River and Lavender.
I never would have thought that would have been something I would find myself stretched between.
Lavender felt the same as well. Her feelings for River were only ones of faint friendship rather than the love harboring between us. River was already smitten with Lavender and wasn't afraid of expressing it either.
Darcy enjoyed my company too. There was nothing between us and that's the way River liked to keep it. He was grateful for my interactions and moments of companionship that helped him escape the pain he was in. He seemed so helpless, but I knew this wasn't the case.
For him to still put a smile on his face each day showed how tough he really was.
His secret mantis most likely contributed to that as well. Darcy liked to bring it to the river to show it off to us and let it climb over our fingers.
The tiny creature was absolutely georgous. It's legs bulged out like flower petals and it even resembled a white orchid with purple flecks along it. He even had a tiny plastic container with the glowing flowers from the field inside for it to hide amongst.
It was his pride and joy. Anything that bought him joy was worth the risk.
Whenever River wasn't doting over Darcy or enjoying his time with us, he was with me in the sunflower fields.
Azalea knew her chances with River were gone and stopped the suggestive banter out of respect for me. There was still fun words thrown around, but nothing that indicated her intentions anymore.
I could see why she had been smitten though. River was a very fearsome looking demon that was protective over what was his. He made me feel like nothing could touch me when he was around.
He knew exactly what to say or do to make my breath suddenly stop or my brain turn to mush. He enjoyed the reactions he got from me as well. If anything, he seemed aroused by how weak I became around him.
Able was overjoyed to see us together after giving me the advice I needed. Her focus was on finding someone for Azalea, despite only expressing it vaguely.
She wanted to hold another field day to have a selection of demons to help out.
Her primary goal was to get her field reaped, but her underlying goal was to play matchmaker for Azalea. She knew she lived alone in a tiny unit and hadn't opened up to give her soul to anyone. By pairing her with another demon, she didn't have to worry about the time restraints to Bond or how devastating it could be to them.
As much as Azalea denied it and worked hard with a smile, it was obvious she was lonely. Her attempt to snag River had been the most open she had even been with her feelings. Now with my harsh words making it clear he was unavailable, she buried them back down.
The next field day was held on New Year's Eve.
What was left of the sunflower field was prepped into a maze for the visitors. A new arch was erected and the swing was bought from storage to be hung up once more.
Stalls parked in the reaped field around the entrance of the maze, and the stall selling the flowers made its reappearance too.
Eisels were a new addition to the festival that formed a semi circle around the teacher at the front setting them up. Anyone willing to pay the price and learn were going to be taken through the painting of thier own sunflower field step by step.
Instead of brushes they used tiny trowels to create thick swabs of colour on the canvases. It was an amazing piece of work filled with texture and happiness.
Able was very excited about her dream coming to life once more. She had us gathered in her home as the first of the visitors made thier way onto the property.
Able had Azalea in a chair before her so she could arrange a sunflower flower crown onto her head. Her usually braided hair was unrestrained now, under Able's instruction, and she wore a light blue flowing dress that silhouetted her figure when the light caught it.
River and I were in dark blue shirts with sunflowers twined around our horns. Both of us had found black shorts with sunflower patterns on them to wear just for the occasion. It was a sight that made Able laugh heartily when we arrived with the rest of our family still roaming the fields.
We were all dressed up for the occasion. And when it was time for the fireworks, we were going to help with erecting barracades around the team responsible for setting them off.
The spirits were sure to enjoy that.
"Now, I want you all to get out there and have some fun" Able smiled at us before her "but you'll have a little task to do."
She shuffled down the hallway beside us and into one of the spare rooms connected to it. When she returned, she was balancing three loaded baskets of trimmed sunflowers.
"These aren't suitable for sale, but they still make nice gifts" she spoke when she handed one to each of us "I want you all to hand these out. Perhaps we will find some strong workers while we are out and about?"
She winked to Azalea to make her blush. River teased her for it before we all set out to the field with Able between us.
"How about that one? He looks like a strong, handsome lad" Able pondered as we looked to the young male at the food stalls with his family.
"Looks too young" River commented when the male turned around "we need workers close to Azalea's age because of reasons."
"Oh, shut up" she slapped his arm "but he is a bit young for work."
Able nodded and wandered onwards with us grouped around her.
"I don't see why we are focusing on me" Azalea grumbled, handing out a sunflower "we seriously have better things to do."
"Than find love, sweet child?" Able spoke "you still have so much time ahead of you to experience it with someone wonderful. My time has gone, but it's not too late for you."
"You are basically withering away before our eyes" River jabbed again "how old are you anyway?"
