Orc Boyfriend: Royal (special preview)

A few months ago you had gotten a job at the Sourpuss Studios, a tattoo parlor. Your old boss got you a job there through the owner, and lucky enough for you, you know one of the artists there. Dolly and you had become friends online after both admiring each other’s work. Working with her had been amazing and since moving, you had become close with her and her boyfriend Lon, who had been a model for a lot of her work online.

Everything was fantastic about this job, expect one small thing. You often worked with Royal, another tattooist in the shop. He was an Orc, which wasn’t the reason. The reason you didn’t like him was that he bragged almost nonstop about his previous job. Royal boasted about how he used to work for Millicent Chaney, a famous tattooist to the stars down in New Orleans. He bragged about people he used to work with, all the amazing things he got to do and see while working for Millicent. It got under your skin quite a bit. You felt that the work itself should do the talking, not the bragging rights.

Royal had made his feelings about you known as well. Since you had been hired one without an interview or your work being seen he was skeptical of your ability. Especially since you promoted your social media so much. You had sent your portfolio to your new boss right away, and even Dolly spoke up for your work. It also felt hypocritical he’d talk down about your social media accounts when all he did was brag about tattooing some celebrities ass.

“I may not have worked with any celebrities, but I have won some awards for my work,” you tell him one day.

Royal chuckles. “Look, just ask and I can get you an autograph anytime.”

You give him a scrunched up sarcastic smile. “Why don’t you just kiss my ass, Royal? That’s what I really want.”

“Not in front of the customers,” Royal coos seductively. “After work and after a few drinks.”

“Only a few?”

He winks at you. “Don’t need much to have a good time. Reminds of when Millicent took the whole staff on this river cruise and-”

“That’s enough for you two,” Dolly scolds.

It had been a few months though, and you had figured out a pretty okay way of working around Royal. He was talented, you had to admit that, and he was good looking when he kept his mouth shut, you’d never admit that to anyone.

“If he’s such a big deal then why did he move away from New Orleans?” You grumble one day in the backroom, cleaning your kit and preparing for your next client.

Dolly looks up from her phone and shrugs. “Not sure. He never talks about that, just about working for Millicent Chaney. Why don’t you tell him why you moved? Maybe he’ll be a bit less priggish,” she says with a cute smirk.

You roll your eyes. “Oh sure, telling him I moved down here to take care of my Dad is really gonna soften his heart and make it grow three times its size. Bull.” You finish up and go to get a new box of gloves down from the shelf. “You and Lon got any plans this weekend?”

Dolly shrugs. “Nah. We just have a load of dishes we are mentally fighting over who has to wash. Wanna come over and watch?”

You laugh. “Oh no. I’m doing the same with my brother. Although I’m sure Lon doesn’t give you noogies.”

“Oh he wouldn’t dare. I do it to him.”

The door opens and Royal comes into the back, looking a little rough around the edge. His eyes scream exhaustion and his hair wasn’t styled like it usually was into one of those fancy braids he always wore. Even his clothes were unusual. He often dressed to the nines, but today he was wearing jeans and a plain t-shirt. “Excuse me.” His voice sounds like gravel in a blender.

“You okay, Roy?” Dolly asks, genuinely concerned. “You look like you’ve been through the ringer? Rough night or something?”

He makes a face, pushing his hair back from his forehead. “Anyone got a hair tie I could borrow?”