It had been five days since Korban first visited the firewatch tower that Volcan called home. They had planned to meet regularly—Korban's way of ensuring that Volcan didn't slip back into his depressive state—but the plan had faltered. A work assignment had pulled him out of town, leaving him with a lingering worry.

Now, as he approached the tower, Korban felt a flicker of anticipation. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he sensed the warmth of friendship blossoming with Volcan. The connection they had forged filled him with a hope he thought had long been extinguished, especially after the deep betrayal he had faced years ago. The few nights they had managed to meet before his departure had become cherished moments he looked forward to.

The sun dipped low on the horizon as Korban brought his bike to a halt at the tower's base. He powered it down and flicked the kickstand out with his foot before dismounting. Fresh from a contract, he still carried his weapons, but he brushed aside any concern. He wasn't planning to use them tonight—maybe they'd even spark a good conversation. With that thought, he started up the stairs.

As he ascended, a tantalizing aroma wafted through the air. The scent of ham mingled with something else—something that didn't quite sit right but wasn't entirely unpleasant either. His curiosity piqued; he assumed Volcan was cooking, and his suspicions were confirmed when he crested the top and spotted Volcan at the stove, stirring the contents of a skillet through the window.

A mischievous grin spread across Korban's face. An idea sparked in his mind as he crept the rest of the way up the stairs. Reaching for one of his guns, he drew it slowly, an impish thrill coursing through him. He burst through the door with a dramatic flourish, knowing he would catch Volcan off guard.

“Hands in the air, this is a stick-up!" he shouted, unable to contain his grin as he pointed the gun—not directly at Volcan, but in his general direction, relishing the moment.

Volcan dropped the spoon he was using, instinctively raising his hands as the wooden spoon clattered to the floor, but he dared to look over at who had come into his tower so abruptly. His surprise turned to a scowl when he saw who it was standing in his doorway.

Volcan dropped the spoon he was using, instinctively raising his hands as the wooden spoon clattered to the floor, but he dared to look over at who had come into his tower so abruptly. His surprise turned to a scowl when he saw who it was standing in his doorway.

“You little turd!" he exclaimed, lowering his hands. “What's the big idea - you nearly made me spill my supper!"

Korban started laughing and holstered his gun, gently shutting the door behind him as he went to approach Volcan. “Hahaha… Sorry, the opportunity was there, and I just had to take it." He said.

“Yeah, har har; further proof I seem to be the butt-monkey around here," he said, picking up the spoon and looking at it, disgruntled, before tossing it into the sink beside the wood-burning stove and retrieving a new one.

“Hey, I warned you that I was full of surprises," Korban said as he took his sword off of his back and set it against the wall, then sat down next to Volcan as he continued to make his meal. “Sorry if I look a little weathered. I just came off of a contract, and…" He whistled for a moment. “...That bounty really put up a fight before he got bagged."

“Who did you have to pursue this time?" Volcan asked. “Nobody with a family, I hope," he added warily, arching a brow at the husky.

“Nah, just a human trafficker." Korban answered casually, catching Volcan's raised eyebrow. “Don't look at me like that. I told you that bounty hunting is a messy job, even if I try to be more selective with my targets."

“Someone like that, I say the world's better off without," the phoenix remarked, surprisingly supportive of the idea. “Same with that freak Obsidian and I went after the other day, that first night you couldn't swing by. Unfortunately, he slipped away."

“Well, hey, if you can tell me what he looks like or gimme a photo of him, I could finish what you started." Korban offered, grinning at the idea.

“Well, I don't have a photo, but he's like-" the phoenix cut himself off, apparently about to say something he probably wasn't supposed to. Clearing his throat, he continued speaking as he reached for a plate. “Are you familiar with what a 'Naga' is?" he asked. “Also, you hungry? I think I have enough here for two."

“I'm familiar with the term," Korban answered. “Snake people that have an upper body and arms, right? I've come across a few in my days." He further confirmed, then looked over at the dish Volcan was preparing. “I was gonna ask… What the hell are you making? The aromas are… Well, they're all over the place."

