Gaude

Two tense hours huddled in the cave's damp embrace. Gradually, the drumming rain softened to a drizzle, then a whisper. The bone-rattling thunder retreated, replaced by the drip-drip-drip of water from soaked leaves. Outside, the oppressive black lifted, revealing bruised purple and grey clouds, pierced by weak, hopeful shafts of sunlight filtering through the canopy.

Obsessio nudged Amor gently. "Ve. Rise and shine, sleepyhead. Storm's bailed. Gotta bounce before we get turned around out here." His voice was low, mindful not to startle, but firm with Alpha practicality.

...Silence. Amor remained a warm, dead weight against him, breathing deep and even.

"Heyyy... Veeee..." Sio shook Amor's shoulder a little more insistently. "C'mon, time to motor."

Amor stirred with a drowsy mumble, stretching his arms above his head in a way that made Obsessio instinctively tense, ready to catch him if he tipped. "Huuwaaa... 's it bright already?" he yawned, blinking blearily.

"Yeah," Obsessio confirmed, already shifting to stand, pulling Amor up carefully. The Omega swayed slightly, still half-asleep. "Home time. Seriously, don't wanna get caught out after dark. Nana'll skin me." He kept a steadying hand on Amor's elbow.

"'Kay," Amor mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

They quickly brushed the worst of the cave dust and dirt from their clothes. Stepping out into the washed-clean world felt like entering a different forest – everything glistening, the air sharp and cool. Obsessio scanned the surroundings, his Alpha senses confirming the immediate danger had passed.

"Right, shortcut's this way," he announced, leading Amor onto a narrower, less-traveled path winding back towards the cottage. The scent of damp earth and bruised greenery hung heavy, and unseen creatures rustled in the undergrowth, reclaiming their territory after the storm's fury. Obsessio stayed close, his presence a solid, reassuring anchor as they navigated the slippery path home.

The forest path glistened, still dripping from the storm, as they made their way back. Amor chewed his lip, a question finally bubbling up. "Hold up, Sio. You said Nana's cool with you being out late, but yesterday you mentioned being gone for two days. Doesn't add up."

Obsessio chuckled, easily navigating a muddy patch. "Ve, yeah, I can do that, but there's a rule. Gotta be back before dark hits. Seriously. So, whether I'm gone a day, a week, or heck, even a month," he shrugged, "as long as I roll in while the sun's still up, it's all good. I bounced back yesterday 'cause of you. No way was I gonna make you crash in that damp cave all night." He glanced at Amor, his expression softening.

"Ahh, got it," Amor murmured, looking down. "Sorry... for being such a hassle."

Obsessio stopped walking, turning to face him directly. "No biggie. Seriously, drop that," he said firmly, but not unkindly. "You're my friend, Ve. Zero hassle." A genuine grin spread across his face. "You actually make adventures way more fun. Know what? Before you, it was just... me. Especially when Nana was out scavenging. Always solo. Now?" He nudged Amor's shoulder playfully. "Got someone to talk to, share the cool stuff with. It's... it's awesome. Thanks, man."

Amor's cheeks flushed a warm pink. He hadn't expected that. Needed? Wanted? "D-Don't mention it," he stammered, looking away, touched. "I'm the one who should be thanking you. For... for letting me crash at your place. For everything."

They shared a quiet, understanding smile, the kind that didn't need words. Then, side-by-side, they continued down the path home. Above them, the storm-darkened sky had transformed into a vast, crystal-clear blue, washed clean by the rain. Sunlight streamed through the dripping leaves, painting the wet world in gold. The air hummed with the happy trills of birds returning to their branches, their songs a bright counterpoint to the fading memory of thunder – a perfect, hopeful soundtrack to their walk back.

They rounded a bend, and Obsessio stopped, pointing triumphantly at a massive, weathered tree trunk angled steeply down a muddy slope. It was slick with rain and moss, disappearing into the dense undergrowth below.

"Check it out!" Obsessio announced, a grin spreading across his face.

Amor eyed the primitive slide warily. "I know what a slide is," he said slowly, confusion creasing his brow. "But... why? Why are we here? What's this for?"

Obsessio blinked. "Seriously? This is our express lane home, Ve! Tree trunk slide! Gets us down this ridge way faster than hiking around." He patted the damp wood.

Amor stared at the precipitous drop, his Omega instincts flaring at the perceived danger. The slope looked treacherously steep and deep. "Ooohh... so this is your shortcut?" His voice held a distinct tremor.

"OBSESSIO, this looks... sketchy. Seriously dangerous. It's super steep! And wet!" He took an involuntary step back. "I... I'm kinda freaked out."

Obsessio stepped closer, his Alpha presence radiating calm confidence. "No sweat, don't be scared," he reassured, his voice steady. "I got you. Literally." He held out his hand, palm up. "I'll hold onto you the whole way down. Swear on my Alpha status. Won't let you fall. Promise."

Amor eyed the offered hand, then the daunting slide, then back at Obsessio. A flicker of his newfound cheekiness surfaced despite his fear.

"You better not be messing with me," he warned, pointing a finger, though a tiny smile played on his lips. "Lie about this, and I'll find the biggest rock around and mess you up. Got it?"

Obsessio burst out laughing, the sound echoing slightly in the damp air. "Whoa, harsh! Chill, chill! Just kidding!" He held his hands up in mock surrender, still grinning. "C'mon, seriously! Daylight's burning. Let's move before the sun dips!" He nudged Amor towards the top of the trunk, his hand hovering ready to grab Amor's arm as soon as the Omega committed to the wild ride down.

"Alright, slide time!" Obsessio declared, positioning himself at the top of the slick, rain-washed trunk. Amor, heart pounding, shuffled nervously behind him. "Uh... how does this work exactly?"

"Simple," Sio grinned, patting the space between his legs on the damp wood. "Sit right here, snug between my legs. Back against me." Amor cautiously complied, settling back against the Alpha's solid chest. Obsessio instantly wrapped his arms securely around Amor's waist, locking his hands together just below Amor's ribs. "Got you right here. Won't let go. Promise." His grip was firm, grounding, pure Alpha assurance. "Grab onto my forearms if you need to. Ready?"

Amor took a shaky breath, fingers instinctively digging into Obsessio's muscular arms. "A-as ready as I'll ever be..."

"Then... GO!" Obsessio shifted his weight, and gravity took over.

The world blurred into a rush of green and brown. The trunk shot out from under them like a greased lightning bolt. Wind whipped Amor's hair back, stealing his breath.

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHWWWAAAAAA!!!" Amor's scream ripped through the forest, a pure, unfiltered torrent of terror and exhilaration. He squeezed his eyes shut, fingers clamping like vices onto Obsessio's forearms, his entire body rigid against the Alpha's hold.

Obsessio, however, threw his head back and roared with laughter. "HAHAHAHAHA! YEAH! THAT'S THE SPIRIT, VE!" The sheer speed, the wildness, Amor's ear-splitting shriek right in his ear – it was pure, adrenaline-fueled joy for him.

He tightened his protective embrace, loving every second of the breakneck descent, Amor's frantic energy vibrating against him only amplifying his own excitement.

"WOOOOOHOOOOO! HANG ON TIGHT! WE'RE FLYING!"

The steep slope plunged them downwards, the trunk vibrating beneath them. Leaves and spray flew past. Amor's scream gradually morphed into a shaky, breathless laugh somewhere between terror and disbelief. Obsessio's infectious, booming laughter echoed Amor's fading shriek, a wild duet against the backdrop of the rushing forest as they hurtled towards the bottom, the Alpha's unwavering grip the only anchor in their dizzying, muddy, exhilarating plunge home.