There was a quite sizeable backyard behind the Rising Stones, destined for the sole use of the members of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Surrounded by thick, tall walls, the only entrance and exit leading to it were at the end of the long corridor between the Dawn's Respite and the bedrooms of each Scion. After Alphinaud established his Braves, and despite Warrior's reluctant help with that task, Minfilia insisted that the members of that new order stay clear of that part of the compound, assuring Scions' privacy.
Especially Senri's, as initially, they had far too many instances where his far too enamored fans would join the Braves ranks and then attempt to use it to catch the Warrior's eye. Or worse: sneak into his bedroom.
The area of the backyard itself was split into two zones: a training ground and a more recreational part, with set up benches and tables where the currently staying at the compound Scions could socialize away from the prying eyes. Not that there were that many of them left…
Hades learned about that place the first day when his brother briefly led him there and explained its function, but in the following days, it became the spot where he spent the most time. Apparently, Senri took his role of the mentor extremely seriously, especially with the upcoming event, while he was contained to the compound, seemed to focus his attention (and endless energy) on giving Hades hell…
Or, at least, that's how it felt.
"Come on, brother, you can do better than that," the black-haired Seeker snickered mercilessly as he stood above him, adding an insult to the injury – literally – by the way his long, black tail waved with apparent excitement behind him. His hands set on his hips and wearing only black, tight-fitting pants and matching boots, with a bandana wrapped around his head to keep his hair out of his eyes, Hades could bet that many females would die to be in his place… He, however, tossed him a murderous glare to cover his embarrassment and stood up off the sandy patch, subtly shaking the grains of his behind. As soon as he did, his brother grinned his ridiculously wide grin and assumed a 'come at me' stance… pissing him off even more than should be possible!
"I think that's quite enough," came a voice from the side before he could show the buffoon where he could stuff his type of training, and Hades tossed a narrowed stare at his brother's redheaded lover, taking a spot on one of the benches around the training area with a book open in his lap, when Senri instantly complied, relaxing his stance.
That was a thing he learned of his observations on his brother's behavior over the few last days: the famed Warrior of Light, Eikon Slayer, and Champion of Eorzea, was utterly whipped by one G'raha Tia – a fledgling Scion and Sharlayan historian with uncommon, crimson eyes. Whatever the redhead said was a law for his lover – a notion the other Scions found beyond amusing.
He would really mind that… if not for all the fucking noise they were constantly making – and apparently unaware of it! And he really, really did not want to be the one to point it out… if – considering the bedroom he was granted was next to theirs – he had to admit that his patience was running in short supply.
And – if completely honest – his imagination was running rampant, especially since he had no clue… how it exactly worked between the two males… to sound so…
He shook his head violently, feeling he would start blushing if he didn't change the track of that line of thoughts, and sent the redhead another glare.
"I almost had him this time," he stated hauntingly, crossing his arms over his chest and very carefully keeping his tail from waving with agitation.
"Of course you did," G'raha said soothingly, smiling and looking back to his book, turning the page while his lover fell to sit beside him, shamelessly burying his nose by his neck. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Hades, Senri does have years of experience in combat over you. And he is the Warrior for a reason."
"And yet, yesterday I saw you kick his ass," he remarked pointedly, then sighed and relaxed, moving over to them and falling to the other free seat on the other side of the redhead. With some curiosity peering at the open pages, he lifted his white eyebrows in surprise. "Eh, politics today?"
"It is not hard to… ah, kick his ass when he refuses to be serious about it with me," G'raha grumbled, then sighed, leaning into Senri's side and resting his hand on his thigh, but when he met his gaze, crimson irises shone with amusement. "And yes, with the Banquet tomorrow, Minfilia recommended me this book to make myself better acquainted with Ishgardian… politics and customs."
Hades scowled, stretching his legs in front of him and crossing them at his ankles while he leaned back on his arms. Other day the Scions receptionist, Tataru, insisted on taking his measurements, stating that she was busy preparing fitting outfits for each of them for the occasion – otherwise, on the afternoon of his second day here, his brother dragged him off to the market of Revenant's Toll and gleefully had him supplied with everything he insisted that he would need – from clothing and accessories to anything he even showed a slight interest in… and actually, it wasn't as unpleasant as more embarrassing. Hearing of that, G'raha only shrugged and said that he went through the same thing with the Warrior… then on the side, he very earnestly asked him to let it be, for a moment at least, saying that apparently, Senri was very much riding the 'high' of having someone to take care of.
