Page 27

Chapter Twenty-Six

Korik

Korik woke with the first rays of sunrise. The same strange mix of relief and dread still felt heavy in his stomach as he sat up, looking out at the snowy expanse surrounding them. He could see the gentle slope of the mountain giving way to the valley ahead, and the natural hot springs would be only a few hours’ walk from where they were now.

He was relieved that the hardest part of their journey was over, yet anxiety gnawed at him every time he thought about it ending. It was silly, but he had started to enjoy Varen’s presence. He hadn’t really had a friend like this before, and the thought of going back to his same solitary existence in Drol Kuggradh was growing less and less appealing.

A friend . Was that even what they were? Friends didn’t sleep with each other, did they? But they weren’t... more than friends, either. It was transactional. Practical. A way to keep warm. When they arrived at the elven fort, whatever strange relationship they had would be over. Wasn’t that what he had wanted all along? Why did the prospect of it feel so bitter now?

He had always been fine alone. He would be alone again, and he would be fine then, too. He had to be.

Varen stirred beside him, the first rays of daylight on his face. The way the light landed on him was beautiful. He was beautiful—Korik had had the thought often enough now that he didn’t try to shove it away in embarrassment any longer. Varen was an elf, so of course he was beautiful. It didn’t have to mean anything special.

The elf’s eyes opened and blinked, before landing on him. Varen shot him a sleepy smile.

“Morning,” he mumbled. A small, fond smile tugged at the corners of Korik’s lips.

“Good morning,” he said, standing to his feet. “Hot springs today.”

“That sounds divine,” Varen groaned, rolling onto his side. “Let’s not waste any daylight, then.”

They ate a handful of berries each—not nearly enough to be satisfying, but enough to stave off the worst of the hunger—then Korik slipped into the earth, as Varen packed up their things. Birds and small mammals were abundant here, so it was easy enough to scout ahead. There were no signs of danger on their route, and he could see the hot springs nestled within the foothills.

Rocks surrounded one large pool, and a few smaller pools clustered around it. The largest pool was natural, and the smaller had been carved out long ago by the clans that roamed nearby. The springs currently appeared unoccupied, which was a relief; there was still no telling how welcoming any of the mountain clans might be.

The path looked clear, and he knew where they were going. He released his hold on the bird and came back to himself. Lately, when returning to his body, the first thing that he was aware of was the biting cold on his fingers. He winced and tucked his hands into his coat to warm them as he stood. Varen was waiting a few steps away, packed and ready to go, holding Korik’s rucksack out to him.

“Just a few hours,” he said, as he took his pack. “Nothing too difficult, hopefully.”

Varen grinned up at him, hazel eyes flashing in the morning sun. “It’ll be nice to have a more relaxed day today, then. Compared to yesterday.”

Korik snorted. Their use of his wooden panel as a sled had been more than a little hare-brained, but he couldn’t deny that it had worked. Still, he’d had more adrenaline pounding through his veins yesterday than perhaps ever before in his life—which was saying a lot, considering how tumultuous the past few weeks had been.

With their snow shoes strapped back on, they broke camp and headed out. The snow beneath them was soft and largely untouched. Korik could see where piles of it had slid down the mountain like tiny avalanches. Varen pointed out several types of trees he recognized, all indications that they were slowly, but surely, making progress closer to the elven outpost. The air was cool and crisp and still. The snow muffled all sound, making the world nearly silent, save for the soft crunch as they walked.

As he’d estimated, it took about three hours to descend the rest of the mountain and finally arrive at its foot.

“Thank the gods! ” Varen exclaimed, when Korik remarked they were no longer on the mountain, throwing himself down onto the snow with exaggerated happiness. Another hour of travel, and the hot springs came into sight.

Korik spotted the faint haze of steam on the horizon first, relief washing over him at the sight.

“We’re nearly there,” he said, turning to Varen. He pointed. “See the steam coming up?”

“I can’t wait,” the elf groaned. “I’ve been dreaming of a hot bath for days . This is going to be the best day of my life.”

His pace quickened, and Korik bit back a laugh, shaking his head as he followed. He was so unlike all the stuffy, prim elves he’d met before; it was hard to imagine that he had once thought Varen was the same.

