You did what, my pet? Chapter 4

Chapter 4

As Amaya pulled the other woman in, she nipped at Janai’s lips eagerly, searching for all the affection she could find. Her arms wrapped around the Elf, craving all the contact that was possible. 

“Such a needy pet.” Janai whispered for herself alone as she kissed back, equally eager to have her girlfriend at her lips and holding her close. “Je t'aime, pette. Je t'aime.” Her heart longed for the other to know; to hear- or see the sentiment returned. But longing never really did equate to the strength after all, did it? Especially not the strength required to confess it in a way Amaya could actually understand. So, instead, she just kept kissing; allowed her body to try to say what she couldn’t. Lips fought and her tongue invaded. Arms squeezed, and eyes fluttered shut. It almost made up for the longing; nearly put out the only burn Janai ever found she didn’t love. Almost; Nearly.

Amaya hummed and moaned into the kiss, giving back just as good as she got. Everything of it dripped with passion, and she adored it all the more due to her still emotionally charged state. It was everything she needed and craved after feeling her whole existence brought to the edge of rapture like that. Janai’s warmth made for all the relief she hadn’t been allowed. In a momentary lapse between desperate kisses, an instant originally intended for a much-needed breath to be taken, Amaya’s restraint broke. Her lips so close to Janai’s that she could still feel the elf’s heat radiating towards her. “I love you.” She strived to mimic the lip movements and what the words might sound like to those that could hear. Her voice hoarse, both from exhaustive moaning and sheerly from having gone so long unused. She couldn’t tell that the words came out an almost completely indistinguishable garble amongst her throat unaccustomed to ever actually speaking. 

Janai pulled back shocked that something almost resembling words came from Amaya. “Huh? I-” She stopped herself momentarily so she could pull back a little more as to have room for signing. “Babe?” She signed and spoke. “Did- did you just try to speak?” 

-I tried- Amaya emphasized with an embarrassed wince. She even went to try again, opened her mouth and went to try to speak again, but the universe seemed to have different plans than to facilitate Amaya’s confessions of love. 

“Hey guys- er- well- Gals!

Corvus and Gren were busy.

They told me t’ head here” Soren burst through the door only to look down to his fingers, suddenly expecting there to be an extra digit on his left hand. “Ohh… Crap.” He whimpered, disappointed that he had messed up again. 

Janai’s face distorted in fury and Amaya could feel heat building on the elf about to call forth the sun arcanum within herself. -Shh. It’s fine.- Amaya tapped on Janai’s shoulder and signed. 

-It’s not fine!- Janai signed back with a furious face. -He barged into our room! While we were having sex at that!- One quick glance down and Janai was quick to throw a pillow down at Amaya’s chest and pull a sheet over her lower half.

Amaya stretched a hand out and waved to Soren. 

“Hey Amaya!” He cheered, completely oblivious to them and their arguing. “I- umm, I was wondering if you two wanted to play cards? I asked Corvus and Gren, but they were already in bed for the night.” He sighed, and Amaya could easily read the sadness written all over his face.  

-You’ve waved to him. Can I tell him to fuck off now?- Janai glared. -Only bright side to this is that I win the bet.-

Amaya waved her finger back and forth. -Not so fast. Tell him we can’t play and that we were busy cuddling.-

-Ok, but when I am right and I win the bet, I will thoroughly enjoy tomorrow.- Janai gave an eager dominant look to Amaya before turning around to Soren. “Sorry about this Soren, but Amaya and I were… We were just cuddling. It’s been a long day, and we’ll want to be getting some sleep pretty soon. So, I’m not quite sure we are up to play cards. Maybe tomorrow?” Janai forced herself to be as kind as absolutely possible to the himbo for her lover’s sake. 

Soren’s expression sunk. “Yeah, yeah, I understand. Well, I am glad you two are such close friends that you can cuddle like that. It’s umm, it’s really cold out here, so it sounds nice that y’all can be so close; gal pals n’ such.” He looked down to his hands and turned his packet of cards over with a frown. “Well, umm… night night then.” He waved before turning off

The moment he turned, Amaya had her hands up with a furious glare at Janai. -What did you say to him!- She signed angrily.

-I didn’t do anything! I told him we were cuddling like you told me to! I was nice!- Janai signed back insistent. 

Amaya slammed her fist down on a nearby table just a moment before Soren could close the door behind him. With a wave, she got his attention. 

“Huh? I! Oh! Yeah, what’s up?” He turned around, something akin to hope momentarily growing on his face. 

-Tell him Corvus and Gren often go to the hot tub after they are done cuddling.- Amaya half ordered Janai. 

Janai rolled her eyes but turned around to relay the info. “Hey, if you are hurting for someone to hang with, I heard Corvus and Gren like to go for a late-night dip in the hot tub upstairs. Even after they have… cuddled.” Janai reeled from how in the world he hadn’t caught the hint yet, but she didn’t feel like irritating Amaya by telling him. 

