Chapter Nineteen

The two trolls looked each other down, equally stubborn and enduring. Branch's mouth twitched while he gazed the purple troll over, silently thinking. "If you aren't lying," he said slowly, pausing while he contemplated his words. "Then… I want you to strip."

Creek cringed with a sudden tremble of fear. "What do you mean, strip?" he asked, the hairs on his body rising on end. He could feel a radiating pulse of energy from Branch, his aura shifting in an unexpected direction.

"Take off your clothes," he said boldly now, stalking towards Creek with heavy intent in his eyes. The purple troll walked backwards quickly and was met with a tree blocking his escape. He pushed his back up against the tree and held his breath while Branch placed his palm on the trunk next to Creek's head, efficiently trapping him, and leaned in. The troll stared him down just inches from his face, not frowning, but not smiling either. "If you want me, Creek," he whispered to him tauntingly, "then you'll take your clothes off, right here and now, and mate with me. That's what you want, right? You want to be my mate…? I won't believe you, otherwise. I don't think you can do it, so prove me right. Show me that you're faking."

Creek's heart throbbed in his chest and he couldn't help the shaking wheeze that escaped him. "At this very moment?" he asked weakly. "Here in the forest, out in the open?"

"Is that disgust that I hear?" Branch said, scowling at him. "Yeah, it must be disgusting to think about actually having sex with a troll like me. So it's true, you've been stringing me along this entire time!"

"No, I haven't!" Creek cried out.

"Then do it!" Branch yelled, startling the purple troll.

Creek bit hard into his lower lip and looked away, unable to accept the intimidating glare. Branch was asking for something horribly cruel but he still couldn't blame him for being doubtful and guarded. He swallowed heavily, trying to think of a way out. In all honesty, he did want Branch. He wanted him so badly his body was screaming to have him, especially after hearing him sing, but he wasn't sure if he was mentally ready to give it all up in these circumstances. If he had to make that kind of sacrifice to keep Branch at his side; if this is what it would take... then he'd show him just how serious he was. He'd prove that his feelings were real and that he wasn't a liar like Branch believed.

Taking in a shallow breath, Creek reached his shaking hands up and opened his dark royal cloak, shimmying the material over his shoulders. The clothing slipped to the ground in a puddle around their feet. Branch didn't say a word, watching Creek, digging his eyes into his presented chest and dragging them down his trim stomach. Flushing hot at the attention and steeling his resolve, the purple troll unfastened the front of his pants and met Branch's challenging gaze again.

"Creek," Branch breathed, their lips just inches apart. The grey troll gripped the tree tightly with his fingers, the bark crumbling easily. "Are you serious," he whispered, "You can't be. Don't lie to me. Please, don't break me like this."

His demeanor shifted rapidly, going from doubtful to worried. Branch's aura flickered while his eyes looked down on Creek through the shifting shadows of the forest around them. The sun was completely set, night time looming in the quiet rustling of the canopy over their heads. It was just the two of them in the moonlight, no one else would be coming here and no one would spot them from the festival. Creek could see the flames dancing in Branch's pupils and his heart hammered up into his throat. Yes, he did want this.

Creek grasped the hem of his pants and inner briefs, pushing the fabrics down his hips and he wiggled them over his thighs, showing himself in full nudity. He shivered heavily against the chilly air, stepping out of the pants and kicking it to the side. "I am serious," Creek said, holding his forearms around his middle. His cheeks flared in a never ending blush, letting Branch judge his physic. He chanted to himself mentally to not be nervous, to not hide himself away, because he knew he wasn't an ugly troll. There shouldn't be a reason for him to be afraid of being naked in front of his soul mate. No matter how many positives he went through, the fear still constricted.

Branch came one step closer. He pressed their bodies together and helped block the harsh, windy element. The grey troll moved both of his hands in, resting them at the edge of Creek's jawline and touching his thumb over his lower lip. His eyes were hooded while he focused on Creek's face, their expressions mirrored raw desire for one another. Creek saw how conflicted he was through those swirling dark pools. He was waltzing slowly aside confusion and longing, tested by what he believed and what he was seeing. There it was; the chance, the opening, to make him realize his feelings and end the whole charade between them.

