*temp brokenmoment false

*if ((brokenheart < 5) and (smooch_wyrd))
    Mal regards you for a hesitant moment. "Hey… sorry to bring it up again, but don't push yourself if this isn't something you actually want. We can just hang out."
    
    *choice
        #Taking it slow is probably best.
            "Okay, we'll keep each other company," you say, chest twinging. You aren't quite there yet.
            
            "Sounds good."
            
            *goto justspend
        #I want to try.
            You can't let your ghosts haunt you forever.
            
            "I'm here because I want to be," you say.
            
            *label dubious
            Mal looks a little dubious, but nods.
            
            *if ((ace) or (demi))
                *goto romo1
            
            *else
                *choice
                    #Kiss them. hard.
                        *goto kissthemhard
                    #Meet them halfway with a hug.
                        *goto hugthem
        #I just want to feel something.
            Anything.
            
            "It's fine, really," you say.
            
            *goto dubious
 
*else
    Mal grins, in their element. "Could cuddle. Could hang out." They smirk. "Could fuck."
    
    Definitely fishing for a reaction.

*if (aro > 1)
    *set explainaro_wyrd true
    "Just to be clear, I don't do relationships," you reply.
    
    "No romo, huh?" Mal winks. "Gotcha. And @{(explaindetails_wyrd = 3) you said you aren't into physical stuff either."|physical stuff?"}
    
    *if (explaindetails_wyrd = 3)
        You nod, glad you don't have to explain again.
    
    *elseif aro = 2
        "On the table." You realise your phrasing half a second too late, and @{(expressive > 60) laugh.|heat rushes to your face.}
        
        Mal smirks devilishly. "No table here. We'll have to improvise."
        
        @{(expressive > 60) You laugh again, though you fear you may have met your match.|You can't meet their eyes.}
        
    *else
        @{touchingokay "My line is making out," you explain.|"I only really like to flirt."}
        
        @{touchingokay "Sure, fine by me."|"It's fun, right?"}
        
        You figured Mal would understand. They're as open-minded as they come.
    
    "Thanks for telling me," Mal continues, voice growing soft and sincere. "Good to be on the same page. I'm happy @{touchingokay keeping things casual." They smirk. "Kinda what I was going for here in the first place."|sticking to the flirting." They wink. "Filthy, filthy flirting."} Ah, 'soft and sincere' was nice while it lasted.
    
    *if (not (touchingokay))
        *set explaindetails_wyrd 3
        *goto justspend
        
    *else
        *choice
            *if (aro = 2) #There's no table, but the bed will do fine.
                With two quick steps you close the gap, touching a cheeky peck of your lips to their jaw, and they laugh, squirming away.

                "Hey, I'm ticklish!"

                "Yeah?" You raise an eyebrow. "Good to know…"

                "Oh, someone's a handful, huh?"

                You entangle yourself in their arms, kissing them on the forehead, then chin, but before things can get too heated, Mal detaches themself, holding up a hand.

                *goto adelicate
            #Cuddling sounds great. Maybe a little more.
                *label cuddles
                *set hookup_wyrd 3
                You signal your approval by way of two quick steps across the room and winding your arms around them for a quick squeeze.
                
                "Ah." They laugh. "Message received."
                
                Another hug. They're soft and very warm.
                *label bedhug
                
                Entangled in each other's arms, you flop onto the bed. They're gentlemanly (gentle…enby?), keeping their hands to themself and the embrace a couple notches below sensual.
                
                It takes a little while to configure yourselves properly and comfortably, a little longer before you strike up a quiet conversation. Despite the initial awkwardness, it's… nice. No pressure, just company and the reassurance of another person's arms.
                
                You stay there on the bed for some time, wrapped up in your intimate tangle, listening to Mal's heartbeat.
                
                But when you feel your eyelids growing heavy, you know it's time to leave. You can't fall asleep here. You can't.
                *page_break
                You extricate yourself from Mal. They smile, propping themself up on an elbow. "Heading out?"
                
                "Mm. Getting tired."
                
                *goto saygoodnights
            #I'd prefer just spending time with them.
                *label justspend
                *if hookup_wyrd != 6
                    *set hookup_wyrd 4
                
                The two of you while away the next couple of hours in quiet conversation, drawing comfort from companionship. Mal's quieter and more pensive than with the group, as if they've got a little less to prove. You're struck that they're much more serious of a person than they'd lead you to believe.
                
