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Dry, brittle leaves crunched under his boots as he walked. Despite the approaching summer season, a chill clung to the air as haze from early morning dissipated. Golden sunlight filtered through gray mists and winding branches to reveal a dazzling day. Through the treetops, the blazing sunrise slowly gave way to a calming blue sky.
Weaving from tree to tree, Amir was confident in himself – this forest was lush, plentiful, and would undoubtedly yield a successful hunt. In exile, he wandered from country to country, exploring at his leisure, but never staying long enough to set roots.
Clad in hunter’s garb and a heavy pack of essentials on his back, he threw strong arms around himself to stave off the cool temperature. Despite roaming the green isle for nearly a year, he never grew used to the way the cold wind and frigid rain seeped into his bones. He longed for the heat of his homeland, to cast off the rough leather tunic and breeches in exchange for soft linens and warm sun kissing his skin.
The unfamiliar land had its advantages. With its lush, emerald greenery, he could crouch behind hulking stones and dart from tree to tree as he enjoyed the thrill of the hunt. He relished the way his heart pounded as he spied his prey in the distance, grazing with innocent eyes, unknowing of its untimely fate. The way he faded from view, using heightened senses to track his mark, moving rapidly until he closed in for the kill, the way bones cracked and flesh gave way as he prepared it for roasting.
Sucking in a deep breath, he took in the fragrance of pine, dewy moss, and damp earth. He closed his eyes to listen to distant sounds, hoping they would reveal a new mark. Soft wind caressed his face as birdsong filled his ears. He heard the rustling of branches and the buzzing of insects until it was interrupted by a curious noise – the signature bark of a happy seal.
Furrowing his brow, he let out a low chuckle. A seal, this far down river? Distracted by the noise, he peeked through the line of trees and found a curious sight.
Staying within the treeline, he spied the seal in the distance, jumping and playing carefree in the rushing water. Soft and supple, his thick, ivory coat gleamed as he moved effortlessly through the chill river, stopping to bark joyously and clap along the surface until he stopped suddenly. Peeking just above the waterline, he rotated in a full circle as if to scan the area.
Amir sank behind a broad tree trunk before peering back over to spot the creature raising his fin and splitting its skin down the center. Straightening up, a figure began to slip out. Amir gasped. Covering his mouth in shock, he was unable to tear his eyes away.
Long, layered hair as white as fresh snow began to emerge. Then came pale shoulders and lean arms. Shimmying out of his coverings, he revealed a lithe frame, his slender back bearing muscle tone honed from constant, graceful movement. Although otherworldly with alabaster skin and twinges of silver along his elbows and knees, Amir would’ve never known he was anything but human. Amir’s mouth went dry as he watched the water lap at his hips, revealing the gentle curve of his backside as he tossed his pelt onto a dry stone along the shore.
As he turned to the side, Amir made out the faintest blush gracing his cheeks. His light eyelids fluttered as a gentle smile spread across pink lips. Amir trembled at the sight of the most beautiful man he had ever seen, standing tall before diving into the rushing river.
Amir ran his palm down his face in disbelief. Shaking his head, he walked in the opposite direction, trying his best to ignore the melodic ringing of laughter in the distance. Unfastening his bow, he set off in search of boar, rabbit, stag, anything to sate his appetite. He had prey to catch.
***
Feeling the current rush across his body, Ryou leapt, swam, and floated through the water until the sun sank down toward the horizon. He barely noticed any time passed until he felt a telltale rumble in his stomach.
Wet silt sank under his feet as he stepped onto shore. He approached the rock where his pelt sat drying in the sun. Running his fingers through the plush fur, he sighed at its comforting heat and slung it along his waist.
If he was going to catch a proper dinner tonight and enjoy it in human form, he knew he had to collect firewood first. As easy as it was to quickly snare a fish straight into his mouth as a seal, he wanted to relish these brief moments as a man. A selkie, Ryou was torn between longing for the water and the desire to explore life the way people do.
