Orc Boyfriend (Teshi-complete)

    You’ve grown up in Obresh all your life, in fact, you’ve never really been anywhere else. Since you were little, you worked with your father in his cobbler shop. You’ve known all your life how to make shoes, the best leathers to use, the proper tools, how to carve the perfect sole. You’ve always enjoyed this line of work.

    Now, it is no secret that Obresh is quite famous. Not only is it one of the main ports on the Cobra Strait, but ages ago the Maxbanok orc tribe saved it from falling into ruin and being taken over. Their only request for this was that once a year, members of the tribe could come in and select humans to take as mates. This had become known as the Reaping. And yes, ages ago it was thought to be horrible, but in recent years it’s become an honor to the humans picked and, in fact, many happy relationships have been made this way.

    Now, you’ve heard many of your friends talk about how well-endowed Orcs are compared to human men. “Of course,” one girl says, “if I have the choice between this sausage and my pinky finger, I am going to pick the sausage.”

    Your friends' giggles and snort, but all you can do is kind of sigh. You don’t rightly understand their fascination with sex. You’ve never really felt the need or desire for it. Your fantasies don’t involve the bedroom; instead, you fantasize about having your own shop, coming home to your partner who has cooked for you and is willing to massage your tired hands and fingers. Actually, if sex was such a significant part of being married, you much rather be alone than have to deal with that sort of stress.

    One day, while you’re cleaning up the front of the shop, you see several Orcs come into town. Recently, the tribe leader Max’s wife had a baby, so most of the city and the Orcs were celebrating the birth of the future tribe leader. You’re sweeping as they pass by and one stalls, breaking from the pack and looking up at your sign.

    “Shoemaker,” he calls to you.

    You look up at him, meeting his liquid gold eyes. Your heart skips a beat for a moment, and you’re unsure if it was something you ate or what. “Yes?” you voice squeaks and you clear your throat.

    The orc smirks at you and rubs his chin. He has bright red hair that’s curly and pulled to one side then braided. The braid is decorated with teeth and other trinkets of war. His skin is mottled, patches of soft brown mingled with grayish green. His tusks have bands of copper on them, and his right eyebrow has been shaved in the center. You can’t quite remember custom, but this often means the orc is quite well off.

    “Do you do repairs?” He asks.

    You nod. “I do.”

    He points down to his boots. “Can you fix these?”

    You look back up into his eyes. “Not while you’re wearing them,” you reply and lean on your broom. “You’ll have to come inside and take them off. Do you have any spares you can wear until I fix them?”

    He chuckles. “None at all. You think I walk around with extra shoes?”

    “This shop has been here for a long time,” you shrug. “Most people who want repairs know how to prepare for that.”

    He tilts his head. “Are you being smart?”

    “Perhaps,” you smirk. “Do you want the repair or not?”

    He snorts and rubs the back of his neck. “You wouldn’t happen to have a loaner pair? Or will I have to sit in there until you fix em?”

    “You could test your luck being barefoot,” you say as you lead him inside. “Go ahead and sit down. What do you need fixed?”

    He takes off his left boot and shows you how the sole is splitting from the rest of the shoe. “I was told these boots would last me a lifetime,” he huffs.

    You look over the boot. The leather isn’t great, and the soles were merely glued on. They were lovely to look at, but they weren’t made well at all. “Whoever told you that must have told you to shine your shoes with shit too.”

    He scoffs. “I paid a lot for these.”

    You take the boots from him. “You got robbed.” You set them on the counter. “These could take me awhile to fix. It might actually be better for you to order a custom pair.”

    “What?” He scoffs.

    You go into the back to find a size that will suit him and come back out. “Try these on.” You hand them to him, and he slips them on. 

His expression changes almost instantly. “Oh wow.”

“See how that feels?” You tell him. “That’s quality,” you smirk up at him. “So what do you say? New shoes or fix those?” You motion over your shoulder at the pair on the counter.

    He growls and grunts. “Fine, new ones. But I want them to look like those. Same style. I don’t really need the embellishments.”

    “I can do that,” you nod. “I’ll just need to take some measurements if you have the time.”

    He sighs and leans back in the chair. “Some business,” he says as you get set up. “Hanging around feet all day.”

    “That is far from what I do,” you say as you take the measuring cloth to his foot. He flinches, and you look up to him. You try again, and he snorts, and his leg bounces. “Are you ticklish?” You ask, writing down on your pad.

    “No,” he grunts.

    You smirk. “What is your name, by the way?”

    “Teshi,” he fidgets when you move the tape measure again.

You bite back your smile and push up his pants leg to measure his calf and shin. “Nice to meet you Teshi. A pleasure to be doing business with you.”

“Yeah,” he sighs. “How long is this going to take, you think?” 

