Demonic Embrace

Over the next few days, Orran’s situation improved. He came to find that he was, in fact, on a ship staffed by pirates, but they were hospitable enough that he overlooked how they went about making their livings. The woman he’d been initially greeted with wasn’t the captain, a possibility Orran had been expecting from how she acted. Deiha, as she later introduced herself, was merely the first mate, and she’d been assigned to question Orran while the captain oversaw the rest of the crew.

The captain himself was, like the majority of the crew, human. He was a tall man, taller than Orran and most of the sailors. The captain was also noticeably burlier in build and musculature, no doubt a result of countless tiring days on the open sea. Various nicks and scars decorated his visible skin, save the man’s face, which was oddly unmarked. The man seemed to have a constant frame of stubble around his jaw which never got noticeably longer or shorter, much to Orran’s amazement. The scruffy hairs were black, identical to the roots of his otherwise blonde hair. It was a muddy blonde, but blonde nonetheless. Coupled with shiny blue eyes and an easy style, it was easy to forget that Captain Ceos, as he was known, was a pirate at all.

Ceos himself had sat down with Orran to explain the situation and to further interrogate him through a conversation that was friendly on the surface. The pirates, who called themselves the Black Jackals, were unspoken of allies of the Argent Dawn. They, like the larger organization, spent most of their resources on eliminating undead. The Black Jackals just happened to ‘occasionally’ partake in a few questionable activities, which was the main reason why the Argent Dawn didn’t openly associate with them. They were currently tracking the very ship that attacked the sunken cargo vessel, but had delayed to search for survivors (and anything else valuable) after chasing the undead away.

The captain expressed his sympathy for Orran, explaining that if they could find Dareum, they’d do everything in their power to do so. Unfortunately, they couldn’t, under the circumstances, afford such an exhaustive search while their prey continued to flee to whatever safe haven they might have. Orran understood, feeling deep within that Dareum was still alive and would remain so long enough for Orran to find him. The druid agreed to accompany Ceos until the Jackals could land on Kalmidor or the Eastern Kingdoms, or until he could procure his own means of transportation. Thus began Orran’s days as guest among the jackals.

The majority proved themselves to be as friendly as their captain, offering the stranger smiles, waves, and words of kindness. It was quite a shock to Orran, who had always believed that pirates were, by definition, evil. The reality was disorienting while Orran adjusted, but he eventually settled in. As much as Ceos assured him that he was a guest, and thus didn’t need to work, Orran kept the ship up and running alongside the sailors, doing as much as he could before Ceos could catch him and temporarily deter him from the labor.

“Please, Orran, I appreciate the help, but it’s really not necessary. You should just relax. Think of this like a cruise.” Ceos would gently beg in his warm, friendly voice. Orran would just smile and laugh, casually nudging past the captain and returning to the deck to lend his assistance. The captain refused to stop trying, determined to not charge his guest anything for the rescue and stay.

Orran spent part of each day apparently doing what Ceos asked, which brightened the man’s demeanor and allowed him to actually manage his crew without fretting over the elf. In actuality, Orran attempted to speak with the gulls and albatross that invariably gravitated towards the boat. He tried to commune with them and see what they might know about a particular warlock, but the birds, when he could understand them, did not give him the answers he sought. Regardless, it was decent practice for understanding the birds of the sea, which barely comforted Orran after each disappointing conversation.

The days, much to Orran’s dread, turned to a full week. The week continued, stretching his time on the pirate vessel further. It was beginning to get distressing, and Orran had begun to have dreams of Dareum’s death. The Night Elf hid his fear and took comfort in his new company, befriending each sailor, along with the first mate and captain. Ceos seemed particularly eager to open up, thrilled by the opportunity to get to know a druid (he admitted that he’d never said more than five sentences to one in his life before Orran).

After two weeks of being with the Black Jackals, Orran was about ready to crack. He confessed his worry and discomfort to Ceos, who looked back at him gravely as he spoke. When he was finished, there was a long pause in which Ceos seemed to be thinking. At last, he brought the tenuous silence.

“Orran, I’m sorry about your companion, I truly am. It is most discouraging and displeasing to know that a friend’s fate is uncertain, especially in times like these. As depressing as it sounds, I think you should assume the worst. It’ll make things easier if we find that he really is gone.”

Ceos was sitting behind a heavy, cherry desk, elbows resting on the table. Cautiously, as if Orran might strike him like a serpent, he placed one hand empathetically over Orran’s. He grasped the top of it lightly, letting warmth and comfort flow through the connection. Much to the captain’s surprise, Orran didn’t pull away. Instead, the druid sighed and spoke tiredly.

“I know. I really should accept that he’s probably dead and start to move on. It’s not like I really knew him.” Orran spoke the truth, even if he did feel connected to Dareum. The warlock was strangely enigmatic and alluring, and the thought that he could have died at the hands of what he had been struggling so long to kill made Orran fill with grief. Feeling as if mourning might consume him, Orran excused himself from the captain’s presence, carefully sliding his hand out from Ceos’ grip.

