5 - All I want for Christmas

Spike was all too happy to have Carleen pat him, so he had just rolled over and was wagging his stubby tail so hard that he kept shifting on the floor and sliding on his back.
"Alright", Horknath shouted back again with a smile as he started putting together what he needed. Once he had put the milk up to boil with the cocoa, he picked two cups and then turned away to fondly look at Carleen as she petted his dog, resting against the counter.

Asterius looked inside the box, his hand hovering on it for a little while - those were a lot of teas, cut him some slack - before he finally picked one. "I know. But I'd rather train by your side rather than on my own as you watch", he observed. "And I don't mind the other possibilities we have for... the way we spend our time together." As said. Kissing for hours sounded very nice.

Carleen kept on petting and scratching Spike for a little bit, before she looked up at Horknath, and smiled at him. She eventually stood up again, and walked closer to him to steal a kiss from his lips while taking her cocoa cup from him. "It feels better than being at a crowded café already."

Theseus arched a brow, and let out a smug smile. "Oh. You mean canoodling, I suppose. Now that's a pleasant way to pass time, I'll grant you that." He set both of their teas to brew and came to lean against the table, by Asterius' side - who he probably was at eye level with since his boyfriend was sitting, let's be honest - and smirked when he looked up. "Speaking of possibilities to spend our time together... How would you feel about letting me paint your horns, dear Asterius?"

Horknath flushed a little, but he gladly let Carleen steal that kiss from him - just to sheepishly steal one right back, of course. "Yeah", he agreed, sipping a little of his cocoa. "We have way more space, I don't have to make you yell to understand what you're saying, we can sit wherever we want." He threw a glance towards Spike, who had decided to go and slump on his corner of the couch. "And we have a dog. What else could we possibly want", he chuckled, joking a little.

Asterius snorted, rolling his eyes a bit. "Yes, that's what I meant. And yes, it's a pleasant way to pass time indeed", he answered, turning to face his boyfriend. His gaze softened when Theseus called him 'dear', and he didn't bother hiding just how much he liked to be called with a term of endearment. "I feel like I would enjoy that. If that would make you happy", he added in a murmur, raising his hand to brush it against Theseus' cheek.

Carleen bit on her lower lip briefly, and looked at Horknath up and down. "Mh. I can think of something else I want," she almost murmured, her face flushing hard at the thought. But there was definitely a smile on her lips, that she tried to hide behind her cup as she took a long sip of hot cocoa.

Theseus leaned into Asterius' touch, and rested a hand on his own. "Oh, I would love this, Asterius! How did it go last time with the color I've gifted you? Did your ivory handle it well? If yes, I have so many other colors you could choose from!"

Horknath, who just like his brother had sensitive ears, did catch that murmur - and even though he would usually be compelled to interpret it in the most innocent way, the flush on Carleen's cheeks and her barely hidden smile didn't really leave any space for a different interpretation. He flushed violently, immediately turning away to drown his embarrassment in hot cocoa. But he couldn't help the sudden heat spreading in his stomach at the thought that Carleen could want him like that, and couldn't help glancing at her again soon enough. "Oh. And... could I..." He cleared his throat. "Could I help you with this something else?"

"It did. The brand you picked didn't damage the chitin, and it didn't burn to remove it", Asterius answered. He had been quite impressed, to be honest. He paused for a little bit. "I would like to wear your favorite color", he murmured then, looking suddenly embarrassed.
That had sounded sappy, hadn't it? Damn it.

Carleen's smile widened just a bit, but let's be honest her face flushed just as much. "You definitely can," she replied shyly, wetting her lips to collect the hot cocoa left there. She looked at her cup and finished it swiftly, finally locking eyes with Horknath before she reached for his hand. "Right now, if you want."

Theseus grinned. "Ah! I'm afraid that magenta was my favourite color, but I'm out of it myself." He took out their bags of tea from the teapot, and poured one cup for each of them. "We'll just have to settle down for another one." Or Asterius still had some at his apartment, given that Theseus had gifted him three or four bottles at once.

