The chance that becomes an inevitability

It was always raining in the Crawsus Forest Ruins, a perpetual torrent of raindrops that left everything soaked. Trees, land, people. Rufus had to bite back his scowl, feeling his hair hang heavy from the water that drenched it. If not for his bandanna, his bangs would have been plastered over his eyes, obscuring his vision. The land blurred in front of him from the flood of water cascading downwards, and his feet sank into the mud, loud squelching noises as he wrenched his feet free of the liquefied dirt.

Rufus glanced back at Lezard, who seemed to all but float above the mud. He seemed to have a knack for finding the solid pieces of land, avoiding the mud. Unlike Rufus, whose pants were stained with mud up to his knees, Lezard's clothing was still immaculate although thoroughly wet. The mage gave no sign of discomfort in this harsh weather, though Rufus felt he had to be frustrated by the fact that the rain drops were coating the surface of his glasses.

"How much farther should we go?" Rufus asked his companion. "Do you think we've scouted far enough?"

"I would like to go just a little further Sir Rufus." Lezard answered, fingers gracefully sliding his glasses back up his nose. "I want to see if we can find another altar."

"Oh all right." Rufus agreed, though inwardly he was groaning. He didn't like being separated from their group for so long. It left him nervous and on edge, and he was conscious of how the two of them had to struggle just a little harder to handle the monsters in this area. It would be easier with all six of them, but Silmeria had urged them to split into pairs.

Perhaps it was the company that left Rufus so disgruntled. Lezard wasn't much for conversation, choosing to walk silently behind him. He very rarely started a conversation, choosing instead to talk only when spoken to. He often gave the air of one absorbed in his own thoughts, and though he smiled, and spoke politely, he often seemed annoyed at the intrusion of speech.

It was eerie walking in silence, listening only to the sound of the rain, and the distant noise of lightning striking the ground. If he had been with the princess, Alicia would have been chattering non stop at him to cover her nervousness. He would go from one extreme to the other, and yet he found he didn't mind listening to her speak.

A twig snapped, and Rufus whipped his head around to the right, scanning the area nervously. "Lezard?"

"Yes I heard it." The mage answered, going as still as a statue. "We are not alone."

Rufus licked his lips, tasting the rain as the mage confirmed his fears. He reached for the bow on his back, easily pulling it free of it's straps. An arrow was quickly placed on the strings, Rufus scanning the area, looking for a target. Lezard stood with his hands held up, a slight smile on his face as he waited for the intruders to show themselves.

With a scream, they leapt from the bushes, monsters of all types. Rufus let his arrows fly, striking true as they slammed into the flesh of a vampire bat. But others swarmed closer, forcing Rufus to retreat. He had to be on constant alert, always on the move, trying to avoid the creatures getting closer. Lezard was even worse off, needing time to cast his spells, the mage backing away as far as he could manage. Rufus tried his best to keep the monsters off of Lezard, watching as wild trolls joined the vampire bats in attacking them. Now more than ever Rufus wished for the company of a swordsman to keep the enemies at bay.

"Fire Storm!" Lezard's voice rang out loud and clear, the magical fire flaring to life, untouched by the rain. It swirled and surged towards a troll, surrounding it's body in flames. The creature let out high pitched shrieks, and the smell of roasted flesh wafted on the breeze. Lezard's voice was heard chanting, the mage already preparing another spell.

"Think you can dodge this?!" Rufus demanded, shooting a blinding blaze of arrows at a vampire bat. It was hard work, but bit by bit the two long distance fighters began killing off their opponents. Rufus began to smile, feeling a flash of triumphant victory when he heard it. A loud crashing through the bush of the woods, trees falling over as something large and heavy forced it's way forward.

"Lezard! Behind you!" Without thinking, Rufus rushed towards the mage, seeing the large, bulbous snail like monster charge towards the mage. He should have relied on his arrows, but fear for his comrade spurred him into action without thought. Lezard looked startled as Rufus slammed into his body, shoving the mage out of the way. Somehow Lezard managed to keep from falling flat on his face, a startled cry issuing from his lips as he turned to see Rufus standing before the large monster.

