FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

With all the floors mopped and slowly drying, he looked out from the door frame to the stairs gazing over his bar, muscles rippled across his arms and chest and legs, only adorning a loose pair of red shorts as per usual when he cleaned. Panting softly and agreeing with himself that everything had been done he escaped down into his basement where he emptied the dirty water down his industrial drain and left the tired old mop and splintering bucket with the other cleaning supplies before making his way back up to his apartment above the bar.

It was small; the same exact dimensions as the bar below. At the front as he comes up the stairs are windows out to the main street below. There was a small kitchenette next to the stairs and a large cathode ray tube television sat by the wall opposite. Between them sat a very worn wide three-person suede couch with one of the arms collapsed in on itself as if something heavy had been laid across it. A coffee table sat between he couch and the TV. By far the largest thing in the room was the large bed that almost filled the width of the room; only leaving a small amount of floorspace at the foot of it to walk around to reach the bathroom at the rear. The bed appeared to be a stack of small mattresses stacked three high from the floor, in a brickbond pattern to try and prevent any of it from coming away. A single hand-made sheet covers it all, and an assortment of blankets and duvets litter the bed, floors and couch of various sizes. Picking up some of these strewn across the floor he places them back upon the bed as he makes his way over to the bathroom to get washed ready for the day ahead.

Meanwhile, a familiar red and gold avian waited at the street corner. He had set up to play outside for a while until the Temple of Tikal opened for the day. He strummed his guitar, humming in sync with the tune he was playing and nodding in thanks to the few passersby who dropped him a tip. It was a weekday, so there weren't likely to be many patrons that day. Still, every little bit helped, he thought.

'_I wonder if Ordagova will come out for a walk before opening time?'_He thought to himself. The autumn season had set in, and winter was coming soon. Even now as he played, Volcan could feel the slight chill in the air, causing his skin to itch beneath his feathers.

Only a taste of what was to come.

'It is a bit cold, isn't it?' Volcan could hear a voice in his head.

Volcan jumped slightly, missing a note as he looked around. He took a moment to collect himself, letting out a snicker. 'Still not used to that yet,'_he thought. _'You can hear my thoughts even from this far away?' He looked up the street toward the Temple of Tikal. He was at least two blocks away from the bar, and while he had learned Ordagova lived in a small bachelor apartment above the bar it was still surprising that he could hear his thoughts when he couldn't possibly know Volcan was up the street any other way - unless he saw him out the window or something.

'Yes. Although this time I am a bit closer than you think.' he hears again until he sees the beige trenchcoat clad snake strolling up behind him.

"It won't be long now until I will have to hibernate inssside all winter long," Ordagova hissed, sweetly smiling down at the startled bird.

"Oh come on, anthros don't hibernate," Volcan reminded as he kept playing. "That's why we have central heating and nice warm blankets now."

"It wasss jussst an expressssssion" the snake chuckled, "of courssse, I can just sssave money on heating and jussst keep you around."

Volcan chuckled. "Well, that is true," he admitted. "I do make an excellent heated blanket."

"Could jussst cuddle up all winter long," Ordagova teased, flicking his tail behind him in view of Volcan.

Volcan couldn't stop himself from blushing at that. Once he had found out that Ordagova was telepathic, it was no surprise that the snake had learned how Volcan did, admittedly, have something of a crush on the Naga. The phoenix found his employer a fascinating specimen in every sense - he was kind-hearted, handsome, exotic and all around a likable person. Yet, knowing Ordagova was aware of it was a source of flusterment for Volcan as it felt almost like something very personal had been revealed about him by a third party... Well, not really a third party, he noted. Ordagova had found out himself, even if the means might be considered slightly invasive.

"You are incredibly cute," Ordagova commented as he watched Volcan's golden cheek feathers blend into the red feathers around them, "Perhapsss you would like to go out for a meal or sssomething one night?"

Volcan considered the proposition for a moment, his fingers plucking absently at his guitar strings without really playing any sort of tune. "Y-Yeah. I think I'd like that," he replied, nodding. "Although... Actually," he frowned. "I can't really go into public places. If someone touches me, it might give me away."

"I know a placssse that isssn't too crowded. You would be fine there," Ordagova insisted. "Or if you are that concerned, we can just ssstay at my placssse."

"Where did you have in mind?" Volcan inquired further, now curious.

"There isss an old Sssouth American ressstaurant a bit further up the ssstreet from my placssse. I am good friendsss with the family that runsss it."

"And you're sure no one will discover my true nature there?"

"It's warm and cozsssy in there. If anyone would sssussspect anything; it'sss that you're getting a bit of a hot flusssh." Ordagova reached up to Volcan's red cheek, feeling it against his soft, cool and scaly hand, "like you're getting now."

Volcan blushed a little deeper. "You're not helping with that," he remarks in a tone of feigned offense.

Ordagova grinned at Volcan's words before taking the opportunity to lean in and kiss Volcan's other cheek briefly and so casually, withdrawing as if it was nothing and smiling back, "You are ssso incredibly adorable. I will sssee you in an hour or ssso..."