"I will do anything," Creek said quietly, moving his arms around Branch's neck and touching the soft strands at the base of his hair line. "Believe in me. Believe that we're mates that have been estranged for half a lifetime. There's an explanation for all of this... You have nothing to lose but everything to gain, being here with me."

"Mates..." Branch repeated the word under his breath, staring into watery, lilac eyes. He touched his hands along the sides of Creek's face slowly and let his fingers thread through his silken hair, mimicking Creek's gentle touch. The dark troll was coming undone, his pulse echoing loud enough to feel inside Creek's own chest.

Creek closed his eyes to the sensation and sighed, then he felt a sudden pressure on his lips. Branch kissed him deeply, angling his mouth for the perfect fit. Creek melted instantly at the invasion and clung to his shoulders, their soft, shy tongues curling around each other. Branch tasted sugary like ripened fruits, something he could easily become addicted to, and his excitement sparked anew. The grey troll delved deep, his kiss coaxing with slow caresses and swallowing his mouth until there was no end and no beginning. All the worries in the world were wiped clean, Branch's musky scents of cedar and savory berries surrounding him with comfortable, fluffy pillows. Their first kiss had been fiery and difficult in the end, but their second spun 180 degrees, blooming sober and beautiful with a sprinkling of euphoria.

Creek reluctantly pulled away to gasp for air, but Branch brought him in again and kissed over his lips and chin, completely insatiable. "I believe you, Creek," he whispered between pecks. "I believe you, okay? Just kill me if you're lying. I can't do this anymore. I don't want to fight it anymore." He kissed Creek once more, pinning him to the tree trunk and working their mouths passionately before he succumbed to let the troll breathe again.

"B-Branch," Creek stammered through the assault, legs cinching together. His body throbbed mercilessly, another unfamiliar trickle flowing down the inside of his thigh. Fast arousal caged him behind steel bars; it was blatant, suffocating, and he was embarrassed to beg for more. The tightening in his groin and loosening of his backside were going to push him to his knees before too long.

Branch felt him squirm and pulled back a bit, becoming worried by his distressed expression, "What's the matter? Are you in pain?" he asked.

Creek didn't immediately respond, tasting his lip for some sweet residue his love left behind. He probably thought Creek was sore from the clocking he took earlier, which was true, but it was nothing he couldn't handle; nothing in comparison to the new pain accumulating between his legs. Sweat bead on his forehead and his mouth twisted, "You could say that," Creek groaned, another hot spell rolling through his nerves.

"Ugh – I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hit you, I'm such a jerk," he apologized and hugged Creek tightly. "Here, sit down with me..." Branch held the other troll and helped lower them to the ground. He twisted their positions and put his back to the tree to heft Creek into his lap, letting the purple troll rest his full weight on his thighs. "Is this better," he asked, resuming his sweet kisses along the side of his throat. The dark troll was breathless and needy and he could feel his hands twitching while they rested on his legs. "What can I do?" he asked.

The positioning made Creek blaze, his elation stoking the embers in his belly. He tangled his fists into Branch's ruffled shirt and panted, mind going up in smoke. Here he was, completely naked and aching to be mated senseless and Branch was trying to be sincere. He loved it so much he could hardly contain himself.

The grey troll swallowed nervously and caressed around his hips, forcing his body to arch sharply in his hands. "Branch," he called out his name again, releasing the shirt so he could pet his palms up and down his chest. Solid and strong, broad and muscular; Creek couldn't take it anymore. He scooted closer in, ignoring the awkward feel of his erection pressing into Branch's stomach. He tried to entice farther, slipping his hands under the black material to seductively graze the troll's nipple. "Will you touch me," he asked desperately. "Please, Branch. Do something to me. Tell me you want me, too."

Branch's pointed ears flicked and he groaned in obedience, taking no time in reaching his hands around to grasp Creek's rounded ass. He pulled roughly at the flesh and the purple troll hissed in pleasure, hiding his face in Branch's neck while he was brazenly groped. He was so thankful that that it was dark outside, despite being alone together. He couldn't imagine what his face looked like.

