And thus, we reach the end of the main story... 😠Thank you so much everyone for all the support you've given Winter's Promise, all of the comments, kudos, art, asks - they've made me so happy, and I hope this chapter is a suitable thank you for everything!
I'll be writing a short sequel sometime next year for anyone who wanted to see these two with pups, and maybe a few non-mpreg drabbles. This entire AU isn't quite complete yet, I definitely have more things I want to explore with them (Sebastian's rut anyone?), but for now, please enjoy the last chapter and happy birthday to Ciel. 3
A week had passed in the blink of an eye. The blizzard outside had come and gone, and Ciel's heat had peaked and calmed alongside it, leaving the den in a state of comfortable disarray. Furs were strewn far and wide along the soft soil, no longer trapped within the small dig-out in which the omega's nest had originally been formed. The ripe scent of heat still permeated the dark burrow, faint and sweet and overlapping with the lingering scent of winter pine and the couple's contentment. It was a calming aroma, combining pleasantly with the warmth entrapped within the small earth.
Sebastian was the first to rise when daylight began to seep in through the den's entrance. It was unsurprising, considering the omega's exhaustion after his fever had broken on the evening of the seventh day of his season. For a week, he had slept a mere two hours between the continuous waves of heat washing over him, and now, he was finally able to catch up on the rest that he so desperately needed to regain his energy; his mate was more than happy to watch over him while he slumbered.
Long claws delicately raked down the vulpine's narrow back, fondly tracing along a vast constellation of plum lovebites as Ciel curled intimately against his alpha's chest. His nose, speckled in tiny, snowflake-reminiscent freckles, was comfortably pressed into the wolf's neck, snuffling peacefully against the fresh bond mark residing just below the man's scent gland. His ears drooped tiredly as he napped and his lashes occasionally fluttered as he dreamed, fluffy tail unmoving beneath Sebastian's own as he was lathered in honey-sweet affection. Tender kisses were laid upon his forehead and temples as adoring eyes of vermillion studied him all the while, taking in every detail of the boy's reposed state.
The wolf sighed pleasantly as he threaded gossamer locks of slate betwixt his fingers, working tangles from the otherwise lovely hair as he bathed in the moment's halcyon glow, its warmth swathing him like a balmy spring breeze. How splendidly his world had changed since meeting this prickly little creature…
He had spent over a decade completely alone, and the first sight of the omega had sparked feelings within him that he hadn't felt in so very long. It was joy and excitement, longing and infatuation. And beyond all else, hope. Hope that he would win the fox's affections; hope that he would never be alone again.
After all, he had known from the first moment he saw Ciel that he wanted to make him his, and he knew the second he found the boy ill and alone in his den that he would never let him go. Perhaps he had gone about courting him all wrong in the beginning-something he had felt some tiny semblance of guilt over for a short time-but now, he couldn't bring himself to regret any of it. For he was here now, warm and safe with his mate held protectively in his arms, despite any initial mistakes he may have made.
The elysium that seemed to wash over him in an endless cascade ever since he was accepted by his new lover was one that he had easily grown accustomed to in their week spent closely intertwined, and as he gazed down at the young man stirring in his embrace, he finally understood why his sister had given up everything she knew for a chance at love with the ginger beta from a nearby pack. Just as their mother had always said, love was blinding, but oh-so addictive.
Sebastian watched his mate's thick lashes shudder, once, twice, three times before sliding open, revealing bleary eyes of misty lavender and vibrant azure. He offered a besotted smile to the drowsy fox, watching slate ears tilt forward attentively as Ciel slowly roused from what felt more like hibernation than a single night of rest. "Good morning, vixen. Did you sleep well?"
At first, only a noncommittal sound rumbled from Ciel's throat as he stretched his sore muscles, allowing himself a few moments to fully wake before answering. "I did. Better than I have in quite awhile actually, though I suspect that may be from not sleeping much this week." A small yawn revealed the vulpine's needle-like fangs as he reached out, pulling furs more taut around his nude form as his tail flicked lazily atop Sebastian's own.
"What about you? Did you sleep well too or did you never manage to turn your eyes away from me long enough to sleep?" Ciel teased, his flirtatious smile as charming as it was sleepy.
It seemed he was in a far better mood than Sebastian expected, considering the aches surely plaguing him the second he shifted, but he certainly wasn't complaining-he enjoyed when the boy was feeling playful.
