Tina (Read Pinned Post)

The old beast turned his head towards Aife and kept his tired gaze lingering in her. He remained overly relaxed and apparently didn’t seem to mind her getting closer and sitting next to him at all. In fact, as she spoke he listened attentively and the lips of his previous scary monstrous maw formed to a warm smile. He calmly let his gaze roam over the scenery of his living room and the kitchen corner with Fern getting to work. Letting his gaze stay on him for a couple more moments, before returning to Aife.

“You’re a brave soul”, he cooed and his exhausted smile grew even warmer. “And a funny one, too~” His raspy voice grunted and laughed quietly, a genuine, warm lil laugh. “…..’Be on your way’” - he quoted Aife and couldn’t suppress another amused grunt. His amber eyes shifted, looking deeply, fondly into Aifes. “You really thought I’d let you leave?”

~~~

Aife smiled sheepishly, shrugging at Risto’s comment.  She’d been called brave…and foolish by many creatures.  However, as he continued, her expression shifted.  Aife tilted her head.  He wouldn’t…let them leave?  What would he have done if they’d tried?  Granted, Risto didn’t…appear angry.  In fact, he looked the most relaxed Aife had seen him all night.  Which was a good thing.  Perhaps…maybe they’d been forgiven?  

“Well-erm,” the dwarf cleared her throat.  As long as Risto wasn’t making another grab for her, she quessed she was fine.  “I would’a thought ye’d want us as far from here as we could get….considerin’ we almost…y’know,” she nodded to Kenny and rubbed her neck again.  “An’ again…I’m really sorry we…hurtcha…almost did, I’m…I’m real sorry.”

~~

A small smile broke her face.  Risto…wanting children, not something she would have pieced together.  Of course, that was coming from someone who’d just had a glimpse into his life.  She really didn’t know Risto-none of the trio did.  They only knew what the villagers had told them, and only some of those rumors seemed true.  Risto was a molten lake in Aife’s mind-hot and reactive, with brilliant power when given the right conditions.  Something to respect, fear, but also admire.  

“Hm…Fern dun’ seem the children type,” she admitted, drawing herself back from her thoughts.  “Dunno though, maybe he jus’needs th’right kinda offer…  I dunno,” she looked back to Risto.  “Boy reminds me of a river…he dun’stick in one place fer too long, kinda…flows, moves.”  The dwarf shrugged.  She hadn’t known Fern long, of course…perhaps there was more to the flirt than met the eye.  

~~

Fern stirred in what spices he’d found, the homely little cave reflecting the smell of the brew.  It was rich, spicy, and plenty hearty.  While Aife and Risto spoke, he was completely oblivious to mentions of his personal life.  Truthfully, Aife hadn’t been wrong.  He’d never been the type to consider the family life.  There was far too much to explore to bother with children, a life at home…no, he’d much prefer to flow and fly as he pleased.  

Maybe one day, if he found the right person…he’d consider a life at home, and try to settle down.  

But, he wasn’t focused on the concept of a civil life.  Instead, he watched steam billow from the pot on the stove, dissapating into the cool air of the cave.  The burned seaweed smell was drowned out by the smell of soup.  Fern wiped his forehead with his hand.  It had been too long since he’d taken the time to properly cook.  Funny how food worked to calm the nerves-almost made him forget he’d gone toe-to-toe with a monster man and lost.  

Slowly, he turned and faced the others.  

Though, his attention shifted when Fern called out to them. Again, the room was not only filled with wonderfully smelling soup, but equally with the thick, rolling sound of the old sea beast’s laughter. An odd mix of madness and genuine joy bundling up in this baritone guttural melody. Dramatically, he rolled off the pile of chairs, arching his back, glaring over at Aife. Now just inches away from her face to face. He glared into her eyes with madness, excitement, as his gaze turned and aimed onto Fern.

She didn’t get much chance to respond before Risto stood.  His frame almost consumed hers, leaving her feeling absolutely tiny and all too aware of Risto’s figure.  Gods…he was massive.  As he moved away, Aife stared in awe, unsure how a creature so big and so boisterous managed to live a life of solitude…it hardly seemed to fit him.  

~~

Fern turned as he was addressed, only to find himself pressed into the plush middle of Risto’s gut.  He blinked.  Smirking, the human tilted his head up, moving back so he could cross his arms and prop them against the bare skin before him.  He tilted his head, green eyes shimmering cheekily.   “Risto~,” his voice was a purr, though hardly matched the honey-like baritone of Risto’s.  

“How much more can you handle, handsome?~”  Fern purred, tilting his chin upwards.  “Big man like you must need to eat so much, I’m sure…”  His arms uncrossed, and Fern allowed his hands to trace over the big gut before him.  For someone who seemed to live alone in the mountains, he was so warm…so soft~.  

~~

Aife gaped at the interaction before her.  She hadn’t known Fern long…and she knew he was a flirt, but…this.  This was a sight to behold.  The dwarf’s face was frozen in a mask of pure shock and awe, watching Fern, every bit a twig compared to the volcano that was Risto, boldly flirting with and embracing him as though they’d known each other for years.  They’d just met tonight-how was Fern so…bold?  How was he able to stand there, in front of Risto and act like he was speaking to an old friend-even more heavy, a lover?  

–

After having sat on the floor for so long, Kenny finally stood.  She whipped around, facing Fern and Risto.  Her olive eyes burned into Fern.  

“If you two are gonna make goo-goo eyes, fucking get a room already.”  She hissed, glaring between the two.  “No one here wants to see twinky and the beast.  Get a room, get it on, or get it over with.”  Sneering, she turned back to the wall and observed the door.  The human approached it, trying to reason if she could force it open again and get the hell off the damned island.  More than anything, she wanted a fight, to hunt.  Clearly, her time to shine had passed the instant Fern came on board.  “C’mon, ‘Fee.”

–

Blinking, Aife stared at Kenny from across the room.  She looked to Risto, to Fern, and around the rocky, yet homey lair Risto resided in.  Aife frowned.  While she didn’t want to leave, nowhere near it, she didn’t want to be left by herself, either.  Slowly, she stood.  

~~

While AIfe retracted from Risto’s gaze, Kenny stood tall.  She raised her chin, shoulders squaring at the looming threat.  While he spoke, she was quiet, though her gaze flickered to Fern as Risto addressed him, and Aife when he addressed her.  Finally, his gaze fell on the fighter.  Kenny’s hand grasped at her club, grip tightening around the handle.  

“Like hell,”  the human snapped.  “You’re not making me do shit.  Not my mom, not my friend, and you sure as hell don’t get to boss me around.  I’m leaving.”  

With that, Kenny turned to the door.  Her hand gripped the handle, and she yanked at it.  The door moved a few inches, and Kenny grunted.  Pulling it open was much more difficult than pushing it had been…  Still, she didin’t give up.  Replacing her club, the human shifted to both hands.  With a growl all her own, she ripped at the door, managing to open it just enough to slide through.  

~~

All the while, Fern was trapped against the curve of Fern’s middle.  He stared ahead of him, his face a mix of enamored and very, very confused.  His mouth fell open.  Ch-…children.  Children.  His children.  Children that he made.  Risto seemed determined for that to happen.  

What previously had been stone carved stairs leading down further through the old man’s lighthouse, now still were stairs. But: Flooded. Ice cold sea water was greeting Kenny upon opening the trapdoor, dark and murky, swaying and swapping around. Stairs burried, two whole levels of the lighthouse flooded like an overflown basement. The dry stairways now an underwater, spiraling labyrinth into the depths of the ocean. 

~~

Fern’s gaze flickered up as he was addressed again, mouth flopping open and closed like a limp fish.  Where normally he could slide his way through a conversation, he couldn’t process what Risto said around the idea of kids.  He frowned.  After a moment, Fern shook his head, kicking his head back in gear.  Right, flirting.  He knew that, he could do that.  The rest could come later.  

“All the way, hm?~”  for a moment, his voice shook.  For the first time in a long time, he sounded unsure…and Fern didn’t like it.  But, he cleared his throat and the sultry tone came back to it.  Once again, he crossed his arms over the crest of Risto’s middle.  His chin tilted, granting Risto access to the nape and side of his neck, embracing the feeling of the slimy muscle as it traced over him.  

“Family…right,” she scoffed.  For now, she needed to bide her time.  When things calmed down, she would make her move.  Get the hell out, find another job, restart.  Her gaze flickered to Aife… She’d take the dwarf along.  Poor thing couldn’t handle herself anyways.  

~~

Aife stared at Risto, her head tilting as the old man rambled again…  He was…confusing.  She couldn’t quite get a read on him, and it made sense that he was so terrifying.  No one really knew what he was thinking beneath all that grandeur and those loud, rattling laughs.  

And then his attention turned to Fern.  He looked like a lion, plotting to pounce over his prey and devour him whole.  Or….have Fern devour him, Aife wasn’t quite sure their dynamics just yet.  She shook her head, her cheeks flushing at the boldness of the two.  They…were vocal, that much was sure.

~~

Fern blinked, his eyes saucers for a moment.  Tonight?  He wanted to-tonight??  Shaking his head, Fern took a moment to ground himself.   “Why rush?~”  he crooned.  “We have…all the time we could want,” lifting a finger, Fern slid his hand up Risto’s chest.  He smiled.  “Let’s just have fun a while, hm?~  There’s time for kids, time for family…but let’s enjoy us for right now…”

„…You rushed across the sea, you rushed your friend to aid, you rushed to hide yourself into the closet - you rushed to cook a meal - and didn’t hesitate to dote on me…“ His voice was filled with it, filled to brim with warmth and passion, although it sounded….shaky.

„….This. This isn’t rushing. It is passion. Anticipation. Desire.“ Saying this, his gaze shifted again. And it seemed, the old monster from the sea was pouring all of his heart into it. All of his essence, the vastness, the might, the strength and vulnerability of the ocean. In a flickering amber gaze, reflecting at Fern. 

Behind them, beyond Kenny‘s feet, the wooden door was rattling. Quivering.

Amber eyes on Fern. 

„…..Time…….time….“ Raspy, mighty voice starting to crumble, to quiver. „………I’ve waited for so long……“

Mighty, vast voice shaking. The firm, passionate grasp that had kept Fern in a grasp, was starting to grow….limp. It grew less and less, until gravity let the young man’s slender body slip from the mighty frame of the old sea beast. The old beast that still hadn’t averted his gaze from Fern. After all this madness, this smugness, this gaze now looked. Hurt. Wounded. Wounds reflected in those amber eyes. Long lost hurt, ancient, forgotten by humany. 

Those amber eyes blinked. On the edge of realizing they were baring an open wound to Fern, now shakily shifting. Darting over to the side. To Aife and Kenny. They saw scoffing. They saw confusion. And it finally shook the beast back to reality. 

He gasped. A rough, husky, shaky gasp. Tongue curling back into those massive jaws. A large hand shiting to hold his head, which the beast started to shake. „…..No…..no…..I need to go back, come here, back,—I…..“

With a rattling thud, the wooden trapdoor bursted open. And from it’s opened path, murky cold ocean water spilled in. Came rushing in. Rushing, spreading across the room’s floor, rushing and rushing and rushing in——

„……waited for….so long……….family………“ 

He pushed himself up, scrambling to his feet.  His eyes darted to the side.  The door pounded open.  Water rushed in.  Fern didn’t get a chance to argue any further-he was swept into the current.  

~~

Aife was swallowed by the water the instant it rushed in.  Unlike Fern and Kenny, who had an advantage of height, she had nothing.  Her body was thrown into the correct, a rag doll in the hands of frigid saltwater. She threw her arms out, grimacing as they caught onto somwthing solid. The dwarf struggles, but managed to push her head above water. She looked for Fern and Kenny, but couldn’t see much over the waves.

~~

Unlike Aife and Fern, Kenny had no time to see the incoming water. It poured in around her feet, instantly knocking her back. She recovered quickly, managing to catch herself before she was pulled any further. The water pushed her towards the kitchen, and Kenny saw an opportunity. She threw her hands out, caught herself on the edge of a cabinet, and used the momentum from the water to push herself upright. Once there, she gathered her strength in her legs and leapt, pulling herself over the edge of the countertop.

~~

Fern tumbled for a few moments, but found himself in worse shape than the other two. Unlike Kenny, who had arm strength from her fighting and Aífe from years in the mountains, Fen’a strength was in his speed. Without it, he was easily sucked into the water and left thrown like a fish with no fins. Eventually, he smacked into something hard, his head cracking into the edge.

The old beast turned his head towards Aife and kept his tired gaze lingering in her. He remained overly relaxed and apparently didn’t seem to mind her getting closer and sitting next to him at all. In fact, as she spoke he listened attentively and the lips of his previous scary monstrous maw formed to a warm smile. He calmly let his gaze roam over the scenery of his living room and the kitchen corner with Fern getting to work. Letting his gaze stay on him for a couple more moments, before returning to Aife.

“You’re a brave soul”, he cooed and his exhausted smile grew even warmer. “And a funny one, too~” His raspy voice grunted and laughed quietly, a genuine, warm lil laugh. “…..’Be on your way’” - he quoted Aife and couldn’t suppress another amused grunt. His amber eyes shifted, looking deeply, fondly into Aifes. “You really thought I’d let you leave?”

~~~

Aife smiled sheepishly, shrugging at Risto’s comment.  She’d been called brave…and foolish by many creatures.  However, as he continued, her expression shifted.  Aife tilted her head.  He wouldn’t…let them leave?  What would he have done if they’d tried?  Granted, Risto didn’t…appear angry.  In fact, he looked the most relaxed Aife had seen him all night.  Which was a good thing.  Perhaps…maybe they’d been forgiven?  

“Well-erm,” the dwarf cleared her throat.  As long as Risto wasn’t making another grab for her, she quessed she was fine.  “I would’a thought ye’d want us as far from here as we could get….considerin’ we almost…y’know,” she nodded to Kenny and rubbed her neck again.  “An’ again…I’m really sorry we…hurtcha…almost did, I’m…I’m real sorry.”

~~

A small smile broke her face.  Risto…wanting children, not something she would have pieced together.  Of course, that was coming from someone who’d just had a glimpse into his life.  She really didn’t know Risto-none of the trio did.  They only knew what the villagers had told them, and only some of those rumors seemed true.  Risto was a molten lake in Aife’s mind-hot and reactive, with brilliant power when given the right conditions.  Something to respect, fear, but also admire.  

“Hm…Fern dun’ seem the children type,” she admitted, drawing herself back from her thoughts.  “Dunno though, maybe he jus’needs th’right kinda offer…  I dunno,” she looked back to Risto.  “Boy reminds me of a river…he dun’stick in one place fer too long, kinda…flows, moves.”  The dwarf shrugged.  She hadn’t known Fern long, of course…perhaps there was more to the flirt than met the eye.  

