(Closed for DearSunshine)

[TheLittlestDipper]

Fenris immediately backed off, holding his hands in the air. "See you like what? I see you as a desirable, young woman who has unrealistic expectations for a male Minotaur. You may not know this, but there is a monster under this loincloth. I'm a guy. Guys have thoughts." He smiled, somewhat embarrassed about his previous actions. Fenris walked back the way they came, motioning her to follow. The sun was making it's way down the sky, showering the clouds with an array of colors- Pinks, oranges, and purples. Fenris pointed at the sunset, before realizing what that meant. "Oh, don't you need to get home? And when can I meet these lovely folks who disapprove of me you call parents?" Fenris was genuinely curious about them, who they were. He reached up and felt his horns, running his hands along the smooth surface out of habit. "Charlotte, I'm sorry about that. I got carried away." He took the palm of her hand and nuzzled it, his way of asking for forgiveness.

 

[DearSunshine]

A frown flickered across her face briefly. "I don't think I have unrealistic expectations. I know we have our differences, and I wasn't sure if well..." She looked down a little, "If our differences were too much to find the other appealing on the outside." A blush went across her cheeks at the mention of what was under his loincloth, her eyes going to rest there for just a few seconds before she quickly looked away. "I'll be more aware of my actions now that I know." She said, drawing the quilt about herself again to keep it covering her body. "I'm sorry that I might have made you uncomfortable at times. Like when we were swimming."

Following along him as they walked, she took in the time as well. "I told my parents I was staying in the village next over... I don't have to be home tonight. They aren't expecting me until the morning. Fenris, I don't want to leave you just yet. I don't think I could, not after everything that has happened today. Can I stay with you tonight?" She asked, looking up at him nervously. "I just want to sleep, nothing more. But I'd feel safer if I knew you were near me. Please?" She asked.

Weighing his question over, she shrugged a little. "I think once my parents have calmed a bit, and... And we know what we're doing. Then I think you could come and meet them. Though it might be easier if they met you as just my friend first." She said, "Let them ease into the idea that a Minotaur can be a good person." She smiled as he took her hand, nuzzling it. "Of course I forgive you.... Fenris, you saved my life. I should be thanking you! If you hadn't stepped up, I would have been some breeding machine. I'm just so sorry that you had to do that, and it's upset you."

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

Fenris laughed at the mention of saving her life. "I'm the one who put your life in danger." He thought about her question, considering it. "I suppose you can just spend the night." He said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and walking out of town, suddenly feeling overwhelmed and exhausted from his activities. "Lets get going." He whispered, voice hoarse. "I've overworked my heart today, with the running, fighting, and swimming." Fenris trudged home. His heart wasn't a big problem, it was part of the reason he rarely acted on anger. It put a strain on his heart. He'd be fine after resting. Fenris frowned, as if something was wrong. "What if your parents decide I'm a bad guy, and stop you from seeing me?" He was seriously nervous at this thought. Fenris looked back, making sure the tribe was out of sight before he spoke again. "Truth be told, my parents probably don't approve either. Humans are ruffians and hooligans in my parents eyes. I didn't want to see them.." Fenris looked sad. "They don't approve of me either." Fenris shrugged off the emotion as they entered the forest. He let her go, deciding to walk by himself for the time being. "I'm not feeling to good." He said, making his way to the cave entrance as the sun dispersed and the moon appeared.

 

[DearSunshine]

A bright smile crossed over Charlotte's face as he approved of her request to spend the night. "Thank you, I promise I won't get in your way about your place, alright? I can curl up and sleep somewhere that won't bother you. I just want to know you're nearby tonight." The feeling of his arm around her shoulder made her feel so protected and warm just then, the human was relieved that the day was almost over, and that the two would finally be able to get some rest.

"Tomorrow you should relax then. You don't have to escort me back to the village in the morning if you're still this tired, I can probably get myself back. You really overextended yourself." She said, worried for his state of health. "I'll be fine getting back, I'm sure."

