Time and time again, Raihan had come to visit Piers in the spring during their evening hunts. And time and time again, piers would abruptly end their conversation to flee into the waters. This time, Raihan knew what would be coming but he had no intention to let it happen so easily. He had remembered what the other had told him last week and even brought food from the village. Spices. Red meat. Wine. He would charm Piers into staying for more than a few words if his life depended on him.

The dragoon was panting when he arrived at the falls, pleased to drop the cargo he had been carrying. He stripped himself of his armor like last time until he was down his small clothes and dashed into the river. It was like he was going mad, turning himself around in his search. "Where are you? Come on. Please! Piers, don't play this game with me, again. I know you're still-"

"What do you want?" Right behind him, he was standing on the water's surface.

Raihan didn't move. He didn't even speak right away. He understood the heavy tone in Piers's voice and could feel his gaze stab into his back. His host's patience was already wearing thin. A heavy feeling sank in his gut, telling him that it would be best to turn around, leave the river, and let Piers be alone, but…

"I want you to stop running from me," he forced out, choking.

"Oh…?" His hands moved slowly. The grim had a bow in his hand, which he tapped on the large instrument he supported in his other hand. A low note dragged out, making the water beneath his feet ripple.

"Please…. Please, Piers. I want to see you, again. I want to hear you play- to know more about you!"

Piers continued playing his cello as he moved across the water, circling Raihan, seeming not even moving his legs as he did so. "About me? Or about yourself?" When he stopped playing Piers teased Raihan, guiding him to look into his eyes. He pressed the tip of his bow under the edge of the dragoon's chin.

Raihan gulped. "Do you know more about me? Do you know things that I don't?"

"No."

"Then why did you ask?"

Piers pressed his bow against Raihan's throat. "You didn't answer my question. What do you truly want to know from me?"

Now Raihan was angry. He was clenching his teeth, hands balled into fists, and eyes staring directly into Piers's own with a fire in them, almost like he was about to explode. "I just...I want…" he choked. The wheel in his head was spinning, but nothing was coming to mind. Yet he was convinced that if he gave the wrong answer then Piers would fade away into the mist like he had week after week.

His frustration bubbled, growing bigger and bigger until he couldn't hold it in anymore. Raihan gripped around Piers's bow and pulled from his hand. "I...don't know what I want," he said in a bitter huff. "All I know is that when I'm with you I begin to question and learn more about myself- about this world that goes against what I was taught when I was younger."

The fossegrimen listened, and eased his bow from Raihan's chin, but didn't say anything, even as Raihan's hand slid over the bow, reaching out to his own.

"I don't know what to say."

"You can be honest." Piers pulled himself from Raihan and began playing again. Unlike the previous times, the woods didn't come to a screeching halt, but instead a slow, somber flow. Everything felt as though it were happening in slow motion, from the river's flow to the even breeze against their skin.

Raihan gulped, yet the more he spoke the easier his thoughts manifested into a reality. "Every time I see you, I learn more about myself. Every time I hear your music the whole bows to it and the same goes for me! I can't help it, Piers!" He looked into the other's eyes as his face sunk into desperation. "I just want to spend more time with you, tonight. Please- I remember what you told me so I bought red meat and spices to cook for you, even!"

After a long silence, Piers spoke. "You are truly a most fascinating creature, Raihan." He stopped playing his cello, and the world resumed normality. The river sounded as he stepped past his guest, heading for the shore. "I ask you here every night, playing a song to assure you I am here, yet you grow ever anxious that one day you will arrive to nothing save the clash of the rapids downstream, thirsty for my songs like a fish for water."

Raihan followed behind him like a zombie. "You said you weren't a siren," he graveled as he ground his teeth together. "Said you didn't hold power over humans." He dragged himself to the shore where his belongings were. "What are you, Piers?" he muttered.

"You have asked this before, and I'm afraid I will give you the same answer. The question isn't 'what am I?' but actually 'what are you, Raihan?'"

"You think I'm not human?"

"I think you are extraordinaire."

The two sat in silence. Piers perched on a stone and continued playing his cello while Raihan set up a fire, same as always, and began cooking.


"Piers?" Raihan spoke up, unable to stand the silence. He set his food down, having lost his appetite.

"Yes?" He didn't look up from his cello. He kept his eyes on his fingers, jumping over the strings as he continued into another song.

"Why don't you leave this place? Come live in the city with me?"

"We both know I can't do that."

"Why not? We can make it work. I mean, you've left the river before. What's stopping you from going into the woods and past the iron gates? Hell, we can disguise you to get in without anyone noticing you. I'll even make sure you have a large bathtub to rest in if you need it."

"Really, Raihan? You expect me to live in captivity? Within the confines of a luxury bathroom for the rest of my days?"

"Well...I know it doesn't sound glamorous but it beats being alone out here in the woods, doesn't it?"

"Not in the slightest."

"Why?! How could you even- what do you mean?"

"All this time spent together and you still understand nothing." Though insulting, Piers's voice remained calm and indifferent. His song slowed, and he began to play more quietly. "As I've always said, fossegrimen are one with nature. We can bend it to our will, but it comes with the price of having to follow it like every other animal or plant."