“Well, it's fried rice," Volcan answered the second question first. “I added some ham to it. Sadly I… Can't get good cuts of meat, so it's out of a can."

Korban shrugged. “Eh. I'll try it. Like I said, I came straight from work, so haven't had time to disarm and refuel." He answered.

Volcan nodded and grabbed a second plate. “Anyway, as I was saying," the phoenix continued as he served the rice. “A few days ago, Obsidian came to me to ask me to be her backup, in chasing this… Well, let's be frank; he was a violent rapist in the woods southwest of here. Normally, the kind of thing that cops are left to deal with, but this one was different; he was a naga, and he was Psionic, just like 'Sid or Orda, and he used that to catch and force himself on people who were just out for a hike on the nature trails over there."

“...Sounds like I need to present a gift basket to this fucker," Korban remarked, his expression going dark after hearing about the culprit's crimes. “In the form of several mags dumped into his cranium."

“Unfortunately, he got away," replied Volcan. “'Sid and I went to confront him. He went for her first, but when he found he couldn't mess with her mind like the others, he was about to kill her. I arrived just in time, getting him off of her, and then between the two of us we managed to beat him. But then he pulled a fast one and managed to slip away."

“We chased him into the woods but eventually we lost him," the phoenix concluded, passing Korban his plate and a fork. “He's out there somewhere but we couldn't find him; so long as he's on the loose he presents multiple dangers, not only to his victims, but to us as well. If the cops lay eyes on a Naga - a myth, in the flesh…" he let it hang there, knowing he didn't need to explain to Korban what the implications of such a thing would lead to.

“Wouldn't be any more terrifying if they lay their eyes on a genuine Demon either." Korban answered as he took a bite of the food, tasting it for a moment and cringing slightly before he swallowed. “Blegh… Not enough salt." He remarked before taking another bite.

“I guess I could've used more soy sauce?" Volcan asked. “I have some more if it'll help."

“Pile it on, man." Korban answered, passing his plate to Volcan, then stretching a little when he took it from him. “Soooo… What crazy tale do ya wanna hear tonight about my exploits?"

“What about this trafficker you were mentioning?" Volcan asked, adding a few drops of soy sauce and stirring the contents of Korban's plate to distribute it, letting the salty liquid mix with the rice and ham. “How'd you manage to get him?"

“It wasn't easy, I'll say that much." Korban began, leaning back and looking up toward the ceiling absently. “Guy was driving a large pickup with a trailer attached to it. Couldn't get a clear shot on 'im, and no way was I gonna risk ramming into him. I had to get pretty creative." He explained. “So, first thing I did was drive up to the trailer and sever the coupling pulling the trailer along, and that was a headache and a half. Fucker nearly bumped me off the road a few times before I succeeded in that endeavour."

“He was in the trailer while the truck was in motion?" Volcan asked.

“Oh no, he was driving the truck. The trailer had all the victims of the guy," Korban corrected. “Wasn't about to risk them getting caught in the crossfire, so I had to get 'em outta the way by taking out the coupling and bringing it to a stop. Had to get pretty creative, but, promise; they were all just fine."

“Ah. Good call," agreed Volcan. “And the guy himself?"

“Shot out all of his tires and forced him into a ditch." Korban answered. “Thing is, even after that, he refused to go down. Crazy ass bitch was packing a lotta heat. Shotguns, pistols, hell he even had some pineapples on him." He went on, patting his holstered guns. “First time in a long time that I almost ran outta food fer my girls, but I eventually nailed him between the eyes as he was grabbing another pineapple."

“Jeez. Sounds like that guy was gearing up to take on a whole SWAT team," said Volcan as he took a bite of his dinner.

“He might've. Remember he was a trafficker. Probably kept all that heat on hand in case things at border patrol went south." Korban iterated, licking his lips after taking a bite of his food. “Muuuch better."

The phoenix looked apologetic. “Sorry it's not much," he said, gesturing to the food. “Like I said I can't afford to buy decent cuts of meat on my income, so I have to make do."

