It took G'raha a relatively short walk from the main Aetheryte to the Baldesion Annex to decide that – as embarrassing as it was to admit at his age – he did like holding hands. Simple as it was for other couples, there was definitely some distinctive possessive level to it that he more than enjoyed. Senri's big hand in his felt warm and secure, reassuring something inside his chest that his mate was safe. And after the whole ordeal… he thought that they both more than needed that.
It was late into the night in Old Sharlayan when they arrived and he was more than glad for the silent emptiness of the compound with everyone most likely asleep by this point. He gladly let his lover lead him to their bedroom and was relieved even to see that Sali wasn't there – most likely under Alisaie's care.
Feeling somewhat emotionally numbed once the door closed behind them, he leaned against them when Senri let go of his hand, stretched, and carelessly discarded his shirt. Only in black pants, Warrior dropped heavily on top of the semi-couch in the room and his pale, unseeing eyes got stuck on the ceiling.
G'raha watched him for a long moment before following suit, tossing off his shirt, before gingerly settling on the edge of the couch by his lover's hip. That Senri didn't even twitch or lost the absent look in his ice-blue eyes… He sighed, pressing his hand over the tattoo on his Warrior's shoulder and rubbing the warm skin delicately.
"Are you okay?" he whispered, not the first time or the last time this night – probably.
"I… think so," his mate sighed, closing his eyes and resting his hand over his forehead. "It's just… I'm kind of… embarrassed? It doesn't really feel like the right word, but I'm not sure how else name it…" he exhaled slowly, then grimaced slightly and his pale irises flashed from under the jet-black lashes toward him. "Are you sure you're okay, Raha…? I know I wasn't very… careful with you and I would hate…" he cut off and his eyes darted away, toward the wall of the room.
There it was… He sighed softly, then leaned in slightly and delicately brushed the unruly ink-black strand back from his lover's beautiful face. Without the bandana and after the shower Senri's hair were beyond messy… but he would lie if he didn't admit that he very much enjoyed the way they fell around his mate's face and beautifully accented Senri's pale carnation.
"What would you hate, Snark?" he said, more than aware of the answer, but he needed his lover to say it.
It took a long moment he spend rolling the black strands around his fingers, but finally, Senri took a deep, steadying breath and his eyes turned toward him with more than a hint of uncertainty.
"That you would… Ah, after that, hate being…" he sighed again and closed his eyes. "…with me. Physically, I mean… It's very… foggy now, and all… And I could feel your healing… And…" A grimace ran over the handsome features. "…I hurt you."
G'raha internally cursed his instant blush, but bracing his hands around his mate's form, he shifted, settling astride Senri's waist and leaned in, resting his palm on his Warrior's shoulder while wrapping fingers of his left hand around his chin and holding him still while he placed a delicate, sweet kiss on his almost too-pretty lips.
"I… enjoyed it," he admitted with a sheepish tilt to his lips when the pale blue irises again barely flashed between the black lashes and his blush only went darker. "I wish it never happened, Senri… And I despise that bitch for what she did to you… What she tried to do… It makes me beyond furious… And at some level, I felt terrible about it… but I couldn't help but also kind of… love it. As messed up as it is and in how much… pain you were, my heart… But you could hear it… and feel it… right? And as for being with you… you never need to worry in that area, Snark," he smiled somewhat dryly, trailing a line of gentle kisses along his jaw before simply sagging against him and hiding his heated face against his mate's throat. "…I'm addicted to you," he admitted with a delicate nip on his lover's skin.
"Good," Senri chuckled a bit sheepishly and he felt his big hands smooth over his back before his arms wound themselves around his back, pulling him tighter against all that warm, smooth skin… and as if to confirm his words, his blush grew impossibly hotter when despite everything, his body reacted with instant arousal and he couldn't help himself but slightly shift in Senri's tight embrace, biting back a moan at the friction over his cock that, oh, so quickly grew interested.