“Oh? Yeah. Thanks. Hope you two have a good night.” Soren waved off before closing the door behind him. 

Amaya sighed and slumped into the pillows behind her, disheartened by how sad Soren had looked. 

“First off, I swear I was nice to him.” Janai defended earnestly. 

-That’s honestly what I had been worried about.- Amaya frowned. 

“Second, I think you win the bet.” Janai tried to cheer Amaya with something more lighthearted. “If he walks in on us, and still doesn't figure it out, you win. He even said he was glad we had someone to cuddle with, that it was cold! I’m sorry living next to lava isn’t warm enough for him!” Janai laughed as she signed, further trying to lighten the mood, but it didn’t seem to help Amaya in the slightest.

-Thanks.- Amaya replied with a disconnected look. 

Janai’s cheery expression died out quickly after seeing her disheartened lover. “Hey!” She poked gently at Amaya’s shoulder before signing her new idea. “How about we throw on some clothes and go play some cards with him? Whatever game he wants? We can try and actually cheer him up?” 

-Really?- Amaya’s eyes glimmered. 

-I wouldn’t tease about that. I… I mean I know I did tease earlier when you told me he would be staying with us, but… this matters to you. I wouldn’t tease about that.- Janai only signed as to be extra clear. 

-I love you so much Janai.- Amaya found her hands just moving before she even thought as to what she was signing. 

-I love you too.- Janai mimicked her girlfriend’s signs with a growing dumb grin and tears she wouldn’t ever allow come to fruition forming in her eyes. 

The two of them grabbed each other, squeezing tight in a loving embrace. They may have even gotten a little carried away and ended up taking an extra couple minutes before they got out of bed and headed off to go find Soren. 

“Slow down Corvus! You’re gonna make me-” Gren groaned, his boyfriend stroking him through his swim trunks. 

“That’s the point love.” Corvus deepened kisses and licks at the other’s neck.

Gren’s hand slammed down on Corvus’s shoulder. “Babe! I! I think you need to stop now!”

“But you’re so close, and I love that face you make when you-”

“Hey guys!” Soren cheered, forcing himself to present upbeat and joyous for the other pair. “Amaya told me you two might be out here- well, Janai said it for her cause I don’t know signs. But, you know.” He laughed anxiously. 

“I thought we came out here to avoid him.” Corvus groaned. 

“Be nice! And try to let your hardon die down, Amaya has a bet riding on how long it takes him to find out about us.” Gren patted him on the back and shifted off of him and onto a seat of the hot tub. “Hey Soren! How you doing? I- It was Amaya that sent you here? Well, I’ll just have to thank her for that later.” 

“Really? I kind of

Got the impression that you

That I’d been bothering you two.” Soren tried again, only to look heartbroken when he counted it out on his fingers. “I… I keep fucking up on the last line.” He looked down and wiped his face clean. “I! Umm! But I brought cards if you two are up to play? You know, like go fish or poker or something?”

Corvus grumbled something under his breath, but not loud enough that Soren could hear. 

“Yeah, why don’t you join us? We can play some games of holdem or something?” Gren offered, waving him over. 

“Really?” Soren brightened. 

“Come on.” Gren smiled politely. 

“Thank you guys! It means a lot!” Soren cheered, all but running up and hopping into the hot tub. However, to Corvus’s dismay, he hopped in, directly between the two of them. 

“Three dudes! Chillin’ in a hot tub six inches apart cause they’re not gay or-”

“Nope! Nope! Nope!” Corvus stood in the tub frustrated. “I am gay!” 

“I’m not gay, but I am bi.” Gren held up his hand with an anxious smile, uncertain of how Soren might take it. 

“Oh? I mean! Cool! Whose up for cards!?” Soren joyously threw his arms over either of their shoulders without a care in the world. 

“Wait, so you knew?” Gren’s jaw dropped to the floor of the sauna. 

“Knew what?” Soren questioned confused. 

“That we are-” 

“That Gren is my boyfriend!” Corvus yelled in shock. 

“You guys got together? When? Congrats!” 

“You told him! Amaya’s gonna kill me.” Gren’s face hit his hands. 

“A year ago.” Corvus groaned and sat down. 

“Well, good on you two!” Soren couldn’t have cared less about their sexuality, something that was somewhat of a surprise to the other two. “Still in for a couple hands?” 

“Yeah, deal me in.” Corvus groaned and pulled out from under Soren’s extended arm. 

“Me too. I’m in.” 

“Aye! Don’t start dealing without us.” Janai called to the three already in the water. 

-Me too!-

“Looks like we got a full house!” Gren smiled to the two of them. 

"A full house it is." Janai agreed as she removed her shirt and pajama bottoms so she was down to something almost resembling an impromptu bathing suit. Before she could even have her pants off, Amaya was already all but cannonballing into the water. The elf rolled her eyes but didn't blame her lover for not stripping down as she had given that Amaya was wearing nothing but shorts and a casual t-shirt with nothing underneath either. -I see where he gets his himbo from; already such a family resemblance.- Janai pointed to the himbo soaking in the hot tub while still wearing all his clothes. 