"Y-Yeah. See you soon, boss," Volcan replied, swallowing before he went back to playing. It seemed so unreal that Ordagova would be the one to ask him on a date... Yet, the idea of it soon had the phoenix smiling with anticipation. He'd never been on an actual date before, but if it let him spend a bit more time with Ordagova, he would look forward to it.

A little before opening time, Ordagova heard the door open to his bar as he wiped down the tables and counters. He looked up from his work and saw the phoenix walking in and closing the door behind him, sealing the cold air outside.

"Wasss it worth braving the cold thisss morning?" he asked him.

"Until it hits freezing temperatures, I should be okay," said Volcan, moving to his usual place in the bar. "The real worry is when the snow starts coming down, then I can't go outside at all."

"Then hopefully you've chosssen the perfect place to ssstay all winter by then," Ordagova hinted, before moving behind the bar counter to pour Volcan a drink of cola.

"Well, I am living with Lighris right now, technically," Volcan replied, taking a sip of the cola and snorting out a cloud of steam through his nostrils as the excess moisture evaporated in his mouth. He let out a cough, rubbing his face as if it hurt. "Ugh. Sorry," he said.

The snake just stood there, mouth agape and smiling as if he was about to laugh, "Wow... I know I have sssaid it a lot lately, but that wasss the cutessst thing I've ever ssseen."

Volcan smirked. "Doesn't feel as funny as it looks," he assured him as he rubbed his nostrils. "Kinda hurts having something forced out your nose like that."

"I just wasn't expecting the sssmoke effect. You reminded me of a little baby dragon."

Volcan rolled his eyes. "It seems to be becoming a trend that people find amusement in my pain," he said. "Lighris and Ayane did the same thing just a few weeks ago."

Ordagova leaned onto the counter, tilting his head and eyeing Volcan with more concern this time. "Doesss it ssstill hurt?"

"No, it's passed now," replied Volcan. "Just uncomfortable when it happens but it's short-lived."

"Of courssse" he hissed, nodding "Ssso, what do you think of that meal I suggested earlier?"

"I'd be all for it. What can you tell me about the restaurant?" Volcan asked. "You mentioned it was South American?"

"Yesss. The family isss from Venezsssuela, but they have all kindsss of Sssouth American foodsss there." he explained as he went back to work. "I usssed to work there when I firssst came to Unity Fallsss. I am ssstill good friendsss with them. I could probably even get a table there tonight if you'd like?"

"If you think we'll have time," Volcan replied, looking over his shoulder and studying the empty bar. "It _is_the middle of the week so I suppose customers will be fairly light here."

"Both here and there" Ordagova agreed, walking back behind the bar to pick up the phone, "Ok, I will make a ressservation. But you will probably need to call your brother to sssay you will be late"

"I'll message him right away," Volcan replied, reaching into his pocket for his phone.

A few hours later, when the happy hour had already ended, the bar had emptied of customers and left only Volcan and Ordagova within. Now seemed as good of a time as any for them to head out, so Volcan put away his guitar and Ordagova started closing. Within a few minutes, they were heading outside, Ordagova locking the door behind him as they stepped out onto the sidewalk.

"Alright. Which way?" Volcan asked.

Keeping his hands in his treachcoat's pockets he reached up in front of Volcan with his tail and pointed to the left, up the street. "Thisss way."

"Alrighty," said Volcan, beginning to walk with Ordagova up the street. He decided to make some conversation to pass the time. "So, you said you worked at this place before?" He asked.

"When I firssst crossssssed the border into Canada." he explained, "There isss a sssurprisssingly large Ssspanish community here, ssso I decsssided to initially sssettle around sssome of my own kind."

Volcan nodded, looking ahead again as they kept walking. He'd hoped to strike up more of a conversation to pass the time there, but his mind drew nothing but blanks, unable to think of much - other than that he was going on a date with his employer. He took a steadying breath, walking with one hand against his waist and a thumb through the belt of his jeans - a habit that he carried for as long as he could remember, usually when he was feeling uncertain or when his thoughts wandered.

"You do know there is no contract? I just invited you in to play and pay you sssomething for your troublesss? You can think of me as a friend more than an employer" the snake then mentioned out of the blue.

Volcan started slightly, and turned to him. "W-Were you reading my mind again?" He asked.

"I don't have to - you went sssilent. I had a feeling I knew what you're concssserned about." The snake pointed out as they continued to walk, taking a hand out of his pocket to reach for Volcan's to hold.

Volcan accepted the hand, taking a moment to collect his thoughts before he spoke. "I... Well, kind of, yes," he replied. "But, not about the job. I enjoy working at your establishment. It's the first time I've really_had_a job and it's been great so far. I have no complaints."

"Ssso then what isss on your mind?"

Volcan sighed. "More of the usual self-doubt, I guess," he replied. "Wondering if I'm making the right choice. Wondering if my actions may lead to a bad conclusion, or some inaction I take makes things worse for someone else. I..." He groaned. "I don't know how to put it into words, but I have this tendency to doubt or second-guess everything I do. In this case..." He looked at Ordagova apologetically. "Wondering if I should be going on a date at all... But not because of you - nothing of the sort."

