Themis, sitting at the edge of the roof of the building opposite to one the Warrior and his company disappeared inside a while ago, carefully kept on a neutral expression on his face. His bright, blue eyes focused on the entrance the whole time – and unflinching while the mortals who noticed him seemed to grow curious and would stop in their tracks, observing him, to after a while go back to their tasks – he waited. He didn't really register the gazes he was earning – too focused on somewhat maybe ridiculously… praying. To any god that would find it amusing to listen to his damned soul…
For Ares's and Damon's safe return – obviously – and if he didn't dare to admit… Alisaie's, too.
Knowing the nature of the aetherial sea – Ares's gift and Senri's access to it – he would never say it out loud, but this whole trip made him beyond… anxious. Mere word and the mortal Warrior could expel his and his lover's immortal passengers… and surrounded by that much of pure aether, restore his soul to what it used to be before Ares bound their souls. Even unwittingly – if he simply wanted it enough – as apparently his access to Ares's gift and magic was mostly unconscious, if he understood well when Damon explained it to him, Hades, and Hythlodaeus before that trip. Perhaps to warn them – precautious as he ever was – in case something like that occurred and it fell to them to keep their world from falling apart.
Now… he truly understood why Hades was so displeased with what his brother did – binding himself to his host like he did – as it gave to mortal uncanny power over him. And as sure as Damon seemed that it wouldn't happen – swearing that Senri adored Ares no less than they did – he couldn't help but be… nervous.
Part of him that used to be Elidibus and had some… idea of the pure hatred the Warrior displayed toward their kind after Lahabrea… had his hands rolled tightly in fists in his lap when he settled in this place right after they entered the building and set in his silent vigil.
Hades, again in control of his barrier, seemed now more confident that he and Hyth can manage it – and chased him off with an annoyed roll of his golden eyes, muttering that Themis's 'hovering' over him was too unnerving. Obviously, to Hythlodaeus's amusement – and as bracing as it was to see them finally resolve their… ah, feelings – at some level he was… perhaps a bit jealous.
And maybe… whenever he didn't focus on something else, his thoughts ran to that kiss… as much as he now regretted that… slip. Alisaie was a fine young woman, with an uncanny instinct and disarming humor – even earning herself Damon's… interest – and perhaps because of that… well, she deserved better than his… unbidden advances. And he swore to Senri – and by extension to Ares – before their trip to Elpis, that she'll be safe with him… and despite the… ah, funny look it accompanied, he couldn't help but doubt that the Warrior thought him an appropriate company for his friend as anything more than an escort.
He was immortal and until the whole situation with Meteion is resolved – one way or another – determined to one way or another make sure that his mentor and his husband don't… slip away again. While perhaps their bodies weren't so mortal anymore – thanks to Hades's intervention – their souls were another matter entirely… as this excursion into the aetherial sea reminded him all too well. Not to mention that Damon assured them that once back, Meteion was bound to face him and his boundless intellect with her… ploys.
And as none of them ever doubted his determination or ability to outsmart the dynamic-bound creature, he couldn't help but think that the oldest immortal between them had now a very, very weak point in his shield against her – his host's soul. As Hades's example proves – Meteion aimed at one's insecurities and doubts, and from what he heard… Raha had plenty of those. If she grows smarter than they hoped for and aims at his soul instead of his passenger… or somehow bypasses Damon to have at him instead… well, none of them could – or dared – to guess how that would play out.
And all that – after having them back for such a short, short time… yes, he didn't have a problem admitting that he was nervous. He had so much to repay them for…
The thought trailed off when the massive door opened and to his heart's stutter, the familiar tall figure of the Warrior left them, preceded by his lover holding them open while Senri's arms looked busy… and his jaw dropped at the sight of what – or rather who – seemed to be drowning in the Seeker's secure grip.
Venat but missing the aura of the Hydealyn…
Without a thought he warped to the Warrior, missing the Scions exiting the building behind them and gawking at the female, so shocked that he flinched harshly when Senri laughed. Looking into his face, he felt his heat up at the mortal's apparent amusement at his expanse.
"She's…" he started, dropping his gaze to her - sleeping? unconscious? - face again and frowning. "…free?"
