Rocks had been placed within the pool to create makeshift seats, so Korik carefully sat down, the water reaching his chin. In the other pool, he saw Varen also try to sit, but it was too deep for him. His head disappeared under the water, then bobbed back up, the elf’s wet hair sticking to his face as he laughed.
Korik closed his eyes, resolving to rest and relax no matter how much Varen splashed around. Luckily, the elf settled after a few minutes, and silence descended over the hot springs. He breathed deeply, focusing on the sound of the air rushing in and out of his lungs. He could feel the deep well of latent magic far below the earth, where the water flowed from. It was distant, yet the sense of it was unmistakable—far stronger than the natural ambient magic that he could feel when he reached outward to connect with wildlife. How many places were sources of natural magic like this? How many wonders had he missed out on living his solitary, stationary life in Drol Kuggradh?
Was this why so many of his people wandered? Why their clans roamed as far as they could, seeing everything they could see? He had been content with his life when he was living it, but now he had to admit to himself that he at least understood the appeal. Something in him was fulfilled being out here—despite the strange circumstances that had brought him into the wilderness, and the danger he had faced.
It wasn’t that he wanted to abandon his life in Drol Kuggradh; on the contrary, he very much wanted to return to it. He missed Roz, and what would the orcs in the city do without a healer? He had all his stock of herbs and supplies there, not to mention his personal belongings that he’d left behind. He wanted to go home, but after that... Maybe he would start spending some time away from the city. A compromise.
But that was something he could worry about later. They were here to rest and relax. With some effort, he emptied his mind, focusing until the movement of his lungs and the beat of his heart filled his awareness. The cold air, warm water, his aching body, and the earth beneath it all became one. He was safe and comfortable. It would all be waiting for him later.
Korik wasn’t sure how long he remained there, his mind drifting in quiet meditation. The sound of splashing from the other pool caught his attention eventually, though, and he opened his eyes to find that Varen had clambered out of his pool and was now stepping into Korik’s.
He had seen Varen naked, of course, but that had all been in such dim light from glowing embers—now, in the daylight, the elf’s body was an eyeful. Faint pink scars marked places where Korik had felt old wounds, mostly on his arms, but one near his hip looked like it must have been brutal when it occurred. His body was lean, and the strong muscle beneath his skin was evident in his every movement. Korik realized, embarrassed, that his admiration had been largely medical in nature until his eyes landed on Varen’s cock—though it was quickly hidden as he plunged into the water beside him—and he considered the likely reason why the elf had come to join him.
“Thank you for getting us here,” Varen said, the sincerity in his voice taking Korik by surprise. “This is... Very nice. I had no idea this was here. But it’s really helped. I feel much better already.”
Korik looked at him for a moment, then offered a small, uncertain smile. “Good. I’m glad.”
Varen did not sit down beside him—the elf waded right over to him and straddled his waist, facing him. Korik’s face immediately heated, but he found himself placing his hands on Varen’s hips, anyway.
“We’re all alone here,” Varen said, his voice low and breathy now that they were so close, his eyes full of heat. “And this has got to be a lot more comfortable than a cot on the ground, don’t you think?”
Korik nodded, his heart beating faster. He could feel his cock rising to attention, pushing insistently into the space between them. But Varen pressed harder against him, his smaller hands gripping Korik’s shoulders to brace himself.
“Stay just like this,” Varen said, looking him up and down. “I want to ride you this time.”
It took a moment for Korik to realize what he was saying. “I—What? Ride me?”
Varen laughed, smirking at him. “What? Is that such a surprise to you?”
“I don’t—I don’t want you to hurt yourself,” he protested, his face somehow flushing even warmer.
“I won’t hurt myself,” the elf replied nonchalantly. “Yes, you’re a big strong orc and all, but I’ll still be on top. If something hurts, I’ll stop.”
Korik couldn’t bring himself to protest any further. Varen had been so dominant, he had quickly accepted that the elf would be the one in control of their encounters, which he found he liked just as well. He had thought about being inside the elf, of course, but he had doubted it would actually happen—so now that Varen seemed to want the same, he wouldn’t tell him no.
Varen’s fingers brushed against his jaw, pulling him from his thoughts. The elf’s hand trailed up and pushed his damp hair out of his face. Somehow, the simple motion felt uncomfortably intimate, leaving his face exposed and removing the curtain he so often used to hide himself. But Varen grinned at him, so he didn’t protest.
“You have lovely eyes,” Varen murmured, running a hand down his cheek again. “Like the color of the sun.”
“You shouldn’t be looking at the sun,” Korik replied without thinking, and Varen burst out laughing.
“Gods, I shouldn’t be surprised,” he chuckled. “Yes, healer, I’m aware. I’m trying to set the mood, you know.”
“S-sorry,” Korik stammered, trying to focus less on thinking and more on their bodies. Beneath the warm water, he released his hold on Varen’s hips, only to run his hands further down, cupping the firm globes of his ass. Varen let out a soft, breathy sound of pleasure, pressing back into the contact.
“Better,” Varen murmured, pushing his own hair out of his eyes with one hand. He rocked back against Korik’s hold. “Get me ready for you. I want to take as much of you as I can.”
There was hardly any resistance as Korik slipped his first finger in—there was already so much of the elf’s natural slick that he paused, surprised, then looked at the elf in consternation.
“You were already preparing yourself,” he said, half-questioning and half-accusing. Varen laughed, rocking his hips again to push the digit in deeper.
“Guilty as charged,” he said. “Made your job easier, though, didn’t I?”
“Insatiable,” Korik muttered, still reeling, but he pressed a second finger in. Varen bit back a soft groan and remained still as Korik gently slid his fingers in and out of the elf’s hole, patiently working him open. When the tight muscle around him had relaxed, he pressed in a third digit. There was more resistance with this one, but he moved slowly and carefully until a low, needy moan came from Varen’s throat each time he pushed further in.
He wanted to make Varen come first. The thought felt like a thunderbolt—the image of Varen flushed and moaning, his spent cock dripping as he rode Korik, nearly drove him mad with lust. With his free hand, he encircled Varen’s cock, so each movement both stroked his length and filled his hole. Varen yelped in surprise, hazel eyes wide and dark, but he made no move to stop Korik or make him slow down.
“Gods,” he groaned, his head tipping back. “I should have been letting you do this the whole time.”
