T'ralla's first impression of her brother pretty much agreed with what she's been always hearing from their mother – he definitely seemed special.
He was really huge, for one! Even his mate, for her a very tall man, next to her brother looked quite small. And his black hair was really dark, almost like they eat up the light hitting them while his eyes in contrast were very pale – and only now she truly understood what her mom meant by saying that his eyes reminded her of ice. Not that they were cold, though…
Actually, his eyes seemed very… kind. Whenever he looked toward her, anyway. And that was quite… nice.
T'ralla was quite used to the others thinking she was silly… especially other girls at the camp. They always laughed at her and her ideas… Or at, what she hated the most, her mom. Because her mother was different from the other females around the camp. Despite her duties, she always found time to dote on her… and tell her stories about her brother. Especially when they were alone when she has sown one of her special blankets.
That was their secret – because others would get upset if they knew about it, as her mom told her. She didn't really understand that – why would they get upset when those seemed the prettiest of her mother's works – but she never mentioned that to the other girls, anyway. And she loved that when working on them her mom would tell her stories. Those were their special moments… until this year.
Because as she grew, she started to worry that she was… too weird. Other girls always teased and laughed at her… and she grew more and more embarrassed about it. While they seemed content to learn their future duties, she was always daydreaming about silly things – as they said – and despite her mom's assurances that it was perfectly normal to do – she started to worry that her… habits were bringing her mom shame.
And when the females decided that she'll be trained to become of the tribe's huntresses… she already embarrassed herself by bursting into tears. And Azeyma… but the way girls laughed then, saying she was shaming her mom and the tribe by being upset about it… had her only weep harder.
They couldn't understand that she absolutely hated the thought of killing animals. When they taught her that it was necessary for the survival of the tribe… she understood, but the idea of doing that… had her throat grow so tight it felt like she would choke. Out of every 'calling' around the camp, she had hoped to be picked for healing. She was always daydreaming about magic… and about being able to help others – but the more she resisted, the more the females seemed determined to… cure her out of her silly ideas. And as the days of the beginning of her training approached… she only grew more and more upset – feeling like the hopelessness of her short life was crashing into her soul.
But then, she was caught by T'sersa while she was passing the leader's tent and asked to get her mom… And catching the peek of the weird strangers inside, had her beyond excited – something inside her tiny heart convinced her that some kind of change was coming.
And gods, but it was right…!
"You… bought a house…?" her brother's deep, rumbling voice was very pleasant as well, she decided – even if he sounded quite stunned. Sitting on his wide shoulder while they appeared in front of the very, very big house with the white walls, she was busy gawking at the huuuge lake visible over the fence of the garden when his voice shook her up. T'ralla blinked rapidly, turning her eyes toward her brother's mate – involuntarily smiling at his big, bright grin.
That seemed to be a thing with this man – the red G'raha. When he smiled and his unusual eyes lit up, it was just impossible not to smile back. She never saw anyone with eyes like that – reminding her of the red stones that her mom sometimes used in her sewing for the tribe. Rubies, she remembered, grinning involuntarily. She also really liked his hair, red like fire. And the tattoos on his throat looked really interesting – if she cringed a bit, imagining how much it must have hurt…
"Ah, surprise, Snark," he said, funnily wiggling his dark-red eyebrows at her brother. She also liked his voice, low and somehow so… soothing, and more often than not, more than… kind. But that also seemed to be a thing with him – between the look of his ruby eyes, his smiles, and his voice, he just seemed so… kind. And she couldn't help but really, really like him because of that. She was never much around adult males before, and girls were expected to stay well away from Tia's… but so far, this very special day when she get to see her very special brother, she couldn't help but grin all the time, beyond excited. "I thought… it would be a fitting gift," G'raha colored darkly and she giggled involuntarily, seeing how his blush almost rivaled in color his eyes.
"Really… you have outdone yourself, Raha," T'senri whistled softly as his pale eyes drifted over the building.
Growing a bit self-conscious, T'ralla shifted slightly as her eyes darted again toward the water and almost jumped out of her skin when her brother tightened his big hand around her leg with a low, pleasant chuckle, then as if reading her mind, stepped closer to the fence.
