ZEDD - TWO DAYS LATER - EARLY EVENING

It took all day yesterday and a half a dozen promises from David and another half a dozen from Sam, but Thomas finally agreed to go on his little outing today. Something I am and am not completely thrilled about, given my still present curiosity concerning this little vision quest and just what it means and entails. Still though they did promise, and he did give me a very serious threat to consider if I should try and work my charm to make them break said promises. No, sleeping alone for a week, definitely not worth satisfying my need to know.

As the sun finally begins to get lower in the sky, I begin to eagerly anticipate my mate's return. Not that I haven't enjoyed myself today. Sam shared a lot of information with me regarding the tribe and Thomas' heritage. Of course, I don't know if I'd have been quite as interested had I not seen how Thomas was dressed when he left the cabin this morning.

According to Sam, after a few years of Thomas going out on his 'pilgrimages', Sam had traditional brave's garb made for him - pants, tunic, moccasins and a headband. And I have to say, with the exception of his shorter hair, Thomas does bear a striking resemblance to the braves of old. Of course, it's difficult to keep my eagerness under control knowing that those are the only articles of clothing that he's wearing…

I take a deep breath and refocus my attention on Sam as he's making the evening meal. I'm just about to ask him a question when suddenly the room goes dark, the sunlight gone. Before I can recover from my surprise, the back door flies open and David rushes in. "Grandfather, there's a nasty storm that's come up from out of nowhere. It'll be here soon."

Thomas. Swiftly, I rise to my feet, intent on finding my mate. Sam stops me. "Zedd, Tommy will be fine. Help us, please, secure things."

I hesitate, desire to find my mate prevalent in my mind. Through the bond, I sense that he's all right, and he would be rather unhappy if I were to just leave his family to fend for themselves. Finally, I agree and follow David outside at Sam's request. Once outside, I see the thick black clouds that have blocked the sun and my worry increases. I'll give them half an hour and then I go searching for Thomas.

As David and I lock down the barn, we both watch the coming storm anxiously. He keeps it off of his face, but I can see it in his eyes as I'm sure he can in mine. He leads me from chore to chore, the pair of us finishing them swiftly even as Sam deals with the house. A crash of thunder startles me, it's so close and loud. The electricity in the air makes me nervous as well.

Finally, we're done and David herds me into the house. "If we're going to go look for him, we'll need some things."

It's a logical statement and I allow him to push me into the house, prolonging me far too long for my liking. The three of us are in the living room and I pace as I wait for them to gather what's needed. The thunder begins again, this time it's several - one after the other with only the barest of pauses. Suddenly, the sky opens up, rain coming down so thickly that I can't see past the front porch when I look out the window. Oh hells, Thomas is out in this.

"Forget it, I can find him through the bond. Stay here where it's safe." My orders coming quickly and sternly, I snatch up my staff and spin for the kitchen, but before I can take so much as a step, I hear familiar laughter coming from there. In a moment, I'm in the kitchen.

Thomas is leaning against the back door, laughing around panting for air. "Just made it" he gasps out, grinning. "Two steps slower and I'd have been soaked."

Wordlessly, I take him in my arms. I'd like to hold him tighter, but he's still trying to get his breath back. I bury my face in his neck, relief coursing through me. I can feel his chest heaving against me as he presses a quick kiss against my cheek and strokes my hair. "I'm here, mate. I'm all right. Hell even if I hadn't made it back yet, a little water won't hurt me." No but the wind and lightning that goes with it very well could have.

Quietly so that he's the only one that can hear me, I tell him, "Going to need you tonight."

"I know." He squeezes me firmly before easing me back. His eyes are making me promises even as I catch a difference in his scent, nothing troubling, just different. "Let's get something to eat and then see if the storm eases up enough for us to go to our cabin."

"We will be getting to our cabin tonight - one way or another" I promise him.

Smiling, he shakes his head. "Gonna hold you to that, mate."

