Page 25
Story: The Botanist and the Beast
I t quickly became clear Sebastian was avoiding him. He was gone by the time Theo got to the suite. Aside from meals, Theo waited in the suite hoping to catch a glimpse of Sebastian. When he asked over dinner where he might be, no one else had seen him either.
In the middle of the night, he paced his room and pondered where on earth Sebastian could be. Then he remembered Lyle offering his room and his feet were moving before he could stop himself.
He knocked quickly on his door.
"Ward," he said, looking smug as he leaned in the doorway. "How may I be of assistance? You seem distressed."
He's enjoying this too much. "Is Sebastian with you?"
"I see. The prince grew tired of you and tossed you out, right?" He laughed and nodded for Theo to come in. "He's not with me and I'm telling you now he will never choose you." He dug through a bedside table, then tossed him a small metal key. "Your bow is in the east wing. Third door on the left."
"I'm not going right now. I'm just curious about his whereabouts." He held the key out. "You can keep it. If you don't know where he is, just say so."
"Keep it. It's a gift for when your misplaced hope runs out. Eventually, you'll be tired of chasing and want to leave. I'll escort you when that time comes."
"Why are you suddenly trying to help me?"
"Because you leaving also helps me," he said with a shrug.
Theo rolled his eyes and went back to his bedroom. He was relieved the prince wasn't with Lyle, but also a bit dejected. Now he was back to not even having the slightest clue where he might be.
Lying in bed, he turned the key over in his hands repeatedly trying to decide if he should check the east wing, not for his bow but for Sebastian. I mean if he's grieving, I shouldn't bother him but—
"Ahh!"
Sebastian's scream cut through the quiet suite and Theo bolted after it. "Sebastian, are you in here?" he called into the hall in disbelief.
He followed the groans to a study and banged on the door. "Sebastian, is that you? Are you okay?"
"It's me. I'm fine," he said in a small voice. "Don't come in."
Theo hesitated but heard a hiss of pain. "I'm sorry, but I'm coming in," he announced, pushing the door open. He was greeted by a tearful Sebastian using his desk as leverage to get off the floor. A loud, cat-like hiss of pain broke from his mouth as he forced himself to his feet.
Theo rushed to his side without hesitation. "Tell me what you need. What happened?"
"It’s nothing," he said through gritted teeth. "You need to leave."
"It's clearly something," Theo snapped then he saw the back of Sebastian's white blouse. Red blood was spreading across the fabric. "Were you out hunting by yourself again?"
"No. The stone is spreading. It happens randomly to all of us. You don't need to worry." He turned, leaned back on the desk, and gripped its edge with his shaking hands. "Please go."
Theo frowned and stayed rooted across from him. "Why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not. I'm just busy."
"Don't lie," he said with a huff. "If I misunderstood what you meant when you said you had feelings for me, then fine. If you kissed me and realized you felt nothing, I'll recover. But running off and ignoring me really hurts. Tell me directly if I'm not what you want. I deserve that much, don’t I?"
"I don't dislike you," he said, looking at the floor and avoiding Theo's eyes.
"Then tell me what has gotten into you. One minute you were kissing me like you longed for me, and the next you avoided me for days. Do you know how much that hurt?"
"I'm partially an animal." His shoulders slumped as he finally looked up at him. "That will always get in the way of any potential romance so I figured we should stop."
"What are you going on about? I know you're partially a shifter. Why would that matter to me all of a sudden? There's another reason you're avoiding me, and I'm not leaving until you tell me."
"Theo, please."
“Tell me.”
“Drop it.”
"Tell me," he demanded again, stepping closer. He put his hands on the desk so Sebastian was between his arms and looked into his eyes. "I don't care what it is. We'll figure it out."
"No, we won't.”
“Yes, we will.”
“Why are you so stubborn?” he scowled.
“Because I want to be with you.”
“Ugh! You’re so infuriating! You don’t understand!”
“You’re right. I don’t.” Theo let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m trying to. I want to. What could be so bad that we can’t even talk about it?”
"I want to eat you!" Sebastain blurted out.
A long silence hung between them as Theo absorbed the words and stepped back. "You want to eat me?"