"You basically hit all of his weak spots, Hades, sending his instincts into overdrive," the redhead said then with a helpless shrug and a pleading look. "I am not sure what exactly you heard about him back at your tribe and all, but my Snark is extremely caring by nature… and he never had an opportunity to experience having an actual younger sibling that would depend on him…" he raised his hand when he opened his mouth to protest. "I don't question your capabilities or anything like that, but… just let him enjoy it for a bit? At least until that whole Banquet is over, hm? With the way he's contained to the Stones and while I'm busy with all the training I've been doing the last few days… it's something that keeps him from going insane from boredom and from disturbing my studies."
And because he did ask so politely… Hades relented – and perhaps if he was inclined to admit that, he did quite enjoy the constant attention and doting… not that he would say that aloud, Azeyma save him!
But after his experience at the camp… it wasn't unpleasant to have some pay attention to him as more than… a thing.
He did hear, from Senri's mother, that her son had a very similar experience to his own after passing puberty… if he was smarter to leave sooner than Hades ended up doing. Braver not to let females…
He shook his head as that insanely… itchy sensation he had issues with whenever thinking about the past assaulted his senses and forced himself to think of something else, focusing on the redhead's last words.
"Senri told me about them… a bit," he said carefully, raising his golden eyes toward the cloudy sky above them. "And that their city isn't a very good place."
"Well… from what I've heard," his brother said, and when he looked at him with raised eyebrows, Senri shrugged helplessly. "I wasn't in the city proper, I mean, since they closed the gates to Eorzean and all. But while trekking Coerthas and chatting up living there Ishgardians, the way they make it sound seems quite… awful."
"They had been at war with Dravanians for a thousand years… and from what I've read so far, they're as well extremely religious… in the worst way," said G'raha quietly, then sighed and looked back to his book. "So, yeah, I get why Senri would think that but as stated by Minfilia, it would be better for the whole of Eorzea to stand united in case Garlemald attacked again. However, if allowed to choose, I would rather stay far away from their peoples' ideas."
"Because they wouldn't approve of… you?" he asked after a moment with a frown.
"…approve?" G'raha tossed him a small, wry smirk if his hand visibly tightened in the material of Senri's pants. "Try rather: branded us heretics and put us to death, Hades, since the way they see same-sex relationships is pretty… messed up. A more heinous crime than murder and rape, according to this book, is to love someone of the same gender…." He trailed off and exhaled slowly, then closed the book with a snap and put it aside. "If you ask me, most of them just need a good fuck, and perhaps that whole war would resolve sooner, too."
Hades snorted involuntarily while Senri snickered, then grinned with a completely love-struck expression when his lover shifted on his seat, putting his legs across his lap and curling into his side.
Yeah, completely whipped…
And he caught himself thinking – not the first time – that considering their similarities… if he could find someone like that, too…
He grimaced at the sudden pang of a headache, strangely enough, accompanied by a baffling vision of far too-bright purple eyes shining with cheer… and shook his head again, scowling as he leaned in and wrapped his hands around his head.
"Something's wrong, Hades?" his brother asked, touching his shoulder around his lover's back. He smoothed his expression, sitting straight and looking toward them…. For a brief moment, he could almost swear that there was a very… uncommonly cold and calculating look in G'raha's crimson eyes between them before it disappeared and was exchanged for a much more fitting empathy and more than a hint of worry.
But that bare second was enough to make something inside him tremble, and that headache grew, panging between his temples.
"Headache again," he muttered, rubbing his forehead before standing up and heading toward the building. "I think… Ah, I'll see you later," he waved carelessly over his shoulder and then headed inside and toward his bedroom, sighing with relief only when the door of it closed behind him.
Dropping face-first onto the mattress after discarding his boots, he exhaled loudly as he closed his eyes. Reluctantly deciding that perhaps a short nap would help with it – he forcefully cleared his thoughts and focused on falling asleep.
And no one was there to see it that when he drifted off after a moment, his body shifted back to its more natural, Ancient form.
The compulsion wasn't holding, Damon realized, for a brief moment seeing recognition in Hades's altered eyes and without a need to confirm it – especially with Ares still unavailable – set to course-correct the situation.
It was not that the compulsion itself was too weak, but he figured that Hades was far too powerful for it to be able to contain him. Suggesting to Senri to focus on his "brother's' physical training was his first attempt to try to avoid the compulsion breaking – by having Hades not even try to access his aether reserves. With them, Damon could hardly imagine the results if his boy, without proper awareness, attempted to use the mortals' elemental magic.
