Haley Thistle
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Half-Orc Boyfriend: Kaboom (complete)
🕑 Added 2020-05-08 19:00:02 +0000 UTC
I’m a midwife, like my mother and her foremothers before her. It’s the family trade, and each generation learns something new to pass on. I went to Afan to study at the medical university they had there. When I finished my studies, I traveled with Zahbi to get back home, working along the way. When I reached Rakshasa Country, I settled for a while. There was an increase in births, thanks to a peace treaty signed by King Amit that ended the civil war. There was a shortage of midwives, so I sent for my sister Mika, and set up shop with her and Zahbi for around five years.
Towards the end of my third year I was called to the palace of Queen Imani. She had been having trouble conceiving, and miscarried many times. She was depressed, but adamant about finally having a child with her husband. I stayed with her, helping her to conceive with special remedies Zahbi made, and then I remained by her side during the entire pregnancy, helping her through every trial it placed before her.
She went into labor early, and I had never seen such a stunning and brave person so scared. Imani put on a hard front, but she loved so much, and it hurt her to think she could lose her child. The labor was rough and bloody.. Imani was strong, though, and with my help and Mika’s she gave birth to the tiniest baby girl, named Aksha.
Not long after this, on Imani’s recommendation I was sent to King Amit’s palace, where Queen Mythri was having a difficult pregnancy with her second child. Her first pregnancy resulted in twin boys, who were three years old now. This new pregnancy felt different for Mythri, and her doctor had told her to remain in bed.
Mythri was weak when I first met her, but radiated an inextinguishable light. She was kind and loving, even in poor health. Like with Imani, I stayed by her side through a difficult pregnancy. Her doctor kept trying to get rid of us, but Amit held strong to Imani’s desire for us to stay. Soon after, Zahbi discovered that Mythri was being given an herb in her tea that was making her sick. We stopped the tea from being delivered and asked who was providing it, and when it was learned the doctor had prescribed it, Amit went ballistic. He had been sent from Culuweth by Bethsabe to kill Mythri, whose influence over Rakshasa Country had given her cause for alarm. Amit swiftly dealt with him, and began his war on the Gnoll Slavers in the Ruby Empire.
Mythri’s health greatly improved, and she soon gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Damini. I became known as the Princess Maker, and I was asked to attend to the births of many royal families. But I eventually grew homesick, and Mika and I decided to go home to Obresh. With us came Zahbi, Yasa, and Tysh, who had joined up with us during our travels.
In Obresh there was always a birth that needed tending to. I was busy and happy with my work, and with my family around me, there wasn’t much more I needed.
I was called back to the Rakshasa Royal Palace to help Mythri with her third child. I was excited to see her again, but just before we were set to leave, my sister’s cat Frosty ran out one evening while I was tossing some bones into the woods.
While chasing him, I came across a man like a snowy mountaintop. He was unearthly in his appearance, like an angel from the underneath. His long white hair demanded to be played with, his skin was soft and supple, and his eyes. I could write a million words about his eyes and never truly catch how beautiful they were. I could believe Ruby Empire had been named after those eyes.
His name is Kaboom. He makes fireworks, which could explain the explosion in my heart when I first saw him. I bought some fireworks from him to celebrate my father’s birthday, but after that I had to leave to tend to Mythri. Lucky for me, Kaboom and his team were coming too, selling their wares during the festival season.
Zahbi has already coupled with a member of Kaboom’s team, and so has Mika. I’m a little jealous, I confess, but I’m excited to spend more time with Kaboom nonetheless.
When we cross paths on the ship we’re taking across the Cobra Strait, it’s like a lightning strike. We get to talking, and I tell Kaboom one of the hardest ingredients to obtain for my work is unicorn horn.
“You mean this?” Kaboom taps the opalescent horn on his head with a slight smile.
“Unicorns are horrible to deal with, and they charge an arm and a leg for their horns, even though they grow back.” I realize how rude that sounds, and my face begins to tingle. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to...”
Kaboom’s expression softens. I could see any expression in those eyes and feel as wistful as a young girl. “I didn’t grow up around Unicorns. My adoptive parents were both human.” He shrugs. “But I know Unicorns are notorious for their behaviour. I shed my horn naturally about once a year, but I travel with a rough bunch, so I usually lose it before that. I keep a small collection of them if you need any.”
My heart leaps. “Really? I’d gladly buy some from you! Zahbi and I are running low.”