When they finally arrived at the spring, Korik pointed out the large main pool, along with its smaller offshoots, explaining to Varen that they were all from the same source: the big pool was the natural spring, and the small ones had been dug up long ago. The warm water was calm and still, steam rising up from the glassy surface in big, lazy billows. As picturesque as it was, now that they were here, it took all of Korik’s self control not to jump into the hot water immediately.

Despite the fact that they had been sleeping together for a week, it still felt too awkward to disrobe and get in the water with Varen. Instead, he stepped over to one of the smaller pools, facing away as he carefully removed his layers of clothing; he folded them neatly where they would stay dry, then stepped into the pool. The warmth was almost painful on his cold feet at first, but quickly faded to a much more pleasant sensation. He sank all the way in with a deep, relieved sigh, eyes closing in bliss. The water was perfectly warm, just enough to ease the ache in his muscles, but not so much as to become uncomfortable. He couldn’t quite say that this had made it all worth it, but it was certainly a great reward for his long-suffering.

He could hear Varen splash nearby. Korik opened his eyes and watched the elf sinking into the closest small pool with a similar groan of pleasure.

“Gods, that’s perfect,” the elf murmured, eyes closed. “I could stay here all day.”

Korik chuckled. “We can stay if you want. Take a day to rest up, recover a little.”

“Yes, please,” Varen said without hesitation, which made Korik chuckle again. They were close enough to their destination that he doubted one extra day would make the difference. And the hot springs were very nice, after days of trudging through snow.

Rocks had been placed within the pool to create makeshift seats, so Korik carefully sat down, the water reaching his chin. In the other pool, he saw Varen also try to sit, but it was too deep for him. His head disappeared under the water, then bobbed back up, the elf’s wet hair sticking to his face as he laughed.

Korik closed his eyes, resolving to rest and relax no matter how much Varen splashed around. Luckily, the elf settled after a few minutes, and silence descended over the hot springs. He breathed deeply, focusing on the sound of the air rushing in and out of his lungs. He could feel the deep well of latent magic far below the earth, where the water flowed from. It was distant, yet the sense of it was unmistakable—far stronger than the natural ambient magic that he could feel when he reached outward to connect with wildlife. How many places were sources of natural magic like this? How many wonders had he missed out on living his solitary, stationary life in Drol Kuggradh?

Was this why so many of his people wandered? Why their clans roamed as far as they could, seeing everything they could see? He had been content with his life when he was living it, but now he had to admit to himself that he at least understood the appeal. Something in him was fulfilled being out here—despite the strange circumstances that had brought him into the wilderness, and the danger he had faced.

It wasn’t that he wanted to abandon his life in Drol Kuggradh; on the contrary, he very much wanted to return to it. He missed Roz, and what would the orcs in the city do without a healer? He had all his stock of herbs and supplies there, not to mention his personal belongings that he’d left behind. He wanted to go home, but after that... Maybe he would start spending some time away from the city. A compromise.

But that was something he could worry about later. They were here to rest and relax. With some effort, he emptied his mind, focusing until the movement of his lungs and the beat of his heart filled his awareness. The cold air, warm water, his aching body, and the earth beneath it all became one. He was safe and comfortable. It would all be waiting for him later.

Korik wasn’t sure how long he remained there, his mind drifting in quiet meditation. The sound of splashing from the other pool caught his attention eventually, though, and he opened his eyes to find that Varen had clambered out of his pool and was now stepping into Korik’s.

He had seen Varen naked, of course, but that had all been in such dim light from glowing embers—now, in the daylight, the elf’s body was an eyeful. Faint pink scars marked places where Korik had felt old wounds, mostly on his arms, but one near his hip looked like it must have been brutal when it occurred. His body was lean, and the strong muscle beneath his skin was evident in his every movement. Korik realized, embarrassed, that his admiration had been largely medical in nature until his eyes landed on Varen’s cock—though it was quickly hidden as he plunged into the water beside him—and he considered the likely reason why the elf had come to join him.

“Thank you for getting us here,” Varen said, the sincerity in his voice taking Korik by surprise. “This is... Very nice. I had no idea this was here. But it’s really helped. I feel much better already.”

Korik looked at him for a moment, then offered a small, uncertain smile. “Good. I’m glad.”

Varen did not sit down beside him—the elf waded right over to him and straddled his waist, facing him. Korik’s face immediately heated, but he found himself placing his hands on Varen’s hips, anyway.