Ordagova stops and turns to face Volcan with a smile adoring his lips, "You need to have more confidencssse. In sssome ways I know you better than you do yourssself. You have convincsssed yourssself that you're not good enough at anything or deserve anything. Do you think I would be here with you right now if I didn't have that confidencssse in you?"

"Well... Uh," Volcan started to say, but choked on his words. He didn't know how to respond.

In silence the snake lent in again and pressed his lips against Volcan's beak, holding it there. Volcan stiffened as Ordagova kissed him, crossing his eyes to look back at the snake while he struggled to think of what he was supposed to do at such a moment. He found his other hand being pulled from his pocket, and held fingers intertwined by the snake's as he held the kiss. Ordagova's eyes closed peacefully, letting Volcan think for himself.

Eventually, Volcan relaxed and leaned into the kiss, shutting his eyes. He felt comforted by the intimate gesture and allowed himself to enjoy the moment, trying to return the kiss in kind though his beak slipped away from Orda's lips briefly. The snake corrected him, and they managed to enjoy a long, tender moment.

They held the kiss for a while before the snake began to pull away, peering through his eyes at the more relaxed bird, stroking Volcan's hands with his thumbs as they stood there on the sidewalk."You liked that?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"To be honest," Volcan replied, smiling weakly. "That was my first... Probably shows, huh?"

"I love how cute and innocsssent you are," the snake chuckles, "You'll pick it up quickly the more you do it." he gives Volcan a little wink.

"If you say so," Volcan replied with a nervous chuckle. "Well... Shall we keep moving then?"

"It'sss just here" Ordagova announced, letting go of one of Volcan's hands so he could turn around and walk them both to the next building along that sat on the corner of the street. The building looked more suited for a warmer climate with a terracotta roof and large arched windows with dark smokey windows and wooden shutters either side. The walls were a plastered cream color and doors were thick and wooden with black metal hinges. The place looked closed if it wasn't for the flickering of candle light through the windows and a small sign on the door that read 'open'.

Volcan read the letters above the door for the name of the restaurant. "The Old Hacienda?" He read aloud. "Huh. I've never heard of this place."

"Not many people do as it doesssn't have the flassshy sssignsss like everywhere elssse, just like my placssse. But you get a nicssser and more welcoming atmosssphere." the snake commented as he pushed one of the doors to enter, pulling his date inside.

Volcan followed him in, taking in the scenery of the interior as they entered. It was somewhat dark inside at first, but Volcan's eyes adjusted to the candle light, it brightened up to reveal beautiful rusty coloured walls decorated with vines and flowers bordering the ceiling and around every window. Candles on every table were lit and joined by others on the walls and iron chandeliers hanging from the wooden beams in the ceiling. It wasn't too busy with about only a third of the tables filled with people chatting away quietly, drinking and enjoying their meals.

It was a lot for Volcan to take in, not knowing exactly which way to look before someone approached them.

"Mi amiga! Cómo has estado? ¡Es tan bueno verte de nuevo!" a voice called over as Volcan felt his hand release.

"Reynaldo! Es bueno verte también." Ordagova spoke, embracing the flamingo in white with a bear hug, "Espero que usted y su familia esten bien?"

"Sí lo son," the flamingo responded.

Volcan didn't even have to ask - it's easy to tell this was Ordagova's friend. Although he didn't understand a word that was being said between the two as they were speaking Spanish, they sounded happy to see one another.

"So is this the lovely young man you will be dining with tonight?" The flamingo looks over at Volcan with a charming smile, almost as if he was asking him the question as opposed to Ordagova.

Volcan nodded to him, and offered his hand to the flamingo. "My name's Volcan," he said. "Pleased to meet you."

"Reynaldo!" the pink bird said cheerfully, clasping Volcan's hand with both hands to shake, "I am pleased to meet anyone attached to wonderful Ordagova." he insisted.

"Likewise," said Volcan, looking around the restaurant. "You have a lovely establishment here, and-" He breathed in. "The food already smells amazing."

"Muchas gracias señor," Reynaldo thanked him, releasing his hand, "It's my family's own establishment. Most of it is our own recipes, or where not, friends of ours in our local community and back in South America."

"That sounds great. I've never really tried South American cuisine, but I'm looking forward to it," he said before Reynaldo picked up a couple of menus.

"Then let's not keep you waiting. Right this way~" the flamingo bade as he walked the two of them through the restaurant, near the back where it was secluded. They still felt the atmosphere around them, but they could still have a bit of privacy between them.

Reynaldo pulled a chair away from the table to allow the fellow avian to sit, as Ordagova made his way around the other side to seat himself after taking his trenchcoat off and hanging it on a hook on the wall.

"Here you go, for the pretty bird," the flamingo flirted with Volcan as he took his seat.

"Th-thanks," Volcan replied nervously, always unable to take a compliment without feeling embarrassed. He lowered himself into the chair and made himself comfortable.

Once seated, Reynaldo presented the two with their menus and turned over their wine glasses on the table before asking if either already knew what they would like to drink.

'Wine's not flammable is it?' Volcan directed the thought to Ordagova.

'No. There's not enough alcohol in it' Ordagova advised as he spoke to their waiter, "Yes pleassse. May we have the houssse red?"

