Spirits of the Earth

The chill of the early morning threatened to send shivers down Kirkley's spine as he padded through the trees on the steep mountainside. His breath formed soft clouds of white mist in front of his muzzle with every puff, the light shimmering and playing through it, what few golden and lilac rays could break through the branches.

In the light of recent events, he'd seen it fit to put as much distance between themselves and the tragedy that had unfolded what felt like forever ago and like five minutes ago. He paused, flicking an ear and glancing over his shoulder at the companion on his back. He'd tried to make the traveling as easy on Bifrost as he could--a creature as old as him, he was used to spending many long hours traveling with little time spent sleeping. What breaks he allowed himself were spent to catch food for the two of them, and perhaps take short naps. The quicker they got away from Connlaoth, the better. But they still had a long way to go.

He kept his gait as smooth as he could so Bifrost's sleeping went undisturbed, carefully ducking under any low-hanging branches. They'd stuck to the woods, avoiding beaten paths and only searching for them when necessary to maintain their direction of travel. Serendipity was likely the first place Bifrost would be able to seek any kind of solace. If a bounty was on his head, there was no doubt in Kirkley's mind that it would most certainly not be forwarded to Connlaoth's counterpart.

It had certainly been an interesting journey so far; despite the horrific tragedy that his companion had suffered, Kirkley could almost swear that it'd been like they had been together before, like they had known each other for centuries. He knew that it wasn't true of course--he didn't remember much, but he certainly knew that Bifrost was far too young, a relatively new creation in this world, and therefor nobody that Kirkley would have spent any particular amount of time with before today.

He paused a moment, scanning the slope of the land downwards as the descent grew a bit more treacherous, and far harder to keep the walk as smooth as it had been thus far. He tried to be careful in picking his steps, but there were a few places where his paws slipped on damp ground, jostling his bag and the precious cargo on his back.

It made his mind itch, though, the longer they spent together. He tried to push it to the back of his mind--it was easier when Bifrost was awake and they could talk of other things that worked as a distraction, but in the early mornings or late nights when Kirkley was left to his own devices and a sleeping thief on his back, it got a little hard to fight back the nagging thoughts. Thoughts that Bifrost was more than what he seemed to be, and that Kirkley should know that, and the fact that he couldn't figure it out only frustrated him further.

It was during one of these downward spirals of thoughts that he wasn't paying attention; he pulled his paw back to regain his balance and a twig he'd been standing on snapped him across the nose in retaliation, making him jump a little bit.

He might've been big and frightening but nobody ever implied that he was graceful by any means.

Bifrost jolted awake.

A groggy confused look and Bifrost's fingers tightened in Kirkley's fur. A weary look around and he nuzzled into the fur, giving a sigh and moving to sit up. The dream was lingering. Blood. Plants. Vines. Pain and sadness and death.Bifrost rubbed at his face before scratching at his chin.

"Kirkley?" His voice was rough with sleep, fingers stroking through his fur. Another heavy sigh, "You okay? What happened?" He looked around, frowning before pushed his hair over his shoulder. Bifrost had taken to wearing it without the bandanna, sometimes even unbraided. "Do you need to rest? I'm okay with walking now."

Whoops. He'd woken the sleeping prince.

His ears flicked back as Bifrost's voice reached him and he shook his head a little. He looked over his shoulder at the man, swiping a tongue over his nose to catch some blood from the laceration. It wasn't anything serious, just kinda surprised him more than anything.

The thief suggested he'd be alright to walk now, so Kirkley sat down to let the man off his back, letting his bag slide off of his neck to land on the ground with a soft thump. Once Bifrost was off he changed back, grabbing his pants from his bag and shimmying into them.

"I'm alright, just startled me a bit. That plant hit me." He pouted a little, rubbing at the now much smaller-looking slice across his nose.

"Sleep well?" He asked, stretching and rolling his shoulders to work out the oddball knots and kinks that didn't transition well from four legs to two.

He vaguely remembered hearing the differences in Bifrost's heartbeat when they'd been traveling, which was natural from dreams, but it had never seemed like his companion felt panicked or in danger, or at least not that Kirkley was aware of. It was really the only chance he got to see how Bifrost was actually doing since his brothers' death, in his sleep. He seemed to do a good job of hiding it for the most part when he was awake.

The plant?

Bifrost looked around, smiling at the pout and tilting his head, eyes closing briefly in a sleepy manner. As usual when Kirkley was changing, Bifrost gave him his full attention. It hadnt been long since they've been travelling together and while Bifrost didnt know a whole lot about him he knew just about every curve of his body.

They didnt have a lot of time to study but Bifrodt had always been a quick learner when he found the subject interesting.

"Yeah, like a princess," he said softly, running his fingers through his hair, head tilted slightly, hair draped over his shoulder. "Do you need to rest?" He asked softly, moving his fingers over Kirkley's chest, fingers tracing over the tattoos and scars. They still fascinated him.

"You good to go? Take a sit down?" Bifrost teased, nudging his chest with a sleepy smile. It was still jarring, all the travelling they were doing. Bifrost being with someone not related to him for such an extended period of time. The other things, too.

Bifrost had never been full of feelings before and it was jarring that the strange giant of a man had his chest flutter. That the strange giant of a man could help ease the pain of losing his brothers. When he was awake with him, it didnt hurt so bad. "Need a hug?"

Kirkley glanced over at the man right as he closed his eyes, smiling like a dork. It made Kirkley smile in return; just as Bifrost knew every curve of his body, he knew every detail of the other's--and knowing everything would certainly never stop him from looking at the man and just appreciating him.

To Kirkley, Bifrost was godlike and otherworldly in his beauty; he had an endless fascination with the green-haired, elf-eared mortal (though the mortal part might be questionable.) The fact that he consistently felt like he was at home no matter where the two of them went together just added to that fascination.

"Good to hear it." He rumbled quietly, voice low in their close proximity as he watched the other trace over his tattoos and scars.

Every touch from Bifrost sent warm, tingling reactions throughout his skin. It was a feeling that never truly went away, and he wasn't sure how to feel about it yet; so far, he supposed he liked it.

He smirked and looped an arm around his thief's waist, pulling him down to sit on the ground, Kirkley's back against a tree and Bifrost in his lap.

"I could always use a hug. I could always be up for other things, too." He teased back, giving the man soft and gentle pets on the head, running his fingers through the incredibly long, dark green hair. "Sounds like you just want to go back to sleep though."

Which he certainly wouldn't argue with. His body felt much heavier than he'd care to admit, and it'd been a while since he'd last napped.

There was a startled gasp and being pulled down, Bifrost licked his lips and watched Kirkley for a moment before his eyes fell closed and he curled his arms around the other mans neck. A moment's pause and Bifrost nuzzled into Kirkley's neck, giving a sleepy sigh.

"Other things?" Bifrost murmured, smirking before he leaned back and tilting his head. Though quickly enough he simply snuggled back in against Kirkley's chest and muffled a yawn against his shoulder before closing his eyes again. "What can I say, I miss beds," he said softly, voice muffled.

Bifrost smirked, "any chance we can sleep on one of those some time?" Now it was a pipe dream. Bifrost had little money and it was useless here in the mountain anyway. He smoothed his hands up and down Kirkley's sides.

"You dont have to cart me around when I'm sleeping," he said softly, looking up at him, "We can just sleep at night, y'know, like normal people."

Kirkley cracked a smile at the sleepy Bifrost's rambling and let out a soft sigh, allowing himself to close his eyes and lean his head back. It felt so good to just close them, it eased the stinging and the heaviness of his body almost seemed to melt away.

"We'll get to sleep in a normal bed when we reach Serendipity, but that's still a few days away." He rumbled, his chest vibrating with the sound.

He took in a deep breath and let it out nice and slow. "It's best to do it this way for now; I can survive on short naps until we get there--we're making good time."

He cracked an eye open (his one working one) to look down at Bifrost, god his eyelids felt like sandpaper. "The sooner we get you out of here, the better. The less danger you'll be in, then."

There was something inherently important about getting the thief to safety it seemed; it made every hair on Kirkley's body stand on end, and his nerves on constant pins and needles. It felt like the moment he let his guard down, he would lose him, and that was an idea that for some reason seemed to tear his heart to shreds just thinking about it.

It was a dull ache that grew into sharp pains in his chest the more he opened his mind to the idea--the idea of living without Bifrost around. But they'd only been together a few days.

His brain itched.
He opted to ignore it.

He closed his eyes again to let himself rest, and in the distance in the forest he heard twigs snap. It startled him, only enough to make his heart skip a beat, and it made all tiredness disappear in an instant. He didn't say anything yet though, just listening and drawing in deep breaths to taste the scent of the forest; he couldn't notice anything out of place yet. Might have just been some clumsy animal.

We'll get to sleep in a normal bed, he said.

For some reason that had a shiver go down Bifrosts spine and he sucked in a breath. It had heat pool in his gut and he couldn't help the pleased little smile on his face. Sure, he probably meant just... In a bed. Collectively, they will be allowed to sleep in beds when they reach Serendipity -  Bifrost had only heard of the country and knew very little beyond 'it was full of evil magic using heathens'.

He supposed he was one of those now.

Bifrost opened his eyes, bringing his hand to his chest to look at it in the slowly growing light of dawn. His knuckles had healed from their ragged meeting with tree-bark in less than a day. The cloth had been stained with his blood and as soon as it had made contact with the earth it had sprouted into a sapling. Taking root like it had been there and growing for months.

He drew his thumb over his knuckles and tucked his head under Kirkley's chin while he looked at his hand. What a strange turn of events.

It took a lot of effort to not think while he was awake. Not think about his brothers. About his home.

Usually, Kirkley was good at distracting him, but it would be rude and selfish of him to demand attention and demand Kirkley keep him perky when the other man was exhausted like he was. Bifrost felt the slight movement. What had once been someone slowly lulling into sleep was now an aware body again. Bifrost moved his hands up and down Kirkley's sides, making shushing noises and snuggling closer, one knee on either side of his hips and he'd pretend it was just to keep the too-warm man warmer.

It was the thought that counted right?

"Get some sleep," Bifrost urged, "Don't want anymore plants attacking you, hmm?" His eyes closed again and he snuggled in, quite content with grabbing some more snoozes when the chance presented itself. He'd found himself so tired lately and he wasn't sure if it was the lose of his brothers or his new strange skill with plant growing.

