This chapter got VERY out of hand and I had nowhere to split it so... Enjoy this nearly 7k word chapter, it probably won't happen again. 😂
(I also changed my paragraph style - Please tell me if you have any preference between how the last chapter paragraphs were split and how this one is.)
For the first day in weeks, sunlight parted the clouds. Freshly fallen snow painted every surface, thick and solid despite its wet shimmer. The air hadn't warmed nor did the cold wind abate, remaining frigid regardless of the sun's bright beams. But that did nothing to deter the wolf prowling about the perimeters of his prey's territory, slinking behind trees and rocks, just out of scent's reach. The fox he watched for had yet to leave his den, still sleeping the morning away as if he'd fallen into faux hibernation. Canidae didn't slumber for the entirety of winter, nor did humans, but it seemed that this particular hybrid did.
Obsidian paws sank into the bitterly cold ground with muted crunches, snow breaking beneath his step and polishing his claws with the slick shine the sludge formed. The pads of his paws, while lightly calloused and cushioned, were warm enough to melt thin layers of ice upon meeting them, heat radiating from his body in comfortable waves. As both a wolf and an alpha, he produced more than enough body heat to survive the most biting days without a flinch or shiver, a fact he planned to flaunt should his possible suitor plan to grace him with his presence at any point today.
He would be patient though, he would sit upon the rock he perched on all day if that's what it took for a chance to approach the tod - or Ciel, as he called himself. "Ah, precious vixen, I shall court you until you become as infatuated with me as I have of you, that I swear," Sebastian mused aloud, bones popping and twisting into new yet familiar shapes as majority of his hide receded and his paws melded into fingers and toes. A sharp jaw and elegant nose replaced his onyx snout and the leather-like skin making up his nostrils. However, his excitedly wagging tail and enthusiastically tilted ears remained. Long, muscular legs crossed at the knees whilst he leaned forward to prop his elbow atop his thigh, smirking mouth pressed against a curled fist. His bare calves brushed the edge of the large rock he sat on, overlooking the woods with a quiet hum reverberating from his throat, the tune of a song that his mother had taught him when he was a mere pup. In his opinion, the song was more appropriately sang from the echoing howls of a wolf.
The alpha assumed that he would be waiting for several more hours. Though he was an early riser and a light sleeper, the sky had just now faded from dawn's fiery kiss of red and orange to a calming gradient of blues, marking a semi-normal rising time for the forest's creatures.
With the range of cerulean to sapphire reigning in the skies, the omega retreated from his burrow with a grumpy, lidded-stare and a fang-filled yawn.
Sebastian barely managed to muffle a chortle at the sight; Fully nude save for the short loincloth hiding his most intimate parts, much like the one he himself adorned, and the drape of dust coloured fur swathed around his back in a cape-like fashion, the slate omega looked ready to murder the first thing that came into view, rendering whatever poor, unfortunate creature wandered his grasp limb from limb. If his sharp gaze was anything to go by, he had every intention to and was very capable of doing so.
Stretching out limber arms of a fair milky citrine, his intended gathered a stone-carved bowl from beside the ashes of his previously burning fire and raised it to his lips with a tentative sniff to check for poisons before taking a small sip. His eyes slowly began to blink open without heaviness and the alpha crooned.
He would give him a moment of privacy to carry out his morning ritual before approaching him, he decided, quietly hopping from the stony hill with a bounce in his step. It was time for the courting to begin.
Down below, nimble fingers, no longer clumsy from sleep, were combing through the matted locks of silvery-blue in slow brushes, plucking twigs and pine straw from his silky locks in the reflection of a puddle - the sole patch of water residing due to the embers caressing it for most of night before dying out upon the sun's rising. Deeming it well enough, tangles now missing from mess it had become during his slumber, Ciel raised from his crouch by the water, soft tail flicking contentedly as he pulled forth a knife and tucked it into the holster residing upon the leather strap securing what little clothing he wore. Popping a blackberry in his mouth from the tiny leather bag near his den's entrance, the hybrid turned to begin his trek into the deeper sections of the woods.
Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to approach, Sebastian emerged from the clearing in which he'd hid behind, hip cocked and head tilted, inky tail wagging curiously whilst a small smirk spread across his cherry lips. "Why hello there, vixen~. How are you this fine morning?"
With a spooked jolt, lapis and moonstone eyes shot up to the one possessing the voice in which he'd been startled by, fangs bared in a warning snarl at the eminent danger. His tail, while originally draped to tuck betwixt his thighs, now twitched in irritation, growl receding to be replaced by an agitated curl of the lips. "What are you doing here?"
The wolf practically chirred, not at all put off by the boy's disinterest in his company. Why should he be offended when he could clearly see the painting of raspberry spiraling across those lovely cheeks? Perhaps he wasn't thrilled to be in his presence, but regardless of his thoughts, his body was reacting as he had expected. "Is that anyway to treat a man who has come to invite you on a hunt? You did agree to join me sometime, you know?" Upon catching the tail end of an impending growl, Sebastian hummed his confusion. 'Perhaps blatant teasing and seduction isn't the way to this omega's heart,' Sebastian mused to himself, dark eyes narrowing in a scrutinizing fashion. Sincerity then? "I shall ask again, as it was rather late last night... Lovely little fox, I humbly ask if you would do me the great honor of joining me on a hunt?" His devious smirk melted into a small smile and all Ciel could do was sigh at the forced restraint his current annoyance spoke with.
With a groan, he realized that he could only blame himself. He had agreed, hoping his dismissal would lead the wolf to find another prospective mate, but no, of course he would continue to pursue him; wolves are stubborn creatures. But the man was unrelenting and irritating, refusing to leave until he'd complied with his childish demands. Truly, this hybrid had either never heard the word 'No' before or just didn't care for it! "Fine. But stop it with this overly sweet nonsense you're trying to pull, it's revolting."
As he slunk forward unhappily and pulled his cloak to the side to pluck a twig from its hem, Ciel unintentionally provided the show of the century to the wolf following eagerly, his bare ass left in full view when his tail swished to the left. Sebastian drank it in, unable to stop a purr from forming as his curiosity grew. But, despite his vivacious joy at seeing almost all of this beauty's nude form within a day of officially meeting, Sebastian averted his eyes in a show of respect. The action saved him from frightening the omega as well, as his scent would have undoubtedly spiked into a spiced mess of arousal had he stared any longer. He was such a small creature, and small creatures were often easy to overpower for the sake of one's lust; He had no desire to lead Ciel to believe that he planned to do such things. For while he was an alpha, a wolf at that, he didn't want to harm the one he wished to woo. "You said your name is Sebastian, correct?" Ciel asked suddenly, halting said man in his place.
Sebastian didn't expect him to speak to him, much less without reason; A wave of excitement blossomed in his chest, a feeling so very foreign to the lone wolf. "Yes, that would be me."
"Well, Sebastian, do tell why exactly you want to court me. I have never seen nor smelt your presence until last night, so why are you so interested in me? Have you been stalking me?" He planned to state the fact that it was foolish to choose another species when surely there were more wolf-hybrids to be found, but taking into account his own predicament, he chose to keep his lips sealed. He was the last of his kind, for all he knew, Sebastian could be too. Trailing off, he caught a source of movement from his peripheral vision, stilling when the unknown creature flashed within his sights once more. With a deep inhale, the boy's perceptive eyes narrowed dangerously, a low noise hummed from his throat as he glanced over his shoulder at his hunting partner. "Something is nearby."
Sebastian nodded, having sensed it and taken to silently tracking it with his eyes. "Indeed, possibly a hare." Rather than continuing to follow the scent of the fox's unfortunate prey, he settled his sights on his own.
Dumortierite ears tipped back in focus, tail twitching softly as he breathed in deeply. "This way," He whispered, taking a careful step to the left, avoiding the dead leaves in his path that would without a doubt crunch beneath his toes.