Raihan was stunned. Silent.

"You hear my music just as I hear the songs of nature. I hear the wind sing as it blows. The leaves play their drums against the branches. Birds chirp, and even the rocks explode in a thunderous orchestra. I hear them argue in the hardest storm. I hear the world weep when the pidoves fly south every autumn, and then again when they return in the spring. You see, to leave my domain would mean to separate myself from the entire world - to give up myself."

Piers's song came to an end and he took the last bite of his food. "Tell me, do you think you could do it? Resign yourself from your free will and live a life according to the laws of nature?"

Raihan's head slowly sank, eyes falling on the dying embers of the fire. "I don't know. But didn't you say that surely I must already be doing that if I can hear your music?"

"I did. But soon enough there will be choices to be made. Either follow nature if it leads you away from me or defy it and lose the ability to hear me play."

"NO!" He jumped to his feet. "Don't joke about that! Don't say that, Piers! Please! I don't want that. Neither of us do. Please don't-" he choked out each word as he stepped over the fire-pit, closer to Piers. The other didn't budge but set his bow down on the rock.

Raihan was losing himself.

No.

He had lost himself when he first met Piers several weeks ago. Ever since he first heard him - saw him playing the violin naked atop the rocks in the falls something hard stirred in him, called for something deep within Raihan's very soul that he couldn't explain, and he wanted desperately to stay beside Piers until he knew what it was. His chest was aching, insides turning ablaze until it felt like flames would ignite and explode from every exit of his body.

The dragoon knelt before the fossegrimen. "Please...stay with me. As long as you can. When I'm with you, things don't make any sense and yet it feels more right than anything else. When I hear your music I feel parts of me awaken that I never knew I had." A trembling hand reached out to take hold of the musician's own. Pier's hand was so thin, felt so fragile, yet had a delicate, icy, and smooth sensation to it. His skin practically shined against Raihan's dark, sun-kissed copper tone. "Piers, I'm begging you. Stay with me. Stay with me as long as you can tonight. Don't run from me after the song ends!"

Piers's eyes were cold, and bleak, glaring down at Raihan. The man was on his knees, groveling at him for his attention. This was the sight of someone at the end of his rope, yet he didn't even know what he was so desperately hoping to gain out of his company. The dragoon only wished to be by the other's side as though blindly searching would turn up some kind of treasure Piers was keeping hidden from him. Truly, he knew nothing except what he had already told Raihan, and it confused him.

Still, he enclosed his grip gently over Raihan's own and raised the man's hand. He leaned down to softly press a cold, tender kiss to the back of his knuckles.

Piers wasn't one to admit his true feelings or desires. Having lived a life of solitude, and obeying the laws which nature had intended for him, he never had the right nor reason to act on any thought except to fill the air with sweet music. For the first time, Piers now questioned everything he knew as he watched the man before him undergo so much confusion and suffering. His heart pounded in his chest like a drum. "A most fascinating creature, indeed…" he muttered.

His cello and bow melted into a mist, surrounding them both and Piers knelt from the rock, into the sand to be closer to Raihan. His free hand reached up to the man's face to caress his cheek, fingers stroking down Raihan's neck. The fossegrimen claimed the dragoon in a swift, nervous kiss. Piers's lips were trembling as he tasted Raihan. Every moment stung his subconscious. His survival instincts blared in his head, ordering him to halt his actions, and yet he pressed forward. He would stay until each, and every voice was drowned out, smothered, eradicated, and for the first time in his life Piers would enjoy the silence - sweet, sweet silence that he only found in Raihan.

Don't let anyone see you. Don't leave the water. Don't connect with the human world. Don't get attached. Don't invite them in. DON'T… Don't… don't… d o n ' t…

Piers's hold around Raihan was fragile and slipping with his balance. He was shaking even as the voices in his head faded to a distant whisper. Weak, he began to collapse until Raihan's arm reached around and caught him. "I got you," he whispered, parting from the kiss.

Raihan gazed into Piers's green pools. Past his reflection, Raihan could sense the pain, the hurt, the confusion, and the torment the fossegrimen was entangled in. They were shrouded in mist, hidden from all eyes and ears, and yet Piers was still fighting to keep himself from crumbling in his arms. The way he looked back at him - it was like Raihan was no longer a confused human, but instead a desperate beast.

Raihan leaned forward, and hoisted Piers into his lap, held him tight with both arms around him, and reached up to his back. His fingers laced into the messy volume of Piers's long, black and white hair. "Please...don't leave me," Raihan desperately begged with a whisper. "Because I'm not going to leave you."

They were both a mess, fighting to keep themselves together.

Every motion was being cleverly calculated. Every action came after hesitation. Piers embraced Raihan with both arms. He breathed slowly, deeply, as he rested his head on the other's shoulders. The man's body was warm, yet his skin was cool from the evening air. He could feel beads of sweat on his back. His heartbeat thumped against his chest. In a struggle, Piers choked. "I will stay," he whispered back.

