I stood poised at the edge of the stage; the tavern had filled quickly with the apparent news that I’d be performing. The room was dark with a gentle murmur, the loudest thing being the clinking of glasses and the pushing of chairs. I felt the wood of my violin pressed into my shoulder and cheek; out of the corner of my eye I could see Edrim faintly glowing. Nervous was the first emotion that came to mind, unfamiliar to me as a performer.

You want to impress him.

But he’s seen me perform?

That was life and death, quality wasn’t important. It is here.

I took a breath and raised my bow into the air.

Let’s at least start with something fun.

With a pull of the bow, I sang in a low tone, “Beware his maw, King of the Undertow One who takes the strongest below, Tale of one who creates the thunder, One who took me under too.”

A cheer echoed across the bar, this was a favorite, considering it was the story of how my great-grandmother saved the town. I began stomping my foot for the next part, and the bar joined in suit. The crowd cheered as I continued,

“I'll tell you the story from many years ago, Before we had taken this town for our own, A fearsome monster of the ocean was lurking, Upon the shores of our home.”

I swung round so that I was looking over my shoulder at them, and the fish decided to make their entrance, swimming off of me and into the crowd. I saw the faintly illuminated faces among the crowd.

“Our crewmen would leave and they'd seldom return, And those who did told of the beast who incurred, The wrath of the gods who lived beneath the sea, The one they only called the King!”

An echo of the chorus rung among the crowd, and I saw people raise their flagons into the air. I waved hand, and the image of a fearsome sea monster roared to life in front of me. It swam its way out into the crowd, snapping and diving into the tables.

“No one from that city would come to our aid, As our children would suffer day after day, Our supplies would soon drain, only there for their gain, Lack of supply made for a great pay!”

I glanced at Edrim in that moment, a moment of confusion played on his face before it dawned on him what "that city” was. Shit, I forgot about that line…

“No longer could we wait for someone to arrive, We decided that we could no longer stand by, With the strongest of us taking the boldest of us, We'd finally take down the King!”

As the line died and a smattering of cheers and chorus played across the room, I jumped onto a central table. My hooves found familiar grooves from past performances. I prepared for the volume of the next line—

“Boom Crash! Went the raging storm, Boom Crash! As we faced down our foe, Boom Crash! Went the tail of the beast, But we are not easy to beat!”

I fanned out the end of my tail and swung it around in tandem to the Booms and Crashes. The crowd was really riled up now! It was exhilarating to feel this again, this time with my partner and my family watching.

“Boom Crash! As the battle wore on, Boom Crash! Our men remained so strong! Boom Crash! But as we thought we'd won, The bastard he breached and took one of us down.”

I knelt on the edge of the table for this next part, violin playing low notes and practically humming.

“It was darker than night, in the maw of the beast, All I could taste was my blood and the sea, But even as I knew the end was approaching, I knew he was waiting for me.”

I glanced around the room; it grew hushed in the sudden tone shift. But I saw them wait with bated breath, they knew what was coming. They were waiting.

“You want to know what I did?”

The crowd roared back, “So what did you do?!”

“You want to know what I did?”

“So what did you do!”

“I'll tell you what I did, I screamed louder than lightning burned the king inside out!”

Oh, gods the hardest part, pure vocals. The crowd roared as my voice yelled out in tone the musical screams. I began rapidly pulling the bow across the violin, driving the pitch up and up and up—

With one final cascade the bow pulled its final note in tandem with my last yell. I felt my shoulders slouch as I breathed in ragged breaths. The crowd erupted in applause as I pulled my bow off my neck and took a bow.

I gently hoped off the table, and made my way over to Edrim’s table. I sat down next to him, and I felt his arm wrap around me. I looked up at him to see a proud smile.

“Nal that was incredible.”

“Thank you,” I blushed. “Old family song but it’s a crowd pleaser.”

“Is it a true one?” He looked concerned.

“As far as I know yes, it’s a story from when my great-grandmother was a young woman. She’s the original singer. Usually, you’d play it with an accordion, but I don’t have mine.”

“That’s fine—you play the accordion?” He looked at me surprised.

“Yeah, but I don’t carry one with me so I’m rusty.”
“I learn something new about you every day.”

In that moment, the fish made their way back over after playing in the crowd. Edrim and I watched as the settled themselves on the table and among our horns. He sighed, leaning against the wall, I watched his hand gesture for me to lean against him.

“I always forget you glow in the dark,” I chuckled as I nestled into him.

“Just call me your nightlight,” he said wrapping an arm around my waist. “I know you don’t like the dark.”

“I can deal with darkness, it’s silence that’s an issue…but you’re right I do prefer light.”

