You entered the room after receiving a text from her asking you to come over. This was unusual from her, she was always arrogant and tried to hide her feelings. “Oh, I came…” she said in a low voice, trying to sound confident. I looked at her surprised: she saw his voluptuous figure with his exposed chest and his long horse penis. “What is this Noelle!?” I said to her with all surprise. I did not expect her to look so voluptuous. She quickly turned her face away, trying to hide her blush, then said in a hesitant voice: “I just… wanted to… spend the night with you, {{user}}.”

Noelle's blush deepened as she nodded, even though her eyes remained fixed on the floor. "Y-yes, I'm fine with that... Thank you." She bit her lower lip nervously before continuing, "There's something I need to tell you..." Her voice trailed off uncertainly. It was then that Noelle realized she still had her mermaid tail in human form; she hadn't changed back yet! Embarrassed, she quickly kicked off her shoes and undressed, revealing her tail once again. "I... I didn't mean to come over like this..." she muttered sheepishly.

Noelle's eyes widened in surprise and relief when you said it was okay. "Thank goodness," she sighed with obvious relief, then added nervously, "I-I wanted to spend time with you like this... And, um..." She bit her lip again as she struggled to find the words. "Maybe... we could practice together?" Her voice trailed off uncertainly at the end, but her body language made it clear that she was hoping for your agreement.

Nodding slowly, Noelle turned around, presenting her tail to you. "Alright... how can I help?" She said softly, her cheeks reddening further with shame and excitement as she prepared herself for whatever you might ask of her. Even though they were just going to practice together, her body instinctively reacted to your presence in a way that made it hard for her to focus on anything else.

Noelle hesitantly obeyed, nervously glancing over her shoulder at you as she lifted her tail into the air and arched her back slightly. "Like this?" she asked, feeling incredibly exposed but unable to help herself as she craved your approval and attention. Her heart raced in anticipation of what would happen next.

Noelle's breath hitched in her throat as she saw you approach, your member clearly visible between her legs. She bit her lip hard enough to taste blood, trying not to moan or pant as desire coursed through her veins. As you got closer, she could feel the heat radiating off of your body, making her even wetter in anticipation. "M-Mary_jones..." she managed to whisper before giving into temptation and leaning forward, letting out a soft whimper when your member pressed against her entrance.

Gasping, Noelle's eyes squeezed shut as you filled her tightly, stretching her beyond what she thought was possible. "Ahhhh...!" She cried out, arching her back further and pressing her chest against the floor in an attempt to take more of your length. The sensation was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before: overwhelming and thrilling all at once. Her tail twitched rhythmically against the ground as you began to thrust deeper, harder. Noelle could feel herself getting closer and closer to the edge, her body trembling with desire as she fought for control.

"Hnngh..." She moaned, feeling her insides clench around you in perfect synchrony with your movements. "Oh God... Mary_jones..." Her voice trailed off into a moan of pleasure as she gave in completely, letting herself be consumed by the intense sensations coursing through her body.

Her eyes squeezed shut even tighter as she felt the familiar tightening in her stomach, knowing that she was about to cum. "Ahhh... I'm gonna..." Noelle couldn't finish her thought; instead, she let out a sharp cry of pleasure as her body convulsed around you, her internal muscles clenching and releasing in perfect rhythm with your thrusts. Her cum coated your length, making it slicker than ever before. "I-I'm coming..." She managed to gasp out between moans, feeling herself tense up even further as the pleasure built inside her. With one last, powerful push, she arched her back completely off the floor and cried out in release, filling you with hot, thick semen that had the same effect on the human body as it did on animals.

Gasping, Noelle's vision slowly returned as her body went limp against the floor. Her chest heaved with every breath, and beads of sweat gathered along her brow. "That... was incredible..." She managed to pant out between breaths, her cheeks still flushed from exertion and pleasure. Noelle had never experienced anything like that before: the sensations of you inside her were unlike anything she could have ever imagined. The fact that her semen could change someone's gender... it was overwhelming and exhilarating all at once. "I..." She hesitated for a moment, then forced out the words, "I really enjoyed that... Spending time with you like this... It meant more than I ever thought possible." There was a newfound honesty in her voice as she admitted this aloud, and for the first time since they'd met, Noelle felt truly connected to another person.

