Nikon passed me the cigarette and the ashtray. I shrugged and took a drag, handing him the cigarette back.

"I almost only smoke after sex," he said and sighed. "It's a terrible habit, but Xander puts his head on my chest and snores a little and I smoke."

I smiled at the image forming in my head. "We all have our habits. Arlo and I eat too much junk food."

Nikon chuckled. "Does he snore? I have this inkling that he snores terribly."

"Actually no. I do though, according to him," I laughed and took the cigarette again. "He growls in his sleep."

"Like a dog?"

"Yeah, you've heard him, right?"

"Yeah. Kind of cute he does it in his sleep." Nikon grimaced a little. "I gotta ask though... What do you see in him? Sure, he's sweet but he's not exactly a looker."

"He's hot as fuck, mate." I waved my hand in the air, blessing my words. "You haven't seen him naked."

He chuckled and put the cigarette out. "Well, it's good to know he's well taken care of. He's a big oaf, but there's no mean bone in his body. Did you know he told me I could do whatever I wanted with my life? He legit believes I can do anything."

"That's how he is. It's naïve, but it's coming from the best place." I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and found my clothes. "How much time do you have left of your contract?"

"Two and a half years."

I cringed and sucked in air through my clenched teeth. "Did you just sign on with a long contract or?"

"I got tired of extending it every year. I didn't think I'd ever change my mind about this. I'd keep working until I couldn't anymore. Until I got too old." He shrugged a shoulder and rose from the bed, not looking the least bit shy about how nude he was. I, on the other hand, was a bit more modest.

I didn't like this part of the job. The aftermath. It was easier with Nikon here though. He would fill the room with chitchat and the client would leave, looking like he didn't feel dirty for using prostitutes. I had never mastered that skill. Only Apollo was interested in me after he had finished.

But Nikon made it all so much easier. He wasn't in a rush to leave. He didn't mind letting me sit in bed and talk to me for a bit. We talked mostly of Xander and Arlo. Sometimes we'd talk about the clients, not often though. It was mostly our loved ones. Our friends.

And slowly but surely, we became friends ourselves. He'd smile at me at the club and ask how I was doing. He'd listen to me with interest when I told him dumb stories about what Arlo and I had done on our days off. In return I'd listen to him too. He'd tell me of all the things Xander and he did. How they had met.

"We met at the club," he said one time after an appointment as he was getting dressed. "He didn't know I was a worker and he charmed me all night. When I had to ask for payment his eyes widened and his cheeks flushed. I've never seen a nymph turn bright red." He paused and chuckled. "Nevertheless, he wanted to see me again, even if it meant he had to pay. He paid for three evenings where we just talked. After that he didn't have to pay for my time anymore. Just my dinners." He winked at me. "I know we're not supposed to fall for our clients but... He was different. He wasn't there to save me. He has never asked me to quit."

"How's he dealing with it?"

"He doesn't even see it as something he has to deal with. He doesn't really care, I guess. He's an open soul himself so I've allowed him to sleep with whomever he pleases too. He hasn't done that for months now though. He has offered to pay off my contract too." He looked down at his hands and sighed.

"Why didn't you take him up on his offer?" I asked softly.

"Because I don't want to owe him anything. I want us to be equal. That's why I initially told him to stop coming to the club and not to pay for me anymore."

I could understand exactly what he meant. I felt like I owed Arlo a whole lot and I'd never be able to properly repay him. He saved me. And as much as I kept telling him I didn't need it I had needed it. And he saw that I needed it. Without ulterior motives he saved me.

Gods, I loved him. And I needed to repay him somehow.

I glanced up at Arlo as he was shoving chips in his mouth, not really focusing on anything but the telly. He always got so lost these dumb action films. It was cute.

I leaned against him and he immediately stopped eating. He sat very still as I kissed his upper arm and then looked up at him.

"I love you," I said softly.

He smiled and met my gaze. "What makes you say that now?"

"I don't know. Just felt like you needed the reminder," I grinned. "And you're so sweet."

He put the tray of chips on the coffee table and put his arm around me, kissing me. I could taste the salt and vinegar on his lips and it just intensified my feelings for him. Which would be weird, but like... Arlo was comfort. And food was also comfort. It was home and so was he.

He pulled me down with him so we could cuddle on the sofa. I grabbed his wrist and placed his fingers on my horns. He chuckled softly and ran his fingers over the stems. I tried so hard to make a sound, but it was impossible. It felt so good and he was so gentle. He moved a little and then I felt his lips on the thin skin on the stems. I let out a rather embarrassing sound and Arlo's hand ran down my back and down to my ass, pressing me to him.

And that's when I realised, I wasn't the only one getting turned on by this.

He ran his tongue over my horns, and I latched onto his wifebeater. I could feel his teeth against my skin, knowing he was smiling. I was suspecting he secretly loved the power he held over me by simply doing this.

He moved down and kissed me on the lips, pressing me to him still. His hips were moving, and he was getting so lost.

"Arlo," I murmured against his lips.

"Yeah," he panted back and moved further down to kiss my throat.

"I've been at work all day. I'm spent."

He stopped immediately and moved back up to my mouth, placing a chaste kiss on it. "That's okay. As long as we can cuddle."

"Nah, I had something else in mind," I murmured and ran my hands under his top. His soft belly clenched a little and he exhaled deeply. He was so turned on even just touching his skin seemed to excite him.

I pushed him up in a seated position and moved in between his legs, pulling his trousers down.

"Dion, you don't-"

"Hush," I interrupted. I didn't wanna hear it. I just wanted to please my boyfriend. I took his hands in mine and placed them on my horns, curling his fingers around them. I felt them slightly tremble as I took him in my mouth. He could grab my horns, if he wanted. He never did so I had to help him a little.

He groaned loudly when I took him to the base. I clenched his thighs, taking this really slow. Really building it up and prolonging it, so he'd have the best time. It sounded like he was enjoying it. His thumbs were brushing over my horns very softly and he was so careful to not hurt me. He was always so careful.

"Dion, I'm close," he said through his clenched teeth.

I moved up into his lap, taking him in my hand and kissing him as I finished him off. He groaned into my mouth, his fingers digging into my thighs.

"You're amazing," he chuckled and leaned back, grabbing some tissues and cleaning my hand for me.

"I aim to please," I whispered, and he smiled. His sweet smile. They werehealing me every time.