Horknath had already finished all his cocoa - he had gulped it all down before Carleen had answered, still to silence his own shyness and, possibly, to calm down his poor heart, that was working at double the appropriate rate right now - when Carleen looked back at him, and took his hand in hers. He felt his throat tighten. But he could not look away from her. Nor did he want to. "I do", he answered, almost in a whisper - as if he was scared to break this moment if he talked out too loud. He took all the courage he had and leaned in, to see if Carleen would let him steal a long kiss, deeper than their usual pecks.

Asterius grabbed his cup of tea, thanking Theseus for preparing it for him. He blinked, then. "Oh- but I have some magenta left at home", he said, suddenly remembering that his sister hadn't used all of it when she had decorated his horns for Dionysus' party. "We could go back there, when we're done with our tea. You can use that, if you wish." He couldn't think of someone else he'd rather have use that magenta to paint his horns, to be honest.

Carleen let him, of course. She felt herself melt into that kiss, and didn't hesitate to lean against him, her hands resting on his torso. She broke the kiss eventually to smile at him, clearing her throat. He had left her a little breathless, but she definitely loved that feeling. "Should we go upstairs?"

"Good idea", Theseus replied with another grin of his. "Besides- I think the other activities we had in mind can be taken to your own apartment as well, can't them!"

Horknath licked his lower lip when she Carleen broke their kiss. He could still feel her mouth pressing over his, and the thought of a more intimate contact made him almost shiver with want now. He was nervous, of course he was - but Carleen deserved to be loved completely, like the gorgeous, kind woman that she was, and just thinking that that hadn't been the case in her past was enough to make him braver. "Yeah. Yeah, we should", he answered softly, smiling bashfully at her before offering her his hand, ready to guide her upstairs in his bedroom.

Asterius threw an amused glance at Theseus. "You're talking about the canoodling or are there other activities you had in mind that you didn't tell me about?", he asked, raising a brow at him.

Carleen gently squeezed Horknath's hand in hers and let him guide her upstairs, with a small smile on her lips. She tried not to appear too eager, or too nervous. After all... It was a first for them, and they had so much to learn about each other in that moment, that she'd rather take her time through it.
She did go towards Horknath's bed to sit on it first, though, and let out another smile when her gaze met her boyfriend's.

Theseus shrugged. "Are there any others activities we could-" His eyes widened, and he brought a hand to his torso, scoffing. "Why, Asterius- Surely you aren't considering us to explore a more physical relationship while I can barely kiss you!"

Horknath breathed in deeply, still trying to calm down a little bit - even though his throat tightened when he took in the sight of her sitting on his bed, waiting for him with a smile. Be still, my beating heart- He carefully sat at her side, throwing her a little smile himself. He hadn't let go of her hand yet, and actually took the other as well, so that he could hold both. "Listen, if I..." He hesitated, visibly embarrassed. "If I accidentally handle you too roughly, or hurt you or anything, tell me, alright? And we stop right away", he reassured her, leaving her hands to rest both of his on her hips. ignoring that he was probably the one in most need of reassurance, but that was another story.

Asterius blinked at him, looking politely confused. "... I was talking about anything else you'd wish to do with your sports room", he answered then, looking even more amused. "I doubt we could bring your equipment over to my place." He snorted. "I am a gentleman. We have barely even dated, I'm certainly not going to look for anything more physical so soon - or while you're still recovering from your surgery."

Carleen smiled at Horknath, trying to look reassuring. "Don't worry." She reached for his face, and cupped his cheeks. "To be fair with you- it's not my first time. But I haven't done this in a while, and from what I've gathered from a very helpful best friend, I probably didn't have a very good experience of this before. You can't do worse." She let out a slightly nervous chuckle - especially when she remembered Selena's offended glare when she had explained how her experiences in that field had gone. "Especially because... i love you. Truly. And I know you do too."

