SORRY! I take forever to upload, and I hate that in writers on here!
Jarrod sat the next morning and looking at the sloth that had so easily caught his eye. Sid was still sprawled on the ground, snoring loudly. He had to admit, that wasn't so attractive…but he wanted him. Why? He was small, weak, easily dominated…and so oblivious to the world around him that it was almost criminal! He needed a strong hand to guide him and love him and steer him in the right direction. Mainly in the direction that lead him towards Jarrod! Yet everywhere the sloth was, there was his 'mate', the saber tooth!
Diego! The thought of that name alone made Jarrod let out a low growl, which caused Sid to kick his legs and make an odd gurgling noise. Looking at the sight before him, Jarrod had to ask himself: "Do I really want him? Would I stay with him? Protect him? Love him?"
The answer was a rather simple, "No." He wanted to use him in a way, until he had no need to stay. He didn't want to kill him, of course. But that soft, vulnerable little body…the mere thought of what he could do sent shivers racing up his spine. He would have that sloth. What was stopping him? A little 'kitty cat'? That was a trivial matter to Jarrod.
Speaking of the little 'kitty cat', Diego came sauntering up to the circle and sent Jarrod a hard glare when he noticed that he was staring at Sid. Jarrod chose to ignore it, though he was thrilled to know that he was getting to the saber. Diego bent his head down and nuzzled Sid, keeping eye contact with Jarrod the entire time.
Jarrod may have felt a little bad about his plans to use Sid if it hadn't of been for Diego. Honestly, who was that carnivore trying to fool? It was a trick, to provide him with sex and a stable place in a herd. Jarrod applauded him on his prowess, but it didn't matter. Diego knew the playing field, obviously, and Sid…well, Sid was just Sid. If he was used and left, would he change? Jarrod didn't think Sid had the brains to feel that much pain in his heart. A little cold of him, he noted, but he still believed it to be true. All he needed was some alone time with that sloth…
Jarrod's opportunity came later when Diego went out in search of a meal. He wouldn't eat in front of Sid, trying to further prove his 'love'. Jarrod admired the cat's tact, and admired his own as he smoothly slid up to the sloth.
"Why, hello there." Jarrod practically purred out with a friendly smile.
"Oh, hey! How's it going? Are you liking the heard so far? We usually get some odd stares, but we're really pretty normal! Like I was telling this one girl I met the other day, she was a…oh what do you call them? They have fur…and teeth…" Sid started trying to illustrate what could be any creature, so Jarrod cut him off before he could continue on.
"I've been wanting to talk to you alone. You're so interesting, and it's so hard to talk when everybody is crowding around. You must be the highest member in your herd." This was delivered from a seemingly sincere look that Jarrod knew would make Sid take the bait.
"Well…not really? That'd be…Manny." Sid stated with a slight tone of dejection.
"Oh, so a second in command type? Still, impressive to say the least." Jarrod edged Sid on.
"Well…no, not that either. I guess if you'd give a rank, then I'd be…last." Sid was practically oozing depression and obviously needed a pick-me-up, which Jarrod so easily supplied. With a fake gasp, Jarrod put his acting skills to the test.
"But... but you, you provide the fire, the warmth that keeps them alive and together at night! You give stories that lift their spirits. Without you, they'd be lost, I'm sure!" Jarrod cooed to Sid and got as close as he dared without making it completely obvious what he was trying to do.
"Do…you really think so?" Sid ask, slightly surprised.
People didn't usually give him compliments or reassurance unless they knew him well, and even then, that was probably because they felt the need, not the want to. It wasn't hard to see that Sid, underneath all that talking, was self-conscious. He needed that attention, sometimes, the kind that even Diego didn't always give him. To know he was loved was one thing, but needed? If he died, what would the herd do? How long would it take before they forgot about him, found a replacement? How long would it be before Diego…Sid pushed the thoughts far from his mind with a grimace.
"Of course! You are, without a doubt, the most intriguing member of this odd group. You have made me feel more welcome than anyone else. I can see why the…saber is so taken with out." Jarrod moved just a bit closer, lowering his lids, trying to turn his charm up.
"Neither can I, honestly! I mean, look at me! I may talk a big game, but I know I'm not the best looking twig on the tree, okay? Sometimes, I just feel so…useless…" Sid let out a sigh of sadness. Jarrod was like a parasite, feeding off of it.
"When I look at you, I see somebody amazing. Somebody kind, loving, intelli…er…funny, and definitely attractive. Why, if Diego wasn't in the picture, I'd…well, I can barely bring myself to say it!" Jarrod turned his head away, faking a bashful look.
"Really? I mean, do you honestly believe that?" Sid asked, full of unsuspecting hope.
"Yes, I do. I only hope I find somebody half as good as you. You and Diego must be very happy together." Jarrod was hoping the sloth would reveal a clue of some sort, some weakness he could find.
"Yeah, most of the time we are. I just wish that he could be honest with me all the time, would tell me things like you just said more often! I never stop complementing him!" Which was true. Sid always found a way to let Diego know that he appreciated every little thing he did! He just wanted the same thing in return.
"If you were my mate," Jarrod paused for dramatic effect and dropped his voice lower, "I'd tell you every day how I loved you and how I wanted to spend the rest of eternity together."
Sid was quiet for a moment, staring at the wolf, all sorts of confusing emotions rushing through his head. He loved Diego, he really did! And he thought…no, he knew the Diego loved him back. But that didn't mean he didn't enjoy being complemented and lavished with good thoughts! With all that in mind, Sid could only think to ask:
"How long is an eternity?" Falling back perfectly into the role of Sid.
