Chapter 15 Bertie
BERTIE
Orion has been quiet since our bedroom adventures, saying only a few words as we straightened up the kitchen and bagged up our empty platters.
Quiet, but not worryingly so. He is a shy man, after all, so I’m hoping it’s a satisfied silence.
I’m certainly satisfied. My god, that man has a magical tongue, and that cock… swoon!
“Can I get one more kiss?” Hideo asks, and Orion breaks into a full smile. That’s what I want to see! My GingerGiant must be just as happy as I am.
The kiss isn’t quick and chaste this time, not at all like when we arrived. They hug each other and Orion lingers, letting his tentacles dance around my husband’s chin. I feel a rush of, what? Joy? Affection? Lust? Maybe all those things wrapped up together with a bow on top.
They break and Orion looks at me, joking, “I suppose you want one too.”
Then I know it for certain. Our friend is happy and satisfied…and most importantly, getting comfortable with us.
“Come here, handsome,” I say, and get my holiday gift. As his tentacles stroke through my beard, I rethink the whole idea of going home for the night. His bed looked plenty big for three.
“Drop by the bakery tomorrow,” I say, giving him one more hug and a lusty wink. “I’ll set you up with something tasty.”
When we get in the car, Hideo has gone all quiet too.
He was enthusiastic all evening, and wow, he made all the right noises when Orion was pounding him, but maybe he’s having second thoughts.
We’ve never invited anyone into our bed before, and that’s bound to knock both of us out of our comfortable groove.
As he steers us into the street, I reach over and squeeze his leg.
“Everything okay, Hidie-ho?”
“I think so,” he says, and adds in a distracted voice, “He’s a remarkable man.”
“Seriously,” I say. “Are you okay with this?”
He glances over and snaps back to himself.
“Yes, cutie. I’m okay with this. More than okay. I was just remembering the look on your face.”
“Oh?” I prompt.
“Yes. Right before you shot. I like that look. A lot.”
I’m amazed at how good this makes me feel. So desirable, and sexy.
I take a chance and ask, “So this wasn’t a one-night thing?”
He glances over again, maybe checking that I’m serious.
“Oh, I hope not. Orion is something special.”
Hideo is in the bathroom, humming. He never does that—he’s always been self-conscious about his singing voice—but there he is, humming an almost recognizable version of Holly Jolly Christmas.
When he gets to the bedroom and sees my silly smile, he says, “What?”
I don’t want to call attention to it. That would just make him self-conscious, and I like that humming. My hubby is a happy camper this evening, and we need to keep it that way. Instead, I tease, waggling my eyebrows, “Oh, nothing. Just noticing you’re walking funny this evening.”
He gives a wry laugh and says, “Entirely your fault, and our GingerGiant’s. We’re going to need to come up with a giant’s name for you too, and your big one. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Both of you have some serious gifts and my ass is already begging for another crack at them.”
“That’s me,” I crow. “Mega-Giganto-Bear. Dominating the world one ass at a time!”
“Hmm,” he says. “It needs work, but I’m here if you need inspiration.”
When we’ve settled in bed, my phone buzzes with a message from Orion.
Bertie, are you still up?
Yes, and no. A picture from you would help me get it up.
:)
There’s a long, long pause after that, enough to make me worry. He sent a smiley face after my silly comment, so that wasn’t it. Something’s up.
I want to ask you a few things.
Do you want me to call?
This is better. Easier.
Fine with me.
I’m confused. I liked being with you guys, and I think you liked it.
I turn to Hideo and say, “You might want to sit in on this. Orion has some things he wants to say.” My hubby gets that little crease in his brow that means he’s concerned, and he scoots over, putting an arm around my shoulders.
Hideo is here too. Please continue. Yes, we liked it.
That’s what I thought, but I have these doubts. Always.
Tell us.
I don’t want to come between you guys.
Hideo laughs and I try to glare at him. This is serious…but I can’t hide a smile.
OMG. That didn’t come out right.
OMFG, kill me now.
LOL If I remember correctly, we seduced you tonight. Rather deliberately, I might add.
That’s what I thought, and thanks. It would have taken years if I had to make the first move.
LOL I can see that.
:)
There’s something else. I’m worried.