It was then that Rufus realized this was one of his more stupid ideas. "Oh sh---" He started to say, and the monster exhaled. Purple gas poured out of it's nostrils, the thick cloud of it surrounding Rufus. He coughed on the smoke, choking as it forced it's way down his throat.

"Sir Rufus, move!" ordered Lezard, but Rufus just stood there, coughing. He could hear Lezard yelling, an angry chant of foreign words. "Guard Reinforce!"

A magical barrier formed around Rufus, allowing him some protection against the monster as it spit a stone out at him. The stone knocked Rufus over, the man landing on his back in the mud. Lezard was already acting, shouting another spell.

"Explosion!!"

With a sickening sound, the monster tore apart, pieces of it's body flying through the air, to land scattered on the ground. A slimy tentacle landed on Rufus' chest, but he was still too busy coughing to be properly grossed out.

"Sir Rufus!" Lezard had a funny way of sounding concerned. It never sounded as though he was sincere about it, as though he was asking more cause it was expected of in this situation than from any need or worry. "Are you all right?"

"I..." His breath came out purple, and Lezard leaned away from him, a hand held over his face so as not to breathe in any of the gas issuing from Rufus' mouth. The words didn't want to come out, an embarrassing moan issued out instead.

"Are you ill?" Lezard asked, his eyes showing amusement at the sound Rufus had made.

"I....I..." Lezard's hand landed on his shoulder, helping Rufus to sit up. Rufus made a wheezing sound, surprised to feel his body trembling. "I don't feel right..."

"Oh?" Lezard arched an eyebrow, calmly looking Rufus over. His study of him made the half elf blush, and when the mage let go of him, Rufus flopped back down onto the ground. "I'm afraid I don't know any healing spells....and we used up the last of our elixirs...Can you stand...?"

Again he moaned, Rufus feeling his body tingling, alive in a way he had never before noticed. "Lezard....I..." He closed his eyes, swallowing nervously. The tingling was starting to feel good, traveling lower and lower down his body, until it settled deep in his stomach. "What's happening to me?"

"It appears you've been poisoned somehow." Purple eyes stared down at him, betraying no hint of emotion.

"It feels different from being poisoned..." protested Rufus. "I don't feel like I'm going to throw up....just...hot..."

"Hot?"

"I'm burning up..." Rufus hands moved, beginning to tug at his clothing. "I'm wearing too much....I need to get this vest off..."

"You'll catch a cold in this weather if you remove it." Lezard replied, clearly thinking of the delay such an illness would cause them.

"But...."

"Come...let us return to our companions." Lezard advised, kneeling down to hold out his hand to Rufus.

Once again Rufus moaned, even as he took hold of the mage's hand. Lezard pulled on his arm, trying to urge Rufus to stand. The half elf stumbled forward, and Lezard's arms were around him, holding him up. It should have embarrassed Rufus, but instead he found himself sighing, knees bent so that his tall frame left him slouched down in Lezard's embrace. His face rested on his shoulder, nose buried in the man's short brown hair, and as he sighed he took in his scent. Musky, with a faint hint of spice to it.

"You smell good..." Rufus commented, breathing in more of it. He had never been this close to a person before, never near enough to smell one's personal scent.

"Sir Rufus..." Lezard shifted, trying to force him to stand on his own. "If you would just straighten up and get your bearings..."

"I don't think I can walk..." Rufus lamented, still enraptured by Lezard's scent. He suddenly found himself being lowered to the ground, Lezard frowning at him.

"And I can't carry you all the way back to the entrance!" It was the closest he had come to sounding worried. "Perhaps you should wait here..."

"Don't leave me...." Rufus said, grabbing at the mage's sleeve. "I don't want to be alone..." He was suddenly terrified at the thought. "I...I'm sure it will pass in a few moments....please...." A hint of desperation was in his voice, and Lezard sighed, nodding his head.

"All right Sir Rufus." Lezard was still kneeling next to him, and the relief Rufus felt at not being abandoned blossomed in an unexpected way. He suddenly threw his arms around the mage, pressing the smaller man against him in a tight hug.

"Thank you!" Rufus breathed into his ear, lips touching the shell of it. "Thank you...."