"Closing my eyes with you in my arms was a task far harder than overthrowing an entire herd of elk, but unfortunately, I wasn't given much of a choice. For one so small, you still managed to thoroughly wear me out, pet," the wolf crooned, satisfaction mounting when he noticed a dusting of strawberry along Ciel's cheeks. How cute he was when he was flustered...
"Don't think I'm incapable of tiring you simply because of my stature. I have more stamina than you ever could," the fox retaliated, voice tinged with smugness. His fingertips waltzed along Sebastian's chest, tracing slow circles along the bare surface as it vibrated with the man's following chuckle.
"Indeed, you do have quite the endurance. But you still fell asleep first, if I remember correctly." The alpha's words drew a petulant huff from the young man opposite and Sebastian's smile only grew, becoming more sincere as his palm caressed along the ridges of Ciel's spine.
"How do you feel? Does anything hurt?" the alpha asked, kneading at the bruised hips that had been thoroughly marked by both his fangs and claws. He would have to keep a close eye on the knicks from his claws to ensure that they healed well.
"I'm sore. Extremely sore… But other than that, I'm alright," the reynard assured, his back arching into the palms that kneaded at his aching flesh so tenderly. The wolf's actions filled his chest with a lightness he couldn't quite place, the feeling thrumming alongside the vibrations of his continuous purr.
It was odd to think that this is how he would wake every morning from now on, swathed in strong arms rather than curled alone in a heap of soft furs. He had been void of companionship since his mother's death. He missed her terribly, of course, but as far as survival went, he never had any issues spending even the harshest of winters solitary. His hunting skills were impeccable and his nest warm enough to keep him from freezing in the cold months, but as much as he loathed to admit it, he was always lonely. For even those raised outside of a pack needed love.
It would take a short while to adjust to this new life, but Ciel was well-prepared to face those changes. After all, even if there would be challenges in the beginning, life wasn't all that bad with the cheeky wolf by his side.
Sebastian made an understanding sound, successfully pulling Ciel from his thoughts as he smoothed his lips along the omega's no longer-feverish forehead. "I figured as much. Luckily, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help ease your pain, but I'm afraid that will have to come later. You've hardly eaten anything aside from berries in days, and you need something to help you regain your strength before anything else."
"I have no qualms about that, I feel like I haven't eaten in weeks," Ciel sighed. "Is there anything in particular that sounds good to you? I'm not very choosy this morning."
"How unlike you…" Sebastian chuckled, earning a sharp kick to his shin. It was well-worth it… "But if that's the case, I could capture a couple of hares pretty quickly. It will be filling and could also save time. There's somewhere in particular I want to take you, but it's a long journey, so I don't want to waste too much time dallying here."
"Somewhere in particular, huh? That sounds highly suspicious. Have you finally decided to skin me for my pelt?" Ciel teased dryly, watching winterberry lips turn up at his cunning remark.
Sebastian snorted, but as he did so, he realized just how glad he was that he'd abandoned his waist-drape hewn from fox fur shortly after their first meeting… "Oh shush, you know I would never do that to you. Your pelt is far more useful attached."
Ciel grumbled, but said no more on the unmentioned use of his pelt. He was sure it was something he didn't wish to hear more about at the moment. His muscles were tender, and he had no intentions of making them worse by giving into the primal lust the alpha's words would surely spark in him. "As poor-humored as ever, I see… Now then, why don't we go out and hunt? I'm famished."
"I apologize, but you won't be doing any hunting today-I doubt you can stand, much less run," Sebastian admonished before going on, "just let me take care of you for today. If not a gesture of my adoration for you, then consider it a 'thank you' for becoming my mate."
"Is that really the reason? Or is it appreciation for letting you mount me?" Ciel asked with the quirk of a single brow.
"Why not both?" the alpha grinned, not missing the boy's good-natured eyeroll as he shifted in Sebastian's arms.
Defiance shone in Ciel's eyes as he pushed himself up on his elbows, determined to prove that he could hunt despite his fever only breaking a night prior. His body protested, however, pain radiating from his back to his thighs as he somehow managed to successfully right himself. He failed to contain a groan when a small stretch of his arms caused the pain along his spine to sharpen. Still, he pressed on, "I'm not crippled, I can help you hunt just fine."
