Archive of Our Own ^beta

Ruárn stands at the entrance to the woods, staring with keen eyes into the dusk-gloom. The sky above was still ablaze with orange and purple, but already the shadows of the trees stretched long. He'd given Keiji a thirty minute head start, to run into these woods and cover his tracks as best he could. That time was coming to a close.

Half an hour.

It wasn't close to enough. But the both of them knew that no matter how long he had, Ruárn would find him. And probably sooner than later too. He rarely lost his prey once he had his mind set on it. At that point, their only hope was that he wasn’t hungry - but he never hunted when he wasn’t. Except for today; today, he was full and sated - a safety measure he’d insisted upon. Whilst his instincts taking over was unlikely, he still couldn't completely trust himself. The thought of hurting Keiji is not something he's keen to dwell upon.

But dusk settles in ever closer. It's time to begin.

Wasting no more time on introspection, Ruárn strips off his clothes. He sets them in a neat pile against the trunk of a tree. No-one ever comes out here, so he holds no reservations about leaving his belongings. He takes a deep breath and slicks back his hair. The transformation was no longer painful, but neither was it pleasant. A slight buzzing stretching feeling all over, the flooding surge of adrenaline.

He allows his magic - yes, his magic now - to flow through him. First comes his tail, full and leafy. He swishes it a few times, flexing out the slight stiffness. As he grows, the shift in perspective is disarming. He grabs the tree next to him without thought; strong claws cut deep scar-lines into the bark. He sends a mental apology its way through his innate sylvari-plant empathic bond. It was something all his kind shared, but since Mordremoth he'd found he'd grown more attuned. Sometimes it could be hard to tell where his feelings ended and the plants' started.

Only a few moments later the buzz of magic subsides. He holds the tree for a few moments more, until the shaking in his limbs subsides. Calm. Steady. In control.

Ready to go. To Hunt.

He shakes his head to dispel any remaining dizziness. Leafy ears perk. Nose twitches. Scents from all around flood his brain. So much more sensitive. There's animals, trees, the earth itself, and...oh, there! Human. One human in particular. His human. Even from such a distance, Keiji smells irresistible. Ruárn can already plot out a clear path to his location.

He wastes no time. Leaping into action, his claws turn up the dirt. His heart thuds heavy in his chest. All the sounds around him come through muffled or not heard at all; his body and mind attuned to one single goal. Hunt and catch. He tears through the forest with a swiftness unexpected of his size. All nine-foot and well built, yet moving with a kind of determined grace. Fallen trees pose no obstacle; he clears them in a bounding leap, landing on all fours for a beat before rising to continue his blazing trail.

That is, until he comes to a crossroads, a natural fork in the woods. Hm. Two paths. He lifts his head, taking both a deep breath and a moment to check in with himself mentally. In control; still in control. His instincts run strong beneath the surface but he holds them in check. They guide, but do not overtake.

The slightest scent is all he needs. It hits his nose and lights up his brain.

Left trail.

Ruárn bounds forward once again, ears up and tail wagging. He'd had his doubts about this whole idea, but this was...fun. Even without what was to come. Yet the end goal was not lost on him still; his cock had already slipped out, half-hard, glowing with pre-cum. Whether Keiji could even fully take him at this size didn't matter. He would give him a good time regardless. He must, for such trust Keiji has given him.

After another minute or so of tracking, interspersed with thoughtful pauses to sniff the air, he slows. He's drawing close. The simple fact makes his heart race, some deep primal emotion surging in his chest. He squats down to listen. Not too far off, there's a rustling, and it's not an animal. No, it's not careful enough for that. Loud, disorganized, and oh-so human. They always think they're being so sneaky.

Ruárn drops down to all fours and pins his ears back to his head. Closing in. His heart is pounding. Way too fast. Of all the prey he’s hunted, none have elicited such a response in him as this. As Keiji. As his friend.

If he wasn’t so preoccupied, he’d feel ashamed. He cannot pinpoint what it is that's driving him so crazy. Is it the trust? The way Keiji is not only allowing, but into this? It's written all over his scent, pure desire. Or maybe it's the simple fact that no-one has to get hurt this time. No-one is dying for him today. On this hunt, both of them get to feel good.

