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#policy holder
techminsolutions · 1 year
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നിരവധി വരുമാന സ്രോതസ്സുകൾ ഉണ്ട്, വിവിധ തരത്തിലുള്ള വരുമാനത്തെക്കുറിച്ച് നിങ്ങൾക്ക് അറിയാമോ - വിശദാംശങ്ങൾ പരിശോധിക്കുക
നിരവധി വരുമാന സ്രോതസ്സുകൾ ഉണ്ട്, വിവിധ തരത്തിലുള്ള വരുമാനത്തെക്കുറിച്ച് നിങ്ങൾക്ക് അറിയാമോ – വിശദാംശങ്ങൾ പരിശോധിക്കുക
പണപ്പെരുപ്പം വർദ്ധിക്കുന്ന കാലഘട്ടത്തിൽ, ഓരോ വ്യക്തിക്കും ഒന്നിലധികം വരുമാന സ്രോതസ്സുകൾ ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കേണ്ടത് അനിവാര്യമായിരിക്കുന്നു. ഇക്കാരണത്താൽ, നിങ്ങൾ സാമ്പത്തികമായി ശക്തമായി തുടരുന്നു. നിങ്ങൾ എവിടെയെങ്കിലും നിക്ഷേപിക്കുമ്പോഴെല്ലാം, വ്യത്യസ്ത സ്കീമുകളിൽ നിക്ഷേപിക്കാൻ സാമ്പത്തിക വിദഗ്ധർ നിങ്ങളെ ഉപദേശിക്കുന്നു. ഇത് അപകടസാധ്യത കുറയ്ക്കാൻ സഹായിക്കുന്നു. അതുപോലെ, നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ഒന്നിലധികം വരുമാന…
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terrainofheartfelt · 1 year
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Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Gossip Girl (TV 2007) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Dan Humphrey/Blair Waldorf Characters: Dan Humphrey, Blair Waldorf Additional Tags: Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Pegging, Married Sex, old married saps (tm), valentines is THEIR holiday, ggaw23, day 2: favorite dynamic Summary:
Old married couple Blair & Dan celebrate Valentine's Day
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strawberrypaw · 1 year
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my stepmother’s emotional state never stops amazing me
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emi1y · 2 years
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everytbing is so confusingall the time
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kleyamarki · 3 months
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at the orthopedist pissed off because everything is annoying and i can’t wear pants bc of the knee so i’m in a skirt and freezing
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lexlawuk · 4 months
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Temporary Worker Sponsorship Licence: Guidance for Employers and Applicants
Explore the Temporary Worker Sponsorship Licence within the UK’s immigration landscape, shedding light on its significance for employers and applicants alike. This article delves temporary worker category, offering insights into its various subcategories and providing essential information for those navigating the complexities of immigration regulations. Sponsorship Licence for Temporary…
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badolmen · 4 months
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Why are they BURYING people in the disabled PARKING LOT??
Because normally, if my car isn’t parked there, they just pile all the snow IN THE DISABILITY SPOTS instead of over and out of the parking lot because it’s less work for them <3
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vitiateoriginator · 8 months
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At my job we have a TV in the breakroom that plays announcements from the company, news of events, and company propaganda (no I am not kidding).
Last month's propaganda piece featured the company's CEO bragging about the corporation making 5 Billion dollars in profits, and that it was all because of the employees (that he only pays $13 an hour). They played this video every 5 minutes and repeated it twice in a row each time, once with English subtitles, and the second time with Spanish subtitles.
This month's propaganda is about Open Door Policy. They also play this one back to back every 5 minutes. Wonder why that is
#hint: its a method corporations use to convince underpaid employees not to unionize#they use it as an excuse#they say if employees unionize then they can't talk to their managers like they can with open door policy#which is just not true#my last job was union and I could easily go to my boss to talk about problems or concerns#the reason why companies pretend you can't have both is because if your boss decides to do fuckall you can take matters up higher#to your union rep to force the company to get shit done#vs with open door policy managers and higher ups can just agree with whatever you need then never follow thru#also I think its reaaaal bold for the CEO to make a vid bragging about 5 billion dollars in PROFITS for the company#thats the extra money btw. the money that's left after paying bills and workers#5 BILLION#and cashiers get $13 to start in my area. I've heard in some areas it starts at $11. and in others its $9#coordinators (step above a cashier which is what I am) get $1 more. key holders which are even higher get $2 more than a cashier#our raises are usually 13-40 cents once a year#I'm almost certain the CEO realized he fucked up which is why he made the open door policy video#because the vid talking about the company's 5 billion dollars radicalized a lot of people#even in my store we've been passing around the idea of unionizing (hough its mostly a job but the conversation is beginning to turn serious#also the video is followed up by a “mission statement” talking about open door policy in writing#which is also shown in both English and Spanish#that mission statement + the vid are the only things currently showing on the tv. usually there'd be other stuff#so you know it's serious#anyways I just thought this would be fun to talk about
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lucyoccupy · 1 year
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The State Farm Files - Part 1
The State Farm Files – Part 1
#StateFarmFiles – Part 1 Some of the lawyers accuse that I have not produced documents in the proper format, and that for some discovery questions I exceeded the expectations of what to produce, as I believe they are all relevant. They all know I have a brain injury from a workplace injury in 2012, and a subsequent head injury in March 2019, after a volatile discussion with State Farm Adjuster…
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rannadylin · 5 months
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How not to fanfic. (See also: What the "no monetizing" policies on AO3 are there to protect us from.)
Don't publish your fanfic on Amazon for monetary gain.
Definitely don't then send a print copy of your published fanfic to the copyright holder, thus making them aware of its existence.
Especially don't then sue a licensee of the copyright holder for infringing on your...copyright?
(Note: the link above is a gift article link so you should be able to read it without a paywall.)
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thatshadyperson · 2 years
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My mom got into an argument with the school my brother's going to bc they have a "phone holder" that every student had to out their phone in and she does not want my brother to not have his phone on him at all times
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heywriters · 3 months
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The Fine Line Between Fan Art, Fan Fiction, and Finding Yourself Sued
This whole article is worth a read for fan creators, especially those of you trying to make an honest buck off your work.
(excerpt below)
How Do You Avoid a Lawsuit? Due to the popularity of fan fiction and fan art, many content owners have begun proactively providing guidelines to their fanbase. Wizards of the Coast (Dungeons & Dragons),[6] CBS and Paramount Pictures (Star Trek),[7] and EPIC Games[8] have all developed policies to inform fans of what they can and cannot do legally. Additionally, usually as long as the fan content is non-commercial, it is not a problem with copyright holders. Regardless, unless the work is completely original, fans should be careful about their creations.