“Could be a week,” you tell him. “Actually, I’ve never made shoes this big before. It could take me a little over a week. Maybe more.”

He grunts. “I’ll have to keep tabs on your progress,” he says with a nod of his head. “I can’t have you slacking off on your duties.”

You look up at him, seeing a smile on his face. “Oh sure, whatever you say, Teshi.”

He buys the loaner pair you had picked out for him and pairs for half of the new boots. “Let’s say this takes two weeks,” he says as he leans on the counter, “what will happen if it takes too long?”

“Quality takes time,” you hold up his old boots. “Obviously.”

He chuckles. “Yeah but, what if I get impatient?” He tilts his head, and you see the attractive lines of his neck.

You look back into his eyes and smile. “Then you’ll have to find your patience again,” You toss his old boots away. “How awful would that be?”

“I guess I’ll just have to think of something on my own,” he winks, and your heart stops again. “See you soon, shoemaker.” 

Your face grows hot, and you have to duck down behind your counter to collect yourself. He was so cute and attractive, he was also funny, and you felt like you could have teased with him back and forth all day.

You start to work on his order. You mainly just have to make sure you have all the supplies you need, His feet are big, and he has thick, muscular calves that are half the battle. Luckily, you have enough of the leather you need, also the block for the soles of the shoes.

You get to work, soaking the leather to form it. Tomorrow you would start carving the soles. From there you would be hammering, sewing, hammering and working your fingers to the bone.

The next day, Teshi walks into the shop as tour carving. “Those better be mine,” he chuckles and smiles knowingly at you.

“I had to find special block to fit your toes,” you tease.

He looks unsure for a moment like he took you seriously. But when you giggle, he rolls his eyes and takes a seat, watching you widdle away at the block. “Aren’t you afraid of taking off a knuckle?”

“I have nine more if I do,” You reply.

He chuckles. “I suppose that’s true.” He rests his chin in his palm. “How long have you been making shoes?”

“Since I was twelve,” you answer. “I’ve been watching my dad make shoes since I was born though.

“Wow,” he murmurs. 

You look up at him and wag the awl blade at him. “What about you? What do you do?”

He frowns and leans back, his arms crossed against his chest. 

“Uh oh,” you tilt your head. “Someone doesn’t look too happy.”

He grunts then puffs. “My father has a tobacco farm,” he grumbles.

You arch your brows, looking back down. “Has?” You question his word choice.

“Well, owns, operates, blah blah blah. He’s mainly into trade now. He used to farm it on his own until it grew and grew and now he’s all business.” He glances out the window with an unsatisfied look on his face.

You crook your brows. “Is that so bad?”

“It isn’t very...orc of him,” he grunts.

You wave your awl blade again. “Is there a proper way to be an Orc? Do you not agree with his business practices or something?”

“He used to be a warrior!” He scoffs. “I just…” he huffs. “No, there is no right way to be an orc I guess. It’s just-”

“Tradition,” you blow on the finished sole and present it to him. 

He takes it and looks it over. “I guess that’s what it is.”

“Do you think orcs should mate with humans?” You ask.

He frowns and goes quiet for a long moment. “Do you think they should?”

“Actually, I don’t particularly like mating of any kind,” you laugh. “But I don’t mind when I see it. Like Max and Meggie, they’re a super cute couple. I’m really happy for them, they look so proud when they’re together.”

Teshi smiles and looks at the sole. “What don’t you like about mating?” He offers the sole back to me.

“I don’t know,” you sigh as you set your tools aside. “I’ve just never found it quite...important,” he shrugs, not sure with your word choice. You weren’t sure Teshi would understand, your friends didn’t. Most people didn’t quite understand you when you tried to tell them sex wasn’t something you thought about or wanted.

“So, you’d never do it?” he asks.

“I wouldn’t say never. I don’t know if I would ever meet someone I would want to do it with,” you shrug. “I know I don’t have any interest in sex.”

He grins. “Whoa now, I was talking about marriage. I never mentioned sex.”

You laugh and nod. “Marriage, I wouldn’t mind having a loving partner.”

He sighs and stands up. “Well, I came to see if you were working hard, and I have no been reassured at all.” He winks at you. “Get back to work, shoemaker.”

“Then shut the hell up,” you tell him as you dust the shaving from your lap.

“No promises,” he leaves the shop, and you feel a little bit happier having seen him.

He comes by each day, sometimes staying and talking for hours, other times to tease you for not being done yet. Then, one day, you are finally done. You’ve even managed to etch some designs into the leather like the old boots, only much better. But that’s just your opinion. 

“Why aren’t you working?” Teshi scoffs as he comes into the shop for the day.

You grin up at him. “Because I have none!”

“Like fuck you don’t,” he laughs, slamming his fist on the counter.

You place his new boots on the counter. “Just last night. What do you think?”