"See…" he deadpanned against his lover's throat and closed his eyes. "…addicted," he sighed, then flinched slightly when his Warrior huffed a quiet laugh and his right hand smoothed down his back and wrapped itself around the base of his tail, his thumb soon running through the fine fur and sending slight, pleasant shivers along his spine. "Snark?" he murmured, fighting the urge to roll his hips… and losing as they seemingly grew a mind of their own, shifting in slight, rocking movements matching the gentle drag over his tail. "We should rest," he whispered, dragging the tip of his nose up his mate's throat.
"Mhmm," Senri hummed and his other hand drifted down, curling possessively around G'raha's buttock and soon forcing his body to rock against his harder as he shifted his head to delicately bit at the junction of his neck and shoulder. "We should," he agreed, gently rolling his hips under him as his scent spiked with the intoxicating tang of his arousal.
"…in a moment," G'raha flushed darkly but his hand drifted south and his fingers snuck behind the waistband of Senri's pants to dig in his hip as he rocked against him harder, biting his lower lip to stop a needy mewl from escaping his throat… and he almost passed out when that had his lover growl in a warning and slap his ass. That tore a helpless whimper from his chest and he gasped when Senri laughed softly and sat up suddenly, forcing him up.
"You know you're not allowed to keep your sounds from me, my silly Raha," his lover purred, dropping his legs off the couch and despite G'raha's whine of complaint, maneuvering him to force him to sit in his lap and lean back against his chest.
"I am…?" he chuckled, pressing his hand back over his shoulder and sinking his fingers in the soft, ink-black strands while arching against his wide chest. "And if I will?" he breathed, from under his lashes watching his Warrior's hands while Senri shamelessly tugged his pants off him, pushing their waistband down to the half of his thighs.
"You can try," Senri growled softly as his hands when done with that smoothed up and right pressed over his erection while the other got busy tugging his pants down just enough to free his cock to press right between his buttocks. "But can you…?" his mate hissed against his neck, sending a near-violent shudder down his spine as G'raha choked down a whine, carefully keeping his mouth shut as he pressed his other arm back and arched, locking them both together behind Senri's head and using them as leverage to slightly lift and drop in his lap, perfect to have his dick slide between his thighs and tear a deep, breathy groan from his Warrior's throat. "I see… y-you want to play…" Senri rasped and his hand carefully wrapped around his cock, making G'raha breath in and out a few times, rocking in his lap slowly against that grip.
Making it a game as he fought to stay silent while tearing strings of profanities and gasps from his lover's throat, he almost managed… until Senri growled playfully, hooked his hands around his hips and almost effortlessly impaled him on his dick. His body still more than eager after bells and bells of fucking, he couldn't help utterly embarrassing mewl as the scalding heat speared his insides up to the hilt in a slow slide.
"Ah… point for me," his lover chortled, kissing his throat as his hands tightened around his hips, keeping him tight around his flesh. "Now… if you want more, Raha… you have to sing for me," he purred, dragging his tongue over the lines of the tattoo on his throat.
Silent but flashing him a quick, smug smirk, G'raha hummed in denial then tightened his arms around his neck and lifted effortlessly then dropped to his mate's desperate whimper.
"Oh, Azeyma… love how strrrong you arrre," Senri rasped, and the tips of his claws bit into his skin. And because he knew his weakness for it, he tore a breathless whine from his mouth when his fangs scraped against his mark on G'raha's shoulder. "Anotherrr point," he chuckled if more than a bit out of breath while doing that. "Still want to play… Rrraha?" he cooed, unceremoniously tearing off his pants the rest of the way and spreading his legs as he bit him – hard – and returned his hands to his hips, putting careful pressure on as he slowly dragged his claws over his skin.
Nearly choking as he clenched his jaw in an effort to keep his sounds back and panting through his nose desperately, shaking, he shifted his arms to fist both hands greedily in ink-black hair and pulled Senri's head down harder, forcing his fangs deeper into his skin as he used the new freedom of his legs to hook his feet against the back of Warrior's calves and arching his back under his bite, rolled his hips slowly, just enough to have his lover mewl into his bite and his dick throb inside him as his hips jerked under him harshly. Grinning now, even if it looked more like a snarl, G'raha with premeditation clenched his muscles around the scalding intrusion and was rewarded when Senri whined desperately, then snapped, in an unnaturally fast movement twisting around and pinning him down face first into the couch.