Additionally, try to be smarter than this guy who attempted to sue Amazon for the rights to Lord of the Rings.
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rudrjobdesk · 2 years
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LIC पॉलिसी होल्डर्स से लेकर टैक्सपेयर्स और पेशंनर्स तक के लिए जरूरी खबर, आज निपटा लें ये 3 काम, कल है लास्ट डेट
LIC पॉलिसी होल्डर्स से लेकर टैक्सपेयर्स और पेशंनर्स तक के लिए जरूरी खबर, आज निपटा लें ये 3 काम, कल है लास्ट डेट
LIC पॉलिसी होल्डर्स से लेकर सरकारी पेंशनर्स और टैक्सपेयर्स के लिए काम की खबर है। फरवरी महीना कल खत्म हो रहा है, इससे पहले कुछ जरूरी काम निपटाने होंगे, वरना बाद में परेशानी हो सकती है।  दरअसल, सरकारी पेंशनर्स के लिए जीवन प्रमाण पत्र जमा कराने, LIC पॉलिसी होल्डर को पॉलिसीज से पैन को लिंक करने और टैक्सपेयर्स को आईटीआर वेरिफाई कराने की डेडलाइन कल 28 फरवरी 2022 है। यानी ये तीनों काम करने के लिए सिर्फ…
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rosecoloreddesire · 8 months
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Not A Lie ~ Elvis Presley
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Summary: You could never imagine THE Elvis Presley to show up in your little diner. How can you tell your parents that…he’s your fiancé??
Note: IM BACK! I’m going to be graduating in February so I’m hoping I can get some writing out! I’m so sorry if this is a bad come back? I haven’t proofread yet! But I think it’s good 💙 missed you all so much!
Warnings: FLUFF!
“Y/N, you gotta stop lyin’! You know how much your daddy loves Elvis!” You huff out as you chase your mom around the kitchen island.
“Mama! Just listen to me! I’m being honest! I am enga-“ she put a finger to your lips as you both hear the front door unlock, opening to your daddy whistling a soft tune of Blue Suede Shoes.
“Not a word in front of him, got it?” You sigh loudly not wanting her to put you down.
“But mama! He’s comin’ ton-“ she cuts you off with an ice cold glare. You finally let it go, walking past your father to your room.
“God damn it all! Why won’t anyone ever listen to me?” The small phone in your room begins to ring, picking it up you sit on your bed. A certain southern drawl cheers you up.
“Hey there, lil’ lady. How’s my girl doin’? I’ll be there soon I promise. My parents are wantin’ us to get together and do some photos here at Graceland for the family album.” He chuckles while you heard his grandma in the back.
“Hi grandma! Um, pictures? Like engagement pictures?” You nervously hum, twirling the phone cord around your finger.
“Well, I did get you that pretty rock on your finger. And I think that means your stuck with lil’ old me, baby.” Your cheeks flush as he lowly whispers.
“I’ll see you soon. Lest your flirtin’ make my face flush!” His giggles are cut off as you hang up. Your face aglow. Your phone rings once again.
“Elvis Presley- if you don’t stop-“
“Elvis Presley?! I knew it!” Your best friend Amelia was on the other line….her screams of joy influence you to push the phone as far away from you as possible. You wince as she continues.
“Amelia Jones! You needa keep it down! What’ll you do if your mama says she won’t be gettin’ you into my mama’s salon this Thursday!” The other line dies down.
“You know your mamas the only one you can actually do my hair and make it look good!” You chuckle as she tries to explain herself.
“Yes! That’s why when I tell you the boy I’ve been datin’ all year and last year is Mr. Elvis Presley.” You state confidently as she squees softly.
“That’s why you wasn’t impressed when we saw him for the first time! You were kissin’ him!!!” Her giggles and squeals made you roll your eyes. Amelia was always into the whole romance and love at first sight tropes in the movies.
“Y/N! Get down here! Your mother and I need to have a talk with you!” You grumble and hope your mom hadn’t told your father about the whole engagement.
“Gotta go, Ames! Bye!” You hung up, smooth your skirt and make your way down the stairs.
“You know the policy we have on lyin’, young lady.” Your daddy was sitting on the couch with your mother.
“Daddy, I ain’t lyin’ to you! I really am-“ your mothers laugh breaks you off again.
“We are supposed to believe that Elvis Presley is coming tonight to meet us after askin for your hand?” She fans herself. Your mom usually was so supportive but you do have to hand it to her. This was kinda crazy.
“I ain’t! He’s really sweet! His mama and daddy are arranging a photo shoot for us to be in the Presley family album! I’m gonna be a Presley, daddy!”
“I wanna believe you but how did you even meet?”
“And will that be all for you today?” The man in front of you was clearly flirting as you wrote off his receipt.
“Uh actually this is gonna sound weird but are you an angel?” You rolled your eyes, waving your hand.
“Hm, I’ve actually never heard of that one but I am very aware thank you. Bye!” You spun around on your heel and grabbed a new pad and paper. You fixed your hair in the reflection of napkin holder.
“You handled that well, Darlin’.” You jump a little. The voice was low and oddly familiar. You turned with a flush to your cheeks.
“ yeah well creeps like that don’t like the word no so-“ you paused as you finally saw the person speaking to you.
“It’s a shame cause he ain’t wrong. But he forgot to say you look like a goddess.”
“You’re-“ you stuttered holding your hand to your chest.
“Your future boyfriend I hope.” You must have looked like a tomato with how warm your cheeks were getting.
“Uh- are you serious? Is this a prank?.”
“Here’s my number. Use it wisely.” And with a wink he was gone as fast as he came.
——
“I’m supposed to believe he came to our family restaurant when your mama and I were gone?” You nod desperately. You take your mothers hand and show her your ring.
“Oh my god, Y/N. That’s a real ring! How did you-“ your doorbell is going off before you can explain.
“Do you want to get that, daddy?” You ask softly, praying to whatever god that Elvis was standing at the door. He huffs as he sits up, making his way to the door.
“Afternoon- OH MY GOD. You-“ Your father brings your fiancé into a bear hug. Your father squeezes the poor boy as you giggle. Your skin flushing at the display.
“It’s really Elvis! What in the hell?” Your mom grasps your hands tightly as the boy walks into the house, more like pulled. You giggle as he finally sees you, a bit frazzled. He detaches himself from your father as he makes his way to you. His lips soft against your cheek as your body warms.
“Uh, mom, dad, this is my fiancé.” You spout awkwardly as Elvis slips his arm around you. Your father gleams with excitement.