The shushing noises were instantly distracting; his body tensed a bit in reaction, he tried to resist it but the scent of Bifrost so close, the heat of the other man's body and the electric touch of his hands sliding up and down Kirkley's sides had him relaxing, almost instantly falling into a light sleep.

With his last bits of awareness, he wrapped his arms around the thief, holding him close like he was trying to shield his companion from the outside world via bear hug.

He nuzzled his face into soft green hair that smelled so distinctly familiar; it was relaxing, it warmed him from the inside out. Kirkley imagined it must be similar to a child in the arms of their mother--it felt safe, welcoming. Like home. Of course it was odd that he associated Bifrost with home, after all Bifrost was a mortal person, one he'd just met to boot.

And yet as he dozed, breaths evening out to deep draws in and long, slow exhales that slightly lifted the man on top of him with each movement before slowly letting him back down, he caught blurred images on the insides of his eyelids. He experienced colors, scents, tastes that were so different from now--it placed him in a different time. It almost felt like an out of body experience--like his mind was literally somewhere else, but Bifrost was still there. It was like a dream, and yet it wasn't. It was strangely soothing, like he was somewhere simpler, with so much less pain...

All creatures have different heart rates; if one took the time to listen and study them enough, a heart beat could be the only thing you need to tell what's nearby.

Squirrels, birds, foxes, deer--these were normalities in a forest on the mountainside, easy enough to ignore when you didn't focus on them and let them blend into the background.

But the heartbeat, or rather, heartbeats he heard, were suddenly different. They approached slowly, creeping into his range and almost slipping by unnoticed. Then he heard it, the thin twang of a bow's string being drawn. It was barely louder than a breath.

His eyes snapped open and he tightened his grip on Bifrost and rolled; a solid thunk followed. He came up on his knees, hovering over Bifrost as his single golden eye focused on an arrow embedded in the trunk of the tree, right where Bifrost's head had been on his shoulder.

Kirkley's head felt thick, and his vision was swimming from the deep sleep he'd suddenly been pulled from. In the split second that followed he wondered many things--how long had he been out? What else had he missed? How many were there?

It took the biting burn of metal cutting through his shoulder to get him to move, to make his brain work. He grit his teeth against the pain; his ears caught the sounds of feet moving and he scrambled to his own, pulling Bifrost up with him if necessary, staying behind him to shield him from the attacks as he yelled at him, "Run!"

His pants ripped as his muscles stretched and contorted, the change taking less than a quarter of a second. He whipped around to face the bounty hunters with a snarl already tearing through his throat, another arrow slicing the side of his left cheekbone, sticky blood running through his fur.

Bifrost fell asleep again quickly, snuggled in against warmth and easily made to feel safe. It was a strangely dangerous draw, he felt to Kirkley. As dangerous as it was wonderful and Bifrost had dreams of his own. They were much less pleasant though and his eyes snapped open to Kirkley above him. There was a biting comment on his lips about asking first before he realized that Kirkley looked... Worried? Frightened? Tired, for one.

It was a second too long for him to see the arrow.

Then his heart sunk and he looked at Kirkley again, ushered up and commanded to run.

What did he mean run.

Bifrost had never asked Kirkley to save him. Though he had no weapon. Bifrost gave the beast Kirkley turned into a hesitant look before another arrow whizzed past his head, violet eyes wide and he quickly ducked away into the forest. Listening to the trees. Ignoring the horrible wet pain coming from his ear. Bifrost moved his hand to his head to touch the painful spot and he hissed when his fingers came back wet with blood.

That'd be super sensitive for a while, he decided, before he did what Kirkley told him to and ran, quickly finding a tree and scurrying up it, leaving hand shaped patches of fresh leaves while he climbed for as long as the blood on his hand lasted.

Which left the few bounty hunters to deal with the angry shifter.

"What the fuck is this?" One shouted, looking at the ripped clothing before giving a pale look to the beast, "There wasn't a beast here a second ago, we should be able to take down a man but this. Alfred, you idiot, what did you get us into?" There was another arrow let loose, right at Kirkley's face but he didn't count on his hitting. They were going to get the monster, get the weird girly green haired guy, turn him in and get the bounty.

Well, turn him in after keeping him around for a few days.

"That your bitch?" Alfred snarled to the dog, taking out a dagger and a short sword, he was an average Connlaothian, shorter, broad shouldered with blonde hair. "I can see why, pretty thing like that," He fixed his handle on the sword before smirking, "Wanna know what we're gonna do to 'im after we catch him? Gonna use him til he breaks," Alfred laughed, "Gets mightly lonely up here in the wilderness and he's still gonna get us the bounty and broken and bloody."

It was good to make them too angry to think, right? That was how this worked, right?  "We just gotta take care of you, and then we can take care of 'im, tell me," Alfred continued readying his sword for a lunge or something, hopefully the two idiots he'd hired would take advantage of the distraction, "Does he cry out like a lady or does he just look like one?"

He picked up the scent of Bifrost's blood moments after the man had run, the scent sending shivers down his spine and flashes of light and color behind his eyes, pain ripping through his chest. He couldn't tell if it was from the arrow in his shoulder or if it was something else buried deep.

Not that right now was a good time to be reminiscing about feelings; something else that was buried deep was already starting to rear its ugly head the more the bounty hunter mouthed off. He ducked under the arrow that whizzed past his head.

He called Bifrost a bitch, said that they were going to touch him. White hot anger bubbled up from the core of his being in milliseconds. The snarl turned into a roar and with the sudden elasticity of movement that only truly angry wild animals can produce, he pounced. He didn't care about the other two, all of his attention was on that one man, the one who'd opened his idiotic mouth and dared to utter a single word about Bifrost.

He felt hard iron bite his skin as the man's blade sliced over his chest briefly before Kirkley overtook him, gigantic paws pinning him and crushing bones with the force of his weight and the heavy claws that sunk in. The man's shoulders were crushed, arms now useless, though the boiling hot blood that dripped from Kirkley's wound was proof to say they'd done more than enough damage.

He crushed the man's head in his jaws, teeth sinking into his skull, blood and brains popping and oozing forth like a meat pie exploding in the oven. His screams were cut off too short, he really should've played with him longer, his anger wasn't anywhere near satisfied.

How dare they.

He turned to the other two remaining men, eyes flashing in the light, blood running down his muzzle, staining his teeth, matting the blonde hair still trapped in his maw. The growling sound in his throat was bubbly from the sticky blood oozing down, coating his tongue. It tasted like salt and iron. He dropped the man's body and the two men took off running, screaming for their lives.

Despite his wounds, Kirkley did the angry, idiotic man thing and tore off after them.

He might've been gone for only five minutes; it was easy to overtake them, his longer, powerful legs naturally covering more ground. Their screams made the leaves shiver, they echoed off the tree bark, before they were cut off abruptly, first one, then immediately succeeded by the other.

The forest fell deathly silent.

It took a bit of tearing at the corpses before he calmed down; the arrow in his shoulder was burning, his flesh so hot it felt feverish, and the same went for the wound across his chest that stopped dangerously close to his stomach. He limped back, following Bifrost's scent, fur matted with sticky, already drying blood, from his own wounds and the guts of men awash on his muzzle.

He flopped down beneath Bifrost's tree, laying his heavy head on his large paws and letting out a wheezing sigh.

Fuckers got what they deserved.

Only problem was that that wouldn't be the last of them; whatever the bounty they put on Bifrost's head was... It had to be a lot for the amount of effort these hunters were going to to try and get it. He couldn't really comprehend much more than that though, because his mind was hazy and his vision was swimming even more now than it had been before.

Bifrost didn't look.

He didn't want to look. Didn't want to know. The sounds were enough and while he knew Kirkley was a beast of a man, he didn't really want to watch. In all honesty, Bifrost was a lover. Not a fighter. He pressed his cheek to the tree, careful to keep his bleeding ear away from the bark, though he felt it drip down his neck and he was sure some was smudged on his cheek. The sounds were awful and he could hear the trees whisper to him what was happening.

Bifrost squeezed his eyes shut but gave a hesitant look down when he heard Kirkley return.

The smell was bad, it left an unpleasant tang in the air and Bifrost held back a gag. It was one thing to see dead bodies. It was another to see dead body-bits on someone he lo... Was with for the time being. Bifrost dropped out of the tree swiftly, landing beside Kirkley's head and staring down at him with wide eyes. Going pale before he pressed his fist to his mouth and tried not to retch.

Of course he was grateful to Kirkley.

For everything the man had been doing for him. And to him, on the right occasion.

"Kittykirk," Bifrost whispered, swallowing thickly and reaching forward for a moment before he pulled his pant back. He didn't want to touch him, covered in so much gore. He bit his lip and reached for the arrow sticking out of him and examined it. It seemed to be superficial, wasn't in too deep and Bifrost squeezed his eyes shut and found a Less Bloodied patch of fur to press his fingers into before he ripped the arrow out and put in on the ground.

"Hey, we gotta get out cleaned up okay?" He leaned to look at Kirkley, "I'll go find some more water," He patted at his pocket, a half empty canteen rested in it and he quickly opened it up and quietly commanded Kirkley to close his eyes before he did his best to wash off the gross.

Bifrost assumed he'd rather not be covered in other peoples insidey bits. A quick brush of his ears and Bifrost stood up, tilting his head and listening to the trees whisper. They would know where water is, "I'll be right back, okay? We'll be fine for now, you need to rest. Okay?" Bifrost was a little frantic, he was pale and shaking but he needed to help. At least a little bit, "The trees will tell me if something else happens, okay?" Why didn't he ever listen to the trees?

Maybe the forest didn't want to talk to him while he was curled up against a man beast that ate people. Bifrost bit back a dry heave before he looked down at his bloodied savior. He wanted to ask so many questions. Was he okay? Was he hurt? - Well, besides the obvious, but as far as he knew, Kittykirk couldn't talk which meant he'd just... Take care of him until he was less bloodied and felt better.  "So I'm going to go but I'll come right back," His voice was soft again and Bifrost turned to follow the trees.

Somewhere in his mind, he registered that Bifrost was there, touching him, and he could sense the discomfort--the urge to gag, the urge to run. The fear was still there. That tore at him, it made his heart hurt far worse than the arrow being ripped out of his shoulder, though he still yiped in pain at that.

