Title: Poker Face

Rating: PG

Warning: I guess it gets a little sexual. Though people used to more mature stories may just laugh. XD

Disclaimer: I do not own Exciting Animal March/Animal Parade or related characters. Obviously.

Note: Hey there, it's been a while. Please excuse this utter piece of crap. I haven't written anything in forever and when I wrote this for the club I decided I may as well upload it here as it's been forever since I posted anything. ;D

It's probably glaringly obvious but I don't know squat about the game of poker so please excuse me if none of this makes sense~

"An Ace?" He asked boredly.

"Now I know you're cheating!" She gritted out as she handed him yet another card.

"I do not cheat." The God said indignantly as he matched her card to his. "You simply lack the skill to best me at such a game."

"Skill?! It's go fish! A kid could win this game!" Frustrated, Akari gave her hand a quick glance. "Do you have a three?"

"I wouldn't admit that." He smirked. "Go fish."

"Fine. You win. But this means war!" She said snatching up the pool.

"War?" He asked in an uninterested tone, putting his cards into her outstretched hand.

"Yes. This game.." She said as she vigorously shuffled and dealt the cards. "… Is more about luck than guessing. There is no way you can cheat this time!"

"I Do Not Cheat." He said again, no real expression behind his words this time.

They had been at this for a few hours now. His new bride had shown up early that morning toting a deck of cards, yammering on about something. Amidst her incoherent babble he managed to interpret she wanted to spend more time with him. There were much more pleasurable activities he would rather engage in but if this made her happy so be it. Though, at the moment, she didn't appear to be enjoying herself too much.

--------

"..Royal Flush.."

By this time Akari had run down the list of every single game she knew. Desperate to beat him at something she had even suggested poker. Lacking anything to bet with it was a little pointless, but she was determined.

"I can't believe it! You.. That's the best possible hand you can get there is no way!"

"I do not-"

"I know! I know! You don't cheat.. You could have at least let me win one game." She pouted.

Sighing, the god looked out to the horizon. The sun had already begun to set. Were all humans so competitive that they'd waste an entire day on pointless games? Though he had to admit, he was feeling rather proud of his flawless victory.

"..Ignis?" She called, pulling him out of his reverie.

"Another game?" He asked uninterestedly.

"No. I'm done playing." She sighed as she stood up. "Sorry I made you sit through that all day."

"I do not do anything I do not wish to do."

"Good night." Akari smiled and walked over to kiss the God goodbye. "I'm just glad I didn't teach you strip poker." She laughed jokingly.

"Strip?" His asked, eyebrow raised.

Quickly realizing her mistake Akari turned and started to head for the stairs. It was too late though, a strong arm around her waist was soon impeding her retreat. "I-Ignis" She laughed nervously. "I-I s-said I was done playing. It's getting late.. And cold."

"I'll keep you warm." He whispered sending a shiver down her body. "How about one more game? I may even let you win." He purred.

"P-poker is not something you can just let someone win." She replied trying to wriggle out of his grasp. "And is r-really is getting cold up here!"

"Hn."

A flash of firey light was all she saw before they were suddenly standing by her kitchen table. Ignis laid the deck of cards on the table. "Deal." He demanded.

"Hmph." Akari was not one to be bossed around even by a God. "I thought you were bored with games- Hey! What are you doing?!"

"Giving you the advantage. I did say I may let you win." He stated matter-of-factly as he slipped the gold bangles off his arms.

At this point Akari was so annoyed by his arrogance whatever nervousness she felt before quickly vanished. "Fine!" She said taking a seat at the table. "I plan to win this time though!"

Placing his belt and earrings aside he took a seat across from her. A noncommittal 'Hn' was his only reply.

--------

True to his word it appeared he was somehow letting her win.. But just barely.

She had managed to get him down to his.. 'underclothes', though at present they were tied as he had done the same to her. Technically she still had the edge though. It would take him two more hands to win while she only needed one. Her heart thumped in her chest as she drew her final cards. She didn't have a bad hand in fact had her opponent been anyone else she'd have been quite confident but her experience through the day had made her weary.

She watched as he rearranged his hand. It was meaningless to try and decipher his expression though, he was the epitome of 'poker face' after all. "You look nervous." He teased looking up from his cards.

"Hardly." She huffed laying down her hands. A pair of fours, a pair of threes and a king.

He gave her a malicious smile as he laid his cards down one by one. A pair of fours.. A pair of threes.. And.. He held the last card a few moments, reveling in Akari's impatient suspense. "It's too bad" He said as he laid the card down.

"A ten? A ten!... I win!" She triumphantly exclaimed. Though her victory was short lived as Ignis stood up. Realizing what winning meant Akari's face turned a very deep shade of red. The fact she was still so embarrassed made her feel even worse. "Really.. It's okay. The game is over now so-" She stood, but before she could finish he had already rounded the table.

"To my understanding.." He began as he pushed her back onto the table top. "The game isn't over until one of us has completely disrobed. Thus making them the loser." He slid his hand playfully up her thigh.

"And?.." She asked breathlessly.

"You'll find that I.. Am a very sore loser." His hand continued up her back until it met with the clasp of one of her remaining articles of clothing. Easily relieving her of the garment he took her mouth with is as her back arched to meet his body.

Maybe not all games were pointless after all.

No need for reviews. You may comment if you wish. Thanks again for reading! And special note to my watchers (if I still have any). Thanks for stickin' with me and I'm sorry to disappoint you. You guys rock and deserve so much better! Seriously. I love you guys. T3T