Orc Boyfriend: Tavik (special preview)

Several nights later I have invited some of my friends and customers over. In part we sit around, play music, and enjoy good food, but I also want to show you off. You seem to enjoy yourself but after a while you kiss my cheek and tell me you’re going to lay down. I bid you goodnight and think nothing else of it. 

But later one of my friends comes up to me. “I saw your bride hop out the window and go running off.”

“What?” I scoff at him.

I go to your room and see your bed is empty and the window is wide open. Fear and panic grip me. For a moment I wonder if you were seeing someone. Had I stolen you and not realized? I leave, following your trail all the way back to a small stable near the lake. The place looked abandoned but I heard your voice. For a moment, I worry you are not alone. 

I hear you fighting something and then a moment later I see you struggling with a massive stallion. The creature looks like some war horse, powerful and frightening, like one of the ones that minotaur rode into Obresh. You fight with it and try to calm it, but it won’t listen to you.

I turn and leave, going back home to wait on you. After everyone is gone I go back into your room and find you laying them asleep. You must have been fighting with that horse for hours, no wonder you’re so ravenous every morning. 

You lift your head off the pillow and your hair spills out like silk. “What is it?” You grumble and rub your eyes.

“Go back to sleep,” I step in and sit on the edge of your bed. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

You sigh and rest your head again. “Everyone gone?”

I nod and stroke your hair. “Yeah. Just left.”

“You can sleep here if you want,” you burble dreamily. “I don’t care.”

I take up your offer and fall asleep above the covers. Come morning, you wake before I do and stoke the fire the always. I make breakfast and watch you as you set to work on all the little projects you have in mind. But tonight I have my own plan in mind.

“I’m going to the neighbors’ tonight,” I tell you. “They have a few instruments that need fixing, so I may be a while.”

“Take your time.” You kiss me on the cheek. “I’ll probably be in bed when you get back.”

I stroke your hair from your face. “Can I come in and sleep there when I get back?” I ask quietly.

You nod. “Yes, of course.” You rub your hand on my chest. “It’s our bed.” 

I kiss your forehead and I make my way. I double back and make my way to the forest just outside the stable and wait. As evening descends I hear you crossing through the thicket. You step out onto the path and when you spot me you stop. We both say nothing, just look at one another. You take a deep breath and I relax against the fence. 

You walk around me, going to the gate and then stop. You look back and press your lips into a firm line. “What are you doing here?”