Feeling leaves settle and twigs snap beneath his bare feet, he set off into the woods. As he moved back and forth gathering twigs, branches, fallen saplings, and dry leaves, he thought back to early that same morning. Although he saw nothing, he caught the faint scent of a man, tinged with something otherworldly. Shrugging it off, he continued foraging, enjoying the last traces of sun hitting his still drying skin.
After a few rounds, he gathered an impressive stash. He threw his pelt over his back like a robe and began setting a circle of small stones to mark his makeshift fireplace. When he was satisfied, he set down dry leaves and wood. Striking two pieces of flint together, he began the arduous work of creating a spark powerful enough to build a fire.
Indigo twilight set into the sky before Ryou saw a single flame. Wiping his brow, he sat back in a bed of leaves, warming his feet as his bonfire grew. Cocking his head to the side, he swore he took in the same fragrance as before – human, but warmer, like hot embers, and more ethereal. If it weren’t diffused by the building smoke, he would’ve been intoxicated by it.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted it. Two dots reflected brightly in the distance like a cat in the dark, shining with an impossible lavender hue. Squinting, Ryou could just make out the silhouette of a hulking man with thick, flaxen hair fanning out in every direction, with the corpse of a majestic stag slung across his shoulders. Where anyone else would’ve been terrified or bolted on the spot, Ryou grew giddy. Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on bent knees and beckoned him forward with his finger.
“I know you’re there. Come closer,” He called out to the figure, lips curling into a sly grin. “I won’t bite unless you do.”
Tentatively, the man walked forward with lumbering steps as he carried the heavy deer. Ryou’s smile grew wider as he made out his features – a halo of golden hair framed his sharp cheekbones and amethyst eyes lined with dark kohl. Bronze skin peeked from the sleeves of his olive green tunic as he approached with the thumping of his worn boots.
“Oh! I see you brought dinner,” Ryou beamed.
“You aren’t scared of me?” The stranger replied, baffled by the other man’s audacity.
“Should I be?” Ryou asked, shooting him an expectant glance.
Amir paused until his steely expression gave way as he burst into laughter. “Usually, people run for the hills – if they even see me coming. You’re an interesting one.”
“I’m Ryou,” He extended his hand.
“Amir,” Amir purred, gripping Ryou’s fingers lightly and planting a gentle kiss along his knuckle.
“I could get used to this,” Ryou sighed as a pale blush creeped across his cheeks. “What do you say to sharing? My fire and your deer.”
“I don’t know. I need to skin and gut my kill, and roasting him will take hours. Can you handle it?”
“Blood? Gore?” Ryou’s eyes rounded in faux shock. “I suppose it’s a small price to pay for a whole night with a mysterious hunter.”
With a toothy grin, Amir dragged his prize close to shore to prepare it for cooking. With a deft hand, he pulled out a dagger from his belt and effortlessly sliced open the belly. Red blood spilt onto the sand and into the rushing tide as he worked, slicing the carcass open before inserting his fingers to the knuckle to remove its entrails. With surprising strength, he moved the beast onto its belly to drain it completely before making a hole and burying its innards. After cleaning his hands and knife in the rushing tide, he set to work skinning the deer.
Ripping, tearing into tough flesh satisfied something feral inside Amir. From childhood, rage was one of the only constants in his life, always bubbling at the base of his stomach. This routine allowed him to freely explore his instincts in a way that fed his adrenaline and quieted his mind. As he sat and prepared the meat, a peace settled over him. For those brief moments, he felt fully, gloriously calm.
The beautiful creature behind him inspired a different kind of excitement. Ever since he spied him bathing earlier that day, Amir longed to know how his lips tasted, to feel him squirm as his hands roamed his body, to hear the sound of his screams as he sank his teeth into pliant flesh. Shaking his head, he staved off those thoughts as he focused on the tasks at hand.
Meanwhile, Ryou prepared a spit roast for them, digging narrow holes into the ground before stuffing them with freshly fallen saplings he found earlier that day. Having planned to camp for a few days at least, he gathered more than enough supplies to last. Pleased with his efforts, he removed the branches from a strong trunk to smooth it out.
