Tempestas

Hours melted away at the waterfall – splashing, practicing clumsy swim strokes, and just floating on their backs, staring up at the sky framed by the cliffs. The roar of the water was a constant, soothing hum.

***GRRRR-OOOOWWL!***

The loud, unmistakable rumble erupted from Amor's stomach, cutting through the peaceful sounds. He flushed crimson, clutching his middle.

"Someone's hangry?" Obsessio teased, paddling closer with a knowing smirk. "C'mon, let's grab a bite. Plenty of stuff grows around here."

"Ehh, nah! I'm just... wiped," Amor stammered, avoiding eye contact. "Seriously, just tired." His attempt at lying was painfully transparent.

Obsessio laughed, a warm, rumbling sound. "Stop frontin', Ve. You lie like a kid who stole cookies. Even Nana sees right through you. Now move it, before all the good stuff gets snatched!" He started wading towards the shore.

(Obsessio's thought: That little lie... it kinda softens my heart. So awkward, so... him.)

"B-but," Amor splashed after him, worry creasing his brow, "I didn't bring the first-aid kit! What if you get hurt again? I can't fix you up!"

Obsessio stopped, turning to stare at him before bursting into genuine laughter. "Dude, what are you even talking about? Hahaha! Chill! I'm just taking you fruit picking! Not hunting rogue Alphas or wrestling bears! Relax!" He shook his head, still chuckling.

Amor's face burned hotter. "Ahhhhh! My bad! Rookie mistake!" He mumbled, utterly mortified.

"No sweat," Obsessio waved it off, already climbing onto a rock. "But seriously, hustle up before the monkeys swipe everything!" He reached down to haul Amor up.

"Monkeys?!" Amor yelped, looking around nervously.

"You'll see! Now move it, slowpoke!" Obsessio grabbed his wrist, tugging him firmly but gently towards their clothes. "Gotta cover up first, unless you wanna give the squirrels a show!"

"Okay, okay! Lemme get dressed!" Amor scrambled for his folded clothes, the promise of food and the mystery of monkeys replacing his embarrassment with fresh, slightly nervous excitement.

They pushed through the undergrowth for another ten minutes before bursting into a sun-dappled clearing. Trees sagged under the weight of clusters of dark, juicy berries.

"Whoa! What kinda food is this?" Amor asked, eyeing the unfamiliar fruit.

Obsessio snorted, plucking a handful. "Not food, Ve. These are mulberries, dude."

"Mulberries?" Amor poked one skeptically. "Why're they so freakin' tiny?"

"Just eat 'em already," Obsessio grinned, tossing berries into his mouth. "When I'm starving, these bad boys are my go-to. Total filler snack, but clutch when you're hangry. Seriously worth it."

"Alright..." Amor tentatively tried one. His eyes lit up. "Huh... not bad actually!"

"Told ya!"

They spent the next while picking and munching, filling Obsessio's makeshift pouch with berries for later. The sweet-tart burst was a welcome surprise.

***CRUNCH-CRACKLE-RUSTLE!***

The sudden sound froze them mid-bite. Not just footsteps – a whole pack moving through the brush nearby. Obsessio's Alpha instincts kicked in hard. Before Amor could blink, Sio's hand clamped around his wrist like iron.

"Shh! Move!" he hissed, yanking Amor off the path. In three heartbeats, they'd ducked into the shadowy mouth of a nearby cave, pressing flat against cold stone as the snapping twigs grew louder. Obsessio's body tensed like a coiled spring, shielding Amor instinctively as his eyes scanned the tree line – every muscle primed for whatever emerged from the green.

"What's going on?" Amor whispered, bewildered, pressed against the damp cave wall beside Obsessio.

"Just watch," Obsessio murmured back, his voice tight with focus. He carefully parted the thick mulberry leaves screening the cave entrance.

Amor peered through the gap, the view partially obscured by the dense foliage. Outside, a cacophony of chattering and rustling grew louder.

"Kuk-kuk-kuk! Ook-ook!"

"That sound..." Amor breathed, recognizing the earlier noise.

"Yep, Ve," Obsessio confirmed, his gaze fixed intently on the moving shadows beyond the leaves. "Monkeys. A whole troop hauling butt outta here. Means we gotta be extra careful too."