~~

Fern stirred in what spices he’d found, the homely little cave reflecting the smell of the brew.  It was rich, spicy, and plenty hearty.  While Aife and Risto spoke, he was completely oblivious to mentions of his personal life.  Truthfully, Aife hadn’t been wrong.  He’d never been the type to consider the family life.  There was far too much to explore to bother with children, a life at home…no, he’d much prefer to flow and fly as he pleased.  

Maybe one day, if he found the right person…he’d consider a life at home, and try to settle down.  

But, he wasn’t focused on the concept of a civil life.  Instead, he watched steam billow from the pot on the stove, dissapating into the cool air of the cave.  The burned seaweed smell was drowned out by the smell of soup.  Fern wiped his forehead with his hand.  It had been too long since he’d taken the time to properly cook.  Funny how food worked to calm the nerves-almost made him forget he’d gone toe-to-toe with a monster man and lost.  

Slowly, he turned and faced the others.  

Though, his attention shifted when Fern called out to them. Again, the room was not only filled with wonderfully smelling soup, but equally with the thick, rolling sound of the old sea beast’s laughter. An odd mix of madness and genuine joy bundling up in this baritone guttural melody. Dramatically, he rolled off the pile of chairs, arching his back, glaring over at Aife. Now just inches away from her face to face. He glared into her eyes with madness, excitement, as his gaze turned and aimed onto Fern.

She didn’t get much chance to respond before Risto stood.  His frame almost consumed hers, leaving her feeling absolutely tiny and all too aware of Risto’s figure.  Gods…he was massive.  As he moved away, Aife stared in awe, unsure how a creature so big and so boisterous managed to live a life of solitude…it hardly seemed to fit him.  

~~

Fern turned as he was addressed, only to find himself pressed into the plush middle of Risto’s gut.  He blinked.  Smirking, the human tilted his head up, moving back so he could cross his arms and prop them against the bare skin before him.  He tilted his head, green eyes shimmering cheekily.   “Risto~,” his voice was a purr, though hardly matched the honey-like baritone of Risto’s.  

“How much more can you handle, handsome?~”  Fern purred, tilting his chin upwards.  “Big man like you must need to eat so much, I’m sure…”  His arms uncrossed, and Fern allowed his hands to trace over the big gut before him.  For someone who seemed to live alone in the mountains, he was so warm…so soft~.  

~~

Aife gaped at the interaction before her.  She hadn’t known Fern long…and she knew he was a flirt, but…this.  This was a sight to behold.  The dwarf’s face was frozen in a mask of pure shock and awe, watching Fern, every bit a twig compared to the volcano that was Risto, boldly flirting with and embracing him as though they’d known each other for years.  They’d just met tonight-how was Fern so…bold?  How was he able to stand there, in front of Risto and act like he was speaking to an old friend-even more heavy, a lover?  

–

After having sat on the floor for so long, Kenny finally stood.  She whipped around, facing Fern and Risto.  Her olive eyes burned into Fern.  

“If you two are gonna make goo-goo eyes, fucking get a room already.”  She hissed, glaring between the two.  “No one here wants to see twinky and the beast.  Get a room, get it on, or get it over with.”  Sneering, she turned back to the wall and observed the door.  The human approached it, trying to reason if she could force it open again and get the hell off the damned island.  More than anything, she wanted a fight, to hunt.  Clearly, her time to shine had passed the instant Fern came on board.  “C’mon, ‘Fee.”

–

Blinking, Aife stared at Kenny from across the room.  She looked to Risto, to Fern, and around the rocky, yet homey lair Risto resided in.  Aife frowned.  While she didn’t want to leave, nowhere near it, she didn’t want to be left by herself, either.  Slowly, she stood.  

~~

While AIfe retracted from Risto’s gaze, Kenny stood tall.  She raised her chin, shoulders squaring at the looming threat.  While he spoke, she was quiet, though her gaze flickered to Fern as Risto addressed him, and Aife when he addressed her.  Finally, his gaze fell on the fighter.  Kenny’s hand grasped at her club, grip tightening around the handle.  

“Like hell,”  the human snapped.  “You’re not making me do shit.  Not my mom, not my friend, and you sure as hell don’t get to boss me around.  I’m leaving.”  

With that, Kenny turned to the door.  Her hand gripped the handle, and she yanked at it.  The door moved a few inches, and Kenny grunted.  Pulling it open was much more difficult than pushing it had been…  Still, she didin’t give up.  Replacing her club, the human shifted to both hands.  With a growl all her own, she ripped at the door, managing to open it just enough to slide through.  

~~

All the while, Fern was trapped against the curve of Fern’s middle.  He stared ahead of him, his face a mix of enamored and very, very confused.  His mouth fell open.  Ch-…children.  Children.  His children.  Children that he made.  Risto seemed determined for that to happen.  

What previously had been stone carved stairs leading down further through the old man’s lighthouse, now still were stairs. But: Flooded. Ice cold sea water was greeting Kenny upon opening the trapdoor, dark and murky, swaying and swapping around. Stairs burried, two whole levels of the lighthouse flooded like an overflown basement. The dry stairways now an underwater, spiraling labyrinth into the depths of the ocean. 

~~

Fern’s gaze flickered up as he was addressed again, mouth flopping open and closed like a limp fish.  Where normally he could slide his way through a conversation, he couldn’t process what Risto said around the idea of kids.  He frowned.  After a moment, Fern shook his head, kicking his head back in gear.  Right, flirting.  He knew that, he could do that.  The rest could come later.  

“All the way, hm?~”  for a moment, his voice shook.  For the first time in a long time, he sounded unsure…and Fern didn’t like it.  But, he cleared his throat and the sultry tone came back to it.  Once again, he crossed his arms over the crest of Risto’s middle.  His chin tilted, granting Risto access to the nape and side of his neck, embracing the feeling of the slimy muscle as it traced over him.  

“Family...right,” she scoffed.  For now, she needed to bide her time.  When things calmed down, she would make her move.  Get the hell out, find another job, restart.  Her gaze flickered to Aife... She’d take the dwarf along.  Poor thing couldn’t handle herself anyways.  

~~

Aife stared at Risto, her head tilting as the old man rambled again...  He was...confusing.  She couldn’t quite get a read on him, and it made sense that he was so terrifying.  No one really knew what he was thinking beneath all that grandeur and those loud, rattling laughs.  

And then his attention turned to Fern.  He looked like a lion, plotting to pounce over his prey and devour him whole.  Or....have Fern devour him, Aife wasn’t quite sure their dynamics just yet.  She shook her head, her cheeks flushing at the boldness of the two.  They...were vocal, that much was sure.

~~

Fern blinked, his eyes saucers for a moment.  Tonight?  He wanted to-tonight??  Shaking his head, Fern took a moment to ground himself.   “Why rush?~”  he crooned.  “We have...all the time we could want,” lifting a finger, Fern slid his hand up Risto’s chest.  He smiled.  “Let’s just have fun a while, hm?~  There’s time for kids, time for family...but let’s enjoy us for right now...”

The old beast turned his head towards Aife and kept his tired gaze lingering in her. He remained overly relaxed and apparently didn’t seem to mind her getting closer and sitting next to him at all. In fact, as she spoke he listened attentively and the lips of his previous scary monstrous maw formed to a warm smile. He calmly let his gaze roam over the scenery of his living room and the kitchen corner with Fern getting to work. Letting his gaze stay on him for a couple more moments, before returning to Aife.

“You’re a brave soul”, he cooed and his exhausted smile grew even warmer. “And a funny one, too~” His raspy voice grunted and laughed quietly, a genuine, warm lil laugh. “…..’Be on your way’” - he quoted Aife and couldn’t suppress another amused grunt. His amber eyes shifted, looking deeply, fondly into Aifes. “You really thought I’d let you leave?”

~~~

Aife smiled sheepishly, shrugging at Risto’s comment.  She’d been called brave…and foolish by many creatures.  However, as he continued, her expression shifted.  Aife tilted her head.  He wouldn’t…let them leave?  What would he have done if they’d tried?  Granted, Risto didn’t…appear angry.  In fact, he looked the most relaxed Aife had seen him all night.  Which was a good thing.  Perhaps…maybe they’d been forgiven?  

“Well-erm,” the dwarf cleared her throat.  As long as Risto wasn’t making another grab for her, she quessed she was fine.  “I would’a thought ye’d want us as far from here as we could get….considerin’ we almost…y’know,” she nodded to Kenny and rubbed her neck again.  “An’ again…I’m really sorry we…hurtcha…almost did, I’m…I’m real sorry.”

~~

A small smile broke her face.  Risto…wanting children, not something she would have pieced together.  Of course, that was coming from someone who’d just had a glimpse into his life.  She really didn’t know Risto-none of the trio did.  They only knew what the villagers had told them, and only some of those rumors seemed true.  Risto was a molten lake in Aife’s mind-hot and reactive, with brilliant power when given the right conditions.  Something to respect, fear, but also admire.  

“Hm…Fern dun’ seem the children type,” she admitted, drawing herself back from her thoughts.  “Dunno though, maybe he jus’needs th’right kinda offer…  I dunno,” she looked back to Risto.  “Boy reminds me of a river…he dun’stick in one place fer too long, kinda…flows, moves.”  The dwarf shrugged.  She hadn’t known Fern long, of course…perhaps there was more to the flirt than met the eye.  

~~

Fern stirred in what spices he’d found, the homely little cave reflecting the smell of the brew.  It was rich, spicy, and plenty hearty.  While Aife and Risto spoke, he was completely oblivious to mentions of his personal life.  Truthfully, Aife hadn’t been wrong.  He’d never been the type to consider the family life.  There was far too much to explore to bother with children, a life at home…no, he’d much prefer to flow and fly as he pleased.  

Maybe one day, if he found the right person…he’d consider a life at home, and try to settle down.  

But, he wasn’t focused on the concept of a civil life.  Instead, he watched steam billow from the pot on the stove, dissapating into the cool air of the cave.  The burned seaweed smell was drowned out by the smell of soup.  Fern wiped his forehead with his hand.  It had been too long since he’d taken the time to properly cook.  Funny how food worked to calm the nerves-almost made him forget he’d gone toe-to-toe with a monster man and lost.  

Slowly, he turned and faced the others.  

Though, his attention shifted when Fern called out to them. Again, the room was not only filled with wonderfully smelling soup, but equally with the thick, rolling sound of the old sea beast’s laughter. An odd mix of madness and genuine joy bundling up in this baritone guttural melody. Dramatically, he rolled off the pile of chairs, arching his back, glaring over at Aife. Now just inches away from her face to face. He glared into her eyes with madness, excitement, as his gaze turned and aimed onto Fern.

She didn’t get much chance to respond before Risto stood.  His frame almost consumed hers, leaving her feeling absolutely tiny and all too aware of Risto’s figure.  Gods…he was massive.  As he moved away, Aife stared in awe, unsure how a creature so big and so boisterous managed to live a life of solitude…it hardly seemed to fit him.  

~~

Fern turned as he was addressed, only to find himself pressed into the plush middle of Risto’s gut.  He blinked.  Smirking, the human tilted his head up, moving back so he could cross his arms and prop them against the bare skin before him.  He tilted his head, green eyes shimmering cheekily.   “Risto~,” his voice was a purr, though hardly matched the honey-like baritone of Risto’s.  

“How much more can you handle, handsome?~”  Fern purred, tilting his chin upwards.  “Big man like you must need to eat so much, I’m sure…”  His arms uncrossed, and Fern allowed his hands to trace over the big gut before him.  For someone who seemed to live alone in the mountains, he was so warm…so soft~.  

~~

Aife gaped at the interaction before her.  She hadn’t known Fern long…and she knew he was a flirt, but…this.  This was a sight to behold.  The dwarf’s face was frozen in a mask of pure shock and awe, watching Fern, every bit a twig compared to the volcano that was Risto, boldly flirting with and embracing him as though they’d known each other for years.  They’d just met tonight-how was Fern so…bold?  How was he able to stand there, in front of Risto and act like he was speaking to an old friend-even more heavy, a lover?  

–

After having sat on the floor for so long, Kenny finally stood.  She whipped around, facing Fern and Risto.  Her olive eyes burned into Fern.  

“If you two are gonna make goo-goo eyes, fucking get a room already.”  She hissed, glaring between the two.  “No one here wants to see twinky and the beast.  Get a room, get it on, or get it over with.”  Sneering, she turned back to the wall and observed the door.  The human approached it, trying to reason if she could force it open again and get the hell off the damned island.  More than anything, she wanted a fight, to hunt.  Clearly, her time to shine had passed the instant Fern came on board.  “C’mon, ‘Fee.”

–

Blinking, Aife stared at Kenny from across the room.  She looked to Risto, to Fern, and around the rocky, yet homey lair Risto resided in.  Aife frowned.  While she didn’t want to leave, nowhere near it, she didn’t want to be left by herself, either.  Slowly, she stood.  

~~

While AIfe retracted from Risto’s gaze, Kenny stood tall.  She raised her chin, shoulders squaring at the looming threat.  While he spoke, she was quiet, though her gaze flickered to Fern as Risto addressed him, and Aife when he addressed her.  Finally, his gaze fell on the fighter.  Kenny’s hand grasped at her club, grip tightening around the handle.  

“Like hell,”  the human snapped.  “You’re not making me do shit.  Not my mom, not my friend, and you sure as hell don’t get to boss me around.  I’m leaving.”  

With that, Kenny turned to the door.  Her hand gripped the handle, and she yanked at it.  The door moved a few inches, and Kenny grunted.  Pulling it open was much more difficult than pushing it had been…  Still, she didin’t give up.  Replacing her club, the human shifted to both hands.  With a growl all her own, she ripped at the door, managing to open it just enough to slide through.  

~~

All the while, Fern was trapped against the curve of Fern’s middle.  He stared ahead of him, his face a mix of enamored and very, very confused.  His mouth fell open.  Ch-…children.  Children.  His children.  Children that he made.  Risto seemed determined for that to happen.  

What previously had been stone carved stairs leading down further through the old man’s lighthouse, now still were stairs. But: Flooded. Ice cold sea water was greeting Kenny upon opening the trapdoor, dark and murky, swaying and swapping around. Stairs burried, two whole levels of the lighthouse flooded like an overflown basement. The dry stairways now an underwater, spiraling labyrinth into the depths of the ocean. 

~~

Fern’s gaze flickered up as he was addressed again, mouth flopping open and closed like a limp fish.  Where normally he could slide his way through a conversation, he couldn’t process what Risto said around the idea of kids.  He frowned.  After a moment, Fern shook his head, kicking his head back in gear.  Right, flirting.  He knew that, he could do that.  The rest could come later.  

“All the way, hm?~”  for a moment, his voice shook.  For the first time in a long time, he sounded unsure...and Fern didn’t like it.  But, he cleared his throat and the sultry tone came back to it.  Once again, he crossed his arms over the crest of Risto’s middle.  His chin tilted, granting Risto access to the nape and side of his neck, embracing the feeling of the slimy muscle as it traced over him.  

The old beast turned his head towards Aife and kept his tired gaze lingering in her. He remained overly relaxed and apparently didn’t seem to mind her getting closer and sitting next to him at all. In fact, as she spoke he listened attentively and the lips of his previous scary monstrous maw formed to a warm smile. He calmly let his gaze roam over the scenery of his living room and the kitchen corner with Fern getting to work. Letting his gaze stay on him for a couple more moments, before returning to Aife.

“You’re a brave soul”, he cooed and his exhausted smile grew even warmer. “And a funny one, too~” His raspy voice grunted and laughed quietly, a genuine, warm lil laugh. “…..’Be on your way’” - he quoted Aife and couldn’t suppress another amused grunt. His amber eyes shifted, looking deeply, fondly into Aifes. “You really thought I’d let you leave?”