By the time Amir approached, Ryou had prepared a full-purpose cooking station. Shooting Ryou a grateful look, Amir ran the sturdy stalk through the deer and mounted it onto the supports.
With a groan, Amir slung his pack off his shoulders, unfastened a sheepskin bedroll, and laid it on the mossy ground. After sinking into the soft material, he patted the spot next to him to encourage Ryou to sit closer. Ryou gratefully obliged, scooting over and enjoying the warmth from both the fire and the other man’s body.
“So, what are you anyway?” Amir blurted.
“W-what do you mean by that?” Ryou stammered, shock beginning to set in that he hadn’t been as careful as he had hoped as he made his transformation.
“I saw you before,” Amir remarked, running his fingers along the smooth pelt along Ryou’s back. “Don’t worry – I’ve already met my quota of kills today.”
Ryou shot him a curious look. From his scent, he knew Amir was more than a man. Hesitantly, he decided to trust him, knowing full well he was capable of slipping back into his skin at any time to make a swift escape.
“I’m a selkie,” Ryou remarked. “A seal spirit. When I’m wearing this,” he rubbed a supple flipper along Amir’s arm for emphasis, “I can shapeshift.”
Amir’s jaw nearly hit the floor with the revelation. He had never heard of magical beings outside his homeland. Could it be that he found a kindred spirit, one with whom he could share his childhood stories and be believed?
“I… didn’t know selkies existed until I saw you. I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Amir admitted.
“And what about you? I know you’re not human,” Ryou said matter-of-factly, leaning dangerously close to Amir’s neck to take in a deep breath, his entire body flooding with desire at the scent. “You smell too… delicious.”
Amir’s cheeks blazed, making him grateful for the darkness and stark firelight. “My father was a man, but my mother was a djinn.”
“A half-human!” Ryou clapped excitedly. “I knew they existed, but I’d never met one before.”
“They most often visit my homeland, in a continent far south of here. The country I’m from is a beautiful place, filled with vast deserts cut through the middle by a lush river.” Amir’s eyes grew dreamy. “Traditionally, djinn are invisible to people. They live on a different plane of existence. But my mother,” Amir sighed, “Saw my father from a distance and fell in love with him. Assuming a human form, she introduced herself to him and kept her true self a secret. Little did she know, he was a king.”
“Oh! That’s fascinating,” Ryou exclaimed, shimmying closer to Amir and curling his arms around his bicep.
“He was a widower, heirless, and already had an adopted son, Rishid,” Amir continued. “He was overjoyed when she made herself known to him. They were married within a year.”
“That’s lovely.”
“Don’t get too excited.” Amir’s expression grew steely. “Together, they had a daughter, Isis, and twin sons. My brother, Malik, was born first and became the heir to the kingdom. I was born a few minutes later. But my mother… didn’t make it. With her dying breath, she revealed her true nature to my siblings. My father never even knew. Her last wish was for them to take care of Malik and I.”
“I’m so sorry, Amir.” Ryou wrapped him in a warm embrace. “It must’ve been hard, growing up without knowing her.”
“It was,” Amir replied, shocked he allowed himself to reveal so much of himself so early. “They say after my mom’s death, the kindness in my father’s eyes dissolved. He became bitter. But I’m grateful for my siblings. If anything, Rishid and Isis were the ones who raised us.” With a pang of guilt, he looked down at his palms.
“What did Rishid think of having a new heir?” Ryou asked. “He must’ve been disappointed that he couldn’t become king.”
“He was relieved, actually,” Amir replied. “He’s a gentle soul. Ruling and making hard decisions that impact an entire kingdom would’ve been a struggle for him.”
“I see.”
“Malik, however, took it in stride.” Amir continued. “He’s a natural-born leader.”
“That’s good! How is it that you came here though? Shouldn’t you be back home with your family?”
“I’m in exile.”
“What happened?”