Sebastian followed suit, smiling at the gentle twitch of Ciel's nose, watching it scrunch up in confusion when twining aromas filled his senses. The wolf's head jerked up, eyes flying away from where they were mesmerized by the white-tipped tail that had gone dead still. "That's not just a hare," Sebastian noted, noticing the tiny white being scurrying off behind them. The hare was gone, but what did it leave in its wake?
Watching the umber limb of a young pine tilt to the left beneath the pressure pushing up from below it, a charcoal hoof came into view, bringing with it a thin mud-hued leg, the thick fur bearing a fine dusting of snow. "An elk," Ciel mused, inhaling with a pleased sigh. It had been months since he'd found prey so large. "Care to test your skills or would you prefer to watch?" While the tod's words were spoken with a teasing lilt, his eyes lit up in challenge. Though a challenge of his capabilities or willingness to work together, the wolf was unsure.
Sebastian, of course, accepted. He would prove to this omega that he was willing to provide and defend. "Shall I bring up the rear or would you prefer that I focus on yours instead?" He trilled, unable to restrain himself from the flirting that would have surely gotten him punched in the face had he not dodged the vulpine's lunge fast enough.
"You idiotic mutt! I don't know why I'm dealing with you," Ciel said, his tone hardly suited to their need for stealth. A growl echoed in his throat while a blush on his cheeks; All Sebastian could do was grin. "Follow me, dog, and don't mess this up," The smaller male hissed, sauntering passed the wolf to get a closer view at the larger animal.
Eyes of cerulean and helleborus gauged the cervus' movement closely, watching its large snout brush aside leaves and snow in a futile attempt at scouting out the winter berries smushed beneath. Gesturing Sebastian closer with a wave of his hand, he pointed to their meal with a steady hand. He had no fear of the creature significantly more powerful than either of them, a fact that the alpha found most shocking and enticing.
The fox was proud and determined, unwilling to back down from the thrill of the hunt and all the wolf could do was follow him like a lovestruck fool. As the smoky locks glided over the back of Ciel's nape when he leaned to peek around the tree separating them from the hooved-beast, Sebastian inhaled keenly, enthralled by the languid way it dragged across the boy's moonlit skin. Though he was meant to be focusing on their mutual prey, he couldn't seem to tear his hungry gaze from the lovely being whom he intended to impress with his hunting skills.
He didn't protest to the derogatory name he was give, in fact, he was proud of it; He was not only being addressed, but given a pet name as well, that must mean he was gaining favor. After all, dear friends and lovers are often the sole people to receive an affectionate title!
He was pulled from his thoughts whenever Ciel spoke, eyes no longed locked on the elk's chipping antlers. "How about this? I could go in on the left side - they have a blind spot there small enough for me to hide in if I shift. You can go in from the back on its right side and we can trap it between us. If we attack at the same time, we should be able to bring it down. With all the trees so close together on the right and us surrounding its hind and left, it would only be able to escape to the front. Considering that there is nothing but an icy lake ahead of it, and its feet could never find purchase with it being so slick, it won't try to go that way."
Remaining silent, he rolled the plan of attack over in his mind, approving greatly of the fox's well-thought out strategy. "Yes, that should work perfectly, and if we go for the neck, we shouldn't have to worry about it escaping. Would you like to do the honors?"
Witnessing the wolf's neutral smirk shift into one of self-amusement, Ciel frowned and stomped behind the other side of the wide trunk.
A thick, sandy brown cloak smacked Sebastian head-on seconds later alongside a significantly smaller strip of white pelage that heavily bore the omega's sugar-sweet scent. His aroma was that of spring; Flowers and rain, pears and honey. That's when his finger slid across the thin woven vine connected to the edges to keep it securely in place. The rabbit pelt he wore to keep his modesty from the the view of other wandering creatures. With a deep, rumbling thrum, Sebastian couldn't bring himself to drop it; Instead, he brought it to his face beside the cape, breathing in the musky scent with lidded eyes. The little thing must have scent glands in his thighs. Absolute perfection... A rabid growl had him dropping the apparel in an instant, ignoring the puddle it fell into while his smile faded and his head jerked down to the source of noise.