~~~

Aife smiled sheepishly, shrugging at Risto’s comment.  She’d been called brave…and foolish by many creatures.  However, as he continued, her expression shifted.  Aife tilted her head.  He wouldn’t…let them leave?  What would he have done if they’d tried?  Granted, Risto didn’t…appear angry.  In fact, he looked the most relaxed Aife had seen him all night.  Which was a good thing.  Perhaps…maybe they’d been forgiven?  

“Well-erm,” the dwarf cleared her throat.  As long as Risto wasn’t making another grab for her, she quessed she was fine.  “I would’a thought ye’d want us as far from here as we could get….considerin’ we almost…y’know,” she nodded to Kenny and rubbed her neck again.  “An’ again…I’m really sorry we…hurtcha…almost did, I’m…I’m real sorry.”

~~

A small smile broke her face.  Risto…wanting children, not something she would have pieced together.  Of course, that was coming from someone who’d just had a glimpse into his life.  She really didn’t know Risto-none of the trio did.  They only knew what the villagers had told them, and only some of those rumors seemed true.  Risto was a molten lake in Aife’s mind-hot and reactive, with brilliant power when given the right conditions.  Something to respect, fear, but also admire.  

“Hm…Fern dun’ seem the children type,” she admitted, drawing herself back from her thoughts.  “Dunno though, maybe he jus’needs th’right kinda offer…  I dunno,” she looked back to Risto.  “Boy reminds me of a river…he dun’stick in one place fer too long, kinda…flows, moves.”  The dwarf shrugged.  She hadn’t known Fern long, of course…perhaps there was more to the flirt than met the eye.  

~~

Fern stirred in what spices he’d found, the homely little cave reflecting the smell of the brew.  It was rich, spicy, and plenty hearty.  While Aife and Risto spoke, he was completely oblivious to mentions of his personal life.  Truthfully, Aife hadn’t been wrong.  He’d never been the type to consider the family life.  There was far too much to explore to bother with children, a life at home…no, he’d much prefer to flow and fly as he pleased.  

Maybe one day, if he found the right person…he’d consider a life at home, and try to settle down.  

But, he wasn’t focused on the concept of a civil life.  Instead, he watched steam billow from the pot on the stove, dissapating into the cool air of the cave.  The burned seaweed smell was drowned out by the smell of soup.  Fern wiped his forehead with his hand.  It had been too long since he’d taken the time to properly cook.  Funny how food worked to calm the nerves-almost made him forget he’d gone toe-to-toe with a monster man and lost.  

Slowly, he turned and faced the others.  

Though, his attention shifted when Fern called out to them. Again, the room was not only filled with wonderfully smelling soup, but equally with the thick, rolling sound of the old sea beast’s laughter. An odd mix of madness and genuine joy bundling up in this baritone guttural melody. Dramatically, he rolled off the pile of chairs, arching his back, glaring over at Aife. Now just inches away from her face to face. He glared into her eyes with madness, excitement, as his gaze turned and aimed onto Fern.

She didn’t get much chance to respond before Risto stood.  His frame almost consumed hers, leaving her feeling absolutely tiny and all too aware of Risto’s figure.  Gods…he was massive.  As he moved away, Aife stared in awe, unsure how a creature so big and so boisterous managed to live a life of solitude…it hardly seemed to fit him.  

~~

Fern turned as he was addressed, only to find himself pressed into the plush middle of Risto’s gut.  He blinked.  Smirking, the human tilted his head up, moving back so he could cross his arms and prop them against the bare skin before him.  He tilted his head, green eyes shimmering cheekily.   “Risto~,” his voice was a purr, though hardly matched the honey-like baritone of Risto’s.  

“How much more can you handle, handsome?~”  Fern purred, tilting his chin upwards.  “Big man like you must need to eat so much, I’m sure…”  His arms uncrossed, and Fern allowed his hands to trace over the big gut before him.  For someone who seemed to live alone in the mountains, he was so warm…so soft~.  

~~

Aife gaped at the interaction before her.  She hadn’t known Fern long…and she knew he was a flirt, but…this.  This was a sight to behold.  The dwarf’s face was frozen in a mask of pure shock and awe, watching Fern, every bit a twig compared to the volcano that was Risto, boldly flirting with and embracing him as though they’d known each other for years.  They’d just met tonight-how was Fern so…bold?  How was he able to stand there, in front of Risto and act like he was speaking to an old friend-even more heavy, a lover?  

–

After having sat on the floor for so long, Kenny finally stood.  She whipped around, facing Fern and Risto.  Her olive eyes burned into Fern.  

“If you two are gonna make goo-goo eyes, fucking get a room already.”  She hissed, glaring between the two.  “No one here wants to see twinky and the beast.  Get a room, get it on, or get it over with.”  Sneering, she turned back to the wall and observed the door.  The human approached it, trying to reason if she could force it open again and get the hell off the damned island.  More than anything, she wanted a fight, to hunt.  Clearly, her time to shine had passed the instant Fern came on board.  “C’mon, ‘Fee.”

–

Blinking, Aife stared at Kenny from across the room.  She looked to Risto, to Fern, and around the rocky, yet homey lair Risto resided in.  Aife frowned.  While she didn’t want to leave, nowhere near it, she didn’t want to be left by herself, either.  Slowly, she stood.  

~~

While AIfe retracted from Risto’s gaze, Kenny stood tall.  She raised her chin, shoulders squaring at the looming threat.  While he spoke, she was quiet, though her gaze flickered to Fern as Risto addressed him, and Aife when he addressed her.  Finally, his gaze fell on the fighter.  Kenny’s hand grasped at her club, grip tightening around the handle.  

“Like hell,”  the human snapped.  “You’re not making me do shit.  Not my mom, not my friend, and you sure as hell don’t get to boss me around.  I’m leaving.”  

With that, Kenny turned to the door.  Her hand gripped the handle, and she yanked at it.  The door moved a few inches, and Kenny grunted.  Pulling it open was much more difficult than pushing it had been...  Still, she didin’t give up.  Replacing her club, the human shifted to both hands.  With a growl all her own, she ripped at the door, managing to open it just enough to slide through.  

~~

All the while, Fern was trapped against the curve of Fern’s middle.  He stared ahead of him, his face a mix of enamored and very, very confused.  His mouth fell open.  Ch-...children.  Children.  His children.  Children that he made.  Risto seemed determined for that to happen.  

The old beast turned his head towards Aife and kept his tired gaze lingering in her. He remained overly relaxed and apparently didn’t seem to mind her getting closer and sitting next to him at all. In fact, as she spoke he listened attentively and the lips of his previous scary monstrous maw formed to a warm smile. He calmly let his gaze roam over the scenery of his living room and the kitchen corner with Fern getting to work. Letting his gaze stay on him for a couple more moments, before returning to Aife.

“You’re a brave soul”, he cooed and his exhausted smile grew even warmer. “And a funny one, too~” His raspy voice grunted and laughed quietly, a genuine, warm lil laugh. “…..’Be on your way’” - he quoted Aife and couldn’t suppress another amused grunt. His amber eyes shifted, looking deeply, fondly into Aifes. “You really thought I’d let you leave?”

~~~

Aife smiled sheepishly, shrugging at Risto’s comment.  She’d been called brave…and foolish by many creatures.  However, as he continued, her expression shifted.  Aife tilted her head.  He wouldn’t…let them leave?  What would he have done if they’d tried?  Granted, Risto didn’t…appear angry.  In fact, he looked the most relaxed Aife had seen him all night.  Which was a good thing.  Perhaps…maybe they’d been forgiven?  

“Well-erm,” the dwarf cleared her throat.  As long as Risto wasn’t making another grab for her, she quessed she was fine.  “I would’a thought ye’d want us as far from here as we could get….considerin’ we almost…y’know,” she nodded to Kenny and rubbed her neck again.  “An’ again…I’m really sorry we…hurtcha…almost did, I’m…I’m real sorry.”

~~

A small smile broke her face.  Risto…wanting children, not something she would have pieced together.  Of course, that was coming from someone who’d just had a glimpse into his life.  She really didn’t know Risto-none of the trio did.  They only knew what the villagers had told them, and only some of those rumors seemed true.  Risto was a molten lake in Aife’s mind-hot and reactive, with brilliant power when given the right conditions.  Something to respect, fear, but also admire.  

“Hm…Fern dun’ seem the children type,” she admitted, drawing herself back from her thoughts.  “Dunno though, maybe he jus’needs th’right kinda offer…  I dunno,” she looked back to Risto.  “Boy reminds me of a river…he dun’stick in one place fer too long, kinda…flows, moves.”  The dwarf shrugged.  She hadn’t known Fern long, of course…perhaps there was more to the flirt than met the eye.  

~~

Fern stirred in what spices he’d found, the homely little cave reflecting the smell of the brew.  It was rich, spicy, and plenty hearty.  While Aife and Risto spoke, he was completely oblivious to mentions of his personal life.  Truthfully, Aife hadn’t been wrong.  He’d never been the type to consider the family life.  There was far too much to explore to bother with children, a life at home…no, he’d much prefer to flow and fly as he pleased.  

Maybe one day, if he found the right person…he’d consider a life at home, and try to settle down.  

But, he wasn’t focused on the concept of a civil life.  Instead, he watched steam billow from the pot on the stove, dissapating into the cool air of the cave.  The burned seaweed smell was drowned out by the smell of soup.  Fern wiped his forehead with his hand.  It had been too long since he’d taken the time to properly cook.  Funny how food worked to calm the nerves-almost made him forget he’d gone toe-to-toe with a monster man and lost.  

Slowly, he turned and faced the others.  

Though, his attention shifted when Fern called out to them. Again, the room was not only filled with wonderfully smelling soup, but equally with the thick, rolling sound of the old sea beast’s laughter. An odd mix of madness and genuine joy bundling up in this baritone guttural melody. Dramatically, he rolled off the pile of chairs, arching his back, glaring over at Aife. Now just inches away from her face to face. He glared into her eyes with madness, excitement, as his gaze turned and aimed onto Fern.

She didn’t get much chance to respond before Risto stood.  His frame almost consumed hers, leaving her feeling absolutely tiny and all too aware of Risto’s figure.  Gods…he was massive.  As he moved away, Aife stared in awe, unsure how a creature so big and so boisterous managed to live a life of solitude…it hardly seemed to fit him.  

~~

Fern turned as he was addressed, only to find himself pressed into the plush middle of Risto’s gut.  He blinked.  Smirking, the human tilted his head up, moving back so he could cross his arms and prop them against the bare skin before him.  He tilted his head, green eyes shimmering cheekily.   “Risto~,” his voice was a purr, though hardly matched the honey-like baritone of Risto’s.  

“How much more can you handle, handsome?~”  Fern purred, tilting his chin upwards.  “Big man like you must need to eat so much, I’m sure...”  His arms uncrossed, and Fern allowed his hands to trace over the big gut before him.  For someone who seemed to live alone in the mountains, he was so warm...so soft~.  

~~

Aife gaped at the interaction before her.  She hadn’t known Fern long...and she knew he was a flirt, but...this.  This was a sight to behold.  The dwarf’s face was frozen in a mask of pure shock and awe, watching Fern, every bit a twig compared to the volcano that was Risto, boldly flirting with and embracing him as though they’d known each other for years.  They’d just met tonight-how was Fern so...bold?  How was he able to stand there, in front of Risto and act like he was speaking to an old friend-even more heavy, a lover?  

--

After having sat on the floor for so long, Kenny finally stood.  She whipped around, facing Fern and Risto.  Her olive eyes burned into Fern.  

“If you two are gonna make goo-goo eyes, fucking get a room already.”  She hissed, glaring between the two.  “No one here wants to see twinky and the beast.  Get a room, get it on, or get it over with.”  Sneering, she turned back to the wall and observed the door.  The human approached it, trying to reason if she could force it open again and get the hell off the damned island.  More than anything, she wanted a fight, to hunt.  Clearly, her time to shine had passed the instant Fern came on board.  “C’mon, ‘Fee.”

--

Blinking, Aife stared at Kenny from across the room.  She looked to Risto, to Fern, and around the rocky, yet homey lair Risto resided in.  Aife frowned.  While she didn’t want to leave, nowhere near it, she didn’t want to be left by herself, either.  Slowly, she stood.  

And the big old beast seemed to enjoy his taste. So much it seemed, that the movements of his large tongue slowed down and - the heavy man lowered himself deeper in the warm waters - shifting, into a comfortable, seated position at the edge of the pool. Still holding Fern in his grasp, a hug almost - with the exception that he had the young man danging over his widely opened maw. Slowly, with appreciative leisure, he began to swallow Fern. Legs, slim calves being pulled into his warm, slimly maw - that seemed so big, so large-

Fern sighed as his legs began their descent into Risto’s jaws, the ends of his toes curling and flexing at the sensation of those rippling walls around him. Like a lost man at sea, he completely gave into the current of each movement, each ripple and wave of power closing in on his knees. And, like the sea, Risto surged around him. The first swallow took hold of him, a vague part of his mind remembering what the first time he’d been inside Risto felt like. That had been rushed, forced on him...this time was different. This time, it was for fun~.

Goosebumps prickled at the skin of Fren’s chest, already damp with water from the natural bath and Risto’s breaths. His legs shifted in their fleshy bind, feeling out Risto’s throat, testing to see how much it could take. He let himself meld into the big beast, looking down with a red hue filling his cheeks. A smile spread on his lips.

“Funny~,” Fern murmured, his voice rich and thick. “Filled you up last night...filling you up again~.” His eye’s glittered mischeviously, despite the growing crimson on his cheeks. “Makes me think...you like me inside you, big boy~.” He bent himself a bit, careful not to get too close to those teeth as he let his hands trace Risto’s lower jaw. “Go on...take me~,” he whispered.

His feet sank deeper into that black, endless sea. Warm, wet waves of muscle drank him in, and likewise Fern felt every bit of Risto around him. It was hot, heavy, and slid over every part of Fern. A soft sigh-like moan left his lips. This wasn’t...sexual. No. Granted, there were certain areas on Fern that were much more sensitive to the movement and presence around him. His crimson cheeks were proof enough of that. But...this wasn’t that kind of feeling. It was something much different. Something more intimate, in a way. Taking in the sensations around him, allowing his body to fully give into the muscles pulling at him...it was sensational.

Another swallow dragged Fern up into his midsection. He inhaled sharply. With all the focus on tasting him, and without a layer of clothes to muddle the feeling of taste buds rubbing against him, it...tickled. The green headed human broke into a restrained squirm, a soft giggle escaping him. Even so, he didn’t fight the sensation...much.

Risto swallowed. Fern gasped as he was dragged inside, how up to his shoulders, and had to crane his neck to see over the frame of lips and teeth surrounding him. His feet barely entered the final ring of muscles to his destination, and they flexed at the squishy feeling of Risto’s throat. Fern twisted his head so he could see Risto’s face just a little more, drinking in those monster-like features. Risto has an elegant air around him, a powerful and fascinating aura. Especially now, with his jaws nearly closing ocer Fern’s head, Fern understood just how strong Risto could be...but he wasn’t. He was choosing to be gentle, kind...doting, even.

There was a moment of still.  Risto’s breath puffed around him, heating his already warmed cheeks.  Muscles squished and churned around his body, while his head drank in the last breaths of fresh air he’d have until he was released.  And then, everything moved.  There was a flex, strong yet gentle, and he hummed.  His eyes closed, and Fern focused on the movement and life around him.  Muscles dragged Fern further into Risto’s body, easily taking him in and pushing him down until the tight, warm embrace opened into a pouch, and his head joined the rest of his body.  

For a moment, Fern sat still and enjoyed the feeling of Risto around him.  The walls churned slowly, and Fern let out a breath.  His hand pushed outwards, tracing the pulsing wall before him.  After a moment, his free hand joined him, eager to explore Risto all that he could.  Curiosity bubbled through his fingers, guiding them to rub and press and stretch the stomach walls as much as he could, feeling every curve and every divot in the living holding cell.  Beyond Risto’s middle churning, he felt something pressing into him.  Fern smiled.  He pushed out all the more, his tiny hands feeling out Risto’s claws, tracing what he could of those massive palms while he reclined.  

The old beast turned his head towards Aife and kept his tired gaze lingering in her. He remained overly relaxed and apparently didn’t seem to mind her getting closer and sitting next to him at all. In fact, as she spoke he listened attentively and the lips of his previous scary monstrous maw formed to a warm smile. He calmly let his gaze roam over the scenery of his living room and the kitchen corner with Fern getting to work. Letting his gaze stay on him for a couple more moments, before returning to Aife.

“You’re a brave soul”, he cooed and his exhausted smile grew even warmer. “And a funny one, too~” His raspy voice grunted and laughed quietly, a genuine, warm lil laugh. “…..’Be on your way’” - he quoted Aife and couldn’t suppress another amused grunt. His amber eyes shifted, looking deeply, fondly into Aifes. “You really thought I’d let you leave?”