"Yes," Sebastian said, gripping the desk harder now. "I thought it was because you were human but I didn't feel hunger towards Adora. The more I grow to care for you, the deeper the hunger gets. Every time I feel attraction towards you, I salivate. I want to taste you, literally and figuratively. I want to see you cry out as I have you and as I feast on you. I've fantasized about getting to hunt you down like prey, but I don't know how I would devour you once I caught you." He looked down in shame. "I enjoyed our kiss, but the urge to consume your flesh grew every passing second. I lost control and I bit you, and I'll probably do it again. That's why we can't work."
Theo thought this over and then took Sebastian's hand, lacing their fingers together. "And what if your hunger doesn't dissuade me?"
"Why wouldn't it?" Sebastian blinked a few times. "Did you not hear what I said? You should be afraid of me."
"I'm terrified, and I probably will be for a while," Theo admitted with a laugh. "But I still want you. Besides, you've held off eating me so far on your own. So together we can figure something out, right?"
"You don't know what you're saying. You still don't understand."
"I'm saying I like you and I understand fine. You want to hunt me down like prey but once you catch me you don't know if you want to fuck me or eat me. Did I miss something?"
"Did you have to say it that way?"
"Apologies, my dear prince," he teased. "We want each other. Let's give this a chance. Admittedly, your appetite for me is an obstacle, but I want to try and overcome it with you."
"Theo..."
"Don't make me beg on my knees. I'll do it if I must." He lifted their hands to his lips and kissed Sebastian's knuckles. "Say you want me."
Sebastian's antlers and eyes shined a peach blossom pink as he mumbled, "I want you."
"Now, can I kiss you?"
Sebastian hesitated but snaked his arms around Theo and kissed him.
It was rough and wanting. Theo was sure if he wasn't firmly held he would've crumbled to his knees. He let his fingers tangle into that iridescent hair and drank every ounce of him in.
Pressed this close, he could feel Sebastian getting harder against him. Roughly Sebastian lifted Theo, turned, and set him on the desk all the while still kissing him. He smiled, enjoying the slight manhandling. Just as he was about to ask for more, Sebastian broke the kiss and rested his forehead on his with closed eyes.
"We need to stop."
"Talk to me," Theo said gently. "I won't judge."
Sebastian met his eyes, and his hunger was apparent in that gaze. "I want to bite you," he rasped, running hands up his sides. "Here." He slowly slid his soft hands to Theo's chest. "And here." His touch moved to Theo's neck. "And here. I want to taste your skin and everything under it.”
Theo shivered under his touch but the predatory gaze held him in place. "If we have to stop for tonight, I understand, but I want to keep going. Any precautions we can take?”
"Well, I have an idea, but I don't know how effective it'll be," Sebastian said, licking a fang as he looked down Theo's body.
Theo laughed and lifted his chin with a finger. "Focus. Let's try it. Get what you need, and I'll wait here."
Sebastian left the room for a moment then returned with a chain. He looped it around his neck. "We can lock this on and if I try to bite you, you can pull me off.” He handed Theo a padlock and key. "You can hold the key, too. Would that be enough to make you feel safe?"
"I think so." Theo clicked the padlock into place forming a leash and collar. He saw the way Sebastian swallowed and smirked. "I knew you liked being tied up, but I had no idea how much."
"Don't tease me." He groaned. “This is already a bit embarrassing.”
"Alright, alright, no more teasing." He lay back and yanked the leash, making Sebastian stumble forward slightly, his hands landing on Theo's chest. "This is fun. Now, hurry up and undress me."
Theo jumped as his shirt was roughly ripped open. Sebastian ran his claws lightly down his bare abdomen. The light scratches sent a shiver down his spine. "Are you finally going to admit you find me nice to look at?"
"I might." He leaned in and kissed Theo’s cheek.
In a flash, Theo was stripped completely bare. His pants and underwear left tattered on the floor in ribbons. Naked, he looked up at Sebastian who was standing between his open legs still dressed. Sensing his hesitance, he took Sebastain’s hand and brought it down to his lower abs. "You can touch me. Don't be shy now after you ruined my clothes."
Careful to not graze him with his claws, Sebastian wrapped his hand around Theo’s cock and slowly stroked.