“We’re all alone here,” Varen said, his voice low and breathy now that they were so close, his eyes full of heat. “And this has got to be a lot more comfortable than a cot on the ground, don’t you think?”

Korik nodded, his heart beating faster. He could feel his cock rising to attention, pushing insistently into the space between them. But Varen pressed harder against him, his smaller hands gripping Korik’s shoulders to brace himself.

“Stay just like this,” Varen said, looking him up and down. “I want to ride you this time.”

It took a moment for Korik to realize what he was saying. “I—What? Ride me?”

Varen laughed, smirking at him. “What? Is that such a surprise to you?”

“I don’t—I don’t want you to hurt yourself,” he protested, his face somehow flushing even warmer.

“I won’t hurt myself,” the elf replied nonchalantly. “Yes, you’re a big strong orc and all, but I’ll still be on top. If something hurts, I’ll stop.”

Korik couldn’t bring himself to protest any further. Varen had been so dominant, he had quickly accepted that the elf would be the one in control of their encounters, which he found he liked just as well. He had thought about being inside the elf, of course, but he had doubted it would actually happen—so now that Varen seemed to want the same, he wouldn’t tell him no.

Varen’s fingers brushed against his jaw, pulling him from his thoughts. The elf’s hand trailed up and pushed his damp hair out of his face. Somehow, the simple motion felt uncomfortably intimate, leaving his face exposed and removing the curtain he so often used to hide himself. But Varen grinned at him, so he didn’t protest.

“You have lovely eyes,” Varen murmured, running a hand down his cheek again. “Like the color of the sun.”

“You shouldn’t be looking at the sun,” Korik replied without thinking, and Varen burst out laughing.

“Gods, I shouldn’t be surprised,” he chuckled. “Yes, healer, I’m aware. I’m trying to set the mood, you know.”

“S-sorry,” Korik stammered, trying to focus less on thinking and more on their bodies. Beneath the warm water, he released his hold on Varen’s hips, only to run his hands further down, cupping the firm globes of his ass. Varen let out a soft, breathy sound of pleasure, pressing back into the contact.

“Better,” Varen murmured, pushing his own hair out of his eyes with one hand. He rocked back against Korik’s hold. “Get me ready for you. I want to take as much of you as I can.”

There was hardly any resistance as Korik slipped his first finger in—there was already so much of the elf’s natural slick that he paused, surprised, then looked at the elf in consternation.

“You were already preparing yourself,” he said, half-questioning and half-accusing. Varen laughed, rocking his hips again to push the digit in deeper.

“Guilty as charged,” he said. “Made your job easier, though, didn’t I?”

“Insatiable,” Korik muttered, still reeling, but he pressed a second finger in. Varen bit back a soft groan and remained still as Korik gently slid his fingers in and out of the elf’s hole, patiently working him open. When the tight muscle around him had relaxed, he pressed in a third digit. There was more resistance with this one, but he moved slowly and carefully until a low, needy moan came from Varen’s throat each time he pushed further in.

He wanted to make Varen come first. The thought felt like a thunderbolt—the image of Varen flushed and moaning, his spent cock dripping as he rode Korik, nearly drove him mad with lust. With his free hand, he encircled Varen’s cock, so each movement both stroked his length and filled his hole. Varen yelped in surprise, hazel eyes wide and dark, but he made no move to stop Korik or make him slow down.

“Gods,” he groaned, his head tipping back. “I should have been letting you do this the whole time.”

Korik’s mind raced, remembering all the medical diagrams and illustrations that he had studied when he’d first agreed to tend to the elven prince. It had been a crash-course in elven reproduction. He remembered there was a spot deep inside male elves that was most sensitive when they were in heat, but could be a source of intense sensation normally. His fingers were surely long enough to reach. He pushed a little deeper, paying attention to the feeling of the elf’s slick walls around his fingertips. When he thought he felt it—just a nub of a slightly different texture than the rest—he curled his fingers to apply more pressure to the spot. Varen cried out before clapping a hand over his own mouth, as if he’d startled himself.

“Oh, fuck, ” he panted, eyes somehow even wider. Korik pressed against the spot again, and the elf moaned in response, his cock bucking in Korik’s hand. “Right there, Korik—gods, that feels so good .”

