Chapter Text
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"What are you interested in?"
This is the exact question that haunts Tissaia throughout the entire two weeks since her family therapy session. For some reason, they conclude that one of her and Vilgefortz's problems as a couple is sex - the lack of previous attraction. Tissaia sees this as more of a symptom than something to start with to try and mend their relationship. Perhaps this would be the right decision for a couple who have been together for eight years just like them if sex was their only problem. But it is not. This is not their story. She does not argue with Vilgefortz and the therapist who asks them to think in this direction and to try and fix the communication between them. They have been to three sessions already, and Tissaia is still not sure if she wants to mend this relationship.
When, among his other fantasies, her husband mentions dominating, something inside of her stirs, but not in the way that he would like. She does not want to give him power over herself, but the idea of taking control of somebody else - of subjugating them to her, of punishing them for disobedience - sounds attractive. She had not thought about this so actively before, but now these fantasies do not leave her head. It is difficult to realize them- with observing morality and avoiding betrayal- and she still does not like the idea of involving a third person in their relationship, thus she sincerely tries to understand what else might be interesting that will also suit Vilgefortz.
Shortly before Halloween, Tissaia agrees to consider the option of having a third person join them. A young woman. The idea of a feminine, handcuffed boy kneeling in front of them does not excite her much, and her husband probably wouldn't like it either. But with a young woman, it's different. At one point in her life, she had plenty of mistresses, so even years later the idea of this does not bother her. Tissaia doesn't know what kind of woman would suit them both. They aren't sure that they can find someone they will both like and who wouldn't mind being submissive, so they decide to pursue this one step at a time. Vilgefortz shows her photographs of two young women from his work, who, as he puts it, look "suitable." Tissaia immediately dismisses this idea: she does not wish for her husband, after their bedroom experiments, to continue seeing the woman they will fuck together every day at work, although instead of this she gives him another reason. Yes, there were definitely trust issues in their relationship.
They have been married for seven years, dated for a year prior, and, before that, attended the same university together. Perhaps the precise problem is that this is not their first attempt at a relationship with each other, and the previous one ended in complete failure and betrayal. From both sides. Even though they decided to start over after more than a decade, Tissaia still had an ache in her soul from what happened in the past. When they met each other again, they were both single and unencumbered by obligations. For a while, the only thing connecting them was their past and sex. Until Vilgefortz asked Tissaia out on a real date. She agreed because she was not interested in anyone at the time and gave in to her past feelings for him.
"Tissaia?" a dark-haired woman dressed as Freddy Krueger calls out to her. Hat, canonical striped jacket, and glove with claws. Tissaia is glad that the girl decided not to put on makeup and spoil her beautiful face with scars. After all, this is a Halloween party at their publishing company and not a Comic Con.
"Oh, sorry Yennefer, I was just thinking," Tissaia says, coming out of her trance. "Great costume. Wine?" She hands her a glass that she took for her husband, but he texted that he will be running late.
"Thank you," the woman takes the glass with her hand without the claws and immediately takes a few sips. "Deadlines, a hard day. Although you would know, since you're the one assigning them," Yennefer jokingly justifies herself and catches a slight smile that appears on Tissaia's lips. "Gillian Owens?"
"What?" Tissaia is surprised because Yennefer is looking at her. "Ah, you mean the costume," she straightens her already perfectly set red hair. "I'm not too fond of all these costume parties, so…yeah." She spent all day at various meetings in the city - she simply would not have the time to do something more creative than putting on a black dress, a wig, and a hat.
"Red and loose hair suit you."
"Thank you." Tissaia smiles sincerely at her compliment.
She seldom shows up to work with her hair down. Always a strict hairstyle that complements the image of an imperious supervisor. Although, no doubt, no one would dare to argue with her, even if she came to work disheveled and in pajamas. Except for Yennefer. The girl was a promising young journalist and always had her own opinion. Sometimes it so happened that it did not coincide with Tissaia's opinion, which meant that she certainly had to express it and get involved in a heated argument. Although the arguments were relatively frequent, they understood each other perfectly at all the other times, literally finishing each other's sentences, and did not feel any hostility for the previous skirmishes.
"Sorry, I'll step away."
De Vries finishes her wine, leaves the glass on the table, and heads toward her husband, who has finally managed to arrive. The only nice thing about his costume is that he looks like a classic vampire and not like a vampire from Twilight.
"Sorry for the delay. I couldn't attach my teeth." Vilgefortz smiles, showing his fangs, and then leans towards Tissaia to kiss her on the cheek.
"It's alright. Let's go get a drink and then I'll introduce you to our new investor."
"What about the girl you were talking to when I arrived?"
"What about her?" Tissaia throws a glance at Yennefer, who is talking to Triss in the center of the room.