“I respect it." Korban answered. “I don't have to like it, but I respect it." He added, scarfing down the rest of the plate before setting it aside and licking his lips absently. “Sooo aside from my little story about today's events… Got any other inquiries you wanna throw my way?"

Volcan shrugged. “Not at present, no," he replied, taking another bite of his supper. “I think you've cleared up just about everything I was curious about. Except-" He had a thought then. “Well… You told me about your… 'Dad'. Do you have any… Other family?"

That question made Korban go still, his smirk fading and his gaze drifting away from the phoenix as he looked absently at the ground for a moment. At one point, he frowned slightly and grimaced as a particular memory passed into his mind, which prompted him to shake his head in response. He looked back at Volcan, his expression unreadable.

“None," Korban answered softly. “I never knew my Dad… My mom… she was killed when I was a pup by a pack of lesser demons… And I had one partner that I loved like a brother, but… He ultimately turned on me just like the rest…" He went on to explain.

Volcan felt momentarily guilty, seeing the expression on Korban's face. “Oh… Sorry. I didn't mean to dredge bad memories…"

The husky shrugged. “My life's full of 'em, so it's nothing new…" He responded, glancing up at the phoenix. “Like I told one of my bounties during a job… Pain's an old friend of mine."

“Doesn't make it right," Volcan muttered. “Well… What about Kieran? I haven't seen him around lately; what happened there?"

Korban sighed. “We… haven't been in contact for a while, not since my last fuck up. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he's flyin' solo right now and building up his own reputation." He answered, then shifted in his spot. “What about you? You hear from yer boy toy yet?"

Volcan looked at him flatly for a moment, until he seemed to realize who Korban was referring to – at which his expression soured slightly. “We… Met up, yes," he said. “But… Well, it seems we're done, at least as a couple."

Korban's ears perked up. “You broke it off?" He asked, surprised. “Why though? You guys were so tight, last time I checked."

“It's hard to explain," began Volcan. “After the last few nights, starting that night you came to see me, I did a lot of thinking… I had wanted to call him to talk to him, but not for the reason I hoped. Yes, I felt guilty for all I did, even with your assurances, and yes, I felt I owed it to him to talk to him. After fighting that Naga in the woods, Obsidian gave me the last push I needed to finally go speak to him…"

“We spent the night together, and it was great. Pleasant, and all… But, that's all it was. I didn't feel all that different once we were done," he went on, absently poking at his food. “So, I did a lot more thinking, and my mind came back to that night you were here… When you helped me through that panic attack. After that, I longed for the kind of intimacy I always shared with Ordagova… But…" he frowned before continuing, “it wasn't him who I was thinking of at that time, and I started to feel like I'd betrayed him."

“After that, I started to realize," he continued, “Ordagova and I, while we certainly do love each other, the relationship wasn't built on that… It was our respective fascination with each other, and our combined, crippling loneliness that brought it on… I wanted to do right by him, but starting with that was the understanding that he deserved someone interested in him in a way that I wasn't. So, we parted on good terms; even said I can keep playing at the bar – once it can reopen."

“So, it was a mutual falling out," Korban summarized, then nodded in understanding. “Well, as long as you two remain on good terms, then all's well that ends well I guess," he added with a small chuckle.

“To be honest, I thought I would break his heart, and I really needed a kick in the hiney from Obsidian to finally come out and say it," said Volcan.

“Hey, you were honest with him, and you still got a decent payoff in the end. Yer still friends, and ya get to keep yer job. That's as close to a win-win if I ever heard it," Korban added, lightly slapping his paw along Volcan's shoulder. “Though… I take it you two aren't gonna be living under the same roof anymore. What are ya gonna do fer shelter besides this dump?"

“I always find a way to make it work," replied Volcan. “Lighris and my mother both keep offering to let me stay with them… Maybe it's time I swallow my pride and take one of them up on it. But, I do need my own space too, you know?"

“...Ya know, it's funny you mention that," Korban remarked as he glanced off to the side. “Remember back when we took out P.A.C.E. and I took back what that old fart owed me with interest? Well… I decided to make some adjustments to my earnings after our little victory party that night."