Concealed from all eyes and ears, Raihan leaned Piers back against the rock and gazed into his eyes one more. They kissed again, deeper, and longer than before. The only piece of clothing Raihan was still wearing was removed so that they were both naked. He trailed his lips down Piers's chin, under his jaw, and down his neck, peppering every spot he could reach as his hands grazed over soft flesh and masses of hair.

Piers was moaning sweetly every time. Heat flushed through him until his face glowed pink, drunk with passion. Pleasure soaked into him. He arched his back against the stone, huffing, chest rising and falling. Raihan's tongue licked and teased around his nipples, getting them to spike. Lightning shot through him and he clawed into the dragoon's back, gasping. "Raihan!" he panted.

When Raihan pulled away, Piers opened his eyes to see his lover lapping his tongue over his fingers, and staring down at him with a fire in his eyes. He was like a wolf about to devour a hopeless rabbit. Though a vicious stare, Raihan still caressed and held him with an inescapable gentleness, and kissed his body, sweetly. Not a spot of his skin was spared. And then he stole the grim's breath with another kiss, slipping his tongue into the other's mouth and his wet, dripping fingers dug between Piers's ass.

His rear exploded in fiery pain. Raihan was pressing into him. His wet fingers slipped through his anus which clenched around them, trying to push him out. Piers held his breath momentarily before sucking in a gasp and then sinking his fangs on his love's shoulder. The other jerked aside and continued to lightly poke and prod at Piers's insides. "Fu-ckkk! Raihan," he hissed. Surely, he began to relax and sink on Raihan's fingers.

"Shhh," he cooed into the grim's ear. "I want you to feel good."

He continued, and Piers softened to his touch. Heat pulsed through him each time he felt Raihan reach into him to spread his fingers around, touching him in spots he had never dared to, himself. Each time, Piers relaxed a bit more, whimpering and moaning as he was filled with lust. It was exciting, pleasing, but still a little frightening. Piers shut his eyes the entire time as Raihan kept holding him close in his lap. When he felt him remove himself, Piers swallowed and panted. He knew what was about to happen next.

Raihan shifted himself and pushed Piers's legs apart. His cock was erect and rubbing against Piers's own. He dragged the tip down the other's body, leaving a thin, but a sticky trail of pre-seed on Piers's skin until he teased up and down his crack. He used a generous amount of spit in his hand to lube up his shaft, stroking himself with the tip pressing against Piers's hole. "I'm going to- I mean, can I?"

He didn't get the full question out before Piers put his arms around his shoulders. "Don't stop," he whispered into Raihan's ear. "Please...I don't want to think about anything but you, now."

Piers felt Raihan's cheek rub against his own. They kissed again, and Raihan entered him. Pained murmurs escaped him as the dragoon advanced. His insides became inflamed, pierced by passion and an eruption, and burned until he wanted to scream out. Raihan delivered that pain, but also stole it away in their kiss, slipping his tongue past Piers's teeth to meet the other. His arms held him tightly as he rubbed the grim's back and fingers running through his hair.

Just hold tight. It won't be long, Raihan thought. He continued, slowly easing himself into Piers until he was buried up to his hilt. His love's insides clung around him, walls holding his cock in suffocating grip. Slowly, Raihan began to move. He'd drag his cock out a few inches before returning to warmth within his love. Pokes. Jabs. Tickles. Raihan was treating Piers with as much patience as he could until it seemed safe to quicken his pace.

Piers pulled back from the kiss, gasping and coughing when Raihan began to drive deeper, faster into him. It was overwhelming. Heat swallowed him. His mind became cloudy until he could no longer think straight. Piers was letting himself be consumed by the pleasure washing over him - letting himself be devoured by Raihan. At that moment, Piers forgot about his calling, about the laws of nature, and all he could think about was the other man with him, concealed in a thick mist by the river, loving him.

"Look at me," his voice called out to him. "Piers, please. Look at me." Raihan caressed the side of his head, rubbing his cheek with his thumb.

He opened his eyes slowly, letting it all come into focus. His breathing slowed. Raihan was gazing into him, moving at a calmer pace again. Neither one of them said anything but continued to gaze at one another. The world had faded around them. There were no laws of nature to obey. There was no code of arms to uphold or kingdom to defend. All that existed was a lost dragoon and an abandoned musician.

They embraced one another in their tender love-making and reached climax.


When the mist faded, the two lay in sand and weeds, against a rock, beside a dead fire. They refused to separate and held each other even when they had hardly any strength left.

"Don't leave," Piers pleaded. "Please don't leave…."

Raihan turned to kiss Piers's forehead. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise." It was bizarre, seeing him like this. The once distant, reserved, and docile fossegrimen was now clinging to him like a weakened kitten. Seeing him curled up against his body, huddled for warmth as his hair draped over them both almost felt...unnatural.

"Thank you, Raihan…" Piers sounded so desperate. The last sight Raihan saw was a melancholy, yet peaceful smile on his love's face.

They stayed there, holding each other close until sleep separated them at long last while the river waters continued to flow. The world turned ever on as nature played its most sorrowful and cruelest nocturne.