"It's an ocean, T'ralla," he said and she blushed darkly, fisting her hands in the material of her dress in her lap. "I remember being quite… blown away when I saw it the first time," he laughed softly, then smiled at her so… unbearably bright and cheery, she couldn't help but return that as her heart fluttered wildly.
"Ralla," she whispered, caught in the kind look of the pale irises even as her face grew impossibly hot. Her smile grew uncertain when he blinked slowly, tightening his hand around her again and she dropped her eyes with embarrassment. "I m-mean… you're my… b-brother so…"
"Of course, Ralla," he chuckled, then grabbed her delicately and set her on the ground. She had to tilt her head quite hard back to look at him – Azeyma, but he was really huge – but when she did, he grinned at her and gently ruffled her locks… and she had to admit that it felt quite nice. His hand was very big and warm… and she couldn't help but smile back, as wide and bright. "Gods… but you're too cute," he laughed, then dropped to one knee, making looking at him easier. "Now… I have to speak with… our mom for a bit, okay? But you feel free to explore. Just… don't leave the fence?" he said so very seriously and she nodded eagerly, then hesitated.
"Umm… your m-mate… G'raha, said you have a… kitten?" she blinked up at him, folding her hands in front of her shyly.
"We do," he nodded, smiling again as his pale eyes lit up with humor, looking, oh, so very pretty… "But she's not here, Ralla. Not yet… but I promise you, I'll bring her tomorrow for you to play with her, okay? Because I'm guessing, they'll be staying here, Raha?" his gaze turned toward his mate and she followed it, blinking with uncertainty at G'raha before looking toward her mom, that looked busy watching them as her dark eyes simply… shone. But she didn't look sad so T'ralla turned her gaze back to the man with red hair.
"Yes, that was the plan," he smiled a bit sheepishly. "I had others prepare a guest room… but I do admit, I didn't know about T'ralla at the time so…"
"Ralla," she said softly, smiling shyly when he blinked and looked at her with a slightly furrowed brow. "I mean…" she blurted out, looking helplessly between her mother and brother. "…if you're mated… he's my brother now… too?" she really hoped she wasn't wrong – because he was so pretty and kind.
"He is," her brother… Senri, nodded with another chuckle and her mom grinned at her reassuringly, and she relaxed, looking toward the redhead with a hopeful smile. Family members could use one given name, that much she remembered of the custom's lessons. "Aren't you… Raha?" her brother drawled with amusement, slightly raising his dark eyebrows as something… weird flashed in his pale irises.
"I…" his mate choked, looking away from them and toward the ocean above the fence. "I… would be honored… Ralla," he whispered, sounding quite… uncertain. And that her frown with confusion, looking for an explanation at her brother, because her… their mom looked as uncertain, tilting her head and frowning.
"You have to be patient with him," Senri chuckled a bit sadly, ruffling her hair again before standing up and moving behind his mate, wrapping his arms around G'raha's… Raha's chest and resting his chin on top of his red hair. "My beautiful prince doesn't have much experience with… family."
"…prince?" she repeated, tilting her head curiously when her brother's mate chuckled a bit sheepishly, wrapping his hands around Senri's forearm.
"Quite literally," black-haired Seeker winked at her. "Raha's last living representative of the Allagan royalty… hence the color of his eyes. Actually… correct would be calling him an Emperor… but I always thought the 'prince' more fitting," he downright chortled when his mate hissed at him, blushing darkly as he nudged his elbow into her brother's side. "What…? It's true," Senri purred, rubbing his cheek against Raha's hair.
"You're impossible," the redhead rolled his eyes with a quiet laugh.
"Allagan royalty…?" her mother hummed, raising her eyebrows nearly up to her hairline.
"It's a long story, mom," her brother winked at her… though his expression quickly fell. "But what I meant… to keep him safe, his tribe sent him away – alone – when he was five… so he doesn't have any experience with having a family. People they send him to… weren't much of one."
"Snark…" his mate flushed darkly, dropping his gaze.
"Why would they…?" her mom was now scowling darkly as she folded her arms over her chest. "That sounds just cruel."