He strained to get up but the gash was deeper than he'd originally thought; his blood was smearing the ground he was laying on, and his shoulder hurt even worse now after the arrowhead was ripped out of it. Bifrost had done the right thing, but damn.

He opened his mouth to protest but Bifrost was already leaving, and after a few moments of trying to struggle to make himself get up, he finally gave in. Sleep deprivation and these wounds weren't going to let him get anywhere right now. Panic washed over him as he remembered that they needed to be constantly moving, on the run so his thief would be safe, safe from people like them. He needed to protect him.

He had to.

And these wounds weren't going to let any of that happen.

He tensed and did another dumb thing--forced himself to change back, the pain from his wounded muscles contorting actually putting him into a brief moment of shock as he lay there, curled up and wheezing on the ground. He tried desperately to wipe away the remains of other mens' blood and guts from his face, throwing it to the bushes. He leaned himself up against Bifrost's tree, looking down at the gash that started in the middle of his sternum and went down towards his belly button, dark blood only visible against the darkness of his own skin due to the hue and shine when it caught the light.

His mouth felt dry and it felt like the whole world was spinning and tilting way too fast. He let his head tilt back and hit the tree with a soft thump, closing his eyes and reaching up with his good arm to hold the wound on his shoulder, trying to stifle what bleeding he could.

It'd just... Been so long since he'd gotten that angry. That irrational. He'd almost forgotten entirely what it was like, and how stupid he could be when he wasn't thinking first. He'd fucked up pretty badly, there. He felt like a young kid learning the ropes all over again, and he wasn't quite sure yet how he felt about it.

Bifrost ran as quickly as he could, pulling the scarf he wore off and rushing to where the whisperes led him to. The soft sound of water was a balm on his nerves and he filled the canteen up and dunked the scarf in the water. Kirkley was hurt. That was a thing. The bounty hunters were clearly dead and - Oh gods - Bifrost hoped Kirkley hadn't ate them. That was... Gross. Another dry heave at the idea and he pressed the back of his hand to his mouth while his eyes watered and he forced himself to think of puppies and kittens and rainbows.  Once the scarf was dripping he held the soaking cloth in his hand and rushed back.

There was a strange familiar feeling about the forest and he let his gut guide him back to the tree.

It was easy once he was within 'smelling' range because the tang of blood and gore was heavy and he was worried when he didn't see a bloodied snout poking out from behind the tree.

"What..." He said softly before he moved back and kneeled beside the naked man. Bifrost looked at the mess Kirkley was, heart in his throat. Why was he so concerned? Was it because this guy had just... Taken to... Taking care of him? Bifrost didn't want to admit to any feelings - he was plenty done with caring for people only to lose them, but he couldn't help it. The mix of concern and the inappropriate surge of lust - because hey, sure the dude was bloodied and hurt but he was naked.

Taking the scarf, he pressed it over Kirkley's skin to wipe away the blood and gore, taking a clean edge and wiping Kirkley's face. "You didn't have to do that," Bifrost whispered after cleaning off Kirkley's face and examining the awful looking wound on his chest, pressing his fingers gently against his torso and shaking his head. He wasn't a healer and he certainly didn't know how to deal with this.  "I don't know how to fix you," Bifrost whispered, shaking his head and moving his hands to cup Kickley's cheeks before leaning in and presses a kiss to his lips.

It was more of Bifrost than anything. Apparently the only way he believed that his savior was still alive and well was to put his lips on him. "Help? What do you need? How can I help?" He shook his head, "Do you heal like I do? Do I need to make a camp?" Bifrost chewed on his lip and smoothing his fingers over Kirkley's jaw in an effort to calm himself down.

Kirkley had lost track of time in the haze that fogged his mind. Everything was throbbing pain and a migraine from Hell, it was impossible to focus on anything else until Bifrost returned.

At first he just barely sensed the other man's presence, which earned Bifrost a minimal stir for reaction, but then the ice cold of water touched his skin and it jumpstarted everything again.

His eyes were forced open again to be greeted by the sight of a panicking Bifrost, lost and confused, unsure of what to do and asking a million questions Kirkley didn't have the current brain capacity to answer.

He nodded at the man's now ruined scarf, licking his lips before he grit his teeth against the pain. "You didn't have to do that." Fuck you I'm gonna protect you and take care of you however I want, dammit.

A kiss was pressed to his lips and he let out a soft snort, shaking his head at the man's questions. "S'fine, I'll be fine. Be fine by tomorrow." As he spoke he glanced down and pulled at some of the skin on his abs, seeing that it was already starting to weave itself back together. It would still hurt like hell for the next few days but he'd pull through just fine if they got back on the road sooner rather than later. They just needed to get their asses to Serendipity already.

Bifrost only had a few things he needed, the first being "Water." And the second being Bifrost himself; after he'd taken a long drink from the canteen he wrapped his solid good arm around the man's midsection and pulled him close so they were snuggling similar to the way they'd been before. "I'm going to sleep now." He growled, burying his face in Bifrost's hair and deciding that nope, that was that, it was fuckin naptime now bitches. And he was gonna snuggle the shit out of Bifrost.

Bifrost wasnt one to argue.

He settled himself against Kirkley easily, careful of his wounds and drifting his hands up and down the big mans sides. Would it be out of place to mention he didnt have pants anymore? Bifrost wanted to comfort him.

His hands move to stroke Kirkleys cheeks and neck. Hand drifting to his side.

The tune came to him from no where. Perhaps the trees were whispering it to him, but he hummed the tune all the same and snuggled against his...

"Sleep," Bifrost agreed, nuzzling his lips against Kirkley's neck before he picked up the strange soothing tune again and snuggled close. Content to remain as they were while Kirkley recuperated.

When out in the wilderness, and when one was injured out in the wilderness, your body wanted nothing but sleep. Sleep for days. But on the other hand, your body didn't want to get any more screwed up than it already was, so, you can sleep for days, but in spurts. Had he been in a bed, he'd have been out cold for probably the rest of the day, but as it was, the ground wasn't very comfortable against his bare ass (it wasn't even comfortable with pants on) and it was only after a few hours that he groggily forced himself awake.

His mouth was dry. He hurt everywhere. He had a very pretty man cuddled up with him. He was also ravenously hungry.

Kirkley glanced down at the wound on his stomach; the bleeding had stopped, it was now grotesquely scabbed over in the beginning stages of what would soon be a new scar. Boy if he didn't know that process like the back of his own hand.

(It was funny, see, because the backs of his hands were arguably some of the most scarred parts on his body. Ha. Haha.)

He slowly stretched, back arching as he grit his teeth and let out a grunt as the taught skin was stretched over his wound. It felt raw. His stomach ached.

He looked over at Bifrost, obviously grumpy based on his sour expression and lack of proper sleep.

"I'm gonna go get some food, if you want some speak now or forever hold your peace."

Was it possible to feel awful after the fact?

Bifrost rubbed his chest, giving a blurry confused look to Kirkley. The mention of food just grossed him out and Bifrost shook his head gently before he got up and pulled away, hands at his sides. A few hesitant steps away and he rolled bis shoulders, stretching his arms up.

"I'm okay," he said softly offering a hesitant smile, " I'll be here. You... be careful?" He whispered before he moved to sit down away from Kirkley, eyes closed to listen to the trees whisper their secrets.

And for him to wallow in getting Kirkley hurt. In losing his brothers. Bifrost would save the questions for when Kirkley was back and not so grumpy looking.

Oh. Fuck. He hadn't meant that. He hadn't meant to make him feel bad--

It was already too late though, Bifrost was already getting up and moving away, and the lack of warmth twisted his heart and made the rest of him hurt that much worse. It was too sudden and too cold and shit.

"Sorry," He said quickly, "It's not you," He wasn't really sure where to go after that and the sentence kind of trailed off. He was hungry? He was an angry dog because he got his ass beat a little more than normal by some stupid fuckwit with a sword? Yeah that had stung in more ways than one.

He slowly got up, glancing down at his... Nakedness... And looking back up over at Bifrost. His head hurt like hell but he would be damned if he let his grumpiness get the better of him again right now. "I might need your help finding new pants later."

With that, he decided it'd be best if he just changed, so that was what he did. Once he was on all fours and furry, he padded over to Bifrost and nuzzled him, burying his snout in green hair and giving him a light chuffing noise of familiarity and affection. He wasn't mad at him, that was mainly what he wanted to get across.

He mozied on away after that, his movements stiff and his shoulder throbbing. It made him anxious knowing that he left Bifrost by his lonesome; something in his gut was nagging at him to say fuck the food, just go back and watch over him. Make sure he was okay. But his growling stomach made him stay and focus.

He caught a few small things--rabbits, squirrels and a fox. He ate them raw to save time, and returned to where he'd left his companion within the hour, trotting but taking it easy on his bum leg, which made it more of a limping gait than anything.

Immediately Kirkley pressed his cold wet nose onto the other's neck, tail wagging naturally at his already improved mood. It was getting fairly close to early evening now though, which meant that it was time to move, so he didn't sit down or make himself comfortable. It was time to get going, before more bounty hunters showed up.

Was he always so...

Passive?

Bifrost went tense ever so slightly - the sound of a skull being crushed still fresh in his mind - when Kirkley nuzzled at him before he left. He wasn't afraid of Kirkley. More afraid of the thing that he could do when he was a giant angry beast. Top on the list of things to Never Do - Piss of Kirkley. Bifrost offered him a small smile and a pat on the head before he nodded him away and watched him go.

It was a strange mix of feelings, Bifrost decided. On one hand, being taken care of was nice. It was refreshing and while very odd it felt good to be... Safe. To have someone who would go batshit insane to keep him from harm's way. On the other hand... Had he always been such a little bitch? Sure, gore and blood had always grossed him out but... He should have picked up a weapon. Should have helped fight.

It wasn't Kirkley's battle. It wasn't Kirkley's job to keep him from being taken to jail. To keep him from being turned in for a bounty. Kirkley had made it his job but... Bifrost pushed a hand through his hair before he fixed his bandanna and put the scarf over a branch so it wouldn't dry all wrinkly. If Kirkley hadn't eaten them completely, they might still have clothing.

They also still might have other things too. Provisions. Money. Weapons.