On the subject of parents, she sighed. Walking along with him, she thought it over for a moment. "I'm an adult, and I can make my own decisions. I haven't exercised those rights much yet since there never seemed to need to be a reason to... Staying home and working with my parents was fine by me. They may take some warming up to the idea, but it'll just take time! We have to be patient." She said, trying to give him a reassuring smile. "I think maybe... We should focus on us right now. If there's going to be an us." She said the last part quickly, blushing, as she still wasn't sure where exactly they stood.

Seeing him want to move forward, she nodded and let him walk forward and ahead of her into the cave. Slowing her steps, she gave him some time to be alone before she entered in herself.

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

Fenris turned around and grabbed her hand, pulling her close. "I can't bring you home sick again." Fenris said, gently leading her to the back of the cave. "I'll gather some wood, okay? I'm not sure if you're comfortable enough with me to snuggle yet. Stay here." Fenris eyed her suspiciously. "You are a magnet for trouble. Stay in the cave unless you're in trouble. Please." He walked outside, leaving Charlotte alone in the cave.

As he walked, his thoughts began to wander towards the fire. He still had his doubts, suspicions, but he wouldn't say it. Fenris leaned against a tree, remembering when they first met. If he hadn't been hurt, she might have run away. He should really thank those elves someday. Fenris stood there for a good ten minutes before getting to work on collecting twigs and branches. Occasionally he would stop and rest his tired limbs. Finally the Minotaur began home, shaking the weariness from his body. "Charlotte?" He called, climbing towards the cave.

 

[DearSunshine]

Charlotte flushed a little at the mention of snuggling. "Maybe we could... lie near each other though? I think I would like something like that. If you wouldn't be comfortable though, I understand." She said, and then nodded as they neared the cave and she was instructed to stay inside. "Yes, Fenris." She nodded, watching him walk back out. She looked around the cave, trying to imagine what his life there must be like that. The last time she had been there, everything was so overwhelmingly new.

Now she walked amongst his books, taking the time to inspect the titles. She found blankets, and brought them over by where he had made a fire last time. Creating a soft nest that the two of them could sleep in, large enough that there would still with space between them, but just small enough it would still feel as if they were close. "I'm here!" She called out as she heard him call her name. Starting to sit down in her nest, she kept the quilt wrapped around her body still. "I hope you don't mind that I moved some of these around. I figured it would make sleeping in front of the fire more comfortable."

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

Fenris paused, seeing Charlotte safe and sound. He sighed in relief, dropping the firewood against the stone ground. "It's fine. Make yourself at home." Fenris sat down on his knees and began, starting a small flame as he spoke. "Tell me about your people. Customs, traditions, holidays. I would like to learn about you humans." He threw sticks into the flame, urging it to grow. Fenris sat next to Charlotte, eyes fixated on the fire as wood and paper turned to ash.

Fenris thought about everything he knew about the human race. Man the traveler, man the hunter, man the flexible. Man does not stand like a mountain in the face of difficulty, or wait like trees for the season to change. They figure a way over, under, or around it. However, they had variety. Not all were violent like the Minotaurs, or patient like Elves. Fenris remembered that during wars, man controled machines. They were inventors. He frowned in concern. Man was unpredictable.

 

[DearSunshine]

Bringing one of the blankets she had found to lightly go over her lap, warming herself there, she smiled as she saw Fenris come back in. "Oh, our customs and traditions? Hm, well... There are many, depending on the area of interest. We have many different types of jobs, some in farming, or crafting like my family's. At least in my village you generally live with your parents until you are old enough to marry and start your own practice. Or take over the family run business. We celebrate lots of holidays together, as a family and as a town. Generally when the changing of the seasons come." She said, not exactly sure what to tell him, but just saying what she thought might be of interest.