Theseus scoffed - and he began talking faster, probably trying to distract himself from the heat crawling up under his skin and to his face. "Of course! It's clearly way too early, and as I've said I'm in no conditions to-" He stumbled against the chair that was behind him, and barely managed to keep the remaining of his tea from spilling. "-and it's not like I'm actively thinking about such activities with you yet!" Oh he hadn't, yet. But it sure crossed his mind now, and made him all flustered for the first time in his life in front of his partner.

Horknath felt himself melt. Those were the sweetest words anyone had ever said to him - and they had come from Carleen, Carleen, whom she adored like he had never adored anyone else before. He gently took a hold of her hands, and turned to kiss one of her palms. "Of course I do. I love you so much", he murmured against her skin, confirming her words. Like there was any need to. He did throw a shy glance at her. "But, if this isn't your first time, then... it might be better. I'm afraid I'll need some guidance." He flushed harder. "If you won't mind."

Asterius did his best to hide his grin behind his cup as he rested his elbow on the table. "I wasn't implying that you did", he answered nonchalantly. "I apologize if I flustered you. We can talk about something else, if you wish." He definitely was not apologetic in the least.
But he had actually no real hopes that Theseus would really be thinking about him in such a way. After all, his previous partners were quite wary, under that point of view. He just genuinely thought that the implications had embarrassed him - and let's admit it, Theseus did look cute when he was all flustered like that.

Carleen's expression softened, and she leaned in to kiss Horknath softly. "It's okay. For now... let's take our shoes and socks off, and cuddle on your bed." She figured it'd help him feel more comfortable about it and, well. She enjoyed a bit of cuddling and kissing first.

Theseus scoffed again, trying hard to look nonchalant about this. Sex with Asterius. Making love with Asterius. How did that even work out? He had so many questions at once. "I don't feel embarrassed Asterius, it's a perfectly normal conversation to have! But, uhm. Perhaps when we've been able to kiss properly, alright? How about- how about I talk to you about that show in Stockholm I'm taking part to by the end of January! My father mentioned that I'm free to ask you to come along!"

Even though Horknath had the feeling that Carleen was merely trying to put him at ease, and was starting slow for his own good, he couldn't say he minded too much. Cuddling! He could definitely do that. Good. It was good. He nodded, smiling a little less shy now, and toed off his shoes and socks, like she had suggested, before leaning on the bed to rest his back against the pillow. He waited for her to join him in his arms so that he could hold her, and leave soft kisses on her lips.

Asterius did let Theseus change topic without opposing resistence or commenting about it as he drank his tea. He blinked, looking honestly taken aback by that offer. "Oh - that's... nice of him", he commented as he thought about it with a little frown. "I don't think I have the money to make that kind of trip, though... Does this have to do with that offer he made for me to model for him?", he asked, naively thinking that Sakrish would have probably mentioned the idea to Theseus already.

Carleen smiled to herself and got rid of her shoes and socks as well before she crawled on top of Horknath to just rest there, with a soft smile. "Tell me if I crush you, okay? You might be strong but I still weight my fair 70 kilos," she told him with a soft chuckle. She was drawing circles with one of her fingers on his torso, and leaned down to peck his lips, keeping it gentle at first.

Theseus was about to reply before he scoffed. "He what? Oh, the scoundrel! He didn't tell em about it," he let out, along with a laugh, before he shook his head. "But no, no, don't worry. We always book an extra seat on the plane in case my mother could make it, but she has a big trial planned on that weekend. You'd come along as a guest, and you'd share my hotel room."

Horknath let out a sudden, low laugh, his shoulders shaking with amusement. Honestly it might have been the result of his nervousness bubbling up, but he was mostly just happy, even grateful that Carleen would joke to make him feel more comfortable. "Oh no, I think I'm being overpowered by this unbearable weight", he lamented with a little grin. "My puny body can't possibly take this. I guess I'll just have to stay here", he added in a loving murmur against her lips as she pecked him so softly. This light-heartedness made it easier to ignore the loud thumping of his heart against his ribcage, and he gently rested one of his hands on her lower back, rubbing circles on his hip while the other one caressed her hair. He kissed her back to his heart content.

