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| Details |
| Author: | Disknight |
| Summary: | After being cleared of all charges, Rozalin heads to Kalimdor for some business. Or perhaps it's pleasure... |
| Rating: | M for Mature 17+ |
Rozalin sat at a table in the tavern in Ratchet. She was wearing some sturdy working pants held up by thick leather suspenders as well as a white cotton shirt. In her hand was a cold glass of lemonade. Not her usual drink of choice, but she still had some business to attend to today. Any proper drinks would have to wait. She had an old sword and shield on her back as well as a small mail shirt overtop her ordinary one. Just cheap things she managed to snatch up on a bargain to get back on her feet as a mercenary. She had told all her neighbors that she was taking a job out in Kalimdor dealing with some pirate troubles here in town. However, that wasn’t really the case. In fact, it was much more important matters that had brought her to Kalimdor today.
Crim walked inside the tavern. He was dressed simply in a heavy leather harness bearing the insignia of the Warsong Clan, some leather pants held up by a thick belt with an impressive wolf’s head buckle, and a pair of heavy leather boots. The whole outfit was decorated with bits of wolf fur, most notably across his shoulders and in a loincloth in front of his groin, and he carried his two large axes slung across his back. Crim marched up to the bar to order, “One melon juice.” His deep voice resonated across the room. He placed a small stack of coins on the counter and took his glass once it was offered to him.
Rozalin sipped her lemonade and occasionally leaned over to glance at the door. When she spotted Crim she broke into a smile and waved him over, “Heya big guy.” Roz reached over to squeeze Crim’s wrist as he sat down and placed his glass on the table.
“Throm’ka.” Crim’s eyes brightened, “I apologize for making you wait.”
Rozalin’s hand lingered on Crim’s arm for a moment before she pulled it back, “Don’t sweat it. It was just a half hour or so.” She chuckled and shook her head, “Honestly, I was late too. I only got here fifteen minutes ago or something.”
Crim grunted, “It seems we both lead busy lives.” He lifted his glass up and took a drink keeping his eyes fixed on Rozalin the whole time.
“No fucking kidding.” Rozalin snorted and shook her head, “I’m hoping that lets up now that I’m free finally.”
“The trial ended favorably then?” Crim raised an eyebrow.
Rozalin smirked and kicked Crim under the table, “Ain’t that what I said in my letter, dumbass?”
“It is. But if it’s all the same I’d like to hear it from you directly.” Crim carefully slid his foot forward closer to Rozalin,”And besides, your handwriting is terrible. I wanted to make sure I didn’t misinterpret anything.”
“Why you little—” Rozalin tried to kick him under the table again, but with his leg so close now, she couldn’t manage a solid hit, “You little shit.” Rozalin laughed and watched Crim’s smile grow wider. His big red eyes didn’t stray from her for a second. She felt warmth rushing to her cheeks and had to look down back at her drink, finally relenting from her kicking.
“It’s good to see you again.” Crim said sincerely, “And smiling and laughing no less. You have a strong heart.”
Rozalin swelled at the compliment, but her face turned a bit downcast, “That’s one way of puttin it. Practically lost three parents and almost my damn life too in just a few months. Appreciate you, but sayin that don’t make it hurt no less, do it? ”
Crim grunted, “I don’t imagine it does.” He responded, “Nor should it. That pain is the mark of how much those people meant to you. Those pangs you carry are the bond that ties you to them as they continue to the world beyond.”
The two sat in silence for a while. Rozalin hooked her ankles around the back of Crim’s heel and sipped her lemonade. She rocked Crim’s foot forward and back. Crim kept quiet and let her have a moment. Rozalin’s head was down, but Crim could see the corners of her mouth turn upwards slightly and even caught a glimpse of a twinkle in her eye when Roz looked up briefly thinking he wasn’t paying attention. Once Rozalin was almost finished with her drink Crim spoke up, “Come.” He stood up slowly, tapping one of his huge fingers to get Rosalin's attention first so as not to startle her, “Let’s head out.”
“Huh? What are you talkin bout?” Rozalin set her feet back on the ground and looked up, furrowing her brow.
Crim grunted, “I hope you didn’t think I planned on staying cooped up here on such a fine day.” He stretched out a hand to offer to Roz.
“Oh yeah? So where you takin me?” Rozalin took his hand (or at least as many fingers as her hand could fit around) and stood up to join him.
When Crim turned to lead the way outside, he noticed that Rozalin never let go of his hand. He grinned a bit and flexed his fingers gently around hers, “To the place on Azeroth I’ve grown most fond of.” Crim looked back for a moment to see Rozalin smiling up at him. “It’s not far.” Crim took a deep breath of the brisk fall air as the two made their way outside and started along the road leading out of the city. He thought of reminding Rozalin that people could see them holding hands and that word of it could make its way back to the Eastern Kingdoms, but he decided against it. Rozalin was the type to do as she pleased regardless of what others might think, and who was Crim to stand in her way? He chuckled softly.
