He wasn't very happy.
Ilio had woken up to a cold bed, alone.
Even though that had upset him, he'd still stayed put so that he didn't bother Inkani. He could sense that the man wasn't very happy, and also that he was above deck, likely dealing with Karalius and Bin. And yet, still, he waited.
So, when Inkani finally returned nearly forty minutes later, Ilio was ready for some attention, praise, or, at least, some sort of physical contact. He'd even accept a simple head pat as his reward.
And yet, his handsome mate simply walked right past him and began removing his clothing.
Ilio definitely didn't mind the show, but his cautious hopes of a little more snuggling were promptly dashed when Inkani began pulling on a new set of clothes!
"Inka...?" he questioned, doing his best to keep his upset out of his voice.
When the man had pulled on a pair of clean undergarments, then added trousers and fastened two belts around his waist, he finally looked over at him.
Ilio perked up a tiny bit, but he knew that there wouldn't be anymore physical attention for the time being.
"We're heading back to land," the man finally said as he tossed Ilio a set of clothes.
Land? Already?
He was surprised, but definitely not upset about the sudden news. His feet definitely handled land better than water, so he gladly hopped out of bed and pulled on the clothing he'd been given.
Hurrying to follow after Inkani, who was now heading out the door, Ilio considered their situation, and the reasoning the man might have for docking again so soon.
He understood that they left in a rush previously, and that they might need supplies sooner over later, but the main reason he could think of was the other captain. They'd left port previously to try and outrun him, but that had clearly failed, leaving his wolf to scare away their pursuers into retreating... but it likely wouldn't work a second time.
He wanted to ask which port they were going to, but decided against it. What did it matter where they were going? He didn't know anywhere but his home forest, so a name wouldn't make any difference.
They were just stepping out onto the deck when Inkani reached back and gently rustled his hair, much like one would a cat that had silently requested attention.
And just like said cat, Ilio wanted to nudge against that hand with a content hum, but before the thought could even fully form in his mind, that hand he so desperately wanted attention from withdrew as its owner got busy commanding his crew.
Having been left to his own devices, Ilio considered his options. He wanted Inkani's attention, but that was rightfully being given to his crewmen at the moment. They needed their orders and Inkani was the one who had to give them.
Twitching his wolf ears, he paced around the deck for a few minutes, doing his best to stay out of people's way as he pondered what to do next. The answer, however, ended up, quite literally, smacking him in the face. A length of rope had broken free from one of the sails and swung across the deck as several vampires ran after it.
Unfortunately, none were able to stop it before it managed to catch him across the face. The welt stung, but Ilio was thankfully fast enough to react before the rope swung away again and was able to snag it.
It nearly pulled him overboard just from its size and momentum alone, but he managed to stop it right as he slid into the railing! Wincing, he held on with all of his strength until several of Inkani crewmen got to him and grabbed hold of the rope, too.
Together, they managed to rein it in and pull it back to where it needed to be fastened, then held it still as gale after gale tried to rip it from their grip. By the time it was finally secure again Ilio was actually panting.
The rush of adrenaline actually had him smiling, though he was getting some nervous looks from several of the vampires around him before they quickly got themselves back to work.
Ilio hesitated for a moment, considering what else he could do as he wiped at the blood now running down his cheek. That's when he noticed a different vampire struggling to move something across the deck.
I can help with that!
He hurried over and, with the two of them together, managed to move the object easily enough. Once that task was complete he was whisked away to help with a stuck lever, then moving more items, then climbing a sail to assist in mending an upper portion.
By the time he was finally done helping everyone they were approaching the docks of a rather large city.
That's much bigger than the one near my territory...
It was a little intimidating, to tell the truth.
He was just feeling a slight twinge of apprehension in his belly when he noticed his vampire walk over to the railing to look at the city.
Grinning, Ilio hurried over, earning Inkani's attention as he came to a stop at his side.
Can I have a head pat? I helped a lot!
Of course, he wouldn't say such things out loud, but he still wished for the attention as hard as he could!
He was a bit surprised, however, when Inkani's brow furrowed and he quickly leaned closer. The man's hands grasped his face gently but firmly, then turned it a little to the side.
"What is this?" Inkani asked, though Ilio wasn't really sure if he was expecting him to answer.
He had no doubt that the man was looking at the gash he'd gotten from being smacked with the rope earlier.
"A rope got loose and hit me. I'm fine though," he said calmly, smiling even though it hurt a little.
His luck wasn't the best, so it had hit him on the same side of his face where his stitches had been. He tasted blood, of course, but he kept that to himself.
Moving his hand slightly to the side, Inkani pressed his thumb against Ilio's lower lip and narrowed his eyes.
