Beats

Lan hefted one of the larger rocks out of the small area of dirt he’d already removed the renegade plants from. Finding a tended patch of garden proved to be more difficult than he initially thought. The village harvesters refused to relinquish even the most unfertile of their growing lands so he sought out a safe piece of ground he could fend off the most animals from. The feeling of the soil in his hands felt warm and soft, like coming home. He lugged another rock to the edge of the cleared area. A few more feet to go and the grounds he cleared would be a decent size. ‘Maybe I’ll be able to plant tomorrow.’

The hunter’s came up from lower down the streamline. After the long hot day’s hunt a swim before they returned with their hunt, gave the aging hunters a moment to be carefree. For a moment the existed without the pressure to find larger games for the pelts in hopes to keep warm in the longer rain seasons. Ero returned toward the rear of the hunting party. Over his shoulder lay the heavy body of a boar but the hunter walked with the grace that comes from unending physical tasks.

The front of the pack grew hushed and for a moment. By the time Ero rounded the corner he knew what the whispered jokes and loud laughter addressed. There at the edge of the large lake kneeled the younger heeler. On hands and knees, the silk of his wrap grew dirty with his earthen labors. A modest wall of rocks rounded the roughly 2 spear by 2 spear planting ground. The boy knelt and turned the now dying bits of plant into the soil, occasionally flinging up smaller rocks off to the side and over the low lying rock border.

Hearing the hunting party approach Lan drew himself up on his knees, turned toward the party and shielded his eyes from the sun which quickly began to set behind them.

Even smeared with dirt and hair in messy tangles the boy looked beautiful in the oranges of the setting sun. He turned his face from the body of the boy and moved on to the village, ignoring the crowd of young hunters who gathered around to speak to the healer.

Ero returned to the camp only occasionally speaking when one of the hunter’s nudged him or asked a question. His report to the chief, while briefer than usual, came and went without incident. Outside the tent he took to skinning the previously gutted pig. The hide wasn’t as nice or soft as the deer, it didn’t arm like the occasional leopard or panther, it didn’t shed water like the skins of the pythons he could stitch together. Boar skin, sturdy and heavy, made excellent packs and harvest bags. Not pretty but effective really.

Stretching out the pelt, he pierced it at the corners and pulled it tight over another sturdy tanning frame. With one smooth motion it hung beside the nearly dried deer skin outside the hut, the meat would move to the smoke house to be tended by those that were too old or too young to hunt. He returned after delivering the body to find the hut still empty. Ignoring the silence he cleaned his knives quickly and efficiently.
A flap of the skin covering the door and Lan entered the tent.

Beads of water dripped from the ends of Lan’s long hair. Ero never saw the hair loose before this moment but it fanned out against his lighter skin. He didn’t think the dark hair could get any darker but it stood out like the night sky against the pale moon. The silk wrap around Lan’s waist drooped slightly from being tied so loosely. Ero turned back to his work.

The brief shuffling of items and Ero couldn’t help but stare at the soft plain of the Lan’s back exposed and lit by the small fire in the center of the hut. The smoke filtered up and into the hole in the ceiling of the hut. The double thatching allowed the smoke to creep out through the space between the two roofs. The space between them shrank. He felt the breeze from the movement of cloth as Lan wrapped himself up again. The leather around Ero seemed to grow tighter. He shifted his eyes back to his task. Cleaning the last of the blades he set them aside and began to strip off the leather wrapped around his legs. The leather lacing up the back loosened with a few skilled tugs, his light boots came off quickly. His arm bracing fell aside with ease. Ero turned and moved toward his half of the skins.

Lan looked back at Ero as he dressed. The other man spoke so little to him, the coldness in his eyes occasionally augmented with a disapproving look. He moved quietly, feeling guilty as he lay down the pile of furs and skins Ero divided up from his previously large bed.

“Don’t come back from the lake so late.”The rough voice from around the fire seemed oddly quiet despite its power.

“I wasn’t back that late.” Lan’s reply was soft, muffled by the skins as he inhaled the deep heady scent of Ero.

“Some of the larger cat’s travel around the area as the sun sets.”

“Oh.” The soft reply barely traveled.

“I don’t know how you’ve managed to survive this long.”The accusation flew.

