theworldunwinds | Deer and Dragon

Vincent's herd had only recently come into this forest, driven out of their previous one by deforestation, over-hunting by humans and host of other problems. The smaller village nearby promised less harassment and the forest was rich enough to support the herd.

He was a bit of an oddball among his people. A young buck...doe? Smelled like both, had both parts. Confused the stags. Fight or mate? He tried both options himself but neither would have him. Antlers too stubby to protect a doe and their potential offspring, likely infertile and therefore a waste of time to mate by a strong stag. And so, he was often left alone.

It was an unusually hot spring day so the herd made their way down to the river to drink and cool off. Vincent, being the klutz he was, tripped and fell in the mud. Those nearby laughed. He slunk off into the water to wash up, moving out of sight of the herd so as to avoid further humiliation. Washing the mud off his skin, he sat down on the grassy bank, hoofed legs drawn up so that he could rest his chin on his fuzzy knees.

Maybe he ought to run off and find another herd. Maybe of true deer. At least then none would laugh at him.

Scratching his ear, he sighed and got up, heading back to the herd. The forest was still too unfamiliar to stray too far for too long.

Too late though, they'd ditched him. Not a single one to be found...But they'd left in a panicked hurry according to the hoof prints in the mud and torn up grass. Which only meant one thing.

A predator was in the area.

His ears perked up, sniffing the air and on high alert now. Hunters? A bear? They'd not heard any wolves thus far...There was a scent now...but he couldn't place it. Was he just dumb or was the predator masking its scent? Maybe this forest had another kind, one not found in their old forest.

He could run. Always an option.

Alone...so alone.

Fear gripped Vincent, unable to move.

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Vincent was delighted. An apple tree??! Oh how he missed apples!

His tail gave a pleased flutter and he followed Abel closely, only keeping far back when he began to harvest. It was fascinating how he accomplished it, not even getting stung once! The protection and whatever he was puffing into the trunk must be the trick to it all. Had he come up with it?

He looked down into the bucket. Not a lot, father always raided the hive far more, but then again he had a whole herd to provide for, not just two. The deer looked to Abel, smiled and then dipped a couple fingers into the sticky sweetness and brought them to his lips.

Heaven.

He smiled around his digits at the dragon, sucking on them all the way back to the cave contently.

"What is toast?" he asked as they returned to the cave.

[OOC: First, I apologize profusely for photobucket's fucked up there. *fell over* Second, took a RP hiatus for a break until muse cooperates and came back. Lastly, if you like to continue, I'll try my best. If not, feel free to ignore.]

Seeing how easily pleased the deer is, at that moment, the dragon is truly sorry for having hunted on his best friend...but that was the past, even if it's a shy a few days ago, and in a dragon's nature, they don't apologize easily to those they see as natural prey. Deers are food after all, it's the natural way of things, but to make one as a friend is not within the range of impossibility. He stepped back away from the bees and leave the hive. If the deer truly wanted apples, the dragon have some in stock in the jars that the deer must have missed.

"It's a type of crunchy bread." The dragon answered, as they walked back to the cave. "I can show you how to make it right now actually. It's easy" In the kitchen, he showed him where the loaf of bread is in the pantry, so the deer knows where to find it next time, and puts it on the skill over the fire on the stony oven, where the dragon breathe fire into it to heat it up.

"Make sure the skillet is hot and then you place the bread on it. Do not add oil." Said the dragon matter-of-factly. He wonders what else he can teach the deer? He didn't have company like this for a long time, and the deer is young, as his mates have a shorter lifespan then he does, and they die naturally before he do, but for the short time he knew of Vincent, he thinks the deer is actually sweet (and it's not like he has anywhere else to go, at least for a while), and he wonders if Vincent wants more honey and other types of sweets too.

[totally fine all around C: always good with continuing, had re-read the thread XD]

Vincent watched intently as Abel showed him how to make this "toast" Bread? He'd never had bread before, so he asked for a small slice to try. It was soft and good! As he nibbled it, he watched as Abel put some in the skillet and cooked it. Fascinating really.