Since the situation required it, he created a spell to completely mask the moments when he took over from Senri – as attuned as he was growing to his link with Raha – and the same night, after the boys fell asleep, he carefully snuck out of Senri's possessive embrace and promptly warped to the Umbilicus of the Crystal Tower, scowling something fierce as he searched for a fitting item for his idea.
Finally, finding a small earring in one of the catches in the room, he grinned triumphantly then set to execute his plan: using the useless accessory to turn it into a powerful siphon connected to the Tower's reserves with his magic.
He figured once rid of the enormous amount of his aether, it would stop affecting Ares's compulsion and let it fully work as intended – by all means and purposes, turning Hades fully mortal… for the time being, anyway. And this close to the Banquet – and missing his husband's aid – he could not leave anything to chance. And as he set to that… he had an even better idea and soon scrambled for another hasty search….
"Where did you get this?" he asked his brother in an easy-going tone and smiled with reassurance when Hades's golden eyes shot toward him with surprise as his hand unconsciously drifted toward his ear, then he caught himself and let it drop, scowling once more.
"From G'raha," he replied, folding his arms over his chest and narrowing his eyes with apparent annoyance as they waited for the rest of their group near the Fragrant Chamber, where the Banquet was supposed to take place. Both were dressed in pretty similar outfits prepared by Tataru: Senri's was in his preferred blacks, and Hades's leaning more toward the mix of white and black. They leaned against the wall while Minfilia relayed to the others the last pointers about this event's goals for their organization. Most of it was to strengthen their relationship with Ishgard and the leaders of the city-states. Surprisingly enough, Alphinaud was missing despite Senri being quite sure that he saw more than a few of his Braves mixing in with the Brass Blades – the Ul'dah's militia. Though, he still couldn't spot Allaine, the lieutenant that led him on a tad of a merry chase before the meeting. If that strange vial he found near burned his pocket… and gave him quite a bad feeling. "He said it should help with the headaches… and so far it does," his brother shrugged helplessly, and Warrior looked up over the heads of the gathered, hiding his frown.
The last few days… he couldn't help but feel that there was something wrong with Raha – and seeing a distinctively Allagan in design earring in Hades's ear definitely didn't put him at ease about his redhead's at times… weird behavior.
He couldn't even put his finger on what exactly was that made him so… uneasy, as Raha was as sweet and considerate as always – and finding something to offer relief for his brother while in the last few days Hades more than often complained about headaches was definitely something that he could hardly put past his lover's kindness – but still… Especially when this morning, the redhead with a strangely calculating look in his fiery eyes but accompanied by a lovely smile gave him a very similar in design bracelet adorned by a blue crystal in a very familiar shade, calling it a memento of their meeting. And Senri more than loved the accessory – seeing it more as his mate's subtle claim on him – but still… When and where did his Raha suddenly come up with not one but two items of Allagan design…? He wondered, tossing a glance toward his lover – dutifully listening to Minfilia's lecture alongside Yda and Papalymo, Thancred and Y'shtola.
Or was it simply his growing uneasiness making him look for things that weren't there…? During the last few days and with his apparent eagerness to learn every aspect of their work, Raha blew everyone's mind with the way he seemed to absorb the knowledge both Minfilia and Y'shtola shoved at him. While Senri distracted himself with mentoring Hades, but still paying close attention to his lover's needs – mental and physical – he could hardly resist the thought that his redhead was already a better Scion than he ever was…
"Warrior?" he heard nearby and blinked, lowering his gaze to the dark-haired woman at his side, a Hyur he recognized as Sultana's handmaiden. The woman smiled politely and bowed, so he swiftly pushed off the wall and took on his usual mask. "The Sultana Nanamo wishes for your presence in her private quarters before the proceedings," she said without looking up, and he fought a frown.
"Of course, whatever Her Majesty requires," he replied instead, then turned his gaze toward his brother, meeting his narrowed gaze, though Hades didn't move out of his assumed pose. "Tell Raha I'll be right back? And…" he lowered his voice, moving slightly closer. "…look after him, okay?"
When his brother nodded, he relaxed considerably and soon followed the handmaiden.
Out of the two, he was more worried about the younger Seeker, all things considered… and since he was starting to get a really bad feeling… he would rather have him stick to his redhead – just in case.
Ares woke up with a start when his host was unceremoniously shoved to the floor of the chamber filled with shocked mortals – bound in chains – and only that let him quickly orient himself in the situation and not react.
Surprisingly feeling not only his link to Damon but another as well… a quick probing at Senri's memories and his knowledge of the way his husband's mind worked had him almost wishing he could offer a round of applause – almost drunk on an enormous amount of aether pouring into his soul – but instead he focused on observing the expected events unfold.