"For both of you?"

"Of courssse."

"Right away. Would you also like some water for the table?"

"Oh uh, no thank you. The wine will be fine," Volcan replied.

"Please, take your time to read our menu," Reynaldo smiled before leaving the two of them alone to peruse.

Volcan flipped open the menu and began to read it. His eyes fell quickly upon a steak listed in the main courses, his gaze lingering on that. "Tira de Asado," he read aloud. "I have heard they make a very good steak in Argentina... And it's been _years_since I had a good cut of beef."

"Exssscellent choicssse..." Ordagova hissed with a smile, reminding himself of what the menu had to offer, "I think I will go for the Arepa... It's absssolutely delicsssiousss."

Volcan had to look for the item to be clear on what it was. "Cornmeal flat cakes," he said. "Never had cornmeal. Are they good?"

"Imagine the batter of a corn dog, but bread," Ordagova remarked.

"Like those ones served at carnivals?"

"Yesss, although you can get them elsssewhere too."

"I think I've seen them at a few convenience stores too," agreed Volcan. "Not something I ever buy. Though," he chuckles. "I don't miss what I grew accustomed to." His mind flashed with images of dinners consisting of crackers or bread, various produce or, if he was fortunate or had a good day, a slab of pork or jerky or even wild meat he cooked over an open fire, but otherwise most of his protein had been from canned meat or eggs.

"You need to eat better. And no, eating burgersss and natchosss from my placssse isn't that much of an improvement.'' Ordagova insisted.

"Believe me, I'm aware. And living at Lighris' place isn't much of an improvement," said Volcan. "He gets takeout like every other day. I'm surprised he even makes his own breakfast."

They took a while longer to peruse the menu for their meals before the snake asked, "Were you getting a ssstarter? I wasss going to get sssome tequeñosss"

"What are those..." he looked at the menu, studying the item. "Breaded cheese, fried- oh, these sound like mozzarella sticks."

"Essssssentially. But so much more divine" The snake hissed with glee as their waiter returned.

"Should we share a plate then?" Volcan offered his date, while also nodding a greeting to Reynaldo as he returned with an uncorked a bottle of wine.

"That sssoundsss delightful" The snake smiled looking over at the flamingo, "I believe we are ready to order."

Reynaldo finished pouring the wine before setting down the bottle. "Wonderful, what can I get you two?"he asked taking out a small notepad and pen.

"Can we get some tequeñosss to ssshare asss a ssstarter. And I will have the arepa, pleassse." the snake hissed, almost licking his lips as he spoke.

"I'll have the tira de asado, please," Volcan added, closing his menu.

"Of course. If you require anything please then do let me know," Reynaldo insisted as he bowed to the two and made his way to the kitchen.

Ordagova took hold of his glass of wine, and swirled it with his wrist to aerate, before sipping, looking over at Volcan curiously as he did so. Volcan repeated the motion, following Ordagova's example before taking a sip of the wine himself. He felt it burning along his tongue, blinking at the strong taste, finding it slightly bitter but not unpleasant.

He looked up, and noticed Ordagova was still watching him. "Something wrong?" He asked.

"No, jussst curiousss asss to how you would react to it," Ordagova chuckled to himself, "what do you think?"

"It'd take some getting used to," he replied, looking at the contents of the glass. "I don't dislike it, but I sense this is more of an acquired taste?"

"Maybe you will prefer other typesss, not jussst this one," Ordagova commented, "White, rosssé, different grapesss, blendsss... You guysss even do an icssse wine up here in Canada."

"I'd be willing to experiment," Volcan said with a nod. "If I can drink one type of wine, no reason I can't try others."

A short time later, their appetizer arrived. Reynaldo brought the tequenos to their table and placed them on the table between the two. "For the beautiful couple," he charmed, which made Ordagova chuckle.

"Thanksss Rey" he hissed as he picked up a fork and speared one of the long crunchy cheese sticks.

Following Ordagova's example, Volcan picked up his own fork to take one for himself. He bit off half of it, rolling it in his mouth before swallowing to taste it. The breaded outside gave a satisfying crunch when he bit into it, and he tasted the slightly sweet cheese inside, not as melted as he had expected but it tasted delicious.

"That's definitely not mozza," he said, looking at Reynaldo. "What kind of cheese are these made with?" He asked.

"Queso blanco, señor" he responded with a smile, "homemade too, just like from my home country."

"It's really good," said Volcan, nodding in approval and eating the second half of the one he held.

"I am glad you like it" he beamed and bowed to him again, turning to look at Ordagova too. "Can I get you anything else?"

"No, I think we are fine for now" Ordagova confirmed after finishing his first tequeños.

"Likewise, thank you," said Volcan.

By the time the two finished their appetizer, their main courses were the next to arrive. Volcan savoured the Argentinian steak, bite after bite, clearly enjoying the chance to have some quality food for once. So much so, only sheer restraint kept him from just wolfing it down, and a chuckle from Ordagova when he saw that feral hunger come out of the phoenix. When they were both finished and letting their food settle, Ordagova paid their bill and they thanked Reynaldo for his excellent service.