“What’s so funny?” Rozalin prodded and scampered up to walk side by side with Crim.
Crim looked down to behold the playful grin he was growing ever more endeared to, “Nothing. Just trying to gauge your reaction when we get there.”
“Well knock it off.” Rozalin giggled and bumped into Crim’s side, probably quite forcefully by her standards, but Crim barely budged, “We gotta get some sort of rule about you readin my mind.”
“No need.” Crim nudged her back gently. Rozalin stumbled and shot him a dirty yet impish look. “Anything I imagine won’t compare to seeing the real thing for myself.”
Rozalin scrunched her little button nose and looked away bashfully. She let the moment soak in for a bit. Crim did the same. “Seriously though where are we going?”
“Mulgore.” Crim answered with his head held high, “It’s a grassland not unlike your home in Westfall.”
Rozalin tugged on Crim’s arm excitedly, “Oh yeah! I remember you tellin me about that! I’ve never been!”
“I have a feeling you’ll like it.” Crim replied with a smile, taking note of the pressure on his arm.
“But uh… that’s deep in Horde territory.” Rozalin said quizzically, “You sure it’ll be alright?”
Crim nodded, “It will. The tauren are a peaceful people. They aren’t ones to attack on sight, especially not if I’m accompanying you.” He looked down into Rozalin’s eyes to reassure her, “We’ll keep mostly to the outskirts, away from any towns to keep out of trouble. There’s a spot up in the eastern bluffs that should serve us quite nicely.”
“Ooh, this your secret hiding spot? Got something special in mind, big guy?” Rozalin teased.
Crim grunted, “I think that will be up to you. We do both want to speak more about that other night, don't we?”
Rozalin’s cheeks flushed and she nearly choked on her tongue. She ripped her hand out of his, “I-I-I mean yeah, but… Ya know… I was just thinkin maybe—“
Her response was cut short by Crim clapping her on the shoulder and giving her a gentle shake, “Don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll think of something.” It was a little hard to tell with his green skin, but Rozalin could swear she saw a little color come to Crim’s face for a second too.
“Are you alright with flying?” Crim asked.
Rozalin nodded, “O-oh, uh, yeah.”
“Good. We can take my wyvern then.” Crim motioned forward to the beast in question resting in a stable at the edge of town.
Rozalin blinked. She had been so caught up talking that she hadn’t even noticed, “Oh wow… You know I never rode one of these things. It different from a gryphon?”
“I wouldn’t know.” Crim said, “So I suppose you’ll be the first to find out.” He patted Rozalin’s back to urge her forward. Roz crept closer and looked back at Crim when the feline creature raised its head to look at her. Crim spoke a few words firmly to the wyvern and it looked between the two, “He won’t bite. Go on.”
“R-right…” Rozalin stepped and raised a hand toward the creature, “Hey there big kitty. Nice to meet ya.” She inched forward bit by bit until her hand pressed against the wyvern’s snout. As soon as she did, the wyvern nuzzled into her palm and then slipped its head away and stood up to make its way out of the stall. Rozalin beamed back at Crim, showing him the palm she used to touch the wyvern, “Hey wouldja look at that! I’m a natural. Betcha couldn’t do that with a gryphon on your first try.”
Crim let out an amused grunt and patted her back again to steer them both toward the wyvern, “Perhaps one day we’ll find out.”
The two of them both got onto its back. Crim took the reins at the front while Rozalin sat behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and they took off. As they flew up higher and higher Rozalin tightened her grip on Crim. The rings of Rozalin’s mail shirt felt cool on Crim’s back. The more she pressed against him, the more her chest squished to press even more of them on his back. Crim afforded himself a grin while Rozalin couldn’t see him. He was starting to regret not fully doing away with pretense before they left. This was nice, sure, but it would have been better without a layer of steel between them.
Before long the two landed high on the bluffs forming the eastern border of Mulgore. Rozalin wasted no time rushing over to the edge to take in the view while Crim tied up his wyvern in a cozy spot shaded by a tree and left some food for it. Rozalin was speechless. Her eyes were wide as can be while she soaked up the scenery. The rays of the afternoon sun shimmered on the golden plains. She watched hawks circle in the air looking for food and massive herds of kodo thundering across the grassland. “Wow…” was all she could manage to make out.
“I said the same thing when I first laid eyes on this place.” Crim said amiably. He came up behind Rozalin and placed his hands on her shoulders. Rozalin absentmindedly reached her hands up to rest on top of his, “There’s a cave not far from here. I set up a camp there for us. That’s why I was late.” Rozalin responded with little more than a murmur of affirmation. Crim started to massage her shoulders and upper arms, “Perhaps we can get some of our things put away in there before we keep enjoying the view.” Crim offered, leaning down so he could speak softer into her ear.
