Taking Rick’s hand, Cash led him toward the stream where Fiona was washing her hair. “Fiona, look who I have.” Cash yelled out cheerfully, watching her turn and wave back at them. Cash nearly jumped out of his boots when he heard Rick softly repeat the name “Fiona” as he stared at her. “Yes, Fiona, she is to take care of you until I say otherwise. I saved you, that makes you the responsibility of me and my immediate clan, which of course includes Fiona.”
“So, Fiona, think you can do something with him? He smells like he could use some bathing himself.” Cash teased as he winked. “I need to talk to Orpha for a bit, do you feel safe if I leave him alone with you?” he asked her, hoping he already knew the answer.
“Well, I’d feel safer if his hands were still bound.” she replied as her bright eyes took in Rick’s muscular form. “But outside of that….”
“Understood,” Cash nodded, taking the young man’s hands in his own, Cash instructed him hold his hands out in front of him. He winced as he saw the young man look up into his eyes, a look of uncertainty and fear suddenly appearing on his face. Cooing gently Cash pressed his forehead against Rick’s “It’s only because I don’t want you to hurt her, I know you wouldn’t mean to, but you’re so much stronger than she is. And you don’t understand us yet, you have so much to learn.” he added softly as he placed a gentle kiss on the man’s head. “Take care of him Fiona, clean him up and I’ll be back later.”
“Take your time Cash” Fiona called after him as she pushed her wet hair off of her face. Turning to Rick, she smiled softly at him, “Well first things first, lets get you undressed and in the water.” she stated as she gently pushed him down onto the ground. Kneeling at his feet, Fiona undid the lacings of his boots, falling backwards as she tugged them off. “Eww, now I’m all dirty too, look at this mud.” she fumed as she looked at herself, only to hear the handsome young man laughing softly. “So, you do have a sense of humor after all, well you picked a hell of a time to show it.” she stated, sticking her tongue out at him as he laughed even harder.
Sighing at the situation, Fiona pushed her hair back again, leaving a muddy streak across her cheek. “Oh lovely, looks like both of us are bathing today,” she groused as she undid the shoulder ties of his shirt. “If I untie you long enough to take off your shirt, you have to promise me to behave, and to let me bind you again.” she insisted, “Listen to me, as if you understand a word I’m saying to you.” she added, feeling very silly.
Opening the rest of the ties, Fiona shuddered as she saw the still red scars on his muscular chest, she had been trying to heal them since Cash had left him in her care. Nearly everyday she rubbed oil and healing herbs on the deep scars that had almost cost the boy his life. “One day my pet, one day they will hardly be visible, only you and I will ever know they were there.” she promised him as she ran her fingers over his chest, delighting as he gasped softly as her fingers grazed over his nipples. “Well, at least you aren’t flinching anymore.” she smirked.
Cautiously, she undid the ropes that held his wrists, she felt her breathing become quick and unsteady as she stood less than an inch from his chest and slid the soft cotton shirt down his shoulder and off of his powerful arms. Just as she took his hands to retie them, she felt him grab her upper arms, holding her firmly in his grasp. “F-i-o-na” he whispered slowly, as if unsure of how to say it. She nodded as he forced her to her knees so that they were now eye level with each other. “Fi-o-na” he said, a little more sure of himself this time. “No hurt, Fi-o-na, no hurt Rikandof”
“Rikandof? Is that your name?” Fiona asked as relief flooded through her, she was certain he was about to do her harm, but it appeared he was more concerned about her actions. “No hurt Rikandof” she assured him as she retied his wrists together, chastising herself both for being so frightened, and for so easily being caught off guard.
“Come on you, stand up” she ordered, pulling his bound wrists until he understood her and stood up. “Rikandof huh? I think we should change that, or at least shorten it. How about Rick?” she questioned as she pulled him towards the edge of the stream. “Well, lets get down to it,” she said nervously as she blushed scarlet. “Off come the trousers, I can’t bath you with them on.” she explained as she reached for his waist and undid the ties. She couldn’t help but be impressed as she shimmied his trousers down around his ankles, he was truly a thing of beauty. Finely defined muscles showed through a downy layer of soft dark hair, and the short gasping breathes he was taking only served to highlight the taunt muscles of his chest and abdomen, she knew he was frightened again, after all he was now naked and bound, an uncomfortable position for any man to be sure.