Their body heat must have melted the mound of snow they stood upon as the temperature surely remained at its steadily declining rate.
Glistening fangs were bared in warning and Ciel's sable claws scratched aggressively at the ice beneath their feet, proving that he was by no means playing around.
Having been so thoroughly distracted, it seemed to slip his mind that the other hybrid had disappeared to shift into his full animal form.
Rubbing the back of his neck nervously, an emotion Sebastian was positive he'd felt only once before in his lifetime, he bowed his head in apology as cherry rose to his cheeks, unable to derive much enjoyment from the muted threat he received. He'd never done anything like that before and was unsure of how to respond to being caught doing so by the very being he courted. If he was doing such things out of instinct alone now, he was already in too deep to turn tail and find a more willing, though significantly less appealing, omega. He wanted Ciel before, but he was positively ravenous for him now. The tod was slowly driving all rational sense from his mind in favour of more possessive and lustful thoughts. But the magma smoldering in his intended's eyes didn't bode well for him. He would have to repent, grovel on the very ground the omega stood, and plea for his forgiveness. Even if he did manage to convince Ciel to let him mount him in the end, he would have to be careful to keep himself in-line in the mean time. That just had to happen when he was trying to gain the omega's trust... Damn it all!
"Ciel, I'm so sorry for that... I assure you it wasn't on purpose and it won't happen again," Sebastian promised, hesitantly meeting the fiery, mismatched eyes narrowed on his form with a venomous glare. In an attempt to ease the quick-tempered boy, his tone bled into one of polite reverence rather than flirtation. It was unnatural to say the least, to speak with pure intention and a lack of sarcasm or jibes, but it was necessary. By some miracle, the words felt smooth and unforced when they flowed from his lips like a graceful lullaby. He found that despite his reluctance in surrendering his pride and metaphorically bearing his throat to the pissed off fox, he meant every word he said. "Ah... If I may say so, your form is the most bewitching I've ever laid eyes on. I have seen red foxes in the past as well as a few grey ones, but I have never laid eyes on one of your colouring. And with such fine claws, I'm sure you make a divine hunter. I'm keen to see what they can do if we may put this behind us for the time being? I swear to you that I won't dishonor you in such a way again."
The rage in Ciel's expression dimmed a fraction, lip dropping to mask his fangs while his eyes returned to a neutral stare. His tail still swished in agitation, though he swore he could hear a faint croon whined from his throat in response to the compliment.
Or perhaps it wasn't the flattery he appreciated, but the sight of the wolf blushing and stammering out quick witted apologies for his forgiveness; To see all self-satisfaction replaced by the same embarassment the man's constant suggestive comments made him feel.
A short series of hushed yips were ushered from the animal's throat, sounds Sebastian assumed were the natural language of his kind. As a wolf, he possessed a differing mother tongue and was unable to fully understand the pattern of growls and yowls Ciel made, but luckily, he was able to piece together some semblance of what he wanted by his lingering stare towards their grazing prey and the thin pink tongue swiping across his teeth. "Just give me a moment and we shall take position."
He had no qualms about Ciel seeing him as he was, he was unashamed and far from shy about exposing his body to a potential suitor, but after his last stunt, he felt that it would be best to falsify some sense of proprietary for the other's sake.
Slinking behind the tree Ciel previously occupied he eagerly shed his coverings and draped them from a low hanging branch, catching his prey's disgruntled groan as he dragged his soaked cloak from where it laid in the slush. Managing to brush his fingers over the soft beige pelt without stepping from behind the pine, he gave a faint tug to encourage the fox to drop the drenched fabric, chuckling at how put out the smaller animal looked when he draped it over a higher tree limb aside his own. "Don't worry, it will dry once it's near the fire later."
