A quick smoke at Night 02

Arthur returned to his apartment after a long day at the city’s art gallery, where he had recently begun a year-long residency. The opportunity allowed him to focus on his personal project, a stroke of luck that still felt surreal. “Things are finally looking up,” he murmured to himself, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he unlocked his door. It was still early, and he planned to unpack a bit more before possibly catching up with Lilith, his enigmatic and bold neighbor. Though Arthur was an artist who expressed himself freely through his work, he was personally reserved, and Lilith’s audacity intrigued him. He stepped inside, dropped his bag on the table, and headed to his bedroom. But as he crossed the threshold, he froze. Lilith was lying on his bed, asleep, her body draped only in a towel. “Wait… what? Lilith?” he exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief. Lilith stirred, stretching lazily as she woke. She yawned—a deep, resonant sound that seemed to emanate not from her mouth but from somewhere lower. Arthur blinked, trying to process the sight. Her voice, when she spoke, was rich and sultry, but it came from her vaginal mouth. “Oh, damn… I must’ve relaxed too much after the shower and dozed off. Sorry about that,” she said casually, as if this were an everyday occurrence. Arthur cleared his throat, forcing his eyes to stay fixed on her face. “Yeah, I can see that. But… WHY are you here? And how did you even get in?” “Oh, the doors in these apartments have a design flaw. You can open them with a credit card card,” she explained, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. “I meant to tell you yesterday but it slipped my mind.” “Thanks for the heads-up,” Arthur said dryly. “I’ll call a locksmith to fix it.” “Probably for the best. That way, you won’t have any more… unexpected visitors,” she replied, her tone teasing. “Are you being sarcastic?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Of course not. I know I’m not exactly unwelcome,” Lilith said, her gaze flickering with playful mischief. Her wet hair clung to her shoulders, adding to her allure. “Fair point. But you still haven’t explained why you’re in my bed, freshly showered, or why you’re… talking like that,” Arthur said, gesturing vaguely. “Oh, this?” She gestured to her lower mouth. “I’ve got strep throat. Happens sometimes when you wander the hallway at night half-naked. As for the shower, mine’s out of commission.” “You should call a plumber,” Arthur suggested. “A plumber can’t fix an unpaid bill,” she said with a shrug, her calm demeanor unshaken. “You didn’t pay your bill? Are you having money trouble?” Arthur asked, concern creeping into his voice. “It’s a mix of being disorganized and not making much lately. The competition’s fierce on MF, and the audience isn’t as big as on other platforms,” she explained, crossing her legs as she sat up on the bed. “MF?” Arthur asked, puzzled. “MutantFans, obviously,” Lilith said, as if it were common knowledge. She stood gracefully, letting the towel fall away as she reached for a light summer dress draped over a chair. She slipped it on without a hint of self-consciousness, her movements fluid and unhurried. “It’s strange seeing you dressed,” Arthur remarked, his eyes following her. “My fans on MF say the same thing,” Lilith said with a laugh. “But I can’t exactly wander around naked at this hour. The old folks in the building are still glued to their windows.” “An exhibitionist breaking into someone’s apartment would definitely draw attention,” Arthur said, chuckling despite himself. “Exactly. Now, how about you offer your hungry guest something to eat?” she asked, tilting her head. “I thought you’d have raided my fridge by now,” Arthur teased. “Do you think I’m that shameless?” she said, swatting his shoulder playfully. “Though, honestly, you should buy more vegetables.” They moved to the kitchen, where Lilith insisted on cooking. Arthur watched in awe as her four hands moved in perfect harmony, chopping, stirring, and seasoning with effortless precision. There was something comforting about having her there, though he couldn’t quite put it into words. “Here you go,” Lilith said, setting two plates of chicken with cheese sauce and potatoes on the table. “Seriously, though, you need more greens. Even mutants have to eat healthy.” “Does this mean you’ll be eating here regularly?” Arthur asked, half-joking. “Mmm, maybe. Cooking for one is a hassle, and this way we’d both save money. Plus, you’d eat better,” she said, her tone light but her eyes glinting with mischief. “I may be shameless and irresponsible, but I’m an excellent cook.” Arthur took a bite and was immediately impressed. The flavors were rich and comforting, a taste of home he hadn’t realized he’d missed. “This is incredible,” he said, savoring each bite. “They weren’t kidding about the way to a man’s heart being through his stomach.” “Are you saying you’re starting to like me for my cooking, even after seeing me naked?” Lilith asked, her lips curling into a sly smile. “What? No! I mean, not specifically,” Arthur stammered, his face flushing. “Relax, I’m just teasing,” she said, winking. “But who knows? Maybe we’ll see where this goes.” She adjusted her dress, spreading her legs slightly as she began to eat through her lower mouth. “Sorry about this, by the way. My throat’s still sore.” “N-no problem,” Arthur said, trying to regain his composure. “How about you handle the cooking, and I’ll take care of the groceries?” “Deal,” Lilith said, pulling a key from a hidden pocket in her dress. “Here’s a copy of my apartment key. A little neighborly tradition, in case I lock myself out.” “Thanks. I’ll make a copy of mine for you tomorrow,” Arthur said. “Good. That way, you won’t be so shocked if you find me in your bed again,” she said with a laugh. “I guess you don’t have time for a smoke today?” Arthur asked. “Not today. Gotta take care of myself. Plus I have to prepare a few things for a photo shoot tomorrow.” “I have the afternoon free tomorrow if you need any help,” Arthur offered sheepishly. “Oh that’d be wonderful,” Lilith said through both mouths, though her top one was noticeably hoarse. Turns out she wasn’t bullshitting afterall. “Heh, I won’t even charge you,” Arthur joked. “Trust me honey, after tomorrow, you’ll owe me.” As Lilith prepared to leave, Arthur called out, “Hey, you forgot your towel.” She glanced back, her smile impish. “Oh, don’t worry. It was yours anyway.” Arthur stood in the doorway, the damp towel in his hands, watching her disappear into her apartment. He shook his head, a bemused smile tugging at his lips. “Is it wrong that I’m into shameless girls?” he muttered to himself.