Catching Up With their 'Friend'

Later that evening, Cordain entered the cozy tavern on the outskirts of the city, tucked away from the chaos of the army barracks. There, he found Illyana and Pell in a state of revelry. Their faces were flushed with drink, laughter and flirting spilling freely from their lips as they clinked glasses, their hands already all over each other, and the world outside forgotten for the moment. Pell greeted him with a loud cheer, his arm draped casually around Illyana's shoulders as he pulled him into a hug.

"Come on, Cordain! The party's just getting started!" Pell's grin was infectious, but Cordain's eyes quickly shifted to Illyana, who giggled at his obvious concern.

"Now what have you two been up to while the old man talked me into the ground?" he teased, though there was an edge of curiosity to his voice.

"Oh, you know," Illyana drawled, her cheeks flushed, "just catching up, having a few laughs. Pell here is still as charming as ever." Her gaze flickered toward Pell, a silent invitation hanging in the air between them. Cordain caught it and felt a stirring of excitement and apprehension.

"Only because such a gorgeous woman like you is the one listening." Pell winked, squeezing her shoulder affectionately.

Cordain raised an eyebrow but smiled. "I can see the drinks have already loosened your tongues. Well, don't let me stop you." He sat down across from them, the heat of their easy camaraderie warming him from the inside.

While catching up on what they'd been up to since arriving in the city, Pell mentioned he ran into his ex-girlfriend of over a year. After getting dumped by her a few months prior, he's had no luck finding another partner.

"Aw, I'm sorry to hear that Pell. She doesn't know what she's missing," Illyana sympathized.

"Well, that's just the way it is. I just want to settle down with a nice girl who I can treat like a queen, have a quiet life, and raise a few children. Is that so much to ask for a man?" Pell asked, a hint of genuine sadness in his voice.

"No, I don't think so. It's the least a good man deserves." Illyana reached over and squeezed his hand.

"Pell you're like what, twenty? You still have plenty of time to find a girl, to have some fun. Don't you think Illy?" Cordain chimed in.

Noticing he was bringing the mood down, Pell regained his cheerful demeanor and chuckled. "I guess. You're right, I've got plenty of time to find a nice girl."

"Are you saying I'm not a nice girl? I'm right here you know!" Illyana feigned offense but she was also flirting back.

"Ah! You're too much of a catch for a guy like me. But I do admire your boyfriend for being able to handle you." Pell joked.

"You say that but you were 'handling' my girlfriend just before I got here." Cordain winked and leaned back in his chair.

"Hey now, that's not fair." Illyana giggled.

"Oh? Was I not supposed to notice the way you were looking at him when I walked in? Or the way Pell had his hands all over you? I have eyes, you know." Cordain leaned in, his voice dropping to a low rumble.

Illyana bit her lip, her eyes darting between Cordain and Pell. "Well... we were just having some fun."

"Mmm, I see." Cordain's hand slid under the table, resting on her thigh. "And how much fun were you having?"

She gasped as his fingers traced lazy circles on her skin, inching higher. "Not... not that much..."

"Liar." He chuckled, his breath hot on her ear. "You're already wet, aren't you? Thinking about what you and Pell would've done if I hadn't shown up?"

Pell watched them with a mixture of shock and arousal, his cock stirring in his pants. He couldn't believe how bold Cordain was being, how openly he was encouraging Illyana. And how eagerly she was responding. It was like a dream come true.

"M-maybe a little..." She admitted, her voice barely audible.

"What were you thinking?" Cordain whispered, his hand slipping between her thighs, feeling her heat through her panties.

She moaned softly, her head falling back as he rubbed her. "I... I was thinking about last time... And how he did it between my thighs... And how maybe this time he'd want more. And how I might let him..." She trailed off, her hips rolling against his touch.

Cordain's cock twitched in his pants, his blood rushing. "Is that what you want? For Pell to fuck you?" He asked, his tone teasing but serious.

She opened her eyes and looked at him, her gaze hazy with desire. "Maybe... I don't know... Maybe that's too much?" She wanted him to be okay with it, but she was afraid of crossing a line.

He kissed her cheek, his fingers hooking her panties and pulling them aside. "It's up to you, Illy. If you want him, I'm okay with it. Just tell me."

She bit her lip again, her heart pounding. She looked over at Pell, who was staring at her with lustful eyes, his hand rubbing his bulge. He looked so handsome, so confident, so... right. And Cordain was right there, giving her his blessing. She felt a rush of gratitude and love for him, for letting her explore her sexuality without judgment.

"Why don't we get a room upstairs and see where the night takes us? At the lady's pace?" Pell suggested, his voice low and inviting.

Illyana nodded, unable to form words. Cordain and Pell each took one hand and led her out of the tavern and up the stairs.