With that, they left the restaurant and started walking back to Ordagova's. "That was_delicious,_" Volcan commented as they walked. "It has been way too long since I enjoyed a steak and that one made it all worth the wait."

"I'm glad to hear it" the snake hissed with a smile as they walked down the street, looping arms and hiding their hands in their pockets away from the cold air. "Reynaldo and hisss family have alwaysss been ssso good to me; and their food isss a hidden gem in thisss csssity."

"A damn shame the place isn't more popular," Volcan commented. "They definitely deserve it."

"I think like me, they prefer the quiet and exsssclusssivity" Ordagova reminded, "You get the the right people keep coming back, and don't need to worry about unwanted people causing issues..."

"True, but prices for materials and taxes are always going up," said Volcan. "You need more business to stay ahead of that curb." He grimaced. "Which is ironic for me to say considering I neither pay taxes or utilities. I'm off the grid."

"I guessssss we will sssee oncssse we sssee the ssstrain '' the snake hissed as they walked happily down the street.

Just then, Volcan shuddered and looked up at the sky. He stopped walking for a moment, with Ordagova brought to a halt when the phoenix stopped moving. Volcan stood silent and still as he continued to scan the sky.

"...Crap," he said. "The air's getting damp. There's rain coming. I gotta get home, fast."

"It will be quicker if you take ssshelter at my placssse tonight. You won't make it home in time." The snake insisted, pulling on Volcan's arm and heightening his pace down the street.

"Y-Yeah, that might be safer," agreed Volcan, though he was a little nervous at the idea. Still, he didn't know how much time he had before the rain came, so he followed Ordagova, both of them walking at a faster pace.

As soon as they got to his bar the snake already had the key out ready, unlocking the door and ushering the phoenix inside before the first splatter of rain could be felt. They heard a sizzle as Volcan winced, a raindrop hitting his wing. Once in he closed and locked the door behind them with a sigh of relief.

"There we go," said the snake.

"Just in time," added Volcan.

No sooner had they stepped inside they heard the first splat of a raindrop hitting the front windows. Looking through the blinds, they saw that the rain had already begun, not seconds after they had entered. Volcan shuddered again as he saw the water coming down, backing away from the window.

"Good call on coming here," he said. "If I'd try to fly to Lighris' place I'd have been caught in this... It came on so suddenly."

"Yesss... That would not be good," the snake grimaced at the thought, knowing that being caught in the rain could well lead to Volcan's demise.

"Well... Guess I have to stay here until the rain passes," Volcan said, clearly feeling like a burden as he gave Ordagova an apologetic look.

"There isss no harm in that '' Ordagova turned, resting a hand on Volcan's back, giving him a caring smile. "I would very much enjoy your company."

"Are you sure there's room for me?" He asked, pointing at the ceiling. "I know you don't really have a big space up there."

"There is plenty for you," the snake chuckles to himself, patting Volcan's head, "but even then I'm sssure you won't mind cuddling up clossse to me."

At that Volcan blushed. "Er... Cuddling? But... We've only just..." He stumbled over his words.

"Well my bed is only ssso big. And besssidesss, you can keep this cold frozen heart warm whilssst I protect you from the rain," he chuckles teasingly.

Volcan shared the laugh, but he still felt uncertain. "Hardly a frozen heart," he said. "But... Still. We've only been on one date. Doesn't it feel kind of... Rushed, for us to be that close?"

"I've felt I've known you for much longer becaussse of thisss..." he taps Volcan's skull, "but that isss perhapsss true, you hardly know me."

"Don't get me wrong," Volcan assured him. "I like you, Orda. You fascinate me and you've shown me much kindness since we first met. But I don't want to take advantage of that..."

"Take advantage of what?" the snake cocks his eyebrow.

"Of your generosity," said Volcan. "You've given me a job, you treated me to a meal tonight... And I can't reciprocate any of that. If it goes on... What if I become dependent on it? That's not fair to you."

As always, the phoenix was worrying too much.

"I do not mind it... You have your own unique qualitiesss too," the snake hissed, stepping closer and placing his hands on Volcan's sides, "in time, you will realissse how much I apprecsssiate you, and your company..."

Volcan lowered his gaze somewhat, but soon he forces himself to lift it and meet Ordagova's eyes. "I... Appreciate all you've done for me, as well. And I certainly enjoy being around you," he said, chuckling. "It's a lot less lonely, knowing I'm not the only person hiding their true nature. And hey," he added with another laugh. "I got to meet another phoenix here too."

"Indeed you did..." Ordagova smiled, gazing down into Volcan's blue eyes unblinkingly, standing a few inches higher than the bird. His tail slithering around Volcan's lower back, looping around his front and across his waist.

Volcan feels the tail wrapping around him and reflexively looks down at it. Despite the unexpected approach by Ordagova, he didn't mind feeling the scaled appendage around him. Just another limb to hug with, he decided, and leaned in to embrace Ordagova in kind, hugging him with his arms before also draping his wings around him and wrapping the snake in warmth, the softness of Volcan's feathers brushing over his body.

