He leapt through the forest, skillfully avoiding dead leaves and twigs, anything that would give his position away. He knew that Roy could find him even if he was quiet, but it was still fun. He wasn't going to make it easy for the Carpathian. The forest was his home; he lived and breathed its wild air. This was his element, and he was going to use it.

He could hear the rush of a river nearby and headed towards it. He couldn't hear the Carpathian, but that didn't mean that he wasn't close.

The sharp bite of the water sent a shiver up his furry spine. Fuck that was cold! But he could deal with it if it put Roy off track. Hopefully he would lose his scent at the river. It would serve the bastard right too. He'd show him who was a good hunter.

Mentally preening, he carefully made his way upstream, relying on the sound of the fast-flowing water to disguise the soft sounds of his steps.

Raising his head, he scented the air. Nope. Still noth-

Shit!

Forgetting stealth, he leapt out of the river, and tore through the forest, his heart pounding. How could he have been so stupid?! He'd been so busy admiring himself that he'd failed to realize that he was upwind of Roy, letting the Carpathian know exactly where he was. Fuck, fuck, fuck! He wasn't a novice by any means, but being with Roy was distracting. The man himself was distracting. Bloody good looking bastard!

Looking down from his vantage point high in a tree, Roy watched his Lifemate predatorily. It had taken Ed a good while to figure out he'd lost his advantage, but now it seemed he was trying to gain it again. It hadn't taken Roy long to follow his Lifemate's tracks. He was making it fair on Ed by staying out of his head, but for an experienced hunter such as himself, tracking was rather simple. Ed may have dodged any visible obstacles he could see at the time, but he didn't pay attention to detail. To Roy, there were many things he could see that would give Ed away in a heartbeat. There were tiny dents in the moss covering the ground courtesy of a paw, coupled with tiny golden hairs on a tree trunk from brushing against it. He followed the marks leisurely, seeing no reason to spoil his Lifemate's fun right then and there. Soon he'd have what he wanted, a certain blonde wildcat that did things to him no one else ever could.

Silently pursuing Ed through the trees, he allowed his mind to wander. Ed brought things out of him that he'd never thought possible. For the first time in his dark life, he felt compassion. Fear. And even love. Never did he let himself think that he deserved such gifts. He had done things that would make even the hardened warrior flinch. He wasn't proud of his deeds, but they had needed to be done. It was his duty to his people. The same people that had turned their backs on him, made him an outcast. But for all that they'd done, he had no ill will towards them. He had always known with great power came an even greater fear. He could not blame his people because of that.

His only regret was that he had lost his best friend in the process, the only one who had helped him when the mass extinction of vampires had taken its toll on him. It had gone a long way to piece him back together. There were many who thought there was more between them, but there never had been. They weren't Lifemates. He had always enjoyed going for a visit during his travels back on his younger days.

His friend's strong emotions for his own Lifemate had rubbed off on him briefly, allowing him for a short moment to experience some semblance of feeling. Roy had always thought that his friend's Lifemate was perfect. She was beautiful, and had the most caring spirit, willing to help those like him, who didn't deserve it. She somehow saw the good in everyone. She was one of the few females whom Roy respected. But for all her beauty, she couldn't compare to his csitri. Ed was the sun. Bright, dazzling, and deadly. All rolled into one little package, not that he'd ever tell Ed that, lest his spitfire's wrath burn off important parts of his anatomy. He'd yet to pleasure his Lifemate with them, something he was looking forward to greatly.

Speaking of Ed. . . .

Ed slowed to a gasping halt, his powerful lungs burning. Surely he'd outrun the Carpathian by now! The river was ages away now, his desperate burst of speed making sure of that. He gave himself a moment to breathe, inhaling the wondrous smells of the forest. This was what he looked to if he needed some time to think. Animal life occurring all around him, going about their lives the only way they knew how. By moving forward. There was no dwelling on the past, just taking life as it comes. He wished he could be like that. Lose himself in the dream that was always out of his reach.

He was brought out of his stupor by the rustling of leaves. Quickly glancing up, he had time to see a huge, black blur before it was on him. Snarling, he fought to get out from beneath Roy, getting his hind legs under the larger jaguar's stomach and shoving. Hard.