Perhaps it was best to let Sebastian take over hunting for the day, but he couldn't bring himself to relent and admit that the wolf was right. Not when he had already given in so many times this week.
"Care to say that without wincing?" Sebastian sighed, fingers stroking along Ciel's arms as the smaller creature pursed his lips. "You're sore, you said so yourself. I know that you're used to handling all of this alone, but it won't kill you to rest for a while."
"It might," the omega grumbled, his tone one of vexation until Sebastian spoke again.
"As stubborn and resistant as you are to it, vixen, I enjoy taking care of you. Surely, you wouldn't deny your new mate one of his greatest pleasures on such a fine morning?"
Upon catching the doting expression Sebastian wore, and the sincerity in each and every word he spoke, Ciel slumped in his nest. His tail lashed softly, his mixture of exasperation and fondness clear in the way it swayed in time with his tilted ears. "I suppose I shouldn't reject you if you want to do this so badly… Very well, let's make a deal. You may hunt for breakfast, but tonight, I'm going too. You won't change my mind on that."
Relieved, yet amused by the boy's obstinance all at once, the alpha nodded and leaned in to capture the reynard's lips in a quick, cherishing kiss. He resettled the furs over Ciel's stomach and chest when he pulled away, careful to tuck them around his waist to keep them from falling away. "I wouldn't dream of stopping you. And now that we've settled this, just give me a few moments and I'll have our breakfast. It won't take long."
True to his word, Sebastian returned quickly. Whether his prey was particularly easy to catch this morning, or if he was merely driven by his urgency to return to his mate, Ciel was unsure, but he was grateful for the alpha's hasty hunting. He was positively starving.
The omega knew Sebastian was there long before he reached the bottom of the hill. His perch near the firewood was void of barriers and left nothing behind that would block out the fresh scent of cranberry and pine as the wolf neared their den.
Though his thoroughly-marked form had ached as he rose to his feet and cloaked himself before venturing outside of the burrow for the first time in a week, Ciel was satisfied with his decision to leave. His nest was as cozy and welcoming as always, of course, but he had missed the crisp, open air and the sight of one-hundred pines towering above him.
It was the first time the sun had revealed itself in a month, and while the winter sun was by no means as warm as the summer's, it was a welcome reprieve from the constant snow flurries, and he was more than happy to bask in its presence.
"Ah, I didn't expect to see you out here," Sebastian's voice rang as he approached the small fire at the center of the clearing, already sparked to life by the fox's treasured flint. "It's a pleasant surprise to see it sunny, isn't it? I hadn't expected clear skies for another fortnight."
"Indeed, it is. I'm sure it won't last for very long, but I'll take at least one day without snow," Ciel agreed, eyes raising from the twinkling flames to Sebastian's hands. He had procured two rather large snow hares, and they smelt delicious.
Noticing Ciel's hungry gaze, Sebastian chuckled and extended a single hand, offering one of the furry creatures to the omega as he knelt beside him. "Would you like to skin that one for me while I skin and cook this one for you? I know you're rather hungry, and I can cook yours faster this way."
Without argument, Ciel accepted the hare with a nod, extending his claws to begin sliding pure white fur and blood-stained flesh from the tender meat that laid beneath. The pair worked in comfortable silence, and soon enough, both grasped their respective meals betwixt clawed fingers.
As sharp fangs tore into their breakfast, savouring the hearty, earthy flavour, Ciel leaned into Sebastian's side. His eyes searched the skies above, finding only a single, fluffy cloud in the endless splay of rich cerulean, and a tranquil noise hummed from his throat, truly content as he lounged aside his alpha.
Sebastian said nothing, too preoccupied with his food to speak, but to Ciel, he looked as blissful as he himself felt. With raspberry eyes focused on the etchings decorating the tree nearest to him, the wolf seemed at peace, ears drooping into a relaxed position as his ebony tail curled with Ciel's chalcedony one. His skin was as fair as the snow, and yet, it was elegant-even more so with the sun's gentle beams gracefully illuminating it.
Ciel decided that he could spend all day gazing upon his mate, appreciating its fine details as he was unable to when overcome by his heat. Like the small, crescent birthmark marring his right shoulder, and the three inky strands of hair balanced precariously atop his head, rebelling against the rest of the obsidian sea.