"As much as you are," someone touched his shoulder and he blinked, turning his eyes toward a slightly amused, but familiar calculating look in crimson eyes. "Ares used his gift to force her to split herself from Hydealyn… and hopefully, once she has some time to recover, she'll be back to herself from before Sundering… if I'm correct, anyway."
And Damon was so rarely wrong… he grinned involuntarily, looking with pure admiration at the Warrior, because this… feat, was just so much something that Ares would do, he couldn't help himself.
"Oh, Azeyma…" the Seeker frowned, shifting uncomfortably and looking away from him as he cleared his throat. "…umm, hey, Themis?"
"Yes?" he replied eagerly, wondering if he could do… something as significant – and honestly doubting…
"You're making him uncomfortable," he heard a giggle and a pair of arms wrapped themselves around his arm, squeezing when he looked toward the young Elzen with surprise, blinking rapidly when his face heated up instantly. What…? "Come on… I'm starving after all that, and I'm sure they have her some food you didn't try before," Alisaie added, ignoring his shocked expression and pulling him along, marched away from the Warrior and his group.
"A-Alisaie…" he hesitated, then delicately tried to pry her grip off his arm… to drop his free hand when she sent him a warning, narrowed stare.
"Leave him be… for now," she added softly when they were out of the earshot and he frowned with confusion, fighting not to look back toward the Warrior. "That trip… was rough, as hard as he tried not to flinch. And bringing back Venat… I'm not sure if he fully agrees with Ares's decision to free her – if he's aware of that or not. I would say he needs some… alone time with Raha, to… rebalance himself and not your admiration, Themis. I don't know how much Damon or Ares told you of Senri's issues… but that place, the aetherial sea, seemed determined to poke at them something fierce," she sighed, looking ahead of them with narrowed eyes and he simply let himself be dragged along, reasoning that she as well seemed upset.
"Will he be… all right?" he finally asked quietly.
"I imagine…" she turned her eyes to him and her lips tilted in a slight smirk. "He doesn't always realize how strong he is – not if he doesn't have a goal… Something to protect. And with how he is with Raha… Well, as I said, I think he needs him right now more than any of us… So, let's find something to eat, okay?"
He hesitated, frowning and looking at her with uncertainty.
"Alisaie, I…" he started, taking a deep breath.
"You wouldn't leave me to eat alone, right…?" she pouted at him – looking so ridiculously adorable, he blinked with surprise – then tugged on his arm when his head swiveled back to see if her friends were still there. "As a friend, of course…" she added innocently and he blinked again, feeling his face heat up again, and looked anywhere but at her.
"Of course," he said, then cleared his throat, missing the triumphant tilt to her smirk before she smoothed her expression with an easy smile.
When she came around, blinking slowly as her vision seemed to swim and blur, and feeling… even more exhausted than ever before, Venat discovered she was horizontal… laying down on her back but when her gaze drifted around hesitantly, trying to make sense of what happened, her heart jumped in her throat at the familiar though blurry figure seemingly sitting at the edge of the bed she was on and gasped softly when it leaned toward her slightly.
"…Cassiopeia…?" her lips barely moved and she was almost… surprised at how hoarse she sounded.
"Wrong," replied a wry, male voice from the figure and she blinked again, then stilled utterly as understanding dawned and all blood drained from her face. "Hello, aunt Venat."
"Hades…" she muttered, looking up and away from the golden irises. "Where…? What…?"
"I called you," the quiet, unusually calm voice of her nephew had her close her eyes and take on a neutral expression. "So many times after… that I lost count, but you never answered. Why?"
"How… c-could I?" she whispered without opening her eyes. "You didn't… remember. And I could feel… your hate."
"How could I not hate you?" he replied still with that strange calm. "You have taken them from me. My reason to be… You were like our mother – the only one I knew… And yet, you struck them down and left me to wander alone for eons. That was one of the reasons why I helped them… to make you pay for what you did to our family, aunt."
"I know…" she breathed.