“Come first,” Korik murmured, his voice low. The words felt humiliating to say out loud, but he was learning to get over it—difficult as it was, the words seemed to bring Varen just as much pleasure. “Then you can have my cock.”

Varen bit his lip, eyes fluttering closed as a strangled sound escaped him. “Fuck. I like this version of you.”

Korik bit back a smile. It didn’t come naturally to him in the least, but his desire for the elf had pushed him far beyond his comfort zone.

He kept stroking and thrusting and pressing. It didn’t take long for Varen’s low moans to rise to a frantic rhythm. Korik could tell he was close, as his breath came faster, and his voice raised in pitch. Varen’s fingers were digging hard into his shoulder, but it didn’t hurt—it made him wish they were closer.

He wanted to kiss Varen. He’d had the urge before, but the elf had never made a move to do so, had even seemed careful to avoid it when they had been doing this before. It had gone unspoken, but it felt too... sweet for something that was supposed to be casual. But he was making the elf come apart in his hands, in his lap, and he couldn’t stop himself from leaning forward. Before their noses could brush, he dipped his head to press his tusks against the bare expanse of Varen’s throat, his tongue swiping against the warm, damp skin.

Varen shuddered, his hands releasing Korik’s shoulders to grab at the back of his head, fingers running through his hair and along his scalp.

“Don’t stop,” he moaned, and Korik gingerly bit the tender flesh. His hole clenched around Korik’s fingers, his cock pulsing in his hand as he came with a muffled cry and pressed his lips to Korik’s hair. Korik stroked him through it, relishing how the elf whimpered as he squeezed out every drop of come that he could get—his fingers still buried to the knuckle in his asshole. He’d been so powerful, so dominant, and here he was trembling and moaning in Korik’s lap.

His own cock felt like a steel rod, hard and heavy between them. As much as he wanted to pull the elf down onto his cock right then, he was certain that if he did, he’d come within seconds. So he forced himself to breathe deeply and evenly, waiting until Varen’s orgasm faded and he was ready to go again.

The elf’s gasps soon gave way to a bewildered laugh. “Where was this all along?” he asked breathlessly, releasing his hold on Korik’s hair to lean back and look him in the eye. He looked just as undone as Korik had imagined: eyes wide and wild, damp hair streaking across his face, cheeks flushed pink and glistening—maybe with sweat, maybe with tears, maybe just with the condensation of the hot spring.

Korik shrugged, but couldn’t bring himself to look away. Somehow, this was the most beautiful he’d ever seen the elf; and even though it was his cock doing most of the thinking now, he still had enough awareness to recognize that he very much wanted to commit the image to memory.

“This is... different,” he finally offered, unable to come up with any other answer. Varen stared at him for a long moment, still panting.

“I...” he started, then looked away. “I... I like it. I like you like this.”

Korik nodded. He wanted to say, me too , I like you like this —but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Part of him knew he probably wouldn’t ever get this again.

After a beat, he eased his fingers from Varen’s body and released his spent cock.

“I think you’re ready for me,” he murmured, gripping his own cock at the base. Varen let out another small, bewildered laugh.

“I think so too,” he said, the wide-eyed shock fading back into a darker expression of lust. “Just... let me set the pace, alright?”

“I’m at your mercy,” Korik answered. Varen grinned devilishly back at him, his usual smug self returning all too quickly.

“Ready?” Varen murmured, leaning back to position himself over Korik. The head of his cock brushed against skin, then Varen’s hand gripped him, gently guiding him to the elf’s entrance. It was soft and warm and tight , as the elf gingerly pushed himself down onto Korik, making him stifle a gasp.

“Gods,” Korik panted, his fingers digging into the soft flesh of Varen’s thighs. But the elf barely seemed to notice, groaning with effort as he tried to take in more of Korik’s cock. He raised his hips, then pushed them back down. Korik couldn’t stop the moan that escaped him then, and a wicked grin flitted across Varen’s face.

It was all too much—he wasn’t going to last like this. Korik leaned his head back, eyes squeezed close, trying to think of anything but the tight, hot pleasure that had enveloped him. His cock was barely halfway into the elf, but it was more than enough to send him over the edge. He opened his eyes and stared up at the leaves in the trees above them, the hints of a blue winter sky peeking through—tried to focus on the gentle splashing sounds of their movements, rather than the soft moans of exertion and pleasure that came from Varen with every breath, every thrust of his hips.