T'ralla didn't understand much of it – other than from her height she could see more than a hint of hurt in her brother's mate's pretty, ruby eyes… and her heart instantly ached. Without much thought, she walked over to him and wrapped her short arms around his legs, smiling up at him brilliantly when he blinked at her with surprise.
"Don't worry, Raha," she assured with a grin, waving her tail with raw enthusiasm. "Now you have us, so don't be sad! You're so nice… those people were stupid to send you away, but I promise I'll be the best sister you can have… if you want?" he asked, suddenly growing hesitant.
"I would… love that," he said quietly, then smiled and delicately brushed his hand over her hair. And she purred involuntarily because his hand – so careful and gentle – also felt nice. And that it earned her a bright, goofy grin from her brother above Raha's shoulder… had her heart flutter with joy.
Maybe… he really could like her. And she quite liked the idea.
"Now…" her brother's mate chuckled a bit self-consciously, then tapped his hand against Senri's arms, and when that had her brother free him, she backed away as well, though caught in the kind, red eyes. "While they're talking… let me show you around, Ralla? I'll show you your room… and then you'll be free to explore," he reached out his hand toward her, and she grabbed it with a giggle in hers, using the other to wave at her mother while pulling Raha toward the door of the house, impatient to see the inside of it.
It was a bell past midnight when they returned to their bedroom in Baldesion Annex, and though he felt quite emotionally drained, T'senri would lie if he didn't admit that his heart simply… sang as he leaned against the door, with narrowed eyes watching his mate move about the room, slowly discarding his clothes.
He also still didn't quite decide how was he going to punish his lover for that bout of sneezing… or how could he even start to express his gratitude for his prince's scheme. Their scheme – as he more than recognized Damon's hand in that, as well.
Actually, that part, was purely Raha, his immortal hummed and his eyebrows knitted slightly. Damon's less… experienced with the way the mortals' minds work, Senri. He came up with the idea of the house and how to get it – and some other stuff. But as far as I know, going to see your mother was your boy's idea.
And somehow… he wasn't that surprised by that. Raha was kind beyond compare and always saw the best in people… so of course, he wasn't as… unsure as T'senri was about going back. And now, after talking with his mother and learning more about her life after he left… and what's more, of his sister's… he couldn't help but love his prince even more for doing this.
Ralla was absolutely adorable – and looked so much like their mother… his heart simply melted at the sight of her grin. She seemed so delicate… he couldn't help how that sparked his instincts to a furious life. The need to protect the gentle soul so clearly visible in her huge, dark eyes was almost painful – and considering how she seemed to instantly take to his mate… only made him more determined to keep them.
And he would have to be blind not to notice how taken was his lover with the kit – from the first moment when he, oh, so protectively rested his hands on the girl's shoulders back on that path. And even if she wasn't a sweetness incarnate and didn't look exactly like his mother… something in his lover's crimson eyes had him instantly aware that if he somehow scorned the girl, he would be disappointing his mate – and that was something he could never stand.
Raha's kindness and selflessness were always something that truly appealed to his beast – soothing its pain with the hope of someone so incredibly beautiful – inside and out – making fighting for their world worthwhile. Playing the part of the Warrior was bearable if he made the world safer for the people who were like his beautiful prince. Anything he had to suffer and become… was worth it, if it saved even one soul good like his mate's.
That he believed with all of his being… but now, oh, now it was time to play.
"Sooo…" T'senri drawled through his teeth, raising his eyebrows pointedly when crimson eyes darted toward him. Grinning crookedly, he walked across the room, toward the table in the middle, and on the way discarded his shirt, pants, and boots, tossing them carelessly to the floor. "…I believe I was promised recompense, my prince," holding his lover's confused stare, he pulled back one of the chairs, turned it toward him, and sat on the edge of it, leaning his back against the backrest while spreading his thighs and crooking his finger at his mate.