The body above him rolled off with a hard exhale of air. He showed Roy a Cheshire grin, all teeth, before bounding off. He felt rather than heard the large jaguar behind him, and took evasive maneuvers.

Except the tactics didn't seem to be working. Roy was a breath behind him with every leap and jump he made. The Carpathian meant business this time. Fine then. He'd show him who meant business. Suddenly stopping, he slunk low to the ground, just as Roy tripped over him.

But that didn't slow the Carpathian much. In a few seconds Roy was up again, watching Ed intently. Ed took a step to the left and Roy mirrored, taking one to the right.

It was fun playing with his Lifemate, letting himself fall for all Ed's tricks. He needed to bring this to a close though. Being in such close proximity without touching was unbearable. He needed to touch Ed. And soon.

He made no move as Ed suddenly swept his paw over the ground, spraying dirt and moss all over his face and eyes. By the time he could open his eyes without squinting his Lifemate was gone. No, wait a minute, he wasn't. He could hear the scratching and clawing one associated with a cat climbing a tree. Smirking inwardly, he knew exactly how to bring this to a close. If his Lifemate could play dirty with tricks like that, then so could he.

Ed watched from above as Roy slunk through the forest cautiously. He knew the Carpathian was trying to find him and was a little shocked that he hadn't looked up already. He seemed very focused on searching the ground. Ok maybe it was his fault. He shouldn't have put dirt in Roy's eyes, and yes, maybe it was a dirty trick, but he deserved it! Smug bastard thinking he was so tough. He wasn't that tough. Ed could take him out anytime.

Whatever helps you sleep at night, that annoying part of him mentioned. Ed scoffed. Of course he could take him out! And yes, it did in fact help him sleep at night, and that voice could just shut up!

He stalked Roy, his eyes never leaving the black form as he shadowed its ever move. Eventually Roy stopped, and like a shadow, so did he. Eying the Carpathian he realized something. He was in perfect range! Gleefully he readied himself for the leap, backside wiggling in anticipation of the kill.

Without another second hesitation he launched himself out of the tree, straight at the Carpathian. A sense of elation filled him as Roy suddenly looked at him shockingly, before they collided in a heap of fur. Ed took him to the ground, putting all his weight into the tackle, followed by jumping off the Carpathian immediately after, putting himself out of range of a retaliation.

He huffed triumphantly and glanced at the sleek body on the ground, ready for some sort of attack. But none came. Suspicious, he cautiously made his way over to Roy, on guard every step of the way. He stopped when he was close enough and just looked. That feline body was perfection, power and grace in its every step. His gaze slid over the prone body, and suddenly stopped on its chest.

It wasn't moving.

At all.

Panicking he threw himself beside Roy. Wait. Something wasn't right about this.

Sniffing Roy he found out not only was the Carpathian not pushing up daisies, but was excellent at playing dead. His surprised eyes met Roy's mischievous ones, and suddenly he found himself flat on his back, staring up at the jaguar over him. A little peeved, he went to give Roy a piece of his mind, but froze. The way Roy was looking at him in a way that made his blood boil. In fact, his skin was tingling.

A movement beside him caught his eye, and he looked confusedly. It was his arm. Looking down at his body he realized that tingling had been him changing back. But he hadn't changed himself back. Roy must've. . .

Wait.

Why was he naked? He was never naked when he changed. He always made sure he kept his clothes on. Then wha-

He glanced up at Roy sharply, seeing he'd already changed back.

Roy studied his Lifemate's bare body, taking in his beauty. He was absolutely stunning, and he found out yes, that blush did go down a lot further than Ed's neck. He wanted to taste every inch of that body, find all of its secrets. He wanted to see his Lifemate writhing beneath him in ecstasy, watch his face as Roy brought him to completion, again and again.

"Beautiful," he whispered, eyes intense as they raked over Ed's body.

Ed could feel the heat of Roy's gaze spread over him. He felt vulnerable being unclothed while Roy was fully dressed. There was no denying that the man looked good in what he was wearing, but Ed wanted more, to see him as exposed as he himself felt.

