As time passed the two laid together, enjoying the warmth of the morning sunlight streaking through the trees. Eli didn't mind being pressed against Liam's chest, in fact, he liked being able to hear the soft and steady heartbeat paired with the wolf's slow breathing.
If the two of them were given a chance they'd want to stay there forever... alone. Just the two of them. The real world was cruel and unforgiving, but they felt comfort in each other. With Eli, Liam felt he could be gentle and that he didn't have to kill for the sake of his pack. On the other hand, Eli felt like it didn't matter that he was undersized. That he was finally accepted.
"Hey, Eli..." Liam's deep voice broke the silence, causing the small deer to look up from his resting place on the wolf's chest. With each breath, Liam took he could see the deer's body rise and fall. While Eli didn't seem to mind, Liam almost wanted to hold his breath to make sure his deer was comfortable.
"Hm?" Was all Eli said in response, the look on his face said he had been on the verge of sleep. His small, fluffy ears were perked up and his tail fluttered the slightest bit.
"How... well I heard deer mature faster than us wolves, but you look not fully grown yet... I mean... you kinda still-"
"Have my spots?" Eli asked with a small smile. Liam nodded and gently moved his hand to the place on Eli's thigh where the fur ended and bare skin started. About mid thigh. He traced the light off-colored spots on Eli's skin.
"I guess I was just wondering... how old are you? Us wolves reach full maturity when we're twenty... but as I just said... you guys mature much faster." Liam repeatedly paused as if he might offend Eli. It was a sensitive subject considering that the prey species began mature much faster after the predator population began to skyrocket.
"Well, I suppose you're right... I actually didn't know wolves matured at such a slow pace... It must be for the same reason we began to mature faster..." Eli was avoiding the subject now that he knew these little facts about wolves.
Liam gave him a pleading look and of course, Eli sighed reluctantly, not able to deny him "I'm only fifteen... a year from mating age technically..." He avoided eye contact for a moment before looking back into Liam's brown eyes "And what about you, tough guy? Are you fully grown?"
When Liam shook his head Eli felt relieved, but then he remembered what Liam had just said. What if he matured before Liam, it would feel wrong. He wanted them to be together. It was strange, even though they hadn't known each other for long, it felt like he couldn't live without Liam.
"Nineteen..." Liam said with an awkward smile.
"What?
"I said I'm nineteen..." Liam repeated, his ears twitching in slight annoyance "I'll be twenty in three months. Because of that, my father keeps on pressing for me to choose a mate... though trust me when I say the females in my pack don't care about traditional values like loyalty." He sighed and brushed his fingers through Eli's fur.
Eli grinned and stuck out his tongue "I'll be sixteen in two weeks!' He said with a giggle as he sat up on Liam's lap. "That means I'll be fully grown before you~"
Liam rolled his eyes, remaining laying on his back. His tail wagged against the mossy ground "I'll still be bigger than you..."
"That's not fair! You'll always be bigger than me..." Eli replied with a fake pout, pushing his hands down on Liam's chest. He only grinned in response and gripped Eli's waist.
"Why do you even need to be bigger than me? I'll protect you from other predators, and why would you need to worry about finding a mate when you have me?" Liam spoke calmly in a strangely seductive manner that made Eli shudder. The subject and mood had changed so quickly that he couldn't help but feel slightly shocked.
"That's sweet, Liam... but you don't... We can't-" Eli instantly went quiet when his eyes met Liam's. Those large brown perfect eyes, wide in what was either shock or disappointment.
"Eli... I know we just met, but I know you... I know everything about you. Not only that," Liam sat up so their chests were touching again "I am a predator, Eli... I eat rabbits and deer all the time... But never would I ever want to eat you..." He gave Eli a small smile "You're far more beautiful than any female I've ever seen..." It was true... Liam had spent several hours with Eli the day before talking about sweet nonsense. They probably knew each other better than their own families knew them.
"Liam..." Eli looked at his expression then his eyes again. Their faces were so close. He couldn't help but lean in closer so their noses touched. The never-ending sensation of worry and fear that something would go wrong was still there. "Liam I'll disappoint you... I'm not as-" Liam cut him off by pressing their lips together.
Eli was surprised and jolted a little in response, but he quickly began to kiss Liam back. His arms reached past Liam's neck all the way to his tangled hair, which Eli's slender fingers gripped gently.
In response, Liam let out a soft groan and pulled away though the moment they made eye contact again they pressed their lips together once more. Eli would've been embarrassed that he was acting like Liam was his only source of oxygen had he not been so blinded by the sensation he felt with him.
Liam eventually broke the kiss and clung to Eli for a moment "Don't say anything else... Just know... I'm willing to wait no matter how long it takes. I've never met someone I'm so attracted to before in my life."
Their eyes met once more and Liam placed a gentle kiss on Eli's nose... then his cheek... his forehead... and both his eyelids. "I'm sorry for coming onto you strong and out of the blue... I just think this is love at first sight."
There was a short moment of sweet silence before Eli spoke softly "I think it is..." Eli said in a whisper before burying his face in Liam's chest.
"Eli?"
"Liam don't let me go... tonight let's just stay here... Let's spend the rest of the day together and... I want to hear your heartbeat while I sleep tonight... Please?" Eli sounded quite desperate. As if everything would disappear if he let Liam go again.
"Okay..."
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