"Oh…?" Raha visibly dragged his eyes over his body and an instant, fiery spark of lust in his eyes had T'senri's cock twitch under his heated gaze. And when his lover – now only in his pants – slowly walked across the room and stopped in front of his chair, right between his legs, he barely stopped himself from instantly pulling him down and tasting those pretty, plush lips when they tilted into a slightly smug smirk. "I thought you liked your gift, Snark…? And yet I'm still required to pay?" his mate's hot hand rested on Warrior's shoulder, over his mark, then his prince leaned it until their quickly speeding up breaths mixed.
"It's about the principle, my mate," he crooned, wrapping his right hand around his neck and he grinned, holding him back when his lover leaned in harder for a kiss and growled softly in a warning at his grip. Raha's hands dropped to rest on his thighs, smoothing up and down their length impatiently. Seeing his fiery gaze focused on his mouth with intent, T'senri bared his teeth at him with a challenge, almost purring at the flare of the as fiery temper in the ruby irises. "I don't mind your schemes, Raha… but you have to learn that keeping secrets from me has a price," he cooed shamelessly, with premeditation letting his fangs extend and barely stopping his tail from waving with enthusiasm when his lover's eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly when that possessive blaze in his eyes sparked higher. "So… time to pay, my prrrince…"
"Very well, my beast," Raha said slowly, stopping and tightening his hands around his hips. "What would satisfy you, my Sun… for this secret?"
"Hmmm…" he hummed with pretend consideration, slowly moving his hand from his mate's neck to brush his thumb over Raha's pretty, full lower lip, unable to choke down a breathy whimper when his lover's mouth parted eagerly, and his teeth caught his finger while his rough tongue curled around it. "Ah, forrr the beginning… yourrr mouth, Rrraha," he rasped, with effort keeping his claws from slipping while his gaze was simply stuck on the sight. His dick throbbed eagerly at the prospect, tearing a helpless groan from his throat.
"At your service, my Warrior," his mate chuckled a bit breathlessly, letting go of his finger, then fell to his knees between T'senri's legs, pressing his almost too-hot lips against the top of his thigh. He trailed them up slowly, growling softly when he gasped. He swiftly untangled his lover's braid and discarded his hairpins carelessly to sink his fingers in the soft, red hair, delicately rubbing his fingertips over the backs of his mate's sensitive ears. "I thought it was supposed to be punishment, Snark…" Raha chuckled as his hands coiled around his thighs.
"…punishment?" he gasped, fighting with himself not to pull those pretty, hot mouth where he needed them the most… his cock almost leaking and ready to burst when fanned by unbearably hot breath. "No, Rrraha… my beautiful, perrrfect mate… Forrr what you did today, I can only rrreward you. So… have yourrr fill, my prince," he cooed, then unceremoniously mewled his mate's name when Raha purred with delight, then eagerly set to swallow him down, tearing a string of profanities and helpless whimpers from his mouth as T'senri fought to stay still and only pet his lover's ears gratefully. Drowning in the intoxicating scent of their mixed arousal, he didn't even try to stop his needy noises, knowing how they riled up his mate. And feeling Raha's fingers dig into his skin to be soon followed by the maddening vibrations of his purrs around his throbbing flesh… he carefully grabbed fistfuls of red hair, mewling his submission desperately. Arching in his seat when his mate purred harder, then set to move his head back, making sure to let him feel the rough texture of his tongue, he soon fought his body, not wanting it to end too soon. "…what… oh, fuuuuck…" he whimpered when his lover went down again, without effort swallowing him down to the hilt. His maddening purrs grew louder and more intense, sending bolts of lightning along T'senri's spine. "…whateverrr you… ngh… want, Rrraha…" he mewled, mindlessly pulling his head back and down again, whining in the back of his throat at the sensation.
"Oh…?" he almost literally passed out when his mate pulled back, panting harshly as Raha flashed his white teeth at him in a wide, cheeky grin. That unbearable tease… "…anything, Snark?"
"Yesss, please…" he moaned shamelessly, trying to pull his lover's wonderful mouth back to his aching erection, whimpering involuntarily when Raha resisted, instead trailing small, sharp bites up his stomach as he stood up slowly, soon resting his hands around T'senri's head as he took his mouth in a deep, devouring kiss. Instantly dazed by his delicious flavor, he used his grip on red hair to tilt his head for easier access, eagerly swallowing his lover's hungry growl and mewling desperately when Raha's hand moved down, curling possessively around his dick.