Trying to look at only his eyes, Fiona slowly pulled him into the deeper waters of the stream. “I know it’s a little cold, but Cash is right, you need a good bath.” she insisted as she led him out until the water reached his mid chest and all but covered her shoulders. “Stay here while I get something to wash you with” she instructed as she made her way back to the bank She turned and smiled at him every time he said her name, it was so endearing to hear how hard he tried to get it right, as if it were somehow important to him.
Realizing how dirty she herself had become, she took of her now drenched chemise and hung it from a tree branch as she quickly slipped back into the water and made her way to Rick, who had barely moved from the spot she had left him at. “I’m going to start with your hair first” she explained, touching her hair as she tried to explain. She laughed as he knit his brow and touched her hair too, “No, not mine, yours.” she explained, reaching over to touch his, exposing her breast as she did so.
She immediately saw the flush on the young man’s cheeks as he stared at her. Trying to ignore his response as best as possible, Fiona moved behind him and tried to explain to him he needed to go under water and get his hair wet so she could wash it. Getting frustrated by the lack of communication between them, she decided to show him by going under the water herself, only to have him quickly grab for her, a look of terror on his face. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the water.” she sighed as she pulled her arm out from his still bound hands. “Alright, try it this way” she instructed as she arched her back and bent the back of her head into the water, causing her nipples to poke out above the water, immediately turning hard in the coolness.
Rick reached out once more, only this time instead of pulling her up from the water, he touched the locks of her hair as they flowed with the current. He was so confused, he had never been treated like this, never met people like this. The fierce warrior who struck terror in his heart was the same man who saved his life, the same man who took children in his arms and played with them as if he were one of them. The same one he heard telling stories and giving orders, the one who had offered him his freedom, only to realized he didn’t want to leave him or his people.
He looked into the bright, clear and utterly fearless eyes of the woman before him. She was here with him, alone and naked, with nothing to protect her should he decide to hurt her, yet she held no fear for him, despite the fact that he was so much taller and stronger than she was. Fiona, she had been the one who tended to him, even to the point of feeding him when he was ill with a fever a few weeks ago, she was the one who rubbed the painful scars with soothing ointments, forever touching his face and chest whenever she walked past him.
Deciding he should be at least as brave as the small woman before him, Rick took a deep breath and dropped below the water, only to quickly rise up, gasping as the water dripped into his eyes and mouth. He heard Fiona laughing as her warm hands brushed the water from his face. How could she find this funny, it was cold, they could be taken by whatever creatures lurked below the surface….before he could even finish his thought, he felt her hands moving over his body, gently rubbing his skin with something slippery and pleasant smelling.
“This will help take care of that ‘manly’ scent” Fiona grinned as she scrubbed his shoulders and back, pushing him down slightly, she finally got him low enough that she could do his hair. She felt him sigh as she rubbed the infusion of rosemary, slippery elm and chamomile into his scalp. “and to think a few weeks ago you were terrified of every touch I placed on you.” she whispered “I can’t wait until we get home and you begin to learn our language. I want to know what you’re thinking, what you’re feeling.” she added as she gently kissed his neck. Feeling his body tense and his breathing speeding up, Fiona very gently guided Rick to bend his back and tip his head into the water to rinse the cleanser out of his long hair.
Pouring more into her palm, she moved to his front and began with his shoulders and upper arms. As she worked her way down, she instructed him to raise his arms so she could finish, only to find herself trapped as he immediately lowered them. She wasn’t sure if she should be afraid or relieved as she saw the haunted, desperate gaze in his bright blue eyes that told her more than any words ever could. Gasping as he pulled her up against his now slippery chest, she melted as she felt his hot lips pressing against the cool flesh of her throat. “Rikandof” she whispered as she tried to push herself away from him.