"Faster," Theo said, arousal seeping into his voice. He dropped his eyes closed to get lost in the mounting pleasure. "Grip a little tighter. Just like that."
Sebastian kissed his neck and purred against Theo’s throat. Every time he did it, vibrations ran through Theo’s body, making him tingle down to his toes. I'm going to end up letting myself be feasted on if he keeps purring like that. The chain was heavy in his hand as soft sighs spilled from his lips. He was lost in the lustful haze when he felt the unmistakable poke of teeth on his shoulder.
"Sebastian?" he said, in a breathy voice forcing his eyes open. "Are you still with me? You're not too overwhelmed, are you?"
"No," he said, but there was a growl forming under his words. "I think I'll be okay if I focus."
"In that case"—he tugged the top of his pants—"take these off. I want you to feel good, too."
Sebastian did as he was told, and Theo suddenly felt the tip of his hard cock pressing against his entrance. Startled, he propped himself up on his elbows and looked down.
Sebastian’s cock was long and thick with small patches of opal stone near the top of the shaft.
Still holding the chain, he sat up and draped his left arm around him. "I wish we could go all the way tonight, but I don't feel like I could take it." Sebastian pouted and he chuckled. His eagerness is cute. "Don't worry, we can still do this together."
He licked his own hand, took Sebastian's cock, and held it pressed against his own. He stroked them together at the same time. It was slightly awkward at first but a few strokes later he fell into a rhythm that had them both moaning softly in the dim study.
The heat of Sebastian's breath on his chest in the cold room drove him wild. Theo had gone to bed with plenty of men. He'd experienced being desired, but this was the first time he could taste the longing in every kiss and feel the yearning in every touch.
Teeth scraped on his neck, and he gave the chain a sharp yank that made Sebastian's head snap back.
He stopped pleasuring them both and peered up at him. "Is this too much for your urges? We can stop if it is."
"It's not too much," he said quickly. "What I mean is, I want to keep going. I can handle it."
"I'm not so sure." Theo looked into those desperate hungry eyes and with a sly smile reached up and placed two fingers on his lips. "Open, your majesty."
Unsure, Sebastian parted his lips slightly.
He slipped his two fingers in his damp mouth and pressed down. "Wider. There you go." He looked at those razor-sharp teeth lengthening by the second and tsked. "I don't want to be bitten. Do you really think you can be obedient tonight?" Sebastian's antlers turned a soft pink, and he nodded, which only amused Theo further. Initially he was only teasing Sebastain to pull him out of his hungry lust but watching him submit, despite being much stronger than him, drove Theo wild. "Say please."
"Please," Sebastian said best he could without full use of his tongue.
"Be specific. Please what?"
"Please can we keep going," he slurred back. His antlers and cheeks flared brighter.
"Good kitten." Sebastian's pretty flustered face tugged at his heart strings. I might like submissive men even more than I thought. Theo finally took his fingers out his mouth and stroked them both faster now. "Now behave and watch the teeth."
It didn't take long for Sebastian to fall into purrs as he gave into Theo's touch, the tips of his claws poking lightly into his back.
The opal stone on Sebastian's body and antlers glowed a pale blue as he climbed closer to climax. The light blended with the green of Theo's scar and painted the room in a rich turquoise, like they were underwater. Theo found it fitting because he felt like he was drowning in desire.
He slid his hand down and to his surprise, he felt swelling near the base of Sebastian's hard on. "Sebastian?" he said in a breathy tone. He was going to ask if the swelling was normal but he was suddenly shoved backwards.
He yelped as he hit the desk and panic surged through him. he was ready to yank Sebastian off but, then lips crashed into his.
The kiss was rough and wanting, and Theo melted into it. Sebastian gripped his thighs hard and thrust his hips forward making the underside of their cocks rub together. Every thrust sent Theo racing to towards a climax.
"Wait, I'm going to cum," he said in a shaky voice between kisses. He writhed under him, arching up to his thrust.
Sebastian smiled smugly against his lips and snaked his tail around one of Theo's legs to pin him more firmly in place.
"Sebastian," he rasped, but it was too late. His eyes dropped closed as his climax swallowed him whole. His cries of pleasure echoed off the walls as Sebastian's thrusts slowed to a stop.