"Humans everywhere are different. Some live in bigger cities than I. Or in places where there is more need of an army. We just have hunters and something of a militia to protect our walls. I don't know, there is a lot about us I would say. I'm not sure what you do know or don't." She shrugged, and then would pat at the blankets next to her for him to come join her on once he was done making the fire. As the bright glow of a fire would come to life, Charlotte used the opportunity to look over the man before her. Now knowing how he felt about her, she couldn't help but acknowledge that she appreciated him as well, inside and outside. His defined muscles and beautiful fur gave her plenty to drink in.

"You know, I don't think its fair for you to speak to me about moving around in only my underwear when... well, you aren't dressed in much yourself." She spoke up, lowering her gaze back down to the floor as she fidgeted her hands in her lap.

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

"Well, I'm not in danger of being violently attacked by wild men full of lust, am I? You, on the other hand.." Fenris trailed off, not wanting to say the ugly truth. He sat in silence for a moment, thinking. "Pardon me for asking, but how old are you? What is the human life-span?" Fenris hoped it wasn't to long like an elf's. The man watched Charlotte as she looked downwards, slightly amused by her hand movements. "Are you nervous for some reason?" He asked, reaching out and grabbing one of her small, delicate hands compared to his. Fenris ran his fingers over her knuckles and wrist, smiling.
He took in her every detail, from her hair to her eyes, to her chest and well developed legs. It was like he was making a mental note on what she looked like should she get lost. His eyes clouded over, and he seemed to be elsewhere.. Fenris quickly came back to the present and released her.

 

[DearSunshine]

"Yes, but I might always..." Charlotte paused, not even sure where she would go with this. Or what she would do to him, she just knew that there was an attraction inside of that was harder to deal with now that she had come to recognize it. The thought of how she might want to kiss him other than just on his cheek caused her to blush again, and continue to fidget with her hands.

"Oh. My age?" She asked, looking over at him. "No, that's fine to ask. I'm eighteen, and I'll be nineteen in about five months." She said, thinking of her oncoming birthday, hoping that she wouldn't seem too young for him and if so, that the slightly older age would seem more appropriate. "Our lifespans vary depending on living conditions and health, but I suppose I might live into my seventies or eighties." She said with a shrug, "That would be quite nice if I were to do so. What about you? How old are you, and how long do minotaur live?" She asked, realizing that these were things they probably should have spoken of earlier on.

A smile tugged at her lips a little as he took her hand, and she looked up at him to watch him. "I suppose I am nervous... You make me a little nervous. But in a good way!" She said hurriedly, realizing how it made sound otherwise. "I just... I'm all fluttery with you around, my stomach feels as if there are all these butterflies inside. And when I start to look at you, I realize how attractive I find you." Her face was practically scarlet as she admitted that. "How much I want to kiss you..." She whispered. Her eyes kept a close watch on him as he seemed to be elsewhere, curious.

"Where did you just go then?" She asked softly.

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

"I'm 19. Minotaurs live about that long to." Fenris paused, as if he were registering what she said. "I was just remembering how we met, that's all. Not too long ago, was it?" He smiled slightly, amused by her nervous chatter. "And Charlotte?" The Minotaur asked, running his hand through her brown hair. "What's stopping you? Not to worry, I don't have bad breath like in the stories." Fenris closed his eyes and brushed the remaining hair out of her face as he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers for a split second until he pulled her closer and they locked lips. Fenris was soft and passionate about it, though he seemed to be holding back. Moments after, he pulled away with a tad bit of difficulty as he wanted to kiss her once more. The Minotaur silently tended to the flames though it needed none, his hands somewhat shaken as if he couldn't believe what he did. Fenris tried to play it cool, though he now felt "the butterflies in his stomach" She spoke about earlier.

 

[DearSunshine]

Charlotte seemed to relax, hearing that they were about the same age and that their lifespans were compatible. It would have been difficult otherwise. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, enjoying the feeling of him playing with her hair. "Mmm." Was all she said at first to his question, not even really registering it right away. It seemed the minotaur had found a sweet spot.