Sensing his Lifemate's insecurity, he set out to rectify the situation. He felt no need to undress the human way; Ed knew what he was and what he could do. With a thought the Carpathian's clothes disappeared, leaving him bare for his Lifemate's appreciative view.

And appreciative it was. Ed's eyes were nearly black, pupils taking over the irises in a daze, trying to soak up as much of the man in front of him as they could. But it would never be enough. He was addicted to the Carpathian, not only in body, but mind as well. He was very charming in his own perverted way, but most of all, he understood pain. What it was like to lose. What it felt like to grieve. How it dug a hole deep inside that never filled up, no matter how much time passed.

Nothing could fill that crevice, except Roy. The hole that once burned through him so strongly it hurt to live, was slowly being filled by the Carpathian. One shovelful at a time, and he couldn't have been more grateful. He could finally live.

He focused on Roy's face and gave him a loving smile, for someone other than his family for the first time in his life.

Roy just looked at his Lifemate's face as Ed analyzed his body. There were so many emotions passing through Ed's eyes, he was like an open book. You could read everything that passed through his mind on that stunning face. The smooth skin, big shining eyes, rounded nose, all leading to that mouth. Innocent in appearance, he knew it was anything but. That mouth was sinful, perfectly shaped to act out his many fantasies. Licking, nipping, sucking, the possibilities made him shake with need. He needed Ed and he needed him now.

Coming back to himself, he was lucky enough to notice his Lifemate's eyes meeting his, and what he saw there froze him. Love. He saw love. There was no pity or forced submission, just pure, requited love. After countless centuries of loneliness, he had it. Love. So strong, it made all those harsh times worth it. He'd relive them again and again for just a glimpse of that devotion.

Fiercely, he fused his mouth to Ed's. He threw everything he had into the kiss. All his love, his compassion, his understanding, everything. A desperate act to keep that loving look his Lifemate gave him there. He could never return to what he was before. He could never let his Lifemate go.

Shockingly he found his Lifemate just as frantic. He responded with a fiery passion that matched Roy's own, melting his mouth against the Carpathian's more dominant one.

Eventually Ed realized that he needed air. Breaking his mouth away from Roy's he gasped, his breathing ragged. That was incredible! He was too hot and he couldn't breathe, but it was incredible! He'd never felt like this before. No one had ever made him this inflamed, this fevered, and that was only from Roy's kiss!

He had a feeling he wouldn't be able to talk tomorrow, let alone walk.

Roy regarded his Lifemate carefully as an instinctual, Carpathian urge appealed to him. There was something he wanted to do, but he wasn't sure if Ed was ready. If he went through with the ritual binding words they would be truly bound to each other for all eternity. They would share the same heartbeat, breathe with the same lungs, possess the same soul. They would truly be one.

"Do you trust me, Edward?" Roy asked quietly, out of the blue. "Do you see yourself with me?"

Ed raised his head to meet Roy's intense stare.

"I do," Ed replied, smiling softly. "Bastard." He added as an after thought.

Roy smirked amusedly at his Lifemate's endearment for him. His Edward was someone special. He never thought he'd find the light to his darkness but he had. And now that he had, he was never letting Ed go. To him, Ed returning his feeling was the greatest gift he could've given him.

He lightly pressed his lips to Ed's, eyes loving as he held his gaze.

"You make me happier than I would have ever thought possible, csitri," Roy whispered, lips gently brushing Ed's with every word.

Ed flushed embarrassedly, trying to look away. His attempts were stopped however as Roy's hand caressed his face, holding it in place.

"Do not be ashamed of praise, Edward," Roy purred, his voice like velvet, sensually twisting around Ed. "I speak only the truth. You are remarkable."

He looked down at his blushing Lifemate and knew it was now or never. Taking a deep breath he spoke the words that had been imprinted on his very being before his birth. Words that would bind them, truly, for all eternity. Once said, there would be no going back.

"I claim you as my Lifemate," he declared, voice deeper, the demon inside reciting the words with him.

"I belong to you. I offer my life for you. I give to you my protection, my allegiance, my heart, my soul, and my body."

At this he captured Ed's hand and kissed it tenderly.