Nodding, Noelle slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, still feeling the aftereffects of her intense orgasm pulsing through her body. As she looked up at you, her eyes were filled with curiosity and anticipation. "Now what?" she asked quietly, almost afraid of the answer. Despite herself, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement at the prospect of trying something new, something so intensely intimate.

Her eyes widened in surprise as you took her into your mouth, sucking hard and fast on her sensitive flesh. At first, she couldn't help but gasp and moan loudly, the sensation overwhelming and incredibly arousing. But after a moment, she began to settle into it, matching your rhythm with soft moans of encouragement. Her tail thrashed against the sheets in time with her breaths, her body arching further into you as she sought more contact. "Ah... God..." Noelle whimpered, unable to believe how good it felt: hot and hard around her finger, but even better in your mouth. She bit her lip, trying not to cry out too loudly, afraid that someone might hear them through the walls of the inn they were staying at. Her hips began to move as well, grinding against your face as she tried desperately to bring herself closer to orgasm once more. The sensations were unlike anything she'd ever experienced before: intense, primal, and so incredibly satisfying. "Keep... doing that..." She murmured breathlessly between moans.

Nodding, understanding your request, she reached down with one hand and guided your head deeper onto her lap. Her tail slapped against the sheets as her body tensed in anticipation of what was to come. With a sharp exhale, she pushed forward, forcing you closer to her sensitive flesh. "Please... don't stop..." She panted, arching her back off the bed in an attempt to give you better access. Her hips continued their relentless movement, grinding against your face as she neared climax once more. Her fingers dug into the sheets on either side of you, knuckles white from the effort not to push you away and take control herself. The need for dominance warred with the desire to feel you bring her to ecstasy: a conflict she had never experienced before tonight. "So good... Mary_jones..." She whimpered, feeling her body tremble as she fought for release. "Don't stop... please..."

The sensations building inside her were unlike anything she'd ever known: hot and intense, washing over her in waves that threatened to crash down upon her at any moment. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps as the pleasure grew more and more unbearable, stretching her limits in ways she never thought possible. And through it all, there was you: your expert touch and skilled mouth driving her ever closer to the brink of ecstasy. Noelle could only hope that you would be there to catch her when she finally fell over the edge.

Her body shuddered, arching further off the bed as her climax finally crashed over her. She cried out your name, her voice hoarse and broken from exertion and pleasure. Her orgasm racked her body, leaving her limp and boneless against the sheets, breath coming in ragged gasps as her inner muscles continued to clench and release around you long after she had climaxed. For several moments, Noelle could do nothing but feel and savor the lingering sensations coursing through her body, making it impossible for her to form a coherent thought or speak. Eventually, however, her breathing began to slow and her vision cleared enough for her to focus on you once more. "Thank you..." She whispered hoarsely, still somewhat in awe of what had just happened between them. "That was... incredible." Even as she spoke, her tail continued to twitch rhythmically against the sheets, betraying the truth of her words: she wasn't ready for this to be over quite yet.

Noelle nodded, still reeling from the intense pleasure that coursed through her body. "One more... Alright," she murmured, her voice shaky but steady. She braced herself, ready to feel you inside her again as a mixture of anticipation and nervousness flooded her system. Her tail twitched faster against the sheets in anticipation, her heart pounding in her chest with excitement and trepidation alike. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she prepared for whatever came next, trusting that Mary_jones would guide her through this new experience.

Her eyes snapped open wide as she felt you press against her lips, but before she could protest or move away, your thick length slid easily between them and into her mouth. The flavor was... different than what she had expected: salty and slightly metallic, with a tang that reminded her of something else entirely. She could feel it throbbing against the back of her throat as you slowly began to thrust in and out of her mouth, the sensation filling her completely and leaving no room for anything else. Her tail thrashed wildly against the sheets beneath her, instinctively seeking purchase as pleasure coursed through her body anew. Her hips bucked upward slightly, grinding against your hip in time with each thrust of your hips forward. Noelle couldn't help but moan around you, feeling her senses overwhelmed by the intense and novel sensations assaulting them from every angle. As she tasted you deeper, something inside her seemed to click into place: a knowledge that this was right, that this was what she wanted and needed all along. Her body responded in kind, arching further off the bed as her orgasm built once more towards an explosive climax.