“Oh?" Volcan asked, curious.

The husky nodded. “I make a lotta good money in my profession, but all evidence to the contrary I don't pursue it for wealth alone, and I ain't exactly a greedy pup. So, since you guys helped me get back what was rightfully mine, well…" he then reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a slip of paper, gently offering it to Volcan. “...Figured you guys deserved yer fair share of the pot."

“Wait, is that-?" Volcan started to ask, leaning forward to look at the paper. “Is that a cheque?" he asked, shocked.

“That it is," Korban answered, smiling gently. “I never got a chance to bring it up thanks to the whole demonic possession incident, but… I divided the money into different amounts to give to each of you at some point as a thanks fer helping me out." He explained. “That there's a good couple million buckeroos. Go on, take it. Fuck knows you've earned it."

Volcan stared, awestruck, at the cheque as it was placed in front of him. He sat there, frozen for several seconds as though he expected it to suddenly bite him if he were to move. “B-But I… This is-!" Volcan sputtered, “But this is yours - I can't just take money from you! Let alone that much!"

Korban took Volcan's arm in his other paw and pulled it closer so he could place the cheque in his palm. “Just take it, man. Go and buy yerself somewhere nice to live. Invest some of it, spend it, I don't care what ya do with it in the end, but yer taking this cheque, and that's final."

Volcan stared at the cheque again. His mind was a blank, as he tried so hard to find a reasonable excuse to convince Korban to take the money back, once again feeling guilty that the husky would offer him so much… It was more money than he'd ever seen in his life - certainly more than he could ever make playing guitar on the street. Even working at the Temple of Tikal - which, while it certainly had improved his revenue with a recurring clientele, he'd never make this much in a mortal's lifetime…

“Korban, I… I don't know what to say," he said, still having not picked the cheque up from where Korban had placed it “This just… It feels so wrong to take this, even if you're offering it… Are you absolutely sure this is okay?"

“I got other stacks waiting to be given to the others, and like I said, you guys earned yer fair share," Korban reassured the phoenix, shifting closer to him and smiling warmly at him. “If I didn't feel it was alright, I wouldn't be offering now would I?" he asked rhetorically. “Just take the money, alright?"

Volcan let out a sigh. “Well, I suppose if you're not going to let me give it back, and I already know chasing you out of here will amount to nothing," he reached out and tentatively brought the cheque closer to him, studying it before speaking again. “Thank you… No one's ever done this for me before."

“No one's ever had my back as long as you have and followed through with their word like you have." Korban shot back. “Considering everything you've been through already, you deserve a break. I mean that."

“I'll make sure to be smart with it," Volcan promised.

“Oh, I know you will. Still, at least treat yerself to somethin' nice with it before ya put it away," the husky remarked, grinning slightly. “Like I said, I don't care what ya do with it. It's yer two mil now. Do with it what you want."

“Maybe I will. But still, no reason to be like my brother and just spend it all on to- Wait a minute," he looked at Korban. “You said you were distributing some to everyone? Including my brother?"

“Yea. I divided it up so everyone got their fair share," Korban answered. “...Why do you ask?"

“Eeh… Fair warning. My brother is only as responsible with his money as he needs to be; if he comes into any extra he tends to spend it on… Trivial things," remarked Volcan.

“Soooo what I'm hearing is that he lives beyond his budget." Korban surmized, glancing off to the side. “...Yeaaa I may need to include a steep pre-requisite when I give him his share."

“Probably for the best," said Volcan, nodding in agreement. “Hm… Although, I don't know how you'd give Vinge his, since he's long gone. He went back home to Whitehorse."

“I'll figure that out, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there," Korban answered without skipping a beat.

Volcan lifted the cheque to stare at it again, his mind still reeling at the thought of receiving such a generous gift… His mind raced with possibilities of what he could do with it… Certainly it was a larger sum than he'd ever had the chance to hold in his entire life, and more than he suspected he'd ever make on his own. He had chosen to take up the life he led now; he wanted to find his own way, even if he had to start at the bottom and work his way up.