"Sir Rufus..." Lezard was stiff in his arms. "Are you crying?"

"No..." denied the half elf, knowing with the rain it made it hard to tell if those were rain drops or tears on his cheeks. "I'm just so relieved!" He still hadn't let go of Lezard, and the man began to shift in his arms, clearly ill at ease at the embrace. Rufus sighed, and rubbed his cheek against Lezard's, once again aware of the tingling in his body. It seemed to intensify as he touched the mage, going down even lower on his body. Suddenly his eyes widened in shocked, and he abruptly let go of Lezard.

"Sir Rufus?"

"I'm okay..." Rufus rolled onto his side, presenting Lezard with his back. He hunched over himself, knees tucked in tight against his stomach, fighting back a moan. He couldn't believe this was happening, couldn't believe that just hugging a man could make his body react in such a manner.

"But..." Lezard's hands were on his side, touching him, and Rufus fought not to cry out. "You appear to be getting worse...."

"Please don't touch me..." Rufus begged. "It only..."

"It only what?" asked Lezard, his hands not pausing. He forced Rufus to turn onto his back, and he saw the flash of purple, eyes widening as he looked over the half elf. "Oh my..." Those words sounded amused, Lezard glancing down at the bulge tenting in Rufus' pants. "Is that what is the problem....?"

Rufus was sure his cheeks flushed in response to Lezard's question. "I don't know why this is happening....I....I..."

"It appears the gas has had an aphrodisiac affect on you." Lezard shook his head, an odd smile on his face.

"Aprho what?!" Rufus asked confused.

"It's made you horny." Clarified Lezard.

"I....NO!!" protested Rufus vigorously.

"Ah, but the proof is right here." Rufus almost jumped out of his skin to feel Lezard's hand cup his bulge, palm pressing firmly against it. He was torn between shying away from the touch, and pressing more into his hand. "You appear to be quite hard." Continued Lezard, his fingers caressing the bulge. "It must be painful to be in such a state..."

"AH!!" Rufus cried out, ashamed. "Stop that.....please..."

"But I'm merely trying to help you Sir Rufus." Those eyes of his seemed to glitter, looking almost predatory as he rubbed his fingers against Rufus' crotch. "To relieve you of your pain."

"I...didn't ask you to do that!" Rufus muttered, fighting not to move.

"No need." Lezard said, lips twisting into what could almost be a smirk. "Believe me I understand this need of yours...far better than any of the others might."

"If you understand then leave me alone!" Rufus said, trying to sound commanding as he issued that request.

"I can't do that..." Lezard shook his head no. "It would be wrong of me. And what if the others return and see you like this...what if the princess sees you in this state..."

"A...Alica? No!!" protested Rufus.

"Let me help you..." His tone was soothing, beguiling, as he pulled his hand away from Rufus. The half elf was shocked to find he missed the feel of Lezard touching him, and he had to bite down on his lip to keep from crying out in protest.

"Help me how?" Rufus asked, curious but suspicious of Lezard's intentions.

"I could answer....but it's so much better to show you...." Rufus gasped, finding Lezard's fingers were nimbly unbuttoning the flap in his pants. His erection sprang free of it's confines, and even the chill of the cold rain did not lessen his need. Lezard didn't say anything, and Rufus blushed, wondering if he found his size adequate. He had always been self conscious of his body, finding everything about him seemed too big.

"Lezard?" But no words came, only a gloved finger tip touching the leaking head of his cock. "AH!!" It shouldn't have felt so good, it was just a ghosting of a touch, and yet Rufus was crying out, cock twitching slightly.

Lezard chuckled. "It seems the gas has made you extra sensitive. This bears....further study." That finger traced a vein down the side of his dick, Rufus gasping, hips wiggling, trying to avoid his touch. He should have sat up, should have pushed Lezard away from him, but he found himself just lying there. And when Lezard curled his fingers around the base of his shaft, Rufus almost wept.

A squeeze from Lezard's fingers, just this short of being painful, more pre cum leaking out of Rufus' dick. He was shocked when Lezard began jerking him off, a slow, steady pace, leather warm and slightly rough against his skin.