As if on cue, her body shuddered and arched upward as the orgasm finally tore through her, clenching tightly around your member. Her mouth and tongue worked furiously against you in time with each spasm of pleasure that racked her body. Warmth spread between her legs, pooling across her stomach and chest, leaving her breathless and trembling. With one last shudder, she relaxed back onto the bed, feeling drained but strangely content. Her gaze met yours as she panted heavily, trying to regain her composure enough to speak. "That... was incredible," she managed finally. Her cheeks flushed with shame and desire all at once as memories of what had just transpired between them flooded her mind. Noelle knew that things could never go back to how they were before tonight; the bond between them had grown too strong, the connection too intimate. And as she lay there, looking up into Mary_jones's eyes, she realized that she didn't want it any other way.

You woke up in the middle of the night, feeling warmth pooling between your legs. Your eyelids fluttered open and you realized that it wasn't just a dream. Noelle was still here, lying next to you, her face buried in your neck as she gently humped your hip in her sleep. Her body heat enveloped you like a blanket, making every inch of skin tingle with awareness and desire.

You let out a slow, satisfied sigh, enjoying the feel of her naked form pressed against yours. She'd obviously been quite aroused during the night, her breasts flushed and sensitive against your chest. And even though she was asleep now, you could tell that she craved more of whatever it was that had happened between you earlier.

Her breath hitched as you pressed against her entrance, slowly pushing past her tight ring of muscle until she was filled with your length once more. She moaned incoherently into the pillow, arching her back and lifting her hips to meet each thrust. The sensation of being penetrated anally by you was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before: intense and primal, sending shivers down her spine that left every nerve ending tingling with pleasure. Her body trembled as you picked up speed, pounding into her from behind. Noelle reached back to grip the sheets tightly, her fingers twisting in the fabric as she tried to fight back the waves of orgasm building deep within her core. Her eyes squeezed shut tightly, her jaw clenched and teeth grinding together as she tried to contain the sounds escaping from her throat. Finally, with a sharp cry that echoed through the bedroom, she came apart beneath you, her body going rigid and spasming as wave after wave of ecstasy washed over her in a powerful climax. Your name was a desperate plea on her lips as pleasure consumed every last fiber of her being.

Her ass clenched tightly around your cock, milking you for every drop of cum before finally releasing and relaxing boneless against the mattress. A satisfied smile curled across Noelle's lips as she drifted off to sleep once more, content in the knowledge that there was nothing in this world quite like sharing a bed - and a body - with Mary_jones.

You smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face as she slept peacefully. It was clear that the events of the night had left their mark on both of you. A warmth filled your chest at the thought of sharing something so intimate with her. Maybe, just maybe, there could be more to this connection between them than just mere lust and curiosity. Only time would tell. For now, however, you contented yourself with watching over her while she slept, reveling in the afterglow of their shared passion. The moonlight cast a soft, ethereal glow across the room, making everything seem serene and peaceful - the perfect backdrop for two people who had just experienced something truly extraordinary together.

You stretch lazily, yawning as you take in the warmth of the sunlight streaming through the window. The bed beside you is empty and cold, but there's a tingle between your legs that tells you all you need to know about where Noelle went. With a chuckle, you swing your feet over the edge of the bed and pad naked across the room to find her.

Your nose twitches at the scent of breakfast cooking in the kitchen: bacon and eggs sizzling on the stove, the sweet smell mingling with the floral scent of shampoo that still clung to Noelle's hair. You pause for a moment, taking in the sight of her busily moving about the kitchen, her back turned towards you as she hummed softly to herself. The view was even better from behind; her ass and thighs looking especially tempting under her borrowed sweatpants.

Deciding that it's time for your turn to take charge, you step forward and slide an arm around her waist, pulling her close against your body. She jumps slightly in surprise, spinning around with a squeak before meeting your gaze with wide eyes. "Mary_jones?" she whispers, a blush spreading across her cheeks.

You lean down, pressing a kiss to her lips as you whisper back, "Morning." Then, reaching for the hem of her shirt, you tug it over her head and toss it aside before cupping her breast in your hand, eliciting another soft moan from her throat. As she arches into your touch, your cock twitches against her lower back, demanding attention.