The snake let out a blissful hiss, wisping his tongue over the top of Volcan's beak as he felt his arms and wings embrace him. Ordagova brought him closer, resting his arms around Volcan's back just above his tail that coiled around him, growing tighter. When Volcan looked back up towards the snake's face, he saw it remained unmoved, unblinked, lost in those azure blue pools.

"Looks like you're enjoying this too," Volcan said, smiling. "Nothing like being hugged by a phoenix, is there?" He added with a hint of pride.

"Very true..." the snake hissed gazing down at him his warm loving smile turning into a grin, "but there isss alssso nothing like being hugged by a naga."

Volcan blinked, not sure if he had heard Ordagova correctly. "A.. A Naga?" He repeated, the confusion on his face reflected in his voice.

"That'sss right" Ordagova confirmed, stroking up and down Volcan's back, lifting up his shirt a little to comb his black scalie fingers through those hot red feathers.

"W-Wait... Are you implying that... That you're actually a Naga?" Volcan asked, pulling back slightly to look Ordagova over. "But you're completely anthropian..."

"Thisss isss only a guissse" Ordagova chuckled, still keeping Volcan close, tightening his grip around his waist with his tail, squeezing him a little, "my ssspeciesss learnt to blend in over throusssandsss of yearsss. My true form isss... much... bigger."

"You mean you can shapeshift?" Volcan asked.

The snake's grin widens, "YesssSSSsss..."

"How do you do it?" Volcan asked, his curiosity piqued. "Some kind of polymorphic magic?"

"Perhapsss I ssshould ssshow you..." the snake grinned, removing his hands and tail from Volcan, moving his hands to unclasp his own belt, his knuckles grazing against Volcan's abdomen as they hugged close.

"Should I step back?" Volcan asked, cautious.

"Isss sssomeone ssscared?" the snake asked, chuckling as he tugged his trousers down, pushing any underwear off with it.

"Well, no, just... I don't know how big you're going to get," he said. "I figured you might need some room."

"Oh I'm very big" the snake teased with a wink as he stepped out of his clothes, kicking them out the side, pressing his groin against the bird.

Volcan could slowly feel something shift below Ordagova. his tail slowly grew longer and thicker, planting it down on the ground between his legs that began to thin and shrink. His black toes receded into his feet, that receded into his heels, to his calves, to his knees and into his waist, until the tail took over entirely. Stepping back Volcan could see that Ordagova had changed. Gone were his boss's legs and replaced was a single thick trunk of tail.

Volcan took in the transformation with clear wonderment, shocked to see such a drastic change over the snakeman - now, clearly, a Naga - before him. "W-Wow," he said. "I saw it, and I'm still blown away."

"Want to... feel it?" The snake hissed, grinning widely as he slithered towards Volcan again, before sliding around behind him, placing his hands on Volcan's shoulders as he rose up above him, looking over Volcan's head as if he were a child by comparison, lifting his thick tail up in front of Volcan a little to touch, to confirm it was the real thing.

Tentatively, Volcan reached out and took hold of the tail with both hands, feeling the rippling muscles beneath it and knowing the power that tail granted to its owner. He swallowed with some apprehension, wondering if he'd even have a prayer of escaping such a grasp - even with his own supernatural strength. He looked along the length of the tail, trying to follow it back, but there's so much of it that it's bundled all around and he quickly loses track of it.

"...How long are you?" He asked.

"I have never checked," the snake hissed, massaging Volcan's shoulders with his strong black hands, returning the favor of the fire phoenix's hot touches on his long ebony body. "Sssomeone feelsss sssmall?" he went on to tease.

"A little bit, yeah," he admitted. "I didn't expect you to be so huge in this form... Then again, this is the first time I've met a Naga so I didn't know what exactly to expect."

The tail rose up and began to coil around Volcan's legs and then around his waist, hugging him tightly in the thick bands of tail, "What do you think of me now?" He hisses carrying his grin still soothing the phoenix's shoulders from behind.

"Honestly? I think I like you even more like this," he said. "A fellow mythical being."

"Only like? I sense a lot more than that in your mind" the naga commented, lifting Volcan up in his tail and turning him around to face Ordagova, one of his hands tracing the bird's neck, stroking up before resting under his beak. "Longing... lusting... A desire you no longer can restrain yourself from..."

Even knowing that there was no point lying to a telepathic, Volcan still tried to deny it. "I-I don't... I mean, I'm not... But we only..." he stammered, his heart racing.

Ordagova lifted Volcan higher, raising his finger below his beak and tilting it up to his lips, planting a kiss upon them and holding it. Volcan stiffened, his body becoming warmer and turning a deeper red hue as the Naga kissed him, catching him by surprise, unsure how to respond as he was brought deeper into the kiss...

In his mind, he was reeling,'oh my ancestors, what is happening?!' He thought. 'Is this real?!' Had he been speaking aloud he might have been screaming the words, but to a telepath like Ordagova he may as well had already been doing so.

The snake parted and pulled Volcan back to gaze upon his flushed red face, with a smile adoring his back scalie lips. "Yes it is."

In his mind, Volcan was recalling the night he had spent with that girl he had rescued, and reminded of how back then he hadn't known how to respond either when she had given herself to him. He once again felt unsure, his lack of experience showing.

