That Makes More of Us (WoW Jaina x Thrall x Aggra x Anduin polycule story) (Excerpt - Opening Scene)

“Are you sure about this, auntie?” Anduin asked, fiddling with his lion mask as he walked the path down the hill toward the recently-rebuilt town of Southshore. 

Next to him, Jaina Proudmoore smiled beneath her purple-skinned night elf mask. The snowy/blond-haired woman laced her arm around his. “You have nothing to worry about, Anduin. The war is over, and Alliance and Horde put aside their petty squabbles during Hallow’s End anyway. You deserve a moment to relax and enjoy yourself.” 

He sighed. “You are probably right, as always. I suppose I should be less concerned with the most powerful archmage in the world here to safeguard me,” he said, causing Jaina to smile at that. “It just…doesn’t feel right to neglect my duties, even for an evening.”

“I know it all too well,” Jaina replied warmly, rubbing his shoulder. A group of Alliance children of various races ran by, all sporting different masks and giggling as they raced down the hill toward the town. She noticed one or two Horde children among them. Since the war had ended, such a thing was not unheard of during neutral celebrations, even if it was still a rarity. “But if you don’t take time for yourself once in a while, you will collapse under the weight of your responsibilities. Even kings need down-time.”

Anduin grinned. “Or archmages?” 

She playfully nudged the younger man. “Or archmages.” 

Beneath his lion mask, he had a suggestive glint in his eye, one Jaina had seen before. “I suppose I could arrange another massage if this particular archmage needs her own down-time.” 

“Anduin!” she gasped, blushing beneath her mask. The pleasurable mishap of that rather sordid massage she’d received from her darling “nephew” was still a fresh memory for her. One that she had touched herself to one or two occasions since. Leaning closer to him as they walked, she whispered, “if you tempt me, I might just take you up on the offer.” 

He winked. “And I might just be willing to oblige.” 

She had to admit that she liked that new side of Anduin that she had been exposed to as of late, even if the circumstances that had exposed her to it had been entirely by accident. As well as the mischievous machinations of Anduin’s lover. “I’m half expecting Taelia to have somehow arranged an even bigger naughty surprise for me when we get to Southshore. Speaking of which, where is she tonight?”

“She was not feeling well tonight. But she is cozy in Boralus right now with a bowl of broth and a fur blanket.”

Jaina frowned. “I feel guilty. She should be enjoying the evening with you tonight instead of me.”

“Nonsense, auntie,” he said warmly, wrapping his arm around her. “I had the same concern you did but encouraged me rather fiercely to go with you instead rather than miss out on the festivities. 

Jaina smiled, encouraged by that. “Well, I do know when that girl uses that tone of hers, there is no refusing her. You know the one.”

“I do,” Anduin grinned. “Besides, Hallow’s End is not a one-day celebration. She and I mayhaps can find time for ourselves once she is feeling better.”

“I swear, if she is not actually sick and has instead planted some sort of debauched trap for both of us to fall into while she watches from a tree, I am locking her in an ice cage.” Anduin and Taelia’s secret open relationship was known to Jaina by now, even as the obvious affection Anduin and the daughter of Bolvar had for each other was plain to see. 

“And I will throw away the key,” Anduin laughed. 

They reached Southshore town just as a barrage of orange fireworks went off over Baradin Bay in the distance, followed by a cheer from the many townsfolk. As Anduin and Jaina strolled through the town, they saw merchants and traders showing off their wares at stands lining the road. Most stands had various sweets and treats, toys for the children and masks. The inn was bustling with many adult townsfolk getting sloshed while the children were trick-or-treating from the townhouses. Many activities and games were arranged across town while the wicker man was being prepared in the town square for it to be set ablaze at the end of the celebrations.

A male draenei popped out in front of them wearing a Forsaken mask. “Boo and fear me, Alliance!” The elegant tenor to his voice gave away his obvious nature even if the hooves and tail did not. 

Anduin and Jaina feigned fright and shook their heads, laughing. They spent some time wandering the main road of Southshore, people-watching and enjoying each other’s company. Though folk would come up to them in an attempt to spook them with their masks, most ignored them. This was precisely how the king and the lord-admiral preferred it, however. For one night, they could find security behind their painted mask and simple clothing and not be the center of attention among their people. 

After wandering for some time, Anduin waded his way through the raucous crowd of the inn, a glass of wine in each hand. Jaina had seated herself on a bench in the square, her eyes lighting up when he approached. 

“Vintage from Dalaran, or so the barkeep tells me,” Anduin chuckled, handing her a glass. 

She smiled, accepting the glass. “I suppose I could just conjure some. But I do prefer acquiring it the normal way at times.” 

“To our much-needed down-time!” Anduin said. 

“I will toast to that.” Jaina smiled.

They clinked their glasses together, lifted their masks and took a sip. As they huddled close on the bench, Jaina took notice of a surprising sight across the square from them. Two masked orcs in masks, a male and a female, walked the square with two mugs in hand. The taller male had his arm around the shorter female as they walked, and for the first time Jaina’s heart began pounding in her chest when she realized how familiar they looked. The male was green-skinned and the mag’har orcess was copper-skinned. And once she saw the orcess’ familiar ponytail, it was unmistakable. 

“Anduin, look.” The archmage tapped him on the shoulder and pointed in the direction of the two orcs. When he saw what she was pointing at, his eyes lit up. 

“Is that…?”