Persistence

A/N: Thank you roseykins and kylee for the reviews! Here is more, enjoy! :)

****************************************************************************************************************

-Temptation and snow storm-


Syran stirred from his sleep, tangled around the other male. It felt good there, so warm and pleasant, and he could feel something hard against his thigh. It made the white eared Ylvas smirk and nuzzle against Jaromir's neck while moving his leg between the other man's thigh, slowly rubbing against him. Syran had to admit that this course of action was getting him excited as well, but he tried to keep his cool, to not give in, and just see where teasing would get him.

Jaromir felt wonderful. He was warm down to his bones, there was a comfortable weight on top of him, and something, or someone soft cuddling against his whole body. Even his morning hardness was gently caressed. The dark Ylvas started to purr lowly in his chest, bringing the weight closer, his hand running down a lean back to a supple buttock. He started to massage the soft flesh, feeling something grow against his stomach.

Syran found himself responding and purring in contentment. He continued to rub against the other man, catching his ear between his teeth and playing with it. He was dangerously close to getting lost in the moment, but he knew he had to fight against it.

Jaromir ran his hand along a fluffy tail, the feeling familiar and a name rose to the surface of his sleep fuzzed mind. "Hmmm, Syr..." he purred and his hand massaged the tail from the tip to the base. His fingers dipped into the cleavage between two buttocks, memories of sinking into that tight butt all too vivid in his mind. He wanted that again, the sexy white-eared man underneath him squirming in pleasure and ecstasy, the wonderful sounds he could draw from Syran, and just losing himself in the sensations... His dick gave a hard jerk and Jaromir pressed up against the warm body, tightening his hold.

Syran moaned helplessly - damn Jaromir! Damn him for being so skilful in his touches and sexy and making him pant... "Mmh, we should get breakfast," Syran murmured, trying to fight the awakening desire.

"I could eat you..." Jaromir purred, his consciousness slowly ascending from the depth of sleep, and he rubbed his groin against the strong thigh of his bed partner, gently pushing a finger tip against Syran's opening, not breaching it.

'Evil!' Syran thought. That wasn't the plan! He wanted to get back at Jaro! Finally he forced himself to scramble away, although it was more like pulling himself away. "I'm really hungry..." he moaned pressing his hardness against the mattress below him, having a mental argument with himself.

No! His source of heat and pleasure was not getting away. Jaromir could feel Syran’s weight close to him on the bed and rolled over, trapping the smaller man under him, his arousal settling between the other's buttocks, rubbing suggestively betweens the perfect mounds and his mouth found an ear to nibble at, murmuring: "You can eat all you want later... Let me make you forget about food right now, Syr..."

'Damn it!' Syran's mind sighed and soon enough a moan followed. He curved his lower back enjoying the contact and pressing into it. "Evil," he protested, though he enjoyed the feeling and a moment later the purring continued, his mind getting cloudy and forgetting the reasons why this shouldn't continue. His body spoke for himself; revealing his desire for the sexy thief.

"That's it, Syr! You want me, you need me." Jaromir slid a hand up and down the other's arm, opening his eyes, blinking the bleariness away. "Give into it, the temptation, the titillation... Give into me!" he whispered against a flickering ear.

Another moan and Syran was unable to control the movement of his hips; meeting the others movements with his own, and his hand reached down to grasp his own hard leaking length. His eyes were closed, cheeks burning. Why couldn't he resist this man? Why did he want the other so badly?

"Gods, you feel so good." Jaromir trailed a hand down the smaller man's arm and interlaced their fingers, rubbing them over the Syran’s hard dick and the brunet pressed his dickhead against the other's opening. He wanted in there and it just needed a bit of preparation. "I want you, Syr, just wait a minute." He pulled his hand back and then got up, hurriedly searching for the oil. When he found it, he held it up, grinned and jumped back on the bed, bouncing up and down twice.

Syran watched the other man, blinking and slightly awaking from his haze; he looked at the oil, then at Jaromir then back at the oil and quickly pulled the cover on. It wasn't by any means an easy thing to back off now when his whole body was begging for attention and pleasure, trembling slightly from the intensity of it. But at the same time he knew if he surrendered to Jaromir now it would always be like this and the darker male would never take him seriously. He got up, wrapping the blanket around his waist. "I need to go to the bathroom," he said as calmly as was possible and then turned towards the direction of the said room to make his royal exit.

"Wha.... What?" Jaromir looked dumbfounded at the closed door. Well, maybe some really urgent need, his lust-fogged mind provided. Well okay, then he would wait for the prince to return and... Jaromir licked his lips in anticipation, lazily jerking his erection.