                They're good company. You hope they can say the same for you.
                
                With the hour growing late, you and Mal share a glance, collectively realising that it's probably time for bed.
                
                *label saygoodnights
                As you say your goodnights and head for the door, Mal calls to you softly. "Hey. This was nice. Thanks."
                
                With a smile, you leave them, crossing the darkened safehouse to return to your room.
                
                *return
            

*elseif ((ace) or (demi))
    *label romo1
    *if explaindetails_wyrd = 2    
        Mal waves their hands. "Kidding, kidding. You said physical stuff was finnicky for you, so wanna just, you know, vibe together?"
        
        *goto soundsgreat
    *elseif (touchingokay)
        You take a moment to explain your boundaries, that @{ace a level of intimate touching is alright, but not sex,|casual sex isn't for you,} and Mal nods along in understanding.
        
        *if (demi)
            *set explaindetails_wyrd 2
            *goto nosex
            
        *else
            *set explaindetails_wyrd 3
            *label nosex
            "All good. Wanna just, you know, vibe together?"
            *choice
                #Hug them.
                    *label hugthem
                    *set hookup_wyrd 3
                    You enfold Mal easily in your arms. They're soft and very warm.
                    
                    "Whoa!" A moment of stiff surprise, and then they relax, wrapping their own arms around your shoulders. "Well hey there."
                    
                    "Want to…" You motion your head towards the bed.
                    
                    They grin. "Absolutely."
                    
                    *goto bedhug
                #Sure, vibing's good.
                    *label soundsgreat
                    *set hookup_wyrd 4
                    "Yeah, sounds great," you reply. It takes a second to realise that you're feeling… buoyant. Content. 
                    
                    You shouldn't let your guard down like this, but here you are.
                    *page_break
                    *goto justspend
  
    *else
        *set explaindetails_wyrd 3
        You explain that you aren't much for the physical stuff, and Mal nods along in understanding. "Cool. Wanna just, you know, vibe together?"
        
        *goto soundsgreat

*else
    *choice
        #Well, they're getting one. Kiss them. Hard.
            *label kissthemhard
            In two quick steps you're by their side, taking their face in your hands to plant a kiss on their mouth. They melt into you, and you back them up against the bed until they fall backward across it.
            
            You let them drop and stand over them, hands on your hips and a smug grin on your face. 
            
            Mal is flushed, eyes half-lidded. @{(instinctive > 55) "Alright. Message received."|"Damn, uh. Wasn't expecting that from you."}
            
            @{(instinctive > 55) "Damn right."|"Hey, I can be assertive."}
            
            Mal laughs, propping themself up on their elbows.
            
            *goto realquick
        #Cuddling sounds great. Maybe a little more.
            *goto cuddles
        #I think I'd prefer just spending time with them.
            *goto justspend

*label realquick
"Okay, real quick, before anyone's clothes come off, we're on the same page that this is a casual thing yeah?" Sprawling indolently on the bed, Mal looks utterly comfortable in their own skin. But then, that can be anything they want. "I don't wanna give you the wrong idea. Maybe down the line it's something else, but right now, we're just hooking up."

*choice
    #That's fine by me.
        *label justheregood
        You nod. "I'm just here for a good time."
        
        Mal @{caughtfeelings_wyrd grins, missing your lie.|grins.} "Works for me. I'm hot, you're hot. Let's do it."
        
        Hopping back up from the bed, they pause, then laugh awkwardly.
        
    #I was hoping this meant more to them than that... @{ftone [Flirt]|}
        *set flirt_wyrd  +1
        *set hookup_wyrd 6
        "I have to admit, I thought you were hinting you wanted to, you know, be with me." It's hard to get the words out, @{(romance_wil > 2) especially considering your thing with Wil.|hopes guttering.}
        
        "Mm. Right."
        
        They say nothing for a long while, slowly bobbing their head.
        
        "Okay, $!{aka}, in that case, I think we call it for the night."
        
        You tilt your head, waiting for them to continue.
        
        Mal smiles lopsidedly. "I'm not really the kind of person who goes steady after one night, you know? I don't wanna do anything under false pretences." They sit up, swivelling their legs crossed underneath themself, expression warm. "Let's slow things down a little, $!{aka}, get to know each other and figure out what we both want."
        
