Orc Boyfriend: Moreno 2 (special preview)

In the few months since his return home, Moreno was already quite the popular topic. It seemed now that anytime you went near the woodshop, there were people there. Either shopping or talking to Moreno about his time in Charbagne. Even at the brewery people flocked to him. They wanted to hear his stories, catch up on the gossip happening elsewhere in the world. He’s good looking too, so there was no shortage of people flirting with him. You had to admit it did seem like he belonged here more than Charbagne. But each day it felt like there was a little more distance between you.

That fact that bothered you or was even a thought in your head was worrisome. Why did it matter to you if Moreno was getting flirted with or was surrounded by admirers. You had your own collection of them too. You tried to ignore it, to forget the moment that your heart skipped a beat with Moreno. Unfortunately, that proved to be difficult for you.

One morning, like usual, you went to the woodshop to take Moreno his breakfast. Moreno was already up and in the shop, but he had a guilty expression upon his face.

“What are you doing here?” he asks.

You look around the room, expecting him to be hiding something. “I always drop by in the morning to give you the leftover pasties.” You set them down upon the counter. “What are you so jumpy for today?” You walk around him, looking over a chair he was working on. It was beautiful for something so simple and mundane.

“I’m not jumpy.” He tries to stay close to you. “Just didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”

“Really?” You say with a smirk.

He glances back over his shoulder. “I’m kind of busy, I’d love to talk, but maybe later today. I’m trying to-”

“Moreno?” A woman’s voice drawls from the stairwell. “Are you there?”

You stand up, alert and bristly all over. “Oh, I see.” You force out a laugh. “I get you, lucky you.” You playfully punch him, although you do hit a little too hard. “I’ll be quiet and sneak out.”

“No,” he gasps. “That’s not- she’s not-” He fumbles over his words. “Goldie, listen.”

You still your hand upon the doorknob and look back at him. “You don’t have to explain anything to me, Moreno,” you say with a smile. “So you have a girl over. Big deal.”

“No, that’s not-”

“I’ll see you later.” You don’t give him time to explain, you simply make a quick escape. You leave the woodshop behind, you walk past your own house. You go right back to the brewery where you know you will be alone. You walk through the dining room, going into the kitchen and then downstairs where the brewery actually is. It’s dark and cold down there, filled with the scent of yeast. You sit down, taking a deep breath.

“What the fuck?” You ask the nothingness around you. “Tell me! What the fuck?” You scream. You hang your head between your hands. This is miserable! This is pathetic! He was supposed to be your nemesis and yet you couldn’t ignore how you felt around him. Ever since he came back he’s been the missing piece to life in Rivaden. He’s filled a void you didn’t realize you had. He’s wonderful.

You weep softly into your palms. You hated it because you had promised yourself you would never shed a tear again over Moreno and his antics. His wooden frogs wouldn’t scare you. His horror stories about bears wouldn’t bother you. So why does this? His cruelest trick of all!

After a brief weep, you gather yourself and go back up into the brewery. Your eyes feel hot and puffy from crying, so you try and think of a way to explain that on your way home. You can’t let your family know you cried over a boy. Let alone cried over Merona of all people.

At the brewery that evening, it’s a tad slow. You’re keeping yourself busy by tending to the patrons you do have, chatting with them while you wait for more. Moreno comes in alone and you quickly try to excuse yourself before he can get to you. Unfortunately, he has much longer legs than you.