This much money though could change all of that… It almost felt like cheating, to have someone bring him up from the life he had chosen for himself – to go from the impoverished life to being a millionaire in a single day…

As Volcan continued staring at the cheque, Korban took that time to stare at him… Studying him. He recounted the conversation earlier, remembering something Volcan had said that stood out to him. He smiled as he saw an opportunity – if only for another chance to mess with the shy phoenix for a bit.

“Sooo… Earlier, you said that after I visited you that other night," he said, still smiling, “you were thinking about someone and it wasn't your man… Someone you wanted to spend time with." He leaned forward, seeing he had Volcan's attention. “So, I gotta know… Who was it?"

Volcan's face immediately went red; he had forgotten that he had said that aloud, and now he had a deer-in-headlights expression as he looked back at Korban. “I-I… I didn't… I…" he babbled incoherently, struggling to form the words. 

Korban started to laugh at the phoenix's expense, slapping his knee and leaning back a bit before he collected himself. “Wow! You are so fucking easy to fluster!" He exclaimed, wiping his eyes a bit as tears from his laughter started welling up. “Ahhh… but no, seriously, who was it?"

Volcan coughed, unable to meet Korban's gaze as he still blushed, blinking his eyes multiple times as his gaze swept the floor over and over, unable to say it aloud despite the husky's coaxing. Never once, did Korban lose that expression; that smug, expectant look that would've made Volcan want to punch him back when they first met. 

Finally, he managed to utter a single word. “...You," he said, in a barely audible whisper.

Korban's ear twitched and he brought his head closer, holding a hand up to his own ear. “What's that?" Korban asked, still grinning smugly. “Speak up, Flamie. I can't hear ya when yer all mouselike."

Volcan let out a sigh. “That night, when you were here… It was you I was thinking of," he said.

Korban slowly lost his smirk as he looked at Volcan, letting the words sink in and he leaned back a bit. “...Oh." He remarked, then his eyes widened. “Oh shit, you're serious." He added, then chuckled nervously. “Damn… I didn't think that pass I made on you stuck."

Volcan shrugged slowly. “Not sure that was why… At the time I was just… I was in so much pain, I longed for some kind of escape," he said, wringing his hands as he went on. “That's… Kind of how I started to realize that what I felt for Ordagova wasn't really love… It wasn't him I was thinking of when I longed for that sense of just having someone close to me - something good to help me escape that torment."

He hung his head and sighed again. “And it was you I thought of first, because you were right here - if you'll excuse the choice of words, 'readily available'. At the time I felt like I betrayed him. But that led to where we are now." He lifted a hand to rub the back of his neck, a mix of embarrassment and guilty. “I thought it'd be too weird, that I'd be thinking of that while you were there to try to help me. So I… never meant for you to find out."

Korban looked away slightly and swished his tail slightly back and forth, unsure of how to respond. Sure, he teased Volcan about giving him a chance if his other plans fell short, but to hear he had actually considered it, even briefly…

“Not gonna lie… it's… been a long time since anyone's told me they were interested in me to that extent." He admitted.

“Even if it was only because I needed something to forget about being possessed?" Volcan asked, unable to look at him. “Honestly, that makes me feel like crap, that my interest was so… Ugh, I don't know the word," he shook his head.

“Shallow?" Korban answered, arching an eyebrow at Volcan. “That the word you were lookin' for?"

Volcan nodded. “Actually, yeah, that sounds about right," he said. “It seemed shallow to me. You weren't there for a fling… You were there to give me a well-needed push."

“Well yeah, but I mean… if you needed a kiss to help with that push, I wasn't gonna deny ya," Korban remarked. “Long as it woulda helped, right?"

Volcan turned his head to look at Korban. “You aren't… Disgusted with me?" he asked.

“Got no reason to be." Korban answered, gently patting Volcan's shoulder and smirking again. “You've earned my trust after going through several partners that aimed to stab me in the back… You wanting a one-night stand ain't the worst thing you should be concerned about."

Volcan stared back at him for a moment, and then he smiled slightly and shook his head again. “Well, that makes twice now I've done that," he said.

“Done what?" Korban asked, tilting his head a little.