Syran paced the small room, biting his lip before finally leaning against the wall releasing a frustrated sigh. He had to help himself to be able to face Jaromir and not continue what they had been doing! His hand trembled slightly as he spat on it and then reached for his throbbing organ. The blanket fell on the floor around his feet and he pumped his hand steadily, while his other moved restlessly over his body trying to imagine Jaromir's hand replacing his own. Sleeping in one bed would cause a definite problem that was for sure.

After taking care of his problem, Syran sighed with relief, stood still for some time and cleaned up. Before leaving the bathroom, he wrapped the blanket around himself once more. He didn't really look at Jaromir when getting back and tried to act casual. "I really need clothes that fit. We have to stop somewhere when we leave here," he said, moving towards where he had left his clothes.

Jaromir got up and wrapped his arms around Syran's slim waist. "We will take care of that problem later, sexy. Come on, we have to end what you started so deliciously," Jaromir purred against a white ear, rubbing his erection against the other's body.

Syran pushed the other man away. "I'm not in the mood now," he said somewhat coldly and gathered his clothes. “You should get dressed too, then go have breakfast so we can continue on. We can’t stay here too long.”

Jaromir was utterly confused at the suddenly cold behavior. "What happened, Syr? A few moments ago you were all hot and needy and now you..."

"I changed my mind." Syran shrugged. "I thought about it and... meh..." He glanced at Jaromir and gave him a sweet smile. "Really we should get going."

Jaromir stood there, looking dumbfounded. He was still hard and horny as hell and now this? He stepped closer and kissed along the other's neck. "Then let me change your mind again!"

Syran gave an irritated huff and moved away. "No, you're not getting any from me. The shop is closed." He nodded firmly and allowed the blanket to fall and pulled his pants on.

"But... I need..." Jaromir closed his mouth - he sounded like a beggar and he did not want to degrade himself. "Why?" he asked, looking at the prince, his dick giving a jerk when the blanket fell.

Syran paused for a moment, the pants hanging somewhat loosely on his slim hips, before he took the shirt and started putting it on. "It's not worth it," he responded finally, still not looking at Jaro, knowing it would be difficult to keep himself under control if he did.

The words hit Jaromir like a sledgehammer and he felt a coldness grow in him. "Not... worth... it..." He blinked, having difficulty overcoming the pain that bloomed inside him. "You... You thought differently a few minutes ago!" Jaromir stated in a desperate tone.

Syran knew his earlier words weren’t true. Jaromir was a very talented bed partner and Syran knew it though he didn't have others to compare with. "I am not interested of being your plaything or your experiment. My aim is higher than that and it was not amazing enough to give in now. So you better start dressing."

Jaromir sat down on the bed, his face showing the battle of feelings inside his mind. His pride was hurt, he was still horny, but hurt because of the rejection, there was anger at Syran for doing what he did and there was something else that he couldn't identify, didn't want to. It wasn't the first time he got hurt but still... He felt terrible.

Syran finished dressing and turned to the other. "Do you need some alone time?" he asked almost sweetly, hoping that Jaromir felt at least little bit of what he himself had felt before. The rejection was different but it was still a rejection.

Jaromir didn't look up. "No. Go," he simply said and then started to dress.

Syran felt a stab of remorse suddenly when Jaromir was so... downcast? Suddenly he didn't feel quite so good with what he had done. But then again he had felt like crap too after what Jaromir had done to him! So... weren't they even now? Sighing Syran walked downstairs and went to order them some breakfast.

Jaromir gritted his teeth. Why was he feeling so... down and confused? He should be angry. Yes - that little twerp did not know what he was talking about. Syran had no comparison and surely he enjoyed what Jaromir did to him in bed every time - his body had shown it! So the prince just wanted to hurt him, right? Still Jaromir felt this hurt a lot and he didn't like it. Perhaps he should leave the smaller man behind? he pondered while he walked down the staircase.

Syran looked at the other man when he approached; he had ordered bacon and eggs for them and some milk. He felt more and more uncomfortable with his earlier behavior.

Jaromir picked at his food, not really eating. He just didn't feel like it. He felt like running away, felt like leaving these confusing feelings behind, leaving this pain that stormed inside him behind, leaving the blond, the source of all this turmoil, behind. He looked at the white eared man, studying him.

Syran looked back at him feeling frustrated. "You know, you were an asshole too, so don't look at me like that," he finally snapped.

Jaromir furrowed his brows and then stood up. "Eat up and hurry. We should leave soon and get as many kilometers between us and our pursuers as possible." The tall Ylvas turned and left the taproom.