"Don't worry, my wonderful phoenixsss," he stroked his cheek. "Let yourssself go, do what comesss naturally."

Volcan shared a look with the Naga at that, taking a moment to consider the words, repeating them multiple times in his mind. Eventually, he managed to silence his conscience and let his body guide him as his heart desired. He put his arms around Ordagova, and leaned in to kiss him again. The snake returned, placing his arms under Volcan's shoulders and pulling him in close, parting his lips against the bird's beak to express their desire for each other.

They held the kiss for a moment before Volcan pulled back, smiling as he met the Naga's eyes again. "Ah, as my brother would say... you only live once," he quoted with a chuckle. "The fact I'm semi-immortal is just a detail."

"Ssso live it to the fullessst" the snake agreed, moving a hand to stroke up and down Volcan's cheek as he pulled him forward to press against his large clothed chest.

"So where do we go from here then?" Volcan asked, rubbing Ordagova's side with his hand.

Volcan felt his waist squeezed as that tail around him constricts him. Although it shocked him at first at the action, it seemed to have given him a little bit of pleasure as he felt knots in his back disappear.

"I ssshould ssshow you what thisss tail can do '' he grinned.

Briefly, Volcan struggled again with indecision, wondering if it was proper for him to accept such an offer when the two had only known each other for a short time. But, that thought left his mind as he considered, he really had nowhere else to go... And he couldn't deny, he was curious. 'You only live once,' he repeated in his mind this time. "Why not?" He asked, smiling nervously. "It's not like I'm going anywhere... And we've come this far now."

"Sssuch a good bird," the snake teases squeezing him again, coiling around his legs and chest moreso, covering him up to his arms and wings, writhing, loosening and tightening. A unusual but delightful sensation over his body.

"Oooh wow," Volcan moaned, feeling the snake's tail massaging his body. "Okay, saying it now... Nagas make the best masseurs~"

"Dare I sssay, it feelsss even better without any clothesss obssstructing me" the snake suggested.

Volcan blushed at that, but he was committed now and didn't voice any protest. "You want me to undress, then?" He asked.

"Do you want _me_to undress you?" the snake chuckled, as if it was a question of who.

"Either way, you'll probably have to unwrap me," the phoenix commented, looking down at the tail wound around him.

"That isss true," the snake smiled, and then loosened his tail before giving a sharp pull, twirling Volcan on his heel.

"Whoa-oh!" Volcan said dizzily, nearly losing his footing as he fell into the counter, managing to catch himself on his hands.

"Baby, do I ssspin your head right round?" The snake teased before taking his hands to the buttons of his suit vest to undo them, discarding it off onto one of the tables, before doing the same to his white shirt and tie, leaving the handsome snake in nothing at all; his large muscular chest for all of Volcan to see.

"That was the cheesiest pun I've ever heard," Volcan remarked, but followed Ordagova's example, reaching behind his back to unfasten his shirt's velcro strip on the lower back, allowing him to lift the shirt over his wings and head.

Ordagova smirks as he assists Volcan, his tail reaching around to help undo the velcro before slithering around his waist to undo the bird's belt buckle with only the tip of his tail. His arms stayed crossed across his large pectorals, watching the phoenix shead his clothes. With his belt unbuckled, Volcan let his jeans slide off, leaving only his boxers on - he still felt rather unsure about stripping completely, even with his newfound confidence.

"You look beautiful, my dear phoenixsss" the snake man charmed Volcan, admiring the smaller male's strong physique.

"So do you," said Volcan, his eyes taking in the Naga's exotic, elongated body. "I know I already said it's my first time ever seeing a Naga, but I have to say... It's breathtaking."

Ordagova chuckles, unfolding his arms to flex them a little before the bird, "Not all of usss are quite thisss large or long."

He shrugged. "My point still stands," he said. At that, he took in a deep breath to steady himself, lifting his arms again. "Alright... Ready when you are."

The naga grinned, reaching down with one of his hands, took hold of Volcan's wrist, slowly gliding the hand down Volcan's arm, stroking it softly as his tail began to move and shift around him.

Looping around Volcan's ankles, blinding them together the tail slowly creeped up his legs, coiling tightly, snug against the red fiery feathers and following the crevice of each muscle. Volcan shifts his legs slightly, turning his gaze down to watch the scaly tail with fascination as it encircles his legs, watching it flow like a river of black and red, guided only by its owner's commands.

Ordagova's hand reached Volcan's shoulder, turning direction as it followed the curve in his body to stroke up his neck until he caressed his cheek, turning the bird's attention back up to Ordagova's face, smiling sweetly back at him and hissing his wispy tongue. The tail meanwhile continues to entrap Volcan's legs, eventually and inevitably reaching the white boxers and slithering over his ass and crotch, grazing against his private parts and sending an arousing shiver up his spine, followed by a moan when the snake applies just a bit of pressure around Volcan's body.

Volcan reaches out with his arms, laying them around Ordagova's shoulders and takes him in another kiss, this one passionate and expressing his desire for the Naga in that moment.