"I do want you," the grey troll hummed coarsely against his ear. "Are you sure you want me, though?" Branch asked him, massaging into his cheeks with his fingers. "How badly do you want to be a mated troll? How badly… do you want me inside you?"

The tease! He was being a bloody tease and it was stupidly erotic, his attempted foul talk throwing him in disarray. Creek could only nod vigorously and opened his thighs, dipping his spine to give Branch full access. He was leaning against his chest and supporting himself on his knees, spread over his lap with everything exposed. Branch accepted the silent submission and put his mouth to Creek's shoulder while he slipped his hand farther down the crevice of his backside, his finger tips breaching the incredible wet and unexplored depths. Creek gasped, shivering while Branch's curious fingers probed the entrance to his body. His virgin touch was gentle and careful but that burned him up even more. Creek rubbed his hot face on Branch's throat and made an urgent, whimpering sound, his legs shaking from the excitement. The grey troll went to laying more kisses into Creek's collar bone and pushed a single finger deep inside, causing Creek to jolt.

"You're so fucking beautiful," Branch said, his voice straining. His words were laced with a demanding arousal despite taking the slow actions he forced on himself. He also seemed hesitant, unsure of which direction to go.

Taking control, Creek darted his hands down and hastily tugged on Branch's trousers, momentarily fumbling with the button as a second finger pressed inside along with the first. The burn inside pushed to dangerous levels and he flinched at the painful intrusion, but it wasn't going to deter him from the goal. He'd rather die a horrible death than quit over a little soreness.

"Not as beautiful as you," Creek countered, reaching into his pants and daringly wrapping his fingers around the already hardened member. The grey troll grunted and his hips bucked slightly, flushes of pink lighting up his cheeks. His fingers paused their ministrations, giving Creek a chance to regain his sanity. A few solid strokes and Branch was reduced to a panting mess underneath him, shifting and lifting to every loving stroke Creek gave.

Suddenly, Branch pulled his fingers free and grabbed Creek's wrist tightly, "Wait, stop! That's too much… I've never – I've never done this before," he huffed, chest heaving while he tried to catch his breath. Creek obliged and carefully removed his hand, looking Branch dead in the eye while he brought his slick fingertips to his lips.

"However you want it, in any way," Creek murmured. He licked the leaked fluid from his sex, tasting the essence, and bounced his eyebrows at the troll knowing full well the wickedness he dealt.

Branch stared at him and his eyes narrowed. A primal noise pelt from deep in the grey troll's throat and he seized Creek at the shoulders, thrusting him backwards to slam him into the cold, damp grass. The purple troll had the wind knocked out of him and he coughed, staring wide-eyed at the beast born above him. Branch pulled his shirt over his head quickly and threw it aside. There were only moments to appreciate the dips and curves of his muscles before the troll gripped his soaked thighs and forcibly dragged him inward, spreading them wide open.

Creek shifted eagerly and gripped what he could of the grass around him, watching the impatient troll push down his pants. His pulse was irregular, finally seeing every bit of skin that Branch had to offer. The tapering of black pubic hair led to a shaft that was engorged and darkened, upright and willing with a sheen that made Creek's mouth water. Leaning over the purple troll, Branch hooked his hand under his knee and lifted his leg, fitting his hips in the creamy apex of his body.

"Oh, Holy Mother," Creek panted.

"She can't save you now," Branch whispered huskily, shifting his position with his free hand ducked between them. "Last chance to say something," he warned. "Because I won't stop half way."

The purple troll reached for his neck and pulled Branch's face close to his. "Mate me," he begged. "Make love to me. For God's sake, fuck me!" Creek cursed, for the first time in his life.

Branch groaned heatedly and caught his mouth in another quick, searing kiss, lining up and forcefully pressing the head of his length past the slippery tight ring of muscle. Creek gripped his arms around and dug his fingers into Branch's back as his hips lifted off the grass. The pain was sharp and intense, his entire being feeling like it was being severed through the middle. He couldn't breath while Branch penetrated, pushing deeper and deeper without remorse, stretching him endlessly until they were stuck snugly together.

Creek grit his teeth, swallowing all the sounds that wanted to escape. New tears threatened to break while his body agonized, overwhelmed by the discomfort. He felt the panicking recoil inside but fought it down, instead clinging tighter to Branch's form with all of his limbs.