“Assumed the worst-case scenario; I thought Ordagova would hate me when I talked to him, but he knew all along and wasn't mad about it," he said. “Now here I thought you'd think I was… Well as you put it, shallow, and perhaps desperate. But you seem cool with it."

“I've had my fair share of one-night stands in my life. Yer fine," Korban answered. “Though if I'm bein' honest if I ever had the chance, perhaps I'd be willin' to try for a more long-term commitment," he hinted with a nudge from his elbow.

Volcan shied away from him slightly. “I… Think it's too soon for me to be considering that. Sorry," he said. “Don't get me wrong, Korb - I like you, but I literally just broke up with my boyfriend yesterday. As an obscure minority living in secret, we may not be subject to typical social cues or standards, but it still feels like there should be a line somewhere."

“Right, right… Too soon, my bad," Korban answered, reluctantly pulling his paw away from Volcan. “Like I said, it's just been a long time since anyone's taken an interest in me like you have. Sure, I had the hots for Tsumé, still kinda do, but she's already spoken for, and I ain't a homewrecker."

Volcan nodded. “Good policy," he said, and his eyes briefly drifted over Korban, evidently still thinking back to when he'd considered an intimate night with the husky, but he was too shy to act on it and eventually tore his gaze away.

Korban caught wind of his hesitancy and rolled his eyes. “For someone who can bench press a support beam without so much as breaking a sweat, you are too fuckin' shy fer yer own good," he commented, scooting closer to Volcan and placing his hand on the phoenix's shoulder. “Look, I'm not saying we hook up or anything; like you said, too soon…" He let his hand stay there, sliding over to Volcan's neck and up to his cheek. “Buuut… there ain't anything stopping us from enjoying ourselves." He reminded Volcan.

Volcan raised gaze, meeting Korban's eyes for a short moment, feeling the same sensation he had felt that night when he'd wanted to give himself to the husky to escape the pain of his torment. This time though, it felt genuine… He wasn't trying to escape from a traumatic event.

Besides… He'd had this thought once already, even as he and Ordagova had admitted to the nature of their relationship. He was young yet… Young enough that a little experimentation wouldn't do any harm.

 “I… I suppose there isn't," he agreed with a slight shrug.

“Well, then what're you waiting for?" Korban asked, staying where he was and winking at Volcan invitingly.

Volcan hesitated only for another second before he sighed, deciding that all his reasons for reservation were gone anyway. “Ah, what the hell," and then he turned to Korban and reached for him, pulling him in tighter and pressing his beak to Korban's muzzle to kiss him, putting his strong arms around the smaller form of the canid.

Korban smirked, sliding his arms around Volcan once he was close enough to hold him, pressing his lips gently against Volcan's beak. He frowned slightly as he struggled to find that sweet spot, having never kissed an avian before, as such he kept adjusting to find that sweet spot, but he was having some trouble making a proper seal with his lips.

Volcan, seeming to sense that Korban was having difficulty, pulled back to speak to him. “First time kissing an avian?" he asked.

“Yea… Past partners generally have had lips," Korban admitted.

“Just keep to the tip," replied Volcan, “easier to form a seal where it's narrower. Try to take too much and you might end up with my face down your throat," he added humorously.

“That's an image I did not need in my head," Korban returned, chuckling before following his advice and just keeping to the tip of his beak.

Volcan met the kiss, welcoming it. Despite his earlier hesitation, he seemed to be drawn to the moment now, the intimacy snaring him and making him long for more as their tongues met. His hands explored Korban's form as they expressed themselves to one another, silently admiring the figure he cut. He was slim, but not too much so, and certainly well-defined. Volcan found he rather liked that…

It was the first time in a while that Volcan would be having such an exchange with someone other than Ordagova, and it seemed different to him to have such a moment with someone who wasn't a naga - someone who so easily took control. In this… Volcan felt like for once, he could be the one in charge…

Emboldened by how the husky seemed drawn to the phoenix's warmth, Volcan let his instincts drive him. Korban felt his hands sliding down to his legs, before cupping under his thighs and picking him up, startling the husky with how unexpectedly his feet left the floor - and maybe some surprise that Volcan was able to do it so easily. He knew the phoenix was strong… But it was still often surprising to know just how strong.