He picks them up and looks them over. “Well, I’d say fuck me silly, shoemaker, but that isn’t your style.”

You snort, and he turns the boots over. “These look beautiful. So I have a lifetime guarantee?” He asks.

You smile as you watch him take off his shoes to put the boots on. “I’ll repair them for sure. But nothing lasts forever.”

He poses in his new boots and grins. “I’m holding you to forever, shoemaker.” He tosses you the rest of the money for the boots and then some. “See you then.” You feel a bit sad watching him leave. You enjoyed seeing him every day and getting to talk to him. Was that over now?

You’re getting ready to open for the day when you realize what day it is. People are scattered all over the streets, cheering and excited for the group of orcs marching onto the road. They come out of the fog, looking like beasts of legend. You stand there, staring in awe, realizing today was the Reaping. You had been so busy you hadn’t given it much thought!

You watch several people get reaped, and they couldn’t be more excited. You sigh and then look up, seeing Teshi amongst them. He’s wearing his new boots, and he looks like he’s dressed very nice. He looks so handsome. You feel awful, wondering if there is someone he has come to reap. He comes towards you, and you stare at one another. Your heart has stopped as you look up at him, gazing into his golden eyes. The next thing you know, he’s picked you up and tossed you over his shoulder.

“Wait, really?” You gasp.

He pats your rear as he carts you out of town. “Really, shoemaker.”

You sniffle, and he rubs the backs of your thighs. “Don’t tell me you’re crying back there!”

“I didn’t think you’d pick me,” you admit. “After all, I told you.”

“I’m picking you because I adore you, not because I expect sex,” he says. “Being with you and talking with you has made me realize what I want. I want you, little shoemaker. You and all nine knuckles.”

I laugh and wipe my face, still tearing up.

He sets me down once we’re at his home. It’s at the edge of the tobacco farm. It’s small, but it’s built of stone and mortar. I look up at him, and he wipes away my tears with his big, warm hands.

“Can I kiss you?”

I nod. “Of course.”

He dips down, his sharp tusks brushing against me before his lips do. I cup his cheeks, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. He runs his fingers through my hair and smiles. “You’re good at that too.” He opens the door and leads me inside. “Will this be a good enough home for you?”

I look around the place. I see to one side there is a door with a sign that says workshop on it. He takes me to it, showing me inside there is a whole cobbler studio there, complete with supplies and tools of all sorts. 

“I figured you could work at home if you ever wanted to,” he murmurs. “I just...well it’s a bit selfish, but I liked watching you when you worked. You just seemed so peaceful and pretty-”

You grab him and wrap your arms tight around him. You squeeze tight and his strong arms circle around you. “I love it!” You gasp.

“I love you,” he whispers. “I wanted to make sure you’d like it here.”

I kiss him again and sigh. “You don’t think I’m weird?”

“I love that you’re weird. That’s why I like you so much.” He smiles at me. “Having a partner who is happy, beautiful, and makes me smile is more important than anything. If your desires change then, well, they change. But until then I like you as you are. Sex isn’t important to make us work.”

I sniffle and hug tight to him again. “Teshi,” I whimper.

He kisses the top of my head. “Now, if this is going to work I need to know something.” He looks serious, his eyes even going a little dark.

“Oh,” I gasp, feeling a small pain of fear.

“Do you give me your lifelong guarantee?” he asks, grinning from ear to ear.

I bite my lip, holding my smile back. “Are you holding me to forever?” I ask, tilting my head.

He nods. “I’m holding you forever,” he says, his voice soft. 

I take his hand, kissing his palm. “I’m holding you forever too. No escape.”

“Who said anything about escaping?” He leads me through the house, showing me the different rooms, including a closet he’s prepared for me full of new clothes for every season. We then stand out on the back porch overlooking the tobacco field. He points to a pavilion just beyond the field. 

“My parents were married there,” he tells me. “I was also born there,” he chuckles. “I would understand if you’d like a wedding somewhere else.”

“Why were you born in a pavilion?” I ask.

“Oh sure,” he sighs, “focus on that.”

I smirk at him. “We can get married there if that’s what you want?”

“It’s tradition,” he murmurs. “But...I wouldn’t mind breaking tradition.” he smiles down at me. “I’ve always liked the ocean.”

“Ok,” I take his hand. “But if we get married there, I’m not giving birth in the ocean.”

His eyes widen, and his cheeks turn bright red, and he sets me on the railing. 

I huff. “Don’t go getting any ideas. It’s just an expression.” I kiss his cheek.

He sighs with relief. “Just surprised me was all. I hadn't even considered kids. You scared me a good deal, little shoemaker.” 

I giggle. “Good. I plan on scaring you a lot.”

“As long as you keep all your knuckles, you won’t scare me much.” He kisses my knuckles and smirks at me.