Rick groaned as Fiona said his name, it wasn’t the frightened scream of terror that he usually heard coming from women, nor was it the sweaty, lust filled order of one of the male leaders of his former clan. It was a sigh; beautiful, gentle and completely alien to him, he had never known this sort of intimacy, in his former clan, the strong took what they wanted, period. It didn’t matter if the other person involved was willing or not, so what if they screamed and sobbed the entire time, so had he at one time or another. But this, this was different, she was unafraid, she was soft and warm to his touch, she spoke his name in a way that made his desire almost unbearable. “Fi-o-na, no hurt, Rikandof” he stated as he felt her try to squirm out of his arms, “Rikandof no hurt Fi-o-na.” he insisted as he held onto her, moving to shallower water.
He stopped where the water reached their waists, wishing he hadn’t let her rebind his wrists. He wanted to touch her the way she had once touched him, the night she had tied and gagged him, only stopping when she saw the fear in his eyes. He wanted her to touch him again, he wanted to feel her soft hands caressing every part of him, he wanted to glide his hands over her body, fondling her in ways he had never dreamt of touching anyone. “Fi-ona” he groaned, pressing her against his chest, feeling her pert nipples slide over him as her potion covered them both.
It wasn’t long before Fiona gave up her half hearted fight, she wanted him, she had wanted him almost since the day she laid her eyes upon him. Moving her hands down his chest she paused to lightly pinch his nipples on her way to his abdomen. She enjoyed the quiver passing over him as her hands found the root of his passion and began stroking it firmly, feeling it spring to life in her small hands. “oh yes, Rikandof, yes,” she sighed as his hips moved in time with her hands. Using her free hand, she bent his head towards hers, kissing him passionately as his knees grew wobbly from her attentions.
She felt him grow long and rigid as her hand encircled him, sliding up and down his shaft as he groaned with desire. As much as she wanted him, she knew he needed to be released more than she needed to be pleasured. Quickening her pace, she tightened her grip, grinding herself against his thigh as she brought him to the peak of ecstasy “Rikandof is happy?” she asked, smiling knowingly as the shudders of pleasure rippled through his body. “Rikandof is ….” she gasped as his mouth covered hers. He was still hungry for her, still full of desire and passion. Fiona was amazed at how quickly he recovered from one orgasm and was ready for the next.
It wasn’t until she felt his hands over her breasts that she realized he had somehow freed himself of the ropes that bound his wrists. Part of her was scared to death, he was nearly a foot taller that she was and could easily subdue her if he chose, but one look into his eyes told her the last thing he wanted was to force her into anything. He had the look of an eager puppy, one who wanted to please his master, one who wanted approval and affection for his actions. She sighed and squirmed as he pinched her nipples, a look of entrancement on his face as they grew even harder under his attentive touch.
Feeling herself grow unbearably hot with her own desire, she gently guided one of his hands between her legs, smiling and nodding as his fingers explored her soft folds. At moments he seemed absolutely frightened when she would moan with pleasure at his touches, but he seemed to understand quickly that this was not a bad thing, as he quickly did everything within his power to gain more moans from her. She gasped loudly as he pushed his fingers deeply inside of her, curling them as he felt the channel she so desperately wanted him to fill. “Rick” she groaned, “Rikandof….” she repeated as she pushed his hand away from her and rubbed herself against his rock hard passion.
Rick’s mind was spinning, never had he felt anything like this, her hands were everywhere at once, and she was soft, so very soft to his touch. He felt himself grow faint when he finally realized what she wanted him to do with his fingers, he had heard of this, ‘the softness of a woman’, but never did he think he would experience it himself. She was more than soft, she was an inferno of heat and desire as his fingers found the opening to her softness and pushed inside. Her reaction was immediate and wondrous, her back arched, raising her breasts high as a deep moan escaped her parted lips. He wanted this to go on forever, he had never taken so much pleasure from such a simple act, nor had he ever given anyone so much pleasure as he seemed to be giving her. He nearly cried out his hurt and outrage when she pushed his hand away from her, but immediately understood what was happening as she pressed herself against his manhood.
