Chapter Text
It was all Iris's fault.
It had been years since she last saw the brunette, the two having moved in separate circles after settling into university - where Sable had gone into ethnobotany, Iris had always been the cleverer of the two of them with her skills in computer science. They had exchanged messages, the occasional selfie and update, but when a conference had brought the self-acclaimed nerd back into Nevarra Sable had jumped at the opportunity to meet.
It had been easy enough to find a spot in both their diaries where they had a few hours each - she had wandered into the study that morning, Emmrich perched behind his desk, and told him that she would be out for a while. He had nodded happily, humming when she leaned down to press a kiss to his cheek, only to laugh when he had reminded her that she was to only use the shiny, black credit card tucked away in her purse.
They had met at Sable's favourite coffee shop, hugs exchanged and arms linked, before wandering off into the shopping district.
Iris was… Iris. Foul-mouthed and unflinching as the two wandered in and out of boutiques, it was like nothing had changed - it had also taken her no time at all to wheedle out the details of the man behind the credit card that payed for their lunch. Where she would have expected judgement and criticism from anyone else, Iris had met her only with a knowing look and the question of whether he was good in bed.
It was also Iris that had led her into the little shop tucked away on a side street, her phone having led them through the district, after Sable had mentioned wanting to update her summer wardrobe. The inside was filled with racks upon racks of brightly coloured cotton and lace, a world away from the her normal choices - but then her friend had pulled her to the back of the store, where a rack of sundresses had been tucked away.
Sable had let herself be talked into trying the green one on after complaining that it really wasn't her normal style - Iris had pushed the hanger into her hands with a smirk and plopped herself down onto a stool outside the changing both, phone already in hand. Her sigh of acceptance had been met with a snorted laugh from outside the curtain as she had turned in front of the mirror. The dress was all delicate straps and flowing skirt that had sat rather prettily around her knees, the cotton a soft green that she knew Emmrich would appreciate.
She had ignored Iris's teasing as the dress was bagged up and credit card swiped before the two had left - they wandered back through the district, agreeing to meet for dinner before Iris left the city again. She had also promised to update her on Emmrich's reaction to the dress.
He had been waiting for her, hip propped against the door as the car service had driven away and held a hand as she approached the door - a quietly murmured "welcome home" and hand cradled around her jaw as he leaned down to kiss her, he had then led her inside. It was almost like Iris had planned it when he had asked if she would like to go out for lunch the next day, so with a soft laugh she had agreed.
The weather had called for light clothing, the air warm and sky clear, so with a shake of her head she had put on the sundress, gathered her hair back into its customary braid and gone downstairs. Emmrich had met her with wide eyes, following her descent silently - Sable had laughed at the haste with which he had moved towards her, a hand curling around her knee as she stopped a few steps above him. She smiled nervously, the dress very much a step away from her usual choice of jeans and leather jacket. The brush of fingers as his hand wandered from her knee up the back of her thigh before he had sucked in a deep breath reassured her - she had watched as his gaze shifted to where the delicate straps curved over shoulders and sat tied neatly in a bow at the nape of her neck before he had taken a step back, hand held out.
He had taken her to the large botanical garden she had been delighted to learn that his institute sponsored - they had walked happily through the glass enclosed spaces, hands laced together as they ignored the occasional odd glance thrown their way before he had led her through a set of doors tucked away from the main flow of foot traffic.
The space was filled with a variety of blooms, each as distinct as they were rare, and in the middle, almost as if he had planned this ahead of time - he must have planned this ahead of time - had sat a picnic blanket and basket in the shade of a large tree. They had eaten, the fruit fresh and tart, the bread warm and much to her delight, the iced tea cool. It was after they had eaten, the trash tucked away, that Emmrich had shown his true appreciation for her dress.
So this really was all Iris's fault.
It had started with a soft kiss to the curve of her throat as he had toyed with the straps, Sable sat comfortably between his legs - now here she was, braid loose, hands threaded tightly into silver hair as he lay - quite happily she thought - between her thighs.
She had made a noise of protest when he had moved her, encouraging her to lay back, her gaze flicking towards the doors that she could just make out on the far side of the space - Emmrich had reassured her that they would not be disturbed, a hand slipping beneath her dress as he lowered himself onto his stomach.