~~~

Aife smiled sheepishly, shrugging at Risto’s comment.  She’d been called brave…and foolish by many creatures.  However, as he continued, her expression shifted.  Aife tilted her head.  He wouldn’t…let them leave?  What would he have done if they’d tried?  Granted, Risto didn’t…appear angry.  In fact, he looked the most relaxed Aife had seen him all night.  Which was a good thing.  Perhaps…maybe they’d been forgiven?  

“Well-erm,” the dwarf cleared her throat.  As long as Risto wasn’t making another grab for her, she quessed she was fine.  “I would’a thought ye’d want us as far from here as we could get….considerin’ we almost…y’know,” she nodded to Kenny and rubbed her neck again.  “An’ again…I’m really sorry we…hurtcha…almost did, I’m…I’m real sorry.”

~~

A small smile broke her face.  Risto…wanting children, not something she would have pieced together.  Of course, that was coming from someone who’d just had a glimpse into his life.  She really didn’t know Risto-none of the trio did.  They only knew what the villagers had told them, and only some of those rumors seemed true.  Risto was a molten lake in Aife’s mind-hot and reactive, with brilliant power when given the right conditions.  Something to respect, fear, but also admire.  

“Hm…Fern dun’ seem the children type,” she admitted, drawing herself back from her thoughts.  “Dunno though, maybe he jus’needs th’right kinda offer…  I dunno,” she looked back to Risto.  “Boy reminds me of a river…he dun’stick in one place fer too long, kinda…flows, moves.”  The dwarf shrugged.  She hadn’t known Fern long, of course…perhaps there was more to the flirt than met the eye.  

~~

Fern stirred in what spices he’d found, the homely little cave reflecting the smell of the brew.  It was rich, spicy, and plenty hearty.  While Aife and Risto spoke, he was completely oblivious to mentions of his personal life.  Truthfully, Aife hadn’t been wrong.  He’d never been the type to consider the family life.  There was far too much to explore to bother with children, a life at home…no, he’d much prefer to flow and fly as he pleased.  

Maybe one day, if he found the right person…he’d consider a life at home, and try to settle down.  

But, he wasn’t focused on the concept of a civil life.  Instead, he watched steam billow from the pot on the stove, dissapating into the cool air of the cave.  The burned seaweed smell was drowned out by the smell of soup.  Fern wiped his forehead with his hand.  It had been too long since he’d taken the time to properly cook.  Funny how food worked to calm the nerves-almost made him forget he’d gone toe-to-toe with a monster man and lost.  

Slowly, he turned and faced the others.  

Though, his attention shifted when Fern called out to them. Again, the room was not only filled with wonderfully smelling soup, but equally with the thick, rolling sound of the old sea beast’s laughter. An odd mix of madness and genuine joy bundling up in this baritone guttural melody. Dramatically, he rolled off the pile of chairs, arching his back, glaring over at Aife. Now just inches away from her face to face. He glared into her eyes with madness, excitement, as his gaze turned and aimed onto Fern.

She didn’t get much chance to respond before Risto stood.  His frame almost consumed hers, leaving her feeling absolutely tiny and all too aware of Risto’s figure.  Gods...he was massive.  As he moved away, Aife stared in awe, unsure how a creature so big and so boisterous managed to live a life of solitude...it hardly seemed to fit him.  

~~

Fern turned as he was addressed, only to find himself pressed into the plush middle of Risto’s gut.  He blinked.  Smirking, the human tilted his head up, moving back so he could cross his arms and prop them against the bare skin before him.  He tilted his head, green eyes shimmering cheekily.   “Risto~,” his voice was a purr, though hardly matched the honey-like baritone of Risto’s.  

The old beast turned his head towards Aife and kept his tired gaze lingering in her. He remained overly relaxed and apparently didn’t seem to mind her getting closer and sitting next to him at all. In fact, as she spoke he listened attentively and the lips of his previous scary monstrous maw formed to a warm smile. He calmly let his gaze roam over the scenery of his living room and the kitchen corner with Fern getting to work. Letting his gaze stay on him for a couple more moments, before returning to Aife.

“You’re a brave soul”, he cooed and his exhausted smile grew even warmer. “And a funny one, too~” His raspy voice grunted and laughed quietly, a genuine, warm lil laugh. “…..’Be on your way’” - he quoted Aife and couldn’t suppress another amused grunt. His amber eyes shifted, looking deeply, fondly into Aifes. “You really thought I’d let you leave?”

~~~

Aife smiled sheepishly, shrugging at Risto’s comment.  She’d been called brave…and foolish by many creatures.  However, as he continued, her expression shifted.  Aife tilted her head.  He wouldn’t…let them leave?  What would he have done if they’d tried?  Granted, Risto didn’t…appear angry.  In fact, he looked the most relaxed Aife had seen him all night.  Which was a good thing.  Perhaps…maybe they’d been forgiven?  

“Well-erm,” the dwarf cleared her throat.  As long as Risto wasn’t making another grab for her, she quessed she was fine.  “I would’a thought ye’d want us as far from here as we could get….considerin’ we almost…y’know,” she nodded to Kenny and rubbed her neck again.  “An’ again…I’m really sorry we…hurtcha…almost did, I’m…I’m real sorry.”

~~

A small smile broke her face.  Risto...wanting children, not something she would have pieced together.  Of course, that was coming from someone who’d just had a glimpse into his life.  She really didn’t know Risto-none of the trio did.  They only knew what the villagers had told them, and only some of those rumors seemed true.  Risto was a molten lake in Aife’s mind-hot and reactive, with brilliant power when given the right conditions.  Something to respect, fear, but also admire.  

“Hm...Fern dun’ seem the children type,” she admitted, drawing herself back from her thoughts.  “Dunno though, maybe he jus’needs th’right kinda offer...  I dunno,” she looked back to Risto.  “Boy reminds me of a river...he dun’stick in one place fer too long, kinda...flows, moves.”  The dwarf shrugged.  She hadn’t known Fern long, of course...perhaps there was more to the flirt than met the eye.  

~~

Fern stirred in what spices he’d found, the homely little cave reflecting the smell of the brew.  It was rich, spicy, and plenty hearty.  While Aife and Risto spoke, he was completely oblivious to mentions of his personal life.  Truthfully, Aife hadn’t been wrong.  He’d never been the type to consider the family life.  There was far too much to explore to bother with children, a life at home...no, he’d much prefer to flow and fly as he pleased.  

Maybe one day, if he found the right person...he’d consider a life at home, and try to settle down.  

But, he wasn’t focused on the concept of a civil life.  Instead, he watched steam billow from the pot on the stove, dissapating into the cool air of the cave.  The burned seaweed smell was drowned out by the smell of soup.  Fern wiped his forehead with his hand.  It had been too long since he’d taken the time to properly cook.  Funny how food worked to calm the nerves-almost made him forget he’d gone toe-to-toe with a monster man and lost.  

Slowly, he turned and faced the others.  

The old beast turned his head towards Aife and kept his tired gaze lingering in her. He remained overly relaxed and apparently didn’t seem to mind her getting closer and sitting next to him at all. In fact, as she spoke he listened attentively and the lips of his previous scary monstrous maw formed to a warm smile. He calmly let his gaze roam over the scenery of his living room and the kitchen corner with Fern getting to work. Letting his gaze stay on him for a couple more moments, before returning to Aife.

“You’re a brave soul”, he cooed and his exhausted smile grew even warmer. “And a funny one, too~” His raspy voice grunted and laughed quietly, a genuine, warm lil laugh. “…..’Be on your way’” - he quoted Aife and couldn’t suppress another amused grunt. His amber eyes shifted, looking deeply, fondly into Aifes. “You really thought I’d let you leave?”

~~~

Aife smiled sheepishly, shrugging at Risto’s comment.  She’d been called brave…and foolish by many creatures.  However, as he continued, her expression shifted.  Aife tilted her head.  He wouldn’t…let them leave?  What would he have done if they’d tried?  Granted, Risto didn’t…appear angry.  In fact, he looked the most relaxed Aife had seen him all night.  Which was a good thing.  Perhaps…maybe they’d been forgiven?  

“Well-erm,” the dwarf cleared her throat.  As long as Risto wasn’t making another grab for her, she quessed she was fine.  “I would’a thought ye’d want us as far from here as we could get….considerin’ we almost…y’know,” she nodded to Kenny and rubbed her neck again.  “An’ again…I’m really sorry we…hurtcha…almost did, I’m…I’m real sorry.”

~~

Fern continued to move Aife behind him as Risto watched, both he and the dwarf flinching at the roar of the beast.  Though Fern was by no means an easy scare, he felt on edge, more than he’d ever been in any fight.  Kenny was still out of reach, her eyes back on Risto as soon as Fern was out of the way and with Aife out of harm’s way.  At his back, he felt Aife trembling, her shaking only getting worse the more angry Risto became.  

“Please, sir-”  the dwarf’s shaky voice called, only for Risto to move like a stormy wave.  He crashed over Kenny, blocking Fern’s view…  But he knew what had happened with the first heavy swallow.  Fern’s blood went cold.  Just like that; he’d eaten her just like that.  His clever plan to talk Risto down flew out the window as he retreated, dragging a frozen Aife with him.

~~

Kenny had no time to prepare.  She couldn’t, before she’d had any time there was a mass of black flesh over and around her.  Instead of yelping, the human let out a snarl all her own.  “NO!”  Kenny bellowed, her voice raising above the squelching around her.  

Though she couldn’t see, Kenny’s hand scrabbled at the back of the beast’s throat, free hand grabbing onto whatever rolls of flesh she could and digging her fingernails into it as hard as she could.  She used the moments between swallows to force her knees into action, hooking and spreading them as far as the cramped space allowed to try and choke the beast.  At the same time, she wrenched her arm still holding her club in an attempt to force it sideways, and give her time to get herself together.  

This wasn’t her first time in a gullet.  She would be damned before it was her last.  

~~

Aife watched in a silent horror, lurching forwards as Risto rained on Kenny.  The sound of a swallow set the dwarf into motion, pulling against Fern’s hand with a  choked yelp.  She had to help-she needed to help!  Kenny couldn’t make it inside on her own, not if she ended up-scrambling against Fern, she forced the human’s grip loose and sprinted towards the beast.  

~~

Aife squeaked as Risto’s attention shifted to her, scrambling away from Risto as he reared on her.  Of course, she was hardly fast compared to the giant man, but she managed to get some solid ground due to her small size.  She ran for the cooking side of the kitchen, skittering into the most narrow part of the room to try and keep Risto busy.  

She turned her head as she ran, ducking under another chair and rushing from under it towards another room.  It didn’t matter if he caught her now-as long as he didn’t chew.  He didn’t seem the type to, thankfully.  Once Aife felt she had a good distance from Risto, she stopped to watch her oncoming doom.  

Her head lifted, watching Risto as he came closer like a rushing train.  “If…it’s any compensation,”  she murmured, “I meant it when…I said I’d sing fer ye,” though she doubted it would do any good to prevent what was going to happen, Aife felt like she needed to hear it.  

~~

While AIfe was busy distracting Risto, Fern had made the most of his time:  he managed to hide behind something in the kitchen.  Through watching Aife scrambling past, no doubt Risto not far behind, he had no idea what he was ducking behind.  It was enough for him to press his back against and sigh, trying to focus and keep himself from panicking.  Okay-okay.  He’d been through worse than this.  There were bigger battles that he’d fought-but right now, charm was going to do him no favors.  

The beast was far beyond reasoning, charm, anything but rage…  He couldn’t help Aife and Kenny as it was, not where they were.  His best bet was to stay low, stay hidden, and try to help them when Risto was more calm.  As long as he didn’t come looking for a third course…  Fern glanced through the kitchen, biting his lip.  His eyes fell on some sort of cabinet or wardrobe, and he hesitated.  Slowly, he pushed himself up and squirmed inside the cramped space, closing the door behind him.  

She heard Kenny growl a greeting, thankfully having put her bat away.  Aife sat up as best she could, whispering a spell beneath her breath.  She could feel Kenny shiver, though she didn’t bark at Aife for the magic.  Kenny knew what it was for.  Aife waited for the tingling to stop before resettling herself, making sure she and Kenny were still touching-it wasn’t difficult with such a closed space.  