“I understand why you didn’t ask for my blessin’, son! You can marry my daughter!” You’ve never seen your father so ecstatic in your life. Except the one time he won a ticket to see Elvis. Or the one time he heard Heart Break Hotel on the radio in his car. Huh….you are sensing a running theme…
“I really do love your daughter. It’s jus’ been rough tryin’ to get a time together to meet y’all.” He smiles boyishly at your parents. Your mom still reeling in the fact that you were telling the truth.
“D-did ya enjoy our family diner?” Your mom stutters out. You stifle laugh placing your hand over your mouth. You look at Elvis awaiting his answer.
“Of course, ma’am! Great atmosphere, great food, and even greater waitresses.” He bumps you with his shoulder as you blush.
“Well, don’t be a stranger, Mister Presley! Come on, we were just gettin’ ready for our meal!” Your father pushes Elvis to a chair at the table. You shakily sit next to him as your nerves still haven’t fully settled.
“Why our daughter?” Your breath hitches as your mom starts to plate the food.
“Lord, where do I start? She looks as if she walked right out of a Hollywood movie. An absolute starlet.” Your skin flushes as his hand drifts to your thigh.
“I wish! We met up with some of his Hollywood buddies and they were super sweet! They think Elvis has a real shot of hittin’ it big!” You smile as he laughs. His gaze focuses on you the whole time. How could he have found the most amazing thing to have come out of him having to hide from fans in a local diner? His eyes never leave your lips as you continue to sing his praises.
“I really think it’s a great idea to see you two married! Can you believe it, honey? We’d be related to the Presley’s!” Your dad claps as he excitedly dug into his food. Your mother still seems a little hesitant.
“What’s gonna stop you from chasin’ other girls around town? My daughter hasn’t even dated before you!” Your eyes widen as you take a bite of your dinner. You hadn’t really had that conversation with Elvis yet…
“I’m your first boyfriend?” You wince at his surprised tone. You turned to face him.
“Uh, yeah. I, uh, never really thought about the whole dating thing. Until you kissed me at that charity concert…I-“ his lips are soft against your cheek. Your hand shaking in his hand.
“You don’t need to explain nothin’, darlin’. Thank you so much for the lovely dinner but I best be goin’ soon I only had a it of time to spare.” He began to get up as your father rose from his seat.
“How about you go with him, sweetheart? Your mom and I are gonna have a talk about all this.” You nod, hugging him quickly. You all but ran up the stairs to get away from the tension.
“How cute. Pink really fits you.” Elvis smirks as his fingers traced your bed sheets. You scoff as you pack a small bag.
“I haven’t gotten to change my sheets since I was like 10, E. Give me a break. Do you really want to do this?” Elvis’ hand caresses your face, pushing a few stray hairs out of your face.
“I want you. Every day. Afternoon. And night. You are all I think about.” His voice just a bit above a whisper. Your eyes were heavy as you stare at his lips.
“Can I be yours forever?” His lips were soft as he pulls you close. The kiss was delicate but passionate as he grips your hair slightly.
“If you’ll let me.”
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lexlawuk · 5 months
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UK Sponsorship Licence: Navigating Duties and Compliance for Employers
As an employer holding a UK Sponsorship Licence, you play a vital role in the nation’s workforce by facilitating the employment of foreign workers. As a result, it is crucial to ensure your company adheres to the sponsor duties and compliance requirements. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these obligations, emphasising why choosing a leading London Immigration Law Firm such as…
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malewifesband · 2 months
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Here is a Labru fic I wrote over the last week or so. Post-canon. Extremely sexually explicit, 18+ only please. Trans male Kabru, and yes, Laios is a little chasery about it--be honest, you should expect this of him. 7.5k words.
Summary: With Marcille and Falin both gone temporarily from the castle*, Kabru and Laios have had a high workload, and the stress has started to get to them. Kabru has an ingenious solution to relieve stress, but Laios is not so sure it's a good idea: his feelings for Kabru are confused enough without adding the concept of platonic dick-touching to the mix.
*Will be followed up on in its own fic.
This and future fics will be filed under the tag #the compendium; because I dont like any fanfic sites.
Lots of things seemed to demand Laios' time: a deluge of common folk with grievances and indignant nobles angry at their recent vassalage and farm owners who didn't like whatever ordinance Laois had passed to increase food production because they didn't want to milk minotaurs and still more peasants complaining about the farmer he just saw, and on and on, forever, without end, it would rain pissed off subjects for forty days and forty nights and Laios could drown in the all the information they wanted him to track. Kingship was a nightmare.
He could and would say it was worth the pain to see when his plans succeed and happy faces of people whose lives were improved, but in honesty what actually made it bearable was the company and help of Falin, Marcille, and Kabru. Falin and Marcille were wonderful court mages and fantastic researchers, who made all his stupid ideas into real, actionable policy, and Kabru… Kabru helped him get even that far. It was incredible how quickly he would catch onto complex social dynamics and dissect them, remix them into something Laios could parse, and whisper it to him on the throne. All without missing the next beat.
And for the past month, he’s been over-relying on Kabru, and neither of them have been able to get away from the castle. Marcille and Falin have been having a rough patch, and decided they needed time together away from the castle. Which of course, Laios let them go take a vacation–he owed them that much. But while they've been away, tensions have exploded. The resurfacing of the Golden Continent has lead to droughts across the land as crop fields used to an abundance of rain from the coastline suddenly found themselves far inland, and foreign land holders were demanding compensation, and of course their rulers backed them as it meant they would not have to pay to feed the victims of an impending famine. (And no one seemed willing to farm monsters to eat despite their abundance. Close-minded jerks–it’s a necessity!)
The ordeal has been taxing on them both, and Maybe Kabru more than Laios. He’d been taking dinner in his quarters the last two days, and he's been standing about a foot further from the throne than he was before. Odd little distances from Laios he didn't take before. Laios feels like he's barely seen him in a week. He’d reminded him to eat and sleep plenty, and Kabru insisted that he had been. Laios wasn't sure what else he could really do.
A line of delegates had been leaving the dining room, a late meeting over dinner that perhaps no one wanted to have, one night when Kabru leaned in again, just as the door closed, and said, “Laios, can I talk to you about something, man to man?”
Laios was not sure how else they were meant ro talk, being as they were both men and thus couldn't talk, say, woman to woman or dog to dog, but he replied, “Sure, what's up?”
Kabru’s face darkened. “Not here. Let's talk in your chambers. I’ll meet you there in 30 minutes.”
It didn't feel like a long wait. He’d only really started to settle down when Kabru knocked at the door.
“Come in,” He called, kicking off his boots. Kabru entered, smiled at him, and then turned to bolt the door behind him. He took a deep breath and turned back to face Laios.