“Tell you what,” he chuckles, “how about a trade? If I need any medical help or advice, you’ll take care of me. But I should warn you - I get burns quite often.”
I hold out my hand to shake. “That sounds fair to me! It would be so much easier.”
His hand is big and warm, and his skin is so very soft, save for the burns and calluses on his palm. I don’t want to let go, but I finally do as he leads me to his cabin. When he opens the door, I am greeted by the sight of my sister in a very compromising position. Lets just say she has a blue lollipop in her mouth that’s attached to someone else.
I’ve always thought my sister Mika was a beauty - shapely, feminine, and effortlessly lovely. She’s been known to woo in her time, and I’ve covered for her before. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen her this way, but it’s still not a way I want to see my sister. I burst out laughing, without meaning to, and walk away, guffawing until my sides hurt.
Kaboom chases after me, falling into step beside me as we walk out onto the deck. “I am so sorry about that! My friend Loker-”
I shake my head and wipe the tears from my eyes. “I met Loker. It’s OK. That was my sister.” I snort as the memory returns, and I instantly try to fight it off. “Please don’t apologize for the antics of horndogs.”
Kaboom sighs, shoulders slouching. “I’ll get you the horns later, I promise.”
“No worries. I’m just sorry you can’t use your room right now.” I sputter, trying to keep the laughter at bay. “I’m certain if you had a partner, you’d be using that room too.”
He sighs again. “No partner. So there’s really no use in me having my own room.”
I feel a bit of relief, although that makes me guilty. “You can’t be serious?” I look him over from head to toe. Sure, his toes are hooves, but he’s as beautiful as the full moon. Perhaps I’m biased, since I was raised around Orcs all my life, but his size is the first draw to me.
Kaboom nods. “People tend to see me and, well… they see me.”
I furrow my brow. “What’s that supposed to mean? You’re sweet cream on pie, what’s not to like?”
He chuckles bashfully and rubs the back of his neck. “Most people look at me and just see something uncomfortable. Red eyes usually aren’t a good sign.”
“Well,” I scoff, “they’re idiots.”
A rosy hue comes to his cheeks and he ducks his head to the side. “Well, in any case, I was afraid of this. I’ll have to see if Abasi and Emery don’t mind me bunking with them.”
“If my sister would rather be with someone else, I suppose I’m the one with a spare bed in my room. I have two bunks in my cabin, and if your friends’ room gets too crowded, you can take the bed that Mika doesn’t want.”
Kaboom turns very red and shakes his head vehemently. “Oh, no, I-I couldn’t. That’s very kind, but I’d hate to intrude. It will be fine. Don’t worry about me.”
His strong reaction and flustered appearance make me wonder. It made me happy to think he fancies me, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.
One evening, there is a storm that forces us all to stay in our cabins. I’m alone, and Mika is still with Loker. I’m reading a book when there is a knock at the cabin door. “Come in,” I chime as I set the book inside.
Rain and wind pour in first, followed by a white figure. Kaboom stands there, soaking wet and struggling to close the door behind him.
“Oh, my gosh!” I gasp, jumping to my feet. “What are you doing out there in that storm? You could have gotten hurt.”
Kaboom is breathing hard as he turns around. He shows me the bleeding wounds on his hand and arm. “I did.”
I gasp in alarm and quickly lead him to the bed. I sit him down and hand him something to dry off with, then pull out my medical kit. “What happened?”
Kaboom wipes the rain from his face. “Me and the fellas got wrangled into helping the crew secure the deck. I was handling the ropes, and there was a piece of jagged metal caught in one that cut me.”
I start patching up the cut, rubbing balm into it. “It’s not as bad as it looks, but I’m sure it hurts.” I smile to myself. “I’m paying off those horns already.”
Kaboom chuckles. “You’re right.”
I wrap gauze around his hand and arm to keep the cut sealed. “Keep this on overnight, and I can check it in the morning for you.” I glance at the door. “But I think you should stay here. It’s not safe to go out there in this weather.”
“Are you sure?” His face turns pink again. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”
“I’m alone here,” I huff. “What could you possibly be interrupting?”
Kaboom’s face goes red and he ducks his head, which makes me burst out laughing again. “Oh my gosh, no! I wasn’t...” I sputter and snort. “Your friend Loker has really traumatized you, hasn’t he.”