“I killed my father.”
“...Oh.” Ryou knew he should’ve been frightened, but the haunted look on Amir’s face revealed more depth than his words. “Why?”
“My father was hard on Malik.” Amir continued. “Even as a little child, he placed impossible demands on him. Day and night, he tutored him personally, not allowing him to leave the palace. If he was asked to recite what he had learned and gave the wrong answer, he was beaten.”
“That’s terrible.”
“It gets worse. The day we turned 11, my father performed a cruel ritual where he carved my country’s traditions onto Malik’s back.” Amir explained with a grave expression. “He was given nothing to dull the pain except a rag in his mouth. I couldn’t do anything to stop it – I sat there and watched helplessly.” Ryou gasped, gripping Amir tighter. “Close to the end of the process, he passed out. I remember it clear as day. Our father grabbed the whip, ready to strike him until he woke up, but I knew if he did,” Amir held back a sob. “Malik wouldn’t have survived.”
“What did you do?” Ryou’s breath caught his throat.
“I grabbed the whip and blade from my father’s hands.” Amir swiped at the empty air to punctuate. “Using the same knife he used to carve up my brother’s back, I slashed his throat.”
“You were protecting your brother,” Ryou said gently, tears welling in his eyes. “Anyone would’ve done the same.”
“Tell that to my family,” Amir huffed. “Rishid and Isis ran into the room the moment I took my father’s life. They didn’t see what he was about to do to Malik. Before I could explain, my whole world turned upside down. When Rishid called for the guards, I bolted.”
“Where did you go?”
“Out of the palace grounds and into the desert.” Amir covered his face with his hands. “I ran all night. It’s how I learned what a half-djinn could do. As I fled, I prayed for the guards to not catch me. The more I moved, the farther the distance spread between us. Even though I wasn’t too far away, it was as if they couldn’t see me at all. Before I knew it, I realized I left no footprints in the sand. It was as if I slipped through the veil between worlds. Still, I didn’t stop until I collapsed from the heat. I’ve been wandering since then.” Ryou hummed and nuzzled into Amir’s neck, calming Amir’s nerves. “It hasn’t been so bad though.”
“Are you relieved to be free?” Ryou asked.
“I am,” Amir couldn’t suppress the smile that spread across his lips. “It all happened more than half my life ago now. I’ve seen so much of the world that would’ve been unavailable to me as a prince. Since then, I’ve practiced my abilities. I can make myself nearly invisible and untraceable, an excellent skill to have during a hunt. I can see well in the dark and sometimes, I can hear angels.”
“Really? What’s that like?”
“Like the most beautiful song you’ve ever heard.” Amir shot Ryou a wistful look. “I’m only half djinn, so it sounds like they’re singing in another language. I swear they speak of the future, and of truths of the world I can’t fathom.”
“That must be incredible.”
“If nothing else, my abilities make me a good hunter,” Amir beamed with pride. “And I’m happy if it means sharing venison with someone as beautiful as you.” Heat flooded Ryou’s cheeks. “What about you? What brings you this deep into the woods all alone?”
“I’m afraid my story isn’t much happier than yours,” Ryou admitted. “My father was the patriarch of our clan, proud to spend time with our family and lead our selkie colony. When I was still a pup, my mum and sister were killed by poachers. My father was out catching food for us. He came back to their desecrated bodies, and me barely clinging to life. I was the sole survivor.”
Amir looked at Ryou in awe. “All this time of being a hunter, I never thought beyond my own needs. To think people would seek out those like you…”
“There’s a difference between you and them,” Ryou reassured Amir as tears welled in his eyes. “They weren’t killing to survive – they did it just for our skins. Nothing else! To them, we were ordinary seals and even then, it’s grotesque what they did.”
“What happened after?”
“My father dug himself into his work, becoming more and more detached over time.” Ryou spoke in a shaky voice. “Instead of raising me, he let me fend for myself. I was barely a teenager then. When I came of age, he focused on finding me a wife so that I could produce a new heir for our clan. He had tunnel vision. He refused to listen when I told him that wasn’t what I wanted. So I ran.”
