thank you kindly, mamaffy! I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier. I have had a sudden flurry of people discovering this story for some reason, which is tremendously gratifying, if utterly puzzling. :)

I will endeavor to tie them together more often in future. perhaps naked next time, in the tropics, while doused in coconut oil. after which, of course, they will have to slither their way free of their leather bindings.

oh! the shenanigans.