-o-

2

The next day, Neetrenaza had a difficult time keeping his mind on his work.

For one thing, Scouts-Many-Marshes was avoiding him. Whenever the two happened to make eye contact, Scouts-Many-Marshes would quickly look away. He didn't whistle or crack jokes. Even Stands-In-Shallows noticed that the young one was acting differently. He one recommended a dose of skooma to stave off the cold and lethargy.

Neetrenaza wanted to say something to Scouts-Many-Marshes, but the old one was always within earshot. The fact that Scouts-Many-Marshes was upset bothered him. Especially since it was his fault.

Well—not really, he reminded himself. Still, he was the only one who could fix the problem. And he wasn't sure how to do it.

He was sure that Scouts-Many-Marshes would remain his dearest friend regardless of what he decided. But the thought of hurting him was appalling to Neetrenaza. Scouts-Many-Marshes had put himself out there, to be sure. Rejecting him now would be beyond cruel.

And besides… Neetrenaza wasn't sure if he wanted to reject him. As he watched Scouts-Many-Marshes heave boxes and barrels along the dock, he couldn't help but notice how the muscles in his back strained against his shirt—how his dark scales flashed in the sun—how his tail swung tantalizingly from side to side. He remembered the feel of Scouts-Many-Marshes's smooth scaled hand on his cock…

Neetrenaza's daydreaming was interrupted by the arrival of an irritable-looking Torbjorn Shatter-Shield. The Nord walked along the dock without looking at any of his Argonian workers. He took light, quick steps as though he were afraid of dirtying his boots.

He exchanged a few short-tempered words with Captian Gjalund Salt-Sage. Then he turned to leave. Unfortunately, he did not check behind him before he whirled around. He crashed right into Scouts-Many-Marshes, who carried a barrel of salmon in his arms. The barrel fell to the dock, smashing Torbjorn's toe and spewing its fishy contents all down his front.

For a moment, no one moved.

Then Torbjorn's face contorted with rage. He picked up the barrel, flung it into the water, and turned on Scouts-Many-Marshes.

"You filthy creature," he spat. "So this is how you thank me for giving you a job, is it?"

Scouts-Many-Marshes was stunned. He took several startled steps backward and raised his hands in the air. "Sir, I am truly sorry. I assure you I meant no offense," he said in a clear, carrying voice.

But Torbjorn couldn't back down now. All of the Nords on the dock had seen what had happened. He'd been publicly humiliated. Now someone had to pay.

Neetrenaza's eyes narrowed. He picked up a crowbar.

"Please sir, calm down," Scouts-Many-Marshes pleaded. "It was an accident!"

But Torbjorn's face only darkened with fury in response. He drew his sword faster than Scouts-Many-Marshes could blink. "An accident, was it?" he snarled. "Well you're certainly going to squirm when I accidently run you through with my sword, aren't you, you disgusting lizard?"

He advanced on Scouts-Many-Marshes. The Argonian slipped and fell to the ground, where he gazed up at Torbjorn in sheer terror.

Before Neetrenaza knew what was happening, he was running at Torbjorn with his crowbar held high. He flung himself in front of Scouts-Many-Marshes just as Torbjorn brought his sword slashing down. The sword struck the crowbar in Neetrenaza's outstretched hands with a deafening clang.

The force of Torbjorn's deflected blow sent him stumbling backward. He slipped on a patch of ice and fell to the ground—hard. The back of his head hit the stone with a sickening crunching sound.

A moment of silence followed. Torbjorn didn't stir.

"Murder!" one of the guards screamed. "Murder! The lizards killed Torbjorn Shatter-Shield!"

Pandemonium broke out. All at once, every Nord on the dock was scrambling over boxes and barrels, trying to get at Scouts-Many-Marshes and Neetrenaza. "Kill them!" the guard screamed. "Kill the lizards!"

"Run!" Neetrenaza cried, grabbing Scouts-Many-Marshes by the arm and pulling him to his feet.

Acting on instinct, Neetrenaza dashed toward the water's edge with Scouts-Many-Marshes in tow. Arrows whizzed past them; one of them struck a barrel inches from Neetrenaza's head. He leaped over a row of crates, dragging his friend along with him.