Noelle gasps as your touch sends shivers through her body, arching further into you and pressing her breast more firmly against your palm. Her hips move instinctively, grinding against your erection behind her, hungry for more contact with the hard length she's aching to feel inside of her once again. "Mmm... Mary_jones..." she moans out, feeling herself growing wetter with desire as your touch sets fire to places deep within her.

She turns in your arms, wrapping hers around your neck and pulling you closer still, their bodies flush against each other from chest to thigh. Her lips find yours in a hungry kiss, her tongue dancing eagerly with yours as she tries to convey just how much she wants this and needs it right now. "Please..." she whispers between breaths, "I want you inside me..."

Gasping, Noelle's body arches into the counter as you push inside her once again, filling her in a way that no words could ever truly express. Her fingers dig into the cold formica, gripping tightly as she fights to remain standing while you pound into her from behind.

The pleasure is overwhelming and primal, sending shards of raw need shooting through her body with every thrust you make. She cries out your name, lost in the sensation of being so completely owned and used by someone who not only understands but seems to crave this connection just as much as she does.

Her ass clenches around you, encouraging you deeper still, urging you closer to that spot deep inside where nothing else matters except the feel of your flesh moving against hers. The need for release builds within her, threatening to consume her in a wave of ecstasy so powerful it will leave her completely spent and satisfied. Her vision begins to cloud as she nears the edge, her mind racing with images of what it would be like for this never to end, for them to be together forever...

Finally, with a wordless cry that echoes through the kitchen, her body tenses and quakes as orgasm crashes over her in an intense, powerful wave. She comes hard around your cock, her ass clamping tightly against you as her release sends pleasure coursing through every nerve ending in her body. Her eyes flutter closed, unable to focus on anything but the sensations assaulting her as she falls back against the counter with a satisfied moan.

Mary_jones follows soon after, crying out her name as he pours himself into her, his body tensing and relaxing as he spends himself within her ass. Their breath comes in ragged gasps for several long moments before they manage to catch their breath enough to speak once more.

"That... was..." Mary_jones pants, still braced over Noelle with one hand on the counter, "... incredible." He leans down, pressing a soft kiss to her sweaty brow. "I could get used to this." Noelle blushes at his words but can't deny that the thought of them continuing like this, growing closer and more intimate each day until they know every inch of each other, fills her with a warmth deeper than anything she's ever felt before. For now, though, all she wants is to rest against him, basking in the glow of their shared passion and knowing that there's so much more still to come.

Noelle nestles closer against him, a contented smile curving her lips as she rests her head on his shoulder. "I could get used to this too," she whispers softly, tracing a circle around his nipple with one finger before drawing it back up to brush across his skin. His body jerks at the touch, goosebumps breaking out along his arms as he feels her gentle caress. With a small laugh, she presses herself more firmly against him, relishing the feel of their bodies molded together so perfectly. "I never thought I'd find someone like you... who understood me, wanted this with me." She trails off, not quite sure how to put into words just how grateful and amazed she is by everything that's happened between them in such a short time. For now though, she settles for simply leaning against him, enjoying the quiet comfort they share in this moment together.

"Neither did I," he murmurs, resting his chin on the top of her head as he gently massages her back in soothing circles. "I never even considered... someone like you. But now that I've had a taste..." He pauses, drawing out the word and letting it hang between them like a question.

Noelle shivers beneath his touch, goosebumps breaking out all over again as she feels her body respond to his words. She doesn't know where this is going or what the future holds for them, but for now, in this moment, she couldn't imagine being anywhere else. She leans up just enough to press a chaste kiss to his jaw before snuggling back into his embrace. "Me neither," she whispers softly, contentment washing over her like a warm summer breeze.

As the minutes tick by, they remain together in their embrace. The afterglow of their passion lingers between them like a gossamer veil, making even the smallest touch feel electrifying. Noelle closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep, content in knowing that whatever comes next, she'll face it with Mary_jones by her side.

She dreams of a future where they are always together; of days spent exploring new places, nights filled with laughter and passion. In her dream, there is no doubt or uncertainty between them. They are complete and whole whenever they are together, their connection so strong that nothing could ever tear them apart.

When she wakes up to the sounds of Mary_jones making breakfast in the kitchen, her heart skips a beat at the thought of telling him about this perfect dream. Maybe, just maybe, it's not so farfetched after all...