Rozalin turned around and looked up at him, “Alright. I guess I don’t really feel like lugging this around all day. Especially not if we’re gonna go explorin some!” Her eyes were big and sparkled with excitement.
Crim paused for a second. He hadn’t planned on going down from the bluff. It was part of why he put so much effort into the camp. With tensions running as high as they were, even though Crim knew the tauren wouldn’t harm her, especially while accompanied by him, he wanted to spare them the trouble. But at the same time, looking at Roz’s excited face right now, how could he say no? Crim grunted and shook his head in amusement, “Of course. I didn’t want to assume in case being in the tauren heartland put you ill at ease.”
“You kidding?!” Rozalin bounced, “How could I feel like I’m in danger in a place like this? It’s so peaceful.” She turned back out toward the plains, “And so pretty…”
Crim stepped out and stood at her side so he could look down at her innocent smile, her eyes filled with childlike wonder. It made him break out into a smile of his own, “Yes. It is.” He stood there silently from then on, letting Roz take her time. He didn’t dare to spoil the moment. And before long Rozalin turned back to him.
“So are we gonna head down now?” She asked excitedly, already shrugging off her pack, “I figure I can leave this here. What about my weapons and crap? It get dangerous here? I can’t imagine it does.”
Crim tightened the straps of his axes on his back, “No. Just some cougars and wolves mainly now that the Grimtotem have been driven out.”
“Right, you told me a little about that. Another bit about you bein a big damn hero, yeah?” Rozalin winked.
“I accompanied some younger tauren and a taunka from Northrend in their mission.” Crim puffed out his chest.
Rozalin snickered and poked him in his bulging pectoral, “You’re such a showoff. You’re lucky I like that kinda thing.” She bit her lip a little, sending a thrilled shiver down Crim’s spine.
“You can leave your weapons here. If anything happens I’ll still have mine.” Crim took Rozalin’s pack and held out another hand while she took off the rest of her weapons and armor to hand to him. Crim was about to turn and place all their things in the cave when Rozalin popped down onto her bottom and started pulling off her boots as well. “What are you doing?” Crim asked.
“What? I like feelin the grass and dirt between my toes.” Rozalin giggled and tossed her boots and socks at Crim who laughed and caught them, “That make me weird or somethin?”
Crim tucked the discarded footwear into Rozalin’s pack and shook his head, “I can’t say I don’t often do the same, but that’s for my shaman training not just to take a walk.”
“It’s not like I’m gonna have to be runnin around like a crazy person.” Rozalin lifted her leg, splayed her toes, and wiggled them at Crim, “Sides, you said you were gonna have my back. This is your little treat for me.”
“Is that so?” Crim asked amusedly while he backed into the cave a ways off.
Rozalin cupped her hands in front of her mouth to shout after him, “Sure is! And it’s much appreciated!”
After getting everything stowed safely away Crim walked back to Roz, “I think I can do better than just allowing you to go on without shoes for an afternoon.”
“Oh yeah?” Rozalin hopped onto her feet and raised an eyebrow, “What else were ya thinkin then, hmmm?” Her intonation rose tantalizingly on the “hmmm” and she leaned forward with her hands on her hips.
Crim noted that her shirt was unbuttoned lower than it was right after she had taken off her mail… He shifted his weight, “I was thinking…” He marched forward with purpose, his blood red eyes locked onto Roz, “I could hunt something for us to eat.”
Rozalin straightened her back and grinned up at Crim, “Deal.” She held out a hand which Crim took and shook firmly, “But I’m gonna be the one cookin. So don’t you worry your pretty little head about that.” Roz pivoted on her heel and strutted across the winding path leading down the bluff.
“You honor me.” Crim followed close behind, but not too close. He left just enough space to accommodate a nice view of Rozalin’s swaying hips, “It sounds like I’m getting the better part of this arrangement.”
Rozalin turned back and winked, “If that’s a compliment on my cookin you can keep em comin.”
“As long as you keep the food coming I will.” Crim grinned.
“Well just you wait then, big guy.” Rozalin skipped down the path, trying to land only on stony patches in the dirt, “I ain’t even busted out my good recipes yet.” The path was getting a little steep and Rozalin was starting to lose her balance until she finally slipped on one of the rocks. Crim lurched forward and scooped her up by the waist in one hand. In the same motion he swung Roz’s legs up and caught them in his other arm, now holding her in a princess carry. Rozalin’s heart was thundering out of her chest, and she felt her cheeks get warm.
“Are you alright? Did you twist your ankle when you fell?” Rozalin wasn’t sure if it was the adrenaline from nearly taking a spill down a steep incline, the embarrassment of Crim seeing her do it, or the way his eyes scanned her all over while he held her up like she weighed nothing to him.