And as their original plan assumed – before Hades decided to toss a wrench into it – once their hosts scrambled to the ancient canals under the city with the pursuit on their heels, he reacted as soon as he felt his husband take over his host – which to his surprise was a tad earlier than they set – almost brutally pulling Senri's soul back into a cocoon, skidding to a stop and near barking: "STOP!" toward all mortals that rang and reverberated along the corridors, freezing everyone but his redhead mid-move.
Even Hades in his adorable cat-like version…
Damon skidded quite funnily, but his handsome face bloomed with relief when he turned toward him and exhaled loudly – then smiled sheepishly and strode toward Ares through the ankle-high water around them.
"Gods… Glad to see you awake, love," he said, stopping before him.
"Neat," Ares chuckled, raising his hand at the wrist adorned with Allagan metal. "Let me guess… Considering I feel downright ready to burst with aether…" he drawled, tossing a pointed stare toward his younger brother.
"You're siblings, so I figured you would be more than compatible," his brilliant husband shrugged slightly, then a familiar, devious smirk blossomed on his host's face when Ares laughed softly then wrapped his hands around his lover's face, leaning in until their lips met into a quick but heated kiss. "Missed you," Damon purred, coiling his arms around Azem's neck and pulling him in harder until Ares gladly buried his nose against his lover's throat and let his husband curl into his embrace almost desperately. Cooing reassurances into his skin, he enveloped him into a tight hug, smoothing his hand over Damon's back and, despite the circumstances, more than enjoying his heat until his lover relaxed considerably. "I had my hands full while you were napping," his redhead complained petulantly, and Ares chuckled, nuzzling against his shoulder.
"I can see that, love," he answered, then rewarded his efforts with another heated kiss when Damon leaned away a pointedly supplied his pretty, pouty mouth in a silent demand. At the same time, pushing their connection open, for a long moment, they kissed while Ares drank in his lover's memories and learned of what transpired while he was out. And of his husband's intended tweaks, smiling as they finally pulled apart and he rested his forehead against his man's. "So, not only Minfilia but Thancred and Y'shtola, too?"
"Well… mostly Y'shtola, to be honest, since I've thought of it as thanks for all those books she had been unknowingly supplying me with, it felt prudent to spare her eyesight, no?" his lover chuckled sheepishly, running his fingers through his hair. "Thancred, in the long run, I'm sure also would be glad to keep the ability to use aether… And once we're ready to let them out, I think we can use it to win their favor, too…."
"Senri, I'm sure, will be a tad more cooperative once he learns all you did for his friends, love," he replied smoothly, wrapping his hand around Damon's neck as he lifted his head and looked around the immobile Scions. "Now, as about how to proceed… I'll take care of altering our boys and Hades's memories while you cage the rest?"
"Mhmm," Damon hummed, then pulled him into another delicious kiss before they pushed apart and set to their respective tasks. If Ares still raised his eyebrows in surprise when his lover, with quite a mean smirk, snapped his fingers while looking into the end of the corridor, their hosts came from. "Just getting rid of our pursuit," he shrugged at his questioning look, and Azem snickered before stopping in front of his brother and, with a fond smile resting his hand against his cheek.
"I know you're going to be beyond furious with us later, little brother, but it's literally for your good… in the long run," he whispered, then smiled when moisture gathered at the corners of Hades's altered eyes, knowing that though he couldn't move, he was still aware. "I missed you, too, and I love you beyond reason, my boy, and that's why… you can't remember this for now. I promise you, when we can, we will make up for it – as well as that it will be worth it," he added softly, then exhaled and closed his eyes, resting both hands around his brother's face and feeling those tears spill over them as he whispered another compulsion.
When he was done and moved back, giving Hades's cheek a quick pat, then looked back at his husband, Damon outstretched his hand, showing him three small crystals on top of his palms, and the other Scions were gone from the corridor.