He suspected dragons cooked a lot of their food. As deer didn't use fire, this was all new to him.

"And you put the honey on top when its done?" he asked, ears flicking forward "Can you put other stuff on toast or only honey?"

The dragon has been dealing with humans for so long, usually to do business with them or to gain books to fill up his library. Of course, he surmised the deer isn't able to read yet. But there are stories the dragon is willing to share.

"Really? This is simple stuff." Deer aren't natural hunters, much less cooks, but they are gatherers, he thinks. "I usually put fruits like strawberries, berries, or honey on top, yes. Sometimes, I will add in brown sugar or maple syrup. Once in a while, if I'm lucky, a human will trade me this sweet called chocolate. But I don't have any of those right now." Chocolate is rare and he always ran out. "I have plenty so if you want more, I can make more, and I can teach you how to make it."

Though he imagined dealing with fire is a scary thing for a deer. "Much of the toppings I have to buy and trade with humans. Have you ever seen humans, Vincent?" Meanwhile, he figured the deer is really eating up honey toast, so the dragon made more crunchy slices using the skillet.

"We don't like fire." he stated matter-of-factly with a shrug. Mmm, toast with honey, it was warm and sweet with the added crunch of the bread. Fruit on top would be nice too.

Licking the back of his hand where some honey had dripped he looked to Abel. "From afar, yes, a few times. We avoid them though, they smell strange, and usually bring death." he said.

"Did you learn this from humans?" he asked, licking his sticky fingers as Abel made more.

"I see. Oh yes, yes I did. I learned from them. Out of necessity. It's hard hiding the tail and wings, much less finding trusting humans who would do business with me on the outskirts of their towns." Still, the dragon is pleased to see the deer like sweets. "If you like toast, I can make it for you as much as you like. And there is some fruits in those jars." He said, pointing at the jars on the shelf and at the ice box. "So help yourself."

Since Abel started the fire, he's already hungry and it's becoming noon-time, and a dragon has a huge appetite, Abel begins cooking lunch, by cooking meat over the skillet, which he stored in one of his ice box. The heavy smell of meat, and by the smell of it, it's beef using a little bit of oil filled the chambers of his kitchen. Make sense, the dragon is a carnivore.

If the deer isn't feeling well enough and haven't recovered from his illness yet, there is still a bed of furs back in the other chamber. Or sit at the table to lay his head down. Thinking about it now, "Are you feeling better or are you still feeling ill?" The dragon asked him.

Vincent nibbled the honey bread, looking over to where Abel pointed at the jars. he hesitated, then decided to take an apple. Sitting down, Vincent finished his bread and bit into the apple, practically moaning at the delicious, fresh taste. He savored it, not sure how many he was allowed.

He looked over when Abel began to cook. The slab of meat had him flick his ears back and he contemplated leaving the cave, but it wasn't deer meat-too thick-so he stayed...he'd have to get used to it. The dragon had to eat meat. No more deer though, he promised.

Eating the apple down to the stem, which he tossed out into the woods, he came over, sucking his fingers, sticky with honey and apple juice. "I feel better, whatever you gave me for medicine seemed to help a lot." he said. The fire felt nice on his fur so he stayed near Abel for the moment.

Edited Date: 2017-08-24 01:22 am (UTC)

Abel did not correct him in how much fruit he can take from his jars, but judging by how much he enjoyed it, he probably didn't eat as well as he does, as an omnivore dragon do eat a lot, and fruits are plenty from the surrounding trees in his orchard.

But yes, no deer meat. He promised. Abel finished cooking, took his seat, to eat lunch.

"That's good to hear. I pretty sure it worked." Though he regrets having punched him, as it meant to knock him out. If Vincent needs to drink water, there is some water in one of the barrels, which Abel showed to him that he can drink out of that.