Rozalin had to swallow a knot down her throat before she could respond, “N-naw, I don’t think so… I mean, yeah! I’m fine, yeah.”
Crim’s eyes stopped scanning and now settled on gazing into Rozalin’s own. “Good. I was a little worried for a second. Those can take time to heal properly even with magic.” He was smiling again…
It was then that Rozalin suddenly remembered that she hated being picked up. A few of her old male companions had tried while heading to her apartment or an inn room and ended up with a black eye or a broken nose for their trouble. Not Crim, though. This time it didn’t seem to bother her much. Rozalin squirmed in his arms just out of sheer reflex.
“Sorry.” Crim said and set her back down on her feet as soon as he sensed Roz’s discomfort. But was that what it was? I had to be, right? She always hated when guys would try and grab her and pick her up. It was something that bothered her ever since Will did it when she was younger.
Rozalin straightened out her shirt and dusted off some invisible dirt on the front of it, “N-naw, it’s alright. Uh, thanks for grabbin me there.”
Crim grunted and then nodded to the path, “Right.” Rozalin nodded too and carried on, walking normally this time. The end of the path wasn’t far now and they quickly came upon the rolling hills of Mulgore. Rozalin’s smile widened as she waded into the tall grasses that reached up to her chest. She reached out a hand to stroke the stalks and the ears of seeds. She ran her fingers along a few of them until she had a handful of kernels and tossed them into the air to scatter them. And the first time was so fun that Roz figured she may as well have another go at it. She rushed deeper and deeper into the grass and tossed seeds all around her, laughing all the while. “Fuck, I miss this. I used to do this in the field sometimes when I was little.” She smirked while she reminisced, “Shit… Ma used to get so mad. She’d come out yellin and screamin at me sayin I’m ruinin the crops or whatever.”
“Is that so.” Crim said while he looked on with a fond expression.
“Yeah.” Rozalin turned around and blushed when she saw Crim smiling at her again. She coughed and cleared her throat, “Of course I was. But I was too little to know better. I was just playin, ya know?” She cast her eyes downward again. Roz just couldn’t handle being smiled at like that. Those red eyes that just… they looked happy just to see her. Sure they lingered in certain places from time to time, but it never seemed to bother her when it was him. It was something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Crim came forward until he was at her side, “I think I do. I used to get in quite a bit of trouble myself.” He placed a hand around her until it rested on her far shoulder, “I’d take the sturdiest stick I could find and do some ‘weapon practice’ on the fences of our pig pens. Then when the hogs got loose it was like another game trying to get them back in.” Crim broke into a tusked grin while he guided them both along.
Rozalin looked up at him and laughed, “I never pegged you as the troublemakin sort.”
“With age comes wisdom, I believe the human saying goes.” Crim shot her a knowing look.
“You ass.” Rozalin bumped him with her shoulder again, but this time she stayed glued to his side. And that was all that was said for a good long while. The two of them strolled side by side through the plains and enjoyed the scenery. As expected from a grassland, much of the view stayed the same throughout, but every so often there would be a bright patch of flowers or some colorful butterfly or a beehive. She even saw a few snakes and lizards. They were different ones than Roz had at home, but that was part of the fun of it. It was like rediscovering so many things for the first time all over again. Only this time she had someone with her to share it with. Rozalin leaned her head against Crim’s chest while they walked and Crim slid his hand down to Rozalin’s arm and stroked it with his thumb. After Rozalin’s feet started to get a bit sore from being prodded by all the dry autumn grasses they stopped underneath a thicket of trees to rest in the shade for a while.
Crim leaned back against a tree and sharpened his axes while Rozalin rubbed her feet, “Hey. Big guy?” Crim glanced over to Roz, “Thanks for takin me out here. This is really nice.”
“You’re welcome. I had a feeling you’d enjoy this place as much as I do.” Crim smiled that same smile at her.
Roz was helpless. She blushed and looked back down at the ground, “Yeah… I wonder if this is sorta what Westfall looked like before all us farmers came in to live there.”
“I think you may be right.” Crim finished with his weapons and set them down at his side, “I do like the wildness of it all here, though. Too much order can be stifling. Let me wander the plains to gather food and stalk my prey. That’s the way of the tauren.”
“You talk an awful lot about them seein yer an orc ya know?” Roz reached out a hand and Crim passed over a waterskin, “You like how they run things?”
Crim grunted, “I still honor the ways of my people, but the orcs have never known peace. Our history is short and violent. If we’re to ever have a hope of finding our place on Azeroth, we will need to learn from others.”
Rozalin chuckled, “Well then why don’t you gimme a little demonstration. I’m gettin hungry here.” She nudged his knee with her foot, “I’ll see if I can’t find some decent herbs while you’re at it.”
“Dabu.” Crim stood up. He stowed his totem axe and hefted the other in his hands, “Don’t linger here for too long while I’m gone. This will be quick.”