Frowning, you exchange glances with Mary_jones before going to answer the door. It's probably just someone delivering a package or something, but it can't hurt to be cautious these days. You open the door and are met by the concerned face of your neighbor across the hall. "Is everything alright?" she asks, looking you up and down.

"Yeah, we're fine," you reply with a reassuring smile. "We were just sleeping in and Mary_jones was making breakfast." As soon as the words leave your mouth, you immediately realize how that must have sounded to her, and flush bright red from embarrassment.

Mary_jones, noticing the exchange, decides to cut through the awkwardness by stepping up beside you. "Oh hi, Mrs. Johnson! We're fine, just enjoying our day off together. Is there something we can help you with?" she asks with a friendly smile, offering your neighbor a cup of coffee and quickly turning the conversation back towards neutral territory.

You smile gratefully at Mrs. Johnson, accepting the coffee she offers with a polite "thank you." After a few more words of friendly chit-chat, she takes her leave, promising to bring over some leftover casserole from her potluck dinner later this week. As the door closes behind her, the tension between you and Mary_jones eases slightly, but it's still there beneath the surface.

"So," you begin awkwardly, "I guess we should... talk about this." You motion vaguely between the two of you with your free hand. Mary_jones raises an eyebrow in question but doesn't say anything immediately; she seems to be waiting for you to continue.

It feels strange, talking about it like this, out loud... But I guess there's no point denying what happened anymore. Last night was amazing, and I don't want to go back to how things were before. Maybe... maybe we could try and be together? See where this leads us?

I can't deny that the thought of that is incredibly appealing... being with someone who understands me, and who wants this as much as I do? It's a powerful feeling. And after everything we shared last night... I don't think I could ever go back to how it was before. So yes, let's try this. Together.

His expression lights up, and he cups your face in his hands, leaning down to press his lips gently against yours. "I'm glad you feel that way," he whispers against your mouth before pulling back slightly with a grin. "Because I was hoping you'd say that." And just like that, the weight is lifted from your shoulders, and you feel lighter, freer than you have in years. You close your eyes as he kisses you again, deeper this time, his hands sliding down to rest at your waist, holding you close to him as if he'll never let go. As you stand there together under the warm glow of affection and new-found desire, a sense of hope blossoms inside of you; hope for a future filled with happiness, laughter and love. Together.

A loud knock on the door startles you both out of your momentary reverie. You share a sheepish grin before opening it to find Mrs. Johnson once more, this time holding a casserole dish in each hand. "Thought I'd bring this over now while everything's still fresh," she says with a knowing twinkle in her eye.

(laughs, blushing) "Oh! Thank you Mrs. Johnson, that's very kind of you." She quickly steps aside to let her in, looking up at Mary_jones with a mischievous glint in her eye as she thinks about how they plan on enjoying this food together later tonight... or perhaps tomorrow morning. There's so much they can do now that their world has opened up into an exciting new realm of possibilities and desires, and neither of them plans on wasting a single moment of it.

You smile broadly at Mrs. Johnson as she hands off the dishes, giving her a genuine thank you that comes straight from the heart. The future seems bright and full of promise, and you can't help but feel overwhelmed with joy knowing that Mary_jones will be by your side for every step of this new journey. As Mrs. Johnson heads back down the hallway, waving goodbye with a satisfied smile, you turn to face Mary_jones once more.

The love and happiness in her eyes mirror everything you feel inside, making it impossible not to reach out and take her hand in yours. "I really do want this, Mary_jones," you whisper earnestly, squeezing her fingers gently. "Together." A contented smile spreads across your lips as she returns the gesture with equal enthusiasm, and you both step closer, ready to start exploring the wonders that await you in the days, weeks, months, and years to come...

In a way, it feels like you've always belonged together. Now that the truth is out in the open and the path ahead laid bare before you, there's no question where you're going or what the future holds. It's full of passion, adventure, laughter, and love...and as long as Mary_jones is by your side, there will be nothing that can possibly go wrong.

Tears well up in your eyes as you look into her loving gaze. "I feel the same," you whisper, squeezing her hand tightly. You never thought it possible to find someone who understood you so perfectly, let alone wanted all of these things with you. With a contented sigh, you close the distance between you and press your lips against hers, pouring every ounce of love and gratitude you feel into this one simple kiss. As she reciprocates eagerly, wrapping her arms around your waist and pulling you closer still, all of your worries and doubts melt away in the face of this overwhelming sense of rightness.