Groaning with a previously unexperienced desire, Rick swiftly placed his strong hands on her hips and lifted her off of her feet and onto his passion. He wavered as her softness closed over him and a deep, growling moan escaped her lips. He gasped as her legs encircled him, pulling her tightly and deeply onto his manhood. “Fi-ona” he moaned as he thrust into her, burying his face in her damp hair as she clung to him like a vine, gyrating her hips as he filled her with his seed……
“Hard to believe that our ‘touchy feely’ Rick was once as cold as Snapey boy is now.” Hamish agreed as long forgotten memories surfaced. “So what? He’s trying to save him? Not using Fiona’s methods I hope.” Hamish added, shuddering visibly as the visual went through his mind.
“Good gods I sincerely hope not.” Cash agreed, laughing deeply “But he has his ways, and I think they both need this. Rick has this need to save Snape, I won’t deny him this, and I don’t want you to either.” he said firmly
Hamish nodded, then held up his hand “There is something else you’re not telling me about this teacher, isn’t there?”
“Yes.” Cash admitted, “but I don’t know if your ready to accept it yet.”
“He’s ‘not’ going to marry our Angel!” Hamish said forcefully “… Is he?” he added meekly.
Cash smiled fondly at Hamish, “No Hash, he’s not, at least not as far as I’ve been told. However he has come to the attention of the crones. He’s strong, smart, has good blood lines, and as it turns out, may be joining the clan yet.”……..
Severus groaned as he tried to move, the pain was intense, but no more so than his thoughts. His entire world had been turned upside down on him within the last few hours. Attacked and nearly killed by one vampire, only to be saved by others, and now, yet another vampire had become his devoted nursemaid. “Rick?” Sev croaked weakly, half hoping to be alone, but feeling a wave of relief when Rick immediately appeared above him, placing his hand gently on Sev’s cheek.
“I’m here Severus” Rick said softly “do you need something?” Seeing the potion master having trouble talking, Rick immediately slid next to him, using his body to prop the professor up as he piled pillows behind him to support his back and broken ribs. “Careful Severus” Rick warned when he saw the wizard weakly try to get out of bed once more. “Poppy still has to give you a few more treatments before your bones are completely healed. She tells me it actually would have been easier if he had magicked your bones away. Apparently that only takes one potion to cure, go figure.” he remarked as he handed Sev a glass of water.
“Wonderful, next time I see whatever his name is, I will make sure to request that.” Severus replied drolly. “What are you still doing here? I would have thought you would be out hunting or whatever it is you call it.”
Rick nodded “I will when I’m sure your safe and Poppy comes back. Until then, I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.” he said softly, “Is there anything I can get for you?”
“Yes, …..Catri” Severus replied, his voice little more than a whisper. “I miss her, I need her”
“Hush” Rick cooed, trying to soothe the professor, “I know you do, but so does he. Gustavas did the same thing to him that he did to you, only much, much worse. If she leaves him, he will die. I know you dislike him and her son, but would you have him lose both of his fathers?”
“Godfather” Severus corrected, “and what makes you think I dislike Potter? I’ve spent my entire life trying to protect him.”
“There is a difference between caring and protecting, Professor” Rick answered softly.
“Not to me” Sev replied, only to have his body contort in pain a scant few seconds later. “Please, find Catri” he whimpered as he felt Rick’s arms around him once more, cradling him as he tried to relieve some of the pain.
“I’m sorry Severus, I know I’m not her, but I’m all you have at the moment. Stroking Sev’s hair as he softly whispered one of the many healing chants Angel had taught him, Rick finally got the professor to the point were he could once more tolerate the pain. He pulled the quilt back over the professor as the mans eyes watched him, “Is there something you want from me Professor?”