“Yeah yeah now get lost already.” Roz grinned and swatted at Crim again, but he dashed off into the plains just before she could make contact, “Little shit.” She said with a big smile. Rozalin winced as she got back up. Her feet were still throbbing, but the thought of eating unseasoned meat for dinner was ample motivation for her to get moving. She searched through the different clusters of greenery to see what she could find. It didn’t take long before she had a handful of wild onions. After that she tested a few different types of berries, spitting out the bitter ones until she found a variety that was tart and sweet. Finally she just needed some herbs. Rozalin crushed the leaves of promising plants between her fingers and smelled them to see what she was working with. By the time she managed to settle on a combination of a few of her favorite finds, she saw Crim nearing the end of his hunt.
A pair of spectral wolves ran flanking either side of a plainstrider. They gradually overtook the bird and closed in, giving the creature no other avenue of escape other than behind it. The plainstrider turned around to run the opposite direction, but Crim was ready to meet it. He leapt up from where he was crouched in the tall grass and swung his axe in a great arc that took the plainstrider’s head clean off. Rozalin blinked and whistled at the impressive display, “Damn, that was clean.” So clean, in fact, that the bird managed to run another fifty yards or so before it realized it was supposed to be dead.
Rozalin found herself waiting a few minutes at the thicket where they were going to meet up again before heading back up the bluff, “What’s takin him so long?” Roz said to herself, “My feet are fuckin killing me and I beat him back?” When Crim returned carrying a field dressed carcass on his shoulder, the answer became clear enough.
“What are you doin? I was waitin on you?” Rozalin’s face twisted into a bit of a scowl.
Crim set the carcass down and knelt next to where she was seated in the shade, “I was just preparing this for you. I figured that you could use a little time to relax on your own so you could be ready to head back.”
“On my own?” Rozalin rolled her eyes, “You think I came all the way out here just to spend time by myself. She looped a couple fingers around one of Crim’s tusks and stared him down, “Just bring it back here next time alright? This ain’t the first time I’ve seen blood and guts.” Their faces were dangerously close. Rozalin felt almost like she was falling into Crim. She yanked his tusk to turn his head and break eye contact. “Sorry…” Roz leaned back and hid her brightened cheeks behind her hand casually, trying to play it off as her just needing to itch her face, “I just don’t like being alone…”
She nearly jumped when she felt a hand on her face, but quickly melted into it when she remembered who it belonged to, “I’ll remember that, then.” Crim said with his easy, serious smile, “I can’t promise I’ll always be nearby, at least not now, but I can see you when I’m able.” Rozalin started breathing deeper, “I’m glad to hear that you’ve been connecting more with your comrades, though. There seems to be no shortage of honorable people in Cobalt Company all willing to stand by your side.”
“Ain’t none of them take me here, though.” Rozalin turned her head and nibbled on Crim’s thumb. She felt his entire body tense as she did. Rozalin’s bashful manner flipped as soon as she saw how much an effect she had on him as goosebumps popped up all over his body. Meanwhile Roz’s rosy cheeks stayed, but now they were accompanied by a flirtatious leer. The low, evening sun illuminated Rozalin from the side, highlighting her features and her tanned, freckled skin and leaving behind long shadows that left just the right amount of mystery. Crim had to muffle a lascivious growl in the back of his throat. He seized Rozalin by the waist and hoisted her up onto her feet. Roz yelped and giggled, “What’s the matter?” She teased, “I bite your little fingers too hard?”
Crim stooped down to pick the plainstrider back up, “It’s getting late. The sun will be setting soon.” Crim placed a hand on the nape of Rozalin’s neck and guided her east, “We should head back before it gets dark.”
Rozalin snickered but complied with Crim’s suggestion. They had been beating around the bush a little bit. Roz turned to get one last look at the open plains. The rosy light of the sun gave the land a whole new look now. The sky was pink and the waves of grass being blown by the wind were even more accentuated now. It was a bit of a shame to leave it behind, Rozalin thought, but the night was still young. She tried to keep pace with Crim, but the grass had been rougher on her feet than she thought. Roz tried to keep a brave face, but she still winced every time she got poked by one of the stiff stalks.
“Do we need to stop to rest a while longer?” There was no hiding from Crim’s keen eye. He slowed down to make the trek back easier on Rozalin.
Rozalin gritted her teeth and did her best to hop along, “N-naw. I’ll be alright.”
Crim hauled the plainstrider up onto his shoulder and then patted Rozalin’s arm. He held out a hand for her to hold onto. Rozalin gave him a soft, somewhat self conscious smile and grabbed onto his arm for support, “Thanks, big guy.” Crim grunted and carried on without another word. He just kept walking as fast or as slow as Rozalin needed, never once complaining or insisting that he carry her back. Roz found herself holding Crim’s arm a little bit tighter than she needed to.