        They're making a lot of sense, which you don't necessarily love. Still, it's probably for the best. "Let's just hang out, then?" you ask hopefully.
        
        Their smile grows, and your disappointment wanes a little. "Yeah, sure."
        
        *goto justspend
    *selectable_if (aro = 1) #Lie in agreement. I'm already catching feelings.
        *set caughtfeelings_wyrd true
        Is hiding your real feelings the healthiest approach to this? No. Is that going to stop you? Also no.
        
        If you don't tell Mal, then it doesn't hurt anyone. Maybe a one night stand is as close as you deserve to get.
        
        *goto justheregood
    
        
*label adelicate
"Can't really think of a delicate way to put this. My shapeshifting extends to… you know." They gesture meaningfully at their crotch.

@{(instinctive > 60) "You can change your junk?" you blurt before you can stop yourself.|"Ah." You nod, catching their meaning.}

@{(instinctive > 60) Mal laughs. "Yes, exactly," they say, and then continue.|Mal smiles slightly, then goes on.} "I don't like to change my body around during sex, it feels kind of…" They hesitate. "I dunno. Makes me feel a little… used, I spose. But I don't mind switching things up beforehand, if you want."

*label pref
*choice
    #Tell them a preference.
        It feels a little surreal, but you let them know and they nod. "Sure, I can do that." After a couple of seconds, they nod again. "Okay, done."
        
        "Just like that?" They didn't even look like they were concentrating.
        
        "Eh, I learned how to be subtle pretty fast."
        
        Practice makes perfect, you suppose.
        
        Okay that's weird to think about.
        
    #I'm not comfortable asking them to do that.
        You shake your head.  "I don't want to make you change anything for my sake." You're… acquainted with forcible adjustments to your body. Mercifully not in a sexual sense.
        
        "I offered, but alright." They smile. "You're a diamond, $!{aka}."
        
        Self-consciously, you shrug.
        
    #I'd rather they prioritise themself rather than the other way round.
        It's clear that they've had bad experiences with their shapeshifting in sex, and you don't want to push that button.
        
        "Whatever makes you comfortable, Mal. Don't worry about it."
        
        They smile. "Gotcha."
        
        You nod firmly. You care a hundred times more for how they feel than their anatomy.
        
    #I don't care.
        "Mal, I like you, not what you have in your pants."
        
        They laugh. "You shouldn't put yourself down like that."
        
        Huh?
        
        Wait—
        
        You glare at Mal. They just laugh again.
        
    *hide_reuse #Express my envy of that ability.
        "Kind of wish I could do that," @{cis you muse. Definitely better than your version of morphing.|you say wistfully. Changing your body so freely would—well. It'd ease a few feelings.}
        
        *if (cis)
            They regard you a moment. "Not gonna lie, $!{aka2}, that wasn't a very cis thing to say."
            
            "Well—" you falter. "It just sounds useful."
            
            Their lips slowly curl into a smile. "If you say so."
            
            There's a knowing note to their voice and you're not sure that you care for it.
           
        *else
            They sigh. "You're not the first person to say that. I dunno. It simplifies some things. Complicates others."
            
            You nod slowly. In fairness, you can absolutely see their point. Your relationship with your body has been a difficult one at times. It must be hard to feel settled when nothing is fixed. You could tweak forever.
            
        "Anyhow, should I change things up?"
        *goto pref
                        
Mal locks eyes with you. "And with no further ado…"

They wind their arms around your neck, lips meeting yours in a searing kiss. Their mouth is firm, insistent, and now it's your turn for them to bear you down onto the bed. As you land with a thump, Mal straddles your hips, thighs squeezing you tight. Their tongue steals out across your lips, ever so briefly, and then they finally break for air, flashing you a grin, teasing, tempting. Their eyes are bright and hungry, like they could devour you whole.
*temp incharge false
*choice
    #Take charge.
        *set incharge true
        Sliding your hand to their hip, you brace against the bed and flip them over, reversing the positions. @{(guts < 10) It's some effort for those weak arms of yours; thankfully, Mal's accommodating.|Mal moves easily with you, accommodating your wishes.} They let out a giggle, arms still looped around your neck, sliding their legs to lock about your hips, tugging you against them.
        