The clicking and shifting of bones and the audible rustling of fur had the omega's ears perking up in utmost curiousity, sleek tail twitching with interest when a coat of vantablack filled his vision. Sebastian was antagonizing at best when in his human form; He didn't seem to know when to stop talking. It was something Ciel found hard to ignore when being woken from his slumber by an alpha simply because he had nocturnal tendencies and couldn't approach, in a less offputting way, during the day.
But he was beautiful nonetheless. Made up of lean muscles, long legs, midnight locks, a tantalizing gaze, and strangely alluring fingers. He was reluctant to admit it, but as infuriating as they were, the wolf's jibes and attempts at persuading him to give him a chance were beginning to grow on him. In this body, he found that the man lost none of his charming appearance despite his massive claws and intimidating fangs-much larger than the ones he bore in the form he previously possessed. 'His paws are rather large,' He mused to himself, tilting his head as he appraised the other.
He was a fine specimen whether covered in thick fell or a fine layer of downy hairs across velvety skin. Both of his physiques were a fair bit larger than his own, but he seemed docile enough for the time being for him to relax in his prescence, though he was always prepared to defend himself should the canis turn on him in hopes of a quick meal rather than courting a prospective mate. His handsomeness didn't mean he was going to go easy on him though. If he wanted a shot, he would have to give him a damn good reason to allow him one.
Sebastian peered down at Ciel inquisitively when the fox's gaze become locked on his tail, wagging it placidly to both delight him further and regain his attention, preferably on his face this time.
The elk was moving further away and if they wasted anymore time, as loathe as he was to admit it a waste when it could earn him favour, it would be difficult to catch should they let it slip from the enclosed area it had cornered itself in.
Effectively snapped back from his spellbound state, Ciel huffed vaguely, offering a final glance to Sebastian's cranberry eyes before skulking away from the wooden barrier residing betwixt the pair and their dinner.
His footfalls were close to silent when he stepped atop the frozen ground ahead of him, no crunching of snow to be heard as the balanced atop it with delicate paws. Unlike in his human form, he was stealthy enough to lurk unnoticed alongside the horned beast, halting beside its left flank whilst watching Sebastian beneath it's abdomen.
The wolf crept toward it slowly, looking the part of the dangerous predator he was as he closed in on it with sanguine eyes dark with sharp focus and uninhibited deadly intent. As he came to stand two feet from the magnificent creature that would provide a feast worthy for a king, Ciel gave him the signal to strike with a swish of his tail. Bowing his head in understanding and respect for his co-hunter, he lunged at the unsuspecting elk's right hind leg without mercy, catching Ciel's stare as he himself pounced at the creature's throat.
Impressed at the height of such a small being's pounce, Sebastian was unable to tear his eyes from the majestic sight as he sank his fangs into the bony ankle of the larger mammal, sending it limping backwards in a vain attempt to kick him away.
While Sebastian easily dodged the flailing hooves, Ciel took advantage of his slight stature to avoid the curled antlers attempting to swat him off and clamped down on the base of its neck, blood dripping from his fangs and claws as the elk collapsed to the ground, the sound of tearing flesh ending the hunt as the poor creature went limp.
The alpha released his hold on the elk's leg and stepped back, admiring their handy work while Ciel momentarily disappeared from sight.
He returned with his wet apparel draped around narrow human shoulders, a faint tremor running through his limbs at the biting temperature mixed with the damp cloak. Blood stained his porcelain skin from lips to chest, fingers slick with the same amaranth being swiped away by his tongue.
The sight had Sebastian frozen in place, eyes wide and mouth gaping in what he hoped the omega would take for a pant for breath rather than a tell-tale sign of his stunned state. He must look like a simple mutt as he was-hopelessly enchanted by the sight of the slighter hybrid covered in the life essence of his prey; Fierce and strong as if he himself carried the blood of royalty or title of alpha.
Upon catching Sebastian's prolonged stare, Ciel smirked, feeling oddly smug about the man's attention being on him rather than their prize. He was... Flattered? How strange considering how irritated he usually was under the wolf's scrutinous gawking.