When he was gone, Ceos took a minute to breathe deeply and clear his head. The typically calm captain jumped when someone knocked at the door, but he relaxed in time for the visitor to see him sitting peacefully. It was Deiha, smiling wryly. She quickly sat in the chair that had just been occupied by Orran, looking over her captain with calculating eyes. With the utmost respect, she spoke.

“How is your latest conquest?”

Ceos turned a deep shade of crimson instantaneously and proceeded to cough loudly into his closed fist. When the sudden fit had passed, Ceos tried to meet her gaze and failed, finding himself too embarrassed to look her in the eye. With great effort, he managed to speak, but the words came out stiff and difficult.

“What are you talking about? You mean the elf?”

“Of course I mean the elf. How close have you gotten?”

“I haven’t tried to get close at all! Just because I try to be friendly to a guest, you accuse me of trying to seduce them? I don’t even know if he’s…you know…”

Ceos trailed off, not particularly comfortable with the label himself. The captain’s eyes had wandered to look out a nearby window, watching the horizon far in the distance. Deiha traced his gaze, found nothing interesting, and reset her eyes to focus on Ceos’ face. Her commander seemed to grow nervous at the attention, glancing into her eyes every few seconds before flicking his vision away.

“Ceos, that would be really easy to find out if you just, you know, asked him.” Deiha’s tone mocked him, but Ceos ignored it. “From how he’s acted thus far, what’s the worst that could happen, really?”

“He tries to kill me for even asking.”

“You honestly think that he would try to overpower you? When you’re clearly the stronger one? Don’t you even realize what kind of state he’s in right now?” The first mate settled her chin on her hands, propping up her head lazily. “If you just tried to comfort and console him, he probably wouldn’t resist anything else.”

“I’m not manipulative like you. I could never do that to someone.”

“Manipulative? Just because I get what I want? Ceos, you need to abandon such a childish outlook. Taking control is hardly manipulation. Guiding the situation along isn’t going to stain your soul.” The woman sighed, laughing slightly as she did so. “Besides, aren’t you curious? He’s an elf, after all. That’s pretty exotic.”

Ceos, whose blushing face had been gradually returning to normalcy, flushed again. He immediately pointed a commanding finger towards the door. Deiha took the hint and stood up, walking casually to the door and departing with a small wave. Her words had planted something in Ceos’ mind, something the captain was finding it increasingly difficult to fight. He WAS curious and was feeling less guilty about ‘taking control’, as Deiha had put it. Ceos groaned in exasperation and got up, walking out the door and through the halls of the ship.

He entered Orran’s darkened room after knocking on the door frame. Ceos was quick to close the door behind him, managing to lock it in case things progressed. There was, Orran, sitting on his bed, head bent and visibly grieving. Shades had been drawn over the portcullises, keeping out the majority of the sun. The room had turned gray from lack of light, but Ceos was unhampered as he moved to sit next to Orran. Ceos slowly put his hand on Orran’s far shoulder.

“Orran, are you alright? If you need something, please let me know. I only want to help.”

“No, Ceos, you’ve done more than enough. I just need time, that’s all.”

Orran’s voice was scratchy and raw. Ceos could tell that, to some extent, the elf had been crying. Tears weren’t flowing at the moment, but they definitely were earlier. The captain scooted closer, pulling Orran toward him and letting the druid lean on him. Orran stiffened at first, initially confused by what was happening. His mind caught up and his body relaxed, glad to have something soft and warm close-by.

Ceos watched as Orran’s head tilted at a maddening pace until it rested on the captain’s shoulder. He’d begun to feel terrible for the feelings of lust he held for Orran, his mind trying to stay focused on being supportive rather than opportunistic. If he could show Orran compassion now, he might get a chance to show pure passion later. The plan wasn’t quite working how Ceos planned; contact with the elf was starting to arouse him. The human drew a breath and spoke.

“Orran, I want you to know that I’m here for you.”

“Thank you, Ceos. That means a lot to me.”

The elf’s eyes had closed, Orran appearing to be relaxing at Ceos’ touch. The captain’s other arm started to move, heading towards the shoulder he already he held. When he reached the joint, Ceos started to turn Orran towards him. Orran didn’t seem to resist, but his eyes shot open when he realized that Ceos had managed to embrace him, the pirate’s strong arms wrapped around his torso. The druid’s own arms had wound up around Ceos, pointed up with hands near the man’s shoulder blades.

“Ceos, what are you doing?” Orran’s voice was puzzled and perhaps even afraid. Ceos looked into the yellow eyes and saw confusion within them.

“I’m comforting you. What else could I be doing?”

“You were doing fine with the comforting with just the one arm. Why are you h-“

Orran was stopped abruptly, words impossible to form with Ceos’ lips pressed against his own. They were warm, soft, and magnificently tender. The Night Elf found himself shaking with delight before he managed to pull his head back, away from Ceos. He opened his mouth to protest, which only invited a second kiss, longer than the first. Ceos worked Orran’s mouth open, darting his tongue inside, shocking Orran (who continued to stare dumbly at the pirate caressing him). When Orran moved a second time, Ceos let him, breaking the kiss.