"But now…" he sighed and she felt a hand rest on her collarbone but didn't dare to move or open her eyes. "…though I still don't remember, I understand, I think. And I'll… try to forgive you, Venat, but only because they're back," he added and she felt a hard slam of aether, making her gasp and arch slightly under his palm. Blinking as her vision finally cleared, she saw a slight smirk on his handsome, though sharp features. So familiar, her heart lurched painfully.
Though in looks Hades took fiercely after their mother, his rare smiles were Nyx's, and if he grinned…
"He always was a bit of a bully…" sounded a bit sheepishly deep voice somewhere behind him and she frowned with confusion, trying to peer around Hades's form. "I do blame Damon and his… humor. Hello, auntie," said her Champion, standing closer and resting his hand on the white-haired immortal's shoulder when that sent him a too-familiar, customary scowl. But T'senri looked… wrong. His hair and fur were much too dark, ink-black, and seemingly swallowing the hitting them light and his eyes… Nyx's eyes – bright and perfect shade of sky above Eitherys… His features were too beautiful, too familiar…
"Ares…?" she gasped, utterly dumbfounded. "What is… this?"
"A very long… and perhaps a funny story," he grinned that bright, crooked grin – Nyx's beauty if magnified and in the cat-like version… had her eyes grow blurry again as she hesitated, then reached her hand out toward the… vision. He caught it in both of his, so rough but incredibly warm at the same time… and her throat tightened painfully as she swallowed around an unbidden sob. "You're free now, Venat. As I know my father would wish. We still have much to do and still have to face Meteion… but if we manage to win and keep this star from crumbling, I could not allow you to perish… after everything."
"You're… back? How…?" she whispered numbly.
"Damon," he said simply with a funny wink. And that usual, absurd humor of his… soon had her cry like a child, pulling him down until he sighed but let her wrap her arms around his neck tightly. "Now, now… You'll make me bawl, auntie, and Hades will never live it down…" he chuckled somewhat wetly, but gently wrapped his arms around her in turn, pulling her up in a tight embrace. "Rest and recover," he whispered and his now deeper voice rang with a familiar note of his inborn gift, making her sigh as her eyelids grew unbearably heavy.
"A-Ares…" she muttered, fighting against the compulsion uselessly.
"Don't worry a thing, Venat, you're safe. And once you're well enough, I'll explain everything. Now, give in and have only sweet pleasant dreams," he added, delicately resting her on the surface of the mattress again. "You more than earned it…"
And she couldn't help but comply, with an unconscious smile falling into a dream of the past, full of brilliant, sky-blue eyes and sweet, cheery grins.
Leaving the room behind scowling Hades, T'senri ran his hand through his hair and after tossing the last, uncertain look at the sleeping woman, closed the door behind them.
As shocking as it was to find out who Venat was to his immortal, he couldn't help but be… Well, he wasn't sure what, but perhaps not that pleased with her presence in the Rising Stones. All things considered… soon they're going to run out of the empty bedrooms, or something…
While Raha left him to check on his 'found' female and if she had woken up yet, suggesting to get Hades to see to their newest arrival, he wasn't very pleased with the separation – especially now…
You're okay, boy? Ares whispered with a hint of worry and he winced involuntarily, then instinctively straightened his back when Hades stopped and looked back at him with a familiar by now expression.
"Is something… the matter with you?" the golden-eyed immortal drawled almost suspiciously. "You're usually more… cheery," he waved his hand toward his face and he flinched, understanding that his mask was not simply slipping… but gone entirely.
"I will be," he replied, looking away from him while he passed the taller man, heading toward his bedroom and in thought praying he doesn't choose this moment to pry. Just… need Raha, he replied to his immortal's earlier question.
I see, Ares sighed. But for whatever it's worth, you did well, Senri. I was impressed, I promise you that.
"Do tell my father that while you were gone, nothing seemed to happen with the barrier. Perhaps whatever he did to deter her, worked," Hades said and he nodded without looking toward him, hoping he doesn't notice the haste in his step.
If Raha was still busy, he needed to be alone… Staring at his feet, he pushed the door of their bedroom open, went inside and closed them, then exhaled slowly and rested his forehead against them, closing his eyes as he fought to calm his heartbeat.