Bifrost steeled himself while he followed the trail of blood and when he saw the cold dead mutilated bodies he turned his head behind a tree and retched until there was nothing in him and all he could do was dry heave until his eyes were watering and his gut hurt. Okay, he could do this.

The thought of taking a pair of paints from them for Kirkley was an idea until he remembered how huge Kirkley was and how short these men were. Well, compared to him. Everyone was short compared to the man-beast currently catching his dinner. Bifrost went about picking the pockets of the bodies, gagging and doing his best not to touch anything too gross. By the end of it, he'd gotten a clean backpack full of bits and ends (and jerky and another waterskin). Thank goodness they'd dropped their things behind a tree before they went in for the...

Bifrost squeezed his eyes shut and took a shallow breath. It smelled like blood and he could feel the trees getting itchy from feeding off it. He really hoped it rained soon.

By the time Kirkley had eaten his... Fill? His snack? Bifrost had picked the backpack, which he added his things to because this backpack was fancier, a bag of coin - it wasn't a life savings, but it was enough to last a week or two if they lived lean. Bifrost shuddered at the thought of the bodies and he - What was that?

Bifrost froze, going still because something cold and wet had touched him and what was that?!

"Oh, Gods," He panted out, pressing a hand to his neck and looking at his shoulder. He suspected few people could be so glad to see such a beast. Still, Bifrost's heart was pounding a million miles a second and he couldn't help the smile of relief. He swallowed carefully and moved his hand down Kirkley's cheek before standing up and swinging his backpack over his shoulder.

"I'm not riding you," He stated simply, "So lead the way and we'll get going. I'll pilfer you some pants when we get closer to civilization or I'll try to convince them you're my big scary dog and... I dunno." Bifrost shrugged and tried to smile, "Let me know if I can help," He paused, "Well, try to let me know. We're going to talk later, by the way, next time you're comfortable being... Two-legged you."

Oop, he accidentally did Bifrost a frighten.

He whined a little, ears folding back as he gave the man a quick pouty puppy look in apology, before brushing against the man and leading the way, now that Bifrost had a new backpack of goodies. He still picked up his old leather bag in his teeth though, shimmying into it so it hung around his neck as he led the way once more down the slope of the forested mountainside.

He wondered what Bifrost wanted to talk about, he could imagine it being many things. Strangely enough, he almost couldn't quite shake the feeling that perhaps he was in trouble, in a sense that a husband would be if he did something that made his wife angry, or in this case he supposed Bifrost would be a husband, too? He wasn't really sure, not that it mattered anyway. Cause they weren't like that. At least, not yet.

Could they be, though? Eventually?

He glanced over his shoulder at his companion, wondering what was on the man's mind. Wondering if he might actually be in trouble. It was a stressful feeling, but at least it was enough to keep his mind off of the throbbing aches and pains. He would be so grateful for a bed once they reached Serendipity.

The land slowly leveled out, as the paths they picked through the trees became less treacherous. It was easier now to walk side by side, so Kirkley slowed his pace a little to stay back with Bifrost, keeping close enough to the man that his fur occasionally brushed against the man's arm.

He was walking with a limp now, and as the sun was slowly starting to set, the golden-and-orange rays of sunlight casting long shadows on the trees, he felt like he was running out of energy, far faster than usual. His pace continued to slow down over time until the last rays of the sun were hidden behind the horizon and the sky became a tainted cerulean. Finding a stream for them to camp near, he finally plopped down on the ground, his paws heavy as he took a few drinks and laid his head down, thoroughly exhausted from the long trek.

Once Bifrost was settled, he stretched and changed back into a human, grunting at the tenseness of his own muscles as he sat up, rubbing at his shoulders, trying to be careful of his injuries.

Kirkley looked over at his partner and nodded to him. "Are you gonna be alright with the food in your bag, or should I catch something for you?" He paused for a moment, before hesitantly adding, "And what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

If there was ever a time when his legs both hurt amazingly and were numb all at the same time, Bifrost couldn't think of it. Was that even possible? Except for the few times his urge to answer natures call, Bifrost had been mobile all day.

How did Kirkley do it? And with him on his back. Bifrost felt a little worse. Sleeping on his back no less. The feeling of being useless and awful kept growing and growing. He rubbed his thighs after they finally stopped, leaning heavily against a tree, a peice of pilfered jerky half eaten in his mouth.

What he wouldn't do for some bread.

Bifrost watched Kirkley while he calmed down before turning into a man. Bifrost looked for other reasons, eyes glazed over while he watched and he gave Kirkley a startled look the moment he started talking.

Right. Not just a pretty man statue.

"I know... You feel like you need to take care of me," Bifrost started, voice soft, "But its okay. Really. You dont need to catch me food and... " he pressed a hand to his chest, "Look. Its kinda doing my head in, being treated dainty-like. Like... like some sort of treasure. Like i need to be protected and I appreciate it, I really do." Bifrost paused, not sure where he was going with it, "what... What are you expecting out of all of this? A few quick fucks? A partner in crime? A... a... Friend you can visit sometime?"

Bifrost massaged feeling back into his legs while he spoke, trying not to hiss at the pins and needles pain that buzzed along his skin.

How exactly could Kirkley answer those questions? How could he really tell Bifrost that he honestly didn't know, that he was just acting purely on impulse?

He looked at the running water, thinking over what the thief had asked for several moments before opening his mouth to answer.

"I don't know. I'm just... Too old to not listen to my gut when it tells me something." He looked at Bifrost, golden-and-blind eyes meeting violet. "It's just telling me that I need to keep you safe. So that's what I'm doing. Feel free to tell me to leave whenever you want."

He spared Bifrost the details--like the fact that even the concept of leaving Bifrost alone tore at his heart worse than any pain he'd felt in thousands of years. He left out the part that he already felt so oddly connected to the man, and that he didn't want anyone else to even come close to touching the thief ever again. He dismissed those feelings as insanity--maybe he really had finally lost it.

He looked at Bifrost for a moment longer, a mixture of being lost in thought while also taking in the sight for what it was, or at least what it seemed to be. It calmed him, just seeing the other man standing there so close. It was so reassuring and bizarre. He didn't know what to make of it, and eventually looked away, instead focusing on pawing through his bag to find his hunting knife and a stone to sharpen it on.

He felt exhausted, yet he knew these thoughts of his would keep him up a while longer. Might as well do something useful with his time.

There was a few moments when he thought that, yes, Kirkley should leave. Bifrost was nothing but a burden and Kirkley would be much less hurt and nuch less tired without him around. He barely knew the guy and he... Bifrost moved a hand to his chest in a confused movement. What did the idea of telling Kirkley to go make his chest ache?

A little nod from Bifrost and he went quiet.

Kirkley was a big kittydog. Surely his instincts rang true and he should just let the man help him. Bifrost just watched until the other man went for his bag and began to sharpen a blade. Slowly, Bifrost moved towards Kirkley and pressed a hand to his head, pulling it to his torso in a strange sort of hug.

Bifrost was still standing, while Kirkley was not.

"You should sleep," Bifrost whispered before he pulled his bandanna from his head and used his free hand to loose his braid. It entertained him on a few levels that no matter how long his hair was in a braid it never got wavy . Always forest green and always bone straight.

"I'll watch over you," he said softly, "If your gut is telling you it needs to keep me safe, surely it'll let you sleep if I'm alive and well, hmm?" Bifrost teased, moving a finger to trace over the shell of his ear. "I'll even bargain with you if you dont want to sleep now, though you really should." Bifrost wasnt one for pet names, but it took a strange amount of effort to keep the 'my loves' and 'dears' at bay.

Kirkley hadn't really been expecting the sudden half-hug. The movement was reassuring, the warmth from the other man instantly making his muscles relax, whether he wanted them to or not. He closed his eyes for a moment, resting against the other man before deciding that maybe Bifrost was right; after all, how good of a job could he do protecting his thief when he was sleep deprived and cloudy-headed?

He looked up at the other, watching the long green hair as it was pulled loose. He reached up to play with a few strands of it, silky in texture, emerald in color.

"I should sleep, but it's hard when all I want to do is look at you." Bifrost really was too beautiful for his own good.

Just being this close to Bifrost made his heart throb, and he couldn't place how or why. It was like he'd always been with Bifrost, but yet like they hadn't seen each other for thousands of years. It was impossible, and yet for some reason he started to feel tears well up in the corners of his eyes, an overwhelming swell of emotions taking over his being, driving him to get a good hold on the man to pull him down into Kirkley's lap where he could properly wrap his arms around the elf-eared thief and bury his face in that dark green hair of his.

"I don't know why, but I have the strangest thought to tell you that I missed you." He said with a half smile, eyes closed as he snuggled into the man.

With a startled noise, Bifrost let himself be pulled down, arms curling around Kirkley's neck and he stroked up and down what he could reach of his back. "Missed me?" Bifrost questioned with a soft chuckle, "You haven't known me long enough to miss me," he still curled into the hug though. Still craving contact. Still needing  the comforting touch of another.

Bifrost pressed a kiss to Kirkley's temple before shuffled against Kirkley on his lap. "Close your eyes," he whispered, "Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up," he pulled away slightly before he tipped Kirkley's head up to look down at him from his slightly higher position.

A long kiss was pressed to Kirkley's lips and Bifrost caressed his cheeks with his thumbs. "Sleep. The sooner you redt, the sooner we move, the sooner we can make love all night in an actual bed and neithed of us will have rocks or twigs digging into us," Bifrost pressed another kiss, "sound good? So. Rest. You're not allowed to wake up until its light out again, either."

He hadn't known Bifrost long enough, right.

But then why did it feel like he had?

Maybe the two of them just got along that well, he thought. It was all he had time for really, because soon Bifrost was kissing him and Kirkley found himself almost melting into it, tangling his fingers in long green hair and returning it with every ounce of longing and sweet passion as he.. Always had. Again, like they'd known each other for a millennium.

He leaned into the thief's touch, smirking at the comment about beds. "Mmm, don't remind me." He rumbled, letting a hand slide down to give the other man a playful grope on the ass before returning the last kiss, freeing Bifrost from his grip so he could make himself comfortable enough to sleep.

"Alright, mom." He joked with a snicker before actually listening to the man and attempting to sleep. Though there was still that pang inside of him that told him to panic, that his companion wouldn't be there when he woke up in the morning, it wasn't bigger than the rest of him that was arguing in favor of sleep. He drifted off sooner than he'd care to admit later, comforted by the other man's presence and the promise of another day spent with him tomorrow.