Together, Neetrenaza and Scouts-Many-Marshes plunged into the icy river, trying to put as much distance between themselves and the Nords as possible. As the shouts faded and the light grew dim, the Argonians began to relax. The water was cold and refreshing. It cleared their heads as it rushed through their gills, supplying their brains with oxygen.

When they reached the bottom of the river, Neetrenaza turned to look at Scouts-Many-Marshes. Scouts-Many-Marshes was shaken, but otherwise unharmed. He smiled at Neetrenaza through the dim, murky water.

Neetrenaza smiled back at him. He reached up and pulled a piece of seaweed from Scouts-Many-Marshes's feathers. As he did so, Scouts-Many-Marshes caught his hand. He pressed it against his cheek and gazed into Neetrenaza's eyes.

Without really thinking about it, Neetrenaza leaned forward and kissed Scouts-Many-Marshes on the mouth. Though the water was cold, warmth flooded through him like sunshine. He reached up and took Scouts-Many-Marshes's face in his hands, reveling in the smoothness of his scales, tracing little circles upon his cheek with his thumb as their lips moved in sweet synchronization.

Though chaos rained in the world above the surface, at the bottom of the White River, Neetrenaza and Scouts-Many-Marshes found peace.

-o-

They knew it would be suicidal to return to Windhelm, so they swam several miles downstream before resurfacing in the icy wind.

"Where do you suppose we are?" Neetrenaza asked, looking around. Walls of trees lined both sides of the river. A thick blanket of snow covered the ground.

Scouts-Many-Marshes laughed. "The middle of nowhere."

They climbed out of the water. The cold had slowed them considerably. If they didn't find shelter soon, they'd be too cold to walk.

Scout-Many-Marshes scanned the landscape with a tight-lipped expression. At first he saw only trees and snow. Then he spotted a crumbling stone tower jutting from the hillside.

"There," he said, pointing to it.

Neetrenaza wasn't impressed. "It's just an old ruin."

"Yes, but it will be dry," Scouts-Many-Marshes said. "We will be able to build a fire out of the wind."

So they trekked up the hillside. It was a very slow journey. By the time they reached the ruin, Neetrenaza was certain that he was going to freeze to death.

The tower was crumbling, it was true, but the inside was dry, as Scouts-Many-Marshes had predicted. There was even a fire pit in the middle of the floor.

Neetrenaza stumbled outside to gather some firewood. Meanwhile, Scouts-Many-Marshes rummaged around until he found an old knapsack filled with blankets and matches.

Before long, they were warming their hands before a roaring fire. Scouts-Many-Marshes hung a blanket over the doorway with some leather strips he found in a chest. There was still a hole in the ceiling, but it was small enough that the room didn't get too drafty, so long as they kept the fire stoked.

Once they had thawed out, Neetrenaza turned to Scouts-Many-Marshes with a sheepish grin on his face. "I am sorry for getting us into this mess, egg-brother."

Scouts-Many-Marshes looked startled. Then he chuckled. "You saved my life. That is hardly something to apologize for."

The afternoon's events flashed before Neetrenaza's eyes and he was abruptly enraged. "That bastard," he hissed. "He was going to kill you just because he ran into you. Typical Nord. If he really is dead, I shall be well pleased."

"Stop," Scouts-Many-Marshes pleaded. He buried his face in his hands. "We will never be able to return," he whispered. "And the old one—what will become of him?"

Neetrenaza's anger faded. "He will be alright," he said bracingly. He knelt down and put a hand on Scouts-Many-Marshes's shoulder. "He did nothing wrong. I am sure no harm will come to him."

Scouts-Many-Marshes shook his head, a sad little smile spreading across his face. "Since when have the Nords been reasonable?" he snorted. "He will probably go to jail because of us."

The two sat in silence for a long moment. Neither of them liked to think of Stands-In-Shallows trapped in a freezing cold cell. He had done nothing to deserve imprisonment, but when it came to Argonians, the Nords' policy was to strike first and ask questions later.

"Damn them," Scouts-Many-Marshes suddenly snarled. He clenched his hands into fists. "Damn them! Damn those fucking Nords!"

Neetrenaza looked up at him in surprise. It was not like Scouts-Many-Marshes to lose his temper.

All at once, Scouts-Many-Marshes buried his face in his hands and slumped to the floor.