They lay there, not talking as the fireplace crackled and Theo caught his breath. A featherlight kiss was placed on his forehead, and Theo let out a tired laugh and forced his eyes open.
"So much for obedient." He dropped the chain form his hands and held Sebastian's face. "For the first time you did good. I have no bite marks. Let me give you a reward and take care of you." He reached down but Sebastian gripped his hand and shook his head. "You don't want to?"
"I do, but I don't think that's a good idea. I don't trust myself to go further." He avoided Theo's gaze. "The closer I get, the better you taste and more delicious you smell."
"You sure you won't be disappointed if we stop here? I feel bad leaving you unsatisfied."
"Are you joking?" He placed a soft kiss on Theo's palm. "Nothing I do with you could be disappointing." He looked down. "I didn't do so well at listening towards the end, but if you want a next time, I'll get better."
If I was falling before, now I am plummeting . "You're too sweet, you know that? I definitely want a next time. As for not listening towards the end, it was such a turn on I finished in like two minutes so don't worry about it."
He gave his hand a squeeze and offered a tired smile. "I do have one concern, though. What's this swelling down here?" he asked, wrapping legs around his waist and pulling him closer so he could feel whatever it was better.
"That's my knot. It's the other reason we should stop. It's a shifter trait that helps with breeding."
"Interesting." Theo's face went hot as his mind hung onto the word breeding. A slew of fantasies shot through his mind, but he just cleared his throat, trying to ignore them. "Do you typically like to be on the giving or receiving end of things?"
"I usually like receiving, but with you that's not what I want." His eyes drifted down to Theo's body lying on the desk and he rubbed his thighs. "I understand if knotting means you don't want to, though. We never have to. I'm satisfied either way."
"I'm not against it. We can work up to it." Sebastian's leopard ears perked up and his tail swished behind him, making Theo laugh. "Don't get too excited. It'll be a while, and it'll take some patience."
"I can be patient."
Theo laughed again. I seem to have a leopard prince wrapped around my finger.
"Sebastian! You in here?" Oliver called, making them both jump. Before they could answer, the door burst open. "Jacques and I need your thoughts on..." He went quiet as he took in the sight.
Theo was laying on the desk completely naked and covered in his own fluids and Sebastian was still standing between his legs. There was no denying what they were up to tonight.
"Oh? What do we have here?" Oliver asked with a laugh. "Seems Theo finally found you."
"He did," Sebastian said as he stepped over to better cover Theo's body from view.
"I knew it!" Jacques said practically bouncing. "Henri and I told you ages ago something was going on between them."
Theo sat up fully now and gave a shy wave. "I don't know about ages ago but tonight, yes."
"Ollie, Jacques," Sebastian said, closing his eyes in frustration but doing his best to be calm. "Is whatever you need urgent?"
"We apologize but the guards need to talk to you," Oliver said, leaning on the door frame. "We were told to see if you were awake."
"We'll tell them you're sleeping," Jacques said quickly. "We're really sorry about the intrusion."
"I'll come down early tomorrow. But um, can you both not tell anyone about this?"
"We didn't see a thing. Have fun," Oliver said with a laugh. "Be gentle with Theo. He's a human. They're fragile and honestly a knot might split him in two."
"Get out," Sebastian demanded. Once the door fell, he groaned and put his forehead on Theo’s. "I'm sorry about them. They won't tell anyone but—"
"I was unaware I had to be a secret," Theo said, cutting him off and pushing him away. "I've been hurt before, Sebastian. People have been embarrassed to be with me, and I find it exhausting. If you feel that way too, then maybe we should end this here."
"I'm not embarrassed because you're you," he said, his brows knitted with hurt. "My kingdom is cursed, but I'm still the prince. Who I pursue relations with causes a fuss, and I want to wait a bit longer before that starts. I'll tell everyone soon. If it upsets you, I'll go tell them all now. Clearly they're all together at the moment."
"I understand." Theo rubbed the spot between his ears and decided to bury his insecurities for now. "I'll try and trust you. Just promise me you'll tell people eventually."
"I promise," he said without hesitation. He scooped Theo up in his arms and kissed his cheek. "Let's get you cleaned up."
Table of Contents
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- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25 (Reading here)
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