He had made himself comfortable, jacket shrugged off and folded to act as a makeshift pillow for her, as he had inched the dress up - his mouth followed the dusting of freckles that covered her thighs, hands mapping the warm flesh as he moved higher. It was when he had reached the simple green panties that she had chosen to wear, breath warm even through the already damp cotton, that her hands had slid into his hair - he had nosed at the fabric, eyes closing for a moment as he shifted the dress until it sat over her hips, baring her to him completely.
The first drag of his tongue had been over her panties, drawing a groan from her - he had glanced up, brow raised, when he felt the fingers in his hair tighten, only to be met with a huff and flushed cheeks. With a smirk he had tugged the cotton down, humming when she lifted her hips unprompted - he had brought them up to his face, nose pressed into the damp cotton for a moment, before she tugged at his hair impatiently.
The panties found their way into his pocket, her sigh drawing a laugh from him - with nothing blocking him now Emmrich let his focus shift back, hands wrapping around her thighs as he settled himself comfortably between them.
Sable tucked away the thought of reclaiming her underwear, knowing full well that she would likely never see that pair again - instead she let herself relax, head sinking back into the folds of his jacket.
Emmrich took his time, more than content to spend the rest of his afternoon where he was, encouraged by the airy sighs that followed each pass of his tongue. In that moment she was perfection, skin warmed by the sunlight that seeped through the glass walls of the garden and rich with the perfume he recognised as one he had bought for her. He knew it was primitive of him, ridiculous really, but he had found himself clouded by the first sight of her descending the staircase in what he had now decided was his favourite dress - the green cotton had done little to hide her freckled skin from him, and it had been all he could do to not take her by the hand and lead her straight back upstairs.
The straps that lay tied at the nape of her neck had continued to steal his focus as he had led her through the gardens, her braid draped over one shoulder - his fingers had itched to tug at them and watch as they fell away, so he had taken a deep breath and steered her towards the private area he had arranged for their lunch. Now he could take his time, content with having her laid out before him, dress gathered around her hips as he paid homage between her thighs.
"Emmrich-"
The hands in his hair tightened, nails pressing into his scalp, when he felt her legs shudder against his shoulders - another slow drag of his tongue until he could seal his lips around her clit and she was arching up away from the blanket. There was something to be said for being with her like this, beneath the heat of the afternoon sun, the scent of both native and foreign blooms hanging in the air - it was as if it made her very essence richer, headier, enough to leave his head spinning and fingers sinking into the soft give of her thighs.
"Emmrich, I'm- I'm going to-"
The words fell from her lips, needy and desperate as he continued to drink from her - it took little more than the quick graze of his teeth as she shattered around him, legs locking him in place. He knew what he must look like when she finally sagged back, limbs loose though her hands tugged on his hair again, lifting him up from where he had continued to lap at her slowly - he could feel the slick on his mouth, his chin and likely his cheeks as she met his gaze, blue eyes hooded as she urged him up towards her.
"That was- Maker, Emmrich-"
Her hands fell from his hair, settling against his jaw as he crowded down over her, hips sinking into the cradle of her thighs - he kissed her then, bracing himself on his elbows, letting her taste the sharp flavour of herself on his tongue.
"You are- that was-" Sable found herself breathless, the words spoken into the space between their mouths when he pulled back - she ran a thumb over his bottom lip, wiping away the remnants of herself before she laughed. "What prompted that?"
"When did you buy this dress?"
Her eyes widened. She laughed again. "You do like it then?"
Emmrich let his weight sink down atop her, one hand falling beside him so that he could hike her thigh up over his hip. "I thoroughly approve."
Iris had never been more glad to hear the sound of her hotel room door closing behind her, shoes flung off before she moved deeper into the room. All she wanted to do in that moment was find her phone charger and order the greasiest, cheapest takeout she could and it was that thought that carried her towards the bed - she fell back with a sigh, arms falling out to her sides when her phone pinged.
"Mother-fucker," She reached for her pocket, fumbling until her phone slid free - she had warned the others that she wanted to be left alone for the night, done with their company for the day, and swore that she would find the deepest hole to bury whoever it was that was bothering her peace in.
"He liked the dress."
"Hah," Iris laughed at the single line of text, fingers already tapping away at the screen.
"Rip it off you, did he? Need another one already?"
She waited, watching as the dots appeared in the chat box.
"You're the worst."
"You're welcome."