Well, most of the reviews are ok, so I guess I'll give this thing a go.
Same disclaimer applies to all chapters, I don't own anything, just this idea.
Normal awareness crept upon him slowly, the elven-blood within drawn, as always, to flight of fancy. Cutter shuddered, wolflike as he flung off the last of his blood-induced stupor.
Feeling a presence to his right, he quickly ducked his head, the pull awakening yet again as His.. his scent pervaded the nearby air, it's tendrils winging their way to his sensitive nose. The wolf-blood Knew him now, as the Elf had always thought he'd known his friend.
Skywise cursed inwardly. Through the strange new link, he could feel-sense the other boy's turmoil. But this was so unlike true sending that he was unable to freely hear whole-thoughts, only the strongest of them carrying through clearly.
But he felt.. almost, but not quite like.. Like a wolf-send, he realized, surprised. The thoughts were definately there, but the feelings of the younger boy were like an open plain, laid bare by the mating-run of Red-Neck deer..
Fa..Fahr?
Startled, he cursed again as the sound of his soulname sent a thrill of pleasure coursing through him. There was still the... Problem.. of what to do now. even one as young as Cutter knew the consequences of a refused Recognition. Skywise could no longer afford to hold inward debates. Outward action was needed to spare his.. His Recognized pain. He sent this last to Cutter, turning to face him.
To save my Recognized pain
Cutter gasped, the raw thought-emotion he felt through their newfound link striking him with the force of Strongbow's arrows.
Tam.. This is real
"Skywise, I.." he started, stepping forward as he spoke.
No, skywise cut him off, his brow furrowing beneath his blue-silver headpiece. Send to me He stepped closer to his friend, struggling to restrain the urge to kiss the boy's now upturned face.
Cutter's eyes were wide, his pupils dilated intil only slivers of blue
remained. He felt almost drugged.
The pull of Recognition demanded that he touch his friend. Love demanded an answer. Skywise, I have to know.. He stopped short, unsure of how to go on. Surely he was going to lose his friend, he thought.
"High Ones, help me," Skywise groaned, seeing clearly in his mind what Cutter feared to voice. It all came down to love, didn't it? A wry grin stretched across his face, causing his friend to slowly step forward in concern.
Did he love Cutter, he wondered suddenly, his grin turning a bit more wolfish as he dwelt in detail on the feelings Cutter's memory evoked.
Warm summer nights spent curled together as the last few stars had twinkled into the quiet edge of sun-goes-down.
Other nights, bitter cold outside, causing the youngest to whimper in the darkness, a small hand searching for his own.. Was this feeling love, he wondered.
Cutter drew closer, his heightened senses detecting the anxiety of his companion. Through the link came only confusion, and another slightly more familiar, somewhat scattered emotion that seemed to call to him.
Skywise had called him his Recognized. Did it mean.. Could he possibly accept this? At the thought, a part of Cutter's own resistance seemed to sigh in satisfaction, melting away a piece of his inner shield.
Skywise was aware of Cutter, but the memories of what had been consumed him. He was stalling, he realized with shame. His grin faltered as Cutter stopped a mere arm's reach away. Why? he sent to the younger boy, slightly startled that the previously distant elf was now so close.
Lowering his face, Cutter mulled over the question. Why? Did he mean why me, why is this happening? Did any of that matter now, he mused, the answer coming to him as he gathered his resolve. With a sudden determination, he stood firm, and took the final step. Meeting the eyes of his Recognized, he answered.
"Why? Does why truly change anything?" He frowned, trying to conver something far too complex for words. "I felt the same things as you. Just now, I realized that, afte so long a season, a small love can become as large as the Father Tree itself. if it is shameful, then I will go.."
To Skywise, he seemed a chief then, the older, wiser elf he was to be clearly visible on his young face. Shame? He sent, his silver brows drawing together in confusion, Why would it be shame? Isn't Recognition about joining, a bond of two incomplete parts?
Cutter's breath hitched tightly within his chest, his relief causing him to sigh as he once again collected his courage and slowly stretched out his hand towards his brother. A smile crept it's way across his face as he grew closer. Are you incomplete, Skywise? He sent, wondering if now would be the deciding moment. Friends? Lovemates? What would Recognition make of them?
"I love you, don't I?" Skywise blurted suddenly.
Through their linked minds, he could feel wha Cutter felt, so clearly now.. As Cutter's hand tenatively swept across his cheek, he sighed. Gazing into his friend's eyes, he asked again, without words.
Cutter smiled, his hands slipping to the back of Skywise's neck as he drew the older boy close. Is this what you feel? he asked silently, opening the floodgates of his mind fully. His longing, his love, the hot rush of pleasure that had flared between them when they'd kissed.. All of this and more, a lifetime's memories flowed to Skywise.
An answering smile crossed his face as he allowed his eyes to slip closed. Yes, the same, everything, and so much more.. Cutter's eyes were closing, he was so close, his lips parted slightly as he pressed them to his friend's, words no longer needed as they tried to discover one another anew.
Well, that's the secong chapter.. So, should there be more? Or should I go to hell and repent my despoilage of a good comic?
Just so you know, reviewsmorestuff! Later!