Lunch passed, and the heat of the afternoon came, the sun is bright and shining. The fire from the stove has long died out. There isn't any instructions or topics Abel can't think of, and usually at this time, Abel take his leisure to read a book from one of his libraries in one of the chambers of his cave. Books that he carefully traded and done business with the humans over his long life.

He figured Vincent can't read, so Abel handed him a picture book, which is full of colorful illustrations of humans in their towns and cities, a book about architecture and how humans build their homes.

Might be awhile before Abel forgave him for that, but for now, he enjoyed his meal, the first in quite some time that he felt full afterwards.

Deer usually spread out or went to a body of water to cool off during hot afternoons like this. As he didn't want to leave the area to go down to the stream nearby, he went outside and lay down under the shade of a tree, the breeze feeling good. he napped awhile, waking to find Abel with a book, and he was given one to look at.

He was gentle with it, but grew bored and a little sad at what humans did to the forests in the book, so he soon put it away and went to get a drink of water.

Vincent sat outside some more, as it was sort of odd to be able to just relax in the forest without worrying about predators, and the breeze had turned cool, feeling nice on his fur. Soon it'd grown dark, so he came back in and curled up to go to sleep.

The next couple weeks or so, things were about the same. Abel introducing Vincent to all the yummy things he made and could find, sleeping, and exploring the territory within sight of the cave. He grew steadily used to the scent of dragon and as the nights quickly grew colder, he slept a little closer to him.

But with the cooler weather meant the frost was not far away, so the pair spent time gathering what ripe things they could in the garden and within the area.

"Owning a garden is a lot of work" Vincent said as they brought back what was likely going to be the last harvest. "You did all this by yourself every year?" he asked. The deer had warmed up some to Abel, still uncertain about him being his mate at some point, but then again he doubted he'd ever believe it until-or if-it actually happened.

Abel never really brought up the subject of mating for the time Vincent spent the weeks, which eventually turned into almost a month during his stay with him. Never crossed his mind really, since as a dragon he has many things to do. Like growing and storing food, lots of it. Having lived a long life and fending for himself, and feed himself on the resources Mother Nature's bounty he can find.

Sometimes, Abel thought Vincent would have moved on and leave him, to find and rejoined the herd, and yet still, Vincent stayed. He did brought up a word or two that if he wished to leave, he can and made it clear Vincent has a choice. And yet he stayed. Afterward, Abel simply forgot and didn't press the issue.

Abel didn't mind sharing his sleeping den either. A deer's body is actually nice and warm, and for body weight, Vincent's light. It can be said, the dragon simply grew accostomed to the deer's company, and warmed up to him, and he's showing more of his gentler side, and share the mundane slice of life. A good benefit? No worrying about deer's natural predators or being eaten. And Abel stick to livestock of chickens, cows, and pigs for his meat, which he breed himself in a barn shed and coop outside.

Abel taught him and show him the woods and the forests, and which places is safe to drink and gather water to fill the water bin. He taught him areas to avoid, especially the ones inhabited by a nest of the deer's natural predators.

It's Autumn now, and the green leaves of the trees turned different shades of gold, yellow, and brown. The fruit trees in the orchard are all picked, and no longer bear fruit as the season grew colder.

Abel can see winter is coming clearly in his mind as he remembered last year blizzards and storms. Shorter days, shorther sun, and long winter nights. Being a reptilian type, that means Abel will spend more time sleeping than actively hunt. While warm-blooded, his body tempature will drop fast, rendering him into hibernation. As for deer, while they don't hibernate, Deer wouldn't have a problem surviving the winter, as long they eat a lot to store fat in their bodies for insulating warmth.

When Vincent asked his question, Abel was slightly distracted, thinking how this winter is going to go for him. Indeed it was the last crops of the harvest for Abel to store in his cave. The land where he grew his crops is now barren and empty, with only rows of the tilled soil left.