As they kissed deeply, locking lips and beak with one another and trading tongues; Ordagova's hand stroked up and down the bird's slide as the other caressed his cheek, holding him closer in the kiss the bird brought onto himself. Although Volcan did not know if it was intentional, he could feel that naga tail graze and pressed firmly against his member below the fabric as it continued to coil up him.

Volcan let out a gasp at the intimate touch, pulling back from the kiss and looking at Ordagova again. But despite his reaction, the phoenix neither spoke nor even thought of protesting; he had merely been surprised. But the kiss is only broken for a moment before he leans back in and resumes it, moaning in his throat.

The coiling continued, enveloping the bird's chest, and before long, up to his shoulders with the thin end to Ordagova's tail looping around Volcan's neck and shoulders like a scarf as they kissed, the writhing all over his body felt like warm hug and strokes from all directions. The writhing around the bird's bulge is more noticeable than the rest.

"Oh..." Volcan breathes as he parts his beak from Ordagova's mouth. "This is... Going to be more than a massage, isn't it?" He asked, his feathers becoming warmer as he became more turned on by the Naga's actions.

"Thisss will be whatever you want it to be~" the snake hissed softly over Volcan's beak, feeling the bird's hot breath against his lips, never ceasing to stop feeling and coiling over the bird's body, constricting him in parts and loosening others constantly.

"At this point, I think my body is speaking for me..."

"What doesss it sssay?" the snake asks curiously.

"...That I want to be yours tonight," Volcan answered, laying his head against Ordagova's chest.

(Censored Passage)

When Volcan awoke the following morning, his body ached... But he felt no regret, as he remembered the passionate night he had shared with Ordagova. He was awoken by the smell of bacon wafting into his beak's nostrils.

Shifting about on the bed he felt that thick belt of black naga tail wrapped around his chest in an all embracing hug, never wanting to let the phoenix go. Tilting his head to the left he could see the top half of his lover over by his small kitchenette, cooking up something on the stove top in a frying pan.

"Sssleeping beauty hasss finally woken up, I sssee" the naga hissed.

"What time is it?" Volcan asked, his voice still sounding sleepy.

"Almossst ten" the snake hissed, giving Volcan a little squeeze in his tail.

"Ten? Wow, I slept in," said Volcan, sitting up and easing himself out of Ordagova's tail as he sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his eyes.

"Ssseemed like you needed it after lassst night~" the snake teased, plating up the contents of his frying pan onto a plate, with some toast from the toaster and buttering it.

"Guess you tuckered me out even more than I expected," Volcan agreed and let out a sigh before he tried standing up, somewhat unsteady on his legs. He let out a chuckle and sat back down again. "My legs haven't woken up with me yet," he said, sitting back down again.

"I doubt you will be walking too sssoon" the snake hissed, bringing over a cooked breakfast to Volcan, "You did quite well lassst night, taking someone my sssize on your first try. Like a natural~"

"Pretty good for my first time with another man?" Volcan asked, smiling as he accepted the plate from Ordagova.

"You csssertainly took it better than I thought" he complimented, sitting down beside the bird, placing an arm over his shoulder, "did you enjoy it?"

"Yanno? I think I did," Volcan replied, leaning into the snake slightly as he took his first bite of breakfast.

"Well... You can alwaysss have more~" the snake hinted, leaning in to kiss Volcan's cheek as he ate.

Volcan chuckled. "I'm sure I could," he said, smiling at him.

"Eat up." Ordagova insisted, "and let your brother know not to electrocute me for keeping you ssso long to myssself"

At that, Volcan paused, another forkful of food halfway to his beak. "Oh crap," he said. "I forgot to message him when we got back last night..." In his mind, he envisioned a scenario of a panicked, ever over-protective Lighris, breaking down the front door and screaming at Ordagova demanding where his brother was. Ordagova audibly chuckled at the imagery in Volcan's mind, like something out of a cartoon.

"I think I better call him," said Volcan, taking another bite of his plate and trying to stand. "Phone should be in my pants pocket - yee-ee," he wobbled, soreness creeping up his abdomen. "Stupid numb legs."

"They are ssstill downssstairsss" Ordagova reminded him, as he gazed over the naked bird once more, eating him all up for as long as possible.

"Y-Yeah I figured. Just... Hope I don't fall down the stairs," the phoenix said as he made his way to the steps.

Eventually, Volcan managed to make his way down to the ground floor. He stumbled into the main room to find his trousers and extracted his phone from his pocket. He flipped it open, dialing his brother's number and holding it to his ear. It rang only twice before the deep voice of Lighris came through the earpiece.

"Hey little bro! Fuck, I was wondering where you were."

"Yeah, sorry Lighris. I stayed overnight at Ordagova's when the rain hit," said Volcan, easing himself into a chair. "I was... Well, pretty exhausted so, just slept over."

"Geez, wish you'd called me," the lightning hawk chided him. "I was scared shitless that you had tried to beeline back to my place and got caught in the storm.

Volcan blushed. "I was... Distracted."

"I hope whatever distracted you was worth it."

Volcan considered the comment for a moment, his eyes rolling. He briefly considered his aches, and the numbness of his legs before weighing it against his experience the night before. Soon, a broad grin stretched across his face, and he settled back in his chair as he answered.

"Totally."