10. WAVEWARD

ten

WAVEWARD

" I win!" Maji laid down a great many cards.

"That's not how you play the game!" roared Fred.

"But I've definitely won."

"No, you didn't!" Ed stamped his feet.

Maji smiled, so very sweetly. "See these cards here? That means I won."

Her impishness, along with Tau stroking his thigh, helped ease Oliver's foul mood. Lucetta didn't look like she knew how to play either, even though the bears had explained the rules. So convoluted, Oliver himself couldn't make sense of them, and he adored card games. A quick, curious look had shown him the cards featured different Ursidae in an assortment of outfits, including elegant, old-fashioned dresses. They all looked ridiculous.

Maji reshuffled the cards, dealt them, and declared herself the winner again. Much to the bears' frustration. They looked ready to eat her, a bite-sized meal, aside from her impressively large clock-weights. Oliver caught Lucetta's smirk and returned it.

Not until the late afternoon did they reach their last destination by horse-drawn carriage. An unpleasant, jostling ride wasn't all that bad when, every time the carriage pitched sideways, Oliver was hurtled into Tau's lap. Making it increasingly difficult to keep his hands to himself, in particular because Tau himself seemed to struggle with the same issue. His large hands stroked and squeezed and petted every inch of Oliver, stopping only whenever Hennessey's staring became too blatant.

Bercord Harbour was a scraggly old town with slate grey buildings and green rooftops, gloomy grey clouds looming overhead casting it in a darkness that promised more rain. Salt clung to the air, the stench of fish overpowering on winds that lashed Oliver's face as he climbed out of the carriage, Tau right behind him.

The carriage the two Ursidae had occupied wobbled and creaked, then sprang back from its heavy slant once they squirmed free.

"Oi, you smell that?" asked Fred.

"I'm so hungry," moaned Ed.

Walking ahead, they made effective shields against the odorous wind, although it meant dodging strings of saliva whipping from their mouths.

Hennessey, still sticking close to Tau, nimbly dodged an especially impressive web. "Control yourselves!"

With a dirty look, Oliver wrapped his arm around Tau's hips and ushered him to Lucetta and Maji a few paces ahead.

A steep hill led them through narrow cobblestone streets and down to the docks. Moored boats had seen better days, paint giving way to rust and encrusted with barnacles. None of the vessels seemed up to making the trip across the sea, although Oliver was impressed to spot what he thought to be a motorised runabout. Beside him, Maji was quick to grab Lucetta's arm. He snickered. The docks were treacherously slippery in the heavy mist, a danger to all despite their hobnail boots—other than Tau, graceful as ever.

Hennessey led them to an old trawler, swaying and creaking in rhythm with squawking seagulls, its shabbiness something Lucetta laughed at.

"I guess you'll no longer be travelling in luxury," she said to the Fae in passing. Oliver chortled.

They said nothing, only cast a scornful look before approaching the skipper, a stout woman whose barked orders reached over the crash of waves. She watched them with squinted eyes, a shrewd gaze that reminded Oliver a little of Benjamin.

Fear and grief over losing Tau had pushed Benjamin's existence to the back of Oliver's head. Now that they were so much closer to reaching Malimoure, a pang of worry worked itself into his gut and, no matter how hard he clung to Tau's side, stayed there.

Since the war between humans and some unknown species of magical beings broke out years ago, few were willing to travel to Malimoure. The only reason anyone ever went there, as far as Oliver knew, was either to join the efforts in fighting against beasts unknown, or reach the Library of Portals.

Or for money. Whatever Hennessey said to the skipper had her nodding eagerly. She beckoned them to get on, a curt wave of her hand. The docks creaked and bent under the weight of Fred and Ed, the trawler leaning heavily to one side as they boarded. Tau, on the other hand, made no sound, influencing nothing around him.

"What an unusual lot," said the skipper, the wind carrying her voice toward Oliver.

That was a fair observation.

Oliver narrowed his eyes at the cards in Tau's hands. He wasn't supposed to be peeking, but despite trying his best over the years to teach Tau how to play, he just couldn't seem to grasp the concept. Oliver sat pressed up against him inside the trawler's cramped galley. A musclebound arm slung around his shoulders kept him close and secure. He dropped a kiss to the side of Tau's chest.

"Once Luce lets me use Sigma's magic again, we can have a proper talk if you're up for it?"

Tau squeezed him, and he grinned.

"I'm right here, man," Lucetta moaned. "Play your turn already before I have to hurl again."

Maji and Lucetta were across the table from him, their feet knocking into his everytime they moved. With every tilt of the boat, Lucetta's cheeks puffed and her throat bobbed against what would only be bile at this point. He would have gotten up to get her another glass of water, but Tau's hold on him was unrelenting.