        "Eager," they murmur, then snatch at a gasp as you grind into them.
        
    #Let them lead.
        Mal leans down, kissing you again. It's gentle, almost prim, if not for their hand beginning to wander down your body, tracing its angles and contours, touch just firm enough to tantalise. Suddenly they squeeze your hip, and you bite off a gasp. They pull back slightly, though their face remains scant inches from yours, and grin.
        
        "Found a spot," they murmur.
        
Mal's movements grow @{incharge bolder, matching yours, bunching fistfuls of your shirt as they dig their fingers into your back.|bolder, fingers toying with your waistband, sliding it ever so slightly lower.} Their hands slide @{incharge down|up} to the hem of your shirt and they begin tugging at it, peeling it up and over your abdomen.

*if ((feature = 3) or (feature = 4))
    You freeze. @{(feature = 3) Your markings. If Mal gets your top off,|The stomach maw,} they'll see @{(feature = 3) them.|it.}
    
    "H-hold on," you stammer.
    
    Mal instantly stops, retracting their hands from your body. "You okay? Too much? I can slow down. Or we can stop. Your call."
    
    *if surpass_stomach = 3
        Your heart pounds. You have no idea how much they saw when they examined your wound, but there's a chance they were too preoccupied by the gaping hole in your abdomen to concentrate on @{(feature = 3) the webway of your shoulders.|the surrounding area.} Go any further, and even that slender chance is lost.
        
    *else
        Your heart pounds. @{featseen_wyrd You don't know how much they saw that time they walked in on you. Heck, even if they saw everything, that was just a glimpse. This won't be.|Go any further, and you're handing over a massive clue that you aren't as you seem.}
        
    *choice
        #Fuck the cloak and dagger. I'm not stopping.
            *set featreact_wyrd 3
            *set defiance +1
            Your powers already control so much, binding you to the Coven's will. So much of your [i]everything[/i] comes back to cover stories and servitude.
            
            Fuck them. Fuck @{(feature = 3) the lines across your shoulders.|your messed up scarring.} For once, you're doing something for you.
            
            "No, keep going. It's okay," you say, determination solidifying, punctuating your sentence with a squeeze of their hips.
            
            "Alright. If there's a problem, just tell me."
            
            *label shirtoff
            With that, they continue, slipping off your shirt the rest of the way.
            
            *if feature = 3
                "Damn," they murmur. @{featseen_wyrd "I got a little peek a while back, but these|"These} tattoos are something else."
                
                *label urgetouch
                You manage to suppress your urge to touch the @{(feature = 3) markings.|maw.} "Yeah."
                
                Maybe Mal detects your discomfort, because they switch tack. @{(feature = 3) Which may not be for the best, if they think the blackened veins are tattoos.|You can't imagine what they're really thinking of your stomach's… decoration.}
                
                *set featseen_wyrd true
                *goto scarcomments
            *elseif feature = 4
                "Damn," they murmur. @{featseen_wyrd "I thought I saw that a little while back, but I wasn't sure. That's|"That's} some pretty metal scarification you've got there."
                
                *goto urgetouch
                
            *else
                *label scarcomments
                Eyes trailing across your body, they hum pensively. "You've really been through hell, huh?" Without waiting for an answer—not that you could, a spike of panic pinning your tongue—they continue. "I dunno what [i]kind[/i], but the fact you're still here, still going…" They smile gently, your fear dissipating. "It's fucking stunning. You're stunning." 
                *choice
                    #They can't mean that.
                        You shake your head. "Come on, Mal…"
                        
                        "I don't give compliments I don't mean."
                        
                        In that case, they must be very easy to impress.
                        
                    #And they're cheesy.
                        You say as much, and they giggle. "Just calling it how I see it."
                        
                    #I'm too flustered to respond.
                        You awkwardly glance away, and Mal giggles. "Hey, don't be embarrassed. I meant every word."
                        
                    #I don't know how to feel about that assessment of my suffering...
                        Mal has no idea what you've been through. They aren't being dismissive per se, it's just hard to accept the mess of your body spun as any kind of positive.
                        
                        
                *goto drawkiss
                
        #I can't afford the risk.
            *set featreact_wyrd 2
            *set hookup_wyrd 5
            There's a lump in your throat and you can't swallow it. Tears sting at your eyes.
            
