Boundless

Bounded to Prey

What if I ask you to collect the ooman's head?

***

[10 months ago]

Humidity, mists were mixed into the sounds of waking birds and the first signs of the sun. The planet's megafauna slowly emerged from the darkness of the night.

Ah'kaedh took a deep breath of the cold, damp air of the morning and looked down. There was a messy pile of muscles and flesh right beneath him. Dark flesh and bright, green blood flowed, not only from the savaged body at his feet, but from his injuries as well.

Hunting the Bad Bloods would take time and effort. This one had sunken a hunting blade to the hilt in his left side, twisting and dragging the goddamn thing. There was also a large gash, made by the same weapon in his chest. But the motherfucker was dead.

The Enforcer had a whole collection of healing injuries that should have prevented him from engaging in another hunt before recovery, but Ah'kardh needed this: the uncomplicated, unambiguous, undisturbing reality of the hunting grounds. Here, he could keep a clear mind, steady focus. Here, he knew all the rules and they were clear, easy to follow.

And yet there was this part of him that ached to return to the foggy, complex, nonsensical reality of his chamber at his ship. To the warm and soft comfort of a tiny and healing body that belonged to a very alien female. The Enforcer could not help but slip under the furs beside a recovering Girl and bask in the joy her presence brought: the delicate touches, the senseless babbling of her drugged mind, the caresses, the familiarity. And now there was also desire; Ah'kaedh's impossibility to reciprocate (since his Girl was not of sound mind) tormented him, yes, but the real issue was how incapable the Yautja was to stay away.

After collecting any items that could help him in his hunt for the remaining criminals, Ah'kaedh keyed his gauntlet, sending a signal to his auxiliary ship.

The Enforcer stepped away from the carcass, carrying his trophy by its tresses, leaving behind a fresh feast for the beasts.

***

[present day]

Movement.

Ah'kaedh felt when the tiny body stirred - the male opened his eyes, deepened his purr, and nudged the top of her head, dragging his organic hand up and down her side, slowly. It had been like this for the past seven hours; hyperaware and unable to sleep, the male would comfort and caress his Girl at the tiniest sign of disturbance.

Lance shifted in slow motion, humming and yawning and now burying her face on his chest. She took a deep breath, nuzzling his scales, and then stretched her four limbs.

Hit by a weird and toxic mix of guilt and dread, the tired Enforcer braced for what would come next: questions and hurt and fresh trauma.

Lance had other ideas, though. She dragged her body up, enough to get their faces level, pressing a kiss between his eyes. A large paw cupped the side of her face. Another kiss to his forehead, and Lance felt the warm and wet drag of his tongue against her neck.

A trill of relief escaped the Yautja as Lance ran her fingers through his locks, pressing her forehead hard against his. Ah'kaedh dragged his lower tusks against the base of his Girl's jaw and waited.

"You are really here".

Ah'kaedh's hearts flipped - closing his eyes, he nodded slightly. Yes, yes, he was..

***

"Twelve hours!" Sistri's observation were grating not only Lar'jar's but Gal'vn's nerves.

The Blue Medic was pacing now. Lar'jar, who had been able to sleep and eat, observed the female. Gal'vn had resorted to simply ignoring her.