An involuntary purr thrummed from the tod's chest whenever his gaze settled on the taller man's bond mark, chest swelling with pride as he studied the proof of their mating. Unfortunately for him, the sound drew Sebastian's attention, and his cheeks instantly darkened.
Despite tossing aside the barren bones that remained from his own breakfast seconds prior, Ciel hadn't realized that Sebastian had already finished eating until crimson eyes were on him.
Rather than calling him out on his staring, Sebastian gave a deep purr of his own and wrapped an arm around Ciel's waist, sharing his body heat with the smaller being. "Don't be shy, pet, I'm happy that you still find me appealing after your heat. I must admit, I was a little worried that you only accepted me because you were so close to estrus."
"How could I not find you appealing? I'm convinced that it's impossible to not desire you," Ciel mumbled, voice almost inaudible as he turned his gaze to the evergreen limbs of the pines across from them to mask how flustered he was.
A kiss to his pinkened cheek took him by surprise, and with his shoulders relaxing, his embarrassment was all but washed away.
He pressed his nose against Sebastian's throat, brushing soft lips along the wolf's bond mark. They shifted, slow and soft against his neck, lingering as he deeply inhaled the peaceful scent that the alpha exuded. The aroma was soothing, so much so that it almost made him drowsy again within a few short seconds, and so, he reluctantly distanced himself soon after, taking a moment to blink away the sweet miasma's dulling effect on his senses.
Sebastian's purr was continuous, rumbling deeper even as the omega's lips departed his neck. There was no mistaking his appreciation for the peck upon his sensitive mark.
"Where is it that you wanted to take me?" Ciel questioned curiously, cloak shifting behind him as he sat up straighter.
"Now, now, I won't go giving away the surprise. You'll just have to wait and see," Sebastian chided. "But since we've finished our meal, I believe it's time to go. It will take until noon to get there, and I'm sure you'll want to spend a few hours there before we leave."
With little effort, the alpha scooped his mate up from the ground, allowing the boy a moment to wiggle into a more comfortable position in his arms before taking the first step away from the fire that was already beginning to die out.
As Ciel crossed his legs and easily settled into Sebastian's hold, he began to ponder. While winter limited their activities, save for those involving snow, spring promised many new adventures and endless days of exploration.
For the first time in many years, he would be able to share his favourite places with someone, and he had to admit that he was excited to see Sebastian's reaction to the ones most splendid in spring.
"You know, there's a meadow not too far away that I think you'll enjoy once it's warm again," Ciel thought aloud. "It's a fairly good hunting ground, but I mostly go there when I need a change of scenery. You wouldn't believe how many wildflowers there are-mother used to weave flower crowns with them. It was her favourite place to go since it was such an open area."
"I'd love to see it once everything is in bloom again," Sebastian said tranquilly, drinking in the heady scent of contented omega with every breath. "Did you learn to weave crowns as well?"
"No, mother made a few for me, but she never taught me how she did it. I did learn how to braid her hair, however," the fox said, a sly grin tugging at his lips. His mate's brows rose expectantly at his claim, and Ciel chuckled. "Here, I'll show you."
The omega gathered one of the long, sable locks dangling just beyond Sebastian's jaw and twirled it betwixt his nimble fingers, splitting it into three strands with close precision. As they traveled deeper into the woods, Ciel took his time threading the pieces together into a small, intricate braid, wrapping a tiny, barren vine around its bottom to hold it together. "Done."
"Just in time. Look up, pet, we are here," Sebastian encouraged, a smile on his face and excitement in his voice when Ciel followed his gaze. He watched those mismatched eyes widen, and could feel his own chest burning with a pleasant warmth as he saw sparks of amazement fill the irises he had studied so closely during the boy's heat.
"A hot spring…? There are hot springs out here?" Ciel breathed, taking in the large circular pool of water settled betwixt moss-covered rocks and a sturdy formation of pines. Despite the icicles clinging to the trees above and the snow blanketing the ground, the water remained untouched-its cerulean surface still as clear and welcoming as could be.
"Only here, vixen. I'm sure there are others somewhere, but I have never found them," the wolf assured, overjoyed that he could detect no strange scents within miles of the spring.