"And if I say…" his tease of a mate purred against his lips after a long, long moment, pumping his hand slowly along his wanting flesh. "…I want your cock inside me, Senri…? That I want you to bend me over this table behind you and fuck me until I can't walk… like only you can, my beautiful beast?" he purred and nipped on his lower lip… and when his words fully registered in T'senri's dazed mind, he almost came, shuddering violently when Raha pulled back from him with almost mean chuckle at his expression.
He snarled, on his feet before he could even think, and eagerly fulfilled his mate's wish, carelessly pushing the chair aside, grabbing his cackling lover, and pinning him down against the wood of the table with a choked growl. Cursing his claws, he awkwardly reached for his pants, in hurry tearing them as he pulled out the bottle of oil from the pocket and then handed it to his mate's waiting hand. Though flushed, his lover groaned deeply with relief as he quickly pushed his pants down, and set to prepare his beautiful body for him while T'senri dug his claws into the wood around him to keep himself in check, spreading affectionate bites over his lover's neck and shoulders. His mate's gasps and mewls of arousal weren't helping him or his measly self-control any, and he could only rut his painful erection against his lover's buttock, soon purring insistently against his neck.
"I'm… yours," his prince finally moaned, lacing the fingers of his left hand with his next to his shoulder as his other hand drifted back, to curl around T'senri's hip and pull him closer. Choking on a relieved whimper, he took the invitation, whining in the back of his throat when the tight heat of his lover's body closed around the head of his dick. Pressing tight against Raha's back and nuzzling against his neck affectionately, he took him slowly despite his body's furious need, gasping desperately by the time his dick was seated inside him up to the hilt. "As… you're mine," his mate mewled breathlessly, squirming under his weight. His free hand sank into T'senri's hair, tightening in a fist as he whined a complaint, pulling on the black strands slightly. "Take me… my beast," he cooed shamelessly, sending a near-violent shudder down Warrior's spine.
And because he could never resist fulfilling his prince's wishes… he bared his fangs in a snarl and then bit him, groaning into it as he pulled back from the maddening heat of his body to slam into him with purely male aggression. Losing his mind when Raha arched under him with a choked whine, wounding his tail around his waist when he set a brutal rhythm, rutting into him mercilessly. Without releasing his bite or pulling back from his back, he spared him none of his unnatural strength, growling mindlessly while his mate sang for him in his nearly musical whines and whimpers.
The first time his heated muscles spasmed around his cock he almost passed out, snarling with satisfaction and only by pure determination keeping his orgasm back, instead focusing on fucking him harder, making sure to slam into the spot that had his mate choke on breathless mewls of his name. Far from sated with his prince's addictive sounds, he finally pulled back from his bite and lifted above his back, resting his hands around his lover's hips as he used the change in the position to pound into him harder, uttering desperate growls and groans. Mesmerized by the sight of his dick sliding in and out of that beautiful, tanned body as his ears twitched and swallowed eagerly his mate's needy noises, knowing what his lover's body liked best, without slowing down his furious rhythm, he freed one hand to curl it around the base of his Raha's red tail. Pulling gently on the sensitive appendage, he was rewarded when Raha arched with a shout of his name, then whimpered as his muscles spasmed around the Warrior's dick, making him groan deeply as he couldn't help but follow, panting harshly and shuddering as he pumped his lover's insides full of his seed.
Lowering against his mate's seemingly completely limp body, he nuzzled against his neck with a low, raspy chuckle.
"Again… happy birthday, my Snark," his mate whispered, treading his fingers into T'senri's hair again and delicately petting his ear.