"You didn't want to settle down and raise a family?"
"Settling down is well and good, but I wasn't interested in... a wife."
“I see,” Amir raised his eyebrows at the revelation. “What did you do once you got free?”
“I went from port to port,” Ryou said with a wink, “luring handsome sailors into rented beds.” Ryou shot a warm smile at Amir, which deepened the color on his face. “But my favorite thing was sneaking into town for sweets.”
“The guys were that bad, huh?”
“Not as bad as it sounds. It’s just that they treated me like a delicate, breakable thing when I have much thicker skin than that,” Ryou giggled. “That and… I’ve heard enough stories of men stealing selkies’ pelts. They’d force them away from their beloved ocean and into marriage. I never wanted to stay with anyone long enough for them to figure out who I was. I left my people so I wouldn’t have to be shoved into an arrangement I didn’t want. I’m not about to let that happen now. After a while, I decided to lay low.”
“Then why didn’t you run when you saw me? You could’ve easily slipped away.”
“I sensed the part of you that was more than human and I had to know. It’s comforting that you’re like me, but remember,” Ryou’s eyes narrowed, “The sealskin stays with me.”
“I won’t forget that,” Amir replied tenderly. “For you, sweets and the water come first.”
The conversation flowed freely as their meal continued to cook. Even as they sank into brief silences, Amir found himself sneaking glances at the man beside him, delighting at the way the silver moonlight caressed his hair, how the flame’s reflection danced with brilliant orange on his pale face, the way his slender legs slipped from his pelt when he adjusted his posture.
It was well past midnight when the venison was ready. After rotating the carcass so the rest roasted overnight, Amir used his knife to carve out pieces for himself and Ryou, mounting each on cleaned and whittled sticks he had stored in his pack. Taking a seat on the same boulder that housed his skin hours before, Ryou gratefully accepted his portion, biting into the crispy morsel with gusto.
For such an elegant creature, Ryou wasn’t shy in tearing into the flesh with his teeth. Turning his gaze up to the stars peeking from the canopy of trees, Amir couldn’t help but thank his good fortune for bringing him such a fascinating and delightful companion. His heart ached then, one to rival the rumble in his stomach as he ate. After Amir finished, Ryou sank into a second helping, juices streaming down his chin. Amir moved in close.
“Careful,” Amir said, wiping off the excess with his thumb before sucking it into his mouth to savor the rich, earthy taste.
Ryou sank into his final bite, giggling as he purposely let more trickle down from his lips. With a huff, Amir gripped Ryou’s chin and stared into his half-lidded, sable eyes. Tilting forward, Amir ran his warm, wet tongue along the stray drippings.
Ryou pulled them into a tender kiss. They leisurely kneaded their lips together as Amir’s hand crept under Ryou’s pelt to run his palms along his cool, smooth skin. Ryou sighed happily as he felt Amir’s tongue glide along his bottom lip, and he opened his mouth to let his partner explore further.
After undoing the laces along the neckline of Amir’s tunic, Ryou eagerly pulled it over his head, along with his linen undershirt. Taking a moment to admire the way the firelight bounced off Amir’s dark skin, he ran his hands up his chest to grip his shoulders. Their mouths crashed together again as Ryou fumbled with Amir’s belt. With a click, he opened the buckle and let the leather breeches slide down to the forest floor. His eyes widened at the sight of Amir’s erection, excited at the thought of taking every inch of Amir’s girthy cock. Tentatively, Ryou pulled back to slide off his beloved sealskin and laid it carefully between the roots of a thick tree trunk.
The breath caught in Amir’s throat at the slender figure before him, all lithe muscle with alabaster skin and ivory hair as luminescent as any star. Moving closer, he carded his fingers into Ryou’s locks and slid his other hand up and down his body, in awe of the thought of spending the night with the most striking man he’d ever laid eyes upon.