Neetrenaza stared at him. Poor Scouts-Many-Marshes. Always trying to keep his feelings in check. Never betraying the slightest hint of emotion.

Neetrenaza rubbed his friend's back in slow circles. "There now, egg-brother," he said softly. "It is alright to feel sad. Let it out." He leaned over and kissed his neck.

The feel of Neetrenaza's chapped lips on his neck made Scouts-Many-Marshes shiver. He sat up and looked into his bright green eyes. "I will," he whispered. Then he mashed his mouth to Neetrenaza's.

They kissed roughly, hungrily. Neetrenaza flung his arms around Scouts-Many-Marshes and flattened his body against his chest. When Scouts-Many-Marshes broke the kiss, gasping for breath, Neetrenaza lowered his head and buried his face in Scouts-Many-Marshes's neck, breathing deeply of the heavenly aroma that came off his scales. He peppered his wrinkly neck with kisses. Then he gave his chin an affectionate nibble.

Scouts-Many-Marshes hissed lightly. Warmth surged through his body; this was everything he'd ever fantasized about—everything he'd ever dreamed of. Unable to hold himself back any longer, he grabbed Neetrenaza's shirt and yanked it up over his head. Then he ran a hand over Neetrenaza's naked green chest. Neetrenaza's pectoral and abdominal muscles gleamed in the firelight.

"My, you are a handsome one," Scouts-Many-Marshes murmured, his eyes raking over his companion's fine figure.

"As are you," Neetrenaza replied. He buried his face in Scouts-Many-Marshes's neck again; he couldn't help himself. He felt safe and warm there. He wrapped his arms around his friend's lower back and nibbled his collarbone with his sharp little teeth.

For a moment they held each other that way. Then Scouts-Many-Marshes disentangled himself and pulled his shirt off. His muscles were just as defined as Neetrenaza's, but his scales were darker; therefore, each muscle had its own distinct little highlight. It made his body look very wet.

Neetrenaza ran his hands up Scouts-Many-Marshes's chest. The smell that came off his scales was so tantalizing that Neetrenaza couldn't help but wash his long, pale tongue over them.

The wetness and warmth of Neetrenaza's tongue did something to Scouts-Many-Marshes. He unbuttoned his trousers and pulled them off as fast as he could. His underwear came off next.

His erection was already bulging against the slit in his scales. He looked at Neetrenaza.

Without comment, Neetrenaza grinned and began to massage the area with two fingers. It rose into a hard, solid mound. Before long, Scouts-Many-Marshes's cock slid out from between the slippery folds. It was so hot that it steamed in the cool air.

Scouts-Many-Marshes was abruptly embarrassed. "It is not… as big as yours," he said, averting his eyes.

But Neetrenaza brushed him off. "It is amazing," he said softly, eyeing the gleaming wet member hungrily. The smell coming off of it was… delicious. He leaned over and lifted it onto his tongue, careful not to scratch it with his razor-sharp teeth.

Scouts-Many-Marshes threw back his head and groaned deeply. Neetrenaza moved his tongue from side to side all along his friend's shaft.

After a few minutes of this, Scouts-Many-Marshes pulled out his friend's mouth. "Remove your trousers," he said huskily.

Neetrenaza frowned. He had been enjoying himself very much. But he complied and stripped down. He was not surprised to see that his cock was already straining against the slit in his scales, begging for release.

Zeroing in on Neetrenaza's arousal, Scouts-Many-Marshes bent over and gave his friend's slit a long, wet lick. Neetrenaza groaned and his cock sprang free.

The two embraced, pressing their lengths together and wrapping their tails around one another. Precum oozed from Neetrenaza's tip and dribbled onto Scouts-Many-Marshes's shaft. Then several large drops came dribbling from Scouts-Many-Marshes's tip in turn. They fell onto Neetrenaza's thigh and dripped down to his knee.

"This is getting very wet, is it not?" Neetrenaza breathed into his friend's neck.

Scouts-Many-Marshes groaned and grabbed Neetrenaza's ass. Then he straddled his thigh and began to hump it. What started out as a few gentle thrusts quickly became a flurry of vibration. In response to the hard stimulation, Scouts-Many-Marshes's cock began to ooze in earnest. Each thrust sent his precum running down Neetrenaza's leg.