I closed my eyes and listened to the murmur of the crowd, I felt Edrim’s chest rise and fall. The steady beating of his heart playing softly under my head.

“Hey Nal?” Edrim’s voice vibrated against me.
“Yes Ed?” My eyes still closed and enjoying him.

“I love you,” his voice echoed in my head for a moment. I opened my eyes wide and looked at him.

“I—I love you too,” I said stuttering at first. He smiled, and I felt a hand cup my face and pulling it into a kiss with him.

My heart was pounding, and my head was spinning.

He loves me, he loves me, he loves me!

“Your face is warm, so even without proper lighting I can tell that you’re blushing,” Edrim murmured against my lips.

“Shush,” I said placing my hands on his cheeks and pulling him in for another kiss.

He loves me.

---

Eventually the night did draw to a close, and as the crowds dissipated me we slipped out. I waved a goodbye to my grandmother as we made our way back to the cottage. We quickly tossed off most our clothes and climbed into the bed. Though, I had intended to be wholesome, the sight of him shirtless and laying so welcoming against the bed was intriguing. I leaned over him, and kissed him again. This time his hand slid to the back of my neck. I slid my hand across his chest, and down his belly, all the way to his—

“Whoa there,” Edrim said pulling out of the kiss. “You’re a bit eager.”

“Sorry,” I said as my face flushed.

“You’re fine, I just wasn’t expecting that. I’d be up for if you are.”

“I definitely would.”

“Alright, the strip for me Nal.”

I felt my blush grow hotter as I looked at him startled for a second. I leaned back before sliding my shirt over my head and tossing it onto the floor. I maneuvered myself so I could do the same with my pants. I knelt in front of him now, totally naked.

“I could look at you all night,” he said sitting in front of me. “Can I touch?”
I nodded, and his hand reached out and laid itself on the curve of my hip. He pulled me a bit closer, and his other hand reached up and cupped my breast. His hand was so warm, and I felt his fingers make their way over to my nipple and gently finger it.

“Edrim, that feels really good,” I sighed.

“Good. Nal, can I touch you elsewhere?”
“Please do.”

I felt his hand that rested on my hip creep down until it was right above my vagina. His fingers trailed and made their way downwards and I felt him run a finger across. That elicited a gasp, and he grew bolder. His thumb brushed against my clit, and I shuddered.

“Nal I’m going to finger you, is that alright?”

I nodded, and I felt his first finger enter me. Gods since when were they so long? He worked his hands in tandem, one finger my nipple and the other penetrating me. I felt my face now permanently blushed, and I saw him look at me. He had a hungry look in his eyes. I reached out a shaking hand and touched the bulge in his pants.

“You can play with it if you want,” he said, and so I pulled down his pants, so it sprung forth.

I then placed my hands along it and tightened my grip a bit. Running one hand down the shaft, and the other one circling the tip. I stroked it a few times, watching his face for what got the best reaction. Once I found it I kept doing that, and watched as a bead of orange precum appeared on the tip.

Just as that happened I felt another finger slip inside. I gasped, and I found myself grinding on his hand a bit.

“You like that Nal?” He murmured as I stoked harder, earning a groan from him. I was getting close a lot faster than he was, and he could definitely tell. He sat up further so that his mouth settled on my other nipple. He sucked and pulled at it with his teeth, fingered me, and played with my other nipple. It was to much, I came. His name tumbled from my lips as I dropped my head back. I gasped, trying to catch my breath. He pulled his lips and hand off and out of me, and settled them on my hips once more.

“You’re so cute when you finish,” he chuckled as I drew my head back up. He kissed me and I sighed.

“Now let me finish you,” I murmured. Stroking his now much harder cock. The precum was now leaking out continuously, and I could see him stifling a moan as he was getting closer. He dropped back, so he was leaning on the pillows, watching me stroke him. He was getting very close, I could feel it.

“Nal unless you want to get it all over—”
“I do.”

“You…you what?”
“Cum on me Edrim. Please?”

“Wow,” he eyed me curiously, panting slightly. “You’re a lot kinkier than I expected.”

“Only time will tell how kinky I can be,” I chuckled.

“True…fuck Nalypsis. I’m close.”

“Please cum on my Edrim,” I said as I stoked even faster.

“Fuck, I’m gonna—”

His load shot out and splattered first onto my breasts and chest. The first stream had just settled when the next shot out and his my stomach. Finally, the third spurt shot and a couple drops landed on my face. He panted, his head dropped back. He roused himself to look at me.

“I didn’t that the sight of you covered in my cum would be a turn on,” he smiled. “But I was mistaken.”

“I’m glad,” I said, stretching my hands. “I’m going to go clean up. Then can we cuddle?”
“Of course.”

“Thank you, and I love you Edrim.”

“I love you too Nalypsis.”