"Huh? Oh. Oh yes. Every year." He said. "Being a dragon, I have to eat a lot to store my energy. Food is very scarce in the winter time. My stomach, I sometimes wonder if it's the almost the same size and weight as a cow. Or a moose even." Well, that's an exaggeration. A close estimate is really eating to the same size of a family of three.

The baskets are full to the brim of the last crops collected, harvest, and to be store with the rest of his pile of crops, which is a hill inside the main chamber, which is the living room of his cave, waiting with the rest to be washed up and cut up to be stored inside the jar's inside the dragon's kitch.

"Anyway, thank you for helping me with the harvest." Abel said, not certain how to thank him. "If you want to eat the apples, you can, but be careful how much you eat. For winter, I learned how to rationed my food for at least 3 months." Abel is such worry wart, to the point of exaggeration, considering he has enough apples and food to feed an entire village. A deer won't eat much as he does. "And I won't be able to grow again until Spring."

Mating would be something very special for him, which was why it was on his mind as often as it was. While Abel had had many lovers over the eons, Vincent had had none. Abel would be his first...and...likely his only mate.

He had no wish to return to the life of the herd. While, yes, he missed it sometimes, it wasn't possible. He'd spent too much time with Abel, probably smelled like him too somewhat. He had no one in the herd that cared about him, likely happy he was gone.

Plus, he got to eat far better with Abel. Didn't have to settle for whatever was left once the higher ranking members of the herd had their fill. He did take it easy though on how much he consumed, knowing that this would have to last through winter.

His antlers had shed their velvet, but still resembled stubby goat horns than antlers. Maybe next year they'd be better.

"What do you do during the storms?" he asked. Deer hunkered down, if possible in a cave, but usually just had to group together and bear it. Abel had a big cave and-thanks to the fire-wouldn't be without warmth. Did he still try to sleep it out?

Abel doesn't know much about deer and their antlers other than they used it for self-defense or fighting, but he does think it's shame that they're not as a sharp as his own horns that curled from his skull. But he noticed Vincent is sometimes self-conscious about it.

It's cute.

"You mean the blizzards? I collect fire wood, make logs, put them into a stack to create a bonfire, and breathe fire into it. And then I sleep or eat or read a book. Winters tend to be quiet. Sometimes, if I'm bored or desperate, I'll dip into an ice pond to find fish at the bottom."

With a bit of a yawn. Abel eyed his prize of food stock, his real horde. There's much cutting up and peeling to be done, to preserve the fruits into the jars.

"Let me show you how I do it." He said, and he showed Vincent how to stack up the logs of wood in a stack (like how humans play the Jenga puzzle). "Like this, and then I pour a bit of oil over it." And Abel dunks a bottle of oil, and then taking a deep breath, he breathes fire to lit it up. "If you see inside, that black stone, humans have coal, and often they mine it too much from the other caves, but I figure out which caves have coal that I need to kindle the fire."

Abel looked at Vincent, to see if he's paying attention since by now, he's used to teaching and lecture Vincent how to he cares and fends for himself as if it's...a natural thing to do.

He sees Vincent looks distracted. If mating is on his mind often, Abel isn't really a terrific mind reader. So hence, the question. "Vincent, are you paying attention?" The dragon tilted his head. "Is something on your mind?"

So basically everything he did now, just on a more subdued level...Plus a lot of sleep and little to no harvesting. He wouldn't have to go find a meal in the snow every day, a lovely thought. He could curl up by the fire with Abel and sleep and look at books and learn from him.

While his mind was drifting to mating-it was fall, could he blame him?-he snapped out of it and nodded. "I-I heard you. Stack the wood around the coal, pour the oil, light it." he reiterated.

The deer was a bit more fidgety today, and while it seemed he was paying attention, his gaze was drawn often back outside the cave...Was he ready?

No, Abel said he'd let him know when he needed to mate. So he'd wait.

"Yes, that's correct. You have to be careful not to get burned." He said. "Especially when you sleep close to it."

The dragon read his body language better than Vincent knew he could, having far more experience dealing with mates in his long years. His eyes never leave him.