            Just once, you want to do something that isn't snared in the demands of your servitude.
            
            "I… we should stop. I'm sorry." You sound miserable, and you can't bring yourself to hide it.
            
            "$!{aka2}, it's okay. You don't need to apologise for anything." Mal's voice is perfectly gentle, and somehow that makes it worse. It'd be easier if they were mad or disappointed. They disentangle themself from you, shuffling along to a respectful distance.
            *choice
                #I can't stay.
                    You mumble another apology—which of course Mal refuses, since you just needed the knife twisted that little bit further—and withdraw from Mal's bedroom as quickly as possible.
                    
                    *goto itsdark
                #Stay a while.
                    Perhaps you want to make up for backing out. Perhaps it's a futile attempt to recapture the mood.
                    
                    Whatever the reasons, it's a mistake. Mal carries a conversation, but you can't ignore the careful separation they maintain, the calculated avoidance of any physical contact.
                    
                    By the time you make your exit—retreat, run—you feel even worse.
                    
                    *page_break
                    *label itsdark
                    It's dark in the hideout. You navigate your way back to your room by touch and memory, and are soon slumping onto your bed. You put your hands over your head and fight back tears.
                    
                    *return
        #Forget the secrets. I'm self-conscious.
            *set featseen_wyrd true
            *set featreact_wyrd 3
            The @{(feature = 3) spiderweb scrawling over your shoulders|twisted maw deforming your stomach} is just another defect in the patchwork of defects that is your gaunt, scarred body.
            
            *label howcanmal
            How can Mal, in all their tailored flawlessness, look at you and see anything but a twisted wreck of a person?
            
            "I just—" you laugh, a reedy sound without mirth. "I'm not exactly a work of art. You might be disappointed."
            
            Mal tilts their head, frowning. They don't respond right away. Probably calculating how they'll let you down gently. 
            
            But then they shake their head. "What? Because you have some scars or whatever? I don't care. Perfection isn't attractive. It's dull. I like that you're not a storybook ${mc_malprince}, $!{aka2}."
            
            That wasn't what you expected. You feel a giddy sense of vertigo. 
            
            Their hand plucks at your shirt's hem again. "Can I?"
            
            You nod.
            
            *goto shirtoff

*elseif mc_health > 1
    "Mm, technically you shouldn't be doing anything strenuous…" Mal muses, smirking. "Could delay the healing process…"
    
    *if instinctive > 55
        "Shut up," you almost-growl. "Not stopping now."
        
        They laugh. "Yes ${mc_malsir}."
        
    *else
        "We'll be careful."
        
        They laugh. "Not usually in my sex vocabulary, but I'll do my best."
        
    *goto nextstep
        
*else
    You hold your breath as more and more of your upper body slides into view. 
    
    *label nextstep
    *choice
        #@{(mc_health > 1) Despite my assertion, I|I} suddenly feel horribly self-conscious.
            Your body is a patchwork of scars, a tapestry woven by the ravages of the past half decade. Ugly. Misshapen.

            *goto howcanmal
        #Urge them on.
            You lift your arms, encouraging Mal to continue. They don't need a second invitation, all but tearing the shirt from your back. Their eyes rove up and down your torso, and you think you see a flicker of sympathy in their gaze before they break into another smile, regular attitude resuming.

            "Good time to say I think scars are hot as fuck?"
            
            @{(expressive > 55) "It's [i]always[/i] a good time for that," you drawl with a confidence you don't fully feel.|Your cheeks warm.} You're not used to your body's many wounds being exposed, much less complimented.
            
            The only other people who have seen those scars all had a hand in inflicting them.
            
        *if (brokenheart < 5) #@{(mc_health > 1) I said that just now, but I'm distracted:|} I keep thinking of $!{prev_li}.
            *set brokenmoment true
            You're attracted to Mal, of course you are, but it doesn't stop your mind from wandering. What would $!{prev_li} think? Say?
            
            *if (dating)
                
                *if brokenheart = 2
                    You don't have to imagine the contempt in their voice. Only remember it.
                    