“Whoa, hehe." Korban remarked, breaking the kiss as he was lifted. “Had enough foreplay, have you?" he asked with a grin.

“Almost… But I think it's about time that for once in my life…" he said as Korban felt himself pressed against one of the frames of the windows, the phoenix looming before him. “Maybe it's about time I really cut loose. Especially now that I've got someone who can take it~."

“Ohohohooo…" Korban chuckled, feeling a tingle of excitement running up his spine as Volcan loomed over him, seeing that glint in his eyes. “Now you're really speaking my language…~" He said with a playful growl. “Gimme all you got, stud…"

Certainly needing no more encouragement, Volcan dove back in to kiss the husky again, letting Korban hang off him as his hands went to his trousers and started to remove them, doing likewise for Korban; it was a little trickier to get Korban's off from this angle, but he managed, cupping the canid's rump with his hands to lift him again but never breaking the kiss.

Korban kept moaning through his nose as they made out together, practically clinging onto the phoenix and gently clawing along the back of his head and neck so he could keep a proper grip on him, wiggling his hips to help Volcan undress him for the next part. As the phoenix grew more passionate, Korban couldn't help but notice he was also getting warmer, and equally more eager.

Now free of their trousers, Volcan put Korban against the wall again, and ground his hips against him, pulling back from the kiss only to gently bite his neck. The husky's eyes widened before he let out a passionate yelp from the bite, tilting his head to the side to further expose his neck so Volcan could attack it more effectively.

“F-Fucking…!" He groaned, quickly becoming aroused from the bite. “Gods, Flamie yer bein' a total savage right now~!"

Volcan pulled back from the bite, and to Korban's surprise, when the phoenix opened his eyes, they were glowing slightly. “I'm just getting started," he said.

(This part is censored in this version, to keep a mature setting)

“Aaah…" he groaned with delight as they reached the end of their exchange, supporting himself with his hands on the floor.

“Ffffffuuuuuck~" Korban moaned softly, slowly releasing Volcan and laying on his back, panting heavily and wearing a drunken smile on his face. “That… was… awesome…"

“I'll say," agreed Volcan, looking down at the husky warmly. “You doing okay there?" he checked, hoping he hadn't been too rough with Korban.

“Am I okay?" Korban asked, peeking his eyes open and grinning back at Volcan. “I'm on cloud fuckin' nine, my guy."

Volcan smiled. “Good… Glad you know you enjoyed that as much as I did," he said, pulling away to sit beside Korban. “Wow, what a night. First time I've been with anyone besides my ex since…" he frowned. “Nevermind; best not look back on that right now. Either way, that was great."

“Glad we agree on something," Korban said with a nod, gently leaning his head on Volcan's shoulder and sighing gently. “Been a long time since I had such a good time myself."

“Felt like it too," said Volcan, putting his arm and a wing around Korban and pulling him closer, sharing some of his warmth with him and letting Korban feel the surprisingly plush feathers of his wing.

“Big, warm and soft… You round out the whole package." Korban joked, glancing up at Volcan. “Ya might be able to capitalize on being a living heated blanket, ya know."

Volcan chuckled. “I get that sometimes," he said.

The two sat in silence for a time, basking in each other's company. Volcan thought that he may have dozed off for a few seconds, awoken only when Korban shifted slightly. He lifted his head and looked out the window to take in the skies outside, seeing only the faintest hint of light against the dark skies overhead. It was getting late.

“So, what's next for you then?" he asked, unsure if Korban had also fallen asleep as he had.

Korban opened his eyes at the question, looking down slightly in silence as he thought for an answer. “Well, I don't really have any other plans, and it's way beyond my hours of operation…" He listed off, then lifted his gaze up to look at Volcan. “And frankly, I'm not sure I wanna head home tonight. Yer just too warm and comfortable to pull away from." He added with a smile.