His eyes watered. It was from looking at the bright sky, he told himself. But emotion swelled in his throat—this would never be enough. If this was all he would ever get from Varen, he would take it, but he couldn’t ignore the feelings that threatened to burst his chest open anymore.

He didn’t want this to just keep warm. He didn’t want Varen to always keep him at arm’s length. He wanted to stay with the elf. He wanted to love him.

Korik squeezed his eyes closed again, an impossible mix of emotion burning in his throat, his chest. How could he have such feelings when, just a few weeks ago, he’d thought that Varen was just another arrogant bastard—one he couldn’t wait to get away from? He had always been alone, had always been fine being alone. How had so much changed so quickly?

His head felt heavy, a warm haze filling his mind. He wanted to lean forward and kiss Varen—to bite into his neck again—to grab him by the hips and pound into him, to chase his orgasm knowing that he would find it in only a few hard, deep thrusts. But he only dug his fingers tighter into Varen’s thighs, spreading him wider—the elf was crying out now, a string of words Korik barely understood spilling from his mouth, and then—

Then Varen’s body was clenching tight around him, squeezing him impossibly as he came again, and Korik could not hold himself at bay any longer. A strangled wail of shock and pain and pleasure ripped from the elf, as Korik thrust up into him, pushing his cock deeper, faster. He leaned forward to bite into Varen’s shoulder to stifle his own moans of ecstasy as he followed the elf over the edge.

“Oh, fuck,” Varen whined, still rocking against him as he came, making his vision go white. “I feel you—I feel you in my belly .”

His cock pulsed again and again, flooding the elf’s insides with his seed. He could feel it seeping out around him, too much for the elf to contain. He buried his face in the crook of Varen’s shoulder, the damp skin and earthy scent of him flooding Korik’s senses.

For a moment, they were all that existed. The tight heat of Varen’s body surrounding him became the world, the ragged breaths coming from his heaving chest the only noise to fill his ears. Every second of it, every inch of him, burned into Korik’s memory. Nothing else mattered but this—if this was all he would ever get of Varen, he would never forget any piece of it.

Finally, Varen’s body relaxed against his, and he realized the elf’s breathing had slowed to something more deep and even. Korik pulled back, an embarrassed flush returning to his face as he realized Varen’s hand was in his hair, fingers scratching soothingly against his scalp.

“You liked that,” Varen murmured, grinning. Korik flushed deeper, but nodded—there was no point in denying it. “Me too. I’ve never had—well, anything this big, and...” He trailed off, and this time, he actually looked embarrassed as he looked away. “That is... It was intense. Good.” He laughed, and added, “It’ll be hard to go back to anything smaller.”

Korik wanted to answer that he didn’t have to; that he would gladly let Varen ride him every day of his life, if that was what he wanted; that he would take any excuse to stay with the elf. But this was supposed to be casual. Varen would never feel that way about him. So he remained silent, just looking at the elf as he seemed to gather his wits.

He was still buried in the elf, but Varen slowly started to move to get off him. He hissed as Korik’s spent cock slid from his body, a gush of come and slick spilling out with it. They had made an absolute mess of this pool—the realization caused Korik to flush, but he couldn’t bring himself to regret having done this here. Magic allowed for easy enough clean up.

“Are you alright?” he asked, as Varen stood with a wince, one hand rubbing his lower stomach. Maybe he had been too rough with the elf at the end, after all. Luckily, Varen nodded, though he still moved stiffly as he stepped out of the pool.

“Been a while since I’ve been fucked like that,” he chuckled breathlessly. “And, well. You’re massive . I really did feel you in my belly. But it was good. Just... different. I’m alright.”

Korik nodded, a strange mix of pride and embarrassment spreading through his chest. He had always considered himself rather average, but he supposed that average for an orc would be impossibly large for any elf.

Varen looked at him for a long moment, then seemed to shake himself into action—though maybe he was just shivering in the cold air.

“Well,” he stammered, looking away. “I’ll, er, I’ll go clean up.”

Korik nodded again, watching him walk away. His heart thudded in his chest. He couldn’t deny the intensity of his feelings for Varen any longer, but there was nothing he could do about them.

They had only a few more days together before they would be back in the real world, and it would be over. So he would enjoy this while he could, and hopefully the memory of it all would be enough to sustain him when they inevitably parted ways.