"Open."
Ilio obeyed immediately, even though they now had a rather rapt audience since the boat was just about done docking. When Inkani realized his stitches had been broken his eyes flashed with a dark fury Ilio had never seen in them before.
Before he could react, Ilio was lifted up into the man's arms! Inkani then yelled over his shoulder for his men to take care of the rest before promptly jumping over the railing the moment the shipped stopped by the docks!
Knowing that he was angry with him, Ilio hunched over and silently wrapped his arms around Inkani's neck.
I thought I did well...
He was coming to understand that the man was mad about him having messed up his stitches, but he hadn't done it on purpose. He'd also worked really hard to impress him, yet his injury seemed to overshadow all of that in an instant.
He silently sulked the entire time Inkani carried him, and only began to pay attention when they left the city behind and began walking through a beautiful wooded area.
They were still on a road, but he couldn't help straightening a bit in Inkani's arms so that he could look around. His wolf ears flicked here and there, eagerly taking in the sounds of the little forest.
I like it.
When he looked back at Inkani a moment later, the man turned his head to face away, seemingly looking at something. Ilio followed his line of sight, but there was nothing that stood out...
Tilting his head, he flicked an ear and twitched his nose.
I want to run as a wolf.
"No, you've already hurt yourself enough for one day," Inkani replied immediately as he held him a little closer.
Ilio was confused, but not upset. He liked the attention so if the man didn't want his wolf running around, then he wouldn't.
He was just about to begin nuzzling into Inkani's hair when he noticed something down the road.
A house? All the way out here?
It was up on a small hill and surrounded by trees of all sizes. It wasn't quite as big as a mansion, but it was a nice size and looked to be well maintained.
"Is that your house, Inka?" he asked, curious.
The man nodded as they began heading up the small hill.
"I can't just live on the ocean, now can I?" he asked, making Ilio frown.
I thought that was exactly what you did.
A stifled laugh broke the momentary calm and Inkani looked away again, making Ilio tilt his head. After a moment of silence Inkani slowed to a stop and returned him back to the ground, much to Ilio disappointment.
"You can walk fine, right? I think I've spoiled you enough today."
Never!
In fact, when Inkani continued contently on his way, Ilio scowled at his back and kept his feet firmly planted right where they were.
It took the other man nearly a full minute to realize that he wasn't being followed. He then turned around, giving him a look that was clearly not impressed with his stubborn response.
"Ilio..." Inkani warmed.
Ilio glared down at the dirt beneath his feet, but stood strong, determined not to give in yet. He was tired of only getting little bits of attention. Sure, things were progressing, but his wolf was becoming impatient and beginning to affect his own temperament.
I shouldn't be so stubborn, but human and vampire mates kissed, at least, and they want to touch each other.
He honestly felt like a dog around Inkani, always wanting attention while the man rarely sought out any from him in return.
I don't... The man's thought ended on a sigh, making Ilio look up just in time for his hand to be grabbed.
"Let's go," Inkani said before turning back toward his house and beginning to walk again, tugging him along behind him.
Ilio stared at their entwined hands for a moment before hurrying forward to walk beside him. The simple contact quieted his wolf a little, allowing him to relax a bit and finish the ascent in peace.
Once they got to the top, Inkani became all business.
The business he became?
Well, that was the cleaning up Ilio business.
He was promptly brought into a large bathing room and stripped, then tossed into a tub that could easily fit two, if not three, people. Water was pumped into it as a fire was started beneath it, leaving Ilio to sit awkwardly inside as the water slowly rose.
While the tub filled, Inkani brought over several different items. Ilio knew some of them, but others, not so much.
When he saw a man walk inside and bow respectfully, he scowled but bit back a growl.
"Oh behave, he's not going to stay in here," Inkani said as he got up and walked over to accept some small items from the man.
After dismissing him, Inkani returned to the tub and set down the last of the items, then turned his attention to him.
Ilio immediately perked up with the attention directed at him, and was more than willing to do exactly what Inkani asked of him as they began the bathing session.
His hair was taken care of first, but instead of simply wetting it, then scrubbing some simple soap into it before rinsing, Inkani had to have used at least three different things before he finally gave him a break!
With a kink in his neck, Ilio finally straightened, then turned his head this way and that, trying to get it out with a quiet groan. He was just about to try and snap his head to the side to get some relief when Inkani reached forward and grabbed him around the neck gently but firmly.
A minute later and he was giving a very content sigh of relief as the man adjusted his muscles somehow. When he was done, Ilio felt much better.
"Good?" Inka asked as he withdrew his hands and retrieved a new item.
Ilio nodded slowly, still surprised that his neck was already feeling better.
