[Web Res] Image Series: Vortex and Loona (Part 2)

Where is the part 1? Well, I haven't made that one yet actually

This piece started out as an experiment on art style, but I was liking what I see, thus I'm planning to make more. I started out with an image that I have in back burner but really wanted to make.

The style itself is inspired by the 2010s era art, back when I started my furry journey. I always wanted to give it a crack. But only finally managed to make one now.

Oh, I also managed to make a full-blown story for the image series. So, stay tuned for that as well

Short Story

Piercing Shenanigans, Part 2

Vortex slouched over the desk in the I.M.P. office, the faint rustle of paperwork under his paws the only sound breaking the stillness. He scratched the back of his neck, staring at the mess Blitzo had left him with—forms, invoices, some scribbled nonsense about “tax evasion” that Vortex didn’t even wanna touch. Things had been rough lately, ever since Verosika gave him the boot. One day he’s hauling gear for her gigs, the next he’s out on his ass, no warning, no nothing. It’d hit him hard, left him drifting, wondering what the hell he was supposed to do next. Then Loona came through, tossing him a lifeline by vouching for him here. I.M.P. was a circus, sure, but it was a gig, and Vortex wasn’t about to complain. Plus, it meant sticking close to her, and that? That was a bonus he hadn’t dared hope for.

Loona’d been his rock for a while now—sharp as a blade, with that smirk that could cut through bullshit and a laugh that always got him grinning back. Vortex loved hanging with her, spilling stories about his nights with Bee or the random hookups that came with their deal. Bee was chill about it—hell, she’d be off doing her own thing half the time—and Vortex didn’t mind flapping his jaws about it. Loona’d listen, ears perked, eyes glinting like she was eating it up. He figured she just liked the gossip, maybe got a kick out of his dumbass way of telling it. She’d throw her own tales back sometimes, and Vortex’d laugh, thinking she was cute—sassy, a little awkward, but cute as hell. Never crossed his mind she might be into him. She was Loona, too cool for a big lug like him to even dream about.

Lately, though, Vortex had started picking up on stuff—little hints she’d drop, like mentioning her latest fling with a sly glance his way, or the way her tail’d flick when she caught him looking too long. He wasn’t the brightest at reading between the lines, though. He’d chuckle, call her adorable, and let it slide, figuring it was just Loona being Loona. Hitting on her? Nah, that felt off. Vortex only messed around with folks he knew well, folks he trusted, and screwing up what they had over some misread signal wasn’t worth it. She was too good a friend to gamble on.

Today felt different, though. Office work meant swapping his usual jacket and jeans for a white shirt and tie—stupid thing kept choking him, but he kinda liked the change. Vortex had caught Loona’s eyes on him more than once, lingering in a way that made his chest tighten. The office was a ghost town, just the two of them, Blitzo and the others off on some Earth-side hit. Vortex was halfway through a stack of forms, pen scratching away, when her voice broke through the quiet, sharp and teasing.

“Hey, Tex, c’mere a sec.”

Vortex looked up, his grin kicking in automatic as he dropped the pen and stretched his arms. “What’s up, Loon?”

She smirked, that devilish little twist of her lips he knew too well, and then she lifted her top—just enough to flash a pair of fresh nipple piercings, glinting like trouble against her fur. Her voice hit him like a playful jab, all swagger and challenge. "Check it out, Tex. Freshly pierced and lookin’ badass. Bet you’ve never seen anything this bold, huh? Try not to blush too hard."

Vortex froze, his brain slamming to a halt like he’d walked into a wall. Holy shit. She was showing off—for him? His heart thudded hard, and for a second, he just stared, mind racing to catch up. The pieces clicked—those sly comments, the looks, the way she’d been circling him like a tease for weeks. He wasn’t that dense. A grin spread across his face, slow and easy, as it sank in. She was into this. Into him. And damn if that didn’t light a fire under him.

Vortex dropped his trousers with a casual flick, grinning, unfazed, as he unbuttoned them further, his voice low and playful. "Heh, what do you think, Loon? I got this a while back."

Loona’s eyes widened, jaw dropping slightly as she caught sight of the piercing he revealed, and she blurted out, "Ohh… whoa. Okay, damn, Tex, I wasn’t ready for that. Wait—seriously, doesn’t that hurt like hell? How do you even walk around with that thing?" Her voice was a wild mix of shock and curiosity, her tail flicking fast as she leaned in, like she couldn’t believe he’d just pulled that move.

Vortex laughed, a deep rumble that shook off the stun as he leaned back, keeping it chill. "Nah, it’s not so bad once you get used to it. Stings like a bitch at first, sure, but now? Just part of the package. Plus, my girl loves it—says it adds some ‘extra spice.’ Wanna take a closer look, Loon? I don’t bite… much." He winked, tossing it out like a dare, his grin stretching wider as her ears twitched.

She glanced away for a beat, then flicked her eyes back to him, muttering, "Uh… yeah, okay. Yes. But don’t make it weird, alright? I just… wanna see it better. That’s all." Her tone softened, a nervous edge creeping in, but those red eyes stayed locked on him, wide and searching. That’s when it hit Vortex full force—she wasn’t messing around this time. Her stammer, that little twitch of her ears, it was all there, plain as day. His chest buzzed with a rush he couldn’t ignore. Finally, they were on the same damn wavelength, and Vortex wasn’t about to let it slip by. This was gonna be one hell of a day.

***