"Relax a little," Branch groaned, rolling his hips, "You're squeezing too tightly."

"I'm not squeezing," Creek managed to gasp. "I am this tight… I-I'm… I'm a virgin, too" he stammered, "but… not anymore."

"No way," the troll shivered and he jerked forward.

Creek cried out obscenely and bit hard into his lower lip, drawing out a pebble of blood. With his eyes screwed shut, he wiggled and tried to relax but it was near impossible. Branch kissed his bruised lip and sucked it into his mouth, licking the tiny cut with an apologetic murmur. The dark troll then made a low, drawn out sound of pleasure, grinding slowly with as much patience he could give. Goosebumps covered Creeks skin and he squirmed, each movement sending bolts of electricity to his core. He couldn't speak anymore, he couldn't breathe, every filled inch muddled his thoughts.

The air around them was cold and their breaths were visible, steamy clouds puffing from their lips. Despite that, he was sweltering, the molten storm inside him concentrating at their connection. The sound of Branch's heavy panting was a song to his ears. The tightness was beginning to recede by the working of his lover's care, more of Creek's natural slick helping them along.

He felt a slow pull from inside and keened, only to have Branch give a particularly solid thrust. Creek levitated off the ground with a wince but it turned into a choked moan, the pain momentarily overcome by such an amazing feeling he couldn't discern if it was real or not.

"Right there?" Branch muttered, gripping Creek's shoulder with one hand and his thigh with the other. He repeated the action, diving into the wet depths and scraping into Creek's prostate.

"A-Ah! Branch!" Creek clumsily grabbed at him, searching for more leverage.

"Yes, baby?" he cooed under his breath. "Like this?"

He didn't think he could become more stirred. Creek shivered at the pet name, a string of unstoppable moans and mewls coming from his throat with every strong thrust Branch gave him. The dark troll quickened his pace, abusing the bundle of nerves with every deep advancement. It was rough and hard, and Creek never wanted it to stop. He needed; he so desperately needed everything and more, the daunting coil inside him winding so tightly he wanted to be scattered across the forest.

Branch was the same, his thrusting hips becoming erratic. His fingers were gripping into Creek enough to bruise, breath ragged while his body sweat from the pleasurable toil. There was nothing more perfect than having Branch on top of him, layering messy kisses over his dried lips. Creek was climbing up, the winding thrill twisting and burning in his lower gut until it threatened to break lose. The purple troll clung his arms tightly around Branch's neck while his body rocked. He was so close, reaching out mentally for whatever demon called his name.

Then, a black wave wrapped around Creek's disheveled hair. Branch screwed their contrasting strands together tightly, arresting the purple troll with everything he had. His senses were slammed with Branch's soul scent, pushing him over the edge. Creek gasped in fast, short breaths while he felt his body contract, staring into the shadowed depths of Branch's crystal blue eyes.

"C-Creek, I can't – I don't know," Branch pressed his face to Creek's shoulder, his breath catching harshly and his hips stuttering.

"Don't stop!" Creek pleaded quickly, "Please! Ah – ah!" His climax flipped his world upside down and he spasmed violently. Tears sprung from his eyes as he cried out, legs tightening ruthlessly around the dark troll's waist. Branch groaned loudly and slammed into him, brows furrowed. He trembled hard and held fast to Creek's hips, locking himself deep inside while he came. His moans were pitched high while he rode out his orgasm and Creek's merciless clenching milking him out until he collapsed heavily on top of the purple troll.

They both panted, completely spent, sweaty, and feverish. Branch didn't pull out of their messy bond just yet, touching his lips to Creek's throat. He pressed his hips forward slowly to stay connected and Creek moaned weakly from the sensitivity. The purple troll caressed his fingertips across Branch's broad back, receiving a pleasurable purr in response. His eyes cracked open and glanced up at their twisted hair, still wrapped together in a beautiful spiral of black and teal. Blurred by contentment, he spied a barely noticeable shimmer of blue and purple hue highlighting Branch's strands. He blinked through the haze, wondering if he was just imagining things.