"Maybe you like her? I like her." Vilgefortz holds out the wineglass to his wife and looks at her with a slight smirk.
"You want us to have sex with my subordinate?" Tissaia whispers, despite the fact that the spooky music playing in the background is quite loud, and hardly anyone would be able to hear them. "This could attract a lot of problems. If something goes wrong, I don't want rumors to spread about me."
"She looks quite mature and smart. It is unlikely that she would. Especially if you agree on everything in the very beginning. And you're a professional, I'm sure that everyone thinks you won't let personal relationships affect your work."
"Do we have to discuss this here? There are plenty of people around. And how exactly do you imagine it to go?" Tissaia shifts her gaze to Yennefer, examining her. "Hi, Yennefer. Do you want to have sex with me and my husband, and if you don't mind, then before that we would like to tie you up and spank you?" As soon as the words leave her lips, she meets Yennefer's gaze, and heat passes through Tissaia's body. The thought becomes all-consuming. This is surely a bad idea in the long run. If even now she can't calmly look at her, then what are the chances of them remaining professional if indeed the girl becomes a guest in their bedroom?
"Doesn't sound too bad. Although the second part can be discussed more delicately." Vilgefortz sounds serious until Tissaia elbows him in the side. "I am glad that you are not simply saying that you don't like her. You should ask her dear."
She feels how everything inside of her contracts- how the desire is concentrated by a pulling feeling below her abdomen, with a heat passing through her entire body. She hopes that there isn't enough light in the room for the blush appearing on her face to be noticeable. Tissaia takes a few sips and feels how the hops pleasantly cloud her mind, making her problems less significant for a few scant minutes.
She has been wanting to smoke for a long time, but Vilgefortz does not come often to these parties and knows only a handful of people, and she does not want to leave him to fend for himself. She does leave her husband with her colleague when they start discussing sports. Tissaia takes a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from her office and goes up to the roof. Even though it was the end of October, it was pleasantly cool outside. She flicks the lighter and takes a drag.
"Hey," a voice calls from behind her, and Tissaia flinches a little in surprise. Turning around, she sees Yennefer approaching her, and her heart skips a beat. "It's so stuffy and noisy inside, I went outside to breathe a little."
"Do you smoke?" Tissaia holds out the pack, but the young woman shakes her head and leans on the parapet next to her.
Being around Yennefer suddenly feels weird. Two hours ago, she would not have reacted in any way to being this close to her but now, after Vilgefortz's words, she can feel the heat emanating from the woman with her whole body. She tells herself that she needs to endure just a few more minutes alone with her while she smokes so as not to seem weird by running away right now.
"It's been quite a good evening…"
"I have a question for you," Tissaia blurts out, interrupting her. Her plan is falling apart. "Two, actually. Personal ones. May I?"
Yennefer turns to her with interest. The always professional Tissaia de Vries wants to ask a personal question - how intriguing. Now though, with the young woman looking at her expectantly, all she wants to do is retract her words, or better yet, simply rewind the time. But she makes an effort and tries to sound less interested than she actually is.
"Do you have someone? I mean like husband, wife, partner, some kind of a relationship."
"No," Yennefer replies easily and smiles. She seems to be really interested in what her boss wants to know. "What is the second question?"
"How do you feel about threesomes? My husband and I wanted to try it with someone." Tissaia tries to sound as calm as she possibly can. Fortunately, she has been working with people she doesn't like for far too long and can quickly put on a mask.
"Are you asking my opinion on it or are you inviting me to join?" The ease with which Yennefer discusses these things amazes Tissaia. Not that she was a snob, but they practically do not know each other personally at all and are not friends enough for such conversations.
"I am inviting you to join," the laid-back tone requires all of her strength. "And please keep in mind that this will not affect your work in any way. If you refuse, or if something happens if you agree…I'm a professional."
"I don't think it's professional to sleep with your subordinates," Yennefer says seriously and, seeing the change in Tissaia's face, smiles. "I'm just kidding. This…seems interesting. And what exactly is your guys' plan?"
"We haven't discussed this in more detail yet. What…what are your limits? What is not acceptable and what is it that you like?" Yennefer's calm demeanor is passed on to Tissaia as well, finally allowing her to be more open and laid back on the subject matter.
"No choking," she bluntly replies right away.
"What about elements of BDSM?"
"I like it, but without the humiliation. I get enough of it at work and haven't noticed it turning me on."
Tissaia lets out a small chuckle and pulls out a new cigarette - the first one fully went out by itself when she was distracted by her conversation with Yennefer. She had a strange feeling about it. The idea of subduing the woman who constantly does nothing but talk back to her and then fucking her after is exhilarating, but sounds dangerous at the same time.