It felt like the rays of sunlight hit his face far too quickly.

With a growl he rolled over onto his other side, trying to escape the light and finding it impossible. His wounded shoulder all but screamed at him for laying on it now, and it forced his eyes open as he started to wake up.

With a grunt and some visible effort he finally sat up, his mind taking far too long to register where he was and what he'd been doing there. What had happened yesterday? Oh, right. He'd been attacked, by bandits. The assholes. But it seemed like his mind was forgetting something important.

Oh yeah, Bifrost. Wait, Bifrost?

Finally he snapped out of his tiredness, or at least enough so for the moment to become completely aware of his surroundings, looking around wildly for his companion, panic already trying to fight its way into his chest.

"Bifrost?"

Bifrost splashed water on his face and gave a heavy shiver when he wrung his hair out. It was cold. Far too cold to be having a 'bath' in a stream, but he'd been sweaty and probably smelly and while he was okay with being both of those things around his brothers Kirkley was still unfamiliar and Bifrost wanted to... Smell and look nice around him. Not that he'd ever admit it to anyone. Pulling  his pants back on with some difficulty, it wasn't until he stood up again, stretching his arms high over his head in the dawn light that he felt a tickle on his finger.

A brief glance over at his hand and he frowned at the dewy butterfly that had landed on his finger to bask in the sunlight which, he admitted, warmed up his hand.

A wrinkle of his nose and he accepted his destiny and became a perch for the butterfly. His hair wet and sticking to his chest and his pants sticking to his skin. Gooseflesh made his skin bumpy and he gave another shiver at the cold. His name caught his attention and he turned his head.

"What's up?" He asked, hoping his voice carried to where his... Friend... Was. "Wanna take a bath? Water is super cold and we have no soap, but..." Bifrost shrugged, arm still in the air, no doubt steaming from the coolness of the water and the head of the dawn, "Feels kinda nice."

It was initially the sound of splashing that finally caught his attention; he turned and looked to see Bifrost standing there, stretching his arms to the sky where a butterfly landed on his finger, almost in a way that a nymph might. Maybe he was a nymph? Nymphs were liked by nature and all that, right? Who knew.

All Kirkley knew was that he felt an incredibly soothing wave of warmth flood over his initial reaction of panic when he saw that his partner was safe and sound; he visibly relaxed when the man turned and asked him what was wrong, suggesting he take a bath.

"I--Nothing." He didn't want to admit right away that he had immediately panicked. "Just wasn't sure where you'd disappeared to, was all."

Yep. Totally wasn't worried. Not at all.

He got up with a grunt, feeling the weight of his years hit him like a dragon body slamming him. He stretched slowly, stiff muscles aching in protest. A cold bath would wake him up, sure, but he wasn't so sure his muscles would be very appreciative.

He considered it for a moment, taking the time to look at his wound, pulling the skin a little more taught over his abs to see how the slash was healing; for the moment, it looked like it had knit itself together enough that it wouldn't so easily tear open like it could've yesterday. Good enough.

He slid his gaze over to Bifrost as he waded into the water, golden eye following the curving trails left by droplets of water over the other's tan skin; the sunlight glinted off of the drops and almost gave a kind of sparkling effect. He was so perfect he almost distracted Kirkley from the coldness of the water now splashing against everything below his pelvis. Almost. Not quite.

"Fuck--yeah--okay you weren't--kidding." He held back the urge to let his teeth chatter; his high body temperature couldn't have even prepared him for just how crisp the water was.

With that he ducked his head under, letting the water run over the entirety of his being before he came back up, shaking his head as a spray of water followed his hair. He made quick work of cleaning around his wounds, still finding it too cold for his tastes. Maybe he was just getting pickier with his old age.

"Did you get any sleep last night?" He asked as he climbed out, not bothering to wring his hair or dry himself, the wet sheen of the water glistening on his bare chest and shoulders. It would be a waste of time to get dressed when he had every intention of transforming in a bit anyways.

Did he get any sleep?

Bifrost looked over his shoulder to Kirkley and stared, a flush running up his neck and resting on his cheeks. Geeze. The water. The plains of his stomach. Bifrost swallowed heavily and shifted his stance for other reasons and he blew gently at the warmed up butterfly in time for it to take off and flutter off into the sunbeams.

Then he rolled his shoulder because it ached and he wasn't sure how long he'd been staring at Kirkley or the butterfly'd been on him.

A shift of his stance and his hands went to his hips to hook into the tops, head tilted to the side and his wet hair hanging down over his shoulder. "I slept a little bit," Bifrost said softly, "The kinda sleep that happens by accident when you're trying to stay awake," He added with a smile and a few steps towards his... Friend.

Lover?

Bifrost licked his lips and looked away for a moment, towards the sun, eyes closed for a few heart beats while he gathered his thoughts and looked back towards the scarred tattoo'd man. "Are we lovers?" Bifrost finally asked, curious as to just what their situation was, "Like... Is it safe to assume that, should we find the time and place, we'll be doin' the side ways dance and junk?" Another tilt of his head, but the other side, "Or was that just a... Stressed out... Emotional... Explosion on both our parts?"

Slept a little bit, huh? He didn't seem all that tired, but he might've been good at hiding it. Kirkley watched the man collect his thoughts, the sunlight making his tan skin glow and his dark green hair seem almost black in comparison. It was a pretty contrast.

Well if he got tired later he could always ride on Kirkley's back again, he supposed.

"Are we lovers?"

The question was so sudden and random it caught Kirkley completely off-guard. He blinked almost a bit owlishly at Bifrost for a moment as it sunk in. Yeah, what were they?

Every piece of him was screaming that they were much more than that, for some reason, but he knew that was crazy talk and therefor kept his lips pursed.

What were they?

He looked away, watching the sunlight dance on the ripples of water in the stream, glimmering and flashing like fish scales.

"Well," He finally said after a moment, stepping closer to Bifrost and sliding his arm around the man's waist, the contact of their skin sending the slightest of unnoticeable shivers down his own spine. "Ultimately that's up to you."

He dropped the smile though, his own gaze meeting violet. "I certainly wouldn't complain if you asked me to do that to you again, or if you wanted to switch it around, but I think the bigger question is 'what are you?'" He lightly tapped the center of Bifrost's sternum with his fingertips.

"I think it's safe to assume that whatever I am, I'm... Immortal." Fuck he hated that word. "So what are you?" And would Bifrost think it was worth it to stick around, knowing that? That was all up to him, which was why Kirkley couldn't really answer that question.

Such a heavy topic, for so early in the morning.

What was he?

Was he too old to be an orphan? Bifrost swallowed thickly, thinking of his parents. Alone. A quick look away, head down and eyes cast to the side. Red with unshed grief. His brothers...

Bifrost gave a helpless shrug, "a fast healer?' He tried lamely with a little smile. He tucked his hair behind his injured ear, except for visual evidence that he'd been hurt (the proud owner if a little notch along the delicate pointed tip,) he was healed.

"I don't... But I'd like help figuring it out?" Bifrost gave a quick glance to his giant of a friend, spared a smile and began sloshing his way back to dry land. Why did he bathe in his pants? Now he had cold pants. Fuck. Better than hot pants, he supposed, looking at the scortch marks along one of the ankles.

"You... I like your company. I know we havent been around one another much but... I dunno... You feel familiar. And I feel safe around you." Bifrost looked pained for a moment, "Think we met before? Maybe when I was just a wee little thing?" He finally questioned, showing his back to Kirkley before rolling off his pants and wringing the water from them.

Kirkley watched him intently, observing every motion, the way his muscles shifted with his stance. A tough question for so early in the morning indeed.

He let out a short huff of air at his lame little joke, giving Bifrost a half smile and a gentle nudge with his elbow before he watched the elf-eared man struggle back up to the shore, snickering under his breath at the soaking pants that couldn't decide if they wanted to cling to his figure or balloon out with the water.

He waded through the shallows with him, stepping out of the water onto the shoreline as he started finally wringing the water from his hair, shrugging so helpfully. The braids were thick, it took a bit of elbow grease to work the water out when they were so heavy.

He smirked, looking over at Bifrost with a bit of amusement on his face. "Well I like your company too. It's possible, I've been around an awfully long time and met a lot of people." Seen many places, done many things... And also people. "If you want me to stay I will; I've been told I make a good guard dog for journeys and quests." As if that hadn't already been proven a few times now.

"I don't exactly have anywhere else that I need to be--I'd just rather not force myself on you. I'm not that kinda guy." Clearly. "The magic users in Serendipity might be able to help figure out what you are." He offered, waiting now for Bifrost to finish getting ready before he changed and they set out again.

After wringing out his pants and pulling them back on - brr, bad idea, he was pretty sure he'd never coax his testicles out of his torso now - and he gave Kirkley a long solemn look before he nibbled on his lips and ducked his head down, pulling his hair back into a quick knot at the back of his head and stretching his arms up.  Bifrost sighed heavily, blaming the tightness of his chest on the cold dip instead of the pure heartbreak.

Life was going to be much different now.

He knew that. He did, right? Bifrost pressed his hand to his face and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and slowly let it out in a gust. This was normal. Grieving was normal. He'd lost his whole life.

Sure he could eagerly replace it with an ancient manbeast from who knows what origins but.

For now. Bifrost licked his lips again and rolled his shoulders, hair falling from the haphazardly made knot. There was a quiet moment when he turned to Kirkley and just stared at him, watching how the light played on his body. Eyes following trails of water.

"I'd like you to stay with me. I dunno what as," He cleared his throat, " I guess as whatever I need at the time," He teased, giving Kirkley a nudge before he boldly grabbed the other mans head and pulled him down for a needy chilly kiss. Well, Bifrost's lips were cold, Kirkley was warm as a furnace and the green haired elfy-man didn't really want to pull away.  "I guess we're ready to go then, hmm? Lead the way."

Kirkley was patient, standing there in silence as he waited for the other man to make his decision. Though, just because he could stand there patiently didn't mean that he enjoyed it; he hated it. The seconds dragged on longer and longer as his elf-eared companion considered it, the thought of keeping Kirkley around.