“You know I love this job,” he says.
“That’s great–” Laios starts to exclaim, but Kabru holds up a finger to silence him
“BUT. I have no time for women anymore, and it's been… frustrating.”
“What about Rin? She's a woman,” he said. She was pretty and they seemed pretty close.
“That's very true, Laois, Rin is a woman, but she's also like a sister to me. I could never date her.”
“Do you want time off?” He couldn't imagine running things without him, and Yaad insists that because he doesn't know how long he'll last in this world, that he should refrain from interfering so they do not depend too much on his service when he finally passes… Surely though, he’d be okay with filling in for Kabru for a couple of days? Maybe best not to tell him it's so Kabru can go on dates.
“No, it's not a real solution,” he says. He takes a deep breath, and his face flushes, getting darker again. “I don't think I could get away enough to meet my needs, I’d still be sexually frustrated.”
People get mad at you if you suggest they just go to a brothel for an hour or so, so Laios doesn't say that. Instead he tries, “You could invite a girl over for dinner, that seems like a cool date: dinner in a castle!”
The flush darkened.
“That's too serious. I’m not really looking for a girlfriend right now, not with how much work there is to do.” He averted his eyes from Laios' face, and crossed his arms.
“We could have an informal dinner–”
“Laios.” he said, firmly, like calling on a misbehaving dog. Something about that thought made Laios' heart flutter.”I’m trying to ask something of you. Please don't make any suggestions yet.”
He looked sweaty.
“Okay.”
He took another deep breath.
“I think it'd be easiest if we masturbated each other.”
Woah. Laois’ face fell into shock, open mouthed and wide-eyed like a fish gasping on deck.
“C-couldn't you just do that alo–”
Once again, Kabru cut him off, this time by touching his elbow.
“You’ve been pent up too,” he said softly, a small smile on his face, which had an odd effect with him still being flushed and sweaty.
Laios had been trying to pay attention to Kabru the way Kabru pays attention to others (it seemed fair to do that for him when he does it for everyone else), and so he knew this was the manner he talked to people he wanted to convince of something they already said they didn't want. In 15 instances of him doing this, Laios had seen him succeed 11 times. It seemed to work by making himself seem nonthreatening–he leans forward in a way that makes him smaller and exposes the neck, and his voice becomes quieter, almost like a purr, and he always smiles but never broadly in a way that shows his teeth.
He was starting to wonder how instance 16 would turn out. So he went quiet while Kabru went on.
“You’ve been as moody as I have, and I know what incredible stress you've been under with Marcille and Falin away, and your other friends unable to visit… We need to find a way for you to relax, and I promise it’ll be more satisfying if you let someone else touch you.”
That much, Laios knew, was true. Like trying to give yourself a hug, there was a certain sensation that was lacking–maybe the warmth of another person, or the fact that you can feel both the skin of your hand and the skin of your penis/body pressed together that makes it less powerful. He didn't have a ton of experience though, none of it with other men–though maybe that was for the best, since Kabru was not like other men and Laios was unsure what exactly to expect from him, genitally speaking. And all of his experiences had been transactional. And not that great.
Honestly, trying to navigate this strange social experience sounded far more stressful than a good orgasm could relieve. Just the thought of trying to figure out where to put his hands and at what point is it sex and can you have sex with your friends and just be friends and and and–
The hand at his elbow slid up to his bicep, and Kabru's other hand slipped around his opposite wrist.
“Tell me what's on your mind, Laios,” he said, gentle and firm.
“Do you have a cock? I’ve never held another man's cock and wouldn't it just be sex either way?” he answered all in a rush, heat rising from his neck to the tops of his ears. Kabru's grip tightened and then relaxed again.
“Yes and no to both,” he said.
“Wait, yes or no to which?”
“Yes and no to both,” he repeated, “If I have a cock depends on what you're asking for, and it's only sex if we say it is and we are saying it's not! It's not as complicated as you're making it out to be.”
Laios disagreed–this was already complicated. It seemed it would only get more complicated if they went through with it. And maybe even more complicated than that if they didn't after this conversation.
“I’ll be gentle, Laios, you're not the first virgin I’ve been with,” he said with a little laugh.
“Hm? I’m not a virgin,” Laios stated.
Kabru's eyes widened a bit, eyebrows raised.
“You… aren't? You had a girlfriend?”
Laios shook his head. “I had a fiancee, but I didn't really know her.”
Kabru exhaled loudly.
“You know what, it doesn't matter. You just need to tell me if you want to try it out.”
Laois really wasn't sure. Something about the whole concept seemed off, but maybe it was just that it felt so sudden and out of the blue. Maybe Kabru had been thinking about it a while, and this really was his best solution. He pictured Kabru calm and content, like how he looks when he takes his tea in the morning before the stress of the day creeps in. If it was really what would make him happy, it didn't seem right to deny him.
“Kabru…” he said low, unsure how to voice what was on his mind.
Kabru's hand slid into his. It was warm. Comforting.
“Yes?”
“Is this really what you want? You're not just asking me because you think I’d want it?”
This question was apparently very funny. He chuckled, then let his face spread into a grin, and laughed heartily. His hand stayed in Laois' and the one at his bicep grabbed at his shoulder now as if to support him.
“I am doing my best to convince you this is a good idea, and you're worried I just think you want it! Do you see how silly that sounds?” he said once his giggle fit wore down.
“I guess,” Laios replied, “But you lied about wanting to eat monsters.”
“I wasn't the one convincing you to eat them, though.”
“I still don't get how it's not just sex though.”
“Think of it as platonic sex between friends if you must then, just don't go telling people we're having sex or they'll get the wrong idea. Actually, please just keep this secret in general.”
Why does sex always have to be some secret thing no one should know about?
Content that Kabru really did want to have not-sex with him (and now discontented with many other things), Laios was ready to give his answer: “Okay, we can do this.”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Kabru started leading him to the bed.
“Oh you meant now,” he said.
“Did you… did you want to wait?” Kabru said cautiously. Their hands were still held together. Warm. Comforting. If none of the rest of this was fun, Laios would like to start holding hands with him more at least.
“Now is as good a time as any,” he answered.
“Because it’d make you nervous anticipating it otherwise.”
It wasn't a question, because if Kabru says something about what you think, it's usually because you did and he knows it. And it would make Laois nervous, sitting on his throne, listening to all those people, and having Kabru lean over him all day knowing what they'd be doing later. Which makes it sound very erotic, too. But in that romantic story way where you can just skip over the part where you have to do a lot that day and it'd be weird and honestly kind of strenuous to just be horny all day long: i.e. not actually all that erotic.