Syran's emotions confused him with their shift; he felt annoyed and worried at the same time. He liked Jaromir better when he was joking, he realized. The prince finished his meal quickly and then followed the man to the stables. "I want to get new clothes," he reminded him, just to say something. He didn't like the silence now.

"Well, then go and buy some," Jaromir simply replied, saddling and mounting Preeno.

Syran quickly followed Jaromir’s example, worried that the other would leave him. Syran was sure he wouldn't make it on his own. "You promised that we are partners," he reminded the other.

Jaromir sighed. Yes, he had promised it, made a deal, and Syran did nothing to him that would justify a break of the contract even though Jaromir would have loved to say and think otherwise. "Yes, we are partners. But this town is too small and..." He looked with cold eyes at Syran: "I am not in the mood, we should get going and I am sure the shops are closed," Jaromir repeated Syran's words when he was dumped him this morning.

Syran blushed slightly and gritted his teeth before looking away. "Fine..." he muttered feeling like he should say something else but it felt difficult. He kept glancing at Jaromir as they rode together in silence. He just didn't like it, but why should he be the one to apologize? He was the prince! Jaromir started it...

They rode out of town and Jaromir led the way down the road. The two were not looking at each other, the dark-haired Ylvas deep in thought. It was around early afternoon when he realized the wind had gotten really strong, and sight was restricted to a few meters ahead.

Syran tried to pull the hood further down and raise his collar. They needed to find shelter soon so they struggled through the storm that kept turning stronger when he finally spotted something. "Look Jaro! We can go there!" He pointed towards the building he saw in the distance, feeling relieved.

Jaromir felt a small pang of pain when he heard his nick name Syran had moaned and purred when they... He gulped and willed the upcoming feelings down and looked up. There was smoke coming out of a chimney and even a small barn stood close by. The thief nodded and spurred his stallion on toward the house, which seemed to be an inn.

Syran followed the man and when he was close enough dismounted Valo, leading the horse towards the barn that must have been meant for horses. He found himself smiling at Jaromir when they entered the building; he had almost forgotten that Jaromir would still most likely be mad at him.

Jaromir didn't smile back but looked away, tied Preeno's reins to a joist, took his things out of the saddle and walked quietly past Syran towards the inn.

Syran bit his lip and then followed Jaromir - he wondered if he should apologize? He never apologized though... It wasn't his thing... Syran wondered why he felt so bad now... What was it in Jaromir that got to him so much?

When Jaromir entered the inn he stopped in his motions, surprised. "Come in, and please close the door," a friendly old man called to them from the counter. Jaromir let the smaller man enter the room and then closed the door. "No one else here?" Jaromir asked.

"No, at this time of the year only few travelers are on the roads and with the upcoming snowstorm my guests left for the town close by."

Syran was surprised as well when he saw that the place was empty but he actually preferred it this way. He didn't like the curious eyes following them. "I want a room with big soft bed." Syran smiled thinking of his own one at home; he missed it and that made him sigh.

Jaromir rolled his eyes and stepped in front the prince. "We want two simple rooms. How long do you think the storm will last?"

"Difficult to say. Sometimes they can last for a week or two."

Jaromir sighed and put two thirds of his money on the table. "What can we get for this?"

"It will be enough till the storm is over, with food and beverages. But I fear you two will have to share a room because otherwise I would have to heat up two and I don't want to waste wood if not necessary."

Syran sighed, "It is okay," he said. "It makes sense after all." He nodded surprising himself with it and glanced at Jaromir carefully.

Jaromir shrugged indifferently. "Two beds? After all Rany and I are only partners."

The landlord nodded, took the money and then led them to their room. "Dinner will be at seven."

Jaromir thanked the man and then fell down on his bed, sighing.

Rany? Syran blinked, repeating the name silently. He wrinkled his nose and looked at Jaromir while sitting down on his own bed. "Rany?" He repeated out loud removing his coat.

"We can't run around shouting out your name. Your people know your name and have at least heard how you look like, right? And how many blond, white-furred and short young men walk around in Atanva?"

Syran started to play with his tail, stroking the fur. "You're right..." he mumbled, quiet for a moment. “So should I call you Miro?" he asked with a small grin, wanting to light up the other man's mood.

"Do what you want." Jaromir turned his back to Syran and decided to use the time to take a nap. This day was just not his and the sooner it was over, the better.

Syran sighed, laying down curling on his side and looking at the other. For a moment he wondered if he should just sneak behind Jaro and whisper to him that he didn't mean everything he had said that morning and tell him that he had done it because of his own hurt. But then again, was the man such an imbecile to not to realize it himself? Was Jaromir really even remorseful of his own behavior? Of anything he had done? Syran huffed. The idiot was so selfish! Syran would not just apologize and make himself weak in his eyes! Slightly annoyed he turned his back and tried to catch some sleep.