Whenever the other hybrid's eyes dropped to where his covering had begun to gape above his sternum though, his cheeks flushed as vibrantly as a poppy and he quickly jerked the heavy material to cover himself fully. "Hey! Stop staring at me and shift already so we can drag this damn thing back to my den! It's freezing and I want to cook my half of it!" Clearing his throat, he crossed his shivering arms over his chest to preserve warmth and to keep his accoutre in place and avoid unintentionally putting himself on exhibit again.
Reluctantly, Sebastian obeyed and tore his eyes from the sight before him, sulking his way to where his own clothing hung in wait. After checking that it was tied securely, he approached the omega once more.
"Which end shall I grab?" Ciel asked and gestured to the cervae, hitching his furs to settle more snugly around his shoulders, when said man merely bypassed him.
"There's no need for you to grab anything. Not yet anyways," Sebastian muttered with a chuckle, not missing the groan he got in return. "It would be too much trouble to carry it, I can drag it behind me." Reaching into the small pouch hooked to the ties of his cloak, Sebastian pulled forth thick vines he had collected in the warmer season and bound the elk's back hooves together, grabbing onto them to tug the mighty beast behind them as they walked. "There we go, much easier."
Allowing Ciel to lead the way, Sebastian trailed behind him in a serene silence. It wasn't filled with tension or anger, it was the sort of silence one hears upon falling asleep at night or gathering small fruits and nuts in the early hours of dawn while many of the other woodland creatures were still at rest.
Even the fox was calm, stepping over fallen branches and thick piles of glistening snow without a sigh or complaint. However, the alpha was troubled over his shaking.
The pelt he wrapped himself in must have been freezing from being submerged in the gelid water. He opened his mouth to question the omega on it before shutting it quickly. Of course, he would never admit to being cold if asked; It wasn't in the finicky little thing's nature.
Untying his own covering with his free hand, he swiped it from his back and swiftly tugged Ciel's from around his lithe frame. The boy's indignant yelp fell on deaf ears and Sebastian ignored his flailing in an attempt to reclaim his shield from the wolf's amorous gaze. Hastily draping his own protection from the chill over the omega, Sebastian momentarily dropped the elk to tie the string beneath his collar before he had a chance to protest. He smiled gleefully at the way it swallowed the slight creature. "You will fall ill if you stay in wet clothing for too long and you hardly have any body heat to spare given your size. Please borrow mine for the time being; I'm quite used to the winter air."
With claret creeping from ear to ear, Ciel glared over his shoulder at the wolf as he regathered their supper, "Must you be so obnoxious? I was perfectly fine. But if you insist on being useful then feel free to carry my coat as well." Though Sebastian was already holding his own apparel and he was unable to throw it at said man, he thought his words would make his point.
All it did was make the wolf grin deviously.
Such spirited prey he chose. He could easily see the tod's blush and his eyes falling shut when he inhaled deeply, unsubtle despite his ignorance to the watchful eyes upon his profile when he curled the shungite fur around him completely, leaving no room for the wintry breeze to reach his person.
Ah, so his scent did effect the recalcitrant omega.
By the time they arrived at the campsite in front of Ciel's den, the flush had faded from his cheeks and he had unashamedly kept Sebastian's furs close to his nose for the entire walk back. It seemed he was slipping as the hours wore on, becoming too lax with his reactions in front of the alpha. It was time to reel them in, but he couldn't bring himself to believe that dropping the feather-soft fur from his arms and torso was worth it. It was far warmer than his own cloak and carried an aroma much more pleasant.
The sun was beginning to fall, showing just how far they had travelled in their hunt. The moon seemed to rise earlier in the winter months as it was, but if the mild aching in his legs was anything to go by, they'd walked far passed the lake he frequently caught hares near. His muscles were going to punish him for that in the morning.
The elk was discarded near the pit Ciel dug for his fire and his cape was slung carefully over the low-hanging branch of a nearby tree. When he reached to remove the alpha's own clothing, he was stopped by a surprisingly gentle hand.
"You can leave it on for now if you'd like to."