"Do you think you're so… c-clever, my prince?" he growled, sinking one hand in his hair and pulling his head back roughly while using his other hand to press it down between his shoulder blades and keep him down. Laughing soundlessly, he tilted his head and winked at his beast while pressing his hands against the edge of the furniture and pushing, shaking with laughter when his Snark hissed indignantly as he pushed him back. Then, pressing against his back tightly, his mate punished his efforts by tickling his sides mercilessly and G'raha couldn't take it, bursting into laughter and squirming under his mate's weight to helplessly try to get away. That Senri didn't let up even as he started to roll his hips, slowly but surely fucking into him and spreading light, affectionate bites over his shoulders and he kept tickling him, soon made G'raha choke as his body was torn between the pleasure and the absolute torture at his sides. "And I win again," his shameless Warrior crooned against his neck.
"Not… fair!" he gasped breathlessly, shakily trying to slap at his lover's hands.
"Now, now…" his mate chortled, catching his arms at his wrists and pulling both over his head, which made G'raha almost mewl with relief to really do when Senri growled playfully and pushed his legs wider apart, forcing him lower and speeding up his strokes into him. "…you wanted to play, Raha… not my fault you're ticklish," he chuckled, pressing a fond kiss on his neck before lifting off his back and setting to fuck him harder, soon tearing strong of whimpers and gasps from his throat. "Don't pick a fight you know you can't win," his lover crooned his victory, freeing one hand to less-than-gentle slap his ass again.
Hissing over his shoulder in outrage – not really, but for the fun of it – G'raha faked buckling, timing it with a harsh whip of his tail against his mate's side.
"Behave, my prince," Senri snapped, serving another – harder – slap, and his lips tilted in a knowing smirk when it had G'raha gasp, then bury his flaming face in a material under his head. "Oh…? You like it, don't you, Raha?" he cooed, dragging his tongue along his spine while pumping into him harder and making sure to slam into the spot that sent jolts of lightning along his nerves. Gasping desperately, he wound his tail around Senri's waist tightly and rocked back and forth as much as his mate's weight allowed, soon whimpering involuntarily as it simply wasn't enough and his cock throbbed, ready to burst. "You enjoy being a bad boy, hmm?" he chuckled, serving another, lighter swat and G'raha flushed darkly as a loud, clearly needy mewl of arousal tore from his throat. He closed his eyes tightly in embarrassment but buckled again and when Senri laughed softly and slapped his ass again, much harder, he cursed and whimpered as his cock jerked and pretty much leaked at this point.
Pinning his hands down harder and arching above his back, Senri purred his delight as he set a brutal rhythm, fucking into him mercilessly and pairing each harsh stroke into the sensitive knot of nerves with hard slaps and before he knew he was coming, gasping and mewling his lover's name in a choked voice. Laughing breathlessly, his Warrior nipped on his neck when he sagged against the couch bonelessly, then freed his arms to brace his hands around his hips and whining, set off for his own bliss, pounding into him harshly until he spilled, groaning deeply before he collapsed against his back.
"That was… fun!" he chortled after a moment, purring loudly and nuzzling against his neck affectionately. "Who knew, Raha… that you like this sort of thing…?"
"Sh-Shut up!" he hissed with mortification, his face completely on fire even as his senses reeled in the pleasure of it. That it only worked to have Senri shake against his back with laughter… he hid his stupid grin against the couch. "…feeling better, Snark?" he murmured after a long pause, pushing one hand back to delicately tug at his lover's earing.
"Yeah…" Senri sighed, rubbing his cheek against the back of his shoulder before pulling back, fixing his pants, and setting down on the ground. Tossing him a careful look, G'raha stood up, wobbling slightly as he redressed his pants before falling to sit cross-legged in the circle of his mate's arms and leaning back against his chest. Smiling when Senri swiveled his tail to rest it against his abdomen, he couldn't help a yawn that stretched his jaw as he raised his hand and rubbed his eye, feeling the exhaustion set it. Feeling his Warrior nuzzle against his neck, he almost relaxed, until… "But… I think it's going to be a while before I let any female within a 'spraying' distance," his lover muttered against his throat.