Asterius held back a smile when Theseus scoffed that way. "I see. I'm sorry your mother can't make it", he observed, emptying his cup of tea for good. "That... sounds nice. I would love to spend more time with you", he finally answered, looking fondly at his boyfriend.

Carleen most definitely laughed too, and kissed Horknath back for a while. She even chuckled and broke the kiss when she felt Horknath's hands brushing against her bare skin around her hips, whether it was intentional or not. They were in Winter after all, and his hands probably felt a little cold compared to how warm she had slowly gotten under her pullover. "Careful, I'm ticklish!" She paused, and let out a smug smile. "Are you? She slid her hands under his top, caressing his belly. And her fingers were definitely cold, let's be real.

Theseus was grinning. "Me too! Oh, and you'll love the hotel. It has a spa!" He whistfully drank the remaining of his tea. "I'll have to ask my father if he booked the room with the open-air hot tub for me. You'll love it, Asterius! Ah- I'll probably better remember to tell my father about the depth of our bond, or he might change our reservation. And how inconvenient it would be to not share a room!" He took his phone out and started typing.
'Hello dad, Asterius agreed to come along in Stockholm! No need to change the reservations, he'll be sharing my bed. He is my boyfriend after all! See you later. Not pictured were way too many star emojis and thumbs ups. He'd probably send that text if Asterius didn't stop him.

Let's be honest, Horknath's hands were indeed a little cold - but not as cold as a full-blooded walker's hand would have been. An orc's body - at least if we're talking about orcs coming from cold, northern countries - was always as warm as furnaces. Helpful during winter, not so much in summer.
He lit up when Carleen chuckled and warned him about her being ticklish. He had definitely slid his fingers a little under her pullover on purpose, mostly to tentatively see if she was alright with him starting to explore a little, but now that he had this precious information, maybe he could use it to his advantage-
His stream of thouhts was briefly interrupted when it were her hands, instead, cold and small, slithering under his top. He shivered a little, his muscles jumping under her fingers, but he just chuckled. "Sorry. Not ticklish", he answered with alittle smile, sliding his own hands a little more over her naked skin. "Not there, at least."

A spa? Oh, that sounded nice. He couldn't even remember the last time he had the opportunity to visit one and relax a little- Asterius realized what Theseus was about to do a mere second before he sent what would have probably been a very embarrassing text to receive - at least for a father, he imagined - and immediately rushed to stop his very impulsive boyfriend, gently grasping his wrist. "Theseus, I think it would be better if you tell your father about all of this in person", he calmly tried to reason him, feeling flustered all of a sudden. "I think he'd be very taken aback by being told via message that we'rein a relationship and that we'll be sharing a hotel bedroom."

Carleen shivered some more and had to bite off a smile - damn, she loved the feeling of Horknath's hands on her body. "Not there? I see. Well, good for me then, it means that I can warm my fingers up!" She chuckled and explored a bit around, moving her hands over to his sides. "And just where should I touch to tickle you, then?"

Theseus blinked a few times and let out an understanding noise. "Oh! I see. Well, then, I'll have to tell him when I get home tonight, I suppose" he seemed a little bummed, but that didn't last. "But it means that my mother will learn about it at the same time! I suppose that'd be better," he chuckled, before he paused. "Not that I doubt you Asterius, but your criminal record is clear, isn't it?"

Horknath grinned at her. "You'll have to find out yourself", he quipped back, more confidently. "I'm not going to reveal my weak points." Carleen's hands ghosting and resting over his sides made him seize up a little bit - not really out of nervousness, though. And if she was to slide them a little further up from his hips, she would find out that he was quite ticklish around the spot where his ribs were supposed to be.
For now, though, he was the one who moved, his hands slowly inched up along her back until he met the strap of her bra. He stopped there, a bit of his shyness coming back as he limited himself with running his fingers along it.

Asterius raised his brow at him. "Hm. Well, considering that the only thing close to a felony I've ever committed is assault, and that out of the only two times I assaulted someone the victim's parents didn't press charges", he commented, throwing him an eloquent glance as if to say 'with victim I mean you, you dumb, handsome man', "I think I can safely say that my criminal record is completely immaculate."