Tau glanced down at his cards, splayed in the way Oliver had shown him, at least. Then his head shifted, like he was looking at the cards laid off on the table. Oliver could practically hear him thinking.

The trawler pitched sideways, sending the lantern above swaying. Lucetta groaned and pressed her face into her hands.

Casually, Tau flicked a card out from his grip with the nail of his thumb. A king of spades fluttered down to join a meld of nines.

Lucetta looked up, eyes half-lidded with wooziness. "The Sentinel who's been tasked with the safety of hundreds of people. How we lasted this long is anyone's guess."

Oliver guffawed, shoulders shaking and voice lilting while he attempted to explain the rules yet again. Stopped, when Tau's hand lifted to his face. He leaned into it, heat crawling up his face as a thumb stroked his lower lip before pulling it down to expose his teeth. Oliver gazed into that stunning, stoic face with adoration, flicking his tongue across the sharp nail.

"Ugh, cut it out," grumbled Lucetta, sliding across the bench to get away. "I'm nauseous enough already."

"Come on, let's get you out of here," Maji cooed, leading heraway.

Good thing too, since Tau clearly wasn't listening, and neither was Oliver. He took little notice of the door closing with a loud bang. Metal hands grasped his backside, squeezing and pulling him closer. He squirmed into Tau's lap—as much as he could, anyway, with the restricting table, and slung his arms around that strong neck. Kept his mouth latched onto that impassive face, kissing as best he could, indulging in licks and sucks that made those sharp fingers dig in. Almost like Tau could feel the attention delivered to his mask.

Pressed flush against Tau's abdomen, Oliver took to grinding, his swelling cock straining behind denim. Eager hands moved off his backside and between them, pointy tips fumbling with the straps hidden under the mantle. Tau was trying to undo his overalls, he just didn't know how.

With a light chuckle, Oliver nudged those clumsy hands away. His focus fell to the blatant erection pressing against his own through the many layers. The fire within his belly roared, bringing further heat to flush his cheeks, and an idea to burn his brain.

"There's…uh, something I want to try," he uttered, breathless. He hooked his fingers behind the shadowy green waist sash and tugged, gently. "Do you trust me?"

A singular nod, and Oliver fretted his lower lip, slipping the sash off. It was long and wide, he could have easily wrapped it around his body and turned it into an ill-fitted dress. Rather, he tied it around his head, blindfolding himself. The thick knot pinched his hair once pulled tight, his world now dark, not a glimmer to be seen.

Cool-warm fingertips brushed his cheek. Oliver thought Tau might tilt his head in askance.

"Just to make sure I don't accidentally look." Oliver resought Tau's hips with slightly trembling hands.

He smoothed his palms over the stomach, hard as bedrock under velveteen fabric, then dipped into the robes past a waistband. A shudder dashed down his spine, his fingertips brushing naked skin, forever a shock in its mingling temperatures.

Oliver took the chance to explore, now confident there wasn't a hint of hair surrounding Tau's cock, not even around his balls. Pushing his touch further up, it befuddled him to find resistance, like the robes were stuck to Tau's skin. He slid his fingers back down, curled them around a large cock. Already so hard for him. Struggled to free it while he slotted himself between Tau's legs, one stretched out across the bench, its poleyn burrowing into his side. On the other, the table dug into Oliver's ribcage.

Eagerly, he leaned forward, mouth open. A leaking cockhead jabbed him in the cheek. Oliver mumbled an apology, heart stuttering with embarrassment. He couldn't see a damned thing, which yeah , was the point, but that made this so much more difficult.

Kicking hesitancy aside, he gave the head a resolute lick—and flinched at fingers digging into his scalp. From eagerness, rather than an insistence he stop, if the way Tau shoved his head back down was anything to go by. Oliver snorted with a graceless laugh, cock ridges grazing his cheek before he pulled back to wrap his lips around the tip.

He didn't have much of an idea what he was doing, going only by the tales he'd heard from friends long gone. So he gave the head another tentative swirl. Little taste, the bitterness barely a whisper.

The hard bench popped his knees as Oliver shifted his position. He needed both hands for this task, holding the great length in a firm grip to keep it upright, pumping it at the base while attempting to figure out how to take more of it into his mouth. His own need became an ache as his lips slid to the first of four ridges. Mostly thanks to Tau's help, who shoved his head down.

Oliver's throat flexed with a gag and he pulled away for air. He inhaled, deeply, then dove right back down, this time taking the length past the second ridge. Tau bucked. His cock thrust far beyond what Oliver was ready for. He flailed in panic, his arms knocking into the table and bench-back as he resurfaced and batted the metal hands away, eyes stinging.