He bent forward to nip at Ryou’s earlobe. Ryou tilted his head in approval, inviting him to taste more of him. Making his way down Ryou’s neck, Amir ran his tongue down the soft skin until he reached the crook of his shoulder and bit down hard.
“Yes!” Ryou shouted, shuddering at the sting of Amir’s teeth.
“You like it rough, don’t you?” Amir purred, locking eyes with the selkie.
Ryou nodded, flushed from his face to his chest. With a low chuckle, he continued downward, kissing, licking and nipping until he reached Ryou’s pert nipple. He sucked tentatively, flicking his tongue along the hardened bud. As he nibbled lightly, Ryou squirmed, his body begging for more.
Enveloping Ryou in his strong grip, Amir laid Ryou down on the soft sealskin and returned to Ryou’s lips, kissing him desperately as he situated himself between the other man’s legs. Shockwaves ran throughout Amir’s body as he felt Ryou dig his fingernails into his back, urging him to continue. Taking the hint, he dipped low again, planting a gentle kiss on Ryou’s sternum as he pinched his nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Gasping, Ryou arched up for want of contact. Amir circled his hips, sighing into Ryou’s chest as their cocks frotted together.
“Don’t move,” Amir instructed, placing a finger on Ryou’s soft lips.
Ryou whined as Amir rose to rifle through his pack. He returned a moment later with a terra cotta jar. Removing the lid, he coated his fingers with oil and settled on top of Ryou. Planting a kiss on his slender collarbone, Amir dipped his hand low, swirling slick fingers around Ryou’s entrance.
Ryou took in a sharp breath and relaxed into Amir’s touch, groaning as Amir teased his sensitive nerves. The light grazing alone was enough to send shivers up his body. He gripped Amir’s skin hard as he felt a calloused digit slip inside. Soon, he added another, and another still, rotating and scissoring to stretch him.
“Please,” Ryou pleaded, aching with want.
With a smirk, Amir withdrew his fingers. Reaching for the vessel with his dry hand, he poured oil over his hard cock and set it beside them.
“Do you want me inside you?” Amir whispered against Ryou’s ear.
“Yes, but…” With surprising dexterity, he flipped them over so that Amir reclined on the sealskin, his back against the tree trunk as Ryou straddled on top. “I want to ride you.” Positioning Amir’s cock against his hole, Ryou sank down slowly, throwing his head back and opening his mouth in a silent scream. “Fuck, you’re big.” He murmured, easing to the base and adjusting to the feeling of being stuffed.
Amir’s breath hitched as Ryou grabbed his shoulders and began to undulate, rolling back and forth on top of him at a leisurely pace. Grasping Ryou’s chin in his hands, Amir gazed reverently into Ryou’s russet eyes before pulling them into a deep kiss.
Moaning into each other’s mouths, Amir’s palms wandered up and down Ryou’s smooth back. When Amir reached his ass, he squeezed possessively. Moving Ryou up and down on his shaft, Amir groaned deeply as pleasure built into a crescendo.
“Ryou… Ryou,” Amir chanted as they moved together.
Amir lowered his head onto Ryou’s neck and sucked hard. Ryou’s breaths grew shallow, pleasured sounds escaping as he bounced up and down. With a lube-slick hand, Amir curled his fingers around Ryou’s erection and let him buck against his fist.
Amir knew he wouldn’t last long. Holding Ryou in place, he pumped into him mercilessly as Ryou writhed in time with his movements.
“I’m gonna–”
“Give it to me,” Ryou commanded. “I want it.”
Hearing his partner’s words was all he needed. Trembling and screaming with sweet release, Amir poured hard and hot inside of Ryou.
Smiling with satisfaction, Ryou looked down at Amir. His eyelids fluttered closed with wisps of golden hair stuck to the sweat on his forehead. His mouth fell open, chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. Cupping his pale hands gently onto Amir’s face, Ryou planted soft kisses on each temple, cooing with approval as his partner recovered. Pulling out completely, Ryou rolled next to Amir, running his fingertips lightly over his chest.