There’s another long, long pause, so it must be something serious. I hope it wasn’t something we did. We certainly didn’t hold anything back, all night. Maybe it was too much.
We’re here.
My first real bf liked my tentacles, but too much. When we had sex, it was all about my tentacles. He said some things about guys with deformities. How he liked it. It got creepy. I broke it off.
So now I’m worried.
“Hidie…I don’t know what to say,” I gush. “Did I do that tonight? Did I make it creepy? I like his tentacles, I like them a lot, but I don’t think I…I didn’t mean…did I?”
This is so far from the truth. I can’t imagine it, and it tears me to shreds that Orion is thinking this. Is it my fault?
“Not at all, BertieBear. I think we both like the whole Orion, tentacles and all. May I take over here?”
I hand over the phone, completely mortified and not knowing what to do. I feel the tears starting. Have I hurt this beautiful man?
Hideo snuggles me closer and takes my phone.
Orion, this is Hideo. I understand. This is difficult. Sexual fetishes can be tricky.
And you guys?
We both enjoyed all your sexy bits.
Really?
Yes. You probably noticed, we both have our own fetishes. Bertie has not stopped talking about your ginger pubes, and my ass has been begging for another go at your big one.
“And he’s a giant,” I add, sniffling. “Tell him: that makes me swoon.” And there’s so much more, in the bedroom and out. I need to tell him everything. His smile, his big arms and chunky legs, his shy strength, his adorable devotion to Jake. This man is the full package.
Bertie is also over the moon about your height (my pocket bear is so cute).
Yes, he is.
Will it still be okay after? After the procedure?
Yes, Orion. I’m certain of it.
Thanks. I know we all have to work tomorrow, but can I see you again?
I grab the phone back as fast as I can and type. This can’t wait any longer than necessary. Our GingerGiant needs to understand how wonderful he is. Tomorrow, my job will be to shower him with compliments.
Bertie again. Dinner, tomorrow, our place. We should be home by 7:00.
Hideo adds, “Tell him that Jake is welcome to join us.”
Your fur-buddy is welcome to tag along.
Thanks, Bertie. We’ll see you then.
Whew! That was an emotional roller coaster!
First, I was afraid I had inadvertently turned into a tentacle-stalker and hurt Orion, and now I’m horny and giddy with expectation.
We get to see our GingerGiant again, and so soon!
Talk about instant gratification. His comment about coming between us was so funny.
Hmm…I can probably use that line to lure him into a double-ganging setup, with both of us giving that big uncut monster some attention.
Maybe with him standing? There must be a way to set it up as a 69, or maybe a 696, with his big nine-incher in the middle. I have all day to scheme.
But something is still nagging…I missed something in our conversation, I know I did. I go back through the messages and find it. He mentioned his procedure, probably the one with Hideo.
“Hidie, what did he mean by after the procedure?” Now I’m getting worried again, after all, he did go to my favorite doctor for some reason.
“Um, I think that’s something he’ll need to share when he’s ready.”
I think for a minute, and I can’t imagine anything that needs cosmetic work. The man is a god. But then it comes to me in a flash, and I know. The masks, the shyness, the hiding in the shadows…he doesn’t see himself that way.
“He wants to remove them,” I say in horror. I can’t believe I’m saying it, much less that he’s considering it. Planning it with my husband! “He can’t! He just can’t!” Now the tears really come.
“Come here, sweets,” Hideo says, gathering me and stroking my hair. I can’t hold it back. It can’t be true. What could force him to want to do this? He’s perfect just the way he is.
“Why?” I ask, all I can manage without completely falling to pieces.
“He’s been through a lot of crap in his life, and he thinks this will make things easier.”
“You can’t do it,” I say. It’s so obvious, so clear. “You can’t let him.”
“It’s his decision…but in my heart, I agree.”
“Counseling,” I say, grasping for anything that could help. “He needs to talk to someone first. Make sure.”
“That’s part of his treatment plan. I insisted.”
Then another thought hits me. Maybe he needs to do this. “Is it dysphoria? Like your trans clients?”
“I don’t think so. From everything I’ve seen, he’s comfortable with his gender, and his issues with his tentacula are more with how he looks and how other people react to him, not the core of his identity.”