Severus hesitated before answering, how could he ask for what he really wanted, only Catri could give him that. He wanted another chance at happiness, a chance to have the family he had lost, to begin again without the evil of Voldemort hanging over him, without his father’s brutality influencing his every move. Looking into Rick’s bright blue eyes, Sev felt his stomach cringe. The man was attractive, or perhaps beautiful was a more appropriate word, his shoulder length dark hair, the dazzlingly bright blue eyes, the ready smile, even the soft lines at the corners of his eyes only went to prove how easily the man smiled.
How could he even think such things of another man, this wasn’t like him. Outside of Catri, he had never had true romantic emotions for anyone in his life. True he had tried to go through the motions with his wife, but she was less than receptive to any attempt on his part at romance. She had thought the flowers silly, his soft words nothing more than a ploy to convince her to join him in his bed, and when she had found his sketch pad she had wasted no time to mock his seeming weakness. He had tried, he had done as his mother had begged him to; he had treated her as if she were Catri, never did he raise his hand to her, barely did he even raise his voice, he had tried everything he could think of, but it was useless, she refused to be moved.
Knowing all this, Sev supposed it was only natural that he would find such an affectionate man like Rick attractive. After all, in only the past two days Rick had shown him more kindness and compassion than his own wife had in two and one half years of marriage.
With a trembling hand, Sev reached up and tentatively touched Rick’s hair, it was every bit as soft as it looked. Allowing it to wind its way through his fingers, Sev closed his eyes in shame as he become conscious of how much pleasure such a simple act had brought him. “I should go, I do not belong here.” Severus whispered as he tried to avoid Rick’s eyes.
“And where will you go professor?” Rick asked, turning Sev’s face towards his own. “To that dark, dusky room of your? To your potions and brews? No, you need to stay here in the warmth and the light.” Rick insisted, leaning over the wizard and kissing his cheek softly. “I don’t want anything happening to you Severus. You mean a great deal to me, whether you believe that or not.”
“How can I mean anything to you? You barely even know me, and I am fully aware that I do not leave a very good impression with people.” Sev scowled. “I am cold, aloft and difficult, and I pride myself on those accomplishments.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed you work very hard at maintaining them.” Rick countered softly as he picked up the professor’s hand and tenderly rubbed more ointments into the remaining gashes. “Tell me what you really want professor? Tell me what would make you happy right now.”
Severus blushed bright pink as he thought of several things that would make him positively delirious at the moment. They weren’t anything horrible of course, he hadn’t sunk that low yet, but the sight of Rick’s full lips and soft hair combined with the man’s deep voice and gentle touch were driving him positively mad. “Please, …stop….. I … you…..” Sev closed his eyes tightly, trying to forget his own thoughts, only to groan softly as he felt Rick’s lips pressed ever so gently against his own.
“I know that isn’t what you wanted,” Rick said softly, “but it did seem to be what you were thinking about.” he explained as he rose from the bed. “You really shouldn’t be so afraid of yourself or your feelings, believe it or not, having feelings and thoughts like that are natural, most people have thoughts like that crossing their minds, men and women alike. Its simple curiosity is all.” he explained, winking good-naturedly at the look of out and out shock on the wizard’s face. “Now, if you want to continue along those lines, I’ll have to find you someone else for that. But if you want me to stay and keep you company, I am more that willing.” seeing the shy and embarrassed smile on Severus’s face, Rick grinned even wider. “So, back to my original question. Is there anything you want from me?”
“Yes, ….the truth.” Severus replied, his voice soft and mellow with exhaustion. He almost smiled as Rick nodded and obediently sat down on the bed next to him. “They will not allow me to marry her, will they?”
Rick shook his head “That’s not within my rights…. I have no say as far as the crones are concerned, after all, I am only a man. And they will decide who her husband will be.” he answered as gently as he could. “Only Cash dares to defy the crones, and they have made him pay dearly for it on several occasions.” he explained as he once more held Severus’s hand.
Severus winced, turning his head so the vampire wouldn’t see his tears. Rick must have thought he was asleep, but the moment the vampire moved Severus asked him one more thing. “But what if she’s carrying my child?”……..