Then she felt the brush of his muzzle against her face, and she realized what was happening. The young woman was hesitant until he pulled her closer, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. The quilt that she had been holding to herself fell away as her hands went elsewhere, no longer holding it up.

Once he had pulled away, Charlotte loosened her hold on him. Her face was flushed, but she was smiling. Watching him tend to the flames out of nerves, she moved in closer to him again, trying to plant little kisses all along his square jaw. "I think that was you kissing me, not me kissing you though. You have to let me have a chance too, now."

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

Fenris smiled playfully, turning towards her and ignoring the flames. "Whatever pleases
you, my lady." He crawled forward, until their bodies were pressed together in an intimate embrace. Fenris ran his hands down her arms, admiring her entire body. He could feel the warmth radiating from the flames, the sparks between them. With Charlotte, it was like all his senses sharpened. The forest fire was far behind him, a distant memory compared to what was happening now. It was just a forest. Besides, he had what he wanted. He had Charlotte. The Minotaur muttered the word "Beautiful" directed at the woman next to him. Fenris tilted her chin up with a furred finger, leaning in, only centimeters apart now.
"What are you waiting for?" Fenris teased, his voice barely above a whisper.

 

[DearSunshine]

Charlotte blushed at his compliment, shivering a little from both the lack of clothing covering her and the way it felt so intimate between them just then. Her wide chocolate brown eyes looked up at him as he lifted her chin up. Her gaze softened.

Leaning in to close the small distance between them, she closed her eyes and tilted her head a bit as she kissed him. It was slow at first, her hands moving up to lightly trail along his shoulders. She was certainly not waiting any longer to do this, as a little more heat escaped her into it. Having a hard time just holding back, her grip in his fur tightened, wanting and needing to express the passion she had been feeling for him. To show how he had been making her core tighten inside.

She moaned softly into him, savoring the way his lips felt against hers. Though their anatomy was rather different there, it was Fenris. And that was all that mattered to her. She loved how their embrace made her feel alive and on fire. "Fenris," She gasped softly, breaking away after awhile, nuzzling her face into his neck and placing more kisses along there.

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

Fenris felt her grip his fur with passion, and he returned the favor with a fevered kiss of his own. Despite the obvious hunger and lust in it, it was filled with compassion. Nothing in his life compared to the feeling of her soft lips, her soft body against his own. Hearing her say his name and nuzzle his neck, he inhaled sharply, fighting the urge to go further. Fenris kissed her cheek softly before grabbing her quilt and wrapping it around her shoulders. "So you don't get cold." He stated, leaning back and closing his eyes. Fenris held her softly, knowing it must be around ten or twelve. Time flies fast when you're having fun.. He thought.

Fenris couldn't help but think about the future. With his little flower in his lap and nothing but future ahead of him, he smiled. Truthfully, he had no idea what the future held. Danger? Death? Love? Fenris didn't know, though he was somewhat worried about how this would end.

Fenris didn't want it to end just yet.

 

[DearSunshine]

Charlotte's hands fell off of him, allowing them to wrap back into her quilt. She blushed, realizing how carried away she had gotten. "S-Sorry, I just kind of went for it there. And then it was so much nicer than I ever could have thought..." She said softly, leaning in against him as he held her. "We must be crazy, feeling like this for one another like we do. Though from what you've said, it's not so strange for your kind to find mine attractive, right?" She asked, looking up at him. "It makes me feel better that I'm not just some ugly furless thing to you."

She nuzzled against him, gently this time, just enjoying the feeling of their bodies next to each other. "Can we lay down?" She yawned, "I'd like you to keep holding me like this though... It's too nice now to stop." She giggled sleepily. The long day had truly had its toll on the young woman and she was ready to sleep. "I can't believe I'll be lucky enough to wake up next to you." She whispered.