"AH......ah..." Rufus' head turned from side to side, his back arching as he tried to thrust into Lezard's hand. It felt unbelievably good to have someone touching him down there, even if it was another man. He realized he was starved for touch, not having gotten much of it in his lifetime. "Mo...more..." Rufus begged. "Touch me more..."

"All right..." His teeth flashed, Lezard placing his other hand on Rufus' belly. He slid it under his shirt, touching the skin there, tracing the lines of his abdomen. All the while he continued to move his hand up and down, the friction driving Rufus mad.

"AHUM!!" Rufus moaned, watching as Lezard leaned over him, pushing up his shirt to reveal his chest.

"You're very pretty Sir Rufus..." Lezard said, his way of complimenting the man. "Did anyone ever tell you that?"

"No...not pretty.....not a girl..." Rufus protested, shaking his head no. He suddenly gasped, feeling Lezard's tongue lap at his nipple.

"But you are pretty..." Lezard said, gazing at him through half lidded eyes. "With delicate feautures, and that amazing hair..."

"It's only good genetics..." Rufus muttered, even as Lezard licked him once more. "I got my looks from the elven side of my parentage."

"Then you came away the better for it..." Lezard said, and then he bit down on a tender nipple, hand still moving at that slow pace. Rufus cried out, bucking his hips.

"Faster!" He demanded, knowing at the speed Lezard was going, he'd never be able to cum. "Don't tease me so!!" Rufus said, fingers digging into the wet soil.

"Patience Sir Rufus." Was it his imagination, or was Lezard laughing at him? "You will get your release soon enough." Yes, he was definitely laughing, Rufus could feel the chuckles vibrating against his skin.

"Stop....leave my nipples alone!" Rufus grabbed at Lezard's hair, pulling his head up. Just then Lezard squeezed, and Rufus' screamed in pleasure.

"Cry out more quietly Sir Rufus....we wouldn't want to attract needless attention." His hand sped up. "Who knows what or who could come across us by following your screams."

"Ah..." Rufus bit his lip, trying to stifle his cries. More than anything, he didn't want Alicia to come across him in this state. "Just get it over with....please..."

"Hmm....I like the sound of you begging..." Lezard smirked, and the friction of his speeding hand caused Rufus to wiggle and writhe on the floor. Suddenly he was screaming, and even through the haze of pleasure, he noted Lezard's wince at the sound. His felt himself tense up, and then Rufus was shooting off, sticky white fluid coating Lezard's hand.

Euphoria passed through Rufus' body, and he was suddenly sitting up, pressing against Lezard who was still moving jerking him off. Bodies smooshed together, his cum getting on both their shirts. "Sir Rufus..." Lezard started to say, but Rufus cut him off with a kiss. He was clumsy, lacking experience, tongue trying to worm it's way into the mage's mouth. Lezard's lips remained tightly closed, the man stiff with displeasure.

And still Rufus kissed him, hands wrapping around Lezard, one going to grip the back of his head when he felt the mage trying to pull back. The bliss he felt began to fade away, Rufus breaking apart for air. A glare was on Lezard's face, the man glancing downwards at the mess of his clothing.

"Sorry..." Rufus said, blushing. "It felt so good....I just reacted..."

"Do not ever presume to kiss me again." Lezard's voice was a quiet hiss, the mage struggling free of Rufus' embrace.

"I won't..." Rufus said, glancing away from Lezard. He wondered why it bothered the man so, after what they had just done. A kiss seemed so innocent, and yet it angered the mage. It was the first time Rufus had seen Lezard look mad, his normally calm exterior slipping to reveal an angry face. Lezard stood, brushing at the white stain on his shirt, the fluid slow to wash away in the downpour of rain.

Rufus fidgeted, lowering his shirt, and tucking himself back into his pants. He kept his eyes lowered, feeling ashamed.

"Sir Rufus...do you feel well enough to stand?"

Yes...I think so." Rufus slowly got to his feet, feeling tired but not dizzy.

"Then I think it's time we rejoin the others." Without a backwards glance, Lezard began to move, picking his way carefully through the forest. Rufus hesitated, a sigh escaping him. He had much to think about, but now was not the time. Shouldering his bow, he hurried after Lezard's retreating form.