We sit down at the table and throughout the meal, I can't help but make sure that I'm constantly in contact with him - even if it's something as simple as my leg touching his under the table. Now that he's back safely, the mood in the house lightens considerably.

By the time the meal is over and the dishes done, the downpour has eased quite a bit. Looking out the front window, I can now easily see the lights in the house across the street. I step out on the porch and assess the weather. Normally not caring much considering my work doesn't often require me to be out in the elements, I'm at a slight loss. Thomas joins me and after a minute so does the rest of his family. The three of them exchange looks and then Thomas speaks. "Sam, it looks like-"

Sam nods. "Yes, you're right. Give me a few minutes, Falcon, and then the two of you can go. David, come help me, please."

The two humans disappear into the house. Thomas wraps his arm around my waist, leaning into my side as he does. I rest my arm across his shoulders, once more grateful that he returned safely. I nuzzle his ear and he sighs. "Soon, mate. Hang on a few more minutes."

"Want you now though." I gently nip at the curve of his ear, making him suck in a breath. "Come on love, you are after all, all about nature. While that's not really my thing, I do have to admit I am a bit excited by the power of something as dangerous as a storm."

"Zedd-"

Kissing my way down his neck, I press the matter just a bit more. "How close to nature would it be for us to mate outside? Soaking wet, the animals serenading us."

"Stop, Zedd. My brother and grandfather don't need to see the effect you have on me." A flash of lightning illuminates his slender form and I can see his arousal in sharp relief, making me want him even more. He squeezes me. "Be patient, mate. And so you know, as enticing as your proposal is, now just isn't the time or place…maybe when we return home and the storm isn't as severe."

"Hold you to that, love."

"I have no doubt you will." He's still watching the sky, listening and occasionally sniffing the air. After several minutes, he calls back into the house, "Sam, we're almost out of time!"

The old man and David appear on the porch and hand me a rather large box and Thomas some sort of large plastic container with a handle. "Go swiftly, Falcon, and get back to your nest before the storm begins again." Oh hells.

Thomas nods. "We'll see you when it clears enough. Let's go, Zedd. Quickly."

I follow him off the porch and we move as fast as we can in spite of our weapons and burdens. In spite of our speed, we are a bit wet when we arrive. Thomas hasn't even had a chance to close the door behind us when the skies release their fury once more. He whistles lowly. "That was close."

Our weapons stored in the corner, door safely closed and locked, my attention is briefly diverted by the items given to us by the other Trueheart men. "What is all that?"

"Food and other supplies, I would imagine. If we're reading the weather right, we might not be able to get to Sam's for food tomorrow." He kneels and digs through the box I'd hauled back here. My eyes are drawn to the way his pants mold themselves to his backside and my need for him spikes. He looks over his shoulder at me as I've not responded to whatever else he may have said - and quite probably - feeling the surge. Thomas smiles at me, understanding in his eyes. Quickly, he shoves the box aside and wiggles out of his shirt, pants, and moccasins, all of which he tosses on a chair before returning to all fours. "Go ahead mate. I can feel how much you need this."

I groan and in a moment I'm on my knees behind him and shoving my own clothes out of the way. I ease into him. I'm not in a rush, I just need him, need to feel him, hold him. Once I'm all the way in him, I lean down and kiss the back of his neck and shoulders. "Love you, Thomas." Before he can answer, I begin to move. "Love the way you feel."

He moans softly. I hook my arms under his and pull him up so that his hips are just above mine. I thrust up into him as I kiss his neck and shoulder. He starts moving to meet me even as he tilts his head so I can get to more of his neck and reaches up and back to slide his fingers through my hair. "Zedd, my god. Feels so good."

My hands had settled on his hips, but now I glide them up his torso to his chest, gently rubbing and pinching the hardened nubs I find there, earning me an even louder moan. And oh hells, he feels so good and I need him so much, my pace quickens before I'd intended it to. My hands return to his hips and pull him down tightly and I explode deep inside him, rocking slightly in my pleasure.