                *else
                    @{brokenheart [i]"Ah. I see you've moved on.[/i]"|DUMMY|[i]"Oh, you found someone new? That's... that's okay!"[/i]|[i]"Damn, $!{mc_name}. You playing the field now?"[/i]|DUMMY}
                
            *else
                You weren't even [i]with[/i] @{brokenheart Beth, and she's|Prii, and they're|Shauna, and she's|Grant, and he's|DUMMY} still rent-free in your head. @{(prev_li = "Prii") Though maybe you can get a pass on that, considering 'their' recent appearance.|}
                
                *if ((brokenheart = 1) and (ephalanx))
                    Well. At least you have an excuse.
                    
            Suddenly your shirt's off, and you blink, back in the present. You try to shake the memories clear, focus on the person you're with in the here and now. 
    
*label drawkiss
They draw you into another kiss, this one long and lingering. Mal's shirt hits the floor next, then their pants.

@{incharge Even beneath you, Mal's a livewire, constantly wriggling,|Mal's a livewire, pressing you hard against the mattress,} their hands roaming, squeezing, caressing, stroking. Their hips roll enthusiastically against yours, their mouth peppering kisses wherever it can reach. They seem to delight in each hitch of your breath, each unbidden moan, redoubling their efforts to try and draw the same response again. In turn, they give free voice to their pleasure, whining, gasping, murmuring their approval.

*if (incharge)
    "C'mon, you can go rougher. I can handle it."
    "Mm—ah! L-like that, yeah."
    "Keep going. Fuck. Keep going."
    
*else
    "You're cute like this, $!{aka}. All desperate."
    "You want it there, mm? Yeah you do."
    *if ((mc_boy = "boy") or (mc_boy = "girl"))
        "Don't be shy, let me hear you. Good ${mc_boy}."
        
    *else
        "Don't be shy, let me hear you. Goood, just like that."
    
*page_break
*set hookup_wyrd 2
You move with Mal, bodies intertwined. They really know what they're doing, and it's been a long time. With their heat, their voice their touch, you're soon nearing the edge.

And rushing over.

*if (brokenmoment)
    *set hookup_wyrd 7
    In that single frozen moment, you cry out.
    
    "$!{prev_li}!"
    
    Your heart stops.
    *choice
        #Fucking [i]kill[/i] me.
            You extricate yourself from Mal and bury your face into the covers.
            
            Humiliation. Utter humiliation.
            
            "So uh…"
            
            "Don't," you mutter, muffled. "Just let me die."
            
            They breathe a laugh. "Roger."
            
        #I babble out an apology.
            "Mal—I, fuck—I am so sorry, I didn't—"
            
            They shush you, laughing. "$!{aka2}, $!{aka2}, it's fine. Not the worst thing that's happened in bed." Despite their words, you can't miss how their expression turns wry.
            
            You bury your face in your hands. This may be the single most awkward moment of your entire life.
            
        #Uh. Maybe if I pretend that didn't happen—
            Step one. Don't acknowledge it.
            
            Step two.
            
            …
            
            Paralysed, you stare soundlessly into Mal's face.
            
            You're blanking on step two.
            
            "Just checking, you know I'm Mallory, right?"
            
            You let out a long, pained groan.
            
    There's no salvaging the moment. The moment just got annihilated from orbit. You thank Mal and say goodnight before you can cause any more damage.
    
    Back in your room, embarrassment mingles with heartache. You feel as if you've betrayed Mal and $!{prev_li} simultaneously.
    
    Joining them was a mistake.
    
    *return
                        

*else
    As the aftershocks fade you collapse, spent and quivering. Mal holds you close, stroking your hair, murmuring praise.
    
    Eventually, you regain your composure, the world—or at least, Mal's face—returning to focus.
    
    "Enjoy yourself?" they ask gently.
    
    You nod, too shaky to speak.
    
    Mal smiles. "Me too."
    
    *page_break
    You stay there in Mal's arms. Existing. Listening to their heartbeat.
    
    Over the years, you'd started to believe that the capacity for positive feeling had been ripped out of you. It's pleasant to realise that you were wrong.
    
    At length, you stir, disentangling yourself.
    
    "Heading out?" asks Mal, resting on their elbow.
    
    "Yeah." Stay, and you might fall asleep. And you can't. You just can't. "Thanks for this."
    
    Their lip curls in a characteristic smile. "Anytime."
    
    Retrieving your clothes, you slip from the room, cross the darkened safehouse, and return to your bed.
    
    *return
    
    
        