"If you're staying with me for the winter, my body heat will be slightly cooler." He said, carefully....because he's teasing him. "So if we're going to sleep and eventually mate, we're going to need a lot of fire wood. I forget to mention I spend mornings chopping wood too."

Up to until now, the dragon never show true affection to him. They sleep next to each other, but never touched him. One would think the dragon is quite stoic and quiet as the woods itself.

"I like fall and winters because it's a good time for us to be intimate, don't you think?" Then a thought, as Vincent is gazing at the opening of the cave. Sometimes, for some things, it's worth the wait as Abel shows his true feelings for him, bit by bit. "I like you Vincent. Sometimes, when you sleep near me, I like it because you make my cold blood warm. Deers have an interesting perspective, I think, and I think I understand you." As a dragon could.

He guessed as much about that, don't step near the fire, got it. But he didn't sass the dragon.

His ears flicked back to Abel before he turned his head to look at him, listening quietly.

Mating in winter? A strange choice. But he supposed it made sense when you didn't have to worry about keeping warm or food for the most part. He'd have to build up his muscles so that he could chop wood too he supposed. he didn't want Abel doing all the work.

Didn't want to be...useless.

His tail gave a small flutter. He liked sleeping next to him?...

He smiled some, "I-I do too...its...nice to be close to someone."

Vincent ran a hand through his short hair, gaze trailing out the cave again. "Can't help it though...the season calls to me..." It wasn't a heat, deer didn't have that, but there was a need in the back of his mind that was hard for him to ignore.

There's plenty enough of work for Vincent that the dragon wanted him to do, that Vincent has proven himself worthy of his companion and his share of his stock.

The next work the dragon have in mind is peeling the fruits and vegetables, then dried them and preserve them. But not yet, as Abel is watching him intently.

"Same here." The dragon answered.

"Do you like it here and do you like me?" The dragon wondered. After all, the deer could have run away from him right now. Reaching out, he ran his long fingers, strong and bony as they are through Vincent's hair...to see and test if he doesn't bolt away.

"You are good company."

Vincent chewed his lip, thinking over the question.

He liked Abel...?

The dragon had been kind to him as soon as he'd realized his mistake. Had taken him in, healed him, fed him, and taught him so much in such a short amount of time...It was...a wonderful feeling, to be considered something much better than a potential problem.

His ears flattened at first, not expecting the touch, but perked up and he closed his eyes as he did like it.

"Yes, I like you Abel." he said finally, smiling genuinely at him, stepping closer and rubbing his cheek affectionately against Abel's chest, hoping he hadn't pushed too far though.

"Then, this is fine." He said with approval. "This winter, I think it won't be so bad and it will work out." He said with confidence, feeling optimistic now, that their lives are changing for the better.

As the deer rubbed his cheek against his chest, at this rate, it won't take much to take in his mate's scent all over him. He ran his fingers through Vincent's short hair.

And at this distance, it's also easy for Abel to cup his chin, tilted his head aside and kissed him softly on the lips.

Vincent smiled, breathing in the dragon's warm and scent, once it instilled fear, now, it was familiar, and comforting.

His ears perked again and he blushed as Abel tilted his head up...and kissed him!

It was a wonderful small kiss. Soft, and slow, testing waters.

Vincent closed his eyes and melted into it. How nice it was to be kissed!

When they broke, he slowly opened his eyes and then wrapped his arms around Abel's waist, resting his cheek against his chest. He'd be his mate. He'd get kisses and sleep beside his dragon...and...eventually, present himself to him. When Abel wanted him.

Abel welcomed him into a hug, as deer felt very nice, if not small, but sturdy in his arms. His long fingers trailed down his back.

When the kiss broke, capturing his breath, he only smiled back, as it looks like the deer become accustomed to him and their attachment grow stronger, that he even smelled like him, carrying his scent. And up to now, he meant what he said, as each word and thought is genuine...about keeping him as a mate, as Abel always needed a helpmate to keep and maintain his den too.