“…We didn’ have t’fight,” Aife said.  She reached into her bag, pulling a small stone from inside.  It began to glow a soft light, giving the two a view of their living prison cell.  “He-…I dun’ think he’d have fought if ya’d given me time-”  

“We don’t have time, Fee.  He’s a monster.  He kills people.  We can’t let him live, with or without the bounty.”  Kenny’s voice was clipped, a sign the point wasn’t up for discussion.  

Aife sighed, studying their current whereabouts.  The walls were a deep obsidian, truly completing the feeling of being swallowed up.  One would think being in as many gullets as she had, Aife would be used to such a sight…every time was just as unnerving as the last, though.    

~~

Fern pulled himself as far into the cabinet as he could, lips clamped to keep himself still and silent as he sat.  He took a moment, thinking through his options.  Spells, spells-he didn’t know many, just one that…  His gaze flickered to the door.  Maybe if he couldn’t be found, he could talk Risto down.  

“Please,” Fern spoke up.  But-his voice didn’t come from his mouth.  His voice floated behind Risto, as though the human was behind him.  A simple projection spell-nothing fancy, but hopefully enough to disorient and refocus Risto’s attention.  “You’re upset.  We broke into your home, your sanctuary with the intent to hurt you.  But believe me when I say we had no idea-…we…”  While he could shoot for a lie, Fern didn’t want to muddy the waters any more than Kenny already had.  Charm hadn’t worked, either.  So…maybe his best option was honesty, a chance to regain some trust.  

When the young man’s voice suddenly appeared something right behind him, the beast turned around swiftly, almost spitting out a triumphant laugh at…………..nothing?! Dumbfounded, he squinted, looked around, blinked, irritated. Hearing the young man speak further, he listened, until it dawned on him. “….Mmmhhhh….magic.…”, he murmured underneath his breath, dragging his gaze through the kitchen once more. Clever, little mouse…. Giving Fern kudos for this clever little spell, casted from whereever he was hiding, the old beast decided to give him a listen. Still catching up on his own breath, the fat beast settled down on a painted, wooden chair he previous had knocked down. Slouching in it and gave his big belly room to hang in his lap. Sweating, exhausted, attention to the young man’s voice.

“Ohhh? Is that so?”, he then repsonded to Fern claiming Aife’s involuntary involvement in this mission, “To me she didn’t look like you two violently forced her all across the ocean and up the stairs of my lighthouse~….. What exactly was her task in all of this? Act as bait? A little bouncy delicious worm to lure the big fish in the sea? So the brave barbarian could swing her mighty stick and cash in all the gold?” He spat out a boisterous ugly laugh and almost pridefully rubbed his fat belly with victorious vigor.

“Mhhh, what are you saying there, boy~? Taking you instead of her~? Exchanging places so you would be in and she would be out? Oooohohohoho, haven’t you seen that fire in her little eyes? That bold spark that glistened in her soul when I swallowed your stick-swinging friend~? Be ensured, if I took you in her place, she would not stop pestering me about letting her friends out. Probably singing me a song about it, even, bwahhahahaahar!………………………………mh. I rellay would have liked to hear that.”, he added the last bit drily and more quietly, his boisterous laugh swiftly drying out. Only when he heard the young man’s voice now coming from another corner of the room, a certain smugness settled back in on the old beast’s mug, a piercing gaze into the direction from which Ferns voice echoed.

Though she couldn’t hear Fern, she picked up that he and Risto were talking about her. She shrank back as Risto spoke about her role in the job, curling into herself shamefully. She didn’t want to be here. Not for any of it. When she’d agreed to travel with Kenny, she’s wanted to explore the world, meet new people and learn new things! So far she had, but…there was still blood on her hands. Aífe hated this was the only way she’d learn to explore. She had stained the earth with blood that wasn’t hers…her ancestors would be ashamed.

Aífe blinked. The tone shifted. Was…Fern defending her? Why? He was-he’s offered to take her place… Sitting up, Aífe strained to hear more of what was going on. She got the idea Risto had no intention of letting her out, but-the thougjt that Fern would speak in her favor was touching nonetheless. Though, when Risto mentioned her singing to him, Aífe couldn’t help but pipe in, “I would have loved t’sing, sir…”

~~

Fern hadn’t expected Risto to agree into letting Aífe out-a fact that made his gut weigh heavy. He felt bad. People like Aífe didn’t deserve that type of fate. She was too little to fight for herself; it made sense she stuck with powerful fighters so she could see the world. But…that was the bad thing about traveling in parties. Fern was blessed enough to be a human, a far more formidable opponent than a dwarf.

As Risto addressed him, Questioning his purpose in the group, Fern laughed. “My intentions aren’t as wholesome as Aife’s…” slowly, he reclined in the cabinet, lacing his arms behind his head. “You could say that I like to gain…experience. Just in a different way~,” humming, Fern blinked as his voice began to return to him. The spell wasn’t permanent; it was bound to happen eventually.

He still sat slouching in that old chair, kept a big palm ontop of his gurgling gut and maintained giving it occasinal rubs as he was all ears on what fern had to say. All ears on his explaination what kind of part he was playing in all of this.

Hearing what the young man had to say, however…..did stir quite the response. It seemed, Fern’s words were managing to do something to the old beast. The further he spoke, the more his smug smile got wiped out of his face. So much it almost formed to a dumb looking line pointing downwards at the ends - while the grey complexion of his face grew…..a red hue. Something was stirring. Boiling. “WHAT??!?!!”, his raspy voice boomed, thunderous and sharper than ever before. With a muffled thud the chair crashed down onto the carpet as the beast rushed up to his feet, standing tall.  Amber eyes, burning with furious sparks, shifted and slowly found their aim at the kitchen cabinet a couple of corners away.

“No-wait!”  He threw his hands in front of himself, backing into the farthest corner of the cabinet.  “Please, that’s not-that isn’t what I meant!  What I mean to say is, Aife and I never wanted to fight; hell, I didn’t think we were coming here for that!  Kenny-I don’t want to throw her under the bus, but-I thought she was kidding when she said she wanted to go after you!  Have you seen our party?!  There’s no way in hell we’d win!”

~~

“CRAM IT, BOTH OF YOU!”  Kenny barked, crossing her arms with a scowl.  She slouched against the stomach walls, trying to will herself against fighting the walls any more.  Hurting Aife wasn’t on her agenda.  “We lost.  That’s it.”  Her head rested against the stomach wall of the beast, eyes closing.  There wasn’t any point delaying the inevitable.  

She opened an eye as the walls shifted.  Though she couldn’t see, she could feel a glare from Aife on her.  The dwarf’s voice sliced through the ambient sound of the gut working around them.  

“NO, YOU CRAM IT!”  The dwarf screeched, her voice almost echoing with its intensity.  “Godsdamnit, this entire mess is YER FAULT!  Can’t ye see that?!  Ye dragged me here, Fern here, all b’cause ye wanted a fight.  An’ya know that’s the truth!  NONE of us wanted t’be here but YOU!”  

Kenny recoiled, blinking as Aife’s legs thrashed against hers.  Though she didn’t break contact, she tried to ease herself away from the raging little dwarf.  She opened her mouth to protest, only to have Aife cut her off with a snarl.  

~~

Ironically enough, the only thing that seemed to calm the big beast down from his fury was to see Fern’s fear. Seeing the insolent little human flinch, trying to back off in further in the already crammed space, away from the fat beast’s gaping maw. “What is it, human?”, the raspy thunderous voice growled, again now thick and heavy with sass. “Didn’t you want to exchange yourself for your singing friend~?” The massive jaws were reaching into the cabin, gaping, fat tongue swirling around as a doomed, terrifying invitation.

“I like monsters.  They’re big and attractive and godsdamnit I-just-…ugh, I like how they feel in bed!”  He fumbled with his words a moment, looking away to gather his thoughts.  “You are a monster, a big, bad beast and I want to either have you throw me down and rock me right, or…or try to tame you myself!  Do you know how invigorating it is to-just?!”  The human waved his hands in front of his face, the open maw before him making it very hard to focus on emotions.  

He couldn’t further explain himself, though, as Risto’s attention was drawn elsewhere.  Fern blinked, his eyes gliding down to the larger man’s gut.  Was…Aife calling out?  Squinting, Fern tried to make sense of just what the dwarf was saying…but between his panicking heart, Risto’s breath and his own, he couldn’t hear anything.  It was a quiet, muffled noise.  So, he sat in silence as Risto listened, meeting those amber stars with a shaky stare.  

~~

Aife growled again, about to let loose on Kenny even further, but found herself being addressed by their host.  She squeaked as the walls shifted, a pressure from the outside nudging the living barrier at her back.  The dwarf blinked, her head craning upwards.  She opened, closed,and reopened her mouth.  

Right, emotions. He had them, too, right? A wild mix of emotions and feelings were beginning to stir and pile up within the beast’s gut - starting from the prior curiosity of potentially hosting a stranded bard in his home and have them sing for him, to a bad surprise of finding intruders in his home craving to slay him for gold, further up to a chase in which turned out one of them simply wanted to explore the world, one of them truly just wanted a fight and see him dead, while the last piled his personal sexual desires onto him like he was just another fuck tool in the world of potentially good monster fucks —- and now - what the hell were those feelings? Fury? Disgust? Compassion? A wave of emotions came crushing hard into the old monster’s heart, who had planned this night to be a cozy and relaxed one. An overwhelming blend that wanted to force itself out, and did, partially, as the beast grimaced and unleashed a suppressed, furious growl. That was much more of a….held back groan. An overly annoyed rumble. The rolling thunder before the impending lightning bolt.

Fern didn’t get the chance to question it. Risto’s hand jolted into the cabinet, his hand taking up most of the space. Fern couldn’t move. It snatched him by the waist, an iron-like grip jerking him out of the hiding spot and right up to Risto’s face. He gulped, trying to will his heart to move out of his throat.

Where normally Fern could ignore the icy grip of fear, he couldn’t ignore his inate desire to run and be as far away from this place as he could. His skin ran cold as Risto spoke. Never had Fern had a trip go so wrong. It was hard for him to imagine things could go south this quickly-he’d just wanted a good lay and to make a new companion.

It was clear, though, for now that wasn’t happening. He had no chance getting any closer to Risto in this state…and really, Fern couldn’t blame him for being upset. They’d intruded one his home, tried to kill him, fuck him, and/or trick him. Fern knew that Risto killed people, so it wasn’t a stretch to say he was a violent creature. But-he couldn’t help but feel bad. Risto was a monster physically, yes-but…was their little rag-tag team any better?

Turning around to a swift sway to the side, holding Fern to an involuntarily, dramatic dance performance. His fat gut sloshed, burly warm flesh pressing into Fern’s slender frame. A big warm palm to Fern’s back, another to his left hand - then, another turn, another swift curve through the room. Dramatically bending forward, Fern suddenly graced with the old beast’s jaw right infront of his face, amber eyes sparking with passion and madness.

“YOU just want A FUCK and begone!”, he howled, hot drool spilling all over his jawline, dripping down onto Fern’s chest. A strong palm grasped the young man by the waist, firmly, yet gentle. Loving, almost. Pasisonately, hungry. “  I  ….WANT ETERNITY! - You like BIG - but MY DESIRES are way TOO BIG for YOU to handle~!”

He gazed at Fern, into his eyes - then the old man from the sea laughed - laughed out loud from the pits of his gut, excitedly, wildly - absolutely gone mad. Embracing the slender green haired human, holding him close to his heart, he danced with him, swirled around to an unspoken melody, a song that perhaps was only playing in his own head, a song of his own mighty mad laugh.

The human yelped as he was twirled like a trapped ballerina, dipped and drooled on…making himself feel more like dinner, and less of a date.  He struggled to make sense of Risto’s rambling over his own panic and surprise.  It sounded like-Risto wanted a lifelong companion.  Was he looking for that in Fern?  Shaking his head, he tried to meet Risto’s gaze and read it, but with the world twirling around him, he could barely pick anything out.  

While he loved the idea of that kind of a relationship-this was going far too fast for Fern’s taste.  He appreciated the idea of romance-but a family?  That was never something he’d considered, especially with the style of life he preferred.  A part of him bit that back, though, deciding for now, it was best to go along with what Risto said.  He’d caused the maddened man enough pain tonight.  So, slowly, he allowed his head to rest on Risto’s middle and closed his eyes.  

~~

Much like Fern, Aife flinched as soon as Risto spoke again.  His voice rolled and boomed, drowning any of her thoughts out like a torrental storm.  One that she was trapped in-whether she wanted to be or not.  Meanwhile, Risto began to move, each step the beastly behemoth took sloshing and tossing her and Kenny.

For the most part, she couldn’t make sense of the old man’s rambling.  Romance?  A family?  Was he speaking to Fern?  She didn’t know, and frankly…wasn’t sure she wanted to.  Where Risto had seemed as solid and as sure as a mountain before-…Aife found herself comparing the beastly behemoth to a landslide.  Too much for one person, never mind three to handle, unstable, and likely to destroy them all if they weren’t careful.  

She blinked, though, as the conversation seemed to turn to her song and Kenny’s fight.  The dwarf blinked.  Well-of course he was louder than she was…it was hard to outsing the sound of rocks tumbling over a cliffside, and much like Risto, Aife had no chance in hell to compete with him.  Still…if she could talk him down, maybe they could reason something out.

Something changed.  Everything jolted, and Fern found himself held tighter to Risto’s gut.  His face scrunched at the noises it made, accompanied by the panicked sounds inside.  Please, not like this- his mind raced to the worst likely outcome…Aife and Kenny weren’t getting out of there.  At least, not in one piece.  Or…so Fern thought.  

His world dropped, prompted by Risto hunching over.  This being followed by a sickening, gagging sound made only worse by Fern’s close proximity to the entire thing.  Eyes shot open, he turned his head and watched as a very befuddled Aife and Kenny plopped onto the floor with a wet noise.  Shivering, but before he could react, Fern was yanked backwards and nuzzled into Risto’s stomach once more.  

~~

Aife landed on her side with a grunt, grimacing as the spinning sensation ebbed away.  She shook as she pushed herself up, panting heavily before collapsing again.  From her position, she could make out Kenny’s slouched form and blinked as the human pushed herself up, staggering towards the entrance and exit.  Aife grimaced, rolling over.  Fern was laying…against Risto, looking like he’d been trapped beneath a boulder.  Thankfully, or perhaps regretfully, Risto seemed incapacitated.  

Slowly, Aife sat up.  She turned, watching Kenny continued to head for the door…and for once, Aife didn’t care.  If she left, so be it.  Aife crossed her legs and sighed, plopping her head into her hands.  Whatever happened, she didn’t want to cause any more trouble tonight.   

~~

Kenny staggered towards the door, her head still spinning from the impromptu merry-go-round.  But, she couldn’t make it to the door.  Her knees buckled, and she collapsed with a growl.  NO!  She needed to get out, to get away-Kenny grimaced, her back hunching as she slid to the floor.  