“I can very well take care of myself.” Lan insisted.

“The first time I met you, you were nearly trampled by boar and the second night you stay in my tent you come back at such a time that you might have been eaten.”

“You don’t need to look out for me. Like you said, I’ve survived this long.” Lan nearly whispered, the light crackling of the fire ringing out against the silence. Lan heard the shifting of Ero’s bed.

Ero turned over in his bed. The naked back of Lan teased him in the light.

Lan jumped as a hand clamped down over his mouth. A heavy weight fell behind him.

“You didn’t even hear me move to you, did you?” Ero’s voice though quiet boomed in Lan’s ears. “You think you can protect yourself.”

Lan gasped as a strong calloused hand traced over his back and around to this chest. The feeling of the rough skin against his bare flesh making him whimper beneath Ero’s hand.

“You’re not even armed.” Ero stated blatantly letting go of Lan and standing up. “I suggest you start paying attention or find someone who will for you.” Ero turned back to his bed.

A knife point in Ero’s back caught him by surprise. He tensed immediately.

“You’re not the only one that can be silent.” Lan spoke.

The knife dug further into Ero’s skin. “Apparently so.” The amusement was clear in his voice. The blade removed itself.

The dark haired boy stood and a lock fell over his eyes. “I can protect myself.” Lan tossed the sheathed knife at Ero.

Ero caught it in one hand.

“Don’t mistake me for some wide eyes cub. I’m a man, Ero. I have been for some time.”

Ero stepped toward him, their bodies only a foot from each other. “You’re a man. That doesn’t mean you’re going to survive long if you don’t start paying attention to what’s around you.”

“I just had a knife to your back. I think I’ve proved my point.”

“You’ve proved that when I let down my guard you could stab me, yes.” Ero smirked.

“I’ve proved more than that.” Lan took as step forward. Ero may have been taller but his green eyes met Ero’s hazel one and there was no backing down.

“You still need looking after.” The challenge was clear in his voice.

“I can take care of myself.” Lan growled.

“You need someone to watch over you. Keep you on your toes. Protect you from your own thoughtlessness.” Ero stepped forward, his own dominance demanding he not back away from the challenge.

“For the last time I can protect myself. Back off.” Lan’s voice was low and tense.

“No.”

Ero’s lips crashed into Lan’s. There was a moment of shock that passed through the smaller man. That moment of shock parted Lan’s lips to the now invading tongue.

Lan’s mouth tasted of the fresh water in the lake. Ero faintly smelled his own scent coming from the boy and groaned. The previously soft tongue he prodded with his own, became passionate, battling for dominance.

Shock quickly became arousal. Lan wrapped his tongue around Ero. He pressed his lean body against the hard body of the hunter, his hands immediately going to Ero’s shoulders. One hand pulled Ero’s head closer to his own.

Ero groaned as Lan pressed himself boldly against his growing erection. The soft silk felt like heaven at his fingertips as he dug them into Lan’s firm ass. The boy in his arms moaned and sank further into the kiss.

Lan pulled back unwinding Ero from around himself.

Ero’s pulled him back for one kiss and another. And another. Finally Lan succeeded in parting them, pushing the taller man back with two palms steady on his chest.

They both panted, Ero’s body looking like a sculpted totem in the light of the fire. He shivered at the visible bulge in the other mans leather wrap. “See I can take care of myself.” Lan smiled seductively and moved to lay in his bed, laying down in a seductive manor, stretching out his limps and arching his back as he got comfortable on the skins. He looked up at the hunter who stared at him hungrily.

Lan rolled onto his stomach and shut his eyes, putting on a show of breathing in the smell of Ero in the furs. “mmm.” Lan purred, that seductive look in his eyes. “It smells like you.”

Ero swallowed dryly, he had yet to be able to move.

“God and Goddess keep you through the night, Ero.” Lan closed his eyes and fought not to laugh with his own victory.

Ero’s mumbled his reply and stiffly walked to his furs. He adjusted himself within his wrap. He hear Lan’s breathes even out and knew the boy, no, the other man was asleep. He thought about tomorrows hunt, about winter preparations and the deer hides he still needed to form for the winter. His mind returned to the form that stood in his arms just a moment ago.