Carleen chuckled at first, but she didn't take the opportunity to find out just where she could tickle Horknath. She had shivered some more and smiled softly when she sense his fluster, with his hand resting on the closure of her bra. "Hold on," she whispered. She straightened up and pulled her top off, revealing the simple white laced bra she was wearing underneath, with a shy smile on her lips.

Theseus stared back at Asterius, completely misunderstanding his words. He ran a hand into his hair, a little awkward. "Oh, well. If no charges were pressed I suppose that those fiends had it coming, hadn't they?" The idea that he had been the only guy Asterius had punched or supplexed out of anger didn't even cross his mind.

Horknath's heart downright skipped a couple of beats, stuttering nervously like the engine of an old car, when Carleen straightened up - now basically straddling him - to undress, revealing the soft, inviting curve of her breasts covered by a lace-decorated bra.
Her skin looked like precious woodwork, and she was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes upon.
Oh boy.
He suddenly realized he had been staring at her with open eyes and his mouth ajar for way too long, and managed to shake himself from his stupor. He slowly moved his hands to her front, gently cupping her breasts through the fabric. He looked up at her, searching for her eyes. He thought to speak, but decided against it - and instead lowered his hands again to shuffle his own pullover off of him.
One for one, he guessed that put them on the same plate.

Asterius stared at him, unable to fully process his disbelief.
Did- did Theseus really believe he was talking about some other people he had beaten up? Even when he had already implied, other times, that he had been the only one who had managed to tick him off?
Unbelievable.
He was so in love with this idiot that he didn't even manage to feel offended by the implicated lack of trust. "... I don't know if I'd define you a fiend. I'm in no position to judge", he answered in the end, amusement evident in his voice. "It was you I hit, Theseus. Both times. I've never hit anybody else in my entire life. So if anything is going to worry your parents, it's probably going to be that you're the only person inthe world who seems to know exactly where to hit to make my patience crumble."

Carleen had felt a little nervous upon taking her top off. That was usually when her boyfriends revealed their true selves, and mostly showed themselves a little rough, or with few consideration for her. But Horknath's touch was so soft, so gentle- and then he went and took off his own pullover before going any further and honestly, that alone drew a smile from her lips and made her heart swell with affection.
She also appreciated the view, let's be real. She reached for Horknath's torso with an appreciative hum. "I have to admit... I've been dying to see you shirtless," she confessed, her cheeks flushing red once more.

Theseus blinked some more. And he laughed. "Oh! Oh, I wouldn't call these assaults, Asterius- Though when you did supplex me back in highschool, it did feel like it was coming out of nowhere. You only owe it to Carleen for my father not to press charges against you," he pointed out, as he pressed an index to his boyfriend's chest. "But I'll admit that I found that extremely... attractive, I'd say. I was disappointed I didn't get to see you back then!"

Horknath felt flustered as he laid half-bare in front of Carleen's eyes - her hands running on his chest were definitely doing things to him that he wouldn't even have known how to define -, but chuckled breathlessly when he saw that she was just as flustered as he was. "Well- I sure hope I didn't disappoint", he commented in a low voice, softly even if he was gently teasing her a little bit. He raised his hands again, cupping her breasts once more - he ran his thumbs over the fabric, and tried to squeeze them a little, still gently, mindful of his strength. "You are gorgeous, you know? I'm sure you do know", he murmured lifting his gaze to look at her. "I know I'll sound silly because you're still more or less clothed, but - I could watch you from under here for hours." He gently squeezed her breasts again, sounding enamoured with every word he said.

"Well, you had made little Aria cry. That was more than enough for me to look out for you, you heartbreaker", Asterius observed simply - but not accusingly -, glancing down at that finger poking against his pectoral. He raised his eyes to meet Theseus', raising a brow at him. "You found it attractive, hm. Well. A good thing we've met years later then, and we could start anew", he chuckled, casually resting a hand on his boyfriend's hip.