“I don't really have a big enough bed for two," Volcan advised, though his tone carried no hint that he wanted the husky to leave either. “Something else I'll have to correct soon, I suppose."

“Weeeeell, it's a good thing you came across a means to do so." Korban hinted at, shooting the phoenix a wink.

“True that… I ought to pick up a fresh paper tomorrow and look in the classifieds for anything of interest," said Volcan.

Korban's smile faded as the realization hit him—Volcan was living like it was a different era, long before modern technology took over. It hadn't crossed his mind until now, but there was no computer in sight, not even a basic laptop. And that cell phone? A Feather smartphone, clearly a gift from one of the twins, which Volcan probably barely knew how to use. As Korban glanced around the tower, the picture became clearer. The most valuable thing here seemed to be Volcan's guitar—an acoustic, of course. Then it struck him again: the stove wasn't gas or electric. It was wood-burning, of all things. Though, given where they were – and that gas was probably not a good thing for Volcan to rely on, that probably made sense.

'Shit, this guy needs some modernization,' he thought.

“I think you're too comfortable livin' in the boonies," Korban remarked with a shake of his head, incredulous at both how long it took him to realize this fact, and that it was a fact at all. “We live in the twenty-first century, my guy. The internet is a wonderful, sometimes scary, place to find what yer lookin' for," he added. “I should find you a decent enough computer so you can experience it for yourself."

“Save that for the new place," suggested Volcan. “If I'm going to move up from this old tower, I'll save all the new toys for when I'm moved in. A fresh start as it were."

“Fair enough," Korban agreed and then smirked. “Smart man, you are. Get the essentials first, then the hobbies… You might just survive in the real world after all."

“I try not to live beyond my means, and stick only to what I need," Volcan remarked.

“Again, smart man," Korban repeated, nudging Volcan's side with a smirk, then he let out a long yawn. “Whoof… guess I had a longer day than I imagined… I'm about ready to crash."

“I think I am too," agreed Volcan. With that, he rose to his feet carefully, and seeing Korban starting to get up, he offered him a hand to help him.

“My, what a gentleman." Korban teased, taking Volcan's hand and rising up to his feet as well. Korban's legs should've been shaky after what they had just been doing, but as usual his healing factor made up for it, chasing the numbness from his legs.

“But of course," the phoenix returned with a smile. “Well… My bed here isn't that big. But, I might know a way to make room, if you don't mind lying on a warm body?" he asked, clearly intending the question to be rhetorical.

“Did you really have to ask?" Korban asked, lightly jabbing Volcan's shoulder with his fist. “I think I made it abundantly clear I'd rather spend tonight all wrapped up in your warmth."

With a sigh, Volcan settled onto the narrow cot, carefully shifting to avoid crushing his wings. Korban couldn't help but stare—he'd been right. The bed was laughably small for someone as broad-shouldered as Volcan. His frame barely fit within its narrow confines, and his feet dangled off the edge, a testament to his height. How has he been living like this? Korban thought, incredulous. It wasn't just the size of the bed—it was the whole picture. Volcan, who could easily afford better, had somehow resigned himself to these cramped, uncomfortable quarters for far longer than Korban could fathom.

Once settled in, he waited for Korban to come join him, the husky smirking once again as he crawled on top of Volcan and rested his head on his chest, feeling the warmth radiating from his body, the softness of his feathers, and the toned figure he possessed. To make the matter better, Volcan laid his wings over top of Korban, giving both of them the warmest, softest blanket the husky had ever felt in his life.

“Fuck, I could stay here forever," he muttered. “But damn, man, you need a bigger bed, ya get me?"

“Yeah, I get it," Volcan agreed. “I will find something."

“You better… And ya better let me have the first tour of it when ya do," Korban replied.

“You're basically footing the bill – more than fair, I'd say," the phoenix replied with a smile, laying his head back on the pillow.

“Eh, don't think of it that way. Like I said, that money's yours," Korban replied, shutting his eyes and rubbing his cheek against Volcan's pectoral.

“Thank you," he heard Volcan whisper.

“Anytime, man," Korban returned as the pair drifted off into a restful sleep.