"It's rude to ask a woman her age" Able wagged a finger at River "edicate is key."
"Twenty-seven" Azalea said while ignoring Able's words "twenty-eight tonight. How about you, hot shot?"
"Nineteen tonight" River boasted.
"Seventeen tonight" I added "I only have two more months in the Cradle from today."
"We have to celebrate!" Azalea clapped me on the shoulder "we should get one of Able's maple cakes too!"
"I'd be more than happy to finally have you eat one, child" Able beemed back to me.
"And we can celebrate with a party of our own" River suggested as his tail twined around mine.
I saw his sly smile and instantly burned with embarrassment at the joy of his cheekiness.
"How about that one?" I pointed now to divert the attention from us.
"Ooh, he looks like a keeper" River hung off Azalea's shoulder now and pointed at him "nice skin just like yours too!"
"You sound like a serial killer when you say it like that!" Azalea snapped back and turned her back on the young man who noticed our attention on him.
His skin was pale white just like Azalea's but was missing the red markings. He even had the same antler horns as her but also had mutations down both arms that caused long spikes to protrude from the back of them.
"I like him" Able nodded "go introduce yourself so we can sort out paperwork later."
Azalea was shoved forward by River and stumbled with her basket. The man saw her hesitation and turned from his friends to approach her.
We waited until Azalea had struck up conversation with him and Able had swooped in to introduce herself to move onwards. Azalea kept her head low when we walked away.
"His name is Solomon" Able spoke when we moved towards the maze "a lovely name for a lovely man."
"He's also taken, Granny" Azalea grunted back in embarrassment. Her ears were flattened down now out of shame for making a fool of herself in front of him.
I felt her discomfort when we moved along to scout out more possible candites. It wasn't until we snagged our third one that a demon caught Azalea's eye.
He was watching us as well and quickly tried to not look so obvious by trying to hide behind the flower arch. With his pitch black skin speckled like a galaxy, he stood out like a sore thumb. I snorted at his attempt while Able went over to coax him out.
This demon was teaming with mutations. His height was almost the same as River's, although it could have been taller if he wasn't slouching to try and hide himself. His tail was teaming with spikes that also ran down his spine. His white horns were shaped like Y's that had no signs of breakage. Curved claws easily dwarfed the fingers Able wrapped around them as she spoke to the demon.
For once, Azalea was lost for words. I could see she was trying not to get her hopes up about this mystery demon who couldn't stop trying to look at her.
"This is Emry" Able spoke to us and gestured for us to join her "Azalea here is one of our workers. The only female so far."
"Nice to meet you" Emry dipped his head to her "you really are beautiful."
"T-thank you" Azalea choked on her words before hardening again "Thanks."
"And how old are you?" Able pressed "for the paperwork, of course."
Emry peered down at Able then to us nervously.
"T-thirty" he stammered now.
"Thirty" Able shot a sneeky smile to Azalea "a perfectly healthy young man. Why don't you get him familiar with where he will be working, Azalea dear?"
Azalea was nudged towards him and stood there awkwardly, glancing back to us.
"River, Teddy; we have things to do" Able turned from her and shuffled off before Azalea could do anything.
"I can see the wedding bells now" Able sighed with a chuckle when we followed her to the food stalls "such a beautiful couple."
"Granny, you really have to lay off the smut books" River laughed at her "things don't work instantly like that."
"Not even for you two lover birds?" she grinned at us "can't keep your tails to yourselves."
"I just want to make sure that he doesn't get lost" River replied cheekily and rested a hand on my hip to draw me closer to him "that's all."
Able agreed with a smirk and left us to persue another demon that had caught her eye.
"Let's get out of here" River whispered to me as he watched Able "come on."
I looked around to check and quickly darted away with him, my hand locked in his.
River led me to the entrance of the maze that we sat our baskets at. We giggled like sneaky children when we weaved through the path we had cut that morning.
"Over here" River whispered and parted the sunflowers at a dead end. I pushed through and battled against the foliage that grew thick here.
We traveled a kilometre from the festival and from the maze before sitting amongst the sunflowers to laugh at our success. No-one would know we were here without having seen us cut from the path. The sounds of it all was only distant noise now.
River leant forward to catch me off guard. Instinctively, I leant away, which sent me falling onto my back.
"What are you doing down there?" River chuckled at me. He took advantage of the situation to flip a leg over the other side of me so he could sit on my waist and plant both hands either side of my head.
Instantly, I was breathless again. I tried to check for onlookers but River pushed my head back to the ground with a gentle claw.
"No-one is going to know" he whispered as his tail wrapped around my leg.