The same seemed to apply for their big, bad monster of a problem…who looked exhausted beyond words.  Even still…Fern chuckled and shook his head.  Still cute…  But now wasn’t the time.  Gently, Fern pushed the massive claws away from his waist, collected himself, and hoisted himself off of Risto’s middle.  His feet hit the floor.  It was cold, and gave him enough of a shock to wear away the last of the dizziness from before.  

“Aife?  You okay?”  the human stumbled towards the dwarf, kneeling down.  She turned to face him, squinting.  

“…Aye,” she grunted, grimacing.  “N’ yerself?”

“I’m…okay.”  he nodded and smiled.  “Seems this…fight didn’t pan out, huh?”  his gaze flickered to Kenny, who was facing away from them.  “I…heard some of what happened, you and Kenny-”

“Dun’…worry, we’re okay.  Kenny n’I got history, an’we were jus’hashin’ it out.”  The dwarf smiled.  “Happens with friends…an’ partners, I guess,” Aife shrugged.  “But, eh…d’ye think…he’s gonna be okay?”  She nodded to Risto.  “He…seems…off…?”

“Hey,” he sighed.  “Look-you…we aren’t gonna fight any more.  So…either you stick around and play nice, or…I guess leave.” 

Kenny’s head lifted, and she peered at him.  Fern flinched.  That…was not the look of someone who wanted to talk.  He opened his mouth, closed it, and stood.  No point in trying to argue with her, he guessed.  Better to focus on the other two…one of them being Risto.  Who…was looking less angry by the moment.  A good thing, Fern guessed.  

“Hey, Aife?”  Fern called his head turning to the ktichen.  Risto had mentioned food, and he assumed it was still cooking…nothing to bring folks together like a good meal.  “Keep an eye on Risto…I’m going to finish some dinner.”

~~

Aife sighed, having rested her head on her knees while Fern spoke to Kenny.  She didn’t care much what was said, preferring a rest after all that had happened.  Her gaze flickered as Fern spoke to her, nodding into her knees before standing.  Sure enough Fern was headed for the kitchen, rubbing his hands together.  Leaving her…to Risto.  

She looked to the big beast, biting her lower lip.  Humans were tall compared to her, but Risto was massive…  Hells, she hardly took up the space one of his hands occupied.  The dwarf gulped.  Despite herself, she stood and began to approach the resting Risto.  

“Ah-…hm…”  Aife mumbled as she came closer.  “I’m-…er, how’re ye feelin’, sir?”  A wary smile parted her lips, and she found herself staring at Risto’s much more intimidating grin.  She shuddered, remembering the black and dark void beyond them.  To take her mind off it, Aife let her gaze drop to the floor.  The ground was comforting.  Stones and rocks were familiar, something she could hold onto…something she understood.  

Nodding to Fern, who was busy at the stove, Aife broke into a friendly smile.  “Fern’s gonna fix up yer dinner, sir, an’ we’d like t’share it if ye’ll have it.  An’ then...we’ll be on our way, n’ye’ll never hear from us again.”  She rubbed her neck, frowning at the prospect.  If they left, all of those stories...none of them would be heard.  

Hesitantly, she stepped closer to Risto, peering up at him through a slobbery braid.  Lonely...?  Her face fell, and she took a moment to mull that over.  It...made sense.  Being in a tower, this far from anyone, and especially with the rumor that he was a monster, Aife could see him feeling lonely.  

“I...well,”  Aife stepped to the side of the chair, settling beside the big demon’s side.  She smiled up at him.  “Ya’ve got company now, even if it’s temporary...”

~~

Fern continued to move Aife behind him as Risto watched, both he and the dwarf flinching at the roar of the beast.  Though Fern was by no means an easy scare, he felt on edge, more than he’d ever been in any fight.  Kenny was still out of reach, her eyes back on Risto as soon as Fern was out of the way and with Aife out of harm’s way.  At his back, he felt Aife trembling, her shaking only getting worse the more angry Risto became.  

“Please, sir-”  the dwarf’s shaky voice called, only for Risto to move like a stormy wave.  He crashed over Kenny, blocking Fern’s view…  But he knew what had happened with the first heavy swallow.  Fern’s blood went cold.  Just like that; he’d eaten her just like that.  His clever plan to talk Risto down flew out the window as he retreated, dragging a frozen Aife with him.

~~

Kenny had no time to prepare.  She couldn’t, before she’d had any time there was a mass of black flesh over and around her.  Instead of yelping, the human let out a snarl all her own.  “NO!”  Kenny bellowed, her voice raising above the squelching around her.  

Though she couldn’t see, Kenny’s hand scrabbled at the back of the beast’s throat, free hand grabbing onto whatever rolls of flesh she could and digging her fingernails into it as hard as she could.  She used the moments between swallows to force her knees into action, hooking and spreading them as far as the cramped space allowed to try and choke the beast.  At the same time, she wrenched her arm still holding her club in an attempt to force it sideways, and give her time to get herself together.  

This wasn’t her first time in a gullet.  She would be damned before it was her last.  

~~

Aife watched in a silent horror, lurching forwards as Risto rained on Kenny.  The sound of a swallow set the dwarf into motion, pulling against Fern’s hand with a  choked yelp.  She had to help-she needed to help!  Kenny couldn’t make it inside on her own, not if she ended up-scrambling against Fern, she forced the human’s grip loose and sprinted towards the beast.  

~~

Aife squeaked as Risto’s attention shifted to her, scrambling away from Risto as he reared on her.  Of course, she was hardly fast compared to the giant man, but she managed to get some solid ground due to her small size.  She ran for the cooking side of the kitchen, skittering into the most narrow part of the room to try and keep Risto busy.  

She turned her head as she ran, ducking under another chair and rushing from under it towards another room.  It didn’t matter if he caught her now-as long as he didn’t chew.  He didn’t seem the type to, thankfully.  Once Aife felt she had a good distance from Risto, she stopped to watch her oncoming doom.  

Her head lifted, watching Risto as he came closer like a rushing train.  “If…it’s any compensation,”  she murmured, “I meant it when…I said I’d sing fer ye,” though she doubted it would do any good to prevent what was going to happen, Aife felt like she needed to hear it.  

~~

While AIfe was busy distracting Risto, Fern had made the most of his time:  he managed to hide behind something in the kitchen.  Through watching Aife scrambling past, no doubt Risto not far behind, he had no idea what he was ducking behind.  It was enough for him to press his back against and sigh, trying to focus and keep himself from panicking.  Okay-okay.  He’d been through worse than this.  There were bigger battles that he’d fought-but right now, charm was going to do him no favors.  

The beast was far beyond reasoning, charm, anything but rage…  He couldn’t help Aife and Kenny as it was, not where they were.  His best bet was to stay low, stay hidden, and try to help them when Risto was more calm.  As long as he didn’t come looking for a third course…  Fern glanced through the kitchen, biting his lip.  His eyes fell on some sort of cabinet or wardrobe, and he hesitated.  Slowly, he pushed himself up and squirmed inside the cramped space, closing the door behind him.  

She heard Kenny growl a greeting, thankfully having put her bat away.  Aife sat up as best she could, whispering a spell beneath her breath.  She could feel Kenny shiver, though she didn’t bark at Aife for the magic.  Kenny knew what it was for.  Aife waited for the tingling to stop before resettling herself, making sure she and Kenny were still touching-it wasn’t difficult with such a closed space.  

“…We didn’ have t’fight,” Aife said.  She reached into her bag, pulling a small stone from inside.  It began to glow a soft light, giving the two a view of their living prison cell.  “He-…I dun’ think he’d have fought if ya’d given me time-”  

“We don’t have time, Fee.  He’s a monster.  He kills people.  We can’t let him live, with or without the bounty.”  Kenny’s voice was clipped, a sign the point wasn’t up for discussion.  

Aife sighed, studying their current whereabouts.  The walls were a deep obsidian, truly completing the feeling of being swallowed up.  One would think being in as many gullets as she had, Aife would be used to such a sight…every time was just as unnerving as the last, though.    

~~

Fern pulled himself as far into the cabinet as he could, lips clamped to keep himself still and silent as he sat.  He took a moment, thinking through his options.  Spells, spells-he didn’t know many, just one that…  His gaze flickered to the door.  Maybe if he couldn’t be found, he could talk Risto down.  

“Please,” Fern spoke up.  But-his voice didn’t come from his mouth.  His voice floated behind Risto, as though the human was behind him.  A simple projection spell-nothing fancy, but hopefully enough to disorient and refocus Risto’s attention.  “You’re upset.  We broke into your home, your sanctuary with the intent to hurt you.  But believe me when I say we had no idea-…we…”  While he could shoot for a lie, Fern didn’t want to muddy the waters any more than Kenny already had.  Charm hadn’t worked, either.  So…maybe his best option was honesty, a chance to regain some trust.  

When the young man’s voice suddenly appeared something right behind him, the beast turned around swiftly, almost spitting out a triumphant laugh at…………..nothing?! Dumbfounded, he squinted, looked around, blinked, irritated. Hearing the young man speak further, he listened, until it dawned on him. “….Mmmhhhh….magic.…”, he murmured underneath his breath, dragging his gaze through the kitchen once more. Clever, little mouse…. Giving Fern kudos for this clever little spell, casted from whereever he was hiding, the old beast decided to give him a listen. Still catching up on his own breath, the fat beast settled down on a painted, wooden chair he previous had knocked down. Slouching in it and gave his big belly room to hang in his lap. Sweating, exhausted, attention to the young man’s voice.

“Ohhh? Is that so?”, he then repsonded to Fern claiming Aife’s involuntary involvement in this mission, “To me she didn’t look like you two violently forced her all across the ocean and up the stairs of my lighthouse~….. What exactly was her task in all of this? Act as bait? A little bouncy delicious worm to lure the big fish in the sea? So the brave barbarian could swing her mighty stick and cash in all the gold?” He spat out a boisterous ugly laugh and almost pridefully rubbed his fat belly with victorious vigor.

“Mhhh, what are you saying there, boy~? Taking you instead of her~? Exchanging places so you would be in and she would be out? Oooohohohoho, haven’t you seen that fire in her little eyes? That bold spark that glistened in her soul when I swallowed your stick-swinging friend~? Be ensured, if I took you in her place, she would not stop pestering me about letting her friends out. Probably singing me a song about it, even, bwahhahahaahar!………………………………mh. I rellay would have liked to hear that.”, he added the last bit drily and more quietly, his boisterous laugh swiftly drying out. Only when he heard the young man’s voice now coming from another corner of the room, a certain smugness settled back in on the old beast’s mug, a piercing gaze into the direction from which Ferns voice echoed.

Though she couldn’t hear Fern, she picked up that he and Risto were talking about her. She shrank back as Risto spoke about her role in the job, curling into herself shamefully. She didn’t want to be here. Not for any of it. When she’d agreed to travel with Kenny, she’s wanted to explore the world, meet new people and learn new things! So far she had, but…there was still blood on her hands. Aífe hated this was the only way she’d learn to explore. She had stained the earth with blood that wasn’t hers…her ancestors would be ashamed.

Aífe blinked. The tone shifted. Was…Fern defending her? Why? He was-he’s offered to take her place… Sitting up, Aífe strained to hear more of what was going on. She got the idea Risto had no intention of letting her out, but-the thougjt that Fern would speak in her favor was touching nonetheless. Though, when Risto mentioned her singing to him, Aífe couldn’t help but pipe in, “I would have loved t’sing, sir…”

~~

Fern hadn’t expected Risto to agree into letting Aífe out-a fact that made his gut weigh heavy. He felt bad. People like Aífe didn’t deserve that type of fate. She was too little to fight for herself; it made sense she stuck with powerful fighters so she could see the world. But…that was the bad thing about traveling in parties. Fern was blessed enough to be a human, a far more formidable opponent than a dwarf.

As Risto addressed him, Questioning his purpose in the group, Fern laughed. “My intentions aren’t as wholesome as Aife’s…” slowly, he reclined in the cabinet, lacing his arms behind his head. “You could say that I like to gain…experience. Just in a different way~,” humming, Fern blinked as his voice began to return to him. The spell wasn’t permanent; it was bound to happen eventually.

He still sat slouching in that old chair, kept a big palm ontop of his gurgling gut and maintained giving it occasinal rubs as he was all ears on what fern had to say. All ears on his explaination what kind of part he was playing in all of this.

Hearing what the young man had to say, however…..did stir quite the response. It seemed, Fern’s words were managing to do something to the old beast. The further he spoke, the more his smug smile got wiped out of his face. So much it almost formed to a dumb looking line pointing downwards at the ends - while the grey complexion of his face grew…..a red hue. Something was stirring. Boiling. “WHAT??!?!!”, his raspy voice boomed, thunderous and sharper than ever before. With a muffled thud the chair crashed down onto the carpet as the beast rushed up to his feet, standing tall.  Amber eyes, burning with furious sparks, shifted and slowly found their aim at the kitchen cabinet a couple of corners away.

“No-wait!”  He threw his hands in front of himself, backing into the farthest corner of the cabinet.  “Please, that’s not-that isn’t what I meant!  What I mean to say is, Aife and I never wanted to fight; hell, I didn’t think we were coming here for that!  Kenny-I don’t want to throw her under the bus, but-I thought she was kidding when she said she wanted to go after you!  Have you seen our party?!  There’s no way in hell we’d win!”

~~

“CRAM IT, BOTH OF YOU!”  Kenny barked, crossing her arms with a scowl.  She slouched against the stomach walls, trying to will herself against fighting the walls any more.  Hurting Aife wasn’t on her agenda.  “We lost.  That’s it.”  Her head rested against the stomach wall of the beast, eyes closing.  There wasn’t any point delaying the inevitable.  

She opened an eye as the walls shifted.  Though she couldn’t see, she could feel a glare from Aife on her.  The dwarf’s voice sliced through the ambient sound of the gut working around them.  

“NO, YOU CRAM IT!”  The dwarf screeched, her voice almost echoing with its intensity.  “Godsdamnit, this entire mess is YER FAULT!  Can’t ye see that?!  Ye dragged me here, Fern here, all b’cause ye wanted a fight.  An’ya know that’s the truth!  NONE of us wanted t’be here but YOU!”  

Kenny recoiled, blinking as Aife’s legs thrashed against hers.  Though she didn’t break contact, she tried to ease herself away from the raging little dwarf.  She opened her mouth to protest, only to have Aife cut her off with a snarl.  

~~

Ironically enough, the only thing that seemed to calm the big beast down from his fury was to see Fern’s fear. Seeing the insolent little human flinch, trying to back off in further in the already crammed space, away from the fat beast’s gaping maw. “What is it, human?”, the raspy thunderous voice growled, again now thick and heavy with sass. “Didn’t you want to exchange yourself for your singing friend~?” The massive jaws were reaching into the cabin, gaping, fat tongue swirling around as a doomed, terrifying invitation.