He was fine, fine, fine, he repeated in his head fiercely, tightening the leash over his temper with fury. None of what they saw in there mattered, not anymore. Ghosts and mirages, nothing more. He had Raha now to think about, to keep safe… and none of his issues will ever again endanger his soulmate. Not ever again…
A warm pressed against his back and a pair of muscular arms wrapped around his chest, one hand soothingly smoothing over it while the other ran in slow circles over his stomach and abdomen. Feeling that heat against his back he melted with a gasp, leaning heavily against the closed door.
"I'm here, my Snark," his lover purred, nuzzling against his back and pressing against him tightly. "I'm here and I've got you, you can let go now. I'm here…" he kept repeating in that low, soothing voice and he relaxed slowly as his heart seemed lulled by it to finally calm down, falling from his throat to rest in the correct space.
Like this, it was easier to remember the stakes and the reward – his Raha, safe, whole, and his… always and forevermore.
"Sorry, I…" he murmured with a sigh, slowly turning around in his arms… and froze, blinking rapidly.
"It is more than okay, my beast," his lover, flushed beautifully, rose on his toes – gloriously naked – and wrapped his arms around T'senri's neck, pulling him down slightly as he leaned against him and in his stupor, the Warrior fell against the door, gawking as his brain… just stopped. And as if to make it worse, Raha blushed darker but with a sweet, coy smirk and tilted his head, exposing the reason for T'senri's… astonishment. "I take… you like?" he said quietly, watching his expression from under the veil of his dark-red lashes, while certainly feeling the answer as his dick swelled so hard and fast, he was more than dizzy.
"What…?" he finally found his voice, raising his shaky hand to the glory of the black-red collar around his lover's throat, and only while delicately trailing his fingers over the edge of it, his numbed brain registered what the crimson letters in the ink-black leather formed… "H-Holy fuck…" he gasped as the air itself grew just too thick to breathe and his hand moved to the back of his mate's neck, sinking in his soft, red hair and involuntarily tightening into a fist as he dropped his head against his shoulder and whimpered, sniffing him shamelessly and greedily… Lost in an instant, brutal pang of arousal as his gut tightened with a mix of possessive pride and lust so fierce he was losing hold of his leash at a scary speed. "Rrraha…" he rasped, not even aware that his fangs slipped.
"You had been sooo good, my beautiful beast," his mate cooed, running his fingers through his hair before pressing his hands against his chest and pulling back, such dark blush on his face but accompanied by a delicately smug smirk on his pretty, plush lips… and his intoxicating spicy scent so swollen with arousal that T'senri whined in the back of his throat, reaching for him and whimpering petulantly when his lover backed away, leaving him panting harshly against the door as holding his dazzled stare, he pouted sending a nearly violent shudder down his spine and right into his dick. And then he blew his mind completely when after nearing their nest, he promptly turned around and fell to his arms and knees, swiveling his tail in a shameless invitation as he tossed him now a definitely coy smirk over his shoulder. "Now… won't you play with me, Snark?" he purred near-deafeningly and T'senri lost it, in a flash across the room, and pounced with a deep, aggressive snarl.
"You… tease…" he growled, pressing against his back as he wrapped his hands around that collar and pulled his head aside and bit him brutally, groaning and growling his approval when his mate went utterly plaint under him with a tiny, blissful mewl. His free hand scrambled down the muscular body and between them, not-so-delicately tugging at his tail as he wrapped it around him, then with a hard push tore his pants down, likely ruining them with his claws. And when his lover only purred louder – the sound vibrating under his palm – and arched his back, pushing back onto him meaningfully, he didn't think – couldn't – and almost expired when he pressed the head of his cock against the tight ring of muscles and it went in smoothly. "G-gods…" he gasped, breaking his bite to nuzzle against his neck insistently as he rolled his hips, instantly sinking into him as far as he could, growling when his beautifully daring lover arched under him with a choked whine, tightening his fingers on the edge of the nest until his knuckles went white. "…so thoughtful, my prince…" he cooed shamelessly, grinding into him mercilessly and barely choking down a whimper when the scalding hot muscles spasmed around his dick.