"It's lovely. I had no idea this existed out here… Though I suppose I have never been to this part of the woods before," Ciel said, tail twitching in rapt anticipation; his chilled skin was itching to feel the water's heat wash over it. How he'd missed bathing in the pond rather than heating water near his den to bathe with.
"Never?" the alpha questioned, not releasing Ciel from his arms even as he neared the water. He delicately balanced Ciel atop one of the surrounding stones, and unhooked his cloak, allowing it to pool atop the rock alongside his waist-drape before lowering the boy into the hot spring. His own furs followed immediately after, falling near Ciel's before he joined his mate in the crystalline water.
Letting himself be undressed with little effort to help, the reynard nodded. "My father was killed by a wolf in the farthest reaches of these woods. Mother would never come anywhere near this area after that, not that I blame her, and as I got older, I was always too invested in exploring the eastern regions to care much about this part after I found the lake."
And just like that, the reason for the boy's initial caution upon meeting him registered with the alpha. His fear hadn't been rooted in instinct, but from the loss of his father when he was but a tiny kit. "I see," he murmured, threading long fingers through soft, ashen locks. He could tell that the fox didn't wish to discuss it, that much was obvious by the agitated flick of his ears. And so, he offered no sympathy and spoke nothing of it. His mate had no desire to be coddled and reassured, nor did he have need for it. He had taken him as a mate, and that was proof enough that he had moved past his fear.
All was silent for a few minutes, both hybrids focusing only on the sensations surrounding them: the warm, calming water lapping at their chests, the rough, uneven rocks behind their backs, the touch of smooth, slick skin pressed flush.
It was in that moment that Sebastian recalled the mint leaves he had stuffed into the small leather pouch on his waist drape days prior. Combined with the essence of an aloe vera leaf, it could easily be made into a scrub to reduce his mate's aches, as well as remove the sweat and dirt clinging to his snow-kissed skin after their vigorous rutting throughout the week. Surely Ciel would find it relaxing. "Do you like mint?"
Ciel blinked at the question, confused as to why exactly the wolf was thinking about mint so suddenly. Perhaps Sebastian was still a bit of a mystery to him... With a quiet snort at the unexpected question, he submerged himself deeper into the water before answering, allowing the protective arms coiled around his waist to keep him afloat as he lounged against his alpha's chest, his legs draping across the man's strong thighs. "It's hard to come by, but I do enjoy it when I manage to find it. Why do you ask?"
"I have some in my satchel," the alpha answered, reaching for the leather pouch on the stone behind him. "Hold out your hand," he requested, pouring the leaves into Ciel's awaiting palm soon after. He shifted the fox into a more secure position before releasing his hold on him, allowing the aloe vera leaf from his satchel to drip into his palm as he retrieved the mint leaves. Rubbing his hands together, he allowed their scents to mix, leaving behind a soothing liquid in which they could bathe.
Sebastian tossed the mint aside, once it had done its job, before slowly brushing his hands along the omega's back. He traced the path of lean muscle along the boy's back, feeling skin as soft as rose petals beneath his palms as he watched the liquid in his hands slowly dampen Ciel's shoulders and lower-back. With faint pressure, he massaged the tender flesh near the base of the fox's spine, revelling in the pleased chirr the action earned. He felt the muscles beneath untense, their soreness easing with every rub of revering hands.
With bliss-filled eyes partially shut, Ciel peeked at the wolf over his left shoulder. The sunlight shining upon the water dripping from Sebastian's skin made it seem to glow… Those familiar arms snaked around his chest while he was distracted, stroking from collar to hips to spread the pleasant bathing oil that Sebastian had concocted. He felt lighter as sweat and residual dust were cleaned from his skin, his ears pricking back in a relaxed droop.
Though he may have been fatigued from such a restless week, the combination of the fresh, wintry scrub, the clear, steaming water, and the gentle glide of his mate's claws made Ciel feel more awake than he had since before his heat. He was sated, at peace, and he couldn't think of anywhere else he'd rather be.
The omega's head tipped back against Sebastian's shoulder, and a soft smile curled his lips as he gazed up at the pine needles adorning the branches far above. He could smell a honeyed miasma exuding from the alpha, as light and rich as spring's flowers. It was an aroma he'd noticed several times before, particularly when they were laying intertwined after their many ruts, and he knew exactly what it meant: his mate was pleased.