He stalks closer, Keiji coming into view. Ruárn lets out a soft, barely audible growl. It's too late to escape, but he needs him to know he's being hunted. Keiji stumbles and whips around. With his sharpened vision, Ruárn notes a subtle blush on his face. For a few moments he seems frozen. Is he going to - oh, there he goes! Ruárn launches from the bushes after him without a second thought. He can hear Keiji's heartbeat. Thumpthumpthump. He's so close. Almost in reach. He slows a little, allowing him to gain a biiit more distance.

And then he pounces.

He almost flies right over Keiji's head, but quick thinking kicks in and his grabs him up in his arms. He twists in mid-air so he lands on his back, with Keiji held tight to his chest. Landing on him would not have been fun, for either of them. He huffs out a heavy breath and squeezes the small human as tight as he dares, burying his nose in his hair. He smells amazing up close. Intoxicating, in a way.

He’s never fucked a human before this, but if they all smell even half as good, well, he's been missing out. In his arms, Keiji squirms as best he is able. Ruárn pays this no mind, nuzzling against his cheek and giving him a small lick. Of course, small is very relative in this moment. At his current size, he can hold Keiji's head in one paw, and a small lick soaks half his face.

It does get him to stop squirming, though, indignation winning out over fear. Or, at least for long enough that Ruárn can turn over without risking him escaping. He lays Keiji down on the soft leaf-litter ground, hovering over him, thick arms either side of his head. As best he can in his current form, he manages a smirk.

"Got you," he rumbles, leaning in a little closer.

Keiji stares up at him with wide eyes, his face a shade of red Ruárn wasn’t aware humans could turn. For a moment they both stay silent, save for Ruárn's light panting as the adrenaline of the hunt wears off. Keiji's chest also heaves, and he can't seem to take his eyes off of the slight glimpse of Ruárn's fangs. The scent of both lust and fear coming off him is indistinguishable, mixing together in the best way.

“U-uh,” Keiji stammers, “you sure did. Good…good dog.”

“No,” Ruárn states. “Not yet.”

He lifts up his front paw and hooks a single claw under Keiji's chin. He's afraid to cut him, and he shakes a little with the effort of gentleness. Keiji seems to know this, feels the strength behind even such a simple gesture, his pupils blown wider than ever. Ghost-light, Ruárn moves his claw down Keiji's neck. He stops at the hem of his shirt...and then tears through the fabric like it's butter. His pants receive the same treatment, and he's stripped bare in a matter of moments.

Ruárn wags his tail. "Still think you can take me?"

His dick is hard now and has been for some time. The three small bumps on the underside glow vibrant, and he's aching for some action.

“Bring it on."

There's the hint of a smirk in Keiji's tone. Ruárn can appreciate that. He's determined, if nothing else. But...

"Half-way, for now," Ruárn breathes, and he turns Keiji over onto his stomach, holding him in place with a paw on his shoulder.

He sits back up, the small human framed oh-so-nicely between his thighs. It's overwhelming in the best way to see him so helpless, and he finds his breath catching in his chest. He can't take his eyes off of him, gaze wandering over his defined back and ass. Every inch of him is just...pretty. He could admire him for hours, he thinks. But, no. Not today. He needs something physical.

He raises a paw and spits into it. His saliva is thick, viscous, and glows a little. A near-perfect substitute for lube, and that's just as well because he knows they're going to need it. He slicks himself up and then lays his dick on Keiji's ass, smirking to himself as the sudden sensation makes Keiji squirm. The warmth of his skin is a sharp but welcome contrast to the cool air around them.

Ruárn grabs the small human by his hips, lifting his lower half off the floor with such ease it's like nothing. He allows Keiji to get into a more comfortable and sustainable position. Then, he moves his own hips back a little, and as gentle as can be he pushes into him. Instinctively, he leans down to press his nose against the back of Keiji's neck. Don't bite, don't bite. Don't-

“Don’t be shy,” Kejii teases, and bucks up his hips against him.

Ruárn lets out an embarrassing whimper as his cock slips deeper inside him against his will. Fuck. No, no, this is not how it's going to go down. He's the predator here, and he's going to set the pace. In equal part because he caught him, and also....he'd very much prefer to not kill him with his dick.

And so he gives in. He bites. As gentle as he can. He can't imagine Keiji can even feel it, but - no, judging by how he freezes up, he does. He applies no pressure, just lets his fangs rest against the back of his neck, almost as a dog would scruff a puppy. He laps at his throat, closing his eyes to heighten the taste of his warm skin. He hears Keiji’s heart pounding again. Feels his pulse. Good.

A second longer.

Then he relents.