Jaromir woke a little later, the storm loud outside. He turned and looked at Syran. What was it about the little guy that got to him so much? Deciding he should think over that while drinking some hot wine the dark Ylvas stood up silently and walked downstairs to the taproom and ordered some hot, sweetened wine.

Syran shifted on the bed finally opening his eyes and turning to see the other bed empty. First he got alarmed that Jaromir had left him but of course the thought was silly considering the storm outside. Getting up from the bed he walked quietly to the taproom, got himself a foaming drink and then approached where Jaromir sat. "Hi..."

Jaromir looked up. "Hi." He returned his gaze to his mug and accepted the stew that was for dinner with a nod, digging in. The tall man was hungry after all, not having eaten anything that day. After finishing he stood up. "I am returning to our room, partner."

Syran sighed. "Is it going to be like this for the rest of our stay?" he asked looking up at Jaromir.

Jaromir looked at the landlord who stood at the counter with his two daughters, the girls obviously watching them with barely concealed interest. "If you really want to talk, then let’s go upstairs."

Syran nodded and got up walking past Jaromir back towards their room and waited for the other to get in.

Jaromir followed the prince and then closed the door. "So, you want to know if it is like this the rest of our stay, of our journey?" The tall man's mien darkened. "Isn't this what you want? It seems to me after this morning."

Syran glared at him, wrapping his arms over his chest. "Can you really not see past yourself?" he asked tensely.

"To see what? You played with me, made me hot and bothered, then crushed me!" Jaromir shouted. He didn't mean to admit that, but he was getting angry, almost furious. "You hurt my pride, insulted my manliness and..." Jaromir trailed off, panting harshly.

"Well you played with my emotions first! It was my first time you asshole and then you treat it like nothing special and threaten me to give that stupid pendant to you!" Syran huffed. "Oh your precious manliness got hurt?! Then what about my hurt, huh?! What did you expect? That after playing so many tricks on me, I'd fall for that same thing and let you treat me as some silly plaything that you can toss away again when it suits you!"

"I wasn't playing with you today! I was enjoying it, wanted you, I..." Jaromir gritted his teeth, trying to keep his cool but obviously this little guy got past his emotional defenses. “Of course I threatened you, because otherwise you wouldn’t have given me what I came here for. I spent months in this fucking cold country, freezing my ass off for weeks for that pendant and I cannot return home empty handed. And during your first time, during all the sex, I was nice, I never tried to hurt you, I always cared for your well being. And after that one... Well... I didn't want you to have illusions about our future! I wanted to make it easy for you, so that you could return to your palace, perhaps a little bit hurt and then get over me!" Suddenly Jaromir had to laugh dryly. "See what happened. Fate had other plans and our destinies are tied for longer than I thought they would be..."

Syran looked at him his eyes still narrowed. "Well... I don't want to be just a toy..." he said quietly. "I said those things this morning to stop that from happening and yes... I wanted to hurt you back," he confessed. "So you don't need to worry about your precious manliness..." he added looking away.

Jaromir blinked, surprised. Did Syran apologize right now? Did he say he hurt him on purpose because of revenge but also because the young man had wanted to protect himself? And that it wasn't true. Jaromir's anger vanished like a flame in water and left him empty inside for a moment, before joy, relief, remorse and guilt filled the void, a mixture of emotions that was too confusing for the thief to think clearly at the moment. "I... I... I need more wine," he stuttered, then turned and fled down to the taproom.

The white eared prince glared at the door disappointed. It figured Jaromir would flee and Syran would be damned if he followed now! He wouldn't, even when he felt slightly hungry. He pulled the covers aside from the bed, undressed to his shirt and underwear before crawling beneath the sheets drawing them up high and sulking. He wanted to go back home, he missed home... Jaromir was an idiot! And still the small young man kept thinking about him while trying to fall to sleep.

Later Jaromir tip toed back to their room and into his bed, stopping shortly to look at Syran. His slightly alcohol-fuzzed mind worked overtime. He could admit he liked the prince, even liked the sometimes bratty behavior, the naivety and royal arrogance that came through from time to time. Jaromir chuckled - it came out quite often but still the prince was fun to have around, even more than fun. The thief felt drawn to the younger man, but he was still a prince... Jaromir undressed, slipped under his covers, turning to look at the white-eared Ylvas and then decided that it was time to... say sorry. Tomorrow. With a small smile the tall man drifted off to sleep.