"You were working a lot, then I had you lean over for a while so that I could take care of your hair properly. It's no surprise that your muscles tensed up a bit."
He... was watching me work?
When Inkani reached over with a soft cloth and, after dipping it lightly in the water, lifted it up to his face, Ilio obediently closed his eyes.
He kept still even though his face hurt quite a bit because of whatever Inkani had put on the cloth, but the pain ebbed after a little while.
"Good boy..." Inka said as he continued to work, making Ilio grin happily.
He behaved perfectly throughout the entire process, until, that is, Inkani stripped out of his own clothing and climbed into the large tub with him!
"What? I need to bathe, too. You just need to wash your body and you can get out," he said as he reached over the edge of the tub and grabbed a bottle of hair product.
Ilio watched him like a hawk as he began cleaning his own hair, but ran out of self control when the soap began to run down the man's bare neck and chest.
His instincts told him to lick it, but he knew better. It wouldn't taste good, at all. He did, however, understand how to wash the man's hair now. So, with only a fraction of hesitation, Ilio reached forward and gently slid his fingers into Inkani's hair when the man reached down to add more soap to his palm.
Inkani froze, which was to be expected. Ilio didn't let that stop him, though.
You're not used to being taken care of.
He wasn't either, but he'd been so obsessed with getting attention that he'd forgotten to try and give some, too. Inkani never really came to him to be touched, but maybe he could work a little harder at getting him used to allowing it.
He already carries me a lot, and he lets me sleep in his bed with him...
Pursing his lips as he heard a quiet growl start up from within Inkani's chest, Ilio scooted the tiniest bit closer, then began massaging the man's scalp with his clawed fingers.
"What are you doing, Ilio? You don't have to clean me," Inkani said, his voice sounding partially frustrated, but also, a little bit... conflicted?
Ilio wasn't really familiar with the specific sound of each emotion yet, but he was learning quickly. So, after a moment of consideration he decided to continue with what he was doing.
He earned a couple more grumbles from Inkani in response, but then the man quieted as he closed his eyes and seemed to relax a little bit. Ilio took the chance he was given and carefully cleaned his man's hair until it was as soft as silk.
Once he was positive he'd done a good job, he helped Inka rinse his hair, then reached over the edge of the tub to grab a large bar of soap.
By the time Inkani had his eyes open again Ilio was pressing the light-smelling soap against his chest with the most focused expression he'd likely ever worn. He was so intent on doing a good job, in fact, that he didn't even notice the expression that swam across his mate's face as he began cleaning his body.
You're... really supposed to use a cloth with that...
His hands moved with precision and his eyes made sure not to miss a single speck of dirt... but he did miss that thought from Inkani.
He finished the front of the man's upper body within five minutes, then paused just long enough for Inkani to turn around and give him his back before continuing his mission. He really liked touching the man's back, too. His muscles were well defined but not bulging like some bigger men, yet he was just as powerful.
"I'm more powerful..." Inkani mumbled, making Ilio grin as he continued to work.
"My Inka is the strongest vampire," he said, not even hesitating with his words.
Inkani scoffed and straightened his back a little.
"Of course I am. I'm an elder vampire and I've fought my way to the top of the hierarchy. Even elder Vrasje has to think twice before messing with me."
Ilio finished his task and set the bar on the edge of the tub, not wanting to push his luck and try to wash the man beneath the water. Instead, he reached up and leaned forward, wrapping his arms loosely around Inkani's shoulders from behind, then settling his chin on the man's left shoulder.
"Elder Vrasje didn't dare mess with you," he said, drawing his man's attention to him as their noses nearly brushed.
"I've fought him enough times for him to know that I'm not someone to mess with any longer," he said smugly.
I like that expression on his face.
His Inka was strong, and deserved to be smug.
"What's with all the praise all of a sudden, anyways?" Inkani asked, making Ilio fidget a tiny bit internally.
"I-I've always thought that my Inka was amazing," he hurried to say, just-barely managing to hide the fact that he was just trying to get his man used to wanting attention from him.
Of course, he did think that his vampire was amazing, but that wasn't his main reason for their current situation.
"Who's your vampire?" Inkani grumbled, catching some of his musings anyways.
Ilio swallowed down some saliva before forcing himself to respond.
"You," he said firmly as he hugged the man a little closer, then leaned over, putting their mouths within an inch of each other.
"Elder Inkani is my vampire."
He waited nearly ten full seconds as he watched Inkani partially roll his eyes, blow out an annoyed breath, and glare at him the slightest bit, but when he didn't withdraw, or ask him to stop bothering him, Ilio leaned forward just enough to finally finish closing the gap between their mouths.