No more had to be said for Ciel to make his decision, it was too late to pretend that he didn't like the blackberry-pine scent and heat it radiated when fully ensconcing his small frame. "Very well, but only because mine needs to dry sufficiently."
Ignoring the quiet laugh his claim received, the vulpine knelt on the ground to start a fire, building up the pieces of wood he'd priorly gathered near the small pit. Stacking them in a way that they resembled the outline of a tent, he gathered two pieces of flint from the pile of pine needles he started to collect in preparation for his nest. Clicking them together at a fast pace, he watched as sparks flew from their center to the oak wood and dried leaves beneath. A fire awakened from the heart of the shallow crater, fanned by the satisfied puff of air the boy released. While he was building it up to become large enough for both his guest and himself, Sebastian set about carving the meat with a sharp and precise claw.
Sebastian preferred his dinner fresh, raw and bloodied as proof of his claws' claim, but he understood Ciel's desire for cooked meat.
With a naturally lower body temperature, more measures had to be taken for omegas to stay warm, especially considering his species. An alpha of Ciel's kind would still have a lower tolerance for brisk temperatures than one of his own brethren due to their lessened muscle mass.
Besides that, the flavour of cooked fowl and deer was vastly different from their taste when eaten rare, it wouldn't come as any great shock if Ciel simply liked his better cooked.
He sliced the meat with practised movements, at ease while separating the meat and easily impaling Ciel's half of the cut with a spit that he then placed over the fire.
"I could have done that myself," Ciel grumbled, spreading a small portion of the pine needles on the ground for them to sit more comfortably while watching the meat cook.
Sebastian only smiled and sat down, patiently waiting until Ciel's dinner was ready before indulging in his own. Instead of speaking of the hunt or methods of tracking, he chose to make an attempt at getting to know the enigma perched beside him instead.
"What do you enjoy doing whenever you're not hunting?" Sebaatian asked, staring into the glowing embers of the flickering flames. He then turned to peer at the man beside him, admiring the way the comforting golden glow illuminated his soft and supple flesh, casting a faux sunlight over his moonlit complexion.
The way Ciel's nose flared to the smell of the fire's smoke and the manner in which he chewed his lip while transfixed on the progress of his cooking meal had Sebastian biting his tongue to repress a coo. He looked so regal this way, legs crossed elegantly and shoulders held proud, his back straight and his dumortierite ears pricked forward in silent excitement.
Finding only seriousness in the man's query, Ciel was more than willing to humor him. "I like to go for swims in the summer, when the snow has melted and the roses are in bloom. The pond is rather nice when it's warm and the fireflies blend with the stars at night. There isn't much to do in the winter, but I do enjoy carving. I have carved many of the trees around us though it is hard to see at night."
Looking up to see the trunk nearest to them, Sebastian caught the thin outline of what looked to be a woman. Her ears were large, and despite the lack of pigment to her skin of bark, her smile was wide. His smile dropped. Was this... A lover? Had he been mistaken in scenting the omega as unmated?
"That sounds lovely. I haven't been to any ponds in awhile, but I'm fond of bathing in the stream on occasion," The alpha muttered absentmindedly, knawing at the inside of his cheek in consternation.
Had he been courting an omega already claimed? No, surely not! His scent bore no traces of an alpha, much less a true vixen. Then who had he drawn? The details were too meticulous to be an unnamed figure...
Taking note of the canine's tense posture, pinned back ears, and the way his eyes locked onto one of his chiseled drawings, Ciel chuckled. No words had to be spoken for him to smell and instantly recognize the pungent miasma obtrusively seeping from the man's scent glands; He all but reeked of jealousy. The situation somehow pleased him. No one had ever fawned over him this way.
"She's my mother," Ciel spoke suddenly and without agitation, gesturing to the drawing in question. "My father is on the other side of it, or what I remember of him anyways."