He didn't know why, but he wanted to stay. Desperately. It was like every fiber of his being was telling him that he NEEDED to stay with Bifrost, no matter what.

He wondered briefly if the man told him to leave, if he would actually be able to do that. Just leave him there. He didn't think he could. No, he knew he couldn't.

Thankfully it didn't come to that however; finally Bifrost spoke up and said that he'd like Kirkley to stay--and Kirkley was instantly relieved. He started to smile when he was nudged, but then he was surprisingly pulled into a kiss, and when he felt how cold the other man's lips were, he couldn't help but want to melt into it. Or perhaps warm him up in other ways, as he wrapped his arms around him and smirked when Bifrost suggested they were ready to leave.

"If we weren't in such a hurry I'd prove you wrong on that." But the fact of the matter was simple: his... Friend here wouldn't be safe until they were out of the country, and they were extremely close now.

"So we'll save the sex for later as celebration for surviving, sound like a good incentive to you?" It sure as shit did to him, so why not?

Once all was said and done, and all jokes were set aside, it was indeed time to get moving, he was already starting to worry they'd been here too long. He did a quick change, the wounds from yesterday still sore amidst all of his short fur as he let Bifrost take care of their few meager belongings and led the way.

He kept pace with the man again today, though his limp was mostly gone, and stayed by Bifrost's side at all times, ears perked and singular working eye ever watchful for danger. For the most part, their journey was peaceful, just long and tiresome. They stopped twice for breaks for food, the only times when Kirkley left his companion alone--considering the man's reaction to the bloodshed last time, he made sure to let him eat in peace, and took his bloody catches elsewhere to gnaw on.

By the time the sun was starting to set, the sky a bright gold in color and the rays of sunlight washing them in hues of fire, they would be able to make out the sight of a city in the distance through the trees that grew scarcer. Kirkley picked up his pace a little until they were standing on a grassy hill, the trees having thinned out enough they could see it clearly. It was a small little town, but Kirkley recognized it--it was in Serendipity, and they had finally crossed the border now.

Truth be told, he hadn't stepped into a town in his other form in quite some time, he wondered how well the cityfolk would take to it. Not well, he imagined--but maybe if he had Bifrost at his side, they could at least play pretend that he was tamed. So he sat down, so the other man could climb onto his back once he got the hint, and when they were ready, they set off again, finding their way to the road as the town grew bigger and Bifrost's past in Connlaoth was left further and further behind them.

It warmed Bifrost on a strange level when Kirkley huffed out that he'd like to prove him wrong.  Prove him wrong on them being ready to go? Bifrost didn't want to let go. Being so close, so warm was a balm on his hurting soul and it took a good amount of effort to let himself pull away. He wasn't weak. He wouldn't be weak. Bifrost shot Kirkley a surprised look, then it quickly melted away into a small little smile, giving him a weak nod and turning to where they were going to head.

The things didn't weigh much and if they did, he didn't notice.

When they stopped for food, Bifrost ate only a few bites, finding his chest too tight to eat anything else. It felt wrong. Gross. The food tasted like ash in his mouth and he slowly began to realize as the day went on that the shock of the loss was fading away and the pain was really setting in. Not the time nor the place though, so he pushed feelings down and took another mouthful of the too salty jerky and kept up when they left.

The day dragged on and Bifrost couldn't remember much of the trek besides grey and rocks.

Barely registered where they were before Kirkley sat down and Bifrost stared at him confused. What? Why? Was he leaving? A careful swallow and Bifrost took a few hesitant steps closer, afraid that if he moved too close Kirkley would just disappear into the breeze. His hand connected with fur though and he gave it a squeeze, a tremble running through his body before he swallowed thickly and hopped on. Not before rifling through the bandit's things and finding a cloak.

Also pulling down his hair.

His pointy ears poked out through the curtain of green and he rode his trusty beast-steed into the village.

With it being dusk, no doubt him crawling through the forest, sunset resting on the pair, they painted a majestic picture.

Sort of.

Bifrost frowned, "Are we... Are you going to turn into a man or am I walking you into a stable." Another frown, "Why didn't you just turn into a man back there." Bifrost stroked the fur at Kirkley's neck, finding comfort in the warmth under his hands. It staved off the cold everywhere else. Another shiver and Bifrost licked his lips, rifling through the bags to look for something - anything - to pay for a night at the inn.

Because fuck fucking in the woods.

And screw sleeping in them, too.

Bifrost wanted a bed and a hot meal and he nudged his heels into Kirkley's sides, "Well, hop to, Pup, We'll park you in the barn and then I can find you some clothes or something," He looked at his legs, "You have legs like tree trunks, so I don't think mine would fit you."

He knew Bifrost had been having a tough time of the day; it had been apparent on his face, the way he walked and breathed. Kirkley knew that there wasn't much he could do for him, except be there, a physical being that wasn't going to leave him like everyone else so far had.

He snorted at the man's words. I can't exactly walk into a town buck-naked and be welcomed with open arms, sweetheart. He thought to himself as he trudged along the road. His paws and muscles were sore, and the limp had started to return a bit now that they'd spent the whole day walking.

As they approached the gates, they were stopped by guards, who got Bifrost's name and begrudgingly let them in--after all, this was Serendipity. Bifrost was hardly the first person they'd seen with some strange beast tagging along with him.

Kirkley mostly just used his sense of smell to find a barn, the townsfolk only giving them sparing glances and short stares before carrying on about their business. It was late in the evening, most normal people were inside their homes, getting ready for bed. Others were out at the bar, enjoying a few too many drinks.

He sat down in a stall, hay crunching underneath and poking his paws, he let Bifrost off of his back, snagging his bag from the man with his teeth and dropping it onto the floor next to him. It still had the rest of his belongings in it, so as soon as his elf-eared companion came back with a pair of pants he'd be good as new. Just about, anyways.

He gave his companion his best adorable dog-like smile, in a slight attempt to cheer him up. He threw in a nuzzle there for good measure, brushing his head against the man's side, before he got comfortable for however long he'd have to wait until Bifrost could pilfer some pants for him.

Bifrost... felt tall. Though not out of place. He'd never seen so many strange looking people in his life. His eyes lingered briefly on a woman with opal hair tending to a horse, before he looked at Kirkley and smiled at the attempt to cheer him up.  It made him smile slightly and he dragged his fingers through fur before sighing and leaning down to press his face to Kirkley's fluffy one.

"I'll be right back," he said standing upright and making his way out of the stable. Pants. Where was he gonna find pants? Huge pants, for that matter. Think Kirkley would like a skirt? How did he even wear pants with a dick like that. Bifrost cast a curious look over his shoulder to the building before he gave another look around the area.

Maybe he wouldnt stand out so much if he didnt cover his ears.

Carefully he reached up to remove his bandanna, the crisp air making his sensitive ears tingle. A shiver racked him and he swallowed carefully, giving weary glances around. Nope. No one spared him a glance. Okay. On to pants.

It actually wasnt all that difficult. A little store, tucked into a room of someones home was closing with the sunset, but the adorable old woman who ran it kept the door open just for him with a stern warning of 'five minutes.' Bifrost grabbed a few shirts, a pair of pants for him and two for Kirklet, paid too much and left whatever she tried to give back.

It wasnt really his money anyway.

Bifrost returned a little later than he intended, having gone to whatever place that was that rented rooms and procured a meal and a bed for them. Bag in hand, he meandered back into the stable and kneeled beside Kirkley before melting against him, fingers digging into fur and hugging the giant beast.

Bifrost didnt ponder the  irony of perhaps one of the scariest people he's ever met also being the kindest. "I got you pants. And a shirt. And us a place to stay - If you want to. You can also stay here if you prefer," he looked around, hair falling down around his face without the bandanna to keep it back. "I'd like the company though," he admitted softly, giving a smile that looked more like a grimace.

Kirkley watched Bifrost go with eyes that glittered with concern. Once he was gone, Kirkley let out a low whine and settled down, chin resting on his forepaws as he did the one thing he could do now with this free time--watch the world go by.

People watching had always been a peculiar pastime of his; it was interesting, or at least he thought it was, to watch the world go on without him. It had before, for who knows how many years. People changed--they were born, they grew up, they died. And with every person born, humanity itself seemed to slowly and steadily progress forward. The technology they had now still amazed a simpleton like him; contraptions and ingenuity he'd never been capable of, himself. He was lucky that he was smart enough to learn the new languages and barely keep up. So, he found the people of today fascinating.

He wasn't really sure why, anymore.

He'd started to doze off when Bifrost returned, sleepily opening his one seeing eye at the sounds of familiar footsteps, and then he lifted his head off his paws when he saw who it was. He greeted his companion with a light chuff and a happy, dog-like smile that showed all of his teeth. He nuzzled him back to return the hug. In the man's arms, he changed back, the muscles and bones under his fur and skin rippling until he was a bare human again, sliding his fingertips under the elf-eared man's chin and guiding him into a sweet and tender kiss, before he took a pair of pants and shimmied into them, looking at the man with a relaxed smile.

"I've been looking forward to a bed this whole trip. Especially if I get to share it with you." He teased, but it was light, playful--not really meant to go anywhere, not tonight. Not with the look on Bifrost's face, the misery he felt coming off the man in waves.

Once he had his new pants and shirt on, he threw his back over his shoulder and offered Bifrost a hand up if he needed it, sliding an arm around his waist and pulling him close as he looked at him with a warmth and tenderness in his eyes that suggested he felt something a little deeper than either of them were ready to admit.

"We made it this far; now tomorrow, after we get a decent night's sleep, we can figure out where to go next. Things'll start looking up soon." He promised quietly, brushing a strand of green hair away from the man's brilliant violet gaze, before he stepped back and let him lead the way to the inn.

It was intimate.

Bifrost swallowed carefully, afraid of how much he felt. It was a lot. None of it was bad. When Kirkley was the tall kinda weird looking guy his heart skipped a beat and he couldn't really... Think. After the gentle kiss he licked his lips and blinked up, slightly flushed, curious. Weary. A small smile was returned and he opened his mouth, what was supposed to be a laugh was just a sort of... Puff of air but he smiled slightly all the same before ducking his head down. It was nice to have his bandanna off, it let his hair slip over his shoulders to cover his face.