Neetrenaza groaned, savoring the warmth and wetness. He ran his hands through Scouts-Many-Marshes's feathers and kissed his shoulder. Scouts-Many-Marshes was humping him so hard that his teeth began to rattle.

"Ahhhhhh," Scouts-Many-Marshes suddenly hissed. He screwed his eyes shut and made a face. "I am going to cum soon."

Thanks to Scouts-Many-Marshes's lesson from the night before, Neetrenaza knew what this expression meant. Grinning, he disentangled himself. "Then let it be my turn," he said in a low, smooth voice. He grabbed Scouts-Many-Marshes by the shoulders and turned him around. "Kneel."

Scouts-Many-Marshes did as he was told, exposing his muscular backside and slender tail. The sight of his cock dangling between his legs nearly sent Neetrenaza over the edge. He bent over and ran his tongue over Scouts-Many-Marshes's shining backside. Then he grabbed his cock and milked it until precum dribbled to the floor.

Scouts-Many-Marshes's tail lashed back and forth. He could feel an orgasm coming on and he wanted to put it off as long as possible. "Not yet," he begged. "Please, not yet, my friend."

Neetrenaza grinned. He was so used to Scouts-Many-Marshes taking care of him. To hear him plead like a child was rather disconcerting. Neetrenaza found that he liked it very much.

He sat back on his heels and cocked his head to the side, admiring his friend's shapely backside. "Why don't you lie down on your back, egg-brother?" he suggested. "I have an idea."

Scouts-Many-Marshes didn't know what he had in mind, but he was willing to try just about anything. He turned around, eased back onto the cold stone floor, and spread his legs as wide as they would go. Neetrenaza bore down on him. The sight of Neetrenaza's member standing straight out, combined with the smug expression on his face, made Scouts-Many-Marshes groan and reach for him with his dark, long-fingered hands. He lifted his head ever so slightly; divining his wish, Neetrenaza bent over and kissed him on the lips. His cock brushed up against Scouts-Many-Marshes's. Pink and wet, the two members pulsated together as one.

Neetrenaza straightened up and straddled his friend's tail. Then he began to prod his entrance with the tip of his cock.

Scouts-Many-Marshes groaned as the hard little nub strained against his entrance, never breaking through, only dribbling hot liquid all over it. Just when it seemed that Neetrenaza was finally about to make the plunge, he pulled back and wiped his gooey shaft along the baby-smooth scales between Scouts-Many-Marshes's buttocks.

Scouts-Many-Marshes groaned deeply. His tail lashed back and forth, striking Neetrenaza's knees. "By the Hist, you are a tease," he moaned. "Fuck me, Neetrenaza!"

Neetrenaza leaned over and planted a kiss on Scouts-Many-Marshes's sticky neck. "Language, egg-brother. You are supposed to be the boring one, remember?" he whispered against his ear. His breath was hot and it smelled like cum. Scouts-Many-Marshes shivered.

Then, without warning, Neetrenaza plunged into Scout-Many-Marshes's body.

It was better than Scouts-Many-Marshes could have ever imagined. A hiss rattled through his teeth; they came together with a loud snap. It was true that he had penetrated himself with the end of his tail before, but this was so much different. Neetrenaza's cock stretched his entrance like deerskin on a tanning rack. It stung. But the pain only added to the eroticism, somehow; Scouts-Many-Marshes wrapped his arms around Neetrenaza and dug his sharp little nails into his back, eager to repay the favor.

In response, Neetrenaza sunk into him up to the hilt. The sensation was completely bewildering. It left him disoriented, but not disoriented enough to prevent him from thrusting, gently at first, then frantically. Each plunge into Scouts-Many-Marshes's body was as good as the first—hot as an oven and tight, not unlike the grip of Scouts-Many-Marshes's hand, but infinitely softer and smoother.

"Mmmmmhhhh," he breathed.

"You like that, hmmm, egg-brother?" Scouts-Many-Marshes said, reaching up and stroking Neetrenaza's gleaming cheek.

Neetrenaza tried to say yes, but it came out as nothing more than a muffled, "Mmf." He stared past Scouts-Many-Marshes with a very dopey expression on his face.

Seized with a sudden impulse, Scouts-Many-Marshes arced his tail around so that it was pointing directly between Neetrenaza's buttocks. "Relax," he admonished.

Then he pressed the tip of it into Neetrenaza's body.