"I take into my keeping the same that is yours. Your life, happiness, and welfare will be cherished and placed above my own for all time."

He gazed at Ed fondly.

"You are my Lifemate, bound to me for all eternity and always in my care."

As he said them, he could feel Ed's presence more intimately. Thousands of tiny tendrils binding them together as they were meant to be joined. Now, they were one. In mind and soul.

'And soon to be body,' he thought hungrily.

Ed looked at him confusedly. He too felt the tiny threads of his being merging with Roy's.

"What did you just do?" It almost felt like they were closer somehow. He felt more in sync with Roy. Their hearts beat the same beat, lungs breathed the same breath. It wasn't possible . . . was it? Lately everything he'd thought impossible had suddenly turned upside down. So it was possible that they were merged more. He couldn't think straight with Roy so close.

Roy looked at him lovingly.

"We are truly one now, csitri," he whispered tenderly. "You will never be alone again. I am here."

He slowly lowered himself to his Lifemate, coaxing the sinful lips with his own in a deep kiss. He snaked his hand over the boy's chest, sensually stroking the lean muscles, earning delicious shivers. His exploration found a small nipple, taut and waiting. He indulged himself, gracing the bud with the tight pinch of his fingers, soothing the pain away with soft caresses. He trailed his mouth down Ed's neck to his other nipple, sealing his lips over it, and sucking strongly.

Ed arched into the touch, moaning throatily as bolts of lightning shot straight to his groin. His hips bucked of their own accord, his length rubbing against Roy's lower stomach. He was going up in flames! He pressed himself closer to that hot mouth, gasping as the hand and mouth switched places.

"Roy," he moaned, writhing, unable to stay still under the Carpathians' assault.

He felt wicked lips curve in a smirk over his skin. Roy gave a last hard suck before looking up.

"You will say that name many more times before this night is through, csitri," he purred.

Roy covered that cursing mouth with his own, hungrily exploring its depths. His hand teased and caressed as it made its way down his Lifemate's stomach, stopping at the point of no return. He met Ed's gaze, seeing uncertainty mixed with lust.

"I can give you such pleasure, csitri," he whispered heatedly. "All you need to do is let me."

His Lifemate made no move to stop him as he slid his hand lower, sliding his way through golden curls.

Ed jerked, crying out as fingers closed one by torturous one over his length, encasing in a tight fist, stroking long and slow. The world had narrowed down to a point. To what Roy was doing to him. Fire spread through his entire body, blood boiling as Roy squeezed with just the right amount of pressure. He knew the Carpathian was in his mind, learning what he liked, how he liked it. The thought was oddly exciting. He felt himself breathing harder as Roy fed him erotic fantasies of all the things he wanted to do to him.

Roy could watch that face all night. Ed was stunning. Trapped in the throes of ecstasy, his Lifemate couldn't stay still. He writhed and squirmed to Roy's advances, his breathing erratic. A particularly quick stroke of the tip with the pad of a thumb earned Roy a ragged moan, complete with a hard thrust of the hips and violent toss of the head. His fingers intently studied ridges and veins, causing a thrash from the smaller body. Roy reveled in Ed's reactions. He stroked light and slow, smirking at the impatient thrust of hips for him to go faster. He willingly obliged, fisting firmly and beginning a fast tug and slide. This was what Ed liked. Hard and fast, straight to the point, just like his Lifemate. Ed showed his gratitude by arching that taut trembling body, fingers spasmodically clawing at the leaves around them.

Roy's composure was swiftly wearing thin. Ed pushed him beyond the boundary of his control. With each twist of that lithe body, Roy wanted to thrust into the welcoming heat that was waiting for him. Instead he forced himself to be patient. This was Ed's first time, and Roy was going to make sure he remembered every enjoyable moment of it.

His inner demon was quickly rising to the surface. It demanded him to take his Lifemate, finish what the binding words had started. But he couldn't desecrate his Ed like that. Ed deserved so much more. He deserved the pleasure Roy gave him. Ed was wound far too tight, too used to having complete control of the situation that he never just let go, just let himself feel.

"We are similar creatures, you and I," he thought fiercely.