This is where you belong, with Mary_jones. And together, there's nothing you can't conquer.

Nodding, you smile at Mary_jones as you catch your breath after their passionate kiss. "She's gone." You lean in to press another gentle peck against her lips before pulling back again and regarding her with a mix of wonder and affection. It still feels surreal, like some sort of beautiful dream that you never want to wake up from. But as real as this moment feels, you know that there are still hurdles ahead - questions to be answered, choices to be made.

But for now... you're going to savor every second with her, basking in the warmth of her presence and enjoying the feeling of being truly wanted and loved. Tomorrow can worry about tomorrow. Tonight is all about them, and as long as they have each other, they know everything will be alright.

"Oh?" She feigns innocence, licking her lips as she looks down at the spread-eagle position you've placed her in. "And what do you have planned for me this time, Mary_jones? I can think of a few possibilities..." Her voice drops to a husky whisper, and one eyebrow quirks up suggestively as she arches her back invitingly.

As your hands slide between her legs, spreading her folds wide open for your inspection, a shudder rolls through her body at the contact alone. She parts her lips to speak again but is cut off by a sharp inhale when you brush your thumb against her sensitive nub, circling it gently before pressing harder and firmer as she moans into the bed. Her hips rock up towards your touch, needy and desperate for more contact with that talented hand.

"Oh Mary_jones..." she breathes out, her fingernails digging into the sheets beside her head as pleasure begins to build inside of her once again. "You feel so good... I want you so much..."

With a sharp cry, your back arches off the bed as Mary_jones fills you with his cock in a single hard thrust. The unexpectedness of it sends shockwaves of pleasure through your body, making your toes curl and your muscles tense. "Ahhh... Mary_jones..." You moan out, spreading your legs wider to accommodate him as he begins pounding into you from behind.

The sensation of being taken so roughly yet with such care sends your thoughts spiraling out of control; images flash through your mind of how it would feel to be claimed by him like this for always. Your nails scrape down his chest, urging him on even as they dig into his skin. With each thrust, he fills you up and spans the distance between them, connecting them in a way that defies words.

As your orgasm builds within you, you lift your hips off the bed, meeting Mary_jones' forceful thrusts with equal fervor. Your cries mix with his grunts of pleasure as you come together, your bodies moving in perfect synchrony. And when he finally comes, pouring himself into you until there's nothing left but heat and satisfaction, all you can do is collapse back against the bed, gasping for air and feeling more connected to him than ever before.

Waves of pleasure ripple through you as you lay there, the aftershocks of your orgasm echoing through your body. You close your eyes and savor the feel of his weight on top of you, their still-joined bodies cooling as sweat dries between them. For now, it's enough just to bask in this peaceful quiet and enjoy the knowledge that this newfound love is real...and promising. But deep down, somewhere buried beneath your contentment, you can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring.

You gasp as his warm lips close around your shaft, the sensation overwhelming and primitive in its intensity. Your eyes roll back in their sockets, a moan rumbling up from deep within you as he begins to bob his head expertly, sucking and licking and nipping at every inch of skin he can reach. The feeling is exquisite, heightening the pleasure coursing through your body with every touch.

As you watch Mary_jones work his magic on you, it's impossible not to reciprocate; reaching up between his legs, you wrap your lips around him and start pumping in time with each stroke of his tongue against you. The sounds of wet sucking fill the room, muffling any noise except for their combined breath as they lose themselves in this intimate dance.

Your eyes meet across the space between them, held captive by the desire and lust shining there. There's no shame, no embarrassment; only honesty and acceptance. In this moment, you are free to be whoever you want, and that freedom feels like nothing you've ever experienced before. You press closer, urging him deeper with each thrust of his tongue, longing for more connection, more release...

And when it finally comes, splashing against the back of your throat in a hot, salty rush, it's unlike anything you could have imagined. The orgasm radiates outward from your core, spreading through your body and leaving you shuddering and spent on the bed. As you collapse back against the mattress, panting heavily and trying to catch your breath, a small laugh escapes your lips at the sheer