanor. But she's married, so these are observations of a mere onlooker: someone who can note how much of a beauty she is without stepping on the toes of her husband.
He doesn't want to step on either of their toes.
So yeah, yeah, no issue at all for Chipp! Really, he's fine and he doesn't think this way--
"Well, uh, so, they're uh," Chipp suddenly says, not really thinking as much as just stammering, "they're sorta. . . it doesn't matter."
Baiken scoffs. "If you say so."
And he does! There's no friend and there's no issue, thank you very much. He's composed as HELL.
"What else is there to talk about, then? Surely we can change the subject." Anji recovers the conversation with ease, kindness and a slight tease dripping from his soft-looking lips. "I've had quite the day today, dear."
"Sounds like a story." Baiken replies, hand still relaxed in Chipp's hair. He's glad for it, but-- what is he even thinking? Glad? "Go on, tell us. I know you want us to ask."
And Chipp doesn't even say a word, not at how 'dear' was a term delegated to the collective of both Baiken and himself, not at how lovely 'us' was coming from the ronin. No, he hardly moves, just watching as Anji's lips begin moving. Have they always been this pretty?
"Do you always *need* to read me like a book?" Anji coughs into his fist. Chipp watches, but not in a weird way. "Well, so as I was headed to the store this morning, I saw this cat sitting by the side of the road. . ."
Baiken's arm glides down Chipp's neck, falling onto his shoulder and further down his arm. Anji's voice becomes less and less apparent in the moment; Baiken's fingertips graze Chipp's hand and upper thigh. She's got a very strong, fierce grip and he can't say he hates the show of it. He likes a woman who could bench press him. She could likely lift two of him. Not to mention, her hands radiate warmth too, sending a shiver down his spine.
". . . just eating this dead bird. . ." Anji continues, all but barely audible. "I was naturally upset. . ."
Anji looks peaceful when he talks. His eyes flutter closed and his cheeks puff up with air every once in a while, only to be interrupted by the loud chatter that pours from his lips. His teeth are just a bit crooked and not even enough to be considered well cared for, but he has an overbite, or so Chipp observes, so he can't truly be faulted. Baiken, on the other hand, has very slim, lips that hide a set of pretty, ivory teeth that somehow seem to be very well kept despite all she's endured. They're both charming in their own way, the slight imperfections and the beautiful smile that is hardly ever displayed. They'd both feel nice against his lip.
". . . taking in another stray. . !" Baiken interjects, sounding a bit exasperated, though Chipp is too caught up to detect why. "We can't afford. . ."
And then Anji does something too cruel to Chipp, something so unfairly beautiful that it should be criminal: he grins at Baiken's fierce words. It's something unexpectedly beckoning, something so charming that it takes Chipp's head by storm, filling it with thoughts he surely can't be thinking about right now. Thoughts like how the man must taste and how he must kiss.
And how is that?
Unceremoniously, and without much of any foresight or thought of consequences, Chipp takes Anji's chin in his hand and pulls him in for a kiss quickly. Impatiently.
Anji's words and story become just a thought of the past, snuffed out against Chipp's more chapped lips. His lips, though, are plenty smooth and chocolatey, bits of cupcake frosting left behind in the corners. He's addicting, concerningly so; Chipp is so tantalized that he doesn't even notice what he's done. He does not think about how he's kissing his employee-- no, friend-- or that he's kissing him in front of his wife. He only thinks about how the kiss is nothing like he'd imagined, not that he'd imagined it. . . but maybe at some point, he did.
And sue him if so! Sue him for seeing beauty and wanting to follow it! Sue him for yearning, sue him for dreaming!
Suddenly, Chipp pulls away, regaining consciousness that had previously been drowned out by the thrums of his heart and the voices in his brain telling him that it was worth it all.
He looks at Anji and quickly wipes his lip with his arm, practically burning red in a futile attempt to hide away his own pleasure. "I- I'm sorry, I don't know what I just did! I mean, I know it, but I'm not sure why I did that because obviously--" His head is all but on autopilot, surprised by its own gall and sudden boldness. He kissed a man in front of his wife, who, if she weren't behind him, he'd damn well kiss too! "-- Well, I know why I did that, 'cause you're both fine, but uhh- no, no, Jesus, I'm sorry, I have no idea what's going on with me today! I guess the alcohol's really gotten to my head--"
Of course, he's not sure why he says this. Chipp hasn't had a drop all night. These are sober thoughts and he's so terrified that he's just saying everything in his head.
"Cute," Anji chuckles, grabbing Chipp's collar before he even has a chance to register the movement. He pulls him back into a kiss, this time much more intense and almost relieved. Chipp feels Anji smile against his lips; that does dangerous things to his head.