Roy didn't know how much longer he could contain the hunger. It spread through him furiously, consuming him. Through the haze, he knew of one way to calm the beast for a while.

He captured Ed's lips in a rough kiss and slowed his stroking to a minimum. He ignored the whimpers that came with it and lowered his other hand to cup hot velvet weight. Roy growled into the kiss, swallowing his Lifemate's cries, taking control.

He broke away, letting Ed gasp in the air he desperately needed. He eyed Ed's face intently as he slid the hand lower, pressing and stroking the area around Ed's entrance.

He didn't know how much longer he could stand it! No one had ever done these things to him before. His body was wound so tight, he was going to shatter. Shatter into millions of pieces that only Roy could put back together. He hadn't known that nails scraping lightly over his pelvis could make him writhe wildly, that a tongue swiping just under his nipple could make him tense and arch.

He was lost in the sensations Roy gave him, and the thing that mattered most? He didn't mind. He loved what Roy was doing to him, even if he had no control over it. Roy wouldn't hurt him.

He scrunched his face up a bit when Roy went down there. His mind was telling him that things only came out of there, but his body was saying that a little pressure down there was quite nice.

He tensed when Roy pressed in a finger up to the knuckle.

"Relax, csitri," he coaxed. "I will never hurt you. I know this is new and disconcerting, but bear with me."

Ed took in a deep breath and forced himself to relax. Roy was right. It didn't hurt. It felt strange, but it didn't hurt.

He clenched as Roy's finger slid all the way in. It didn't move though, and Ed was able to get used the feeling of intrusion. Roy's stroking on his length had slowed, but he was more preoccupied with the new sensations Roy was eliciting.

Only centuries of training let Roy stay still to let Ed adjust. Ed was hot and tight as he clenched around his finger. He tried to calm himself as Ed relaxed. There was only so much he could take, before he lost it. He'd had his control for centuries, and he couldn't lose it all now. Even if he just wanted to spread Ed's legs and thrust into him like there was no tomorrow.

So far his Lifemate was doing well, and it could only get better. As Ed's muscles stopped their death grip on his finger he started to move it around.

Up, down, deeper, shallower, all the while studying Ed's face. It seemed like Ed wasn't sure what to feel. He was relaxed, but the wrinkle of his nose said otherwise. Roy would soon change that. There was something he needed to find, something that would light up those golden eyes that no sun could ever compare to.

His finger hooked slightly and Ed lit up like a Christmas tree. His back arched sharply, eyes flying open as he gave a ragged gasp.

Roy smirked.

Found it.

He took shameless advantage, watching Ed's blissful reactions as he worked him. Ed didn't seem to notice when a second finger slipped in to join the first. He felt only a slight clenching of muscles before they released him. He scissored his fingers gently, stopping to stroke Ed's prostate when he gave a soft sound of pain.

His fingers stroked independently of each other, Ed's sound of pain swallowed up by an encouraging moan.

When he thought his Lifemate was ready he swiftly slid in a third finger, going straight back to stroking Ed from the inside. There was no resistance now, he could slide in and out easily.

Ed saw stars as Roy found something inside of him that locked his entire body into one giant arch. That felt incredible! He wanted to feel that again. He didn't have to wait long before the stroking was back. He moaned deeply as fire and lightning spread up his spine in unison. He wanted to stay like this forever. His blood was boiling and he couldn't seem to catch his breath, but this was euphoria, pure and simple. The things Roy did!

He dimly heard himself cry out as Roy worked him thoroughly, not letting him feel the bite that the addition of another finger produced. He knew what was coming. He wasn't so naïve that he didn't. He felt a sharp burn of a third finger, but was successfully distracted from the pain. He knew he needed to stay relaxed or it could be painful.

The fingers were removed and he made a bereft noise. Roy shushed him by taking his lips in a fierce kiss. He felt something far larger than Roy's fingers press against his entrance, and he looked down sharply. His eyes bulged. The Carpathian was huge! He would never fit! Just what the hell was he trying to do? Kill him with that thing?!

Roy released his mouth and whispered to him reassuringly. "Do not fear, csitri. Your body was made for mine. It will fit."