“I like monsters.  They’re big and attractive and godsdamnit I-just-…ugh, I like how they feel in bed!”  He fumbled with his words a moment, looking away to gather his thoughts.  “You are a monster, a big, bad beast and I want to either have you throw me down and rock me right, or…or try to tame you myself!  Do you know how invigorating it is to-just?!”  The human waved his hands in front of his face, the open maw before him making it very hard to focus on emotions.  

He couldn’t further explain himself, though, as Risto’s attention was drawn elsewhere.  Fern blinked, his eyes gliding down to the larger man’s gut.  Was…Aife calling out?  Squinting, Fern tried to make sense of just what the dwarf was saying…but between his panicking heart, Risto’s breath and his own, he couldn’t hear anything.  It was a quiet, muffled noise.  So, he sat in silence as Risto listened, meeting those amber stars with a shaky stare.  

~~

Aife growled again, about to let loose on Kenny even further, but found herself being addressed by their host.  She squeaked as the walls shifted, a pressure from the outside nudging the living barrier at her back.  The dwarf blinked, her head craning upwards.  She opened, closed,and reopened her mouth.  

Right, emotions. He had them, too, right? A wild mix of emotions and feelings were beginning to stir and pile up within the beast’s gut - starting from the prior curiosity of potentially hosting a stranded bard in his home and have them sing for him, to a bad surprise of finding intruders in his home craving to slay him for gold, further up to a chase in which turned out one of them simply wanted to explore the world, one of them truly just wanted a fight and see him dead, while the last piled his personal sexual desires onto him like he was just another fuck tool in the world of potentially good monster fucks —- and now - what the hell were those feelings? Fury? Disgust? Compassion? A wave of emotions came crushing hard into the old monster’s heart, who had planned this night to be a cozy and relaxed one. An overwhelming blend that wanted to force itself out, and did, partially, as the beast grimaced and unleashed a suppressed, furious growl. That was much more of a….held back groan. An overly annoyed rumble. The rolling thunder before the impending lightning bolt.

Fern didn’t get the chance to question it. Risto’s hand jolted into the cabinet, his hand taking up most of the space. Fern couldn’t move. It snatched him by the waist, an iron-like grip jerking him out of the hiding spot and right up to Risto’s face. He gulped, trying to will his heart to move out of his throat.

Where normally Fern could ignore the icy grip of fear, he couldn’t ignore his inate desire to run and be as far away from this place as he could. His skin ran cold as Risto spoke. Never had Fern had a trip go so wrong. It was hard for him to imagine things could go south this quickly-he’d just wanted a good lay and to make a new companion.

It was clear, though, for now that wasn’t happening. He had no chance getting any closer to Risto in this state…and really, Fern couldn’t blame him for being upset. They’d intruded one his home, tried to kill him, fuck him, and/or trick him. Fern knew that Risto killed people, so it wasn’t a stretch to say he was a violent creature. But-he couldn’t help but feel bad. Risto was a monster physically, yes-but…was their little rag-tag team any better?

Turning around to a swift sway to the side, holding Fern to an involuntarily, dramatic dance performance. His fat gut sloshed, burly warm flesh pressing into Fern’s slender frame. A big warm palm to Fern’s back, another to his left hand - then, another turn, another swift curve through the room. Dramatically bending forward, Fern suddenly graced with the old beast’s jaw right infront of his face, amber eyes sparking with passion and madness.

“YOU just want A FUCK and begone!”, he howled, hot drool spilling all over his jawline, dripping down onto Fern’s chest. A strong palm grasped the young man by the waist, firmly, yet gentle. Loving, almost. Pasisonately, hungry. “  I  ….WANT ETERNITY! - You like BIG - but MY DESIRES are way TOO BIG for YOU to handle~!”

He gazed at Fern, into his eyes - then the old man from the sea laughed - laughed out loud from the pits of his gut, excitedly, wildly - absolutely gone mad. Embracing the slender green haired human, holding him close to his heart, he danced with him, swirled around to an unspoken melody, a song that perhaps was only playing in his own head, a song of his own mighty mad laugh.

The human yelped as he was twirled like a trapped ballerina, dipped and drooled on…making himself feel more like dinner, and less of a date.  He struggled to make sense of Risto’s rambling over his own panic and surprise.  It sounded like-Risto wanted a lifelong companion.  Was he looking for that in Fern?  Shaking his head, he tried to meet Risto’s gaze and read it, but with the world twirling around him, he could barely pick anything out.  

While he loved the idea of that kind of a relationship-this was going far too fast for Fern’s taste.  He appreciated the idea of romance-but a family?  That was never something he’d considered, especially with the style of life he preferred.  A part of him bit that back, though, deciding for now, it was best to go along with what Risto said.  He’d caused the maddened man enough pain tonight.  So, slowly, he allowed his head to rest on Risto’s middle and closed his eyes.  

~~

Much like Fern, Aife flinched as soon as Risto spoke again.  His voice rolled and boomed, drowning any of her thoughts out like a torrental storm.  One that she was trapped in-whether she wanted to be or not.  Meanwhile, Risto began to move, each step the beastly behemoth took sloshing and tossing her and Kenny.

For the most part, she couldn’t make sense of the old man’s rambling.  Romance?  A family?  Was he speaking to Fern?  She didn’t know, and frankly…wasn’t sure she wanted to.  Where Risto had seemed as solid and as sure as a mountain before-…Aife found herself comparing the beastly behemoth to a landslide.  Too much for one person, never mind three to handle, unstable, and likely to destroy them all if they weren’t careful.  

She blinked, though, as the conversation seemed to turn to her song and Kenny’s fight.  The dwarf blinked.  Well-of course he was louder than she was…it was hard to outsing the sound of rocks tumbling over a cliffside, and much like Risto, Aife had no chance in hell to compete with him.  Still…if she could talk him down, maybe they could reason something out.

Something changed.  Everything jolted, and Fern found himself held tighter to Risto’s gut.  His face scrunched at the noises it made, accompanied by the panicked sounds inside.  Please, not like this- his mind raced to the worst likely outcome…Aife and Kenny weren’t getting out of there.  At least, not in one piece.  Or…so Fern thought.  

His world dropped, prompted by Risto hunching over.  This being followed by a sickening, gagging sound made only worse by Fern’s close proximity to the entire thing.  Eyes shot open, he turned his head and watched as a very befuddled Aife and Kenny plopped onto the floor with a wet noise.  Shivering, but before he could react, Fern was yanked backwards and nuzzled into Risto’s stomach once more.  

~~

Aife landed on her side with a grunt, grimacing as the spinning sensation ebbed away.  She shook as she pushed herself up, panting heavily before collapsing again.  From her position, she could make out Kenny’s slouched form and blinked as the human pushed herself up, staggering towards the entrance and exit.  Aife grimaced, rolling over.  Fern was laying…against Risto, looking like he’d been trapped beneath a boulder.  Thankfully, or perhaps regretfully, Risto seemed incapacitated.  

Slowly, Aife sat up.  She turned, watching Kenny continued to head for the door…and for once, Aife didn’t care.  If she left, so be it.  Aife crossed her legs and sighed, plopping her head into her hands.  Whatever happened, she didn’t want to cause any more trouble tonight.   

~~

Kenny staggered towards the door, her head still spinning from the impromptu merry-go-round.  But, she couldn’t make it to the door.  Her knees buckled, and she collapsed with a growl.  NO!  She needed to get out, to get away-Kenny grimaced, her back hunching as she slid to the floor.  

The same seemed to apply for their big, bad monster of a problem…who looked exhausted beyond words.  Even still…Fern chuckled and shook his head.  Still cute…  But now wasn’t the time.  Gently, Fern pushed the massive claws away from his waist, collected himself, and hoisted himself off of Risto’s middle.  His feet hit the floor.  It was cold, and gave him enough of a shock to wear away the last of the dizziness from before.  

“Aife?  You okay?”  the human stumbled towards the dwarf, kneeling down.  She turned to face him, squinting.  

“…Aye,” she grunted, grimacing.  “N’ yerself?”

“I’m…okay.”  he nodded and smiled.  “Seems this…fight didn’t pan out, huh?”  his gaze flickered to Kenny, who was facing away from them.  “I…heard some of what happened, you and Kenny-”

“Dun’…worry, we’re okay.  Kenny n’I got history, an’we were jus’hashin’ it out.”  The dwarf smiled.  “Happens with friends…an’ partners, I guess,” Aife shrugged.  “But, eh…d’ye think…he’s gonna be okay?”  She nodded to Risto.  “He…seems…off…?”

“Hey,” he sighed.  “Look-you...we aren’t gonna fight any more.  So...either you stick around and play nice, or...I guess leave.” 

Kenny’s head lifted, and she peered at him.  Fern flinched.  That...was not the look of someone who wanted to talk.  He opened his mouth, closed it, and stood.  No point in trying to argue with her, he guessed.  Better to focus on the other two...one of them being Risto.  Who...was looking less angry by the moment.  A good thing, Fern guessed.  

“Hey, Aife?”  Fern called his head turning to the ktichen.  Risto had mentioned food, and he assumed it was still cooking...nothing to bring folks together like a good meal.  “Keep an eye on Risto...I’m going to finish some dinner.”

~~

Aife sighed, having rested her head on her knees while Fern spoke to Kenny.  She didn’t care much what was said, preferring a rest after all that had happened.  Her gaze flickered as Fern spoke to her, nodding into her knees before standing.  Sure enough Fern was headed for the kitchen, rubbing his hands together.  Leaving her...to Risto.  

She looked to the big beast, biting her lower lip.  Humans were tall compared to her, but Risto was massive...  Hells, she hardly took up the space one of his hands occupied.  The dwarf gulped.  Despite herself, she stood and began to approach the resting Risto.  

“Ah-...hm...”  Aife mumbled as she came closer.  “I’m-...er, how’re ye feelin’, sir?”  A wary smile parted her lips, and she found herself staring at Risto’s much more intimidating grin.  She shuddered, remembering the black and dark void beyond them.  To take her mind off it, Aife let her gaze drop to the floor.  The ground was comforting.  Stones and rocks were familiar, something she could hold onto...something she understood.  

Fern continued to move Aife behind him as Risto watched, both he and the dwarf flinching at the roar of the beast.  Though Fern was by no means an easy scare, he felt on edge, more than he’d ever been in any fight.  Kenny was still out of reach, her eyes back on Risto as soon as Fern was out of the way and with Aife out of harm’s way.  At his back, he felt Aife trembling, her shaking only getting worse the more angry Risto became.  

“Please, sir-”  the dwarf’s shaky voice called, only for Risto to move like a stormy wave.  He crashed over Kenny, blocking Fern’s view…  But he knew what had happened with the first heavy swallow.  Fern’s blood went cold.  Just like that; he’d eaten her just like that.  His clever plan to talk Risto down flew out the window as he retreated, dragging a frozen Aife with him.

~~

Kenny had no time to prepare.  She couldn’t, before she’d had any time there was a mass of black flesh over and around her.  Instead of yelping, the human let out a snarl all her own.  “NO!”  Kenny bellowed, her voice raising above the squelching around her.  

Though she couldn’t see, Kenny’s hand scrabbled at the back of the beast’s throat, free hand grabbing onto whatever rolls of flesh she could and digging her fingernails into it as hard as she could.  She used the moments between swallows to force her knees into action, hooking and spreading them as far as the cramped space allowed to try and choke the beast.  At the same time, she wrenched her arm still holding her club in an attempt to force it sideways, and give her time to get herself together.  

This wasn’t her first time in a gullet.  She would be damned before it was her last.  

~~

Aife watched in a silent horror, lurching forwards as Risto rained on Kenny.  The sound of a swallow set the dwarf into motion, pulling against Fern’s hand with a  choked yelp.  She had to help-she needed to help!  Kenny couldn’t make it inside on her own, not if she ended up-scrambling against Fern, she forced the human’s grip loose and sprinted towards the beast.  

~~

Aife squeaked as Risto’s attention shifted to her, scrambling away from Risto as he reared on her.  Of course, she was hardly fast compared to the giant man, but she managed to get some solid ground due to her small size.  She ran for the cooking side of the kitchen, skittering into the most narrow part of the room to try and keep Risto busy.  

She turned her head as she ran, ducking under another chair and rushing from under it towards another room.  It didn’t matter if he caught her now-as long as he didn’t chew.  He didn’t seem the type to, thankfully.  Once Aife felt she had a good distance from Risto, she stopped to watch her oncoming doom.  

Her head lifted, watching Risto as he came closer like a rushing train.  “If…it’s any compensation,”  she murmured, “I meant it when…I said I’d sing fer ye,” though she doubted it would do any good to prevent what was going to happen, Aife felt like she needed to hear it.  

~~

While AIfe was busy distracting Risto, Fern had made the most of his time:  he managed to hide behind something in the kitchen.  Through watching Aife scrambling past, no doubt Risto not far behind, he had no idea what he was ducking behind.  It was enough for him to press his back against and sigh, trying to focus and keep himself from panicking.  Okay-okay.  He’d been through worse than this.  There were bigger battles that he’d fought-but right now, charm was going to do him no favors.  

The beast was far beyond reasoning, charm, anything but rage…  He couldn’t help Aife and Kenny as it was, not where they were.  His best bet was to stay low, stay hidden, and try to help them when Risto was more calm.  As long as he didn’t come looking for a third course…  Fern glanced through the kitchen, biting his lip.  His eyes fell on some sort of cabinet or wardrobe, and he hesitated.  Slowly, he pushed himself up and squirmed inside the cramped space, closing the door behind him.  

She heard Kenny growl a greeting, thankfully having put her bat away.  Aife sat up as best she could, whispering a spell beneath her breath.  She could feel Kenny shiver, though she didn’t bark at Aife for the magic.  Kenny knew what it was for.  Aife waited for the tingling to stop before resettling herself, making sure she and Kenny were still touching-it wasn’t difficult with such a closed space.  

“…We didn’ have t’fight,” Aife said.  She reached into her bag, pulling a small stone from inside.  It began to glow a soft light, giving the two a view of their living prison cell.  “He-…I dun’ think he’d have fought if ya’d given me time-”  

“We don’t have time, Fee.  He’s a monster.  He kills people.  We can’t let him live, with or without the bounty.”  Kenny’s voice was clipped, a sign the point wasn’t up for discussion.  

Aife sighed, studying their current whereabouts.  The walls were a deep obsidian, truly completing the feeling of being swallowed up.  One would think being in as many gullets as she had, Aife would be used to such a sight…every time was just as unnerving as the last, though.    

~~

Fern pulled himself as far into the cabinet as he could, lips clamped to keep himself still and silent as he sat.  He took a moment, thinking through his options.  Spells, spells-he didn’t know many, just one that…  His gaze flickered to the door.  Maybe if he couldn’t be found, he could talk Risto down.  