"Sunshine," he admonished, grinning despite himself. "I'm glad you're enjoying it," he reached up in search of Tau's face, his fingertips brushing its hard edge, "but try not to kill me with it, okay?" A nod under his touch. "Okay, good. You're longer than a pole and I don't know what I'm doing."

Under the blindfold, his cheeks grew feverish. There was more he wanted to say in defence of himself, before deciding there was no need. Tau had to be just as inexperienced. No one had ever touched his Sentinel before him, as far as Oliver knew. The thought made him groan with an onslaught of dizzying desire, made his blood run hotter than lava, and pushed him over to swallow as much as he could of that ridiculous prick.

As far as three ridges was the best he managed without unhinging his jaw. Nails skimmed his upper back, snagging the mantle like Tau couldn't help himself. Oliver sucked his way back up to the tip until the inside of his cheeks tingled. He rasped for another breath, gliding a hand down the front of his overalls to unclasp buttons and free his straining erection.

He pumped himself in quick strokes, ran his tongue all over the satiny head of Tau's prick, the sides. Memorising the texture, smooth and soft but for the ridges. Lapped and sucked until the subtle taste inscribed itself inside his mouth, the scent of rain affixed to his nostrils, and the feel of Tau , his boyfriend , permanently seared his heart.

The tension inside his stomach tightened. Each of Tau's poorly-restrained thrusts and each of his own moans delivered Oliver's undoing with a swiftness surpassing the billowing winds outside. He let go of himself, fearing coming too soon, but the moment he did, a simmering chill splashed his face.

He opened his mouth wide, desperate to taste Tau's pleasure, to consume him, bringing his lips back over the pulsating length to drink as though parched, not caring that it threatened to dash up his nose. His own cock jerked, the only warning before Oliver spilled with a startled moan, sending his mind awhirl and fluid to pour past the corners of his mouth, soaking the front of his shirt. He kept his hold on Tau until he'd drained his cock of every last trickle—until Tau thrust back into his mouth with too much force.

Oliver backed away with an unattractive gagging noise. A breathless chuckle whipped past his drenched lips. Sharp fingertips patted the top of his head, as if in apology. He wiped his cheeks with a sleeve, waiting patiently for the telltale sign Tau had righted himself—before remembering Tau usually didn't make a single sound with anything he did. So he reached out, and smiled, digging a finger under the makeshift blindfold and lifting it.

Cool air stroked his heated face as the sash eased off. He blinked to readjust to the swaying lantern. Its glow sashayed in glints over the dark metal of Tau's hands, tying the sash back around his waist. With a certain hurry, Oliver didn't fail to notice.

"Was that…okay?"

Sentinel's orbs, he hoped he'd read the signs right.

Tau only looked at him, as always, and it twisted his insides. He opened his mouth to dig himself into a deeper hole, most likely, but Tau stroking his chin cut him off. So tenderly, Oliver melted where he knelt on the hard bench. Another nod, and he grinned.

"Good. I'm—I'm glad. I tried my best, you know? But you…" Oliver helplessly gestured at Tau's crotch. "You have way more than I know what to do with. At least I don't need to eat lunch anymore."

Gathering Tau's hand in his, he pressed a kiss to the back, tracing divots and sharp angles with his lips. Then he let go, dropped one last kiss to Tau's chin, and set to tidying up. He stuffed his own cock back where it belonged, wiped everything down with a dirty rag he'd found on the counter nearby. He disposed of that under the small gap between the cooker and floor.

Oliver waited by the galley's heavy door, hand outstretched. The longer Tau took to move, the more nerves jumbled his stomach. Tau had said it was okay, but… Was it ? He'd blindfolded himself before he could get any true consent at all. Was that why Tau had scratched his scalp?

Oh, swiving—Tau finally moved, stiffly shimmying out from between bench and table, a great and adorable struggle that made love flourish within Oliver's heart.

They'd been at sea for a few days now. Its constant swell had yet to die down, waves relentlessly flogging the trawler, churning to froth slinging across the deck. Oliver threaded his fingers with Tau's and staggered through the doorway to lead him out, but his arm nearly ripped out of its socket at Tau's abrupt refusal to move.

"Sunshine?" Oliver reached to trace the hood's gold trim. Easily done, while Tau remained ducked. "Is it me? Did I do wrong?"

Whatever was on his boyfriend's mind lifted long enough for Tau to emerge in full, and to pull Oliver into his arms. He smiled once released, dragging his teeth over his lower lip before letting go of Tau's hand to dart off.

Maji stood with her legs parted wide against the trawler's restless tilts, her hand on Lucetta's back, who hung over the railing. Oliver rubbed her between the shoulder blades, hoping to soothe.

"Won't be much longer, Luce," he said. He didn't actually know how long it would be.