Then again, that last hour of waiting…
“Laios, sit on the bed, please.”
He sat on the bed as commanded, while Kabru put out the lights. Perhaps the dark made it less like sex. He left one dim candle and returned.
There was a poof as Kabru sank into the feather mattress beside him. It was quiet for a second.
It felt like Laios should say something, but what? It felt like all the thoughts had emptied from his brain, it was overwhelming, something was about to happen and it felt as dark inside his head as it did in the room. Like a flickering something in the back of his skull that he couldn't look straight at or it would blind him, but it was too dim to reveal anything else on its own.
“I’m going to undress. You should too, let's not overtax the launderer.”
Commands were good. He could follow commands. He stripped off his doublet and shirt sleeves–he had already ditched his finery as soon as he could get away with it–and started unlacing his breeches. His eyes were quickly adjusting to the dim glow, and now he could see Kabru’s outline.
His shirt was off, and he was bent double to remove his own shoes, showing off his back. He was lean, but you could see the strength in him, like a runner or a gymnast. He sat up, shoes tossed aside, and suddenly bucked his hips, and his pants and underwear dragged down his legs. With a little kick, they too lay discarded in the dark and leaving Kabru’s crotch exposed. Thick pubic hair shined there, but no external genitalia that Laios could see, at least not at this angle.
He was actually very curious about it. Certain monsters endogenously change their sex, such as Basilisks and some varieties of Merrow, under certain environmental or social pressures. Sometimes even due to unique genetics not found in others of their species! Kabru had said that he’d been taking a masculinizing hormone since he was old enough to start puberty naturally (apparently elves were rather accepting about such change), so he didn't develop breasts, but what effect that has on human genitalia, Laios was uncertain of. The monsters he knew of that could transition naturally did not have human-analogous genitalia, so he couldn't really conjecture.
“Your breeches are still halfway down your thighs, your majesty,” Kabru said. He laughed.
“Um. Sorry…” Laios hurriedly finished undressing.
And then it was still again.
“We don't have to do this if you don't want to,” he said. They were almost shoulder to shoulder, close enough that Laios could sense his nearness of him by the radiating warmth alone. He felt cold sitting there naked. He wanted to get closer. He didn't know how.
“...I do want to. I just…” he muttered. Kabru didn't prompt him to continue. Instead he put his arm around his shoulders and waited. After a second, he found the words to say, “I feel like I don't know what to do here, or what you want from me. I don't –I don't want you to not like it.”
“You can start by not trying to ogle me,” he replied.
“O-oh, sorry! I just want to know about how sex transitions work for humans! You see, a basilisk hen can become a rooster under specific circumstances, but they have cloaca, so their external genitalia remains the same, and it's similar for merrows, which you might know as the fish-type of merman–though I suppose you could use certain kinds of healing spells to create a penis and testes if you wanted one–”
“Laios, my friend, can we please focus on the task at hand?”
He sounded angry but didn't pull his arm away.
“Sorry! I’m nervous!”
Kabru sighed deeply again.
“If you need me to tell you what to do, then I will. But you better do it the way I tell you. And if you do…” he leaned in closer, the whisper of his breath grazing Laios' ear, “then I will enjoy it. Understood?”
A lump had just formed in his throat, so Laios could only nod once, animated enough for three.
“Good. I’m going to start by touching you. Try to stay still or lean against me.”
The hand at his shoulder began kneading there–at first it was a dull ache, but it soon began to melt into that warmth-comfort that being held by Kabru felt like. He groaned. Kabru's other hand snaked around his waist, more caressing than the deeper massage at the shoulder.
“You carry a lot of tension lately.” Kabru's voice was so quiet, and spoke directly in Laios' ear now, not an inch between them.
The kneading hand moved from the flesh of his shoulder to his neck. His fingers would press gently against his carotid, and the intimacy of it felt exciting. Like a wolf exposing his neck to his packmates, an ultimate show of trust. ‘You could kill me, but I know you wouldn't because of how much I matter to you.’
His nails dragged against his skin, just barely catching as he pulled his fingers back.
Kabru rested his head against Laios' back, nuzzling the nape of his neck, making his hair stand up. The caressing at his waist became firm, then Kabru dug his thumb into the hollow of his hip. Laois' cock twitched.
With excruciating langor, Kabru pushed that thumb down towards his groin, to the crook of his thigh. His knuckles brushed against his shaft as he began rubbing his inner thigh. The increasing tightness in his groin was becoming impossible to ignore.
“Should we kiss?” Laios blurted out.
Kabru paused his ministrations. And that was agonizing too.
“You want to kiss me?” he asked.
“It feels like we should be.”
He started rubbing his thigh again, but on the top of it, not the hypersensitive area near his half-erect cock.
“...We can try it,” Kabru answered. He spoke so slowly and softly, it was more like he was talking to Laois' shoulder than to Laios proper.
He pulled his hand away from Laios' thigh and cupped his jaw instead. Laios turned towards him, and tried to mirror him, bringing a hand to cup Kabru's face too.
It felt incredible to touch him, it made him feel silly that he hadn't been touching him before now. His skin felt so soft, with a hint of the roughness of stubble down his jaw. He rubbed his thumb over the apple of his cheek, where the flesh was plumpest. He wondered how Kabru's lips would feel.
He didn't wonder long.
Kabru pulled him closer by the nape of his neck until their lips pressed together. The feeling was difficult to describe: Kabru's lips felt soft against his, pillowy, but also a bit rough because they were a bit chapped, like he hadn't had enough water, but it wasn't really those qualities that seemed to matter most–it was this almost electrical feeling, like a static shock that surged through him through his heart to the base of his spine. Laois threaded his fingers into the hair at the back of Kabru's neck, enjoying the silky texture, and tried to deepen the kiss, get more of this feeling–
Clack!
Their teeth clashed and Kabru drew away quickly. He took his hand back from Laios' thigh to tend his teeth.
“Try to walk before you can run,” he hissed behind his hand.
“What does that mean? You're trying to have us masturbate each other and I’m just trying to kiss!”
“If you want to stop–”
“No, I don't want to stop! I just want you to make sense!”
“You are so frustrating!” he cried and fell back on the bed.
It just doesn't make sense! There was some essential divide between the way Kabru was acting and what he was saying and it bothered Laios. For once, he didn't feel like he’d done something wrong here. Except hurting his teeth (his own ached a little too).
“I’m sorry I hurt your teeth,” he said.
“It's fine.” He didn't sit back up.
“Can you please tell me what it is you actually want? None of this makes sense to me. You say you're sexually frustrated, you need to get laid, but we don't tell me to touch you or how you want it–”
“I was going to when I was ready.”