“We’re not done yet,” Amir purred.
Amir moved on top of Ryou and pressed their lips together. Placing his palm on Ryou’s cheek, they lingered there, savoring each other’s taste. Sated and blissed out, Amir dropped to Ryou’s neck and moved down his chest, peppering sweet kisses and nibbles on every inch of skin he could reach. Ryou couldn’t help but giggle at the sensation of Amir’s soft lips and fluttering eyelashes against his sternum.
Grasping Amir’s hair, Ryou guided his head down impatiently. Amir indulged him, settling himself between Ryou’s legs and running his long tongue up his inner thighs. Ryou moaned and hitched his hips upwards as if to plead for more.
Letting out a dark chuckle, Amir locked eyes with Ryou and shot him a devious glare. He relished the soft pink creeping up the selkie’s face as he flattened his tongue and ran it up Ryou’s thick, twitching erection. With a wink, Amir planted a tender kiss on the tip before wrapping his lips around his head and sucking.
Ryou wailed in pleasure as Amir’s warm, wet mouth surrounded him completely and began to bob up and down, his slick tongue running along his shaft. Ryou’s fingers tightened into Amir’s golden hair and pulled greedily. Amir groaned in delight at the rough treatment, enjoying the sting on his scalp as Ryou’s cock swelled and hardened in his mouth. Ryou let out a choked cry as two thick fingers entered his stretched asshole, pleasure building as they curved and dragged across his prostate.
“Shit, Amir! Don’t stop!” Ryou wailed as his partner buried himself to the knuckle and increased speed.
Amir hummed in approval, sending delicious vibrations up Ryou’s shaft. When he felt his head hit the the back of Amir’s throat, Ryou knew he was gone. Tears streaming down his face, he cried out as he was overcome with sweet release, emptying himself inside Amir’s mouth.
Chest heaving, Ryou faced the stars peeking out from the dark canopy of trees. The early haze of dawn began to set in, and he couldn’t think of a more perfect time to settle down as his breath slowed to a normal pace.
Despite the chill in the air seeping into the cold sweat on his skin and making him shiver, Ryou could’ve spent all morning there under that tree, covered with nothing but Amir’s body. He squeaked as he felt Amir embrace him, lifting him and the pelt they had just made love on back to his bedroll to tuck them in. Amir settled beside Ryou and lifted his extra warm, woolen blanket up to their shoulders, their breaths slowing until a peaceful, heavy sleep overcame them both.
***
Amir could swear it was the angels he heard as bright sunlight hit his weary eyelids. His vision blurred, he blinked and yawned as a beautiful melody cut through the sounds of the rushing water. For the first time, he understood the song as it was carried by a single voice in the distance.
'Twas there that we parted, in yon shady glen,
On the steep, steep side of Ben Lomond,
Where in soft purple hue, the highland hills we view,
And the moon coming out in the gloamin’.
O you take the high road, and I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye,
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Pulling on his crumpled trousers, he approached the source – Ryou, his silver hair braided into a loose bun on his head, seated in the river with rolling waves lapping at his chest as he bathed. His eyes remained tightly shut as his voice reverberated throughout the forest.
Amir stood dumbfounded as the song left his heart aching for distant family, for their love that he lost, and more he hadn’t yet known. Fighting tears, he looked down until his mood was brightened by a shock of wildflowers, perennials in vibrant blues and purples. Remaining as quiet as the breeze, he bent down and picked up a sizable bouquet.
Letting his breeches slide onto the shore, he stepped into the brisk, rushing current. He slipped behind Ryou and gently placed a sprig of blue foxgloves into Ryou’s soft hair. Startled, Ryou whipped his head to the side, spotted Amir, and beamed brighter than the morning sun.
“Look down,” Amir said, a wide grin spreading across his lips.
Ryou obeyed and smiled even wider as he caught sight of his reflection as sapphire-toned petals fluttered down onto the water’s surface.
“They’re beautiful!” Ryou exclaimed and threw his arms around Amir. “Thank you.”