"I know you and your… self-control," his mate chortled, pushing one hand back and behind his head to fist his fingers in T'senri's hair. He pulled on the strands harshly, tearing a surprised, helpless groan from his throat at the lovely spike of pain and he snarled instinctively, wrapping his clawed hand around his hip and holding him stock still as he pulled out almost all the way and punished his mate with a brutal thrust. Not that it was much of one when Raha arched with a shout, then whined needily for more. He purred near-deafeningly then dropped his arms around him, digging his claws safely into the material under him and when his mate preened with a deep, rumbling purrs, tilting his head in an invitation, he snapped, biting him again and growling into the heated skin as he set to fuck him furiously, sparing him none of his inhumane strength.
Lost in sensations, he merely groaned when his lover came with a choked whine of his name, and only then – as he shook and mewled his name breathlessly – he broke his bite with a satisfied growl and pulled off his back, promptly curling his hands around his lover's hips and while watching his dick sliding in and out of that maddening heat, pulled him back and forth, rolling his hips on each brutal thrust and soon was rewarded with another round of musical gasps and moans of his name. Falling to his elbows under the onslaught, Raha whined his name again when he peaked, but T'senri hardly cared, too consumed by the bliss of listening to those addictive sounds to quit even after his body failed him too quickly, tearing a helpless groan from his throat as his dick simply burst. Pumping into his lover insistently while he whimpered and mewled his name in that wonderful voice of his, T'senri finally pulled back only to roll him over to his back, and not very surprisingly one look at that collar was enough to have him hard again in a heartbeat.
While his lover gasped for air desperately, shaking still in the aftershocks and with a beautifully sated, dazed look on his face, T'senri cooed his name, settling down on his knees between his legs and hooked his hands around Raha's hips, pulling him down onto his cock mercilessly. His mate arched with a breathless gasp, blinking those gorgeous, crimson eyes at him and the Warrior sent him a cheery, fanged grin raising on his knees and pulling his hips up, watching his expression intently as holding him still he rutted into him slowly, more than enjoying the fiery blush and the pleasure blooming on his face. Biting his full, bruised lips Raha wrapped his legs around him, uttering glorious musical whimpers each time he sank into him, spurring him on as the hunger for those only grew. Freeing one hand, he smoothed it possessively over the tanned, sweat-dampened skin up his abdomen and stomach, and wrapped it with clear ownership over his throat and that gorgeous collar, purring loudly his approval when his mate mewled mindlessly and his hand shoot to wrap around his cock, pumping it in rhythm with how he took him.
The vision he made like that, so unbearably beautiful as he enjoyed T'senri's claim, too soon had his dick throb in a warning, but with effort – growling furiously – he held back, just slightly tightening his hand around his lover's throat and letting him feel his claws as he sped up his thrusts into that eager heat, his eyes eating up the pleasure on his mate's face and ears twitching in delight at every choked whine and gasp as Raha's body trembled at the edge of another orgasm… to mewl in bliss when his mate arched with a breathless groan of his name and his insides spasmed around his dick, milking it almost brutally as his prince's seed covered his stomach in thick, hot spurts. And he couldn't help but follow, mewl-purring his name as he slowed down, pumping into him.
Shifting and letting him rest, gasping desperately, halfway in the nest, T'senri purred his utter devotion as he lowered, nuzzling against his chest gratefully. Feeling shaky hands pet his matted hair, then smooth down his spine to pull him up meaningfully, he complied with a blissed-out hum, covering his lover fully and nuzzling against the lovely collar while his lover chuckled sheepishly, wrapping his arms around his neck and raining sweet, affectionate kisses over his face and throat wherever he could reach.
"Looove it," he cooed shamelessly, nipping on the skin right above the leather. "Never take it off, Raha."
"Huh…? Ah, no, can't wear it…" his lover laughed when he whined at that petulantly. "Senri, don't be silly…" he chuckled, rubbing the shell of his ear delicately between his fingers. "…knowing you, my insatiable beast, if I would, you would pounce at me constantly."
"Mhmm," he nodded eagerly, then rose above him on his elbows, admiring the view with open adoration. "My name looks glorious on you, my mate," he gushed, raining affectionate kisses over his beautiful face until Raha laughed – a bright, cheery sound that had Warrior's heart swelled impossibly – and wrapped his arms around his shoulders loosely. Only now noticing that he was still mostly dressed, he lifted with a quiet chuckle, carelessly discarded his soiled shirt, and lowered again, with bliss drowning in his lover's embrace.