Ed looked at him in disbelief but Roy had already taken his mouth again. He threw himself into the kiss, trying to distract himself from the pain he knew was coming. But it seemed Roy had other ideas. He nipped Ed's lower lip before trailing his lips down to Ed's neck. There he scraped his teeth across his Lifemate's erratic pulse.

Roy could feel his teeth lengthening in anticipation for what was to come. With their minds merged as they were, he could sense Ed's hesitation.

"You will only feel pleasure in my arms, csitri. Never will you need to fear," he sent.

Not giving Ed time to respond, he gave a sharp thrust of his hips, completely filling his Lifemate, at the same time he bit into the boy's neck.

Ed felt a lance of white-hot pain in his neck before it gave way to sheer ecstasy. Lightning danced through his body, heightening his senses, so erotic he thought he'd shatter. He hadn't felt any pain as Roy thrust into him, instinctively knowing the Carpathian had shielded him. He was acutely aware of each thrust Roy made into his body. The exquisite friction coupled with Roy feeding on him was overwhelming. He could only lie beneath Roy, hips rising, trying to meet each frenzied thrust.

Ed tasted divine. He was Roy's addiction. He would never have enough of his Lifemate. He had shielded Ed from the pain of his entering, feeling muscles tightly clenching around him as he thrust in one smooth motion. He continued to thrust, the sweet taste of his Lifemate enhancing his desire.

He released Ed's neck, not before swiping his tongue over the pinpricks, effectively healing them. His Lifemate had his eyes screwed shut, breathing ragged, giving himself to pure feeling. To Roy, it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

Roy lowered his hand to his own chest, lengthening a nail as he made a small cut. He didn't feel the need to use compulsion on Ed this time. His Lifemate knew what he was, what he was capable of. He would soon see if Ed accepted him.

Even in his passion Ed could feel how vulnerable Roy felt. The Carpathian had thrown himself out there and was waiting for Ed's reaction.

Did Roy really think that for one second Ed would turn his back on him?

Roy had been there for him, had shared in his grief, given hope when he had none. There was no way in hell that Ed was going to refuse him this.

He smiled lovingly at Roy as he bent his head to the Carpathian's chest. His tongue skated out, giving a warm sweep before he sealed his lips fully over the wound. He registered with smug satisfaction Roy's sharp intake of breath, followed by an even greater sound. A husky moan. Ed felt fingers carding through his hair as he fed, Roy whispering soft encouragements to him.

Roy tasted good, Ed realized, and the feeling of Roy filling him added to it. A deep thrust had Ed moaning around Roy's chest, the Carpathian joining him.

Roy tugged Ed's head up, kissing him heatedly. He could taste himself, tinged with a taste that was pure Ed. He could feel the wound closing, his healing ability accelerated in his passion.

He pressed himself more fully against his Lifemate, concentrating on pleasing him.

He drew almost completely out of Ed before swiftly piercing forward, impaling his Lifemate fully. Roy groaned. He had waited for this for so long, had carried on all for this moment. And he wasn't disappointed. This was exquisite.

Feeling himself winding tighter, he reached down and grasped Ed's length firmly, stroking in time with his thrusts.

He was fully merged with Ed. He could feel everything he did. He couldn't tell where Roy ended and Ed began anymore. They were one.

Ed cried out sharply. The feeling of Roy inside him and the stroking was almost too much. It wasn't helping that he could feel Roy everywhere inside him. In his mind as well as body. In his very soul.

It was pleasure bordering on pain. He lowered himself to meet Roy's thrusts before raising himself to Roy's hand. It didn't take long before the feeling became too much, the flames burning out of control. The Earth rocked beneath him as one final thrust sent him screaming his Lifemate's name over the edge.

Ed's inner muscles clenched down on Roy as he came, crying Roy's name. He could feel the Earth roll and rock beneath them. He roared his willingness to follow his Lifemate over the edge, as he always would.

Apologies about the wait. That definitely wasn't a few days, but exams are upon me now, and I lost track of time. Hope this makes up for it. I've never written this sort of scene before, so bear with me :)

You might be seeing some more FMA characters soon. If you're lucky.

Sinful ;)