“You couldn't wait to do this, I don't believe that if your goal was quid-pro-quo orgasm, you wouldn't want to go first.”
“And why is that so unbelievable that I’d want you to cum first?”
“I don't know, it was just weird how you were making it all romantic and sensual but you say you don't want it to be romantic.”
He still wasn't getting up, so Laios fell back with him. Now they were both laying down with their legs hung over the side. Laios' erection flopped onto his belly.
“I can't believe you're still hard right now,” Kabru huffs.
“I can't control it, it does what it wants,” he answered.
Kabru chuckled, but then went quiet. Laios wasn't sure what to say. He hoped he hadn't ruined it–he really was enjoying it.
Laios turned towards him on the bed, to look at him, and said, “It’s fun, even though I feel like I don't understand you.”
Kabru didn't turn to face him, he stayed on his back, looking up at the ceiling. But he did talk again.
“I’m sorry. I–I don't know why I thought this was a good idea.” He sounded upset.
Laios grabbed his hand, and hoped that it felt as nice to Kabru as it felt for him.
“Laios…” he said, squeezing his hand, “I think I like you. Romantically, not just as a friend. I’m sorry I’ve made you uncomfortable.”
And that… That made more sense.
“Why didn't you just say something?” 
“I’ve tried so many times and the words just die in my throat! Do you know how hard this is? I’ve never liked guys before and now I do and it's you! You, who I spend so much time with and none of it alone–the few times I’ve gotten you alone and tried to flirt or drop a hint or anything, you just don't seem to get it! And then I get so nervous about how to get through to you, I feel ill.”
“You weren't actually sick?!” 
That made Kabru turn around. He slapped his hand to Laios' cheek and pulled. 
“Focus, stupid!” he said.
“Okay, okay!” 
His hold released. But the hand stayed. Laios couldn't help but smile: it really was nice.
“I like it when you touch me,” he said, realized how that sounded, and corrected, “Not just sexually but all the time,” realized how that might sound also, “But I’d like it if you touched me more just maybe as like a boyfriend instead of whatever it is you were doing before!”
Kabru pulled closer to him again–another kiss. This time, Laios let him do what he wanted. It was tender, it sent a shiver through Laios to try not grab him like he was trying to devour him whole, but he couldn't stop himself from cupping his hand over Kabru's and squeezing tight.
Too soon, Kabru pulled away again. He pressed his forehead to Laios' so the tips of their noses touched.
“I’ll fuck you as a boyfriend then,” he purred.
The blood rushed back to Laios’ dick so fast that it left him dizzy. 
“Just lie like that a minute, I need to grab something.”
He did as he was told, but he did peek. 
The candlelight only offered a glimpse of Kabru's silhouette as he got up and knelt by his bag–Laios hadn't noticed he'd brought one. He dug around, and Laios heard the clink of glass against glass. When he stood back up, he held a bottle, some larger, translucent object Laios couldn't make out, and what looked like a bunch of leather straps, and he held something else behind his back. He placed the leather straps and the glass bottle on the end table, and held out the larger object. It was a glass phallus, complete with textured bumps and a tapered end to keep it in place once inside someone. It was fairly small, as phalluses go, but it looked like it would feel perfect inside you. 
“Get up on the pillows, and lie on your back.”
He scooched up and fluffed the pillows.
“Can you guess what I'm going to do with this?” he asked, very cheerily.
“Um. Put it in me?” He’d typically used his fingers when touching himself, and didn't have something as nice as this. 
“Wrong! I'm putting this one in me–though if you ask nicely, I might let you do it. But this–” he pulled his hidden hand from behind his back. Held in his grasp was something Laios had never seen before. It was certainly also a phallus, certainly human shaped (complete with balls), but of a material he’d never encountered–not glass, nor the stuffed leather ones they sell in sex shops with the irritating looking stitches, but something stiff yet flexible enough to bend with the incredible girth of the thing. Maybe rubber? You couldn't easily get rubber on this continent since the trees won't grow here–it must've been expensive. 
“This is the one I want to put in you.”
Laios gasped. 
“That thing is massive! Are you sure?!”
He put the smaller one on the end table, and dropped the big one on the bed, letting it fwump and roll into Laois' side as he got busy putting on his harness. Laios was quickly coming to understand what he meant by ‘I have a cock depending on what you're asking for’. He meant to thrust it inside him like any guy with one growing out of his crotch could.
“Calm down, Laios. I’m not going to just shove it in there. I'm just putting it on, for the feel of it. We’ll stretch you out first.”
Laois could feel himself blush from head to toe. His unattended cock twitched painfully, but he didn't dare touch himself before Kabru got back on the bed and touched him first.
Thankfully the buckling and snapping came to an end. Kabru leaned over to grab the massive dildo, and secured it in place. The straps dug into the flesh around his hips and thighs, and wrapped around the base of the cock and the balls, almost fusing it to him. He uncorked the bottle and poured some of the liquid into his palm, then began stroking himself with it.
“The natural rubber can catch skin and hair if left dry, and it's really uncomfortable. This will help it feel more natural, and we’ll apply more once you're ready of course.”
“Can you get back on the bed now?” Laios said impatiently.
“Ah, now that you're thinking of me ‘like a boyfriend’ you know exactly what you want?” he said.
“Yes! I thought we were clear on that. Do we have to talk more? I’d really rather you touch me again,” he replied, increasingly aggravated every second Kabru was keeping him waiting like this wasn't his idea.
“I don't think I understand you,” he said, but to his credit he was on the bed now, “Any time I try to tease you and flirt with you, it blows up. I say the most humiliating thing I’ve ever said, completely lose my composure, and that's what works. Everytime.”
Laios huffed. He really thought they'd gotten over this by now. He grabbed Kabru's wrist and pulled him closer.
“Just say the thing that you mean first, and you won't be so embarrassed later. Fucking hell,” he said as Kabru toppled on top of him.
Kabru got back up, supporting himself by one elbow as he readjusted his cock, which was currently trying to rut itself into the crease between Laios' thigh and hip.
“Fine, here's my true feelings: you are such an ass.” He slapped his dick down on top of Laios' and dropped down, squeezing them between their bodies and winding Laios. He tried to moan, but with all the air pushed out of his lungs (on purpose!), all he could manage was a gasp.
“You still *gasp* like me though, right?”
He didn't answer, he just nuzzled into Laios' shoulder, kissing the skin where it joined the neck, and then slowly rocked his hips. He wasn't really expecting what it felt like–maybe it would've felt like a handjob did, but it didn't. It felt gentler than that, gentler than the constricted feeling of penetrating someone, yet with firm pressure on his sensitive shaft and head. The weight of Kabru on top of him, pressing their bodies together, felt incredible. He whimpered, his arms moving on their own to hold Kabru around the waist.