"Feeling better?" Raha hummed, smoothing his hand up and down his spine.
"With you…? Always," he sighed softly, burying his nose against his lover's throat. "Love you, Raha."
"I love you too, my heart," his lover hummed then wrapped his arms around him securely, pressing a tender, sweet kiss on his throat. "And thank you, Snark," he whispered delicately. "I know it wasn't easy for you…"
"No, thank you," he shook his head slightly and closed his eyes. "You're my strength, Raha. My purpose… For you, to keep you safe and mine… I'll endure anything."
"I know," his mate sighed theatrically, then pressed a loud, fond peck on his cheek. "But now, my beast… up you go," he chuckled, playfully swatting his behind… which was a mistake as T'senri in turn waved his tail with interest, then shifted his head and bit him with a warning, growling softly as his lover moaned deeply and instinctively froze, submitting to him so beautifully….
"Wherrre do you think you arrre going…?" he raised after breaking his bite and chortled quietly, pulling back only to almost brutally roll his mate over and pin him down again, then rutted against his ass meaningfully when Raha gasped indignantly. "Sooo not done with you, my prrrince…"
"We have things to do, Snark," his lover complained, tossing him narrowed look over his shoulder but his face flushed darkly and T'senri grinned, a wide and goofy thing, as his mate's lovely, spicy scent swiftly betrayed his renewed arousal.
"We do," he cooed shamelessly and took him in one hard stroke, purring deafeningly when his mate choked on a whine, burying his flaming face in the pillows. "Laterrr…" he rasped, still grinning as he ground into him harshly, tearing a helpless, muffled laughter from his lover.
The tent is lit up from inside – suggesting Warrior's presence and the fact that he is awake – but there is no sound breaking the silence and the stillness of the camp. Late as it is – nearing a bell past midnight – all the scholars and engineers already turned into their tents, leaving not much more than embers cracking in dying campfires. Gloom typical for Mor Dhona set around the area, giving it sort of an otherworldly feeling and G'raha feels almost like in some sort of strange dream as he steels his spine and takes a deep, steadying breath.
"T'senri, are you awake?" he whispers – knowing that it wouldn't be an issue for their sensitive hearing… and prays that the Warrior won't choose to ignore him. He exhales slowly and his ears twitch at the sound of the movement inside the tent but fights to keep them and his tail in neutral positions when the flap of the tent is pushed open and narrowed, icy-blue eyes darken considerably and turn to unreadable shards of ice as the Warrior's pretty lips thin into a sharp line. Is he… upset? G'raha almost withers and briefly considers bolting… but instead he raises his chin stubbornly and takes another deep breath. "I need to… talk to you."
"I don't think that's a good idea," the younger Seeker says slowly, now carefully avoiding his eyes and staring at the camp over his shoulder. Then he clears his throat and frowns. "You should go back to your tent, G'raha."
"T'senri…" he hesitates, swallowing thickly and stepping from one foot to the other as his ears involuntarily fall flat against his head in misery. "…please? Just give me a moment of your time."
And those ice-blue irises finally meet his gaze, growing colder than glacier even as familiar, goofy grin blooms on his beautiful face.
"G'raha, I believe it's not that hard to understand, okay?" he drawled in a neutral tone, raising his dark eyebrows slightly. "I tried to be polite, avoiding you after that question… but if I must be frank, I'm just not interested, okay? So, as I said… go back to your tent," he nods politely with that grin in place and backs away, closing the flap of the tent.
And G'raha stands there, heart in his throat as he curls into himself slightly before turning away and heading across the silent camp, trying not to think… but of course, how stupid could he be…? T'senri was simply kind – spending time with the outcast – and he got it in his head that perhaps… maybe…
He shakes his head, chasing those silly thoughts away as he wraps his arms around himself, suddenly the night air feels so chilly, he can barely catch his breath. His limbs feel heavy and his heart thumps in misery as he reaches his tent, wondering why he even…
He blinks a few times as his hand stops on the way to the flap, and frowns as something feels… off. Why did he…? The memory of heat in the ice-blue irises makes his face heat up unbearably but his hand trembles, falling to his side as he turns his head and looks toward that lit-up tent again, biting his lower lip with uncertainty.