Then my thoughts turn darker. “Does he hate himself? Hate his amazing tentacles? It sure didn’t seem like it tonight.”
“I haven’t seen any evidence of that,” he says, stroking his hand over my chest, and it helps.
I’m feeling more rational. “As you’ve seen, when he’s on his own or with friends, he’s very comfortable with his tentacles.
I think he’s mostly worried about what other people think, not what he thinks about himself. Our counselor will know more.”
“It’s pure discrimination!” I say, getting angry. “We can’t let the haters force him to do something he’ll regret.” I’ve had small tastes of this in my life, with my bearish waistline and gay lifestyle. There are always haters, everywhere, but I’m certain Orion has faced far worse.
“I agree. I don’t want to see him lose his great gift. But again, it’s his decision.”
“I know what I need to do! I can help him make that decision…help him understand what he’ll lose and how much he has to gain.
” My mind is already spinning. Some new confection tomorrow, to challenge his tentacle taste buds.
And in bed, we need to put those tentacles through their paces. They ain’t seen nothing yet.
Hideo is giving me a knowing look, like he’s thinking the same thoughts, and suddenly, I understand everything.
“That’s why you invited him over for Christmas Eve!” I gush. I have to do it. I jump on top of my hubby and cover him with kisses. “I love you so much, my kind and talented Doctor Genji.”
I’m determined to create a dessert that will prove to Orion he can’t do it. Something so delectable, so perfectly tailored to a tentacled giant, that he can’t resist. I get to the bakery with an overall concept in mind: chocolate decadence. It’s going to build from there into something unstoppable.
Hidie warned me not to push Orion, not to put him on the spot, but he needn’t have worried. I can control my impulses when I need to. I can’t make his decision for him, but I certainly can help him explore the options.
“You’re a man on a mission!” Camila says, catching me as I pipe out the choux pastry for my new creation.
I’ve set a lofty goal: he’s always had a soft spot for our chocolate eclairs, so I’m making a new one with so many types of chocolate that even my talented GingerGiant won’t be able to tease them apart.
But then again, he’s never failed me yet.
“Sure thing,” I say. “Ever-so-Chocolate Eclairs.”
I dust on the cocoa powder and move on to the craquelin. These need to get into the oven soon, or they won’t be finished in time.
“You’ve been talking about doing those for years! Does this have something to do with that tall redhead?”
“Maybe,” I say, pretending to be coy. She knows me well after all these years, so there’s no use trying to keep anything secret.
“Good for you. He seems like a sweet man.”
“You have no idea,” I say under my breath, then I check in with her. “Is everything okay out front?”
“No problem, boss. We have it under control. Focus on your new chocolate creation.”
As the shells are baking, I get to work on the chocolate crémeux.
This will be my secret weapon. Deep, dark chocolate blended with smooth crème Anglaise, poised right at the edge of melting.
With luck, it will coat his tentacles with pure decadence, getting absolutely everywhere and making a tasty mess.
He’ll be licking it out of his whiskers for the rest of the day.
As a final touch, I temper some white chocolate to make some small leaves for the top. It’s fussy and probably won’t make it to the ones we ultimately put into production, but this is an extra-special occasion. I’m going for culinary enticement here, so I can afford the time for a fancy frill.
I’m assembling the last one when Camila calls, “Bertie, your friend is outside with his dog.”
“Be right there!” I yell, choosing the three that look best. Keep it light, I scold myself. Don’t put him on the spot. Fun and easy, as always.
“Hi, handsome!” I say, breezing out of the kitchen with my little pink box.
And there he is, looking as tall and sexy as ever, but now I understand.
I know he’s working hard to hide his tentacles, taking this extra effort to be here with me without his mask.
He’s been doing it all along, for years, just for me.
This realization threatens to undo me, but I hold strong.
“I have something new for you to try!” I say, showing him the box.
Camila adds, sotto voce, “He’s been glued to the ovens all morning.”
I give her a bossy glare, and continue, “Let me know what you think! I packed you a fougasse today, the one with olives and rosemary, and some treats for Jake. Is that okay?”
“Sounds perfect, Bertie. Thanks, from me and Jake. Can I bring anything tonight?”
“Hideo is putting together his favorite pasta and a salad, so maybe some red wine?”