I tried to swallow the lump in my throat but felt like I was choking instead. My heart was hammering so violently that I was surprised that River couldn't hear it.
"What are you going to do?" I managed to squeeze out.
His claw ran along my muzzle and up to where my horns grew. His eyes flicked downwards to me longingly.
"What do you want me to do?"
I had no words. Just having this intimate moment between us was garbling everything within me. I just stared up at him and tried to form words.
"I want you, Teddy" he leant over me and gently nipped at my neck to make a squeak exit my mouth "I've been very patient."
He nipped again to instantly send a cold shiver over my body. His teeth dug in at the other side to hold me there for a moment longer before he kissed the area.
"Everyone else is distracted. We can do whatever we want here."
"We can still get caught" I peered around him "anyone can come through there and..."
"And what?" River purred now "tell someone? What do you think they'd see us doing if they even find us out here?"
He was teasing me now. He was loving the panic jolting through me. The thrill of being caught only made him hard against me.
His nails ran down to my pants now to play at the top of them. His fingers circled the button there and flicked at the zipper below it. His tail left my leg to flick behind him now as he stared at it.
I could see his erection pressed to his own pants that he guided my hands to.
My fingers pushed through the button before slowly unzipping the front. Bulging back underwear was the only thing between me and his nakedness.
River yanked at mine a little too hungrily until he got to the underwear. His palm smoothed over my cock that flexed in response to his touch. It was already hard and wanting as well.
I pulled River's out first before he did the same for mine. His cock hung above mine, glistening.
It looked so strange too. Instead of being smooth, it was jagged. The top of it pulled up before dipping down and repeating the same pattern evenly along the length. It almost resembled the teeth of a blunt key.
River couldn't take his eyes off mine either. It was mainly smooth except for the ridged skin spiralling from the base towards the tip.
His hands worked off my pants so I was laying there exposed to him. The sight of me so vulnerable beneath him sparked something inside him that forced me over onto my chest and positioned me upwards for him.
He was greedy now and pressed a hand down on my head to stop me from moving as he teased me and readied me for him.
Instantly, there was fire when he forced himself into me. I yelled out but he wedged himself deeper and grunted in pleasure when my body snapped onto the foreign object.
It was so huge. I felt like it was jabbing somewhere at the bottom of my stomach when it slowly started to move.
River released my head so he could grip both my shoulders instead that were in the dirt. He hunched over me while he rammed against me to make me cry out in pleasure and pain again.
I heard him grunt again when he became relentless and desperate. His body slammed against mine, forcing itself deeper before sawing through me repeatedly. The biting pain simmered with the wanting from us both. I could let myself be taken by the waves of pure ecstasy that rolled through me with each thrust.
River kept me in the dirt. He liked having the power over me to keep me in his grip. I gave myself to it as well when his hand found me to make me buck under his clutch.
"Stand up" River grunted to me before ripping himself free.
Desperate, I did as i was told. He swiped his own pants down to his ankles before dragging me towards him and lifting me up by both my legs to straddle his cock.
He guided it back into me and tightened his hold as he hammered into me. I gasped and threw my head back to be branded with his teeth again on my exposed throat that remained there while he fucked me.
He was insatiable. His teeth bit while his tongue tasted. His cock claimed me in such fierceness and feralness that it was like being ravaged by a wild animal.
He had me pressed to the dirt again when his body shuddered and tensed up for his oncoming release. He sounded like he was in pain when he lunged deeper and spilled his throbbing heat inside me, digging his nails into my sides.
I panted and moaned while he winced and groaned. I took all of him until he finally freed himself to shove himself back into his pants and lay down beside me while I fixed myself and tried to ignore the throbbing pain.
"You're all mine now, Teddy Bear" River beemed, reaching over to stroke my arm.
I smiled back and inched closer so I could huddled against his chest and feel his arms wrap around me.
"You were savage" I chuckled and winced at the stab of pain through me.
"I'd go again if I didn't have to worry about getting back to the others" he sighed "we aren't weak like humans are after sex."
I felt the excitement return and peered up at River expectantly. I wanted more of the pleasure that made everything else dissappear. There was no pain as long as he was marking me as his own. It only came afterwards when he was gone.
"I'm sure they won't miss us for a bit longer" I babbled, stripping off again to get on my hands and knees for him "if you have the energy?"
"Don't mock me" he smirked back and ripped out his hardness to guide it back towards me.
River took advantage of our seclusion from the others until the afternoon sun started to fade and our bodies were dripping from exhaustion.