In the end it took them quite a while to make it back up the bluff. The walk at least got a little easier as the path changed from rough grass to smooth rock and dirt, but by the time they made it to the top it was already dark. Rozalin sat down to catch her breath near the mouth of the cave while Crim went over to his wyvern to give it the parts of the plainstrider they didn’t plan on eating. Rozalin opened up the small sack Crim had given her to carry the herbs she gathered and took a look inside to try and get an idea of what she planned on doing with them.
“That’s settled then. Let’s head inside now and get ready to eat.” Crim held up a pair of strider legs proudly.
Rozalin groaned and got back up on her feet, “Lead the way, big guy. I’m fuckin starving.” Both of them chuckled.
“Me too.” Crim responded. He placed a hand on Roz again to guide her forward. However, this time it wasn’t on her shoulder but the small of her back. Rozalin jolted at first, not expecting it, but she quickly smiled and leaned her head against Crim while they both made their way into the cave. As soon as they entered Crim took his hand away from Rozalin and waved slowly in front of him. As his hand swept across the cave, dozens of candles lit as well as a small fire pit prepared in the center of the room. Rozalin gasped as everything came into view. There was the fire pit in the middle, obviously, but it was already set up with a spit over it for roasting. There were a number of stones set up on one side of it as sort of makeshift tables with a healthy assortment of wooden bowls, spoons, and other cooking utensils all set neatly on red cloths. There was also another large stone table on the opposite side flanked by two cushions. There was a big bowl of fruit and two plates all set on top of another cloth embroidered in a traditional tauren style. Finally, in the middle there was a big, soft-looking brown fur on the floor with a few more cushions.
Rozalin’s heart swelled as she made her way inside and ran her hand down the strings of beads that had been hung from the ceiling. And there were just so many candles, “Crim, what’s all this for?” Roz said positively bursting with glee, “This ain’t all for me is it?”
“We both waited quite a while to meet again here.” Crim set the plainstrider legs on the table with the rest of the cooking supplies and set his axes down deeper inside where he had his and Rozalin’s packs and things all stored away. “I figured it warranted a little extra effort.”
Rozalin hugged herself tightly and scrunched her nose, trying so hard not to smile too much, “Well I can see why you were fuckin late comin to get me!” Rozalin snapped at him good naturedly, “Damn it, you shoulda told me! I’d have helped ya get it all ready.” She whined.
“There’s still room for you to help.” Crim winked and took a seat on one of the cushions by the table with the fruit and plates, “You said you’d do the cooking, didn’t you?”
Rozalin narrowed her eyes at Crim trying to admonish him for going so far out of his way without leaving hardly anything for her to do in return, but wiping the smile off of her lips was hopeless. She hadn’t had someone go out of their way for her like this in a long long time, possibly ever. “You bet yer ass I’m gonna!” Roz shouted, “I’m gonna make you the best damn meal you ever had in yer damn life!” And she did just that. Roz ground up the herbs and berries she collected and added some salt to make a paste to rub all over the strider legs and then set them up over the spit. Even if Crim had wanted to step in to lend a hand, he found no opportunity to do so. Rozalin danced across the little kitchen with incredible efficiency. It was such a far cry from her wild fighting style that Crim found himself taken aback a little. It was becoming crystal clear that this was Rozalin’s forte. Her life as a prize fighter and mercenary was nothing but a side show compared to this. Roz watched the meat like a hawk while it roasted. She turned the spit with one hand and used the other to stoke the fire and adjust the coals as needed.
It was a bit of a wait, and there wasn’t much talking as Roz was determined to make sure that the strider legs were absolutely perfect, but it was finally time to dig in. “Here we go!” Rozalin carried the huge legs over to the table on a clay platter, “Fresh roasted strider legs!”
Crim had to swallow to keep the saliva from drooling out of his mouth, “This smells incredible.”
“Heh, I know.” Rozalin beamed and rested her fists on her hips, striking a bit of a pose, “Just be careful. It’s still really hot.” She hopped down onto the cushion on the other side of the table and sighed, finally off of her feet.
Crim picked up his leg and held it up to his nose. He’d only smelled food this aromatic in fancy restaurants in Silvermoon or important Darkspear religious festivals. He opened his mouth to take a bite. His eyes went wide. The skin was crisp but not burnt, and the herbs had melded perfectly with the crushed berries, forming a sort of sweet, spicy crust over the meat inside which was extremely juicy and flavorful. Rozalin watched Crim with a smug, satisfied look on her face while she munched on some grapes from the bowl of fruit.
“Good enough for the Hero of the Mag’har?” Roz smirked and slowly popped another grape between her teeth.
Crim grunted, “I’d say so.” He ripped off another big chunk of meat, “I didn’t know you knew how to cook with all these local herbs. I didn’t think these are cultivated or traded anywhere.”