Gren snickered and Corvus made interested eyes at the translator. 

-Aww! He really is mine! I love you too!- Amaya made an overly pleased face. 

"So! Five-card or seven? Or five?" 

"I've heard good things about this Katolis holdem. Let's try that." Janai suggested, slipping into the tub next to Amaya. 

“Awesome!” Soren cheered, pulling the cards from their case and shuffling up before realizing there was no real dry spot to play. 

“Here. This should help.” Amaya leaned over, grabbing a circular pumice stone and plopping it in the water where it floated neatly enough to convince at least one of the tub’s himbos that it was simply magic. It was originally intended for holding drinks for tipsy Sunfire elves relaxing themselves after a hard-fought victory, but Janai figured this was just as good an application. 

“Woah! Thanks Janai!” Soren shined a thankful smile before dealing out a hand for everyone. 

-Read em’ and weep boys.- Amaya snickered, flipping over a pair of queens before pulling the large stack of pool toys they had chosen to represent as chips over to her corner of the stone. 

“What?! You’d let me go all in and flip queens on me?” Janai faked being hurt. “And when all I had was a measly flush?” 

-Come now love, what’s mine is yours.- Amaya leaned over to plop a kiss on the elf before sliding the faux chips to Janai. 

“Wait! Wait! If her hand was good? Does that make mine anything?” Soren flipped the deck’s last queen and a jack, both in the same suit of the board’s existing king, ten, and nine. He scratched his head, apparently trying to figure out whether he had won or not. 

“Damn Soren.” Corvus laughed. 

“Lookie who takes the game!” 

“I… have been sadly mistaken.” Janai’s grin dropped in shock. 

-We’re in the poor house babe.- Amaya faked a frown. 

“Wait? Really? I won?

I won the game? The whole game

I did it! Won something!” Soren hopped to his feet in victory, accidentally flipping over the whole pumice stone in the process. “I did it!”

“Uugh, I think you are off by a syllable tho?”

“At least one.” Gren agreed with his boyfriend

-Close tho.- Amaya tried to be supportive even if it wasn’t in a language Soren knew. 

“I’m sorry, but what is up with all your horrible haiku?” Janai shook her head, oblivious to how quickly Soren’s expression sunk. “I am really happy to have you here, and I know Amaya is too, but lord, what is up with all the horrible poems?” 

“I- I…” Soren sunk back down to his seat with a defeated expression. 

-Soren? You ok Soren?- Amaya frowned and pulled the upturned pumice stone from the water. 

“Hey, Soren, what’s up?” Gren took note of what Amaya had signed but took a moment before deciding to relay it or not. 

“It… was a thing I did with Claudia. We… umm, our mom really liked haikus. I did them as a kid to try and cheer her up. But then she left…” He looked down into the water where his thumbs twiddled away, missing his sister, his mother, his family. “I!” He forced a cheery face as he strived to pull himself together to look at the rest of them. “It’s nothing. Just a stupid little thing we did together; that I do to feel closer to them.” He plastered on a fragile smile with the hopes that it could hide the tears flowing from sealed eyes. 

“Poor himbo.” Janai whispered to herself, shocked by the depth to what she had previously assumed to be a shallow man. 

“Sorry tho! I umm- I can stop if it was getting annoying!” Soren’s voice wavered as his body threatened to break down into sobs. 

Before the young man could open his eyes, he felt a warm set of arms wrapping around him. “ça va aller, laisse aller.” Janai whispered, pulling him in close so he could cry into her. “It’s ok. Let it out.” 

Soren hadn’t expected it, the warm arms, the way the elf woman pulled him to rest his head on her shoulder like both his mother and Claudia had once done. He was shocked, and then all of a sudden, he was sobbing. His arms wrapped around her before he even recognized what was happening. 

“I’m so sorry.” Janai caressed down his back, hugging him tighter as he cried and Amaya came up from behind him to join in the hug. 

Amaya silently hugged them both as the other two joined in. 

“I’m sorry they are gone.” Janai comforted. 

“We are here for you.” 

“It’s all gonna be ok kid.” Corvus added after his boyfriend. 

“I know, I know they are gone, but we have you. We are here for you.” Janai relayed the words she knew Amaya would want to say to him. “You aren’t alone.” 

“Thank you.” Amaya mouthed the words to Janai without a sound. 

“Course.” Janai whispered back, pressing her forehead to Amaya’s over Soren’s shoulder as they all held to him tighter. He was still mourning the probable loss of his father and the fact that his sister had simply disappeared after him. He needed love; a family. The exact thing Amaya had set out to give him. Janai just hadn’t understood completely until she saw his sorrow. But after that, she certainly understood. He needed them, and they were capable of providing it; a family. 

The end