"It's going to be a while before I let you off my sight," he sighed in turn, dropping his hand to rest it over Senri's at his hip, then lacing his fingers with his.
"No choice," his Warrior chuckled sadly, tightening his fingers around his. "I have to go back to Thavnair… tomorrow, most likely… I asked Nidhana to wait for me, and I hope she did… but it's not like I can have her do that indefinitely, Raha."
"Then I'll go with you," he stated, leaning his head back against his lover's shoulder and raising his chin pointedly when Senri opened his mouth to protest.
"And what about the Noumenon?" his mate asked carefully.
"Fuck it," he pursed his lips petulantly, narrowing his eyes in a warning when his lover again looked ready to protest. "I'm serious, Snark. I won't be able to focus, anyway. And I can't help… but feel responsible for this. You didn't want to go… and I talked you into it because of my stupid… insecurities," he reminded, closing his eyes as his throat tightened.
"Stop it," his lover sighed, wrapping his arms around him tightly and nuzzling against his neck. "You couldn't know… same as me. And… Ares says it's okay if you go, as long as you can keep yourself from affecting what happens," he said with more than a hint of uncertainty, then sighed again and when G'raha peered at him through his lashes he was scowling. "He doesn't want to say more," he added in explanation.
Fandaniel will show up, hummed his immortal when he opened his mouth to question it, and he snapped them close, tilting his head slightly. Nothing really that relevant… but it is crucial he doesn't realize either Ares's or my presence if you really insist on going. So, we will have to pull back and take your bond, too – just to keep safe.
"Apparently, your favorite Ascian is about to make an appearance," he snarked out loud, smiling when his mate snorted a laugh.
"Fanny?" Senri chortled, kissing his throat and then leaning back. "I was wondering when we're going to see his ugly, Asahi-mug… Seriously, out of the people he could choose to possess… Well, at least if I get a chance to get some hits in, definitely won't have any restraints about his looks, that's for sure…"
G'raha snickered involuntarily, then yawned again and bracing his hands on his lover's thighs, stood up slowly.
"Glad we have this settled," he admitted, stretching as he headed toward their nest. "I'm exhausted… Quick wash, then a nap?" he asked over his shoulder.
"Your wish is my command, my prince," his mate grinned, jumping to his feet and following. And seeing some of his energy and enthusiasm back, G'raha couldn't help but grin with real glee right before his lover chuckled sheepishly and placed a fond kiss on his cheek as he passed him on the way to the washbasin. "Thanks, Raha."
"At your service, my Sun," he replied, grinned wider, and before he moved away, slapped his ass hard, tearing a surprised yelp and bursting into a laugh when Senri's black tail flew straight up in the air. Not to mention the ridiculously pretty, dark blush on his Warrior's beautiful face as his shell-shocked gaze swiveled toward him… G'raha snickered mercilessly and backed away quickly, putting the table between them before his mate could get out of shock.
"You…" Senri scowled, turning toward him and following… to narrow his eyes dangerously when G'raha arched an eyebrow at him and moved around again, keeping behind the safety of the big table. "…will pay for that…" he moved to the other side, his tail waving with enthusiasm when he snickered and darted away to the opposite side. "…you tease."
"First… you have to get me," he bared his teeth in a challenging grin, wiggling his eyebrows playfully. And burst in a laugh when Senri growled and unceremoniously scrambled over the table, determined to get him. "Cheater!" he gasped, running away and around the table again.
"Come back here," his lover growled, though almost falling on his face in a hurry after clearing the jump.
"Make me," he dared, stretching his arms in invitation… then darted away when his Warrior pounced with a snarl. Both were inhumanely fast, so it took a while before he was defeated and pinned down against the table… because he was laughing too hard and didn't manage to avoid the next pounce. "You… win," he finally gasped, wounding his arms around his lover's waist tightly.
"Gods… you're perfect," Senri purred, then signed his victory with a scorching kiss… or tried as they both couldn't help but giggle like naughty kits when someone banged against the wall, screaming 'Quiet!"