“Now you're the one who doesn't make sense. Be more confident that I like you even though I think you're a stupid asshole.”
Laios gasped again and turned to putty–Kabru picked up the pace and kissed his neck in earnest. Laois wanted to wrap his legs around him too, just take every part of him into himself, just absorb him, but Kabru's hands at his hips were locking him in place, and it would take an extreme force of will to try lifting them when it risked Kabru letting go. He went faster, and faster, kissing and tonguing his neck, until–
Kabru stopped abruptly, panting a little (Laois panted a lot). His dick throbbed with need.
“Don’t stop now…!” he whined.
Kabru sat up on his heels.
“I have a mission, Laios,” he said. He leaned over to grab the bottle of lube. He uncorked it, poured more in his palm, recorked it one-handed and put it back. With much squelching and spurting, he lubed up all five of his fingers and the palm too. He positioned himself so that his thighs created a wedge pillow for Laios' hips to rest on. Then, he pulled him up. Kabru's strength was always impressive–but maybe it was more his familiarity with the human body and how it moves, and how to use its natural points of leverage against someone–or for them, if he was about to fuck them in the ass–and that was even more impressive.
It was lucky that Laios tended to keep himself clean to facilitate his own masturbation, because Kabru didn't seem to think about that at all. He took a deep breath and got ready for what he expected next.
Probing finger number one entered, hooked upwards to seek out his prostate. He stroked in and out until he found it, and hit it hard. Precum shot from the tip of his dick. His sphincter clenched from the sudden excessive stimulation.
“Agh! Don't be so rough!”
“Sorry,” he said in his sweetest voice, “I was having fun.”
With a much gentler hand, he stroked it slowly. Once Laios relaxed again, he inserted a second finger. He rubbed at that hollow of his hips as he stroked, then began scissoring his fingers, a little wider each time. he was methodical, trying to work him out as fast as he could. Laios grabbed for his free hand again–he missed how comfortable it was beneath him, and it felt like all he could do was anticipate when Kabru would decide to come down to him again. He put in the third finger.
All of this felt so new, mostly because it was. He’d never had anyone else inside of him, even if he’d done it himself regularly. He’d had sex, but not with a close friend, not with someone who he enjoyed clinging to like slime. It was nerve-wracking, it was exciting, it was a fourth finger squeezing inside.
Kabru whistled.
“To be honest Laios, I was not actually confident I’d be able to get it in tonight, but it seems we will. Good job.”
“Th-thanks,” he said hoarsely. He’d been moaning nonstop for the last ten minutes, so his voice was about spent.
Kabru kept thrusting his fingers, brushing Laois' prostate on every third plunge in exactly, never really letting Laios lose himself in the rhythm of it, or letting him go ahead and cum. He got down to the last knuckle of his hand, and stretched all four fingers inside wide.
“You have definitely done this before,” he said.
“Um, just–ahhh–just to myself.”
Slowly he closed his fingers and withdrew them.
“I think you're ready. Now you get to get me ready.”
Once again, he returned to the end table, pulled the bottle of lube and the much smaller dildo. He handed them to Laios, who had sat up to see what he was doing.
Kabru laid back on his elbows, and lifted his legs to give Laios better access to his crotch.
“Put some lube on that and stretch me out a little so you can put it in,” he said.
Laios rubbed the dildo with the lube, making sure to coat his fingers as he did so.
“Bend down to get to me,” he instructed.
So Laios bent over, ducking the monstrous cock he was going to be taking very soon, and at this angle he could get a good look at Kabru's anatomy.
He had been wrong about the lack of external genitalia–his clitoris hung outside of the labia majora, engorged and standing at half-attention despite the weight of the skin and fat sitting above it.
“Yours is huge,” he said, awestruck. He touched it, holding it between two fingers, stroking it not unlike how he would the tip of his own and eliciting a moan from Kabru. He wondered what it would feel like against his tongue. “Could I suck it? Just for a minute?”
Kabru went very still for a second.
“Please do.”
Laios dove for it, using one arm to support himself, and the other to feel what he couldn't see in the dark, and letting the showy dildo flop onto his head. He took it into his mouth, licking the underside with the flat of his tongue and pressing it into his pallet. He had neither sucked dick nor eaten pussy before, so he couldn't truly compare, but he liked that Kabru's…–well, it should be fine to call it a cock even if there was a much larger artificial one above, dirtying his hair right now–Kabru’s cock was almost exactly a mouthful. It made it easy to loll it about on his tongue, testing the weight and density of it. And all his play seemed to be working wonderfully for Kabru–his thighs shook and his breathing was a bit shallow. He found a rhythm he liked and focused on using his fingers now. He spread apart the lips, and tried to finger him.
His head was unceremoniously pushed away. The heavy dildo flopped down onto the bed.
“You haven't fingered anyone before, have you?” Kabru asked, voice a little shaky.
“Ummm… No.”
Kabru just nodded.
“I’ll show you another time. You won't stay stretched forever,” he said, scratching at Laios' scalp for a second before continuing to push him away, “Go on, lay back as you were.”
He picked up the smaller dildo–which Laios had forgotten in his eagerness–and slowly worked it into himself. Once it was in, he left it there, no further fussing with it. He instead turned his attention back to Laios and his splayed legs. But instead of wedging himself under Laios again, he climbed over him, straddling one of his thighs, and said, “You still have to finish lubing it up, though.”
With a sweet smile, he passed the bottle to Laios again, who uncorked it while he stared down the massive, heavy battering ram strapped to his royal advisor. He poured the viscous substance directly onto the shaft of it and passed the bottle back to Kabru to deal with. He took it in both hands, pumping it slowly, being sure to fully coat it. Kabru hummed in contentment.
“Can I ask something?” Laios said, careful not to stop his work as he talked.
“Hm? Sure, go on,” he answered. He sounded almost blissful.
“If you can't feel it, why do you enjoy this?”
“Um. I suppose…I just like to watch.
“So you’d like it if I sucked this one too?”
Laios could see his Adam's apple bob in the dim light.
“Yes. Yes, I would. But stay focused, please,” he said. He stayed Laios' hands.
In a few swift motions, Laios' ass was back in Kabru's lap, the head of his dick pressed against his sphincter. That slim and strong body holding him in place, readying to fuck him–Laios figured he could understand why Kabru liked watching his partners. It felt good to know you made someone else enjoy themself; it made him feel sexy to see Kabru so focused on him.
