Naga's Hunt (Yandere Naga x F Reader)

Chapter 16

Staying in the shadow of the trees, you kept your eyes on the ground. Being up in the tree will at least make it harder for Jade to smell you if he discovers you're gone before Damian gets here. Forcing yourself to stay calm at the snap of a twig, you looked over where you heard it. Damian's familiar red hair coming into view, making you smile. You noticed the worry on his face as he looked around, which actually made you happy.

"Damian." You whispered in greeting before climbing down the tree.

Your eyes widened slightly as you felt his hands on your waist from behind helping you down. Turning to him with a smile, you tried to remember what your goal was when he smiled.

"Did you get the stuff?" You asked, earning a nod from him as he held up three overed jars.

"Hopefully this will be enough." He explained, looking over his shoulder towards the village, "I didn't want to risk leaving after the celebration. Let's go, we'll rest when we get a pretty good distance away."

Nodding, you followed him over the river and deeper into the jungle. You can safely say that, despite being a field scientist, you've never been in a jungle at night like this. Usually, you stay with the natives in their huts or tents. You were always with a large group at night. Now it's just you and Damian. Not to mention, you're terrified that every snap of a branch or rustle of a bush is Jade waiting to attack and drag you back.

As the time went by, your fear didn't get any better. Jumping at the slithering sound, you moved closer to Damian. This whole time he's acted calm. Even turning he head like he was watching for danger. You have no idea how he could even see with how dark it is. You really want to hang onto him, just for comfort, but you don't want to bother him. Wrapping your arms around yourself, you tried to keep yourself calm. Only looking up when he stopped.

"Where are we going to stop for the night?" You asked.

"There's a cave up a head behind a waterfall that will hide our scents." He explained holding a handout to you, "I found it hunting on my own a while ago. I've got some stuff in there. Real food, stuff for a fire, and a blanket some clothes for me. Nothing that will fit you, but we'll make do. Come on. You're about to jump out of your skin."

With no hesitation, you grabbed his hand and wrapped your other arm around his. Hugging his arm as the two of you continued on.

"Can you really see as well as you're acting?" You asked.

"I'm a little further along in my transformation that you are." He reminded you, looking down at you. 

It was then that you saw his eyes were reflective like a Naga's. Despite having human legs, he has their eyes. He really needed a chance to escape. Looking ahead at the sound of water, you both moved a little faster. He pulled you along the river until you reached the waterfall, you assume he was talking about. You can already imagine how cold the water will be.

Holding your breath, you jumped through the water fall with him. Letting out a little shriek as it felt like ice had been dumped on your head. You still can't see anything, but you could hear Damian moving around. Wrapping your arms around yourself, you tried to control the chattering of your teeth. Hearing his scoff, you frowned.

"What's funny." You shivered.

"You sound like a cartoon crab with your chattering teeth." He chuckled, before there was a spark and soon a fire going.

Instantly going to it, you got as close as you could without being directly in it.  Accepting the apple, he handed you; you silently ate as you watched him move around to fix things. However, you choked on your apple when he started taking his shirt off.

"Warn a girl next time." You shrieked, covering your eyes, just to keep yourself from staring at him like you want to.

"These clothes are cold. They'll warm by the fire." He reminded you, before you felt a cloth get thrown on your head, "You change too. I don't have any more shorts, but I'm pretty sure this could be a dress on you."

Rolling your eyes, you glanced at him then down at the large shirt, "You won't look?"

"Not unless you want me to." You heard him chuckle, making you glance at him.

He had a new pants on but seemed to be taking his time with his new shirt. What absolutely embarrassed you was when your eyes went from his muscles to his face, where he had a smirk on. Despite not looking at you, he knew you were checking him out. Feeling your face burn, you quickly changed. It felt a lot better having a dry shirt on. He was even right about it being a dress on you.

"So, who's a peeking tom now." He teased, making your cheeks burn as you turned to the fire, "Oh no you don't. You made me embarrassed, now it's your turn."

Laughing at his declaration of war, you paused to realize what you just did. Despite everything going on, you're not that scared now. You didn't think you would be laughing at all while you escape. Looking over at him, you saw a content smile on his face as he watched you.

"You're purposefully distracting me from my fear, aren't you?" You guessed, making his smile widen.

"Can you blame me? Your smile is better than your fear. Though I don't mind you clinging to me like you did earlier."

Gasping at him, you playfully threw a punch at him which he blocked, "You're suddenly very bold."

"Well, I don't have your scary husband hissing at me every time I look in your direction and we're so close to freedom." He pointed out.

"Not my husband, but I agree he is scary." Nodding in agreement, you tried to suppress a yawn. 

Feeling something tap your arm, you looked down to see him passing you one of the jars. It looked like regular water, making you wonder if it would actually work. Accepting it from him, you unscrewed the lid.

"Cheers." He announced, tapping his jug against yours, "To freedom and being human again."

Smiling, you took a breath before chugging it all. Not even stopping for a breath until it was all gone. When it was gone, you took a breath and looked over at Damian, who seemed shocked and impressed. Watching him copy you, he finished and gave you a smirk.

"Okay, I saw that yawn earlier. Let's get some sleep." He decided taking the jar from you.

Nodding, you laid down, but watched him as he started moving around again. This time to put a blanket over you and to lay down by you. Not touching, to your disappointment, but you could feel how warm he was.

Recalling how well prepared he was, you realized that he was ready to leave. He could have left at pretty much anytime. He could have left without you, but he didn't. He found out how to turn human again and he told you when he didn't have to.

"Damian." He hummed in response, "Thank you. For not leaving me behind. I know you were prepared to leave and were just waiting for the antidote and an opening. I really appreciate it though."

He opened his eyes, in clear confusion, but there was something else in them that you couldn't place. You didn't expect him to wrap an arm around you and pull you to him.

"I couldn't just leave you to him." He admitted, "There was just something about you that made me think that I had to save you too."

Nodding against his shoulder, you hugged him back, "When we're fully human, we'll finally be done with this place. I will never do any field work again."

At your words, he laughed, "I think there's a teaching position open at the university I worked at. We could work together and see each other every day."

"Why does that actually sound good?" You chuckled, feeling him squeeze you tighter, "Those Naga's really put a damper on your mood, didn't they? You're cuddlier now."

"Yeah. I'm just happy you're here and in a few days we'll both be free." He hummed, which is when you realized he had been rubbing your arms, "For now, we really need to sleep."

Nodding in agreement, you nestled against him. Trying not to sigh in contentment at how safe you finally felt as you fell asleep.