“Please,” Fern spoke up.  But-his voice didn’t come from his mouth.  His voice floated behind Risto, as though the human was behind him.  A simple projection spell-nothing fancy, but hopefully enough to disorient and refocus Risto’s attention.  “You’re upset.  We broke into your home, your sanctuary with the intent to hurt you.  But believe me when I say we had no idea-…we…”  While he could shoot for a lie, Fern didn’t want to muddy the waters any more than Kenny already had.  Charm hadn’t worked, either.  So…maybe his best option was honesty, a chance to regain some trust.  

When the young man’s voice suddenly appeared something right behind him, the beast turned around swiftly, almost spitting out a triumphant laugh at…………..nothing?! Dumbfounded, he squinted, looked around, blinked, irritated. Hearing the young man speak further, he listened, until it dawned on him. “….Mmmhhhh….magic.…”, he murmured underneath his breath, dragging his gaze through the kitchen once more. Clever, little mouse…. Giving Fern kudos for this clever little spell, casted from whereever he was hiding, the old beast decided to give him a listen. Still catching up on his own breath, the fat beast settled down on a painted, wooden chair he previous had knocked down. Slouching in it and gave his big belly room to hang in his lap. Sweating, exhausted, attention to the young man’s voice.

“Ohhh? Is that so?”, he then repsonded to Fern claiming Aife’s involuntary involvement in this mission, “To me she didn’t look like you two violently forced her all across the ocean and up the stairs of my lighthouse~….. What exactly was her task in all of this? Act as bait? A little bouncy delicious worm to lure the big fish in the sea? So the brave barbarian could swing her mighty stick and cash in all the gold?” He spat out a boisterous ugly laugh and almost pridefully rubbed his fat belly with victorious vigor.

“Mhhh, what are you saying there, boy~? Taking you instead of her~? Exchanging places so you would be in and she would be out? Oooohohohoho, haven’t you seen that fire in her little eyes? That bold spark that glistened in her soul when I swallowed your stick-swinging friend~? Be ensured, if I took you in her place, she would not stop pestering me about letting her friends out. Probably singing me a song about it, even, bwahhahahaahar!………………………………mh. I rellay would have liked to hear that.”, he added the last bit drily and more quietly, his boisterous laugh swiftly drying out. Only when he heard the young man’s voice now coming from another corner of the room, a certain smugness settled back in on the old beast’s mug, a piercing gaze into the direction from which Ferns voice echoed.

Though she couldn’t hear Fern, she picked up that he and Risto were talking about her. She shrank back as Risto spoke about her role in the job, curling into herself shamefully. She didn’t want to be here. Not for any of it. When she’d agreed to travel with Kenny, she’s wanted to explore the world, meet new people and learn new things! So far she had, but…there was still blood on her hands. Aífe hated this was the only way she’d learn to explore. She had stained the earth with blood that wasn’t hers…her ancestors would be ashamed.

Aífe blinked. The tone shifted. Was…Fern defending her? Why? He was-he’s offered to take her place… Sitting up, Aífe strained to hear more of what was going on. She got the idea Risto had no intention of letting her out, but-the thougjt that Fern would speak in her favor was touching nonetheless. Though, when Risto mentioned her singing to him, Aífe couldn’t help but pipe in, “I would have loved t’sing, sir…”

~~

Fern hadn’t expected Risto to agree into letting Aífe out-a fact that made his gut weigh heavy. He felt bad. People like Aífe didn’t deserve that type of fate. She was too little to fight for herself; it made sense she stuck with powerful fighters so she could see the world. But…that was the bad thing about traveling in parties. Fern was blessed enough to be a human, a far more formidable opponent than a dwarf.

As Risto addressed him, Questioning his purpose in the group, Fern laughed. “My intentions aren’t as wholesome as Aife’s…” slowly, he reclined in the cabinet, lacing his arms behind his head. “You could say that I like to gain…experience. Just in a different way~,” humming, Fern blinked as his voice began to return to him. The spell wasn’t permanent; it was bound to happen eventually.

He still sat slouching in that old chair, kept a big palm ontop of his gurgling gut and maintained giving it occasinal rubs as he was all ears on what fern had to say. All ears on his explaination what kind of part he was playing in all of this.

Hearing what the young man had to say, however…..did stir quite the response. It seemed, Fern’s words were managing to do something to the old beast. The further he spoke, the more his smug smile got wiped out of his face. So much it almost formed to a dumb looking line pointing downwards at the ends - while the grey complexion of his face grew…..a red hue. Something was stirring. Boiling. “WHAT??!?!!”, his raspy voice boomed, thunderous and sharper than ever before. With a muffled thud the chair crashed down onto the carpet as the beast rushed up to his feet, standing tall.  Amber eyes, burning with furious sparks, shifted and slowly found their aim at the kitchen cabinet a couple of corners away.

“No-wait!”  He threw his hands in front of himself, backing into the farthest corner of the cabinet.  “Please, that’s not-that isn’t what I meant!  What I mean to say is, Aife and I never wanted to fight; hell, I didn’t think we were coming here for that!  Kenny-I don’t want to throw her under the bus, but-I thought she was kidding when she said she wanted to go after you!  Have you seen our party?!  There’s no way in hell we’d win!”

~~

“CRAM IT, BOTH OF YOU!”  Kenny barked, crossing her arms with a scowl.  She slouched against the stomach walls, trying to will herself against fighting the walls any more.  Hurting Aife wasn’t on her agenda.  “We lost.  That’s it.”  Her head rested against the stomach wall of the beast, eyes closing.  There wasn’t any point delaying the inevitable.  

She opened an eye as the walls shifted.  Though she couldn’t see, she could feel a glare from Aife on her.  The dwarf’s voice sliced through the ambient sound of the gut working around them.  

“NO, YOU CRAM IT!”  The dwarf screeched, her voice almost echoing with its intensity.  “Godsdamnit, this entire mess is YER FAULT!  Can’t ye see that?!  Ye dragged me here, Fern here, all b’cause ye wanted a fight.  An’ya know that’s the truth!  NONE of us wanted t’be here but YOU!”  

Kenny recoiled, blinking as Aife’s legs thrashed against hers.  Though she didn’t break contact, she tried to ease herself away from the raging little dwarf.  She opened her mouth to protest, only to have Aife cut her off with a snarl.  

~~

Ironically enough, the only thing that seemed to calm the big beast down from his fury was to see Fern’s fear. Seeing the insolent little human flinch, trying to back off in further in the already crammed space, away from the fat beast’s gaping maw. “What is it, human?”, the raspy thunderous voice growled, again now thick and heavy with sass. “Didn’t you want to exchange yourself for your singing friend~?” The massive jaws were reaching into the cabin, gaping, fat tongue swirling around as a doomed, terrifying invitation.

“I like monsters.  They’re big and attractive and godsdamnit I-just-…ugh, I like how they feel in bed!”  He fumbled with his words a moment, looking away to gather his thoughts.  “You are a monster, a big, bad beast and I want to either have you throw me down and rock me right, or…or try to tame you myself!  Do you know how invigorating it is to-just?!”  The human waved his hands in front of his face, the open maw before him making it very hard to focus on emotions.  

He couldn’t further explain himself, though, as Risto’s attention was drawn elsewhere.  Fern blinked, his eyes gliding down to the larger man’s gut.  Was…Aife calling out?  Squinting, Fern tried to make sense of just what the dwarf was saying…but between his panicking heart, Risto’s breath and his own, he couldn’t hear anything.  It was a quiet, muffled noise.  So, he sat in silence as Risto listened, meeting those amber stars with a shaky stare.  

~~

Aife growled again, about to let loose on Kenny even further, but found herself being addressed by their host.  She squeaked as the walls shifted, a pressure from the outside nudging the living barrier at her back.  The dwarf blinked, her head craning upwards.  She opened, closed,and reopened her mouth.  

Right, emotions. He had them, too, right? A wild mix of emotions and feelings were beginning to stir and pile up within the beast’s gut - starting from the prior curiosity of potentially hosting a stranded bard in his home and have them sing for him, to a bad surprise of finding intruders in his home craving to slay him for gold, further up to a chase in which turned out one of them simply wanted to explore the world, one of them truly just wanted a fight and see him dead, while the last piled his personal sexual desires onto him like he was just another fuck tool in the world of potentially good monster fucks —- and now - what the hell were those feelings? Fury? Disgust? Compassion? A wave of emotions came crushing hard into the old monster’s heart, who had planned this night to be a cozy and relaxed one. An overwhelming blend that wanted to force itself out, and did, partially, as the beast grimaced and unleashed a suppressed, furious growl. That was much more of a….held back groan. An overly annoyed rumble. The rolling thunder before the impending lightning bolt.

Fern didn’t get the chance to question it. Risto’s hand jolted into the cabinet, his hand taking up most of the space. Fern couldn’t move. It snatched him by the waist, an iron-like grip jerking him out of the hiding spot and right up to Risto’s face. He gulped, trying to will his heart to move out of his throat.

Where normally Fern could ignore the icy grip of fear, he couldn’t ignore his inate desire to run and be as far away from this place as he could. His skin ran cold as Risto spoke. Never had Fern had a trip go so wrong. It was hard for him to imagine things could go south this quickly-he’d just wanted a good lay and to make a new companion.

It was clear, though, for now that wasn’t happening. He had no chance getting any closer to Risto in this state…and really, Fern couldn’t blame him for being upset. They’d intruded one his home, tried to kill him, fuck him, and/or trick him. Fern knew that Risto killed people, so it wasn’t a stretch to say he was a violent creature. But-he couldn’t help but feel bad. Risto was a monster physically, yes-but…was their little rag-tag team any better?

Turning around to a swift sway to the side, holding Fern to an involuntarily, dramatic dance performance. His fat gut sloshed, burly warm flesh pressing into Fern’s slender frame. A big warm palm to Fern’s back, another to his left hand - then, another turn, another swift curve through the room. Dramatically bending forward, Fern suddenly graced with the old beast’s jaw right infront of his face, amber eyes sparking with passion and madness.

“YOU just want A FUCK and begone!”, he howled, hot drool spilling all over his jawline, dripping down onto Fern’s chest. A strong palm grasped the young man by the waist, firmly, yet gentle. Loving, almost. Pasisonately, hungry. “  I  ….WANT ETERNITY! - You like BIG - but MY DESIRES are way TOO BIG for YOU to handle~!”

He gazed at Fern, into his eyes - then the old man from the sea laughed - laughed out loud from the pits of his gut, excitedly, wildly - absolutely gone mad. Embracing the slender green haired human, holding him close to his heart, he danced with him, swirled around to an unspoken melody, a song that perhaps was only playing in his own head, a song of his own mighty mad laugh.

The human yelped as he was twirled like a trapped ballerina, dipped and drooled on…making himself feel more like dinner, and less of a date.  He struggled to make sense of Risto’s rambling over his own panic and surprise.  It sounded like-Risto wanted a lifelong companion.  Was he looking for that in Fern?  Shaking his head, he tried to meet Risto’s gaze and read it, but with the world twirling around him, he could barely pick anything out.  

While he loved the idea of that kind of a relationship-this was going far too fast for Fern’s taste.  He appreciated the idea of romance-but a family?  That was never something he’d considered, especially with the style of life he preferred.  A part of him bit that back, though, deciding for now, it was best to go along with what Risto said.  He’d caused the maddened man enough pain tonight.  So, slowly, he allowed his head to rest on Risto’s middle and closed his eyes.  

~~

Much like Fern, Aife flinched as soon as Risto spoke again.  His voice rolled and boomed, drowning any of her thoughts out like a torrental storm.  One that she was trapped in-whether she wanted to be or not.  Meanwhile, Risto began to move, each step the beastly behemoth took sloshing and tossing her and Kenny.

For the most part, she couldn’t make sense of the old man’s rambling.  Romance?  A family?  Was he speaking to Fern?  She didn’t know, and frankly…wasn’t sure she wanted to.  Where Risto had seemed as solid and as sure as a mountain before-…Aife found herself comparing the beastly behemoth to a landslide.  Too much for one person, never mind three to handle, unstable, and likely to destroy them all if they weren’t careful.  

She blinked, though, as the conversation seemed to turn to her song and Kenny’s fight.  The dwarf blinked.  Well-of course he was louder than she was…it was hard to outsing the sound of rocks tumbling over a cliffside, and much like Risto, Aife had no chance in hell to compete with him.  Still…if she could talk him down, maybe they could reason something out.

Something changed.  Everything jolted, and Fern found himself held tighter to Risto’s gut.  His face scrunched at the noises it made, accompanied by the panicked sounds inside.  Please, not like this- his mind raced to the worst likely outcome…Aife and Kenny weren’t getting out of there.  At least, not in one piece.  Or…so Fern thought.  

His world dropped, prompted by Risto hunching over.  This being followed by a sickening, gagging sound made only worse by Fern’s close proximity to the entire thing.  Eyes shot open, he turned his head and watched as a very befuddled Aife and Kenny plopped onto the floor with a wet noise.  Shivering, but before he could react, Fern was yanked backwards and nuzzled into Risto’s stomach once more.  

~~

Aife landed on her side with a grunt, grimacing as the spinning sensation ebbed away.  She shook as she pushed herself up, panting heavily before collapsing again.  From her position, she could make out Kenny’s slouched form and blinked as the human pushed herself up, staggering towards the entrance and exit.  Aife grimaced, rolling over.  Fern was laying…against Risto, looking like he’d been trapped beneath a boulder.  Thankfully, or perhaps regretfully, Risto seemed incapacitated.  

Slowly, Aife sat up.  She turned, watching Kenny continued to head for the door…and for once, Aife didn’t care.  If she left, so be it.  Aife crossed her legs and sighed, plopping her head into her hands.  Whatever happened, she didn’t want to cause any more trouble tonight.   

~~

Kenny staggered towards the door, her head still spinning from the impromptu merry-go-round.  But, she couldn’t make it to the door.  Her knees buckled, and she collapsed with a growl.  NO!  She needed to get out, to get away-Kenny grimaced, her back hunching as she slid to the floor.  

The same seemed to apply for their big, bad monster of a problem...who looked exhausted beyond words.  Even still...Fern chuckled and shook his head.  Still cute...  But now wasn’t the time.  Gently, Fern pushed the massive claws away from his waist, collected himself, and hoisted himself off of Risto’s middle.  His feet hit the floor.  It was cold, and gave him enough of a shock to wear away the last of the dizziness from before.  

“Aife?  You okay?”  the human stumbled towards the dwarf, kneeling down.  She turned to face him, squinting.  

“...Aye,” she grunted, grimacing.  “N’ yerself?”

“I’m...okay.”  he nodded and smiled.  “Seems this...fight didn’t pan out, huh?”  his gaze flickered to Kenny, who was facing away from them.  “I...heard some of what happened, you and Kenny-”

“Dun’...worry, we’re okay.  Kenny n’I got history, an’we were jus’hashin’ it out.”  The dwarf smiled.  “Happens with friends...an’ partners, I guess,” Aife shrugged.  “But, eh...d’ye think...he’s gonna be okay?”  She nodded to Risto.  “He...seems...off...?”