"I'm going to hide those in a safe place," his husband said, wrapping his fingers around them, then warped away… to return after a moment empty-handed. "So far, so good… Now, my Azem, as set, let our boys think it went as it… 'should,'" he rolled his eyes, nearing him and wrapping his arms around Ares's waist, pressing against his front tightly. And when he was done with that, they exchanged another heated kiss before assuming their positions and letting the play go on…
After it became very clear that they would have to seek refugee in Ishgard… Well, G'raha was inclined to admit that he found that beyond ironic – especially considering his remarks about it yesterday…
Gods, was it truly only yesterday…? In his mind, everything that transpired since they left for that Twelve-forsaken Banquet was nearly a blur, and yet as he pulled the borrowed jacket around himself tighter and headed out of the Camp Dragonhead's gate, heading north, at the same time, it felt almost like it should have been days…
Carefully avoiding the monsters calling the snowy plains their home, the redhead more or less beelined toward the source of anguish pouring at his senses. Not even surprised when he found his lover sitting cross-legged at the edge of the chasm between them and the visible in-the-distance lights of Ishgard and looking like the picture of misery, G'raha ignored the cold of the heavy snowfall around them and promptly fell to his knees behind his mate, coiling around Senri's back and offering his heat in comfort as he rested his chin on his shoulder. With narrowed eyes looking toward the distant city, he couldn't help but grimace at the thought of going there… even if they didn't have a choice.
"Everything is… gone," his lover muttered in a hollow tone, and G'raha frowned, chasing away the thought of what was next to focus on soothing his mate. Moving around him, he sighed as he planted himself in Senri's lap, gladly drinking in his heat as he curled into his near-desperate embrace. Mindful of the fact that his Snark hated the cold, G'raha pressed against him tight, with magic promptly raising his body's temperature to fight against the shivers that wrecked his Warrior's muscular frame. Not that Senri seemed even aware of that, wrapping his arms around him in an almost bruising hug and burying his face against his throat.
He had no idea what to say to make this whole situation better – doubted that there was even anything he could say, so G'raha gently ran his fingers through his lover's dark hair, purring in a soothing rhythm and only hoping to offer reassurance in his presence alone.
He spent only a week with the other Scions, and as much as he felt dismayed at what happened, at some level, he couldn't help but be relieved, too, that his mate was safe. During their escape, he didn't even let himself think – solely focused on surviving and keeping careful watch over Senri's younger brother – knowing that his Warrior was more than capable of taking care of himself while the younger Seeker had barely any training to go on.
Only when Cid picked them up and in the safety of his airship did he somewhat let himself relax some, but then, before he could even approach his desolate-looking lover, the great engineer pulled him aside and, in a few very blunt words, made it clear that once they land in Coerthas, any and all displays of affection between them could be lethal – if a wrong person would be to witness such – and mindful of his lecture about that infernal city and their ideas, he carefully kept away from Senri after a quick hug and whispered explanation.
That clearly baffled young Alphinaud, as rare as very his visits to Rising Stones, the only unaware of their relationship aboard The Enterprise, but thankfully Hades had the mind to distract the Elzen, asking him what exactly happened with the Braves.
And as welcoming and comforting as the leader of the Dragonhead seemed, after what happened in Ul'dah, G'raha was very not inclined to trust anyone right now with anything that pertained to his mate's safety. Knowing that if they were in the position that they are forced to seek refugee in Ishgard his lover's title wouldn't mean a thing if Ishgardians bigoted ideas where faced with the fact of their relationship, G'raha was beyond determined to not let anyone else know about it than those who already did. Haurchefant Greystone promised them asylum in his father's estate in the frost-bound city, at least. While he was apparently busy setting it up, the redhead dared to look for his wayward lover only once his misery started to pour over his senses – unable to stand it.
"It feels like… when I left the camp, but now I don't even have my blankets…." Senri chuckled humorlessly, and G'raha sighed, then pulled back just enough to wrap his hands around his lover's beautiful face.
"You have me, my heart," he whispered, then lifted slightly to brush the tip of his nose against his mate's affectionately. "Me and Hades, and we need you, my beast," he added, smoothing his thumbs over his cheeks.
"I know, I know, it's just…." Senri exhaled slowly and nodded, closing his eyes briefly before looking at him again with a new determination in his pale blue eyes, more than ever remanding G'raha of shards of ice. "I'm fine, Raha, just needed a moment to… rebalance myself."
"I get that," he replied, then pulled him closer until their foreheads met. "It will be rough, Snark, but we will get through this, okay? We will find a way to clear your name and be back home before you know," he said, hopefully with more confidence than he felt at the moment.
"…home?" his lover sighed, then coiled his arms around him in another almost too-tight hug. "You… are my home, Raha. As long as you're with me… I'll be fine."
"Good. Because I'll never leave you, my Snark," he assured, curling into his arms as fiercely… and hoping he wasn't lying.
Though he was beyond glad and thankful for Haurchefant's offering them the safety of his camp for their stay while the knight petitioned his peers back in Ishgard for asylum for them, and more than aware of the stakes – and as determined to keep his lover safe as Raha apparently was… A tad over a second day of their temporary stay there, Senri truly realized the biggest issue with the need to hide their relationship from everyone's eyes.