The musty scent of sex lingered when we merged back into the maze again. River tore down one of the flowers to rub across.his body in an attempt to hide the smell. I did the same so that the damaged foliage masked it perfectly.
"Did you get lost?!" I heard Azalea call when we picked up our baskets again "how have you not hands out all those flowers yet?"
She paused and leant forward slightly to sniff at the air between us. I felt my palms grow sweaty as her eyes narrowed suspiciously and lingered on the dribbling bites on my neck.
"Seriously, you could have waited" she mumbled, looking around "honestly?"
"If you have a chance, you take it" River boasted proudly "if you don't want us here then I'll just take Teddy back and fu..."
"No! No" Azalea blurted before recomposing herself "just help move the barriers, OK?"
"Sure thing" River grinned to her annoyed sigh. I followed close behind sheepishly until River dragged me close to him.
The human woman near the barriers didn't look impressed with her help when we arrived. She didn't argue though and only pointed us in the direction to go. River could easily carry two of the large metal barriers under each arm while Azalea powered past me with two and I struggled with just one.
We had them set up in no time though and were able to roam around again for a little longer until the expected fireworks.
River and I headed to Able's to get cleaned up before the event. Of course, River had me breathless all over again during that time, his hand snapped over my mouth now to muffle me. He was determined on marking me wherever he got the chance now. The tiny shower was no exception.
He hovered as I dried off and noticed a pair of scissors beside the sink that he drew my attention to.
His long fingers slipped into the handles and he snipped them with a smile.
"How about a haircut as well?"
I peeked up from under the towel at him to pout back.
"You only kept it long for Lavi to braid, didn't you?" he commented.
"We're back together" I smiled at him "although she's not so keen on being 'shared around'"
His eyes glinted at the words.
"Now that's a thought" he murmered before snapping himself out of the fantasy "I just want to make sure no-one confuses you for an available female."
I snored at him but checked myself in the mirror anyway. My long hair easily reached my buttocks now that it was out. Keeping it restrained had become quite difficult too.
I did look like a little female. The sudden realization made me drop my gaze.
"That Emry guy thought you were one until Able told him about Azalea" River moved around to sit me on the side of the bathtub opposite the shower "i don't want anyone getting ideas."
He lifted a lock to snip it free. It fell to the floor before more came with it.
"You aren't going to be embarrassed?" I mumbled to him "I'll look like a man."
"And you shouldn't be ashamed of that" he spoke firmly "I'm not embarrassed of anything, Teddy. If people talk, let them. It doesn't change anything between us."
I smiled at him and felt more hair fall over me.
"It's not going to be the neatest look, but it'll be a lot cooler in this heat" he went on "plus, if you wanted to grow it back, it won't take long at all."
"No" I agreed "I only kept it long for her to practice. I doubt she's going to be braiding anyone else's hair after...you know..."
"The party?"
I forced a smile back.
"I thought it was going to be my first time then but tonight was. With you."
River stopped cutting to peer over at me.
"I thought you and Lavi were a couple?"
"Braidon had what I didn't."
"A death wish?" River growled under his breath "the fucking hide of him."
He cut more in silent anger.
"It was my first time too" he admitted finally "things with Darcy can't get physical with his parents around. I can't imagine what they'd do if they found out I had sex with him after they beat him so badly over a simple kiss."
River ruffled up my hair and leant over to kiss my neck. He lingered there, inhaling, before Able appeared in the reflection behind us.
"Oh" she gasped at the intrusion "I am so sorry. I didn't think you two would be here... Is that a haircut?"
River strightened up, keeping his hands on my shoulders protectively.
"It was causing problems" he only said.
"Problems for everyone else" Able corrected him "demons are hungry creatures; they'll take whatever they want, even if it's not thiers too. I can see why you would go to these lengths to stop that. A field of demons out there is not going to help the situation."
I saw River tense again and understood his need to suddenly change my looks. I didn't know something as simple as long hair would set off a reaction like that and make River so nervous. He was trying to keep me safe and away from danger despite trying to find some sort of excuse to dodge around the real reason, as usual.
"Get cleaned up" Able gestured to me "River; a word?"
He laid the scissors down on the sink and left the room without another word, closing the door firmly behind him.
"Much better" Able commented when I emerged into the dining room where both of them sat "River?"
He got up to come over to me and inspect the choppy haircut and nod with approval at it. He then grabbed both of my arms to stop me from moving so he could rub his neck along mine.
What an odd gesture. It made him happy though when he released me.