Ciel's own scent flared in response, its sweetness inciting a rumbling purr from behind him. His tail draped over Sebastian's thighs, the scent gland buried beneath thick fur sweeping the aroma of content omega along the wolf's heated skin.
Sebastian lifted Ciel the tiniest bit to place him across his lap, allowing himself access to the long legs that had wrapped themselves around his waist so willingly throughout the week. A purr still vibrated in his chest as he admired the red tinge upon Ciel's rump, left behind by the same grasping hands that now found purchase on more of the omega's kiss-marked flesh. They swept from ankle to calf, before rising higher from his mate's knees, cleaning him thoroughly despite the tenderness of his caresses.
His mind was quiet, but adrift, as he worked, clouded by fondness and the fox's own balsam, plum, and patchouli redolence. However, his focus on cleaning up the thighs in which his seed had dripped from so beautifully a day ago was broken by a whine. Sebastian's eyes widened, and as he took in Ciel's expression, he could only chuckle. The boy's cheeks were stained as red as a cranberry… Perhaps his thighs were his weak spot even outside of his season? "Something wrong, vixen?" he questioned, watching as a small scowl manifested on those fang-bruised lips.
Ciel squirmed as a certain, unwelcome but not unfamiliar, heat formed in his stomach. His eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms. He supposed he hadn't told the alpha how sensitive his body still was a day after estrus officially ended, but surely he knew what he was doing. "Only that you're focusing on the wrong spot for someone so committed to helping cure my soreness," he grumbled, thankful that the water they were submerged in could hide the slick gathering betwixt plush cheeks.
The boy reached out to guide Sebastian's hands lower, long fingers ghosting his knees as he took a few moments to calm the lust settled in the forefront of his mind. If only he didn't ache so terribly… "Save that for a few days, and I can promise you an outcome you'll like better than bathing me," Ciel assured, balancing against Sebastian's chest as he gathered some of the aloe and mint spread too thickly across his legs.
"I look forward to it, pet," Sebastian crooned, his lips settling upon the crown of Ciel's head, before brushing kisses along the tips of two lovely slate ears. Petite hands drifted from his stomach to chest when the reynard coated his hands in the same oily substance he had used, and he couldn't restrain a pleasurable growl as the omega mapped out each visible scar from his days hunting, and every pinkened love bite from their time together. He leaned into the boy's touch, nuzzling at his bond mark as those narrow fingers grazed his nipples and collarbone before drifting aside to wash his biceps.
Though his muscles didn't throb as the omega's did, there was still a twinge of pain residing within them that Ciel's kneading palms soothed as they slowly managed to work their way from Sebastian's shoulders, all the way down his legs. To the wolf's relief, Ciel didn't mention it when his arousal found itself pressed against the omega's hip-it was bound to happen after it had grown used to being buried deep inside the fox every couple of hours. The boy reached out to weave his thin fingers through the alpha's hair, twirling the small braid he'd created between his fingers with a teasing grin, and as Sebastian caught a glance of the expertly woven strand in the water's reflection, he decided that he may just keep it.
They stayed at the hot spring until the sun's glorious rays began to set on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of ochre, mint, and lilac. It cast a golden glow upon their dampened forms, mirrored by the droplets beading in their hair. The water was blotted away from their skin by the bottom corners of their cloaks as they redressed, leaving them warm and dry as they began their journey back to the den.
Ciel's legs locked around Sebastian's waist when the wolf wordlessly gathered him up in his arms, the boy's own arms winding around the alpha's neck to keep himself steady. The clinging heat from the water and the jostling of his mate's steps were lulling, leaving him drowsy and fighting to stay awake as trees passed by and the sky darkened rapidly.
"If you're tired, you can rest until we get back. We still have a while to go," Sebastian said softly, balancing the omega's weight upon one arm to caress the length of the boy's silken tail. A trill reverberated from the smaller being as Sebastian felt his mate press his nose into his neck.
"I'm not tired," Ciel murmured, fluttering eyelids belying his words as his lashes tickled the alpha's neck. His fingers traced small patterns between Sebastian's shoulders as he sighed tiredly, resigned to the fact that sleep would claim him whether he liked it or not. That didn't mean that he had to verbally admit it, however, even if the yawn parting his lips tried its best to do it for him.