“Oh, this is my first time using most of this stuff. There were only a couple ones I was able to recognize like the onions.” Rozalin took a cautious bite of her own leg. She chewed and thought for a while evaluating how she did before she finally nodded and continued on enjoying her meal, “I’m not even sure what all this even is. I just kinda smelled and tasted things to come up with an idea.”
Crim roared with laughter, “You really are a remarkable woman. You know you could probably make quite the name for yourself as a chef.”
Rozalin waved off the compliment, “Nah. I prefer just cookin for the people I care about.” She took another bunch of grapes and set them on her plate, “Besides. Fancy types don’t really agree with me. It’d be hard to put all that love and care into food if I’m feedin it to folk I can’t stand.”
“Fair enough.” Crim nodded and kept on eating, “But in that case you honor me. I am glad to be someone you care about. I hope you know I feel the same way towards you.” Crim smiled and Roz could swear his cheeks were a little darker of a green than usual.
Rozalin wiggled her toes under the table and beamed, “I had a feelin you did.”
The two didn’t talk much for the rest of the meal. Crim because he was busy devouring every last scrap of his dinner, and Rozalin because she was caught up in feeling proud that Crim liked her cooking so much as well as being a bit nervous of what was coming next. She wasn’t very hungry right now, she found. Once Crim had cleaned himself up he looked at Rozalin, “Are you alright? I know you’re not as big as me, but you’ve barely touched your meat.”
“O-oh, I uh, yeah I’m fine.” Rozalin forced on a smile, “Just, uh, bit nervous I s’pose, huh.”
Crim nodded and slowly stood up, “I understand that. Is it what you wanted to talk about with me?” Crim offered Roz a hand which she accepted and stood to go and sit with Crim on the big fur. Crim sat crossed legged and Rozalin plopped herself down on her bottom about a foot away and hugged her knees to her chest.
“So ummm… I guess we done enough beatin round the bush for one evenin, yeah?” Rozalin chuckled nervously, “N-not that I didn’t enjoy it! I-I… This been more fun than I had in a while, and I mean…” She gestured around to all the candles, decorations, and somewhat suggestive sitting area, “I ain’t never have nobody go out their way for me like this.”
“There’s no rush. I came here to see you. That’s all this needs to be.” Crim reassured her, “It’s alright.”
Rozalin huffed in frustration, “No, it’s not alright.” She squeezed her fists and took a deep breath, “That night in Stranglethorn when you said all those nice things about me. You… you weren’t just sayin all that to be polite or cheer me up were you?”
“I meant every word.” Crim said earnestly, “I think you’re remarkable, Rozalin.”
A warm fuzzy feeling started to build in Roz’s chest. She pressed her knees tighter against her chest and smiled, “Th-thanks, but umm… I mean I had noticed you sorta, uh, lookin at me a little then too, but…”
“Oh…” Now it was Crim’s turn to sweat, “I didn’t mean any disrespect. You’re a strong woman, but you’re also a very attractive one.” He cleared his throat, “I think I didn’t fully notice it until that day. I hadn’t ever seriously considered being with someone not of my own people.”
Rozalin’s heartbeat was getting faster, but the tightness in her chest was starting to loosen up. “Go on, big guy. Just say it.” Rozalin scooted closer to Crim. She got onto her knees and pressed her chest into his side so she could rub his back. She didn’t imagine it this time, Crim’s cheeks were definitely darker after that. Roz smiled.
“You have a fierce heart. You put every ounce of your soul into everything you do, be it fighting, working, or even having fun.” Crim’s red eyes stared deeply into Roz’s, “It’s intoxicating.”
Rozalin had to make an effort not to look away bashfully, “You’re dodgin the question, big guy.” She teased, “Got anything else you wanna say?”
Crim hummed thoughtfully and took a deep breath, “You have a very womanly body… A trait I find very appealing.” He admitted bluntly.
Rozalin got a little self conscious at that and tried to hide behind Crim’s back while he continued. It didn’t have the intended effect, however. Now she was noticing so many new things about Crim. Like how surprisingly smooth his skin was, or how he had this musky tobacco smell about him, or how the hairs on his arms tickled her skin. “But ummm… when I asked you to come to bed with me…”
“I was… very tempted…” Crim gripped his knees tightly. Roz could see the muscles on his forearms bulging out from the force of it, “But that was a moment of weakness for you. It seemed… dishonorable to take advantage of that kind of situation. If I’m to be with you I want it to be as equals.”
Rozalin felt her heart flutter. She pushed the nerves holding her back down into the deepest recesses of her brain and wrapped her arms around Crim. She gently scratched his chest and planted a few soft kisses on his shoulder, “That’s what I figured it was… Not that it wasn’t still a little frustratin at the time.” Roz giggled, “It was real sweet of you, though…”
“It’s more than that.” Crim had to adjust how he was sitting as Rozalin’s attentions became more and more focused, “As I grow older I find myself wanting more and more to find a wife and make a family of my own.” He continued his little speech, “To leave a legacy to prove that this world is my home.”
