[ CLOSED ] Twisting, constricted

[blackscales]

WHO: Wrathion & Visitors
WHEN: April: Beastmaster's Arrival & Aftermath
WHERE: Ke-Waihu & then... the forests around Ke-Waihu. Cosy caves.
WHAT: Wrathion clocks the Beastmaster arriving and immediately Nopes Out. Plot here!
WARNINGS: Awkward cuddling huddled by a blanket ft UST in a cave.




As soon as the Beastmaster draws near to Ke-Waihu, Wrathion slinks from the village and takes flight through the forest. He can be seen, occasionally, flying over the tree-tops in the area being pursued by the Beastmaster's creatures. Those who know him well, or those good at following tracks, can find him hiding out in a cave avoiding them while he waits out the Beastmaster's powers fading.

Comments

[blackscales]

Ah, Anduin is... letting go? Moving away. Wrathion briefly tightens his grip, as if to prevent this, then with focused effort gently eases back and permits him to move away. He watches him with a frown, as if not particularly understanding, but nods regardless -- swallows and tries to slow his breathing to something more even.

"Food will help me keep my strength."

Strategy now, suddenly, rather than... whatever that just was.

[chosenbylight]

It is not easy for Anduin to let go himself, and he wants to reach out for him again and touch Wrathion, kiss him, smooth that frown away and give him something far more pleasurable in return.

He knows he will never leave if he does not peel himself away now. He feels himself on the edge of a precipice. Wrathion deserves far better than a quick tumble in this cave, though, and moreover, Anduin wants to give him something better than that as well.

He is grateful that they had not managed any further removal of clothing, as he slides away towards his pack. He does not wish to hastily re-dress, but without his shirt he would feel far too naked in front of Wrathion now.

"I have brought what I could," Anduin says, digging into his bag and unpacking the buns and dumplings he had packed. "You must tell me if you have any further requests for next time. I understand you may need to leave quickly, but that does not mean you can have nothing here with you."

[blackscales]

Wrathion studies the way Anduin is fussing, trying to collect himself internally. To slowly pack away the chaotic muddle of feeling. Is it as Anduin says, that he believes he shouldn't linger? That he's heeding Wrathion's concerns? Or is it something Wrathion has done, perhaps moving too fast? Anduin just being polite about it?

Anduin had been the one to begin undressing, but perhaps he should have resisted reacting? He'd seemed as if he was encouraging him, but...

"Yes, of course," Wrathion says. He reaches for one of the meat buns, focusing on that to try and cool himself down. "Naturally I would prefer a more comfortable environment, but the company does make up for it."

Even if it's dangerous, he does appreciate Anduin visiting him.

[chosenbylight]

Anduin passes him a meat bun, flashing a smile, however watery. They both need to cool down and focus on other things, for a moment. Something safe, anything but the press of Wrathion's hands, hot on his skin, and the warmth of his body underneath--

He takes a steadying breath and plucks up a meat bun for himself, taking a bite and chewing with purpose for a long moment. Forcing himself to think of meat buns and -- food from home. Being home, and -- ah, yes, naturally thoughts of home turn back to Genn and Jaina. Now those are thoughts to cool any wild moments of affection.

They have discussed this already. What his advisors would make of this. Of them. Anduin glances across at Wrathion, frowning slightly -- in concern as much as anything.

"Do you suppose," he says, after the briefest of pauses, "that you would not be safer, if you left this place?"

[blackscales]

If he left... this place?

That's vague. If he left this cave? This whole area? This world?

"What would you have me do?" he prompts. Perhaps better to get Anduin talking, instead, to discern his meaning through further context. The cave was what they had agreed upon before, but since then he may have developed a better idea. If he has, Wrathion is open to hearing it of course. It isn't as if the cave is a comfortable location.

[chosenbylight]

What would he have Wrathion do?

Anduin sits back and raises his hands to run across his face, trying to gather himself -- gather his thoughts. It does not really work.

"The Beastmaster's creatures are after you," he explains, voicing his thoughts aloud. "You will be in danger so long as he is near, and since he has come to Ke-Waihu after the volcano, the Huntress, it only stands to reason that... The further from this place you are, the safer you would be."

Anduin glances back up to Wrathion, searching his face for any indication of how his words are being received, as he continues, "You cannot shelter in these caves forever, Wrathion. I -- certainly will not be able to maintain this distance for that long myself."

[blackscales]

Wrathion tilts his head slowly.

"Of course, but the plan was never to shelter here forever. Only until either the Beastmaster's power fades to a safe level that he can be challenged, or we find the beacon and manage to leave."

Which, hopefully, one of those two happens sooner rather than later -- and if he travels too far he'll have a long way to travel back when either of those things happens. He might miss the window.

[chosenbylight]

Anduin shuts his eyes and takes a deep and steadying breath, trying to pull himself back together. His emotions are still running high, his blood still running hot, but they've talked about this, they've been over this, they have. As much as he fears for Wrathion, he has to trust in him. He is not totally defenseless.

Even so...

"Wrathion," Anduin says, after a long moment's thought. "I know that we have been over this already, but I. Just want you to be safe. Tell me that you will be careful. I cannot lose you. Not now."

Not after -- this.