Demetri hadn’t realized where they were heading until they reached the thick line of trees on the south side of the town. He looked up at Kai, certain confusion was showing on his face.

Kai squeezed his hand and smiled. “I don’t know your forests well, but I’ve always enjoyed walking through my own back home. Will you be my escort?”

Demetri’s heart fluttered. When he was younger, he and the other kids in town would dare one another to go into the forest alone at night. He always did, of course, mostly because he had an advantage over the others.

He held one hand out before him, and a small flame fluttered to life in his palm. He grasped Kai's with the other. “I’d be honored. But just so you know, I'm not a big outdoorsy person. So you’re not allowed to judge my reaction if a spider-wasp lands on me.”

Kai laughed. The sound vibrated through Demetri, waking the butterflies in his stomach. They walked down a well-worn hunting path, his tiny flame giving off just enough light that they didn’t trip over the loose branches scattered about.

Demetri bent down to pick up a branch that blocked a tiny trail and tossed it to the side.

Kai watched him curiously. “Why would you bother moving a branch in the woods?”

Demetri wiped dirt onto his pants. “It’s a much easier feat for me than the Brownies and other small people that live in the hidden village.”

“Hidden village?”

“Yeah. Does Kesh not have a tiny town? Many found it too difficult to live in town, being so much smaller than everything else around them, so they created their own. They live back there in hollowed out tree trunks and child-sized stick huts.”

Kai nodded his understanding. “Hmm, that’s a good idea. We simply section off a part of the town that larger beings have to be extra careful when entering.” He thought for a moment. “I may bring this up to father when I go back.”

“You’re father?” Demetri hadn’t even thought to ask why Kai had been visiting Athlone in the first place.

“Oh...he’s no one special. I was just thinking he’d be interested to hear of it.” Kai watched the trees as they walked passed them and fell into a comfortable silence.

Creatures scurried away, and the night birds took flight at the sound of their crunching footsteps. Small, glowing, and twinkling insects crawled and flew between the leaves of the trees, illuminating the space around them, while larger bugs made lulling musical sounds throughout the forest.

After a few quiet minutes of enjoying the scenery and ambiance, Kai stopped and looked at Demetri quizzically. “You’re not at all how I thought you would be.”

“Umm...thank you?” He was unsure if it was a compliment or insult.

Kai laughed. “What I mean is, when Tommy told me you were a guard, I didn’t imagine someone like you.”

The hurt must have shown on Demetri's face. Kai cringed and stepped back, pulling his hand away to rub the bridge of his nose.

“I’ve never had anyone take me into the middle of the forest to tell me they don’t like me,” Demetri said with a forced smile. Extinguishing his fire, his fingers found the hem of his shirt.

“No, please don’t think that. I’m just terrible at speaking when I’m nervous.” It was dark, but he could definitely see a blush spread across Kai’s cheeks.

“And why would you be nervous?” He released his shirt and stepped closer to Kai, with hope returning.

Kai looked in his eyes as though he was searching for the answer in them, but didn’t say a word. He reached up and slid his hand softly down the frame of Demetri's face. Demetri closed his eyes, leaning into the tender touch. As their hot breath mixed, it sent desire coursing through his veins.

Demetri reached behind Kai’s head, to pull him closer. They walked backwards until Kai’s back rested against a tree and moved his hands to his waist to pull Kai’s body flush with his own. Demetri let out a small moan when he felt Kai’s hardness push against him. They kissed with an urgency that left them both frantic for more. He pulled his face away to take a breath, but lost it again quickly when Kai pressed his lips to his neck. Kai’s leg slid between his and began to move against him.

Demetri grasped Kai’s jaw, and pulled his face up. He stared at him, searching his face. He’s so damn gorgeous, Demetri thought. His eyes looked like a storm was raging behind them. Kai leaned in and claimed Demetri’s lips again gently, wrapping his arms around his neck.

He was just starting to think it was all a dream when Kai pulled away from their kiss abruptly. Kai’s eyes went wide as he whispered, “Don’t turn around. Run back to town and I will hold it off as long as I can."

Demetri tensed and tried to listen for a clue as to what was behind them. Slowly he turned his head, certain Kai could feel his heart beating hard in his chest, but relaxed soon after he saw what had Kai so terrified. He turned his head back to Kai and smiled. “Come on.” Demetri pulled Kai’s hand.

“What are you...I can’t protect you if you keep moving closer to it.” Kai tried to grab for his arm as Demetri walked away.

Demetri strode the last few feet to where the Verndari waited, staring down at them, it’s enormous hairy chest heaving slow and steadily. Demetri scrunched his nose at the smell as he drew close. “You won’t hurt us will you? But you can’t blame Kai for being scared, can you? You’re breath alone is enough to ward off intruders.” He reached up and patted its thick, bristly black fur.

He turned back to Kai and smiled. “It’s alright. He just sensed our emotions getting a little too… much. He’s checking on us, making sure we aren’t doing anything stupid.” Demetri gestured for Kai to move closer. “Didn’t you say you walk through your forests back home?”

“Yes, but I normally have bodyguards that scout the area ahead and have me turn back if there’s trouble.” Kai still looked unsure but inched forward, keeping his eyes fixed on the beast before him. When he finally got close enough, Demetri took his hand and pressed it into the fur, gliding it across.

“They won’t hurt you. Not unless you become a threat,” Demetri whispered to him. Kai relaxed and continued to pet the huge, menacing animal. Demetri moved behind him, and put his hands around Kai’s hips. Watching him pet it was strangely serene and beautiful to Demetri. He leaned his head onto Kai’s shoulder. “Do you want to go back?”

Kai nodded and backed away. The Verndari, clearly deciding they weren’t a threat, turned with a grunt and walked off, its footsteps almost silent as it went. Kai didn't turn around until it was completely out of sight, then he exhaled a long, shaky breath. He grabbed Demetri’s hand and pulled him into a hug.

“Thank you.” Kai whispered against his ear.

“For what?”

He kissed him. “For showing me that they are not the monsters I feared.” He paused a moment to kiss again. “Will you come with me, to my apartment?”

Demetri nodded shyly, nerves returning to attack his senses full force.