Rozalin stopped stroking Crim’s chest and she coughed, “A-a-a w-wife, huh?”
Crim grunted, “My travels fighting across Azeroth and beyond have made that… difficult.” Crim clenched his jaw and shook the sullen thoughts that were distracting him out of his mind, “But you… You crave adventure just as much as I do. I thought that perhaps you were someone I could count on to stay by my side through it all.”
“O-oh… I’m…” Roz stuttered, “I mean, I only just started to really think bout what I really want, ya know?” She closed her fingers around clumps of Crim’s dark chest hair, “I-it’s not that I don’t like ya cause… I mean I really really like this right now, but…”
Crim peeled Roz off of his back and joined her up on his knees, “I’m not asking you to make any promises here. I just want to be clear about how I feel about you. This isn’t some simple fleeting passion.” He held her tenderly, hands wrapped around her upper arms. Rozalin started to tremble. Her eyes darted wildly, never quite sure where on Crim’s face to focus. “I’ve already let someone important to me slip through my fingers once before because of my inaction. I don’t intend to make the same mistake again.”
Rozalin felt like her heart was going to burst. It was just too much to take sitting down. Crim said she had a fierce heart, right? Well it was time to show him what that really meant, “Well then I won’t let you.” Roz lurched forward. She wrapped her arms around Crim’s neck and pulled herself up to plant a kiss on his lips. Crim stiffened up at first from the sudden advance, but he quickly drew his arms around Rozalin and hugged her close. The kiss, however, he seemed to barely return. Rozalin snickered when she pulled back, “What was that? Ain’t you ever kissed a girl before?”
“I haven’t.” Crim said calmly. He craned his neck down to press his forehead against Rozalin’s. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to soak in the moment.
Rozalin was astonished and gasped, “Seriously? There’s no fuckin way!” She laughed and pushed into Crim’s forehead too.
Crim lingered for a few moments more before raising his head, “It isn’t really an orc custom.” He pointed at one of his tusks, “It would be rather uncomfortable to have these clashing into eachother.”
“Huh…” Rozalin pressed her lips together, “I, uh… I’m sorry if that was, ummm… a little sudden then.” She said a bit guiltily.
“I’m familiar with the practice. I’m glad that my first time trying it myself was with you.” Crim reached up and stroked Roz’s hair, “Relax, Rozalin. I’m not going anywhere. Besides, you aren’t going to let me, isn’t that right?” He ended with a smirk.
Rozalin let out a breath she had been holding in and chuckled, “Well…” Roz thought for a second, “What do orcs do to show someone they like em then?”
Crim pressed his forehead against hers again, “This. Just like I did before. We hold one another while pressing our brows together.” The two embraced tightly for a while, sharing in the moment.
“This is kinda nice…” Rozalin said softly. She slowly pulled back and looked up at Crim, “But ya know… I ain’t got any tusks to worry about so… Why dontcha lay one on me?” Roz winked and bit her lip.
“A bit of cultural exchange then?” Crim brought his mouth down to meet hers.
“Heh,” Rozalin smiled and opened her mouth slightly, “Somethin like that…” Roz took the lead while the two kissed.
They carried on for quite a while. Rozalin had quite a bit to teach Crim after all. Not that it took all that long, however. Crim was a remarkably quick learner, but Rozalin thought it prudent to give him plenty of time to practice so he didn’t forget. Their hands started exploring too while their mouths were occupied. Roz stroked up and down Crim’s broad back and his thick, heavy arms. Meanwhile Crim’s hands reached down to squeeze Roz’s bottom and lift her up slightly to give himself better purchase on her while they kissed.
“Found something you like there big guy?” Rozalin took one last nibble on Crim’s lip and pulled back.
Crim squeezed harder and raised an eyebrow, “I said you had a womanly body, didn’t I?”
Rozalin laughed and tried to shove Crim, but he didn’t move. “Hey, would you go down already?” She snickered. “I’m tryna show you what else I got to offer here.”
With that Crim complied and he laid down on the fur. “I can see it just fine, Rozalin.” He brought his hands up and started kneading Roz’s breasts as she sat down straddled over his chest.
“Hey, I thought I was the one showing you what’s what.” Rozalin snipped and shrugged her suspenders off of her shoulders. She groaned in pleasure as Crim massaged the tender flesh.
Crim grunted, “Didn’t I say I wanted to meet you as an equal?” He grinned, slid his hands down to Rozalin’s waist, and pushed her back to rest on top of his hips.
Rozalin shivered and wiggled her bottom, ”I’ll show you what’s equal.”
Click here if you want to continue to the A-rated portion of the fic.