“You’re more lovely than any flower in these woods,” Amir replied, his cheeks filling with heat. “I like what you did with your hair.” He ran his fingertips along the intricate knot adorning Ryou’s head.
“You would look amazing with braids,” Ryou remarked, patting the flat stone beside him. “May I?”
Amir nodded, taking a seat with his back to Ryou. Submerged to their chests, Amir sighed as he felt Ryou’s nimble fingers glide across his locks. Separating into sections, he carefully braided Amir’s golden hair, humming as he worked. Periodically, Ryou plucked purple buds from Amir’s fist and wove them through the plaits.
“Take a look,” Ryou instructed. “A fitting crown for a prince, don’t you think?”
The breath caught in Amir’s throat as he gazed downward. Neat plaits decorated the crown of his head, lined with brilliant violet flowers that complemented the color of his eyes. He reached forward and pulled Ryou into a languid kiss. Drawing back, Amir wove the remaining wildflowers into Ryou’s hair.
“There we are. Two kings of the forest,” Amir announced proudly, admiring the splashes of blue, lilac, and green in Ryou’s snowy locks.
Overjoyed, Ryou threw his arms around Amir, practically tackling him into the water. Amir steadied them both, laughing at the force of Ryou’s joyful gesture. Running his palm over Ryou’s chest, Amir crept behind the smaller man. Holding him closely and twirling his hair with his fingers, he inhaled the combined scent of Ryou’s skin and the fresh flowers in his hair.
“Travel with me,” Amir pleaded into Ryou’s ear. Despite having just met, Amir was resolute. Their night together was the best he’d had since before he left his family. He was content with being alone before, but his heart ached at the thought of trudging on without his lovely, lovely companion. Dipping his head, he nipped sensuously at Ryou’s neck.
“Amir…” Ryou groaned, tilting his head for want of more contact. “I will. But on one condition.”
“Name it,” Amir whispered, thumbing Ryou’s shoulders.
“You will never, ever separate my sealskin from me. If you do,” Ryou warned, “I will find it and crawl back to the sea even if it takes years.”
“I wouldn’t dream of taking away who you are,” Amir replied, curling his arms gently around Ryou.
“We selkie long for the water,” Ryou spoke in a strained voice. “While we travel, we can’t stray too far from it.”
“Done. We’ll walk along the riverbanks and seashores. Along the way, we’ll stay at inns and I’ll buy you desserts. Anything for you.”
Amir gazed deep into Ryou’s sable eyes and there it was. A sweet, genuine smile spread across his pink lips, illuminating his face like the brightest star.
Cupping his face, Ryou ghosted his lips just out of reach of his partner’s until Amir lunged forward to kiss him fiercely. They lingered there as the sun reached its peak, continuing until Amir shivered from the river’s chill.
“Oh, I forgot you can’t stay here too long,” Ryou giggled and led them both back to the campfire, which had calmed to a low heat since he rekindled it earlier the same morning and dried the remaining venison. Adding wood to the hearth, Ryou lifted the woolen blanket and laid them both down onto the bedroll.
“Better?” Ryou whispered, his body splayed on top of Amir’s, smoothing his thumb along his temple.
Amir nodded, sliding his hands around Ryou’s slender hips. “Have you ever been to Greece?”
“I haven’t. Where’s that?” Ryou asked.
“It’s a country far south of here surrounded on almost all sides by the sea.” Amir explained wistfully. “When you see the water, you’ll think you’ve never seen that bright a blue before. That’s where we'll head first.”
“You’ll have to tell me all about it on the way there,” Ryou beamed. “Before we go, could we stay here for a few days and get settled in? I’m not ready to leave yet.”
“You mean set off now to let this good fire and food go to waste?” Amir replied with a wink and a grin. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Whatever will we do to pass the time?” Ryou asked cheekily, biting his lip.
“I’m sure we’ll think of something,” Amir purred, pulling Ryou into a soft, tender kiss, twining his fingers through his braided hair.