"And that will be 5 gold pieces," Ralk said as he handed the ores to the blacksmith. He smiled to himself as he walked away. But then realized that was the best sale he'd made today. 15 gold pieces for the whole day.
It's been a harsh couple of weeks. He just barely managed to make half of what he usually does this week. He could think of nothing but his financial issues as he packed up his caravan.
He didn't really need the money. But with the state of Rem's economy right now... his family needed all the help they could get. Half giants spend a lot more money on necessities than most species- especially if they live in the city.
He tried to tune out his thoughts with the sounds of his horses' hoof-beats as the caravan crept along the cobblestone road that led towards his area of the countryside.
He had just managed to calm down a little when the horses stopped suddenly and neighed in alarm. He quickly got off the driver's seat to see what was going on.
Two wulves were hunched over something on the side of the road and snarling at it. He took a few steps closer, careful not to make any loud, sudden movements. In a few moments, he was close enough to see what they were looking at. An unconscious man.
The wulves were slowly inching closer to the body, their mouths watering in anticipation. One looked just about ready to pounce, so Ralk moved in to chase them off.
Most animals run off at the sight of a half-giant barrelling toward them, but these two must have been desperate. The initial surprise of his presence had worn off, and they were guarding their meal, ready to attack.
Ralk didn't want to hurt them, so he thought he'd try something to get their attention off the man. He grabbed some dried beef out of his satchel and tossed it over. The wulves descended on it like the scavengers they are.
Ralk slowly made his way towards the man while they were distracted, gently picked him up, and carried him towards the carriage. Ralk set the man gently down in the driver's seat next to him. The horses took off before Ralk even said to, causing his unplanned passenger's head to fall into his lap.
His face was pale, and covered in bruises. But despite the discolouration, he looked... handsome. Regal even. Maybe it was the way his angular face contrasted with his more delicate features like his long lashes and supple lips. He looked like royalty.
Daven woke up in an unfamiliar bed. As soon as he tried to get up to look around, he felt his body protesting. His limbs felt like he'd been running till muscles were raw. He probably did.
"I wouldn't move just yet if I were you," said Ralk from somewhere in the room. Daven relaxed a little, the softness and kindness in Daven's tone putting him at ease.
When he tried to talk, his voice came out raspy and a bit slurred. Like he hadn't used his voice in a long time. "Where am I?" he managed to ask.
A few moments passed, and the body of the largest person he'd ever seen came into view.
"You're in my house," he said.
Daven wanted to ask if he could be a bit more specific, but he was a little preoccupied thinking about how Ralk was at least twice his size. "I mean I'm not exactly on the tall side, but still," he thought to himself.
"You must still be hungry. Let me get you the soup I made you," Ralk said as he walked out of the room.
He came back with a bowl of something that smelt delicious. Daven's stomach rumbled at the thought of what it would taste like.
Ralk laughed, and it was a deep, booming one as Daven had expected. But there was this feeling of... playfulness to it?
"Sounds like someone's excited. All right then, eat up."
Ralk cradled Daven's head in his large hand and gently sat him up so he could hold the bowl to his mouth. As Daven drank the soup- which tasted much better than anything he'd ever tasted- he couldn't help but stare at Ralk's fingers. One of Ralk's was almost two of his, and they radiated a comfortable warmth, pressed against his neck.
Daven was happy that this... gentle giant was the one that had found him and not some parasitic noble.
Later that night, Daven felt well enough to speak properly again. He told Ralk his name, that he lived in the royal capital and was ambushed by bandits on his way there. Despite the fact he was quite sure it was an assassination attempt, and not a random robbery.
Hearing Daven's story got Ralk thinking. He might have to visit his family instead of them coming over considering how dangerous the roads to the city seem to be.
The bandits didn't explain how Daven had gotten multiple cuts, burns, bruises, and probably a few broken bones. But Ralk decided not to pry. They barely knew each other after all.
Although listening to Daven's voice as he spoke, Ralk felt like he'd known him forever. It was warm and velvety like a cup of Ogmor tea on a cold night.
And his eyes. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of green Ralk had ever seen. The contrast against his pearly skin made them more vibrant and piercing. Like he was peering right into Ralk's soul.
The next few weeks went by slowly. But they were pleasant. Ralk started every morning by cleaning Daven up with a washcloth and rubbing down most of his body with his own special blend of oils and herbs.
It took a lot of willpower for Daven to keep his body under control. Trying to keep himself from getting an erection was honestly something he wasn't used to. So while he looked forward to these messages, they felt like torture.
Snow had already begun to fall when Daven's body was fully functional again. On this day, Ralk did not go out to sell his wares because of the waist-deep snow. Daven decided today was the day he'd make his move. His heart and body were in agreement on what they wanted.
Daven crept silently into the kitchen and stood a few inches away from Ralk, who was bent over, trying to turn on the oven. His earthy brown skin rippled with muscle, and the view of his ass in those wyrm-silk pants was mesmerising to Daven.
Daven waited until it looked like Ralk was done, then hugged him from behind. Ralk flinched a little in surprise, but wasn't scared.
"Do you want me to turn up the heat?" Ralk said playfully followed by soft laughter.
"No," Daven said, trying to sound as sexy as possible. "I'd rather have you warm me up."
His laughter died in his throat, and he made a very nervous grunt. He was rather overwhelmed by how sexy Daven was right now.