Because their mating bond clearly didn't give a fuck about their circumstances and supplied by his – their – unnatural stamina and heightened senses… the second day in the Camp Dragonhead, he woke up in the middle of the night head to toes covered in sweat from a nearly too realistic, beyond intense dream and almost automatically shoved his fist between his teeth to choke down his whine as the carefully hidden mark on his shoulder throbbed insistently in the mad rhythm of his heartbeat. For the suddenness of their arrival and the temporary nature of their stay, Haurchefant somewhat apologetically still gave them two rooms to share, and for propriety reasons, they decided to let Tataru take one while the rest of them hurdled in the other, setting given them bedrolls about the floor.
He, obviously, used given him blankets to make the best nest for himself he could manage, and now – too painfully aroused to think clearly – almost crawled toward his lover's much more neatly set bedroll across the room… if the glance toward the sleeping form of Alphinaud didn't stop him in his tracks. He never was the young prodigy's biggest fan… but even he could see how torn the Elzen was over what his hubris wrought, not to mention that despite it all… he was still a kid, too. And another quick look toward his brother's sleeping form and the thought of how not much older he was than Alphinaud had Senri instead, as silently as possible, scramble out of his soaked blankets and sneak out of the room, nodding somewhat sheepishly toward the tired-looking guards stationed alongside the corridors. Hoping they assumed he needed to relieve himself, he headed toward the keep's privy. Before reaching it, using stealth, he changed his direction and headed up on the battlements, thinking that perhaps the ever-present chill of the weather would work to cool down his fevered body.
When that didn't seem to help any and soon the downright insistent throb spread to his whole body and was joined by a maddeningly itchy sensation, groaning quietly, he found a shaded corner on the tall building – behind one of its towers and pressed his far too heated cheek against the chilly bricks, fighting his body's furious need as he pretty much full-body rubbed against the cold wall.
Senri remembered hearing some off-hand remarks about this growing up. How females would scoff at the idea of mating, stating that apparently, once it was neglected for too long, the urge would become far worse than what they experienced during the heat – and why would someone ever choose that…? He, enamored as he was with the idea of his special person, remembered thinking that it sounded like a small price to pay… But right now, as his whole body thrummed with a painful need for his mate, he whimpered pitifully and nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden touch against his back.
Trying to collect his scattered wits enough to comprehend, he turned around and blinked numbly toward the blaze in the crimson eyes – not even able to open his mouth before Raha's hand shot up and brutally fisted in his hair, pulling him down into a downright vicious, biting kiss. Whining in relief at his taste and drowning in the maddening scent of his mate's need, he spun them around and pinned his redhead against the cold wall, devouring his delicious mouth and tearing at his clothes impatiently. And when despite such unfit for it place, his lover didn't protest but instead as desperately tugged his pants open and coiled his hand around his dick, Senri broke the kiss with a gasp, then pushed back the collar of his lover's shirt off his shoulder bit him to stave off his whimpers as he rutted into his too-hot grip.
"N-Need you… inside me," his redhead whined into his ear. He almost expired at the sound of his voice alone, curling his right hand around his buttock and clenching his jaw tighter as that itch – accompanied by the heat of his lover's hand – grew insane, pushing his body already sooo close to the edge… he snarled involuntarily when suddenly Raha shoved him away, panting harshly as he spun around. He didn't think – couldn't even if he wanted to – but pounced instantly and wrapped one hand around his mate's throat in demand of submission, with the other brutally shoving his pants down to his knees. Then he curled that hand around the base of his lover's red tail, unceremoniously pulling him back and forcing him to bend nearly in half against the wall, Raha at that seemed so out of it that he had to move his other hand from his throat to clamp it over his mate's mouth, regretfully stifling his desperately pleading noises.
Even more than halfway out of his mind refusing to hurt his cute mate, he fought his nearly violent shudders as he freed his lover's tail and shoved his fingers into his mouth, hoping it would be enough as he set to prepare his body at least some. And his redhead didn't help his raging need any, purring insistently under his palm and pushing back against his fingers with a downright shocking – for him – eagerness. And as his need poured over his senses, Senri lasted barely enough for the too-tight squeeze of the muscle to give before he pulled him back and up against him, biting him again as he impaled him on his cock far too brutally and whining his bliss and apologies in equal measure into the heat of his skin. Relieved some when his lover came with a downright sinful moan when he was seated inside him up to the hilt, he hooked his hands under his mate's thighs, easily holding him against him as he set for his relief, rutting into him furiously.