"You know, if you want to do it...lay with me, I'm ready now. I mean..." Abel stared at his collection of harvested crops, a hill pile. He had an idea to cut them up and slice off, peeling, but that takes time, and well...he can do it tomorrow. "Work can wait. I've been working for far too long."

If the deer have any wonder if the dragon wanted him, this is it, his opening. The dragon wanted him.

"But only if you're ready. The first time will hurt." He said a precaution. The dragon recalled the deer has two parts, but he wonders if the deer can handle his size and Abel will not give what the deer cannot handle.

Vincent looked up in surprise. Already? He looked at the pile of food that needed tending to. But if Abel said it could wait...

He didn't like the idea that sex was going to hurt...he'd make sure the dragon took things slow to ensure it was as little as possible.

His tail gave a flutter and he nodded. "Y-Yes. I want to." his cheeks turned a bit pink and he leaned up to kiss Abel's lips, wrapping his arms around his neck as he did so to bring the dragon close.

The dragon held Vincent's body close to him. He's going to take this slow, being it's the deer's the first time. Not only that, he kept in mind that Vincent has both parts, but up until now, it doesn't bother him much. He had both female and male mates before, though the first outweighs the latter, so it was on his mind in what he should do for this moment.

After the kisses, the dragon guides Vincent to the den, where they both shared the bed and sleep. "Over here." He said as he guides him and nudges him to the den, so the both can lie down and get comfortable on the bed of furs and beneath it, a hill of hay where the furs covered it.

"How do you imagine your first time? It's something I've been wondering, but I would like to know what you think." Abel asked him.

Vincent followed without protest, body heating up some-particularly between the legs-at the prospect of what what to come. He plopped down on the furs, ears perking at the question.

"Hmm..." he thought a moment, "I...I'm not sure. Slow I guess, exploring a lot of one another...Deer mount from behind for the most part. Rare for a pair to lay down as a predator could be watching to take advantage..." he said looking to Abel. "Is that what you mean?"

Whether he'd won the favor of a female or a male chose to try and win him, they'd go away a little distance from the herd and mate once to seal the bond. Quick and dirty some might call it. Later, if possible, they'd mate again, a bit more slowly, and many times if possible to ensure a new generation.

With Abel now...there were no predators to look out for. he didn't have to just bend over and let the dragon hump him. They'd be able to do more right away...maybe he'd even be able to suck his cock...something he'd always wanted to try.

"All right. Exploring it is," He murmured. Though he laughed at the thought of how deer mated, as he had seen that before. Dragons did the same thing once...a long time ago, but not he hardly remembered how dragons mated. Still, the same with most mates. Rutted with them from behind.

What to do, where to start? Well, kisses is a good start, so Abel pressed his mouth against Vincent's lips, going sweet and slow, sucking on his lower lip slowly. His hands went exploring over his body, running over his stomach (and imagined a swell of a belly if Vincent ever gets pregnant). His mouth goes lower, kissing on his throat, and gently sucked on the skin there, nipping on his skin, but not biting him yet to leave a mark, as the dragon has sharp fangs, the very thing most deer feared most.

"Let's get undressed." Abel said quietly, and whatever simple tunic and pants he's wearing, Abel tear himself away while shimmied out whatever clothes he's wearing and lay them aside. It takes him a while as Abel hilariously try to maneuver around his wings and tail.

He likes these kisses, likes the feel of Abel touching him. Slow kisses, warm and tender. no rush. No need to keep an eye open for predators.

he caress of a hand over him had him moan a little. Could they...? Nah, they were two different species...right? Besides, he might not be able to, might no have the right parts inside...But...if he did...What did you call a dragon-deer hybrid?...

He'd entertain the idea some other time, for now, his own hands began to wander Abel, over his strong chest and shoulders-and then he was pulling away! Did he do something wrong? Oh right, clothes. Never had much use for them himself.

He watched as the dragon struggled out of his garments and Vincent helped where he could.