"Ever so stubborn," the wolf laughed, allowing his scent to strengthen and soothe Ciel of his irritation at his body's needs. "Just give in, and I'll wake you once we're home so we can eat, alright?"
After several moments, he had received no response aside from a quiet hum, and when he glanced down, he watched thick lashes fall to mask eyes of moonstone and lapis. Slate eyebrows, once pulled together in annoyance, had smoothed out, and cherished lips were parted ever so slightly in slumber. "What a fool I am for you, vixen," Sebastian breathed, stopping briefly to secure his protective hold on the boy before carrying his mate all the way back to their territory.
When Ciel opened his eyes again, stars were twinkling above him. Sebastian didn't seem to realize he was awake yet, his enchanting features kissed by moonlight as lycoris eyes took in the icicles dangling from the nearby trees. They were no longer moving, serenely perched atop the trunk of a fallen tree on the hill overlooking their den.
He said nothing to avoid startling the wolf-who appeared so transfixed the surrounding pines that he wouldn't even notice him shifting-choosing instead to press a ginger peck to the alpha's shoulder. Just as he'd hoped, it caught Sebastian's attention, and that adoring stare was instantly trained on him rather than nature.
"Ah, you're awake. Did you sleep well?" Sebastian asked, relinquishing his embrace with only a quiet sound of protest when Ciel moved to sit beside him.
"I did. You made such a suitable bed. I suppose you are useful after all…" The omega smirked when his mate's eyes narrowed playfully, but his smile quickly dropped when he felt a single digit prod at his side. Against his will, he released a yelp, swatting away the offending hand. But it was too late to take back his reaction. By the time the wolf's eyes widened in realization, the man was already prepared to launch his full attack.
Ciel's wrists were quickly seized in one hand to allow the wolf access to his most ticklish spot, and to Ciel's chagrin, his alpha showed no mercy...
Instead of just one finger, Sebastian now used each of them to draw a mixture of a whine and a laugh from the struggling fox, finding his own joy in the vibrant flush on Ciel's cheeks. "It seems you're a bit ticklish," he mocked, a grin spread wide across his face as his lover's tail lashed in an attempt to bat him away. "I may stop… If you admit that I have more uses."
A sound not entirely unlike his fox form's gekkar parted Ciel's lips as his back gingerly met the fallen tree's bark, and as his hands desperately tried to break free from his mate's hold, he finally spoke. He'd say anything, if only to get the wolf off of him long enough to catch a breath. "Fine, you have other uses. Now let go of me before I show you what snowballs really are, Sebastian!"
The alpha finally relented when he heard the threat that he wasn't entirely sure the omega meant as a joke, unable to restrain a laugh of his own as the reynard's features contorted in disapproval. "Oh, come now. Don't give me that look, you asked for it with that comment."
"Be that as it may, I shall remember this next time you make a sly remark, and you won't get off for it quite so easily," the fox warned, fighting the grin that insistently pulled at his own lips-it wouldn't do to make the caution in his words empty. He lost the battle, however, when a small smile formed despite his greatest efforts to keep it at bay. It was times like this when he loathed that the wolf's enthusiasm was contagious.
"I look forward to it," Sebastian trilled, offering a hand to pull the omega from where he still laid, gazing up at him with hair spread like a halo upon the tree's bark, his eyes sparkling and tail giving a small flourish against his left thigh.
After accepting his mate's hand and righting himself, Ciel stood, his fingers still entwined with Sebastian's, and a single brow raised as he spoke, "Now then, you said we would hunt once we were back, and I'm rather famished."
"Ah, you poor thing, you're just wasting away, aren't you?" the wolf teased, earning a glare as the fox strutted ahead of him with little care for the alpha's amusement or his abandoned hand.
"Shut it, dog," Ciel snapped, refusing to acknowledge the stare he knew was settled on his arse as he crossed over from the sparse thicket of pines. "Just hurry up so we can eat."
"Of course, vixen," Sebastian crooned, catching up to the prickly omega rather quickly.
He claimed Ciel's hand once more as they fell into step with each other, and a peaceful hush was cast over them, for no words were needed to express the devotion buried beneath layers of pride and faux annoyance. And as they wandered further from the trees, walking along the snow-dusted hill in search of prey, all that could be seen were two moonlit silhouettes. For there, in the clearing, stood a fox and a wolf.