30

It is quite strong. The smoothness and the nutty aftertaste was sublime. He only thought about tasting the alcohol but he did not predict how good it's going to be. Hence, he was already on his third cup. Langdon, down the last cup and slumped back on the chair as he glanced at the scenery outside the dwelling. The spices were growing so well that he could almost smell their fragrance inside the abode. It was adding intensity to the drink he just had. Rain was nowhere to be seen as the huge wolfdog decided to hunt for meat once again.

In all honesty, he finally ventured out of the dwelling last week to hunt and gather for fresh food. It seems like eating the same food everyday was making his appetite disappear. He would not like that when he is finally gaining the weight he needs. Sure, he was looking different than the first time he arrived at the main island. He was no longer a lanky human who would easily snap like a twig when touched. In a short span of time, he got a lean body. It was weird and awkward for sure but it grew on him. He loves it.

He stared at the table where fresh fruits were stylishly placed. Getting the fruits was quick and easy. One can easily find them around the place if they just know where to look. Since last week, he has ventured farther than the last one. He already found the small pool that the hermit, Talon, likes to bathe. He also visited the area where the man planted the sweet potatoes. All in all, he already knows his way around the dwelling and it makes him happy and excited.

"It was all because of Rain." He muttered to himself. It was the truth. The animal was clever and would often guide him around the forest. The big animal could understand a lot of things and is playful. However, the animal still thinks that he is incapable of hunting so it would still leave him parts of the meat from its catch.

He loves that animal.

"When is that hermit coming back?" He groaned to himself, almost slurring his words.

The alcohol he found buried inside the shed was strong, yet sweet. He accidentally found it when she cleaned the almost depleted smoke meats. He started drinking the delectable alcohol he found yesterday. There's more where it came from. He found at least four of the huge clay jars sealed very well buried in the shed. Each jar was emitting different kinds of fragrance and he only dared open one.

Such drinks can never be found in the district. He knows his alcohol well since he works at a place where they mostly cater to the depravity of men.

"That man sure is taking his time." He glared at the fruits in front of him. They are the same fruits that Talon provided him with when they stayed at the first dugout shelter. It's the only fruit he recognised in the area so it's also the fruit he dared to gather. Better be sure than dead.

"Talon." He called out in the air, melancholy wrapping his voice. How could the man survive in this place living alone? It's only been more than two weeks and he's already losing his mind without any interaction.

Sighing one more time, he stood up from the chair and slowly stepped out of the dwelling. He grabbed the small sack hanging on the wall, and mounted it on his back. Talon never forgot to bring the necessary things every time he stepped out of the dwelling and he emulated the man.

Since he is a tad bit drunk, and he is not good with making traps just yet, he decided that a soup would make for his late lunch. He still has a bunch of carrots from yesterday, it would not hurt to add some leafy vegetables to it. There is a good spot in the western side of the dwelling with lots of herbs. It wouldn't be bad to add some squash leaves to the soup, and some water spinach.

He'd rather do something than think about the frustrating man. He started walking clumsily towards the western side.

"Why's the path so hard to navigate today?" He loudly mumbled. It seems his frustration about the disappearance of the Hermit was making him short-tempered these days.

"Maybe because you're fucking drank? How'd you find the alcohol?"

Langdon's head whipped faster than lightning. He almost tumbled on the uneven ground but someone caught his freefalling figure.

"Shit's sake." Said the person who caught his body albeit with difficulty.

"You're back." He gasped in a sudden burst of happiness. His muddled head cleared and with no delay he grabbed both shoulders of the man, and engulfed him in a welcoming hug.

"You're finally back! What took you so long? I was so fucking worried. I thought the worst!" He couldn't help growling in frustration at the culprit of his misery. He pulled back from the hug and stared at the face he has been missing for the past few weeks. The idiotic hermit was wearing a fed up face. The guts of him to look so pissed at him when he was the one missing all these weeks.

"You drank my alcohol." The man glared at him in return, steadying his swaying form in the process.

"I fucking missed you." He breathily said, overwhelmed with happiness now. He gulped in exhilaration and dove for the hermit's inviting lips.

***

Tahlia didn't know what to do. Her eyes were wide like her wooden plates and her hands stiffened on her sides. She was looking at the man's face with his eyes shut. A look of pure bliss was on Langdon's face while she struggled with what to do with his lips pressing on hers.

Raising her hands to push his chest away, the man then decided to grab her waist and cupped the back of her head, keeping her in place. It is soft, and wet. His lips were supple and felt like the softest pillow. The softest kiss was gradually making her head spin and her fine hairs standing in attention.

"Langd–" she gasped trying to steal some precious air when something long and wet entered her mouth instead. Goosebumps littered all over her body when her brain recognized the object. His tongue is inside her mouth!

She pushed one more time, but the man returned it with a tighter hug, deepening the kiss. Tahlia knew what kiss was but she never thought it would be like this. It sounds dirty and feels sinful. She didn't know how to kiss!

What is this man doing?

Tahlia tried to shut her lips, evading the playful tongue that's plundering the insides of her own mouth, but the man grasped her jaw and pressed on the sides of it. The action made her open her mouth and once again, his tongue entered her mouth. The wet noises they're making filled her heated ears. The kiss was making her knees weak. She did not notice it but she was already hugging him back and she was sloppily returning the kiss, reluctantly sucking on the tip of his tongue, mimicking him.

Tingles started running through her veins from their liplocking. Licks after licks. Sucking. Each action causes a fire somewhere in her body. The odd thing about it is she wanted to fuel that fire and feel it burn. She wanted more even with her struggling to refill her lungs with precious air.

"Hmm…" A moan left her lips as Langdon dragged her body closer to his own, rocking their bodies together. It was a hypnotic movement. The heat of their skin on each other was making the fire worse. She wanted that burn so bad but she doesn't know how to do it right.

More. She wanted more.

"Damn." She was pushed gently, held in arms length. The sudden loss of contact made her disoriented. Her numbing lips gasping for air as she watched the man in her front with a hooded gaze. Why did he stop?

Electric blue eyes met her hazel orbs. Heated eyes stared at each other, devouring. The former was gaping at her knowingly while she stared at him with longing.

Why did he stop? She wanted to say it out loud but she could not do anything besides pant. She's losing her mind.

"Welcome home, Talon." Was all Langdon said and hugged her once more.