“The things that sapphire hellion has made me see,” he groans. “He’s my best friend, and I know he means well most of the time, but I sometimes question if he knows how locks work.”
“He gets carried away and forgets, I’m sure.” I let out one last laugh before I offer a reassuring smile. “Seriously, you won’t bother me. Having the company will be nice, especially right now. I’m actually kind of scared of storms.”
His eyes widen and he leans closer towards me. “Really? Is there a reason?”
I scrunch up my nose and fiddle nervously with my hands. “Promise not to laugh about it?”
“Nothing to laugh about,” Kaboom replies.
“It’ll be silly to you, I promise! Considering the work you do and all.” I look back up at Kaboom and his sincere eyes. “I don’t like loud noises.”
“But you bought fireworks for your dad,” he exclaims in surprise.
“I know, I know!” I sigh and cross my arms. “I covered my ears, but big noises like that still scare me. When I was little, there was a king who wanted the Obresh port for himself, so he tried to take it. It caused a battle, and it was so loud. Every time I heard a bomb or cannon go off I was terrified that my dad was near it.” I cup my hands around my ears and hang my head. “So even now, I get scared of storms and thunder.”
Kaboom places his hand on my knee. “That’s nothing to be ashamed about. Even if you didn’t have a reason, you wouldn’t need to explain your fear to me.”
I smile shyly at him. “Thanks.” His hand on my knee feels so warm. “Your fireworks are beautiful, so I didn’t mind.” I tilt my chin back up so I can see his eyes. I want to tell him then and there that he too is beautiful, but as soon as I think it, I lose the courage, so I remain quiet.
“Loker told me he met your family,” Kaboom cuckles. “He said your dad was rather terrifying.”
“I’m sure he is to Loker,” I laugh. “But he’s my most favorite person in the whole world. He’s a kind, sweet man, and I’m sure once Loker works his way into the family, he’ll see that too.”
Thunder booms loudly outside. I almost scream, and as I duck down Kaboom puts his arms around me. In their strength and warmth, I instantly feel the comfort of home. I lean into his embrace as the storm rages on outside. I can smell gunpowder and smoke on his skin, and the soft aroma of the soap Susilo makes. I flinch at another crash of thunder, and Kaboom’s embrace tightens.
I wake in the morning, my body warm and almost stuffy. My cheek is resting on something hard, and as I sit up I realize that my back is pressed against Kaboom’s chest, and his arm is my pillow. We must have fallen asleep unaware of our position. I look down at his sleeping face, and I am more smitten than before. What I wouldn’t give to wake up to such a sweet expression every day.
I tap his shoulder and give it a gentle shake. “Kaboom,” I whisper. “Kaboom, wake up.” He grimaces, rolling so he’s lying face down on the bed. “Kaboom.” I shove his shoulder. When he won’t budge, I get out of bed and open the door to see outside. As I step onto the deck, I see that the storm has moved us closer to the Rakshasa Port. I can make out the brightly colored flags on the beach, and I can almost smell cinnamon wafting on the breeze.
I duck back inside, and as I shut the door Kaboom slowly rises in bed. He turns to look at me, his hair mussed and his eyes bleary. He sits up, staring at me as if he’s uncertain about where he is.
“Good morning,” I say gently. “We’re close to port. We should be there by the end of the day.”
Kaboom looks around, still trying to piece together his surroundings.
“We must have fallen asleep during the storm. I can’t even remember what we were talking about. We must have drifted off at some point.”
“Oh, right.” Kaboom grumbles in a husky voice. He stretches and his shirt comes up over his stomach. I glance away, but take another peek as he lowers his arms. “Are we really that close to port?” he murmurs as he rubs his eyes.
I nod. “If you walk outside you can see it from the deck.” I go over to my things and take out my hairbrush and comb. “Let me brush your hair. It got all tangled last night.”
“Crap, I didn’t braid it,” he grunts. “You don’t have to. It’s horrible most of the time.”
“Nonsense. I’m used to doing all my siblings’ hair. My brother Abor used to have the worst bedhead imaginable, and he insisted on keeping his hair long too.” I sit down on the edge of the bed and start combing out the ends of his hair, slowly working my way up. “I can understand why you keep yours long. It’s absolutely stunning.”
“It’s just easier,” he murmurs.
I see a scar at the nape of his neck. Unlike the burn scars on his hands, this is jagged and the color is much darker. As my fingers brush against it, Kaboom turns his head and glances at me out of the corner of his eye.