"Why? What does it mean?" Amor asked, a prickle of unease crawling up his spine.

"You seriously don't know?" Obsessio glanced at him briefly, surprise mixing with concern. "It's a major sign, Ve. Means a monster storm is rolling in – heavy rain, crazy wind, lightning, the whole shebang. They're bugging out because their usual spots aren't safe. Gotta find better shelter." He turned back to watch.

"Nana taught me that. Always watch the critters."

"Ohhh, so..." Amor understood, the pieces clicking into place. The urgency in the monkeys' calls suddenly made sense.

"Look," Obsessio pointed subtly. "They're gone. Cleared out fast."

As if summoned by their departure, the first heavy drops began to fall.

*PITTER-PATTER... PITTER-PATTER...*

The sound rapidly intensified on the broad leaves outside, quickly turning into a steady drumming on the forest canopy. A cold wind whipped through the cave entrance, carrying the sharp scent of ozone and wet earth.

"Sio..." Amor's voice was small, barely audible over the rising downpour. A distant rumble of thunder vibrated the air. He instinctively shrank back further into the cave's shadows. "I'm... I'm scared." Fear of storms, ingrained from lonely nights in his silent room, clenched his chest.

A strong, warm arm immediately wrapped around Amor's shoulders, pulling him firmly against Obsessio's solid side. The Alpha's scent – rain-soaked earth and something fiercely protective – enveloped him.

"No sweat, Ve," Obsessio said, his voice a low, steady rumble that cut through the storm's noise. He gave Amor's arm a reassuring squeeze.

"I'm right here. Seriously. Not going anywhere." His eyes, however, remained sharp, scanning the darkening forest beyond the cave mouth, every sense alert for dangers amplified by the storm – but his presence was an unwavering anchor for the trembling Omega beside him.

The storm unleashed its full fury. Rain hammered the earth like drumbeats of war. Thunder cracked, not just loud but bone-shaking, each boom making the cave walls tremble. Lightning ripped through the pitch-black sky, illuminating the world for a split second in terrifying, jagged white before plunging it back into oppressive darkness. The air felt thick, charged, and suffocatingly dark.

"Easy there," Obsessio murmured, his voice a low, steady counterpoint to the chaos outside. His arm tightened around Amor's shoulders. "You're gonna be fine. Got a seriously strong Alpha right here watching your back." He tapped his own chest lightly.

Amor, nestled against him, tilted his head back, a ghost of a teasing smile playing on his lips despite his fear. "Oh yeah? Who's this super-strong Alpha?" he asked, his voice barely audible over the downpour.

Obsessio scoffed, giving Amor's shoulder a gentle, mock-annoyed shake. "Who else, moron? Me, obviously!" A flicker of playful irritation crossed his features.

"Hehehe, sorry," Amor whispered, the tension easing slightly as he relaxed fully against the Alpha's solid frame.

The relentless rhythm of the rain, combined with the deep, reassuring rumble of Obsessio's voice and the warmth of his body, worked like a lullaby on Amor's frayed nerves. Exhaustion and the feeling of safety finally pulled him under. His head slid down onto Obsessio's lap as the Alpha sat propped against the cave wall. Amor curled up, his breathing deepening into the soft, even pattern of sleep.

Obsessio froze for a moment, looking down at the Omega nestled trustingly against him. Then, almost unconsciously, his rough, calloused fingers began to move. He gently carded them through Amor's damp hair, smoothing it back from his forehead with a tenderness that surprised even himself.

(Obsessio's thoughts: So soft... like freakin' silk. And that scent... sweet milk and something just... him. Calm now. Safe.)

"You out...?" Obsessio whispered, already knowing the answer. Amor didn't stir, lost in peaceful oblivion. Obsessio let out a soft breath he hadn't realized he was holding. A slow, genuine smile spread across his face as he watched Amor sleep. In the flickering light of distant lightning, the Omega looked ethereal – peaceful, vulnerable, and utterly beautiful. The storm raged on, but inside the cave, a fragile bubble of profound calm held firm, anchored by the Alpha's silent vigil and the Omega's trusting slumber.