Modern Monsters

Royal the Orc

Female Reader x Male Monster (both cis)

A few months ago you got a job at the Sourpuss Studios, a tattoo parlor. Your old boss knows the owner, and lucky for you, you know one of the artists there. Dolly and you became friends online because you admired each other's work. Working with her is amazing, and since moving, you've become close with her and her boyfriend Lon, who models a lot of Dolly's work online.

Everything is fantastic about this job, except for one thing - you often work with Royal, another tattooist in the shop, an orc who brags almost nonstop about his previous job. Royal boasts about how he used to work for Millicent Chaney, a tattooist to the stars down in New Orleans. He brags about people he used to work with, all the amazing things he got to do and see while working for Millicent. It gets under your skin quite a bit. You feel that the work itself should do the talking.

Royal has made his feelings about you known as well. Since you had been hired without an interview or your work being seen, he's skeptical of your ability. Especially since you promote your social media so much. You sent your portfolio to your new boss right away, and even Dolly spoke up for your skills. It seems hypocritical that Royal would talk down about your Instagram account, when all he does is brag about tattooing some celebrity's ass.

"I may not have worked with any celebrities, but I've 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 of you two," Dolly scolds.

It's been a few months, and you've figured out an okay way of working around Royal. He's talented, you have to admit, and good-looking when he keeps his mouth shut, though 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 back room, while cleaning your kit and preparing for your next client.

Dolly looks up from her phone and shrugs. "I'm not sure. He never talks about it, 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 gonna soften his heart and make it grow three times its size. Bull." You take 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're 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 in, looking a little rough around the edges. His eyes scream exhaustion and his hair isn't styled like into one of those fancy braids he always has. Even his clothes are unusual. He often dresses to the nines, but today he's 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 wringer. Rough night or something?"

Royal makes a face, pushing his hair back from his forehead. "Anyone got a hair tie I could borrow?"