A/N:

Accepted, acknowledged, and fully, honestly stated: this is slash. For those
of you who aren't familiar with fanfiction jargon, slash is romantic or sexual
relations between two males. This fic features that in prominence, in fact
slash is its only recognizable purpose.

For those of you who are kind enough to have read my other current Redwall
fic, (and if you haven't there's still hope for you, all you have to do is click
that JCJules, go back to my bio, and click the link, it's called "Runnalon,"
and if you haven't read it the two characters and the situation in which they
find themselves in this fic will be a bit of a mystery to you. If you do read
it, be sure to review!) you will recognize the OCs. Setting: A/U to be
inserted after the ending of Chapter 3.

I've done enough rambling, who needs a disclaimer.

One last thing! Runnalon POV marked by italics.



Runnalon's emerald eyes snapped open. With a barely audible gasp of terrified
anguish, he shook himself free from the scarlet and black vestiges of a
fever-induced nightmare. Searching desperately for any measure of comfort and
relief from the agonized fear that still numbed his mind, Runn's paw strayed to the
warm weight of Ashdark's upper body collapsed on his chest. Tears of
gratitude sprang to Runnalon's eyes as he thought of what it must have cost Ash to
snatch him from under the serpent's disgusting blunt nose and carry him here,
who-knows-how-many miles from Camp Willow.

You saved my life...Ashdark you don't understand how much I need
you...I...I... His mind stumbled as thought and feeling collided, and with a sharp intake
of breath he leaned forward until his forehead rested on Ashdark's shoulder,
running his paws down his friend's muscular back. Runn's body shook as more
memories of pain and fear deluged him, and he embraced Ashdark's sturdy form more
tightly.

Runnalon's breathing slowly eased as he listened to the steady pulsing of his
best friend's heart, and he allowed himself to rise slightly and explore
Ashdark's body with his bloodstained snow-white paws.Gently turning Ash over so
that his back was resting on on Runn's chest, Runnalon carefully, lovingly
stroked the dark fur on Ashdark's ears and brow, moving slowly down by way of his
jawline and neck.

Ashdark's quicksilver eyes fluttered lazily and opened slowly, simultaneously
taking in the sight of his best friend over him and the sensual, reassuring
pawstrokes covering his neck and shoulders. With a gasp of surprise, Ashdark's
mouth swiftly opened to form the words "no, I don't deserve this." But
Runnalon's unoccupied paw covered it gently, his understanding deep green eyes
staring love and acceptance into Ashdark's. Ash closed his eyes and relaxed,
allowing himself to enjoy the shivers of pleasure that Runnalon's other paw, now
traversing his lower chest and abdomen, gave him. Ashdark looked up at Runn
lovingly. Through a haze of sensation, he saw Runnalon's handsome face descend
toward his and felt the otter warrior's warm, soft mouth caress first his lips and
tongue, then his neck. Shuddering with unconcealed pleasure, Ashdark ran his
paws all over his friend-turned-lover's back and lower body, lust and
desperation consuming him. A soft cry of unutterable bliss escaped his lips as
Runnalon's still-probing mouth ceased its explorations of his slim waist and moved
steadily downward.

Both otters shuddered and convulsed in one another's embrace, at the mercy of
waves of passion and physical arousal. Finally, the storm of their newly
discovered love eased and then ceased, and the warriors lay still.