Neetrenaza yowled and flung his head back. Unlike his egg-brother, he'd never had a tail up his ass before—or anything, for that matter. It was quite painful.

"Come," Scouts-Many-Marshes said, a mischievous smirk stealing across his face. "Give it to me, Neetrenaza. Do not stop."

Scouts-Many-Marshes looked so sexy with his chin tucked and his legs in the air that Neetrenaza complied with added zeal. He pumped in and out of Scouts-Many-Marshes as fast as he could, trying to forget the searing pain in his ass. To his surprise, however, the searing did not bother him for long. Scouts-Many-Marshes synchronized his thrusts with Neetrenaza's and the pain was swallowed up in the pleasure, causing it to swell in intensity, if anything.

Scouts-Many-Marshes alternated between thrusting and rotating his tail in tight little circles. He watched Neetrenaza's facial expression hungrily. The boy's eyes were screwed tightly closed in concentration. He looked so cute with his puckered lips and flared nostrils that Scouts-Many-Marshes suddenly felt himself tense up; his cock, which was pointing directly at Neetrenaza's chin, shot a copious amount of cloudy fluid into the air as he came spectacularly, his fingers and toes curling in and out, his breath coming in great shuddering gasps.

Neetrenaza's eyes popped open as a jet of hot, wet fluid struck his jaw. He looked down in surprise, his face dripping, and saw the vague, helpless look on Scouts-Many-Marshes's face.

After putting two-and-two together, Neetrenaza grinned and paused in his thrusting to bend over and lick the warm liquid from his companion's belly. Scouts-Many-Marshes let out a helpless whimper.

As Neetrenaza lapped at Scouts-Many-Marshes's slippery scales, the smell of the whitish fluid flooded his senses. It was quite intoxicating. Scouts-Many-Marshes's drooping member slumped against Neetrenaza's cheek, bathing it in heat and moisture, and that was all it took—

The burning sensation in Neetrenaza's cock swelled up inside him and burst, raging through his limbs, sucking and licking every nerve ending in his body like ever so many tongues of flame. He went completely rigid, throwing his tail out behind him, flinging his head back, and wrenching his jaws open to pierce the silence with a euphoric yell. He filled Scouts-Many-Marshes with ooey gooey wetness. It was hot on his member.

"Mmmm, yes, my egg-brother," Scouts-Many-Marshes crooned. "We are one now…"

Neetrenaza went completely limp. He slumped against Scouts-Many-Marshes and their bodies came together with a satisfying smack. For a moment Neetrenaza could only lie there, paralyzed with the potency of his release. Then he lifted his head and looked his friend in the eye.

Scouts-Many-Marshes grinned, his pointed teeth glinting in the firelight. He leaned forward and kissed his companion on the lips once, twice, a third time. They tasted like cum. "Feel better?" he asked.

Neetrenaza nodded. He couldn't seem to find his voice. So he buried his face in Scouts-Many-Marshes's neck and made a contented chirruping sound.

Scouts-Many-Marshes wrapped his arm around Neetrenaza's shoulders and pressed his cheek against his forehead. They held each other that way for a long time. The only sound was the snapping and crackling of the fire.

"I love you, Scouts-Many-Marshes," Neetrenaza murmured into his companion's neck.

Scouts-Many-Marshes inhaled deeply, his eyelids twitching. "We shall see if you feel the same way in the morning," he said. A sad little smile twisted his lips.

Neetrenaza pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. "No—I do," he said earnestly. "I—I think I always have. Ever since we were boys in Lilmoth."

Scouts-Many-Marshes regarded him seriously. Then a slow smile crept across his face. "Truly?"

Neetrenaza beamed at him. "Yes. I have been waiting for someone for a long time. Now I know that someone has always been you."

Scouts-Many-Marshes couldn't seem to stop smiling. Could this night possibly get any better? When he spoke, his voice was thick with emotion. "Well that is good, egg-brother. Because from here on out, it is the two of us against all of Skyrim."

"They do not stand a chance," Neetrenaza breathed. With all the tenderness in his young body, he leaned forward and kissed his egg-brother on the forehead.


A/N: Well, that certainly turned out fluffy. But I couldn't help it. I sort of fell in love with these two.

As always, I'd appreciate a review. Thanks for reading :)