1. Posh Moth

1 / POSH MOTH

Sage

I smoothed my emerald green hair back as I came to the door of Creature Cafe. Sweat dripped down my back and I regretted the fact that I’d opted to walk instead of driving. Then again, fighting for a parking spot in the campus area gave me anxiety, so maybe walking through the unbearable heat was worth it.

Nothing like showing up to a first date as a sweaty mess, right?

I stepped inside, sending up a silent thanks for the cool air that greeted me. It was hopping inside, the chatter dialed up louder than usual.

Why am I doing this again?

I’d gotten a voicemail earlier this week from a number I didn’t know. Luckily, I’d recognized Layla’s name, and knew she was Luca’s twin sister. I’d met Luca at a thrift shop speed date event downtown last year, and we’d hit it off as friends and nothing more.

The voicemail had gone something like— Hi, I’m Layla, and I just wanted to call because…Okay, so this might sound weird but I think I know who your soulmate is? Fuck, I probably shouldn’t say it like that. Anyway he’s a posh mothman. I think he’s the one. So, come to Creature Cafe at 10 A.M. on Friday and you’ll meet your fate. Oh gods, that sounds terrible.

It would have sounded very ominous except for the sheer panic and stress I’d heard in Layla’s voice.

Monsters were nothing new to me. I’d known about them since I figured out my third grade science teacher was a werewolf. I felt very triumphant at the time because I’d thought I was seeing things. Twenty years later, I’d integrated into a world that most people weren’t even aware of.

And even if it was disgustingly hot out and the voicemail was a little strange, I was too curious about what a first date with a mothman would be like.

I spotted Luca at the counter as a couple stepped to the side. He raised a brow as I approached.

“My sister roped you in, I see,” he said. He raked his fingers through his dark hair and I fought the urge to sigh. I remembered him telling me one of his parents was the devil, and I certainly believed that.

“She did,” I snorted. “I’m glad I remembered she was your sister, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. Also, you are far too handsome to be my friend.”

He smirked. “Too bad. Go back to the last booth and I’ll bring your coffee.”

“Is he here already?”

Luca shrugged, which meant he wasn’t going to say, and I shot him a dirty look before heading to the back of the cafe. I didn’t feel anxious about the date. I’d been on enough dates in the last two years for an entire lifetime, and none of them had worked out. There was always something that came up.

I slowed as I came to the final booth.

Wow.

The mothman was hot.

In a cute dapper monster way.

He looked up at me, his eyes a dark red. I imagined that they probably glowed at night. Long antenna ended in gray fluffy plumes above his head, his entire body covered in a fine mottled gray and black fur. He wore a bespoke suit—but that wasn’t what stood out to me. It was the fact that he was wearing a bow tie with lamps on it.

I was a goner.

He immediately slid out of the booth and rose before me. My head craned back as I took in all seven feet of his figure.

Okay, the mothman was super fucking hot.

“Are you my date?” he asked.

“I am,” I said.

“Then I am very lucky,” he said, offering his hand.

I slid my palm against his, my heart pounding as he kissed my knuckles gently, his fur soft against my skin.

“I’m Fitz.”

“I’m Sage,” I said.

“What a lovely name,” he purred. “Gardening is one of my hobbies and I have a box of sage that grows on my cottage windowsill.”

What the hell did I say to that? “That’s beautiful,” I said.

He was still holding onto my hand.

A voice cleared their throat behind us and I turned around. Luca was standing there holding a tray with two coffees and a couple of blueberry scones.

Fitz released my hand with a chuckle. “Thank you, Luca.”

I slid into the booth and Fitz sat across from me.

“Here’s your breakfast tea,” Luca said, setting a cup down in front of Fitz. “As for your coffee, I made you a cold brew with pumpkin cream. And here are the scones. Let me know if you need anything else.”

He left us quickly. I blew out a breath and reached for my cold brew, excitement rolling through me. It didn’t matter what time of the year it was, a pumpkin cream cold brew was always my go-to.

Now, it was time for my spiel that would either make or break the date.

“Alright, let me tell you about me,” I said. “I’m thirty-two. I’m nonbinary and prefer they/them pronouns, although if someone uses ‘she’, it’s okay. I’m a game designer and usually work Monday through Thursday. I’m not a dog person, I hate the beach, and I despise peanut butter. I’m really more of a nocturnal person and like working through the night and sleeping during the day. The sun is my number one enemy.”

I leaned back. Fitz cocked his head and while his face was not like a human’s, I could still tell he was grinning. “Got it,” he said. “I do have to say, the peanut butter thing is quite peculiar. I thought that it was universally beloved.”

I laughed. “It is not.”

“Well, I suppose it’s my turn. I’m over one hundred years old, quite young in monster years given that most of our lifetimes are incredibly long. My pronouns are he/him. I am a detective and work cases connected to the monster world. I have a special interest in vintage clothing, as you might notice, and will talk about the history of fashion for hours if I go unchecked. I have a cottage in England where I live. I collect art. I am not a fan of the beach either because the sand on my wings is quite upsetting. I do love dogs, but prefer cats, and I enjoy peanut butter. Oh, and I too am mostly nocturnal, being a mothman and all. The sun hurts my eyes.”

“Oh,” I said. “We could have met in the evening. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I am. I have special lenses on right now to help.”

I nodded. I could listen to him talk all day long. “Already, I think you’re way cooler than I am.”

“Nonsense,” he chuckled. “You are absolutely fascinating.”

I finally relaxed. “What…what other things do you like?” I asked, wanting to know more.

“What do you mean?”

Was I going to be blunt and just say it? I hesitated for a moment, and then decided—screw it. I was on a date with a mothman. Might as well ask him what he likes to do in the bedroom, right?

“I enjoy BDSM,” I said.

“Oh.” He smiled and cocked his head, one of his antenna twitching. “As do I. I’m a pleasure Dom.”

I raised a brow. “You know, I’ve heard plenty of guys say that and not know what it means.”

He let out a soft hum. “That is tragic for them. However, I assure you, I know what I am talking about. I’ve spent many years learning the art of pleasure, and my tongue and cock certainly help.”

Well, then. Heat crept over my cheeks, my heart pounding faster. “Oh,” I whispered.

“I enjoy breath play, giving praise, wax play. Making someone cry because they feel so good.” He lowered his voice until it was soft and lilting.

I squeezed my thighs together. It just so happened I enjoyed all of those things too. “I see,” I rasped.

“Now it’s your turn,” he said.

Fuck. I let out a soft, slightly panicked, giggle and looked away for a moment, trying to compose myself. “Okay, so, I enjoy all of those things. And with the right person, someone I can trust, I enjoy being submissive.” What I didn’t say was the idea of him making me cry while pleasing me definitely turned me on.

“Hmm. I have a forward proposal then, seeing as I leave town early next week. Are you busy this weekend?”

“I’m not,” I said.

“I rented a house outside of the city. It’s peaceful and there’s plenty of space if you’d enjoy exploring our mutual interests.”

The way to lure me into a big white van was apparently offering me sexy times with a mothman, because I was in. Eagerly. One, it had been way too long since I’d gotten laid. Two, I’d always wanted to fuck a monster. I was ready to make that lusty fantasy come true.

“If you ax murder me, I will haunt you,” I warned.

He made a chortling sound, which was possibly the strangest laugh I’d ever heard, but it made me snort in turn.

“So is that a yes?”

I grinned. “An enthusiastic one.”

“Wonderful. Let us make our plans then.”