“Ceos, by the Goddess, what are you doing? And let me go.” Orran strained against the larger man, finding his attempts useless before Ceos’ embrace.

“I already told you what I’m doing. I’m comforting you. Now stop interrupting me so I can actually do just that.” Ceos moved his head forward again, lips ending up against Orran’s turned cheek.

“Ceos, I’m not like that. I can’t do this. Please understand.”

“No.” Defiance.

“W…what? Ceos, please-“

“Orran, let me go a little further. If you decide you don’t like it, we can stop. But I just want to help you feel better.”

The Night Elf couldn’t find the words to argue, slowly turning his head to face Ceos again. The human began the third kiss, harder and more intense than the last. Orran’s mouth moved of its own accord, his tongue fighting a heated duel with Ceos’. The druid felt one of the hands on his back move, running lightly up his neck and into his hair. Ceos ran his fingers through the purple, elven hair a few times before letting his hand rest on the back of Orran’s head. The elf’s eyes had long since closed, and Ceos could tell that his guest was starting to enjoy things.

Without delay, Ceos’ other hand ran down Orran’s back and to the bottom of his tunic. It quickly flipped inside and went back up, now under the cloth. Ceos felt Orran’s muscled back, rubbing the elf’s shoulders slowly, like a massage. Orran either didn’t seem to know what to do with his own hands or had gone into panic mode from lack of oxygen, as Ceos felt the hands clenching the simple shirt he wore. He withdrew from the latest kiss and allowed Orran to breathe. The hands relaxed, but they still clung to him.

Ceos’ slid his hand around Orran’s torso, coming to rest on the elf’s chest. He tried to explore that particular area, but found that the tunic was becoming a problem. Ceos could also feel his lower articles of clothing getting suddenly tighter and doubted that Orran’s situation was much different.

Relaxingly, Ceos took Orran’s shirt with both hands and lifted it off the elf, exposing his tight, purple-fleshed physique. Orran hesitated, forcing Ceos to guide him into pulling off the larger human’s own shirt. The druid’s eyes were open now, and he could see how built Ceos really was. Ceos could have been mistaken for a pink, hair-less Tauren. His eyes didn’t get a chance to linger, as Ceos was soon as his neck, kissing and licking the base of it as his hands worked at Orran’s belt.

When all their clothes were off, Orran found himself in an odd position. He was on his back, utterly nude, arms stretched out in front of him and holding Ceos by the shoulders. The human towered above him, more or less straddling Orran below his crotch, the main feature of which had become fully erect. Ceos bent his head low, tracing his tongue across Orran’s lips teasingly until the elf moaned, signaling the human to seal the kiss. As their mouths engaged in furtive battle, Ceos’ hand drifted down Orran’s chest and abdomen, arriving in the next of purple hair around the base of his penis.

He gripped the shaft lightly, too lightly. When he began to stroke, Orran moaned and tried to thrust into Ceos’ hand, but the pirate only took his hand away. Orran settled and Ceos started again, stopping whenever Orrran tried to speed things along. The elf started to restrain himself, letting Ceos touch him with the horribly slow, light motions. When Ceos finished the kiss, Orran started moaning regularly with pleasure.

Ceos used his tongue to trail down Orran’s body, shifting slightly to center his mouth over the violet chest below him. He licked one of Orran’s dark nipples, exciting it into standing pert. Ceos nibbled on the flesh, eliciting yet more cries from his partner. Not wanting to stimulate Orran too much, Ceos released his grip on Orran’s cock. Orran’s hands began to move, trying to force Ceos to keep going, but Ceos ignored the elf and his pleas.

The human began to service himself, using a tighter grip than the one he’d tortured Orran with. When he felt decently excited, Ceos altered his positioning yet again. He aligned his own member with Orran’s and gingerly lowered himself to the point where they made contact, Ceos resting on Orran. The elf’s eyes opened and he tilted his head to look, never considering that such a thing could be done. Ceos smiled down at him and took both phalli in one hand. He started to stroke again, this time thrusting every slightly to rub glans with Orran. Orran’s eyes instantly closed again, body overcome with pleasure.

“Ceos, please…” he begged, whining as he let his limbs hang useless. Orran lacked the will to fight off Ceos, questioning if any part of him really wanted to. What Ceos did caused such wonderful feeling, Orran would hate himself for pushing that away. And so, he didn’t, asking more for Ceos to let him release than to get up and leave. Ceos dipped his head down and managed to place his lips around Orran’s left nipple, sucking gently.

With one last movement, Orran felt it. A surge of heat and electricity shot threw him, his noises louder and his eyes wrenching shut. His body arched, tensed and finally relaxed, firing great streams of his seed. Feeling his partner orgasm triggered the same action in Ceos, who found himself moaning in ecstasy for the first time during the session. His hand continued to work, milking drop after drop and coating Orran in mixtures of the two men.

When at last it was over, Ceos pulled his shaking hand away and quickly fell to the side, away from Orran, his body spent.