Soon his redhead arched against his chest, now himself clamping his hand over his mouth as his other hand almost brutally wrapped around his dick, which he could easily see over his lover's shoulder, instinctively matching its rhythm as he pulled his lover's glorious, scorching heat up and down his too-painful flesh. Groaning in tandem with his mate's choked gasps and stifled whines, he lasted just enough for his Raha to tumble over the edge with another nearly musical moan, this time sounding suspiciously like his name before he couldn't help but follow with a relieved whimper, rocking into him until he was completely spent.
Breaking his bite with a gasp, he freed one arm to wrap it around his lover's chest, pulling his back against him tightly and hoping to shield him from the chill that now as his heartbeat slowed down gradually, he was getting increasingly aware of. Even then, though, he nuzzled against his lover's neck gratefully before spreading more affectionate bites and kisses over his skin while his mate audibly fought to catch his breath, leaning against him heavily.
"Gods… This is going to be an issue," he finally got out with a somewhat rueful chuckle, pressing his hand over his shoulder to delicately pet Senri's ear.
"Mhmm," he agreed easily if still tightening his arms around him possessively as he slowly lowered his shorter mate to the ground. Still beyond regretful as they quickly fixed their clothes, he was soothed some when his redhead turned around. He very pointedly pushed his shirt back off his shoulder, with a fist in the material pulling him down until Senri leaned in obediently, tilting his head in silent invitation. Purring quietly and curling his hand around his lover's neck when Raha bit him, soothing the throb of his mark into compliance, he set a grateful kiss on his mate's neck, curling his free hand around his behind and kneading the flesh with an instinctive claim, embarrassingly pleased with the idea that his lover's ass was full of his seed. "We have to think about something, my gorgeous prince," he hummed, not even registering as he slowly backed his lover into the wall, taking deep, delicious whiffs of their mixed scents. Only when his gut panged with a renewed arousal, he backed away some, nuzzling against his lover's shoulder when Raha broke his bite with a quiet laugh.
"We do… We will," he said, then smoothed his hands over Senri's shoulders, down to his hands, smiling a bit ruefully when the Warrior shuddered visibly with another gust of chilly wind. "Now, however, my heart, go back inside before you freeze off any of my favorite bits, hm?"
"And… you?" He hesitated, frowning as he leaned in and rested his forehead against his lover's shoulder, for a moment longer enjoying his scent on his mate's skin.
"I'll be right behind you, Snark… as before," he replied in a whisper with some humor. "Just… have to make it look as least suspicious as possible, okay?"
"Mhmm," he agreed reluctantly, then sighed softly. "As hard as it is… will be… I'm so glad you're here, Raha, if you weren't…" he choked, then exhaled shakily and lifted his head, placing his hand against his redhead's cheek. "…I would be so lost without you."
"I'm here, Snark, for you," his lover whispered, holding his hand over his and nuzzling into his palm. "Whenever… and whatever you need of me, Senri, I'm here, and I love you so very much, my Warrior. But now… off you go before others wake up and notice us missing."
"Okay… And I love you, too, more than words can describe," he replied and stole a quick kiss before reluctantly pulling back and, with a last, longing look toward his lover's bruised but smiling lips, used stealth the headed back inside the building.
And only once he settled back in his makeshift nest, he wondered involuntarily how his lover followed him without his realizing or feeling his presence. But the exhaustion claimed him before he could devise a solution to that mystery… or see his mate return to the room and his bedroll.
"Okay, that was definitely useful," G'raha whispered a long moment after Senri disappeared and, by now, likely back in his nest. He turned around and ignored the creeping chill, keeping himself warm with magic, while he dragged his narrowed gaze over the snowy landscape reflecting the starlight. He rested his hands on the low wall surrounding the long battlement and sighed, feeling his face heat up unbearably at the thought of…
I did promise I could be VERY useful, no? The smug amusement in the voice that rang through his head had his face grow only hotter. Because as absurd as it was, apparently, he had another person living inside him – a fact that he was quite brutally made aware of when he woke up downright ablaze with the need for his lover… and noticing the emptiness of his nest nearly expired. For this voice to chime in out of nowhere and promise him a way to get to Senri without making anyone else aware of it. But onto the serious matters, we have a lot to cover, boy. Starting with your task…
"Who are you?" he murmured under his nose, looking around the area and hoping no one stumbles upon him, talking to himself… as he apparently wasn't. To himself, that is….