"I don't want to see any more mutations from the both of you" Able warned us "you will both keep yourselves controlled when we announce the firework display, and will join us at the designated sitting area. I may sound like a Negative Nancy, but I'm only keeping you two out of trouble. There are some very important people here tonight to witness the raining of the spirits, and we cannot have violence spoil that."
"Violence?"
"I said I would cave in the skull of anyone that tried to make a move" River smirked to me.
"His exact words" Able said, wagging her finger at River "no violence. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Nothing will, Granny" River reassured her as he closed her hands in his "I'll keep my hands to myself and my mouth shut. You won't even know I'm there."
I laughed at him. There was no way anyone would miss someone so terrifying looming around the festival and shadowing Able. His appearance alone was a deterant for plucky humans.
But what about the demons...
True to his word, River kept quiet on his way down to the pallet podium that had been set up outside the barricades.
Able did her speech while we watched on and were reunited with our families. Darcy clung to River who instantly drew him close against him. Lavender held onto my hand.
"He's scared of fireworks" River whispered to me when I noticed Darcy trembling as he clung to him.
"I'm sure Able's house might muffle some of the sound" I offered "I'll bring Lavender to the shed roof so you guys won't be alone."
Lavender nodded at the idea and smiled. Mum and Dad were too focused on the speech to hear our plans.
"Good idea" River smiled too "Azalea should join us as well."
I scanned the area for her and found her only a few meters away with Emry beside her.
They looked like they were quickly becoming friends. It was good to see her so happy with someone else.
There was applause as Able finished her speech and rejoined out sides. We moved out of the way for her so she could lead us to the designated sitting area she had set up for us in the reaped field where picnic blankets and fold up chairs were scattered.
We stood there while she nestled into her chair and wrapped a blanket around herself.
"You aren't joining me, are you?" her face fell.
"I need to take Darcy to yours. He doesn't do too well with loud noises."
"Dear boy, take him home!" Able inisisted.
"We aren't going to make it before they go off. Having him somewhere dark will help, please."
"Go on then" she waved her hand and smiled at River's tenderness as he shielded Darcy on the way from her.
I had Lavender resting between my legs when we sat on the shed roof I had hoisted her onto. River had thrown up a blanket for us to sit on so that the hot corrogated iron below us didn't brand our skins.
My fingers ran through Lavender's hair while she looked to the sky. She had bought her camera too to try and snap some shots of the fireworks.
It was a nice moment to spend with her again. She tilted her head back to look up at me and I kissed her forehead gently before wrapping my arms around her and resting my head on top of hers.
Azalea sat beside Emry on one of the sorting benches he had dragged to the front of the shed. His fingertips gently touched hers beside her but other than that, there was no contact between them.
"Oh! It's happening!" Lavender pointed excitedly.
The first light squealed into the air to explode over the field and shower it in a rainbow of colours. Lavender rested against me while she snapped her first photo and passed it to me to wave.
"I have no idea if this is going to work" she spoke as she raised it again when more explosions tore through the sky "but it's worth a shot."
I smiled at her and passed down the blurry photo that developed.
She snapped more as they intensified and actually got a few good ones. They weren't super crisp but you could tell what it was rather than the blur of light from the others.
"We have to take one too before they finish!" Lavender exclaimed and lifted herself from me to face her back to the fireworks display "hurry!"
I shuffled along to her, careful to keep us from the looming edge behind us.
"Say 'Spirits!'" she smiled widely.
She snapped the photo of us as lights started to rain across the sky from above the explosions.
One streamed down to the field several kilometers away while another fizzled in the opposite direction.
I heard the table below us move and leant over to see Azalea looking in the direction of the spirit's landing. Her ears were standing straight up and she looked like she was holding herself back from chasing it.
What could she want with a newborn demon?
Perhaps... It was the same thing Lavender had yearned for?
She could have it though. A demon could care for one of its own without repercussions, so how come she wasn't taking it?
"Azalea" I called down to her and pointed to the field "go get it."
She looked up with worry and turned back in the direction. She was torn between staying and going.
"You aren't going to get another opportunity like this" I urged.
She leapt from the table immediently and took off for the sunflowers to dissappear amongst them. Emry watched her leave then peered up at me before I scooted back to pull Lavender back against me.
"That was really kind of you" she almost whispered.
"They need each other" I replied "if it was possible, I would have told you to chase it instead."
Lavender smiled at me and rested her head under my chin.
"I want to finish high school first" she joked "and get my license for that yellow Buggy..."
"...with the sunroof" I added with a laugh when she did.
"Let's focus on that then" I kissed her head again and rested my muzzle on top of it when she tilted it to the fireworks "all the scary stuff can wait a little longer."
ns 15.158.61.6da2