A moan of misery came in response. Maji caught his attention then, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"You…had fun?" she asked.

Oliver didn't even try to suppress his grin, moving to rest his elbows atop the guard rail and look at Tau, lingering by the galley's door. "A hell of a lot more than you two."

He could smell the bile coming off Lucetta with every upward gust.

Maji's gaze darted between him and Tau. He saw the question form in her eyes. Silently, he dared her to ask, curious to know how well her innocence would hold up. She leaned over a groaning Lucetta and brought her mouth so close to Oliver's ear.

"Does Tau have a…you know? A thing? The thing?"

Oliver snorted so hard it hurt, jerking his head away from her. A laugh bubbled up, as joyous as it was nervous. "I'm not telling you."

"Oh, so coy over something so natural."

He whipped his head in Hennessey's direction, coming to position themselves near Tau. Too closely, the big bears only a stone's toss away as always.

"Fae highly encourage sex, you know. Although I confess, I had no idea Sentinels were capable of it. The sounds you make are an absolute delight, Sentinel Tau."

That same, festering jealousy spewed back up, more perilous than the waves slamming around him. Oliver's hands had found the railing, clenching so hard the metal yielded under his grip. Lucetta clumsily slapped his wrists, jerking him out of his resentful stupor and into shouting, "You mind your own business!"

Hennessey smirked, and Oliver pushed away from the guard rail, ready to clock them. He jerked to a stop at an abrupt whoosh whipping past him, straight into Tau's chest. It sent him flying backward, over the rail and into water with a cloud-scraping splash.

Oliver cried out and ran, ready to vault overboard after Tau. Fingers curled into his hair before he could climb the rail and yanked hard.

"Agh!"

"You can't even swim, you idiot!" Lucetta pulled him away by his hair despite his cries of protest.

Oliver clutched her arm, resisting the need to fling her off. Cried out again at the sight of Tau, floating back up and onto the deck, water rolling off him in rivulets without soaking into his robes. He dug his claws into the writhing, shapeless fleshy mass latched onto his chest, peeled it off, and cast it into the sea. Annoyance hung thick around him as he shifted his focus to the two bears.

"Wasn't us," said Fred.

"Came from over there." Ed pointed a naked claw at the sky behind Oliver.

"I thought you were drowning," Oliver breathed, tapping Lucetta's hand until she released him.

He moved forward to reach for his Sentinel.

Tau's form became empyreal. He condensed into a floating orb, shot forward to the ship's edge, and away. Leaving nothing but a streak of light across dark waves and in Oliver's vision.

"Sit down ," Lucetta snapped with her eyes closed, resting against the rail guard.

Oliver dropped to the damp deck beside Maji in defeat.

Another few days had crawled by, and Oliver was no less of a wreck now than he had when Tau left. He'd barely slept, unable to keep still. Couldn't eat, either. All he could do was worry and fret and tug at his hair. He worried not just for Tau, but Maji and Lucetta, and where they were headed, and why, and was Benjamin still alive? What if they found him dead? What if they never found him? What if Tau had left him because he'd upset him, after all?

He wrapped his arms around his legs and tucked the knees under his chin. The sting of sleeplessness forced him to close his eyes, only to be assailed by memories of a caved in face, blood clouding pristine blue waters. Oliver forced himself to look up, the back of his head clanging against the railing. He grimaced, digging his fingernails into his legs hard enough to hurt, hoping to ground himself.

"He's fine," said Maji, rubbing him across the ball of his shoulder.

"What if I upset him? I thought he liked it, but–but what if he didn't, and that's why he left like that?"

The only explanation he kept landing on.

"It's a lot more likely it had something to do with whatever hit him." Lucetta looked worse for wear, flopping sideways to rest her head on Maji's shoulder with a miserable groan.

"Yeah," said Maji. "Makes sense. He's gone ahead to make sure everything is safe for us."

Oliver rocked forward, backward. "But what if I forced him into it? What if he doesn't like me at all and he's just going along with everything because he doesn't know how to put a stop to it?"

"Oh, cease your whining, Bantam." Hennessey approached to look out across the wild waters, their pale hair fluttering wildly, a sharp contrast to the dreary haze of stormy weather. Their features twisted as if in pain. "Sentinel Tau enjoyed Themselves."

Oliver glared. "First, why are you listening in on our conversation? And second… Really ? Or are you just saying that?"

"I stand to gain nothing by admitting this," Hennessey tilted away from an upward lash of spume. "Other than, perhaps, an end to your incessant snivelling."

"Get swived." Oliver pushed up to his feet to glower out across a sea as restless as him. "Can't this stupid boat go any faster ?"

A question he'd asked himself and everyone else several times already.

"I really wish it would," moaned Lucetta.