"Best birthday… ever," he said with confidence, placing a fond kiss on his lover's neck, before chuckling almost evilly and thanking his Ascian in thought for his unnaturally fast recovery time and stamina, as he smoothed his hand down his mate's side and curled it around Raha's hip, rocking in small, delicate movements as his dick swiftly, grew hard again at the surrounding it incredible heat. "But I'm sooo far from fulfilling your wish, my prince," he chortled at his mate's quiet gasp, then buried his face in red hair as he rolled his whole body against his lover's back in a slow slide, taking him now in an easier, smoother rhythm. "I believe you said… you want me to fuck you until you can't walk…" he sing-a-songed playfully, then trailed his tongue over the contour of his earlier bite, grinning gleefully when his gorgeous mate's body shuddered under his weight and Raha's intoxicating scent again swelled the air around them with his arousal. Feeling his mouth water at the delicious aroma, he purred near-deafeningly, nuzzling against his prince's shoulder as he braced his elbows around his muscular body and speed up his movements, fucking him with quite an enthusiasm.
"I can heal…" his lover chuckled breathlessly, arching his back under him to take him deeper and mewling his enjoyment when following his clue, T'senri set a much harder rhythm, rutting into him with barely contained violence. "…so you have to… oh, gods… ngh, work for it, Snark…"
"Is that… a challenge, my prince?" he chortled, utterly out of breath, as he lifted on his arms and grinned when his beautiful, completely disheveled mate tossed him a wink and a playful smirk over his shoulder.
"What do you think…?" his lover bared his teeth at him in a challenging grin when he growled playfully, rolling his red tail around his forearm then pressed his hand right under its base, pinning him down against the table as he let his fangs slip again and flash in a similar way back. "Give me all you got, my beast."
"With pleasurrre," he rasped, then set to fuck him into oblivion… as he so charmingly demanded.
G'raha merely mewled weakly as he was pulled off the hard surface below his utterly limp body, unable to even open his eyes when his insatiable beast laughed softly at his expanse, then let him lean back against the wall of hot muscle as he was delicately pushed forward.
"So… I win?" his lover nuzzled against his neck affectionately before with a groan pulling him down into their nest.
"…barely…" he murmured, fighting to stay awake as Senri laughed and snuggled against his back tightly after a bit awkwardly pulling the blankets over them. Feeling his Warrior's strong, even heartbeat against his back and drowning in his incredible heat, he couldn't help but smile despite the exhaustion when his lover as always entangled him in his possessive embrace, purring near-deafeningly and nuzzling against his ears. "But… I'm glad… I like your mom and sister, Snark."
"Good," his Warrior chuckled, then tightened his arms around him. "But… they're yours too now, Raha."
"Y-yeah…" he couldn't help how his throat tightened painfully when he wrapped his hand around his mate's forearm over his chest and snuggled back into his embrace tighter. "It's going to… take a while to get used to that."
"I know," Senri purred soothingly. "Take your time, my heart. I understand it doesn't make up for everything… But they already adore you, my beautiful prince. When you left with Ralla… Gods, but it was almost embarrassing how my mom gushed at how I found myself 'such a gorgeous and sweet mate,'" he felt his face heat up unbearably and squeaked with embarrassment, hiding his flaming face against his lover's arm under his head. "There, there… It's just true, my heart. And the little Ralla… Twelve, but she's cute."
"Mhmm," smiling, he relaxed, even as his face still burned. "She seemed really interested in magic. Think when we're done with Fanny… it will be fun to teach her," he yawned widely, slowly melting into his mate's heat.
"So… you're okay if they stay?" Senri whispered against his ears, tightening his arms around him possessively.
"Mhmm… knew you take one look at them and wouldn't let them leave," he chuckled sleepily, then yawned again. "And honestly… they're just too pretty to let them wander off into the world… Only, we will need a bigger home," he murmured, fighting the drowsiness.
"Raha… I love you, so much…" his Warrior sighed dreamily, making him instantly grin his stupid, lovesick grin and hum with happiness.
"…love you, too…" he muttered softly then sighed with bliss, slowly petting his lover's arm. "…nap?"
"Whatever you wish, my heart," his mate purred, going back to nuzzle against his hair and ears with near-deafening, rumbling purrs. "Just tell me… when is your birthday?"
"…dunno," he sighed, rubbing his cheek against his lover's arm.
"Huh?" Senri stilled utterly, and G'raha whimpered a complaint when his purrs died down instantly. "You… don't know?"
"Mhmm," he hummed, pulling his arm tighter around himself. "Not even sure how old my body is, really… Students guessed five… but, eh… who knows…? I didn't remember…" he said slowly, fighting to stay awake at this point.