Man, he really didn't get to feel sexy often. People didn't seem to really desire him like that. Granted, it's been uncomfortable a lot of the times he's noticed someone else was interested in him, though he wasn't sure why. Why should they be interested in a body like this? There was nothing cool or special about it. It just was. It didn't feel sexy.
So then why did Kabru liking him feel different?
The head pressed past the ring of his asshole, spreading him wide all at once. He inhaled sharply, his legs reflexively tightened around Kabru, forcing him in deeper. Kabru caught himself before he pushed too far too fast. He kept his pace slow and Laios tried to hold his legs still, but couldn't stop the way they twitched. Soon, the head brushed against his prostate. The sheer girth of it as it moved past made it feel like it’d been getting hammered. And still it kept coming for what felt like hours before Kabru finally bottomed out.
When he did, he leaned forward, pushing even deeper, forcing a deep moan from Laios. He couldn't reach Laios' face, but he could press his face to Laios' chest and pepper it with kisses. He ran the tip of his tongue around a nipple, and it made Laios shudder. So he locked his legs around Kabru, squeezing their bodies together.
“You can start thrusting; I’m ready,” Laios said, voice husky with desire. His cock ached for release.
Kabru complied, slowly and carefully at first, but gathering speed each time. The pressure on his prostate on the up-stroke was immense, and as the strokes came faster and faster, the ripples of pleasure coursing through his body were becoming crashing waves. Small gasps and moans too were becoming louder, and if he didn't control himself, the whole castle was going to hear him getting his back blown out. He bit down on his hand to muffle himself.
Soon, he came: thick ropes coated him and Kabru's bellies. He expected Kabru to slow down and stop, but he kept up his feverish pace. The sensation left him feeling dizzy, fuzzy in the head and weak in the limb. It certainly wasn't bad but he was going to pass out if he kept this up.
“Kabru,” he tried to say, but it was so hard to speak like this. He tapped him on the shoulder.
Kabru responded, his own voice hoarse and gasping now, “I’m close, I’m so close!”
No stopping him now–Laios clung for dear life onto Kabru's shoulders. He was flaccid now, but every stroke past his prostate forced more seminal fluid from the tip of his dick, milking him dry.
With a moan and a shudder, Kabru finally relented. He rested his head on Laios' tits, just a moment, giving a few soft kisses while he caught his breath. Laios rubbed his shoulders, keeping his touch light, not wanting to risk arousing him again (he could not handle it if Kabru tried to rut him again so soon).
“Kabru,” he mumbled, too tired to talk properly.
Kabru looked up. His face looked blissful and sleepy. “Hmm?”
“You gotta pull out, man, I am so tired.”
He pushed himself up back to the kneeling position and carefully pulled out. And so Laios immediately fell asleep.
A few moments of sleep later, he woke to Kabru climbing back in bed with him, holding a warm towel.
He was dressed in his night wear, and more candles were lit again so it wasn't quite so dark.
“Here,” he said, pressing the towel into Laois' hands, “Get cleaned up, and put your bed clothes on.”
Laios took the towel and began to wash up what he could. He couldn't have been asleep for very long, as the mess on his stomach hadn't completely dried down, but the feeling of the lube was starting to itch. It was kind of awkward with Kabru just sitting there, and it seemed Kabru felt the same, since he decided it was a good time to talk.
“So… you're feeling alright? No pain?”
Laios hadn't been prepared to talk yet. His mouth felt sticky.
“Mm. Mostly. Just feel kinda sore.”
“Well, let me know if you need a healing spell or anything.” He drummed his fingers on his legs, pointedly not looking at Laios. For his privacy, Laios guessed, though that did feel silly to be concerned about with a guy you were just inside of.
“Water would be nice,” Laios answered.
“Of course, let me grab your glass,” he said, springing back to his feet. He was just acting kind of weird in a way Laios couldn't place.
Kabru had brought in a jug and a couple glasses when he'd come back, along with the hot towel. If anyone saw him passing by, they’d probably think Laios had been sick–at least that's what Laios would think.
Laios finished cleaning himself off and bunched up the towel to put in the laundry later just as Kabru turned back to him with the water.
“Thanks,” he said, taking it and gladly chugging it.
Kabru sat on the bed in an awkward silence while Laios picked up discarded clothes and the towel and got himself into something clean, and he was still waiting like that when Laios sat down with him again.
“Are you, like, okay?” Laios asked, trying not to yawn. But fuck was he still tired.
Kabru exhaled hard. He was sweaty again–he was sweaty a lot though.
“What exactly did you mean by saying you wanted me to ‘touch you like a boyfriend’?” Kabru said politely, his focus entirely on Laios. Scanning him, almost.
Laios had not thought of the statement as ambiguous, but pressed to answer he wasn't now sure what he did mean by that. Why the hell did he say it that way?
“I mean that…You're my friend, and I care about you a lot, and I couldn't do any of this kingly mess if you weren't here…” Kabru's stare was intense, and it was making him nervous, “and… You know you're really handsome? And…” he was turning red and sweating, talking was getting physically more difficult, “and… tonight, that was nice? We should… again. Sometime.”
‘Be more confident that I like you…’
Why couldn't they talk about all this before milking his prostate and continuing to fuck him for like ten extra minutes?
An arm snaked around his waist, pulling them close. Laios just wanted to go to sleep like this, pressed against him. He rested his head on top of Kabru's–his hair smelled nice, probably some perfume he used inbetween washes.
“Would you like to be my boyfriend, then, Laios? Is that what you're trying to say?”
Laios dared lay a kiss in that bed of curls; he dared to wrap his own arms around Kabru.
“Yeah, it is.”
“We’ll have a lot to discuss if we want this to work,” he said.
“Probably. Being king doesn't help,” Laios answered, “But let's worry about that in the morning. I just wanna sleep with you now.”
Kabru squeezed him tightly, nuzzling his neck again, breath against his pulse, speaking softly.
“You should phrase that differently–I could go for another round.”
Locking Kabru in a hold, Laios fell back on the bed.
“You're insatiable! Let me rest!” 
They laughed together for a minute as Kabru broke the hold and got up to put out the candles. Laios yawned deeply, and got under the covers, and made space for Kabru. He pushed a pillow over for him. When Kabru climbed into bed, he laid face to face with Laios.
He looked so beautiful in the moonlight, soft and happy, and his eyes seemed to sparkle. Being with Kabru made him happy, even if they didn't always understand one another. He could trust him, and he felt like Kabru trusted him too. He wanted to kiss him again, fall asleep close that way. So he did. They lay curled around each other, lost in dreams.
All that mattered that night was that they wanted each other's company: Everything else could wait.
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