A steady slow intake of breath and he looked up with Kirkley pushed his hair aside. He'd been naked with the guy in an intimate fashion once, seen him naked a few more times but he'd always found the little things, the innocent gentle touches, more intimate than anything else they'd done. It was scary. Bifrost squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before he gave a sturdy nod. "Yeah, as long as we don't head back there," He jerked his thumb in the general direction of Connlaoth.

A place he thought he'd never leave.

There would be no reason to go back now.

He pressed a hand to his chest before he gave Kirkley a brief smile and tucked his hands into his pockets, backpack slung over one shoulder. "C'mon, I got us a room and a meal," He smiled, starting to walk away, unsure of how this particular village viewed unconventional relationships. Bifrost kept his hands to himself, shoulders straight, hair left to hang down his back. Should have gotten two rooms. Shouldn't have stolen his pants in the first place.

Would he have been able to save them though? Even if he'd been there? Or would he have died too? A brief glance over his shoulder to Kirkley and he found that even though tragedy had struck, that the worst that could have happened did, he wanted to be completely selfish. He'd have stolen the pants again. He'd have spent the morning making lo--- Having sex in the dirt. Was that selfish? Bifrost was alarmed to realize that he'd feel more lost without Kirkley. Maybe it was the whole shitty situation. Maybe it was more.

Lost in his thoughts, Bifrost almost walked past their destination, though he pushed the door open and held it for his companion. Once his tall friend was inside he smiled at the woman behind the counter, a friendly looking young woman, dressed from her chin to her wrists, barely a lick of skin showing. Unusual for her type of job, he imagined she'd be showing off some good for tips.

"You look tired, Honey," She said softly, tilting her head at Bifrost, "Want to eat your meals in your room?" She looked to the pair, "I'll send up an extra blanket and pillow, too, No extra cost," she smiled at Kirkley before she put her glass down, "Maybe some wine to go with it, you two look like you've had a day. Room 3" She handed Bifrost a key and smiled to Kirkley, "If you need anything, my name is Sera. Breakfast is at 7, usually something simple or left overs. If you want to go get comfortable, I can bring your meals to you." Another friendly smile and she waved one of her helpers to take over the bar and Bifrost blinked at her.

Strange woman.

He looked to Kirkley, shrugged and meandered over to the staircase, found their room and entered it. It was cute. A single bed, maybe enough room for the both of them if they really cuddled and enough space on the floor for one of them to roll off and sleep comfortably. Bifrost chuckled at the image, "Pity we're both so tall, eh?" He smiled over his shoulder, " Most places aren't built for people our size." He wiggled his eyebrows, "Do you want to start on the bed and end up on the floor or do the opposite?"

Kirkley would never blame him for not wanting to go back to Connlaoth. He wouldn't have, either. There were still places on this continent he hadn't visited in any years he could remember, for reasons he couldn't quite place. Perhaps he'd experienced similar things; lost people there. People he cared about.

The woman inside the place Bifrost got their room at was unusually kind; Kirkley never usually stayed in places like this, so he found himself looking around with curiosity after he'd ducked under the door and given his companion an appreciative smile for holding the door open. It was a quaint little place; were they all this nice? Perhaps he ought to pilfer the funds to stay in places like this more often, if they were this hospitable.

He smiled at the woman, Sera, said that they'd probably appreciate it if food could be brought up to the room. He was tired, he knew Bifrost was tired. The last thing either of them wanted to deal with today was people, after so much travel and stress.

Once they were up the stairs and in the room, he found his eyebrows raising in amusement. Yeah, Bifrost was putting it lightly. Then again, he'd yet to sleep in a bed that his feet didn't hang off of. Oh well, he supposed.

He smirked at Bifrost's suggestion, before quietly stepping up and sliding his arms around him, pulling him flush against him where he stood behind his companion, leaning in and letting his lips just barely brush against the tan skin along his dainty jawline, before sliding down to press a soft kiss to his neck--gently nipping at the skin there.

"I'll do whatever you ask of me." He said, a dangerously playful glint in his eyes as he reached up and ran his hands through the man's green hair as he stood up straight, looking down at him with a warm smile, though a hint of mischievous intention might have still glowed in their depths.

"Happy to have a civilized place to sleep in, now?" He asked with a raise of his eyebrows, his fingertips naturally finding their way to grace along the shell of Bifrost's pointed ears, before threading through his impossibly silky hair again.

It took a decent amount of effort to bite back a moan.

Bifrost hadn't ever really been one to crave touches from someone. Had never really been one to visit brothels or go out of his way to get some nookie. Kirkley though, he leaned against him, let his head roll to the side to give him better access to his neck and bit his lip when the shell of his ear was brushed against. Maybe he should have put the bandanna back on. Bifrost let out a steady breath, letting his eyes fall closed and he smirked at Kirkley before he pulled away slightly before he slowly inched his shirt off, tossing it and the long length of fabric to the ground.

Though there was a knock at the door, and a soft voice let them know that dinner was served, there was some wine and also the extra blankets.

He turned around quickly enough to open the door, looking into the startled eyes of Sera who eyed him sheepishly, blushed and quickly turned away and shuffled off. Bifrost picked up the tray of food and wine with a silly grin on his face and pushed the blanket and pillow into the room with his food before he closed the door and locked it.

"Eat first," Bifrost stated, sitting on the floor with the tray in front of him. Two bowls of  beef stew, some hunks of bread and a small green bottle of wine - no glasses though. He shrugged before he grabbed the wine and took a deep drink before making a face and placing it down, "So. Kirkley," He picked up his bowl, still naked from the hips up, hair a silky green curtain over his shoulders and down his back.

"Anything I ask of you?" He teased, eyeing Kirkley's hips for a moment before taking a bite of stew and giving an almost lewd moan. Real food. It was amazing, "I need to learn how to cook," He swallowed and licked his lips before he went quiet and finished his portion of the meal, using the hunk of his bread to get all of the stew. "Let's just figure out what you won't do and I'll pick from the remaining list," He continued like he hadn't just spent the past ten minutes shoveling food into his mouth and making strange sex noises.

Kirkley made a noise that was somewhat a growl, somewhat a pleased hum as he watched Bifrost slowly inch his shirt off, revealing that soft tan skin underneath that made Kirkley hungry in a way that food wouldn't remedy.

He didn't move from where he stood as Bifrost went to the door, instead looking over his shoulder and turning slightly as he saw the woman there with their food; he smirked. It looked a little too good on him.

He raised his eyebrows, inclining his head slightly as Bifrost teased him and sat on the floor, and Kirkley, after pausing a moment, eyeing him with a look that was more predatory than human, sat to join him. The noises his companion made weren't exactly helping his situation.

He took the bottle of wine once his partner had teased him with the question and started digging into the food; he took a long swig, letting out a satisfied sigh as he set it down on the tray and took his own portion of the food, dipping his bread into the stew before taking a bite.

There would always be a part of him that liked raw meat the best, but he'd be a sad creature if he couldn't enjoy well-cooked "human" food as well. This definitely did taste pretty damn good.

"For you I have a feeling there might not be much I wouldn't do." He said, voice low after he finished his stew, glancing at Bifrost with that same dangerous edge to his gaze--not that he would ever hurt Bifrost, oh no. That wasn't what that look was at all. That was a look of 'careful what you do next, kid. Or you'll have to suffer the consequences.'

He wiped any crumbs from his mouth, skilled at keeping them out of his beard so it seemed, as he set the tray outside their door.

Bifrost was selfish and finished off the wine.

Flushed, a silly smile on his face. He felt warm and pleased and he was very happy to be a good natured buzzed individual. He didn't really do much, except he paused, crawled over to the bag he'd dropped to the ground and dug through it. One of his few actual possessions. A hair brush. He stared at it for a few moments, remember his brothers. They'd always teased him about his long hair, always back in a braid, ears always covered by a bandanna.

Bifrost felt his eyes grow wet before he sighed and let his head duck forward. No.

This wasn't the time.

When he was alone. Maybe under water. He could scream his anguish when it wouldn't carry to other ears. So, he sat up, sauntered over to Kirkley and handed him the hairbrush before he pushed Kirkley to the bed and planted himself between the other mans thighs, back facing him. "I'd like you to brush my hair," He stated, glancing over his shoulder with a silly flushed smile, "Maybe if you do a good job I'll give you a prize." Bifrost pulled his haif over his shoulders so it was all trailing down his back.

When not in its usual braid, he was pin straight and reached a little bit past his waist, almost to his hips. "You know, no matter how often I'd cut it, it would always grow back really fast," He chuckled, "Like I'm supposed to have long hair. Some sort of... Predetermined image for me." Bifrost drew idle patterns on Kirkley's thigh with his index finger, "So I just kept it long. Hid my ears. Tied it back." He shrugged, "I never fit in anyway." A chuckle and he glanced over his shoulder, "Think I should cut it all off?"

It seemed Bifrost had plans tonight to be more than a little reckless; Kirkley couldn't blame him. It also seemed like he wasn't much of a drinker, because the bottle of wine made him a blushing, silly mess by the time he finished it. He smiled; it was cute. Kirkley had been around far too long for one bottle of wine to bother him anymore--the most it did was help his muscles relax, which his shoulder was grateful for.

He watched his companion curiously, hearing the skip in his heartbeat when he found whatever he was looking for in that bag of his. But before he could question it, the man was in his lap and he was raising his eyebrows at the hairbrush handed to him.

He'd done a lot of weird things in his life but he couldn't recall a time where someone had ever asked him to brush their hair for them.

He didn't mind in the slightest.

He started from the bottom, gentle as he ran his fingers through the locks of green as the hairbrush worked out any snarls or kinks, which there weren't many. It felt odd, like second nature to him. Like he'd done this exact thing before, but he couldn't think of where or when, or with who.

His gaze flickered up to Bifrost's face as the man spoke, looking at him over his shoulder. He was very acutely aware of the man's touch on his thigh, it sent tingles through his skin, made him clench his jaw just a bit as he tried to be a good dog and not maul the poor man right here and now.

"No, I like your hair." He replied honestly after a moment of thinking about it, and staring at him so intently. He continued to work his way further up the curtain of green, untangling and combing it through nice and easy. "Especially if it'll just grow back as fast as you say--besides, if you cut it off, then there'll be less for me to pull on." He couldn't help it, his sharp canines flashing in a devious grin as he continued on brushing.