"I see," his lover hummed, then sighed and pressed a tender kiss on top of his head before going back to purring, which had G'raha soon join in, setting down into his mate's heat. "Do you want to share mine?"
"…sure, why not…" he mumbled, not exactly aware of what he was agreeing to.
"Marvelous!" his mate gushed, nuzzling against his ears happily and purring louder. "Now… I need to get you something as nice," but by this point, G'raha was too far into a pleasant dream to get unnerved by the pure determination ringing in his Warrior's deep voice.
"Damon?"
"Yes, Senri?" he took over with more than a hint of amusement in his immortal soul, not even bothering to open his eyes but simply enjoying the heat. Busy as he was mulling over the events of the day during their hosts' marathon… he wasn't paying attention to their conversation but Ares's boy sounded suspiciously excited against his ear.
"Do you… ah, can you, please, dig deeper into Raha's memories and get me… any name he heard as a kit? Before the Old Sharlayan, I mean," the Warrior asked and he frowned involuntarily, opening his eyes and glaring over his shoulder.
"Why would I do that?" he scoffed.
"So I can jump there," Senri said slowly, relaxing his hold around him to lift on his elbow and peer at his face with a slightly sheepish smile. "And find out if he has any family left."
"Senri…" he narrowed his eyes at the boy, shifting to rest on his back. "They pretty much discarded him like trash… they don't deserve even a thought of knowing him, my boy."
"I mean… I don't disagree, Damon," Ares's host sighed, rubbing his chin in a too-familiar gesture. "But after today… After what he did for me, I just… want to check, okay? Maybe… I don't know, maybe it's not that simple?" he shrugged helplessly, looking at him hopefully. "But his memories are so… muddled from then, I can't pick up anything from it. Can you…?"
"I never tried," he looked away with a scoff, grimacing when Senri sighed again and poked his side.
"Come on… please? Not for them… but for Raha? Even if they don't deserve him… you know he wonders about it, Damon, don't you? And aren't you at all curious?" the boy had the nerve to smile teasingly when he tossed him a deadpan stare. And because he looked so much like his Ares… he cursed under his nose, then sighed with resignation and closed his eyes, diving into his host's consciousness deeper than he ever did.
He soon understood what Senri meant, as those memories were a muddled mess of colors and sounds, too many people and things not making sense to the young mind. But focusing with the cold precision on the sounds alone, soon he stumbled upon something… interesting.
"Don't be stubborn, Jalla," a female, angry voice. "Garleans were spotted at the edge of the forest, stupid girl. The Baldesion will keep the boy safe until he's big enough to be useful."
"Then let me go with him," another female's voice, this young and ringing with desperation. "He's too small, please…" this was paired with a feeling of a tight, possessive hug around his host's small form. "Who's going to look after him…?"
"This is pointless, grab the boy," the first voice again, sounding commanding and ruthless. A tug, a scream of that young voice, and the mix of shock and cold loneliness.
…never before known loneliness…
Damon blinked slowly, tilting his head curiously under Senri's inquisitive gaze.
"Perhaps… you're onto something," he said slowly, then sighed. "Jalla… and I think she was his mother... or at least someone not very happy to have him leave."
"Jalla," the Warrior grinned, his bright, goofy grin nearly blinding, and for that alone, Damon chuckled fondly, tapping his fingers against the boy's cheek.
"Don't get your hopes up," he still warned with a sigh. "It's been more than twenty years… she might not care anymore… or be alive, for that matter."
"It's something, though… Thanks, Damon," the Warrior said with a wink. "I need to catch some sleep… but if you can keep Raha distracted in the morning? I'll just check… that's all."
"Sure," he sighed with resignation, then turned around and smiled involuntarily when the boy coiled around him in his typical, possessive way. "Just… don't take too long, because there's still something waiting for you."
"Mhmm," Senri hummed his agreement, resting his chin on top of his head and purring near-deafeningly. "Goodnight, Damon."
Gods, just too… adorable!
"Goodnight, Senri," he chuckled, slipping into the back of their shared head and musing over this new development.