Chipp wants to lean into the kiss and be pushed down atop the bed, just fully enjoying the needed show of affection, but. . . As Anji's lips part just so and his hands find Chipp's arms, the latter is reminded of the situation he's put himself in.
He pulls away with a startled and confused glance around the room, looking from Anji to Baiken with kiss-stained lips and carmine guilt on his cheeks. His head bows down and he nearly offers an apology, but Baiken cuts him off.
"Took you damn long enough." She says, rugged and powerful, offering him a small, tender smile.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"I didn't think he'd do it, Anji." Baiken nudges her husband with her elbow. "But he finally took the fuckin' hint after all."
"I told you he would. But I know you found the whole thing cute, too."
Chipp's brows furrow. "Hint? What hint?"
"Does this answer your question?" Baiken takes his hand in hers and leans in slowly, lips pursed. They land upon his warm cheek, gentle and calm, uncharacteristically soft. Her breath ghosts his face as she leans back, a half-smile twisted with satisfaction on her face.
"Why did you- Why aren't you-" Chipp stammers, more heat rising up his neck with every beat of his heart.
"We're not upset because we love you too, Chipp." Anji says, his tone serious, though delicate. "We have for a while."
"Pity you didn't think to do somethin' about it sooner," Baiken adds.
Chipp's face falls slack with profound surprise and disbelief. This isn't. . . real, is it? No, no, it can't be. In what world is it just *okay* to want to kiss both a wife and her husband?
"She talks about you every night since she met you."
"Anji, he didn't need to fuckin' hear that!" Baiken grumbles. "You're no better either, what with the tour of the bedroom."
"I don't claim to be." Anji turns to Chipp and puts a hand atop his. "I hope I didn't startle you."
"Is this. . . am I dreaming?" Chipp returns a blank, dumbfounded stare, "There's no way you're both. . ."
"Stupidly adorable," Baiken mutters, but Chipp still manages to catch it.
Anji chuckles at the remark. "And that's coming from Baiken. So, definitely not a dream."
"You both--"
Baiken eyes his lips curiously. "Want to kiss you stupid."
"Even though--"
"We are married to one another, yes." Anji nods, "It's called polyamory."
Oh.
*Oh.*
Chipp's mouth falls into an 'o' shape. "It's not wrong?"
"Hell, it's not for everyone, but that doesn't mean it's wrong." Baiken says, "An' we're into you like you're into us, so that's definitely not wrong."
"How did you know? I mean, I didn't even really know." Chipp asks, tilting his head slightly to the side.
Anji just grins at that and shakes his head. "You're one obvious guy, Chipp Zanuff. When you look at Baiken alone, it's not such a well-kept secret."
"You spent most of the dinner making eye contact with Anji's chest." Baiken adds, deadpan. "Doesn't take a fuckin' genius."
"Not the entire dinner!" Chipp stutters. "But, y'know. . ."
"Mhm," Baiken beckons for Chipp to lean in, "and what about me during dessert?"
"I was just uh, admiring your clothes!" Chipp lies and he knows that she knows it's a lie too. They're both so damn attractive that it's futile to argue they aren't.
Baiken snorts. "Right. Admire my lips this time?" She takes his hand and tugs him backwards against the pillows, looking down at him before leaning in to kiss his lips with tender roughness. Unlike Anji, her lips are chapped and thin and she tastes like medicated lip balm rather than desserts, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He wants her the way she is, that's all there is to it.
"I love you," Chipp says between kisses, sharing the oxygen between him and Baiken, "both of you. . . If that's okay?"
Baiken rolls her eye, lifting his head in her hand for another deep, magical kiss. She's tender with him, despite how strong she looks; her muscular arms serve to only intimidate and mask her unprotected facade.
When they pull away again, Anji leans down and lays another kiss to Chipp's forehead. "We love you too."
"Dumbass," Baiken sighs, though there's no bite to it, "could we make it any clearer?"
"No, but please try." Chipp sounds horribly desperate, it's not his most proud moment, but definitely his most relieved.
Anji turns his head to face him with a toned hand and a smirk. "Let me cut in?"
Hell yes.
Chipp gives half a decent nod before taking Anji's wrist and pulling him closer, their lips crashing against one another once more. Anji simply holds him peacefully, lips chasing his, touches on the arm thrumming with affection and gentle care. He smells like lavender, Baiken's shampoo, and it's nothing but relaxing and soothing to boot.
He grins against Anji's lips, silenced by another sweet kiss and then another, another, another. Baiken ruffles his hair to his left, sitting calmly against the headboard of the bed. Between the two of them, he's safe and warm. He's wanted here and they're happy to have him know it.
It should have ended at ten.
Chipp is thankful that it didn't.