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

Fenris flopped on his side, yanking her down with him. "Mmmhmm.." He muttered, closing his eyes tiredly. The day had too, taken toll on the Minotaur, though he'd rather stay up and read. But tomorrow he would be taking her home, meeting the people whom she called parents. Fenris frowned in concern, hoping he wouldn't make a bad impression on them. Fenris moved onto his back, his horns making it uncomfortable on his side. Sighing in content, he gave Charlotte one last glance before shutting his eyes. Awake though his eyes were closed, he tried to empty his mind and get to sleep. Eventually he did fall into slumber next to the beautiful girl, but it was light, and he often awoke in the night until morning.

 

[DearSunshine]

Seeing that he had rolled onto his back in their makeshift nest, she snuggled up against his side, tucking her head onto his chest as her pillow. She easily fell asleep, feeling so safe and warm next to him. In the night, her leg would have thrown itself over his, and her arm would wrap around his chest tightly.

Finally as morning came and she could feel the sunlight streaming into the cave, the blinked her eyes groggily. She groaned, not wanting to get up yet, and buried her face back into his chest. "Fenris, make the morning go away." She whined, knowing it was futile though, giving it a sigh. "How did you sleep?" She asked, rubbing at her eyes.

Pushing herself up into a sitting position, her quilt fell away and she was forced to again recognize her state of undress. "Lord, you must think I am such a loose woman." She said, putting up a hand to her face. "I've been going about like this, and then sleeping next to you like this... Please, I hope you don't think I go around doing this. I've never!" She said, still not quite yet awake, but feeling as if she needed to explain this quickly.

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

Fenris yawned and covered his face in attempt to block out the sun. "Uhhhhgg Charlotte, I slept horrible.." He sat up, blinking his eyes as he slowly got used to the hot sun. It seemed they slept in late.. Fenris, still not realizing she needed to get home, ruffled her messy hair lazily. With a goofy smile on his face, he thought about her comment. "Even if you did, I wouldn't care. I'd probably just get jealous." Fenris stretched out his arms and yawned one last time, slumping over until he remembered. Charlotte's parents. "Ahhh, oh lord! I probably seem like a kidnapper letting you sleep in my cave and then not getting you clothes and then.. Then we kissed, and then.." Fenris went rigid, before grabbing Charlotte's arms and checking them over. "No bruises, no love bites.." He let out a sigh of relief, getting to his feet. "It was just a dream, thank goodness. I couldn't take you home with accidental bruises and smelling of me." Fenris laughed softly, pulling his knees to his chest. "How did you sleep, flower?" He teased, scratching his chest.

 

[DearSunshine]

Charlotte looked over at him with concern, "You slept badly? Oh no, why?" She then laughed as he ruffled her hair, reaching up to try and straighten it out afterwards. Seeing him freak out, she shook her head and tried to calm him. "No, don't worry! Remember, I told my parents I was staying with a friend. Well, they think you're a different friend... but they weren't expecting me back until today! Though um, they were expecting me to be clothed. I'm really not sure what we'll do about this." She said, frowning a bit as she looked down at herself.

"Wait, you don't regret last night do you?" She asked hesitantly, hearing him speak about their kiss. She raised a brow, watching him inspect her arms. "What are you talking about... Wait, what dream? Did you dream about me?" She asked, highly curious. "Come on, you have to tell me what happened in it! It's only polite."

"I think we had opposite nights, I slept so soundly. I wasn't sure if I would with another person, since I never have slept next to someone else. But it just felt so nice and peaceful, wrapped up warm against you. I... hope we can do it again someday."

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

"No, I definitely do not regret last night." Fenris assured, trying to avoid her dream question. He got to his feet and leaned against the wall, nervously playing with his hands. "It wouldn't be polite to talk about it now, or ever, really." Fenris stared down at Charlotte and shook his head. "Anyways, we need to get ready." Fenris changed the subject to something that matters, like making a good impression. "I think I'm good. You.." Fenris frowned, looking her over. "Need clothes."

Fenris helped Charlotte up and nuzzled her hand. "I hope we can do it again too." He walked towards the edge of the cave, releasing her hand as he looked outside. Good weather, soft breezes, the perfect day for escorting Charlotte. He started outside, not looking back as he walked. "You coming? It's time to clean up." Fenris called, walking towards the sound of running water. Fighting past the thorny bushes, he found his destination.