Why did he ask that…? Why did he go there…?
The heat in the ice-blue irises as he looks up from the book… then a sudden flash of vulnerability in their depths before they dart away and pale skin darkness with a lovely blush… and before he knows or can think better, it slips…
'Do you want me to kiss you?'
And the pure terror on the beautiful face before he bolts…
Not disgust, not pity… but fear and shame…
G'raha turns, take a deep breath, and clenches his jaw with determination, raising his chin stubbornly as he heads back to that lit-up tent, narrowing his mismatched eyes as his tail whips with agitation.
He saw him hide behind that mask before. He did, and if he thinks he can hide from him… his silly beast…
'No, you don't,' he hears a hiss behind him – chilly and sending a shudder of alarm through his limps – but before he can turn, something hits his back and he falls with a gasp, shocked as his face hits the crystal on the ground painfully. 'Enough games. He might be powerful enough, but you're just a mortal…'
He wants to get up but something heavy rests in the middle of his back and as much as he struggles, he can't… gasping desperately as air shimmers and starts to pour down his throat, choking him. His eyes tear up as he can't breathe and he tilts his head, his blurry gaze catching the sight of the lit-up tent…
Senri… help…!
As his consciousness starts to fade, a roar tears through the night, and the weight is gone off him as he chokes at the first, desperate gush of air he can catch, panting harshly as he scrambles away, looking around with confusion.
'You arre dead,' his beast snarls, all fangs and claws as it pins down to the crystalized ground a small, darkened figure. 'Dead meat, nothing morrre…' it tears into her, snarling furiously and the only thing he feels is a relief as he curls in, wrapping his arms and tail around his legs and watches.
'Are you okay?' asks a quiet voice behind him and he feels arms surround him as someone kneels behind him and hugs him reassuringly. 'I'm so sorry, Raha… I didn't feel her slip by me.'
'I'm… f-fine…' he rasps hoarsely, not taking his eyes off his beautiful beast until Senri seems satisfied, a vicious snarl on his beautiful face as he rises from over mauled incarnation of despair and heads toward him, all feline grace and muscles taut with a need for violence. Yet he falls to his knees in front of him and watches his expression with a hint of uncertainty in the darkened ice-blue irises, so Raha frees himself from the immortal's grip and scrambles to wrap around his lover, sighing deeply with relief as he rests his cheek against his chest and almost sobs as the muscular arms surround him with unmatched tenderness. 'I thought… I don't know how you did… this but th-thank you…' he rasps, smoothing his hands over his beast's wide back.
'I'm part of you ,' Senri whispers, nuzzling against his hair soothingly. 'As you are part of me. You call, I follow, my prince, always.'
Then he shifts, tightening his arms around him and looking up at the silent immortal.
'I want her… gone,' he whispers, holding him in a tight, possessive embrace and Raha relishes in that, only curling into him tighter. 'I know what Ares wants, Damon, but the moment she went after Raha…'
'You and me both, my boy,' and he shudders at the chill of the usually soft voice but it's only reassuring not frightening so he relaxes in the knowledge that he is safe and it helps his heart to settle down into its place. 'I'll secure his soul until she's dealt with, Senri. She won't touch him again, you have my word,' Damon assures and it's not hard to hear his temper bubble behind the words.
'Good,' his lover hums, then sighs and when he looks up, a big, gentle hand brushes his cheek delicately as his beast smiles at him with familiar heat in the ice-blue eyes, leaning his head in to brush the tip of his nose against his. 'If I don't regret seeing your eyes like this again, that took years off my life,' he breathes with a self-conscious chuckle. 'Sleep, I'll guard your dreams, my prince,' he assures and Raha climbs up, wrapping his arms around his neck tightly, and relaxes fully, soothed by his scent and heat.
'My beast…' he whispers so quietly that only he can hear, '…the glory of your rage soothes me, never doubt that.'
'Never,' his lover chuckles softly, tightening his arms around him securely and he smiles, letting himself drown in his heat… and knows no more.