“You’re mine,” he says, and even though the words are dead serious there’s undeniable affection in his tone. “My prey. Hold still.”

Keiji gives a simple nod, panting under him. Satisfied, Ruárn allows himself to slide in a little more, ever careful not to go too fast or too far. He doesn't fancy getting knotted for half an hour or so right here in the woods as it nears night. And besides, he isn't sure Keiji could take him all yet anyway, despite his very admirable confidence. So he sinks in only as deep as he deems acceptable, and squeezes Keiji's hips a little. Then, he slides his cock almost all the way out, only to push back in - agonizingly slow. He sets his jaw and repeats the motion with a little more speed. The movement rocks Keiji and him both; some distant part of Ruárn's mind is glad the ground here is as soft and padded as it is. Setting a steady slow pace, he squeezes his hips a little tighter, enough to leave marks now.

"Beg for me," he growls.

And Keiji, well, he doesn't need to be told twice.

“Ruárn,” he gasps, “f-fuck, I - faster - please-”

Who is he to deny such a polite request? He adjusts his position a little bit and speeds up as much as he dares. He isn't surprised at how tight Keiji is around him, but he didn't expect the feeling to be so addictive. Pleasure pools hard in his stomach and he bites back a whine. He's never fucked his prey before, and he doesn't plan to start - he doesn’t like to play with his food, he’s not that mean. But he can’t deny how exhilarating the experience is.

Or, maybe, it's just Keiji himself. He is doing so well, and the simple knowledge that he's also into this is even hotter than his fear. Almost enough, even, to push Ruárn over the edge. He growls again. His pace grows sloppy and uneven for a few thrusts. Keiji reaches back to grab his wrist, still holding up his hips. His hand doesn’t even come close to encircling him. It makes Ruárn’s heart skip a few beats.

"So tiny," he breathes, "but so brave. I've hunted so many like you, but I think you're my favourite. And...you gave me a good chase, but..."

He sinks deep into him and pauses, leaning in close to his face.

“You know you shouldn’t want this, right?” he asks. “You know what I could do to you, and you like that. You asked me to hunt you. And now we’re all alone in the forest together, and if I decided I was hungry...no-one would hear you if you screamed for help. ”

He doesn’t give Keiji a chance to respond; he simply gets back to fucking him, his pace the fastest it’s been thus far, fervent and strong. The small human whines beneath him as he hits that perfect sweet spot again and again, and Ruárn licks his lips. The scent of pleasure-fear is divine.

Too much, even. He glances down. His claws dig into Keiji's soft skin; he's going to bruise. Ruárn feels something snap inside him. His movement stutters. He leans closer again and it takes immense willpower not to sink his teeth down into Keiji's shoulder. Ordinarily he would, but ordinarily he’s not big enough to snap him in half with a bite.

His sharp vision blurs and spins as he comes. Ears fold back to his head, and he bares his fangs. He snarls through it to resist the urge to claw and bite and squeeze. Underneath him, Keiji too goes stiff, his own pleasure reaching the tipping point only seconds after Ruárn's. He grabs a fistful of leaves from beneath him, the need to hold something just as strong in him, and moans. It's a filthy sound that Ruárn is sure none of the surrounding trees have ever heard before, but it's a blessing to his ears.

A few seconds later he falls limp. Ruárn lingers a moment, giving a few sweet licks of praise to the back of his head, then gently pulls out, eyes fixed on the glowing cum that drips out of him. He's soaked, so full and so his. Ruárn flips him over onto his back and sets him down on the ground, noting the marks he's left on his hips. For the first time in a while their eyes meet. Keiji’s pupils are bigger than he’s ever seen, and it's least of all because of the gathering darkness around them. He's trembling, dripping, beautiful. He stares up at Ruárn and lets out a big breath, seeming to struggle to talk.

Eventually two familiar words leave his breathless lips.

“Good dog."

Ruárn tilts his head and smiles. The slight tremor in Keiji's voice is endearing. But no. No, not yet. As fucked out as Keiji looks, Ruárn doesn't feel quite done with him yet. An idea forms in his mind. The chase would be shorter by far, but...

He leans in close over Keiji, his tail wagging once again. His mouth waters with refreshed, keen anticipation.

"No, you've been good. For me," he states, "So I think I'm going to give you another chance to escape."

He gets to his feet. In the dusk gloom, the shadows around them make him appear even bigger as he looms over Keiji, his dick still dripping. He pins back his ears and bares his teeth.

"Run."