My name is Tobo, I'm a halfling. I live in a modern world where fantasy races such as elves, orcs, and giants coexist with humans. I work at an insurance company that specializes in coverage for my kind.
I have a crush on a coworker named Rya. She's a beautiful orc who's been at the company longer than me. She's helped me get accustomed since I arrived and has been a pillar of support ever since. I do what I can to make her life easier as well, and sometimes we grabs drinks after work.
...
I walk to my chair, carrying two mugs full of steaming coffee. Rya is stretching her arms at her desk next to mine
I hold up one of the mugs. "Fresh brew?" I say.
She looks down at me and smiles, her tusks protruding from her lips. "Thanks," she says and takes it.
I set my mug on my desk and climb to my seat.
Rya sips her drink and sighs. "You make the best coffee."
"I don't do anything special. It's the same thing everyone else drinks." I take a swig too, and sure enough, it's regular coffee.
"I know, but I think coffee always taste better when it's made for you."
"Well, at least someone appreciates the bottom shelf bean water the company provides for us."
"I'm not appreciating the coffee, I'm appreciating you." She sets her cup down. "Do you want to go for drinks again tonight?"
"Sure, I'm game."
"Awesome, let's work hard today."
We work on our assignments until it's time to clock out. Rya and I travel to our usual hole-in-the-wall, The Dragon's Tear Pub, and sit in a secluded booth in the back of the space.
Dim lights illuminate red walls and traditional furniture as a soft piano reverberates throughout the establishment. When I come here, it's as if I've been transported to another dimension away from the bustling city to a void where I lose track of time.
She undoes the top two buttons on her white blouse, revealing her cleavage. "Ahh, much better."
I loosen my tie and also undo a few buttons of my business shirt. "Nothing like winding down after a productive day."
"Tell me about it. I feel like my eyes are gonna' fall outta' my skull if I look at another report. Thanks for agreeing to drink with me again."
"You don't have to thank me. Being a drinking buddy is the least I can do after all you've done for me. I should be thanking you."
She smirks and rests her head in a hand. "Are you flirting with me Tobo?"
I chuckle and say, "I was appreciating you."
"It seemed like more than that. You even had a twinkle in your eye."
"How are you hallucinating without a drop of alcohol in your system yet?"
"Is that blushing I see?"
"What? No way." I touch my cheeks, but there's no extra warmth.
"Not on your face." She leans over the table and lightly pinches my ear with her pointer finger and thumb. "Right here."
The tips of her fingers are warm and rough.
A black lace bra peeks through her shirt as a sweet scent washes over me. If I wasn't blushing before, I must be now.
I swat her hand away. "Excuse me, ever heard of consent?"
She sits down and holds up her hands. "You're right. I'm sorry. I'll ask for permission next time."
"Next time?"
She laughs and says, "Let's go buy our drinks."
We head to the counter and call out to Marika. She's a dragoness with maroon scales, fair skin, and long curled horns. She turns around, her amber eyes glowing like the embers of a dying flame within the dim light, and saunters over.
"Hello Rya," she says in a deep sultry tone. "What can I get for you?"
"Whiskey, no ice please."
"So the usual, got it." She winks and pivots.