The shiver that ran through Bifrost at the play-threat was visible. Shirt off - which he'd forgotten, or didn't bother to, put back on, the goose flesh on him was apparent and he smirked. "Less for you to pull on, hmm?" He teased back, turning around, taking the hairbrush out of Kirkley's hand before he pressed his hands to his shoulders to push him down, still snug between his thighs. A smirk on Bifrost's face and he leaned down to nip at the taller mans collar bone, teeth grazing the skin before he bit his lip, slightly hesitant.

Live a little. Bifrost looked at Kirkley before he pressed another kiss to his chest, fingers pushing and pulling at clothing. Was it the physical comfort? Bifrost pulled at Kirkley's shirt, pressing kisses to scars and markings, tracing a tattoo with his slightly numb tongue. The wine wasn't that potent but Bifrost wasn't much of a drinker and while he'd wanted to to this all day, the door was closed and locked and he could blame his boldness on the wine.

It wasn't really the wine.

"Kirkley," He groaned against the man's belly, nuzzling at his stomach, "Do you know what any of these mean?" Bifrost paused, his belly against Kirkley's groin, his head resting on his chest and his fingers tracing the various tattoo's and markings. Pants were still on, for now, but he figured... A moment to pause. His hair was a curtain along Kirkley's side and while one hand was tracing tattoo's the other was smoothing up and down the mans side and hip.

"Do you get sad when you look at your scars?" He asked, frowning, "that you don't... Really know why you have some of them?" Bifrost nuzzled against his stomach again, pressing a kiss there. He was sure they were a sight, Bifrost all curled up between Kirkley's legs and no doubt the tall mans feet were hanging off the edge. One day, he promised himself in a little voice that usually voiced the impossible dreams, they'd have a bed big enough to fit the both of them.

It scared Bifrost to death that it was a real wish of his.

The visible that rippled through the other man's body in his lap was tantalizing; before he had a chance to really respond however, the brush was out of his hands and he was pushed down onto the bed, his hands instantly finding their way to Bifrost's hips. Teeth grazed the skin at his collarbone and he let out a growl that rumbled through his chest; it was playful, a light warning.

He blinked when he caught the man's gaze for a second however, noticing something slightly... Off.

He enjoyed the kisses and attention, of course, but when Bifrost asked the question (albeit in a way that killed him to not pin him to the bed and take him like an animal just yet) he was hardly surprised. He ran his fingers through the man's hair, petting him, soothing him.

"They all have meanings. I don't remember most of them." He said honestly, looking down at the man, brows furrowed slightly as he contemplated his questions.

"Some make me more sad than others--but when I try to think of why, something always tells me I'm better off not remembering." He said, his voice low, rumbling a little.

He let his hands slide down a little further, calloused fingertips brushing against the back of his companion's neck. He sat up using his core muscles, so he could keep his hands on Bifrost, guiding him to sit up so they could properly look each other in the eyes as he wrapped an arm around slightly smaller tan shoulders, their lips mere inches apart.

"Some things are best left in the past, so you can move forward in the present." He rested their foreheads together, his hand gently sliding along the elf-eared man's jawline, cupping his face. He wasn't sure what was on Bifrost's mind right now, but he wanted to make sure he was okay. The protectiveness in him was growling, defensive; if Bifrost was hurting, he wanted to know, so he could make him feel better.

He wasn't sure how, but he had a feeling he'd likely know if he needed to. Like he'd done it before.

It was nice.

Bifrost let out a little hot breath and his eyes closed when Kirkley sat up. He didn't moved his hands away from Kirkley's sides and he dragged his finger nails ever so slightly against his flesh when he sat up. Better left in the past. It hurt, to think of it like that. Coming from a man though, who probably experienced untold loss... Who was Bifrost replacing? Bifrost knew who Kirkley was replacing.

Everyone.

Needy, Bifrost pressed in for a kiss, wanting the comfort of a warm body. It didn't need to be sexual. If anything, he was too tired and mentally exhausted for that. Gentle kisses and touches though. Comforting arms and words. A heartbeat to feel while he slept. Bifrost held Kirkley close while he ravished his mouth with kisses, pressing one to the scar on his lip. Moving to press a kiss over his bad eye.  It was worrisome, that there was no where else Bifrost would rather be than right here and right now.

In the arms of someone who was still practically a stranger.

Though it had felt like much longer.

Life times.

Bifrost backed off after a moment, flushed. Still, mostly not used to kissing another man. Or wanting to kiss anyone for that matter. It was comforting though, and he moved his hands back down to Kirkley's sides, tracing scars and tattoos with his finger tips. "Sorry, you looked kinda sad and I just had to put my mouth on your mouth in an attempt to change your mood," Bifrost joked in a husky voice, swallowing thickly before he tucked his face against Kirkley's neck and nuzzled, "Did it work?"

He didn't get a verbal response so much as a physical one. Tipsy Bifrost decided that it was time for making out and who was Kirkley to deny him such a simple thing? He'd have been lying if he said he didn't want the affection.

He returned every kiss, deepening them when he could, catching the other man's lips in his teeth, playfully nipping at him as he weaved his fingers into Bifrost's hair, but before he could tilt his head back and sink his teeth into his neck, his companion was pulling away, joking, and burying his face in Kirkley's neck.

Heel, boy. Now wasn't really a good time to act like a dog.

It was hard not to.

He took in a deep breath and let it out in a slow exhale, measured to help him refocus. Damn Bifrost was good at being distracting.

He didn't want to just outright tell the other man that he was worried about him--that could potentially push him away, make him feel like a burden, something like that. Instead he ran fingertips up and down the length of Bifrost's back, enjoying the warmth and smooth feeling of his skin as he let his other hand settle onto his companion's thigh.

"I think you know every possible way to make me feel better." He said with a slight smirk. "So thank you."

With that, his arm tightened around Bifrost's midsection as he suddenly pulled him further back onto the bed, laying him down and pressing another warm, passionate kiss to his lips before he pulled back, standing at the side of the bed and tugging off his shirt, tossing it into the corner where they'd piled their bags and boots.

Climbing back onto the bed, he knelt over the man, hands on the mattress by Bifrost's shoulders as he leaned in with a dangerous smirk, before he nosed his way to his companion's neck where he bit him gently, nipping at his skin and pressing kisses there, leaving a few marks for good measure while he let one of his hands explore downward and squeeze his hip.

"You've no idea how hard it is to keep from screwing you senseless right now." He said with a rumbling laugh before he moved instead to lay on the bed next to Bifrost, wrapping an arm around the man's torso and pulling him close. He snuggled in, pressing kisses behind elfish ears and nipping playfully at them. "You're too cute when you've had a little too much to drink, better make sure we don't let you do that in public or I won't be the only one trying to get into your pants." He teased with a grin, trying to keep the conversation light, comforting. Happy.

This was an odd situation Bifrost found himself in.

Alone in a room, bought with stolen money from the body of a dead man. A man Kirkley killed. A man hired to kill him for a bounty. Bifrost gnawed on his lower lip, watching Kirkley remove his shirt with interest, smirking slightly when he tossed it, letting his eyes linger on the trousers. Though, it wasn't long before his eyes drooped closed and he gave a content little sigh, one hand behind his head. Slowly opened when Kirkley made his way back to the too small bed.

Less room for them meant they'd be forced to cuddle. Oh no. A visible blush at the sort of threat of his ... Lovers? short leash on his impulses and Bifrost had to bite back a remark that, while he wouldn't regret, might lead to a little bit too much noise. The sound of movement outside the door had Bifrost lift his head and look at it wearily. Then he felt a nibble at his ear and he had to shift his hips and gasp, glancing over his shoulder with a smirk.

"Oh? Would that bother you?" Bifrost teased, "Other people wanting in the pants?" His finger trailed along his exposed hip and he moved his hand to rest on Kirkley's side. "Can't say I'm usually so easy," He chuckled, eyes falling closed for a few moments, giving a little sigh and snuggling into the larger man. It was comforting, "You're good at convincing me to take off my pants," Bifrost chuckled, voice going soft, hand trailing to find Kirkley's and lace their fingers together.

"So... How hard are you trying to not screw me senseless?" He teased, grinning.

Kirkley huffed, his breath hot against Bifrost's ear and the back of his neck, at his teases. His companion certainly could be cruel and torturous when he wanted to.

He raised his eyebrows a little, smirking however at the man's comments.

"It might bother me." He said, though the tone of his voice suggested it was more than just a might or a maybe. It would definitely bother him, if that protective growl had anything to say about it.

But, what right did he have right now to feel that way? He pursed his lips, running his fingers along Bifrost's abdomen as he considered it. Bifrost wasn't really his... His anything. Was he? His heart wrenched a little and he swallowed down a swell of emotions that bubbled up in him along with it.

"I'm usually better at keeping my inner demons at bay but you make it quite challenging." He admitted, focusing on the conversation at hand and grinning as he nipped at the skin along the man's spine. "But, I think what you need right now more than anything, is sleep."

With the passing of every day, it would hopefully heal the man's heart, heal the wounds that were still so fresh from losing everyone he cared about. Time was the best medicine, he knew from experience and hoped that at least with his company, the process might be sped up a little.

Sleep.

Bifrost covered his mouth with the back of his hand before sliding it down to clasp Kirkley's, threading their fingers together before he curled his arm over him and pressed the back of Kirkley's hand against his chest. His heart beat was slow and steady. Calm. Curling his legs up, Bifrost curled one arm under himself to lean up and blow out the candle that had given the room just the little bit of light.

Darkness over took the room except for the stream of moonlight that was cast over their backs. Getting comfortable, he pressed his back to Kirkley's chest, feeling his heartbeat. Mentally he tracked it, they weren't going the same, but it was steady and Bifrost found himself dozing to the steady beat of Kirkley's heart. "Thank you," Bifrost whispered, giving Kirkley's hand a squeeze.

Was this weak of him? To need comfort? What did this make him? Not willing to shed tears again - they made his chest ache. Made his eyes burn.  Bifrost just let out a weary sigh and snuggled back into Kirkley as far as he could without pushing the man off the bed. "I like your heartbeat," He finally huffed out, voice rough and soft, "It feels like a nice old familiar song that I don't remember the words to." He cast a peek over his shoulder with a little smile on his face, illuminated by the moonlight before he shuffled over, gave Kirkley a kiss on the forehead and finally, finally settled down to sleep.