Lights, Camera, Orc-tion!

22: Proof (almost NSFW)

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to. I know doing this," Kahdreg motioned between the two of them, "Can be confusing and after the hickey thing I just... I don't want you to feel like it's expected."

The orc's eyes flickered to Avicia's throat. A rumble of instinct wanted to renew the red marks again, for the billionth time since the hickeys had faded fully. Kahdreg forced the ancient inclination away, chaining it to the further corners of their thoughts though it still rattled for attention. As tempting as the thought was, they hadn't dared get too close to Avicia after the last incident. Despite her assurance that it had been fine, the orc couldn't bring themselves to risk it. Especially if they became swallowed up with such overwhelming desire, again.

"Kahdreg, I'm only going to agree to what I'm comfortable with." Relief brought the words to Avicia's mouth a little quicker than she anticipated. Her own hand settled over Kahdreg's grasp on her wrist as the orc's eyes transitioned from her throat to her face. Smiling, she leaned forward, briefly tempted to lay a comforting kiss on Kahdreg's lips. The momentary terror that she had overstepped boundaries in her weeks of teasing stopped her, though. "Like you said in the dressing room that day, it's on me to initiate with you. Since then, you haven't pushed the limits in ways I disagree with."

Whatever tension Kahdreg had been holding visibly released, relief softening the straight line of their shoulders. Their thumb ghosted over Avicia's wrist, tickling over her pulse. "You sure?"

"Very sure." Her smile brightened more, her body leaning closer to Kahdreg. Avicia's gaze slid to Kahdreg's lips, imagining how soft and warm they'd feel against hers, how their tusks would frame her cheeks. She was once again tempted, oh-so-tempted, to kiss them. To ease whatever concerns still lingered through touch. Avicia only barely stopped herself by ruefully saying, "We should go before Miss Virlee sends someone to get us."

"She wouldn't do that." Kahdreg gave a faint chuckle, rolling their eyes. Though there was some doubt in their tone, the orc wanted to believe that Kallinaera Virlee had better things to do on this trip. Like showing off her singing chops with karaoke or accepting obscenely expensive gifts from cherished guests or demanding perfection from the poor saps currently workin...

At that moment, a knock resounded on their door, causing both human and orc to jump. "Mr. Vidaroc, Miss Virlee requests your presence aboveboard!"

Avicia shot Kahdreg a look, clearly transmitting 'told you so' energy. Again, Kahdreg's shoulders sagged, not from relief but from defeat. She brushed Kahdreg's hand from her wrist, taking a step away from the still seated orc. Kahdreg stared up at Avicia, an expression on their face and a softness in their gaze that almost made her believe he'd brush Kallinaera off. Perhaps opting to stay in the room with Avicia rather than suffer under the siren's intense attention.

And she was right. In that breath, Kahdreg considered ignoring the call. Staying in the room, enjoying Avicia's company, and exploring where the changing boundaries now stopped clawed at Kahdreg's curiosity.

"Mr. Vidaroc?" The employee on the other side of the door felt painfully close to pleading. Kahdreg could only imagine the standards Kallinaera had already set, before the party guests had even arrived.

Almost at once, Kahdreg heaved a sigh and stood. "Tell Kallinaera that Avicia and I will be up there in a second."

The employee chirped a quick "Thank you, sir!" before their footfalls echoed rushedly down the hall, excited at the good news.

A small flicker of disappointment passed Avicia's features, quickly erased before Kahdreg could notice. Of course, neither could ignore Kallinaera on her birthday, not while they questionably enjoyed a cruise she had shelled out exorbitant amounts of cash for. Especially not while her company was the main investor in Kahdreg's project.