Just an average pond. Not as good as the original, but clean all the same. Climbing into the cool water, Fenris began to rinse off. "I'd use soap, but I have company and do not wish to take off my remaining clothes." Fenris stammered, submerging underwater fully before coming up for air.

 

[DearSunshine]

Charlotte smiled, "Good, I don't regret it either." She said, starting to get up off of the nest of a bed. Tilting her head a bit to the side, she looked at him curiously when he talked about it not being polite to speak of his dream. "What do you mean? Now I feel like I must know. I would tell you if I dreamed about you!"

Moving along with him to the outside, she blinked a few times to get used to the brightness. "Cleaning up would be good. At the very least get some of this dirt off. Maybe we can just sneak me back into my house since I'm practically naked." She blushed lightly, following him down to the pond.

"Oh, th-that's quite alright." She nodded, averting her eyes from him as he mention his remaining clothing. "Um, I'll just be... coming in too then." She said, walking into the water as well and trying to scrub at some of the dirt on her legs.

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

"The dream.. Was different from my usual dreams to say the least. You were there, I was there.." Fenris scrubbed his horns until they gleamed, trying to calm down. Just a dream, no big deal, right? Taking a deep breath, he spoke again. "We were in the cave.. We danced, we drank, we got carried away." Fenris swiped his hand across the water, splashing Charlotte.

"Sneak you inside, get you dressed, act like this never happened. Good idea, Charlotte." Fenris snapped, climbing out of the water and wringing out his loincloth. He had taken it the wrong way. Fenris realized this, and tried to right his wrong. "No, Charlotte I didn't mean.. Well, I just assumed.." He sighed, closing his eyes. "Look, I'm sorry." Though he meant it, his voice came out as a growl of some sort.

 

[DearSunshine]

Charlotte looked over at Fenris as he spoke on what his dream was, cupping her hands into the water and bringing some of it up to splash on her face. "Ohhh." She said in understanding, now getting why maybe he didn't want to talk about it. "Fenris, from what I've heard from people, that's perfectly natural to have dreams like that." She said, flushing a little that he would have had such a dream about her. It was kind of nice to know that she was so in his mind like that, even if it was a little flustering on what the content had been. "You don't have to be ashamed of that." She said, trying to reassure him that he didn't need to feel bad or uncomfortable. She then laughed as she felt the water splashing against her. "Hey!" She reached a hand down into it, splashing him back.

Her face fell as she heard how he had taken it. She tried to rush after him, though moving through the water slowed her. Stummbling up onto the ground, she tried to touch his arm. "No, you know I didn't mean it like that. Fenris, I'm sorry. I just meant that maybe walking in the front door in my underwear and then introducing you to my parents wouldn't be the way to do it. You could give me a little bit to get into my house, put on clothes and... If you really want them to meet you, then I can have them meet you when we're all fully dressed. Though, honestly, I don't want you to get your hopes up, like I've said... They're simple people, Fenris." She said softly, "Not a lot of people will understand. I won't hide this if you don't want, but you have to know this isn't going to be easy."

 

[TheLittlestDipper]

Fenris nodded, understanding the problem they faced. "I'm with you, 100 percent." He smiled, not necessarily happy but to cheer her up. Fenris pulled her close once more and gazed at her. "That's good, we can't just drop you off half naked, it wouldn't be polite. And are you sure it's natural?" He asked, tilting his head. Fenris was nervous about speaking about this, but he wanted to know it wasn't crazy.

Now silent, the Minotaur picked her up bridal style and walked foreward. "Charlotte, I forgot to say.. Thanks for keeping me company." He mumbled, making sure to avoid shadows and stay in the sun so they would dry faster. Fenris set her down when they neared the town, so she could sneak home without a giant Minotaur drawing attention to her. "Go home, get ready, and I'll find you, okay?"