Sebastian jolted when the fox spoke, embarrassed at his lapse in appearance as he attempted to reel in his proof of worry. He brushed it off when his scent returned to a neutral one and Ciel showed no vexation. He then cleared his throat. "She looks lovely, I'm sure you did an excellent job at capturing her appearance. I can see that beauty runs in the family,"
As lame as the line was, it made Ciel smile. So Sebastian did have a few lines tucked beneath his cloak? Interesting. "Ah, thank you for that. She was a wonderful woman. Fierce, but as kind as could be. She did all she could to take care of me when I was young. Her hunting skills were at levels that even I could never hope to match. Whereas I could catch three salmon on a good morning, she could catch an entire basket full-it was quite extraordinary." Upon realizing that he was rambling, Ciel stopped with a small apologetic grin painting his lips, the first truly joyous expression Sebastian had seem directed at him since they met.
But as quickly as the spell was cast, it was broken twice as fast. "I apologize for going on. Tell me, what is it that you do when you aren't being a pervert and stalking people while they're trying to sleep?"
Sebastian chortled at that and watched as Ciel delicately raised his warmed elk meat from the spit it resided on. "Cruel as ever, I see. And to think, I thought we were bonding..." Sebastian sighed dramatically, satisfied when the boy's amusement seemed to grow.
With a derisive snort, Ciel shook his head. "How horrible of me, yet somehow I think that you'll live."
"Be that as it may, I will be forever wounded... But as for your question, I must admit that I like to sing. My sister sang to me a lot when I was a pup and I suppose I picked up on it after awhile. It could be a natural tendency considering that howls can sometimes be songs, but no matter the cause, it is a relaxing way to pass the time." Sebastian finally lifted a piece of his dinner to his lips, moaning quietly as it met his tongue and was torn by his fangs.
With his own fingers working to pick off slightly smaller pieces of elk than the wolf currently devoured, Ciel raised a slim brow. "Is that so? I must say, I wouldn't take you for one who enjoys melodies. I am interested to know what you sound like someday though."
Those words alone sent sparks of hope coursing through the alpha's chest. 'Someday', kept echoing throughout his head as they fell into silence and shared their dinner, finishing it off with a couple of stray berries Ciel had collected in a bowl.
He wished to stay longer, to talk to the omega for the entire night and learn more about him, to share his own stories and tease him further. The evening had gone splendidly, and while he did have the desire to converse with him more, Ciel's eyes were growing heavy and his words were faintly slurred by sleep. The fire was dying out and he was beginning to quiver from the night air blowing beneath the waxing moon. Sebastian took that as his cue to leave.
"Our hunt went splendidly, Ciel. I haven't felt this full or entertained in ages. I'm afraid I've stayed too long though, I didn't intend to keep you up so late. But... Tomorrow night, would you be at all interested in joining me again?" Sebastian waited in anxious anticipation, tail flicking in longing while his ears twitched like a bunny's tail to match the excited movements.
Unable to withhold a snort, Ciel watched in regale as Sebastian's eyes lit up like a kit begging his dam and sire for a new fur. As annoying as the sensation was, he was strangely beguiled by this alpha. If all fell through, he would at the very least have an escape fron his boredom for a few days... "I guess it would do no harm, but only for a little while. I find that I am exhausted after today."
Sebastian stood after a brief stretch and leaned down to take Ciel's mildly calloused left hand in his own, placing a ginger kiss atop his knuckles before lowering it just as gently. "That's understandable. Now then, I shall leave you be and wait so very impatiently for tomorrow night. If I'm lucky, I may just get to see that lovely little ass of yours again tomorrow..." Slipping from the reach of the clawed hand desperately trying to get revenge with a harsh slap to his wrist, the smug bastard simply grinned a sharp smile and waved over his shoulder as he turned and gave Ciel a nice view of his departing form. Hearing the boy's cry of, "Wait? What do you mean again!?"
With a peeved groan, Ciel snuffed out the remnants of his fire with snow and dirt, glaring over his shoulder at the sashaying tail as Sebastian began to fade into the darkness. 'That man is insufferable. But oddly... Attractive?'
"Goodnight, Ciel. Sleep tight, don't let the werewolves bite."
No, infuriating. Definitely infuriating.