“Sorry.” I drop my hand and continue to brush his hair. “It was such a big scar.”
“I know,” he murmurs. “I’ve had it since I was born.” He faces forward again and sighs. “It doesn’t bother me like it used to.”
There’s a knock at the door, and I turn to look at it. “Who goes there?”
“It’s me,” Mika says. “I was just coming to check on you. Loker says Kaboom came here last night after he got hurt. Is he asleep?”
“He’s waking up,” I reply.
“Then the two of you get decent and come join us for breakfast.” Loker chuckles. “That is, unless the two of you aren’t busy.”
“Get your head out of the gutter you call your ass, Loker.” Kaboom stands and walks to the door, opening it on Loker and Mika. “We’ll join you.”
Loker’s smile is smug. “Not interrupting anything, are we?”
“Just my peace and quiet.” Kaboom shuts the door again, then looks back at me. “I’ll wait for you outside so you can get ready.”
Once he closes the door I get changed, and exit to find Mika and Loker waiting for us outside. Loker is leaning on the deck railing, gazing at the port in the distance.
“No land in the world is quite so beautiful as Rakshasa Country,” he sighs dreamily. “They truly understand fashion there.”
“Then you need to meet, Tysh,” Mika replies. “She trained with King Mateo.”
I glance at Kaboom, whose eyes are focused on the coast. “Where are you going once you’re on land?”
“We’re following the three main festivals,” Kaboom replies. “First the Festival of Lanterns, which takes place here at the port. Then the Celebration of Nectar in Rijak. After that the Festival of Color in the Royal City.” He glances at me. “If you’re still there by then, perhaps we can see each other again.”
“You’ll want to keep tabs on the Royal City,” Mika speaks up. “Since Mythri is soon to have a baby, the court will want to celebrate the birth. You could earn a lot of money, especially since you have someone on the inside who can recommend your wares to the royal palace.”
Loker’s expression grows excited. “Would you? Really?” He leaps into Mika’s arms. “You’d tell the King and Queen about us?”
“Oh no,” Mika laughs. “Not me. Kisska though.” She smiles at me. “She can tell Amit and Mythri all about Kaboom’s fireworks. I’m sure they’d trust her judgement on the matter.”
“You don’t have to,” Kaboom quickly says. “I wouldn’t want you using your sway with the royal family on my account.”
“Mythri’s boys are about six now,” I say. “I’m sure they would love to see some fireworks at the palace. I don’t mind telling Amit about your fireworks at all. Plus, we’ll get to see each other once again. If that’s alright with you.”
Kaboom’s jaw stiffens, and he nods his head. “Of course it is.”
Mika smiles and steps towards me. “Loker and I plan on staying in Rakshasa Country for vacation after our work is done. So if you two want, you can travel back to Obresh together.”
My cheeks go very warm, and I smile shyly at Kaboom. “I think Yasa will be visiting family during the festivals, and Tysh is wanting to see her mentor again, so I would be traveling back alone.”
Kaboom swallows and chuckles nervously. “I don’t mind keeping close if it makes you feel more comfortable. I know traveling alone can be scary sometimes.”
Loker takes in a deep breath and exhales slowly. “Whatever the two of you need to do.”
Kaboom clears his throat. “Ignore him. But… we’ll meet back up in the Royal City. Does that sound good?”
I nod. “Maybe we could dance together during the festival. I’ve always wanted to do that.”
Kaboom’s smile widens, and the rosy hue on his cheeks spreads to the tips of his ears. My heart flutters, and I try to keep from smiling too hard.
“I’m not a very good dancer, but I’ll dance with you.” Kaboom chuckles.
“It’s a date,” Loker insists. “A date! It’s obvious to us, why are you dancing around it?” He takes Mika’s hand. “Frustrating.”
Kaboom’s rosy hue turns crimson, and he averts his eyes. “It doesn’t have to be that.”
“Can it?” I ask with a smile. “I wouldn’t mind it being a date if you’re OK with that.”
His eyes turn back to me, and the corner of his mouth twitches as it rises into a half-smile. “I am,” he nods.
I excitedly bounce on my heels. “I can’t wait, then!” I have no clue what else to say.
“It will be hard to wait,” Kaboom murmurs. “It’ll be hard to do anything until then.” He takes my hand in his and rubs the center of my palm.
I squeeze his hand back as a grin spreads across my face. The Festival of Color cannot come soon enough.