My name is Damon, Raha, and… to put it in terms that would let you understand the difficulty of what I need of you, my boy… let's say I'm an Ascian, as you call my people, at that he gasped and felt all the blood drain from his face. Do NOT freak out, you hear me? You're not possessed, but I was born inside you, with you. I wasn't awake until a few weeks ago, that's all. And considering I can quite well hear your thoughts, you do not need to speak out loud.
"I…" he hesitated, then exhaled slowly and nodded uselessly, closing his eyes and thinking at that voice instead. What do you want? What is that… task?
Gods… what the fuck? And if Senri… Oh, fuck, what if Senri finds out about this…? He hated the Ascians so fiercely, and if he learns that he was possessed…?
Again, NOT possessed, Raha, at least not in a way that would allow separating us, as I'm quite sure that if someone attempted it, you would die with me, considering you were literally born to be my host. And I do have more than enough means to protect us from any silly attempts at such… idiocy, he scowled at the downright… haughty, if not positively snobbish tone. Now that I have your attention, boy, let's go back to what you MUST do for me, hm?
And what is that…? He asked suspiciously, tightening his hands on the cold bricks.
You, my cute host, would turn all off your charms up to the max and convince your precious mate – as, truly, the only one that can – to let go of his… hostility toward my kind, it was purely an order, and G'raha bristled instinctively, on reflex baring his teeth with a quiet growl.
Why would I do that? He replied with an offense. Your people caused nothing but misery to him… and perhaps you're lying about that whole 'can't separate us' thing? Because that's the first thing he will try if he learns about you and maybe you're scared…?
He would, most likely, that voice replied quite carelessly. That's why you'll need to be extra convincing, Raha, because you're not the only one… 'possessed.'
"Huh?" he breathed out loud, and his eyes shot wide open, gazing toward the night sky numbly.
Why do you think you were able to mate with him, silly boy? The Ascian downright chortled, then sighed when G'raha growled another warning, scrambling in thought to understand his meaning. Simple, really… He's in the same situation as you, a living host to my eternally bonded husband, Ares. And he… Damon chuckled when his jaw dropped. You see the issue, yes? Considering Senri's ideas about our kind, it is better if he finds out from you that he's not as alone in his head as he believes, right? And as you had an opportunity to experience that our way to travel is much more useful in your… particular circumstances and how much more difficult it is bound to get in that city – I would recommend that you do that before the next time the need to mate kicks in, right?
G'raha groaned loudly, then covered his far-too-heated face with his palms as his mind raced between the ideas of how to proceed.
Ah… and don't worry, if it goes badly the first time, Ares will help you… try again, so to say, the Ascian added almost like an afterthought, and G'raha frowned, dropping his arms to look toward the snowy landscape with confusion.
What's that supposed to mean? He finally asked suspiciously.
Let's keep that part for when you're back in your bed, boy, before someone spots you here, hm? And since I'm in a gracious mood, I'll teach you how to cast invisibility so you can go back with none the wiser… and I believe that you will find that spell especially useful in the coming days, Damon chuckled somewhat deviously. He frowned reflexively, especially when his meaning sank in, and his face grew impossibly hotter. Apparently, that… being taken a special thrill in embarrassing him! And… how was he ever again be with his mate, knowing that someone was constantly watching…? Constantly? Hardly. You two are far too tame for me to bother, boy, so I tend to get busy with my own… ideas when you're going at it. Now… if you would wish for pointers to make it worthy of my attention, however…
No, thank you! He responded instinctively, somewhat gawking at the piles of snow. Tame? As compared to what, exactly…?
A positively devilish chuckle ran through his head before an image bloomed inside it… and G'raha expired, uselessly trying to rub it away with his hands as his heart felt like it would burst out of his chest. There's just no way…! And not like Senri would ever let him do to him something so… depraved.
See? Tame, his 'passenger' chortled, then sighed somewhat funnily. And you would be surprised if he's like my Ares in that regard… But, going back to the matter at hand, repeat after me, boy, and he started to whisper in a language that he had definitely never heard before. He had to repeat it twice before G'raha complied reluctantly and gasped when the aether around him churned, creating a sort of bubble around his body. He frowned and tried to touch it, blinking rapidly when his hand passed through it easily. Believe me, none would see or hear you now so that you can go back to bed, and then we can talk some more, hm?
He sighed with resignation, nodding uselessly as he dropped his arm to his side and complied, hoping that this would not blow up in his face… but, then, what choice did he have…?
Aww, don't worry, Raha, Damon chuckled again. I have it on good authority that we will get along just fine… you'll see, eventually.