Argonian Attraction - Ch. 2
#2 of Argonian Attraction
[Chapter 2]
Thirty minutes or so had passed since Jareq had escaped from Fort Moonmoth with the help of the guard Vesurus. He was amazed by the compassion and courtesy of this human male, used to being avoided and rejected because of his species. The two had encountered only a single Kogouti along the way, and Vesurus's sword made quick work of that obstacle. They arrived at last, approaching the run-down cottage in which Jareq was born and raised. The Argonian rushed in, greeted by his mother with a concerned look on her face. The expression only worsened when she caught sight of the human guard following close behind. She stood in the doorway, as though to block his enterance.
"It is alright, mother. He is a friend," Jareq stated. He pondered his statement as he walked deeper into the building, his sack in hand. Was that what he felt about Vesurus? Was this friendship? It was strange for him. He had never had anyone to call a friend. Survival and family were all he had. This guard had put so much at risk for his sake. Such an act of kindness and sacrifice had not been gifted to him by anyone but his parents until this day. It was more than admirable. Jareq's mother stepped aside, nodding, still looking unsure of the stranger but allowing him in.
Jareq's father lay on his bed, breathing shallowly, his scales pale and discolored. Through hazey vision he could see his son approaching, standing over him and presenting him with a bottle. He sat up as best he could and shook his head, trying to clear his senses. Jareq looked down at him, tears of joy in his eyes at the expression of relief on his father's face. He helped tip the bottle into the maw of the older reptile, who was almost too weak to do it himself. A deep sigh escaped him as he lay back. The quick-working potion had already begun healing him. His voice, raspy even for an Argonian's, filled the tiny room.
"Thank you, my son. I will be fine now that the medicine has taken effect. I know you could not afford this, and I know that you would have had to steal it. I am sorry for any trouble I have caused you." Jareq shook his head, smiling, tears streaming down his scaly face. "Do not apologize, father. I would spend a decade in prison if it meant that you would be well." The younger male turned around, discovering that Vesurus had been watching the scene, his eyes glistening with his own tears. He looked away, his face reddening a bit with embarrassment at his emotional state.
Several minutes passed in silence as each person regained their composure. Vesurus quietly stated that he should be returning to the fortress before sunrise so that nobody significant would know that he left. He explained that he would act as though he left earlier that day and nobody in the night shift would know the wiser. "It has been a pleasure meeting your family, Jareq. I wish the best for you, and I hope we see each other again soon." His last words before walking out the door echoed in Jareq's head for a while. He certainly felt the same way...
A week had gone by when Vesurus returned to Jareq's home. His parents were pleased to see the human arrive, now aware of everything that had happened after their son told the story. His mother was outside when she spotted the guard approaching. However, the positive mood died as Vesurus got close enough for them to see the expression on his face for what it was. He looked empty, as though his world had been torn apart. When Jareq came out to see him, he knew at once that it was exactly what had happened.
"I was able to fool the whole fort," Vesurus told them, sitting with the three Argonians at the small table inside. He stared at the worn wooden cup containing the hot tea the Jareq's mother had offered him. "Nobody suspected a thing... most didn't even know that we had a prisoner in the first place. Then the guard that brought Jareq to me came back, against all odds, to fill out the paperwork." He paused, sipped his tea, then continued. "Nobody from Balmora ever comes back for the paperwork if they skip it. People at the fort end up doing it for them... but he came back. They believed him over me because he outranked me. I voluntarily left the Legion before anything worse could happen... and I fled. After a day of wandering, it occured to me that I have nowhere to go. When the legion accepted me, I sold everything I had and bought my armor and weapons... They provided me with a place to stay." He collapsed into his chair, heaving a huge sigh.
Jareq was the first to speak. "You may stay here, Vesurus." His parents looked at him in unison with looks of apprehension, but he continued, ignoring them. "You have helped me and in turn saved the life of my father. In return, you lost everything. It is only right that I allow you to stay with me." The customs of Argonian life put no control over an adult from his parents. They did not argue. "You will sleep in my room," he continued. "Though it is small, there is room for two. We have extra bedding used for colder seasons that we do not need right now. I am sure you will find it comfortable."
Vesurus could not object. He stared into the eyes of his friend, nodding silently, and found himself smiling. He had done a selfless thing, and for it, he lost everything he had. The human couldn't have been more thankful for this offer of hospitality, but there was something more - something fuzzy in the back of his mind that he barely realized was there. It made him feel twice as happy for the circumstances, particularly about sharing a room with Jareq. Now they could get to know each other better, and...
What was he feeling? It was strange. Something he hadn't really felt before, that made him feel warm inside every time he looked at those reptillian eyes. When Jareq looked back at him, their shared gaze often held longer than either would have intended, though both would break off awkwardly after only a moment. He dared to wonder what sort of friend Jareq would be.
After a night of good food and a bit of wine (both of these things a rare luxury for the family, only to celebrate the father's recovery), Jareq led his friend away from the main room, to see his bed chamber. He knew it would seem small to the human. Argonians, he knew, led simpler lives even in the lavish homes of those rare few who had acquired wealth for themselves. A small room was a cozy room to anyone with scales. He hoped that Vesurus didn't mind it, but that look of surprise worried him. Vesurus had probably seen larger closets. Should he be embarrassed?
Vesurus reassured him that this was a fine room. He complimented the argonian's few treasures, resting on a shelf above the bed. Only trinkets, Jareq thought silently, but still a fine collection according to the human. An attempt at flattery, he supposed. One thing that did seem to concern the human a little was the single bed, only just wide enough for two people. Another cultural difference was about to show itself, for certain...
In his home and most Argonian homes, Jareq explained, it was not uncommon for two or more males to share a small bed, mostly to conserve heat and strengthen family bonds. A practical reason, Vesurus agreed, but he still seemed nervous. To the human, sharing a bed with another male was as taboo as laying with a slave. Though, he supposed, it would not be so bad given the substantial difference between his race and Jareq's...
The warmth and closeness brought on during their mutual rest was not to be so forgiving. Vesurus woke in the darkest of night, quite startled to find that he had wrapped his arm around Jareq's scaly form. Further to disturb him was the prominent erection that was pressed against the argonian's backside. What did it mean? Did he have such feelings for a male? One of a beast race? He closed his eyes and delicately removed his arm, then turned himself over to face the other way. He was desperately quiet and cautious, but fortunately Jareq was sleeping deeply. The human closed his eyes, tried to convince himself that he was just dreaming, and eventually found sleep again.
[To be continued]
[Author's Notes]
Sorry for the giant delay on this one, folks. This sat in my unfinished stories folder for months, with literally only a couple paragraphs to go. I put it off and rarely found myself in the mood to write. Really it's just a matter of forcing it. :P
Please comment! I loves the comments. @..@